Written Answers Nos. 454-478
454. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive his bog compensation scheme payment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29807/14]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 1 of 15 (2011), a payment of €1,500 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2012) and a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2013) have been made to this applicant. A payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 4 of 15 (2014) has recently been approved for this applicant and will be made to him shortly.
In addition, a once-off payment of €500 has been made to the applicant in respect of the signing of a legal agreement under this scheme with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
455. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received compensation in view of the fact that he ceased cutting turf for the past number of years in the Monivea bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29831/14]
View answerAn application for compensation, under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
The applicant indicated on his application form that he had cut turf on the designated site in question in 2012 and was therefore not eligible for compensation in respect of that year. In addition, no evidence of a legal interest in the site was supplied with the application. This has subsequently been supplied to my Department.
Following a reassessment of the application, I am advised that a payment of €1,518 in respect of Year 2 of 15 (2013) and a payment of €1,521 in respect of Year 3 of 15 (2014) have recently been approved for this applicant and will be made to him shortly.
456. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the extent of capital or current funding provided for sporting or cultural activities in each of the Twenty-six Counties for each of the past four years, both from the proceeds of the national lottery and other sources; the proposed future expenditure from each source for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29946/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will recall, my Department was established in June 2011. Details of the annual funding allocation to my Department at subhead level, including those part-funded from the National Lottery, are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume for each of the years since 2011 and are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at http://www.per.gov.ie/estpubexp2013/. Through these subheads, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie.
Expenditure under these programme areas is recorded and accounted for on a national basis and it is not possible to give a regional or county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. For example, a number of my Department’s programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies that operate across county boundaries and in respect of which no detailed breakdown on a county basis is held by my Department. Groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not typically constituted on a single-county basis.
In view of this and because of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes, and the large volumes of payments and grants involved, it is not possible to provide the information sought. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I will endeavour to provide her with relevant information in that regard.
457. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the amount of money spent on trips as part of foreign delegations for each of the past four years; the proposed expenditure for 2014, providing detailed aims and objectives of the trip. [29948/14]
View answerThe expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of overseas travel for each of the last four years, broken down by subsistence and transport costs (including airfares) is set out in the table below:
|
Costs |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 to date |
|
Transport costs (including airfares) |
€108,839 |
€180,077 |
€155,174 |
€60,218 |
|
Subsistence |
€67,620 |
€128,644 |
€99,169 |
€24,128 |
All such expenditure relates exclusively to official business on behalf of my Department or the Government, and has been incurred in full conformity with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidance on such matters.
In 2014, an overall allocation of €1.463m has been provided in respect of the cost of travel and subsistence expenses of the Minister, Minister of State and staff of my Department on official business, including both domestic and foreign travel. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure on foreign delegations for the remainder of the year, as this will depend on the specific trips required for the period in question.
The work required to compile and collate the detailed aims and objectives of each trip, as sought by the Deputy, could not be undertaken in the time available for replying to this Parliamentary Question. However, if the Deputy has any specific queries relating to a particular trip which has been undertaken, I would be glad to seek to provide her with relevant information in that regard.
458. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to expand the successful historic towns initiative; and if he will provide in tabular form the amount spent on historical towns initiative for each of the past four years. [29950/14]
View answerMy Department is developing the heritage-led Historic Towns Initiative in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and the Heritage Council. A pilot programme for this initiative in Westport, Youghal and Listowel operated through 2013 and will conclude in 2014. My primary objective with this pilot is to ensure that the participating towns have access to, and an understanding of, appropriate guidance to assist them in best conserving their heritage assets and, in so doing, underpin the sustainability of their community and local economy. It is my hope that meeting these goals will also, by extension, significantly enhance the visitor experience in these towns, thus helping to maximise the potential positive contribution of tourism to each of these towns and their respective hinterlands.
