Written Answers Nos. 293-310
293. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form a list of the annual salaries of the chief executive officers of all non-commercial State sponsored bodies under his remit. [30886/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Body |
Annual salary of Director/CEO |
|
Arts Council |
€85,750 |
|
Irish Film Board |
€97,981 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
€72,124 |
|
National Library of Ireland |
€81,080 |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
€90,591 |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
€96,148 |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
€85,720 |
|
National Concert Hall |
€101,056 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
€93,297 |
|
Heritage Council |
€113,123 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
€126,200 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
€113,429 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
£49,244 |
|
Waterways Ireland |
£61,217 |
294. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual saving to the Exchequer if the pay of all ministerial special advisers was capped in his Department at the first point of the principal officer grade. [30905/14]
View answerAn annual saving of €6,029 at current rates would accrue to my Department if a pay cap were to be applied of the nature outlined by the Deputy.
295. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in a tabular form a list of all non-commercial State sponsored bodies under his remit. [30916/14]
View answerA number of bodies and agencies are funded from within my Department's Vote Group. I have attached the relevant link for ease of reference. http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/AboutUs/AgenciesBodiesunderDepartmentsAegis/
For completeness, the Deputy may wish to note, that responsibility for the Censorship of Publications Board and Censorship of Publications Appeals Board transferred to my Department in June 2013.
296. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the fishermen on the River Barrow have yet to be allowed to return to their fishing while the other two rivers, the Nore and Suir are opened sporadically and the nine persons affected by the ban on fishing would like the order rescinded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30028/14]
View answer300. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when fishing will be allowed at the Waterford estuary rivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29982/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 300 together.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. As each of Ireland’s 143 salmon rivers has its own unique stock of salmon IFI manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis. IFI is supported in its management of salmon stocks by a statutorily based Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) on Salmon comprising scientists from IFI, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Loughs Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI- Northern Ireland) other State bodies and third level institutions. IFI also carries out extensive monitoring of salmon stock status which feed into the scientific committee's assessments carried out every year.
The salmon Conservation Limit (CL) is the number of spawning salmon required to maintain a sustainable population and is used to indicate the number of salmon in a river system above which a harvestable surplus can be considered. Salmon conservation limits are set similarly for all of Ireland’s salmon rivers. The SSC revised the conservation limits for all rivers for the 2014 scientific advice.
The Waterford Estuary has three main rivers entering the estuary; the Barrow, Nore and Suir. IFI advise me that Waterford estuary is currently below its conservation limit and therefore there is no permitted salmon /sea trout fishery there. The SSC advice for the Nore for 2014 was that the river was meeting its CL and had a surplus of 2214 salmon. The SSC advice for the Suir for 2014 was that the river was not meeting its CL and had a deficit of 2449 salmon and therefore would remain closed for harvesting of salmon. The SSC advice for the Barrow for 2014 was that the river was also not meeting its CL and had a deficit of 8284 salmon and therefore would remain closed for harvesting of Salmon. The opening of a commercial salmon fishery can only be considered if there is a suitable surplus of salmon (in excess of conservation limit) available for harvest.
Prior to any commercial salmon fishing being permitted in the Waterford Estuary it will be necessary for all the waters in the vicinity of the fishing location to be in surplus at the same time and for genetic analysis to have confirmed that no other stocks are mixed in the area. If genetic assessment proves that the stocks in the area are specific to local rivers only, and that analysis shows that these stocks are all above their conservation limit with a surplus available for exploitation, consideration could be given to a commercial fishery. It should be noted that where such a regime exists the overall quota for the area is not based on the sum of the individual quotas as this could result in over exploitation of the river with the lowest surplus. As a consequence any combined quota must ensure that all relevant rivers attain their conservation limit. Any future decision on a fishery can only be taken in the context of the estuary being above its conservation limit. Ireland must be particularly careful to ensure that all national and international legislation and other obligations are met in any future management regime.
297. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an approach has been made to the National Roads Authority to construct the North-South interconnector underground in ducts as part of the A5-N2 project; and if the NRA have commented on the matter. [29975/14]
View answerWhile this is a matter for the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any role or function, the Deputy may wish to contact EirGrid directly on the matter. EirGrid has published a number of substantial reports on the matter of optimal routing for the North South Transmission Line Project and can be contacted at northsouth@eirgrid.com or by telephone at “lo-call” 1890 25 26 90.
298. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to the publication of the RTE annual report 2013, where it is revealed that his Department collected €219 million in licence fees from An Post and the Department of Social Protection in 2013, and that €182 million of this was passed to RTE, the rationale for any increase or decrease in the payment; if he will reveal the organisations that lost out from his decision and the discussions that took place between his Department and RTE on the matter. [29979/14]
View answer299. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to the publication of the RTE annual report 2013, where it is revealed that his Department collected €219 million in licence fees from An Post and the Department of Social Protection in 2013, and that €182 million of this was passed to RTE, the factors that determine the amount of licence fee collected that is paid annually to RTE; if he will provide in tabular form, the amounts for the years from 2009 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29980/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together.
The licence fee is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives which are also set out in the 2009 Act.
An Post pays the Department all TV licence revenues collected from sales and the Department of Social Protection currently pays a sum of €52m in respect of free TV licences issued. From these gross receipts, the Department deducts commission payable to An Post for their agency role and TG4 currently receives €9.245m.In addition, 7% of the revenue goes towards the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, Sound & Vision II, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The scheme was established to provide funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers and broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature.
The remaining revenues are paid to RTÉ.
|
Year |
TV Licence Fee Net Proceeds €000 |
RTÉ €000 |
|
2009 |
226.2 |
204.3 |
|
2010 |
222.4 |
195.0 |
|
2011 |
217.8 |
182.4 |
|
2012 |
215.0 |
179.2 |
|
2013 |
216.4 |
181.5 |
301. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of commissioning the Wood Mackenzie report into Ireland's oil and gas fiscal system to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30001/14]
View answerIn May 2013 I initiated a debate in Dáil Éireann on the Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration published in May 2012 by the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture. At the conclusion of the Dáil debate, I stated my intention to seek further independent expert advice on the “fitness-for-purpose” of Ireland’s fiscal terms, such advice to focus on what level of fiscal gain is achievable for the State and its citizens and, equally importantly, on the mechanisms best suited to produce such a gain.
On foot of a public procurement process, Wood Mackenzie, a major international company with very significant sectoral knowledge, understanding and expertise, were engaged by my Department to provide such expert advice.
On conclusion of their assignment on 30 May Wood Mackenzie furnished me with a final report. Following consideration by Government I published the full report on 18 June. In their report Wood Mackenzie provided their analysis in what I would consider to be a comprehensive, detailed and accessible manner.
I have no doubt that this report will serve as a key reference point in terms of the factual detail it contains, the broad range of issues it discusses and the clear analysis informing its recommendations for Ireland’s oil and gas fiscal regime.
The total cost of the advice, inclusive of expenses and VAT, was €212,873.
302. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the presence of the metropolitan area network in towns will relate to the initiative he has announced for 50 towns across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30031/14]
View answerThe Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) consist of fibre optic rings around 94 regional cities and towns designed to enhance connectivity in these areas. The MANs are playing an important part in driving competition in the regions and have facilitated operators to provide services that benefit both business and residential customers. The MANs are managed, operated and maintained on behalf of the State by a private company, e|net, who provide non-discriminatory wholesale access to the networks for retail suppliers.
ESB and Vodafone have announced an agreement to establish a joint venture company to invest in and develop a "fibre to the building" electronic communications network, utilising the existing electricity distribution network. Any investment by the partners in this project is undertaken on a commercial basis and I understand that it initially planned to pass 500,000 premises in 50 towns across the country. It is a matter for the new joint venture company and any existing network providers, including e|net, to determine whether in any area there is an opportunity to co-operate to the extent permitted by competition law.
303. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 20% reduction in all professional fees for his Department, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT-related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; and the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014. [30062/14]
View answer304. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form a list of all professional fees for his Department, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT-related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; and the company name and amount invoiced between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014. [30077/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.
The table below outlines details of fees paid for professional services as defined by the deduction of withholding tax by my Department between 1st June 2013 and 31st May 2014.
My Department administers a very diverse, complex and extremely technical brief. It has a total complement of around 250 full time equivalent staff of whom a limited number are technical personnel. This reality necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice notably in legal, financial and technical areas to assist in discharging its functions. In procuring these specialised services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and that these professional services contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making. Furthermore, in relation to the competitive tendering for contracts, my Department adheres to the relevant EU Regulations and Department of Finance Guidelines on the procurement of goods and services.
Applying a unilateral 20% reduction in professional fees would reduce the amount paid by approximately €1m. This figure is however a mathematical exercise, as the competitive tendering process ensures a market rate is obtained for the professional services being delivered.
Professional fees paid by the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources
|
Name |
Description of Service |
Amount (€) |
|
Mason Communications (Irl) Ltd |
Communications Consultancy on digital projects |
6,679 |
|
David Fox Associates |
Petroleum Engineering |
172,559 |
|
Ernst & Young |
Audit Services |
14,791 |
|
ESRI Ireland |
Software Licensing and Maintenance |
261,719 |
|
Norcontel (Ireland) Ltd |
Galway/Mayo pipeline Consultancy |
12,915 |
|
Version 1 Software |
Software Licensing |
601 |
|
Morgan Geophysics |
Geophysicist Consultancy |
117,474 |
|
Dr. Robert Meehan |
National Quaternary Mapping |
57,098 |
|
Prof MARK O'MALLEY |
East-West Interconnector Consultancy |
6,000 |
|
PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS |
Financial Advisory Service |
170,205 |
|
Compass Informatics Ltd |
Software Maintenance |
105,708 |
|
Compass Informatics Ltd |
Marine Data Management Services |
27,479 |
|
Murphy Surveys Ltd |
INFOMAR Vessel Maintenance |
2,398 |
|
Dr. Vincent Gallagher |
Geochemistry Consultancy |
31,936 |
|
Keane Offshore Integrity Ltd |
Corrib Gas Consultancy |
178,596 |
|
John Deasy |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
35,916 |
|
Maria Judge |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
54,929 |
|
Larry Staines |
National Postcode System Consultancy |
39,216 |
|
Niall Finn |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
41,769 |
|
Mairead Glennon |
Geological Project Management Consultancy, TELLUS Border Project, GSI |
60,209 |
|
Indecon |
Economic Analysis |
53,616 |
|
Tobin Consulting Engineers |
Groundwater VulnerabilityMapping |
169,891 |
|
On Site Vaccination |
Health Screening |
1,566 |
|
Grainne O'Shea |
Geographic Information Systems Services |
72,843 |
|
Phelim Lally |
Aggregate Resource mapping |
50,498 |
|
Client Solutions Limited |
Software Maintenance |
113,698 |
|
Aurum Exploration Ltd |
Geological map data compilation |
10,107 |