Each participating town has set up a local Historic Towns Initiative working group consisting of representatives of local government, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders. The local groups are responsible for drawing up a vision for their town with specific objectives supported by a clear action plan. Funding was allocated by my Department to the towns for projects in 2013 and 2014 and this is set out in the table below. Additional support was provided to the initiative by Fáilte Ireland and the relevant local authorities. Projects funded under the initiative include public realm enhancement works, heritage interpretation works and conservation works to heritage structures.
On conclusion of the pilot programme later this year, I will consider the future expansion of the initiative to other historic towns, along with participating criteria for historic towns. However, any enlargement of the initiative will, as previously advised to the Deputy, be subject to the availability of funding in the context of the many competing priorities for the conservation, preservation and presentation of the State’s heritage.
|
Year |
Allocation to Historic Towns Initiative |
|
2013 |
€240,000 |
|
2014 |
€120,000 |
459. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the amount of money spent on private consultants for each of the past four years; and the proposed expenditure for 2014 providing detailed aims and objectives of the contact. [29952/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011. The following table lists the payments made to consultants from my Department's Administrative Budget since that date. It may be noted that contracts for the provision of services are not included.
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
|
2011 |
40,637 |
|
2012 |
10,959 |
|
2013 |
30,176 |
In the published 2014 Revised Estimates Volume for my Department, the annual funding allocation under that specific subhead is €100,000. This funding is utilised to engage external expert advice to support analysis and policy development in my Department. Value for money is an overriding consideration in relation to the engagement of consultancy services.
For completeness, I wish to bring to the Deputy's attention that from time to time my Department also commissions engineering or environmental experts to provide technical reports on specific issues as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as "consultancy services and policy reviews" and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
460. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to expand the successful walled cities initiative; and if he will provide in tabular form the amount spent on this initiative for each of the past four years. [29955/14]
View answerThe Irish Walled Towns Network was set up by the Heritage Council in 2005 in order to unite and coordinate local authorities involved in the management, conservation and enhancement of historic walled towns in Ireland, both north and south. I understand that there are now 24 members. The network provides grant funding for town wall conservation plans, the implementation of those plans and the running of Walled Towns Day festivals.
The administration and management of the Network is a matter for the Heritage Council. The Council has informed my Department that it has provided €2,348,026 in funding for the Network over the past 4 years, as set out in the Table below:
|
Year |
Amount of funding allocated to ITWN (€) |
|
2013 |
264,568.00 |
|
2012 |
521,140.00 |
|
2011 |
678,083.00 |
|
2010 |
884,235.00 |
461. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form details of increments paid since 2008 in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30526/14]
View answerA summary of the number and aggregate value of increments awarded to staff in each of the years 2011 (from 2 June) to 2014 (to 30 June) is set out in the table below. The payment of increments in my Department is subject to staff receiving a satisfactory rating through the Performance Management Development System.
|
Year |
No of Increments Awarded |
Aggregate Value of Increments Awarded |
|
2011 (2 Jun-31 Dec)* |
74 |
€98,000 |
|
2012 |
269 |
€374,000 |
|
2013 |
279 |
€377,000 |
|
2014 (1 Jan-30 Jun) |
109 |
€151,000 |
*Does not include increments awarded to Professional and Technical Grades who remained on the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government payroll during this period.
462. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of retired civil and public servants that have been rehired on temporary contracts or as consultants under his remit; if he will provide a breakdown of those figures in tabular form, providing associated costs of such rehiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30551/14]
View answerSince its establishment in June 2011, my Department has rehired a small number of its retired civil servants (2) on temporary contracts or as consultants, as set out in the following table:
|
Purpose |
Period |
Number of Persons Employed |
Fees /Salary paid |
|
Archaeological Reports on Clonmacnoise |
Dec 2011 - Dec 2014 |
1 |
€9,250 |
|
Caretaker at 3 NPWS properties |
2011 – ongoing subject to annual review |
1 |
€5,400 |
For the sake of completeness as I have previously advised the House, one of my Special Advisers, Mr. James Kenny is a retired schoolteacher. Mr Kenny's salary, following abatement, is €42,941 per annum. I am also advised that bodies under the aegis of my Department have rehired a small number (5) of their public servants on temporary contracts or as consultants, as set out in the following table:
|
Body |
Purpose |
Period |
Number of Persons Employed |
Fees /Salary paid |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Interim CEO |
Jan 2011 – April 2012 |
1 |
€83,664 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Provision of legal services |
Mar 2012 - Jun 2014 |
1 |
€138,469 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Work on English/Irish Dictionary project |
Jul 2011 - Dec 2012 |
2 |
€13,785 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Work relating to An Gúm |
June 2011 to date |
1 |
€25,920 |
463. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the take-up rate of action 78 of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, relating to the distribution of 1,000 trading online vouchers in 2014 in tabular form; the take-up rate by region; the take-up rate by type of business; the number of applications by which the scheme was oversubscribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28814/14]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I announced the nationwide availability of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme on 1 July last. Building on the successful pilot conducted in Dublin earlier this year, the Scheme was scaled up and opened for applications in Counties Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Louth, Sligo and Waterford in recent months. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) are our key delivery partners in implementing this Scheme and are in the process of awarding vouchers to qualifying companies in these areas.
Under the national rollout, 1,000 vouchers are being made available for qualifying businesses through the network of 31 LEOs between now and the end of 2014 with at least 1,000 more on offer next year. The Government has allocated €5 million for the rollout of the Scheme and businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to €2,500 to help them trade online.
Details of the numbers and nature of companies availing of the vouchers in each county or LEO area will become available as vouchers are awarded over the coming months.
464. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects the European Commission to make its decision in relation to the roll-out of fibre broadband along the ESB network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29708/14]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy relates to the obligation of ESB to notify the European Commission of the proposed joint venture in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (the Merger Regulation) and EU Commission implementing regulations. This is a corporate issue between the ESB and the European Commission and I therefore have no function in this matter.
465. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has had their pension stopped by Inland Fisheries Ireland; and when they may expect to have same re-instated with full back payments included. [29878/14]
View answerMatters in relation to pension payments are, in the first instance, an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Pension payments by public bodies are made in accordance with the terms of the pension scheme in operation in each instance and the relevant legislative framework. In this regard, I have asked IFI to contact the Deputy directly to address his queries.
466. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will he ensure that the area of Courtbrack and Foxes Bridge, County Cork, will be included in the recently announced outline broadband roll-out scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29006/14]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:
- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment; and
- a State-led intervention for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.
Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. Commercial operators combined have either invested, or committed to invest, over €2 billion in their Irish networks, delivering high speed broadband to homes and businesses.
As a result of this accelerated investment the addressable area required by the State-led intervention has been reduced by 30% since the National Broadband Plan was launched. While the commercial developments are welcome the acceleration of investment is largely contained to cities and towns. Consequently, the speeds that are available in these areas are demonstrably better than those that are available in more rural areas.
On 25 April last, I signalled the Government's commitment to a major telecommunications network build-out to rural Ireland, with fibre as the foundation of its investment, as part of the State-led intervention under the National Broadband Plan. This commitment is a clear expression of Government’s determination to address the connectivity challenge in rural Ireland in a meaningful and sustainable way.
Central to the strategy will be a long term, future proofed infrastructure build with next generation backhaul infrastructure (likely to be primarily fibre based) as the key component underpinning whatever access technology delivers the service (fixed or wireless). This infrastructure build will extend to locations in every county in the State identified as having no existing or planned enabling fibre network. It will be part of an end-to-end strategy that will address all parts of Ireland that cannot access commercial high speed broadband services.
A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department which will identify those areas that will require a State intervention. I have published a county-by-county list of towns and villages which have already been identified for a fibre build-out. This list is available on my Department's website, www.dcenr.gov.ie
Currently, a total of 108 areas in County Cork have been identified as requiring an intervention. This is an indicative list and is subject to the completion of the mapping exercise. Further locations may be identified as this process continues. Similarly, it may be determined that some locations on the list will be addressed by the commercial sector and will therefore not require State intervention. I would point out that the EU Commission’s guidelines on State aid for high speed broadband infrastructure preclude Member States from intervening in regions in which private investors have demonstrated plans to roll out their own infrastructure within the following three years.
I have recently launched a stakeholder consultation on the implementation of the State-led intervention. This consultation, among other things, seeks views on the proposed criteria to be used in finalising those locations which require a State intervention. The outcome of this consultation will enable finalisation of the mapping exercise, which I expect will be concluded in the autumn.
In tandem with the completion of the mapping exercise, intensive design and planning work is ongoing in my Department with a view to producing a detailed end to end strategy for the State led intervention. As part of this process consideration will be given to appropriate measures to respond to aggregated community demand for services. My Department has already received a detailed submission from residents and business in the Courtbrack area of County Cork and this will be considered in the context of the mapping exercise and strategy development generally. It is my intention to conduct a full public consultation on the outcome of the mapping process and the proposed strategy once finalised.
This will be followed by a detailed procurement process with a view to commencing construction of the fibre network and provision of services in identified areas as quickly as possible.
467. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular form per annum from 2009 to date in 2014 the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; the total granted; the total part-granted; the total appealed; the total successful appeals; the total part-successful appeals; the total refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29064/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables:
|
- |
Number of FOI Requests |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
1 |
Received |
52 |
55 |
54 |
70 |
39 |
31 |
|
2 |
Refused |
9 |
11 |
4 |
22 |
9 |
*11 |
|
3 |
Granted |
22 |
17 |
9 |
16 |
2 |
*2 |
|
4 |
Part-Granted |
12 |
22 |
21 |
23 |
13 |
*14 |
* These figures do not include requests currently under consideration.
|
- |
Number of Internal Reviews |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
1 |
Received |
6 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
2 |
*Affirmed Original Decision |
6 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
*Varied Original Decision |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
*Withdrawn |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*Outcomes of Appeals reflect the cases accepted in that year.
|
- |
Number of FOI Requests to OIC |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
1 |
Appealed |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
*1 |
0 |
|
2 |
**Successful Appeals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
**Part Successful Appeals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
**Refused |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*Withdrawn.
**Outcomes of Appeals reflect the cases accepted in that year.
468. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months; six to 12 months; one to two years; two to three years; four to five years; five years-plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29081/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Period |
Months |
Months |
Years |
Years |
Years |
Years |
|
Career Break period |
0 - 6 Months |
6 - 12 months |
1 - 2 years |
2-3 years |
4 - 5 years |
5 years plus |
|
Number of staff |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
469. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29098/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The booking of photographers is managed by the Department's Press Office in each case.
Photography Costs - Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
|
Company |
Event Date-March 2011-May 2014 |
Event |
Cost |
|
Maxwell Photography |
13/06/2011 |
Government convenes Next Generation Broadband Taskforce |
340.92 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
27/07/2011 |
Age Action Silver Surfer Launch (pre shoot) |
274.97 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
23/09/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte stock photos available for widespread media use |
409.58 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
24/10/2011 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes EU Commission Telecoms specialists to Dublin |
552.67 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
(1) 27/11/11 |
Publication of the Government’s Affordable Energy Strategy |
1,052.70 |
|
(2) 16/11/11 |
Launch of Irish Anti Botnet Website (anti cyber crime initiative) |
||
|
Fennell Photography |
09/12/2011 |
Cunningham Awards, Geological Survey of Ireland, University Geology Project Competition Awards |
510.75 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
10/01/2012 |
Launch of Community Outreach Campaign - Digital TV Switchover |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
13/01/2012 |
Launch of the SMS 112 emergency service |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
06/02/2012 |
Nationwide rollout of high speed broadband to second level schools |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
01/03/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte welcomes 23 Digital Outreach Champions |
492.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
02/05/2012 |
Next Generation Broadband Taskforce launch |
485.85 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
28/05/2012 |
Launch of the Renewable Energy Strategy Report |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
22/08/2012 |
Third Central & North Atlantic Conjugate Margins Conference |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
30/08/2012 |
Launch of the National Broadband Plan |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
15/10/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte visits Kippure TV mast for Digital Switchover with media |
492.00 |
|
Phocus |
08/11/2012 |
Minister Rabbitte inspects high speed broadband in St. Colman’s School |
359.78 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
17/12/2012 |
Announcement of Ireland’s Digital Champion |
492.00 |
|
Jason Clarke Photography |
24/01/2013 |
Signing of Energy MoU with Britain |
492.00 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
28/02/2013 |
Launch of National Energy Efficiency Action Plan |
499.38 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
05/03/2013 |
Announcement of phase II of Schools Broadband in Warrenmount School |
361.62 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
11/07/2013 |
Launch of the National Digital Strategy |
327.18 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
26/11/2013 |
Appointment of the New Chairman and Commissioners in Comreg |
137.76 |
|
Maxwell Photography |
12/05/2014 |
Launch of Energy Green Paper |
327.18 |
|
TOTAL |
11,159.59 |
470. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29115/14]
View answerMy Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information which the Deputy requested is outlined in tabular format as follows.