|
CDM Ireland Ltd |
Mine safety and environmental monitoring of Avoca and Silvermines, EMD |
170,559 |
|
Ronan O'Toole |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
82,120 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Power Boat School Ltd |
INFOMAR GSI Consultancy |
12,330 |
|
W1 Design |
Information Society and eInclusion |
20,156 |
|
PA Consulting Group |
National Postcode System Consultancy |
216,779 |
|
Medmark Ltd |
HR - Medical Examinations |
300 |
|
Sean Brophy Associates |
Training - Course/Conference Fees |
1,260 |
|
Mouchel Parkman Ireland Ltd |
Landslide Susceptibility mapping services |
7,493 |
|
VBF Technologies |
Information Society and eInclusion |
38,619 |
|
Wellington T/A Construction Consultancy Svs |
Geotechnical data entry services |
24,677 |
|
SLR Consulting ( Ireland Ltd) |
Geothermal consultancy services |
61,500 |
|
Jenny Deakin |
Groundwater training consultancy |
1,750 |
|
Janine Guinan |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
24,654 |
|
Reidy Brophy Limited |
Emergency Exercise on Oil Supply Disruption |
5,700 |
|
Parkmore Environmental Services |
Groundwater Consultancy |
25,425 |
|
O'Callaghan Moran Ltd |
Groundwater Consultancy |
12,000 |
|
Peter Conroy |
Groundwater Consultancy |
18,000 |
|
Tom Browne |
Survey Vessel Master Services, INFOMAR |
53,921 |
|
Shane Carey |
Geographic data management services |
64,707 |
|
Environ UK Ltd |
Monitoring of Corrib Gas Pipeline |
247,212 |
|
Dúlra Iorrais Teoranta |
Marine Geoscience Services, INFOMAR |
58,508 |
|
Eoin Mc Craith |
Marine mapping and hydrographic services |
55,506 |
|
Brian Smith |
Marine mapping and hydrographic services |
2,029 |
|
John Travers |
National Postcode System |
38,130 |
|
Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd |
Renewable Energy Export Project |
32,786 |
|
Atlas Services Group |
Hydrographic Data Processing Services |
128,807 |
|
Waterwise Environmental |
Geophysical consultancy services |
92,812 |
|
Katherine Knights |
Geochemical Consultancy, TELLUS Border Project |
61,478 |
|
Morrow Communications |
Community and Landowner Outreach Consultancy, TELLUS Border Project |
18,242 |
|
Gill Scott |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
18,302 |
|
Philip O'Reilly |
National Postcode System |
45,350 |
|
Peter Cooney |
Geographic Information Systems Services, National Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping |
58,333 |
|
Ronan Tierney (Tierney & Associates ) |
Internal Audit Consultancy |
52,118 |
|
Neary Marketing + Communications |
Geoscience Ireland business cluster assessment services |
5,845 |
|
Irish Observer Network Ltd |
Survey Vessel Master Services, INFOMAR |
39,923 |
|
Mostop Ltd |
Geoscience Ireland business development services |
83,831 |
|
LHM Casey McGrath |
Groundwater services |
4,347 |
|
Capita Business Svs Ltd T/A Capita Consulting |
Internal audit services |
9,790 |
|
Dr. Harry Comber |
East-West Interconnector Consultancy |
6,000 |
|
Botanical Environmental Consultants ( BEC ) |
Environmental Impacts Assessments |
28,004 |
|
AMEC Earth & Environmental (UK) Limited |
Mine Safety Works & Monitoring |
48,085 |
|
Bythymetry Consultancy |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
18,997 |
|
PRISA Technologies Ltd T/A Prisa Consulting |
National Broadband Plan |
561,647 |
|
Robert Dully |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
21,940 |
|
Geo-Spatial Survey Solutions |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
4,788 |
|
Det Norske Veritas |
Dunquin Assessment Report |
42,734 |
|
Cullen Kelly Surveyors Ltd T/A Thornton Chartered Surveyors |
Silvermines Rehabilitation Programme |
3,690 |
|
Sarah Kate McHugh |
Marine Mapping and Hydrographic Services |
22,075 |
|
Selgovia Ltd |
Dunquin Assessment Report (non IT) |
5,420 |
|
Dublin Business Innovation Centre ( Dublin BIC ) |
INFOMAR Consultancy |