|
Company |
Purpose of Consultancy |
|
Morrow Communications Ltd |
Provision of services in relation to outreach in rural communities with respect to low flying geophysical survey and soil geochemical survey. |
|
Murray Consultants |
Media Services to the Department. |
|
McConnells Advertising Agency |
Public information campaign on the Digital Switchover moving from analogue TV to Digital TV. |
|
Communications Consultants Ireland |
Management of two Public Information Meetings on new Inland Fisheries Legislation |
471. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount spent on external information technology consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29150/14]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any expenditure on external IT consultants in the years in question. The Information Systems Services Division of my Department does, however, have contracts with 6 IT companies for the provision of ICT personnel, who are classed as contractors rather than consultants. The amount spent under this heading is as follows:
|
Company |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Compass Informatics |
€41,980 |
€69,375 |
€85,931 |
€79,815 |
€51,328 |
|
Client Solutions |
€99,642 |
€100,050 |
€97,875 |
€101,572 |
€50,830 |
|
CPL |
€93,060 |
€103,224 |
€104,033 |
€96,408 |
€59,449 |
|
ESRI |
€126,229 |
€126,771 |
€130,464 |
€119,406 |
€63,921 |
|
System Dynamics (2 Contractors) |
€135,568 |
€187,210 |
€199,651 |
€166,377 |
€111,835 |
|
IT Force (2 Contractors until December 2012) |
€270,015 |
€240,373 |
€195,895 |
€122,969 |
€60,295 |
472. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has renegotiated external information technology consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29169/14]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any expenditure on external IT consultants since March 2011. The Information Systems Services Division of my Department does, however, have contracts with 6 IT companies for the provision of ICT personnel, who are classed as contractors rather than consultants. All contracts entered into follow Public Procurement guidelines and, when completed, are re-advertised on eTenders or the EU Journal as appropriate.
473. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies in State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies in State boards under his Department's remit publically advertised since March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [29187/14]
View answerThis Government has made changes in relation to appointments to State Boards and bodies with new arrangements involving advertisement of vacancies for applications from suitably qualified candidates and, in accordance with the government Decision of 12 April 2011, I have, each year, on my Department's website, invited Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department. This information has been used to inform decisions for appointments to State Boards.
Such invitations are designed to extend the range of suitable persons from which a Minister might make appointments – not to constrain that range. In 2011 there were 31 applications received following the advertisement for Expressions of Interest from which 3 appointments were made. In 2012 there were 37 applications received following the advertisement for Expressions of Interest from which 5 appointments were made. In the current 2013/2014 call for expressions of interest there have been 110 applications received to date following the advertisement for Expressions of Interest from which 10 appointments were made.
There are currently 14 vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department. Seven of these vacancies are on the Board of the Digital Hub Development Agency and, in light of the proposed merger of that agency with Dublin City Council, it is not proposed to make further appointments at this time.