36,090 |
|
Kevin Gaughan |
East-West Interconnector Consultancy |
5,000 |
|
Byrne O'Cleirigh Ltd |
Audit of Oil Consumers |
49,523 |
|
Turnstone Consultants Ltd |
Groundwater services |
3,998 |
|
JRP Integrated Engineering Ltd T/A IE Consulting |
Groundwater services |
14,575 |
|
Suzanne Tynan |
Groundwater services |
21,000 |
|
OVE ARUP T/A ARUP Consulting Engineers |
Groundwater services |
10,402 |
|
BH Consulting |
Information Society and eInclusion |
9,840 |
|
Fehily, Timoney & Company Ltd |
EU Legal Obligations |
40,650 |
|
M E Philcox |
GSI Corestore evaluation services |
6,150 |
|
AECOM |
Renewable Energy Export Project |
52,988 |
|
Salamanca Risk Management Ltd |
Public Sector Energy Efficiency Support |
11,301 |
|
Funka NU AB |
Information Society and eInclusion |
24,908 |
|
David Ball |
Groundwater services |
6,150 |
|
AGB Nielsen Media Research Ireland Ltd |
Broadcasting Consultancy |
6,949 |
|
Kiltealy Associates LTD |
PMDS Calibration |
4,514 |
|
MBRI Market Research Ltd T/A IPSOS MRBI |
Broadcasting (Market Research) |
3,321 |
|
William Fry |
Legal expenses |
9,225 |
|
Benjamin Thebaudeau |
Marine data processing services |
2,878 |
|
Total |
4,848,557 |
305. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of all third level courses, training programmes and courses provided for employees of his Department, and accompanying cost, for the 2013-2014 academic year, from 1 September 2013 to the end of June 2014. [30092/14]
View answerThe table below sets out a breakdown of all third level courses, training programmes and courses provided for employees of my Department from 1 September 2013 to the end of June 2014.
Third Level Fees
|
Course |
Cost |
|
BSC (Hons) Computing IT & Mathematics |
€3,200 |
|
Doctorate in Governance |
€10,000 |
|
Doctorate in Governance |
€9,598 |
|
MSc Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation |
€3,370 |
|
BA in Public Management |
€2,220 |
|
MA in Public Management |
€7,500 |
|
Cert in Civil Service & State Agency Studies |
€950 |
|
Diploma in Emergency Management |
€6,500 |
|
ACCA – Law & Taxation |
€2,311 |
|
BA in Law |
€2,000 |
|
Diploma in Public Relations |
€995 |
|
Advanced Diploma in Life Coaching |
€1087 |
|
BSC Module |
€1134 |
|
Total |
€50,865 |
|
Other Training Courses and Programmes provided for employees of DCENR[1] |
|
|
Name of course |
Cost |
|
Mine Closure Conference |
€913 |
|
Executive Voice Training |
€725 |
|
Intro to ArcGIS |
€835 |
|
From Croke Park to Haddington Road Conference |
€480 |
|
Certificate in Leadership |
€1,110 |
|
Oracle Online Course |
€395 |
|
Public Procurement* |
- |
|
Strategies & Techniques to manage people effectively |
€255 |
|
Writing on the Web |
€255 |
|
Manual Handling Course |
€45 |
|
Oral Hearings & Inquiries Conference |
€275 |
|
Introductory GIS Training |
€525 |
|
Certificate in Public Law |
€680 |
|
Access & Excel all levels* |
€5,710 |
|
Statutory Instruments* |
- |
|
Developments in Public Procurement |
€301 |
|
Employment Law* |
€2,168 |
|
HEO-AO Grade Development* |
€2,100 |
|
SO-EO Grade Development* |
€1,890 |
|
Conflict Management & Mediation |
€255 |
|
Examining FOI Act |
- |
|
Presentation Skills Training* |
€450 |
|
Interviewer & Interviewee Training* |
€4,000 |
|
AP Grade Development* |
€3,330 |
|
Certificate in Corporate Governance |
€960 |
|
Management of people under PMDS |
€345 |
|
Catering for Grade Development training |
€1,301 |
|
French Classes |
€944 |
|
IPA Conference |
€175 |
|
Occupational First Aid |
€1,065 |
|
ArcGIS IGI course |
€350 |
|
Irish Association for Economic Geology Copper Conference |
€300 |
|
Competition Law Forum |
€30 |
|
Health & Safety training room hire |
€299 |
|
Coaching |
€1,260 |
|
Room Hire for Fire Marshall Training |
€50 |
|
Institute of Geologists of Ireland course |
€450 |
|
Future of Broadcasting |
€1636 |
|