There have been 108 appointments made to State Boards under the aegis of my Department in the period March 2011 to date. The following table details all appointments to State Boards which have been filled since 9 March 2011 to date, including the appointments made from the Expressions of Interest received, taking into consideration qualifications and legislative requirements where applicable. It should also be noted that about one third of the appointments made were either ex-officio appointments, reappointments, the appointment of worker directors chosen by election, or appointments made from nominations made by an Oireachtas Committee.
Appointments made to State Boards under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 9 March 2011 to date.
|
Body |
Number of Appointments made from 9 March 2011 to date |
Category of Appointments made from 9 March 2011 to date |
|
An Post |
14 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 5 Worker Directors 1 Expression of Interest Director 7 Other Directors |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
1 Appointment |
1 Other Director |
|
Bord na Móna |
10 Appointments |
1 Chairperson (Expression of Interest) 6 Other Directors 2 Expression of Interest Directors 1 Elected Employee Member |
|
Bord Gais Eireann |
4 Appointments |
3 Other Directors 1 SIPTU Union Rep |
|
EirGrid |
9 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 2 Expression of Interest Directors 5 Other Directors 1 Staff Representative |
|
ESB |
6 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 1 Expression of Interest Director 4 Other Directors |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) |
5 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 4 Other Directors |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) |
6 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 5 Other Directors |
|
TG4 |
8 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 2 Expressions of Interest Director 5 Other Directors |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) |
16 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 2 Expression of Interest Directors 13 Other Directors |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) |
12 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 2 Expression of Interest Directors 9 Other Directors |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) |
11 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 1 Expression of Interest Director 9 Other Directors |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
4 Appointments |
4 Expression of Interest Directors |
|
The Mining Board |
2 Appointments |
1 Chairperson 1 Other Director |
474. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of Bills his Department has published since March 2011; the number of regulatory impact assessments that his Department has published since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29289/14]
View answerSince March 2011 there have been five Bills initiated by me and brought through the legislative process to completion as follows:
- The Access to Central Treasury Funds (Commission for Energy Regulation) Bill 2011, enacted on the 23rd of November 2011. No Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) was required for this Bill - a full RIA was undertaken for the related Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act, 2010.
- The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011, enacted on the 25th of February 2012. A RIA for the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 was published with the Bill on the 27th September 2011.
- The Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy)(Amendment) Bill 2012, enacted on the 25th of May 2012. This was emergency legislation on foot of a Supreme Court Decision and therefore was exempt from RIA requirements.
- The Gas Regulation Bill 2013, enacted on the 3rd of December 2013. A RIA on the Gas Regulation Bill 2013, setting out the policy context and rationale for the implementation of full ownership unbundling, including for the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, was prepared. Some of the material contained in the RIA was considered to be commercially sensitive in light of the ongoing transaction process. Therefore, it has not been published at this stage.
- The ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2014, enacted on the 18th of March 2014. A RIA was completed in respect of the Bill and was published on my Department’s website.
My Department undertakes RIA in accordance with the procedures set out in the RIA Guidelines published by the Department of the Taoiseach.
475. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department or agencies under its auspices has engaged the services of a debt collection agency in pursuing money owed to his Department or its agencies; if his Department have guidelines regarding hiring such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29326/14]
View answerMy Department has not engaged the services of any debt collection agencies and there are no guidelines in place for hiring such agencies. The information sought regarding the Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
476. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to the issues raised in a consultant report (details supplied) relating to current salmon conservation measures within the Waterford stock complex; the recommendation therein for a new and extended closed-season survey as suggested by the Waterford Estuary Fishermen’s Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29339/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that catch and release angling is being undertaken on the Suir in 2014 and the rod catch, combined with a rod exploitation rate and catch data over the previous four years will be used by the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon (SSCS) to provide a salmon stock assessment for the Suir in 2014.
The Stillwaters Consultancy letter notes that higher proportions of multi sea winter salmon have an important effect on the Conservation Limits (CL) required on each river and comments that it is vital to obtain information of the proportions of multi sea winter fish returning.