Pan European Reserve Resources Committee code of practice |
€250 |
|
National Digital Strategy* |
€63 |
|
Analysis of SSB and Preparation of Memorandum to Government* |
- |
|
Board of Directors Course |
€455 |
|
Agresso Purchase to Pay* |
- |
|
Microsoft Project Management |
€550 |
|
Share Point* |
€850 |
|
Time Management |
€299 |
|
Excel & Lotus Notes* |
€840 |
|
Minute Taking courses* |
€1,100 |
|
Agresso Financial Reporting* |
- |
|
Obligations for DCENR staff under the Official Languages Act* |
€50 |
|
Managing Learning and Development |
€560 |
|
Corporate Governance* |
€750 |
|
Conference on strengthening Data Protection Standards in Europe |
€690 |
|
French Lessons |
€108 |
|
Total |
€42,427 |
|
Overall Total |
€93,292 |
[1] Training shown at nil cost is training provided in-house by Departmental staff.
* This is training provided on a group basis.
306. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the annual saving to the Exchequer from a reduction of 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20%, respectively, in the staff training and development provision for his Department. [30107/14]
View answerIn 2014 the total budget for training and development in my Department is €120,000.
The table below shows the potential annual saving to the Exchequer of a 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction to training and development based on the budget for 2014.
|
% Reduction |
Cost |
Potential Annual Saving |
|
5% |
€114,000 |
€6,000 |
|
7% |
€111,600 |
€8,400 |
|
10% |
€108,000 |
€12,000 |
|
12% |
€105,600 |
€14,400 |
|
15% |
€102,000 |
€18,000 |
|
17% |
€99,600 |
€20,400 |
|
20% |
€96,000 |
€24,000 |
My Department continuously seeks to deliver training and development programmes to staff at a reduced cost while meeting the overall objective of building capability within the Department.
307. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the annual saving to the Exchequer from a reduction of 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20%, respectively, in the cost of travel and expenses for his Department. [30122/14]
View answerThe 2014 budget for Travel and Subsistence in my Department is €583,000. Travel and subsistence is only used for travel necessarily incurred on official business and strictly in line with relevant Department of Finance rules.
The requested percentage reductions are shown in the following table.
|
Reduction to 2014 T&S Budget % |
Saving to Exchequer € |
|
1 |
5,830 |
|
5 |
29,150 |
|
7 |
40,810 |
|
10 |
58,300 |
|
12 |
69,960 |
|
15 |
87,450 |
|
17 |
99,110 |
|
20 |
116,600 |
308. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in a tabular form the expected carryover of current expenditure savings from 2014 into the next year. [30156/14]
View answer309. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the expected carryover of capital expenditure savings from 2014 into the next year. [30171/14]
View answer310. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the expected unspent current expenditure from 2014 into the next year. [30203/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government will be publishing its Budget and Estimates in October, based on the up-to-date economic and fiscal outlook at that time. It will set out the Estimates and all pay and non-pay measures as decided by Government for 2015 and the expenditure ceilings for the period to 2017.
With regard to expenditure savings in 2014, it is still too early in the year to estimate the amount of savings, if any, Departments will be able to achieve over and above the targets set out in the Expenditure Report 2014. It is therefore not possible to say if there will be any expenditure carryover from 2014 into 2015 at this time.
It should be noted that Departmental spending remains broadly in line with profile with gross voted expenditure to the end of June totalling €25.951 million.