The SCSS reviewed the number of rivers designated at multi sea rivers (MSW) in 2012 and included the Barrow, Nore & Suir as MSW rivers. The size of rod caught salmon reported in the national tagging and logbook scheme was used to determine the percentage of the rod catch greater than 4kg (as representative of MSW fish). The proportion of MSW salmon used in the calculation of conservation limit was raised from 7.5% to 38% for the Suir in 2012. On the basis of a higher proportion of multi sea winter salmon, the conservation limit for the Suir decreased from 16,464 salmon in 2011 to 14,048 in 2012. The calculation of CL for individual rivers will not be examined again for a five year period.
The Stillwaters Consultancy letter states that a new survey in the closed season to bolster the catch figures of anglers and snap net fishermen from the Nore to give a picture of the proportions of salmon both 1SW and MSW destined for each river system is now vital.
As set out above, the proportions of 1SW and MSW salmon were revised for the Barrow, Nore and Suir in 2012 and will be used by the SSCS for a five year period. Therefore no new information of the proportions of 1SW:MSW is required. This revised split of 1SW:MSW salmon for these rivers undertaken in 2012 was based on the recorded salmon rod catch in each individual river over the full angling season over a five year period and would be more comprehensive than any estuary survey where the discrimination of fish from the Barrow, Nore and Suir would be difficult with a high degree of uncertainty.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have been in contact with University College Cork, the authors of the Waterford Genetic Stock Identification Project (2011), in order to clarify the situation with regard the determination of the river of origin of Atlantic salmon caught as part of an experimental fishery prosecuted in Waterford Harbour in 2010. They confirm, using their then standard panel of genetic markers for stock discrimination in Atlantic salmon (16 microsatellites) and an additional analysis using small number of randomly selected 210 SNP markers (SNPs then being in the early methodological stages of development and application), that it was not possible to categorically assign genetically fish captured in a mixed fisheries situation in Waterford Harbour to their potential rivers of origin, namely the Nore, Barrow and Suir.
IFI are also informed by UCC that there have been substantial technological advancements in salmon genetic stock identification in the period since the investigation was undertaken in 2010 and 2011. As a result DNA SNP marker panels with up to 250K markers are available, such that it might now be possible to develop a panel of markers based on subset of these, which could be highly discriminatory and specific to the rivers entering Waterford Harbour. However IFI are also advised that the design and development of such a panel would require a substantial research effort and there is no absolute guarantee of success.
In conclusion, the recommendation for a new and extended closed-season survey as suggested by the Waterford Estuary Fishermen’s Association is not required with regard to assessment of salmon stocks on the Barrow, Nore or Suir as there is a stock assessment method (rod catch) already in place for all three rivers. Also proportions of 1SW and MSW salmon has been revised recently (2012) by the SSCS to determine salmon conservation limits for all three rivers. One of the objectives of the 2010 survey was to provide a qualitative assessment of salmon stock abundance on the Barrow as no assessment was available at that time. Since then the Barrow has been open for catch and release angling and a means of salmon stock assessment is therefore currently in place.
As set out above, the use of DNA SNP techniques is still at a developmental stage with no certainty of being able to discriminate salmon stocks from individual rivers in Waterford estuary. In fact, currently there is no requirement to discriminate individual stocks entering Waterford estuary as a stock assessment method is in place for all three rivers and the SSCS provide catch advice annually. One of the objectives of the 2010 survey was to determine the mixed stock nature of the estuarine catch but this is not a requirement in the current scientific assessment process.
477. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any consideration has been given by his Department to the continuous multi-year annual funding being provided to TG4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29420/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 130 of 26 June 2014. The position is unchanged.
478. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of funding his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29572/14]
View answerMy Department does not provide any funding specifically for library services for persons with a visual impairment as my Department does not manage any library services with the one exception of the library of the Geological Survey of Ireland (G.S.I.). The G.S.I. Library is a small specialised library and currently does not facilitate those with a visual impairment.
