Written Answers Nos. 20-37
20. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that there are no further cuts to REPS 4 payments in budget 2015 and also that funding for AEOS be maintained at its current level in budget 2013. [35178/14]
View answerThe total profiled expenditure for 2014 for REPS is €123m and for AEOS is €61m and it is expected that the entire allocation for these Schemes will be spent in 2014. The budgetary process for 2015 is currently underway and the allocation of monies for REPS and AEOS will be decided as part of that process. There is no intention to cut scheme payments for the remaining REPS 4 participants and it is also the intention to ensure that the AEOS allocation will likewise meet the scheme commitments for 2015.
21. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the measures being considered for dealing with compensation to farmers due to the Russian food sanctions. [35174/14]
View answerLast year the value of our exports of agri-food products to Russia was €235 million. This represents about 2.5% of our total agri-food exports. However, not all agricultural products are affected by the Presidential ban. Tea extract, infant formula, casein and beverages are not subject to the trade restrictions. Moreover, Russia had already imposed a blanket ban on exports of pig-meat from the EU earlier in the year arising from an African Swine fever outbreak in Eastern Europe. There were also existing temporary restrictions in place on certain Irish plants producing dairy products, beef, beef offal and seafood arising from a Russian audit visit earlier this year so that the effect of the Presidential ban was incremental. As to the actions taken, immediately upon announcement of the Presidential ban, I asked Bord Bia to establish an advice line to make the most up to date information available to Irish companies exporting to Russia and to assist them in progressing market opportunities elsewhere. I and my Department are making strenuous efforts to create other market possibilities for Irish agri-food exports. Last month we were successful in securing the opening of the Philippines to exports of Irish beef, pig-meat and sheep-meat and the Vietnamese market for Irish pig-meat. Later this year I will be undertaking a trade mission to China. These are key markets in South East Asia which have been identified by Irish exporters as being of major strategic importance. China, in particular, is a crucially important growth market for Irish food and drinks with vast import potential across a number of agricultural sectors.
In addition, my Department and the Irish Embassy in Moscow have been heavily engaged with the Russian authorities on the pre-existing restrictions and are submitting the required corrective actions to have these temporary restrictions lifted as soon as possible.
At the beginning of the month I attended an extraordinary meeting of EU agriculture ministers to discuss the matter. The Commission has already taken a number of steps to address the immediate effect of the ban. These include the expansion of the timeframe for application of aids to private storage of butter and skimmed milk powder and the extension of the facility to cheese. These schemes are being taken up by the industry here and my Department is currently working closely with them. The Commission has also taken action to support the fruit and vegetables sector which, because of the perishable nature of the products, is particularly vulnerable to unexpected disruption of trade. The Commission has come forward with an additional allocation of €60 million of EU funding for CAP promotion programmes in 2015 and I have encouraged industry here to apply for part of this funding.
I have asked the Commission to continue to monitor the situation closely and to take prompt action, where appropriate. Apart from the direct effect of the loss of the Russian market, the big issue for Ireland is the displacement effect on European exports and the need to find alternative markets. There is no doubt that the loss of a market as large as Russia will have knock-on effects for all EU producers. While the impact on some sectors is immediate, I am alert to the potential impact of a longer-term ban across all sectors. In that regard, I have made clear at Council that there are a number of tools available to us at EU level under the new Common Market regulation which we must be ready to deploy where required and where appropriate. I have also called on the Commission to increase the advance payment, payable to farmers from 16th October next under the Direct Payments Scheme from the current 50%.
22. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the delegated sanction he has given to the Minister of State with responsibility for rural economic development; her areas of responsibility in the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35168/14]
View answerOn 15 July 2014 Minister Phelan was appointed to be Minister of State at the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Transport, Tourism and Sport with special responsibility for Rural Economic Development (implementation of the CEDRA Report) and Rural Transport. The CEDRA recommendations are very wide-ranging and cover issues that are the direct responsibility of a number of Government Departments. The 34 CEDRA recommendations cover areas as diverse as investment and finance, local enterprise support, community capability building, social enterprise, broadband, roads, water, rural transport, artisan foods, creative industries, tourism and recreation, marine and renewable energy. Minister Phelan has established and chairs an Inter Departmental Group to co-ordinate and oversee action on all these issues. This does not necessarily involve specific delegated functions. In so far as my Department is concerned there are no legislative acts to be formally delegated to Minister Phelan.
23. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered the impact of the Russian Federation trade ban on agricultural products from the EU; if he has made representations on behalf of Irish farmers to ensure that European supports need to be put in place to compensate farmers and businesses impacted during the sanctions period and to cover long-term losses that will be felt as a result of the ban. [35161/14]
View answerLast year the value of our exports of agri-food products to Russia was €235 million. This represents about 2.5% of our total agri-food exports. However, not all agricultural products are affected by the Presidential ban. Tea extract, infant formula, casein and beverages are not subject to the trade restrictions. Moreover, Russia had already imposed a blanket ban on exports of pig-meat from the EU earlier in the year arising from an African Swine fever outbreak in Eastern Europe. There were also existing temporary restrictions in place on certain Irish plants producing dairy products, beef, beef offal and seafood arising from a Russian audit visit earlier this year so that the effect of the Presidential ban was incremental. As to the actions taken, immediately upon announcement of the Presidential ban, I asked Bord Bia to establish an advice line to make the most up to date information available to Irish companies exporting to Russia and to assist them in progressing market opportunities elsewhere. I and my Department are making strenuous efforts to create other market possibilities for Irish agri-food exports. Last month we were successful in securing the opening of the Philippines to exports of Irish beef, pig-meat and sheep-meat and the Vietnamese market for Irish pig-meat. Later this year I will be undertaking a trade mission to China. These are key markets in South East Asia which have been identified by Irish exporters as being of major strategic importance. China, in particular, is a crucially important growth market for Irish food and drinks with vast import potential across a number of agricultural sectors.
In addition, my Department and the Irish Embassy in Moscow have been heavily engaged with the Russian authorities on the pre-existing restrictions and are submitting the required corrective actions to have these temporary restrictions lifted as soon as possible.
At the beginning of the month I attended an extraordinary meeting of EU agriculture ministers to discuss the matter. The Commission has already taken a number of steps to address the immediate effect of the ban. These include the expansion of the timeframe for application of aids to private storage of butter and skimmed milk powder and the extension of the facility to cheese. These schemes are being taken up by the industry here and my Department is currently working closely with them. The Commission has also taken action to support the fruit and vegetables sector which, because of the perishable nature of the products, is particularly vulnerable to unexpected disruption of trade. The Commission has come forward with an additional allocation of €60 million of EU funding for CAP promotion programmes in 2015 and I have encouraged industry here to apply for part of this funding.
I have asked the Commission to continue to monitor the situation closely and to take prompt action, where appropriate. Apart from the direct effect of the loss of the Russian market, the big issue for Ireland is the displacement effect on European exports and the need to find alternative markets. There is no doubt that the loss of a market as large as Russia will have knock-on effects for all EU producers. While the impact on some sectors is immediate, I am alert to the potential impact of a longer-term ban across all sectors. In that regard, I have made clear at Council that there are a number of tools available to us at EU level under the new Common Market regulation which we must be ready to deploy where required and where appropriate. I have also called on the Commission to increase the advance payment, payable to farmers from 16th October next under the Direct Payments Scheme from the current 50%.
24. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify his previous statements that his Department does not use snares in the culling of badgers and his plans with reports that show this practise is taking place. [35157/14]
View answerMy Department’s wildlife policy has been developed in response to research conducted over many years which has demonstrated that the eradication of the disease is not a practicable proposition until the reservoir of infection in badgers is addressed. Capturing of badgers takes place under Section 34 of the 1976 Wildlife Act in areas where serious outbreaks of TB have been identified in cattle herds and where Department veterinarians have found following an epidemiological examination that badgers are the likely source of infections. The mechanism used to capture the badgers is a restraint which is specifically designed with a ‘stop’ so as not to tighten beyond a predetermined point and so will not cause death by strangulation. All restraints are monitored daily and any badgers are removed within a maximum of 24 hours of capture. A condition of the licence granted is that restraints are checked before noon the next day. Capturing of badgers is not permitted during the months of February and March in new capture areas.
Research undertaken at the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) in UCD has shown that damage/injury to captured badgers is none or minimal while in the stopped restraint and lower than with other capture methodologies. My Department also monitors the animal welfare aspects of badger culling on an ongoing basis and is satisfied that the existing culling arrangements and procedures result in minimal injury to badgers.
In tandem with the badger removal programme, my Department continues to sponsor research and trials into developing a vaccination programme to control Tuberculosis in badgers, thus improving the overall health status of that species, and break infection link to cattle. The research to date has demonstrated that oral vaccination of badgers in a captive environment with BCG vaccine generates high levels of protective immunity against bovine TB. Current research is aimed at confirming that such a protective effect holds true in the wild population.
My Department’s ultimate objective is to incorporate badger vaccination into the TB eradication programme when data is available to ensure that it can be incorporated in an optimally effective and sustainable manner. A number of field trials are ongoing with this objective in mind, but it is anticipated that it will be a number of years before a viable oral delivery method can be put in place and, therefore, targeted badger removals will continue in the medium term in the interests of ensuring that the progress achieved in recent years in combating TB in cattle is maintained.
25. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is no provision to provide funding in the proposed new forestry programme for the implementing of management plans for the extremely valuable and vulnerable 0.002% of ancient woodlands sites, most of which are NHAs and SACs; the further reason the new forestry programme fails to focus on these ancient woodland sites regards biodiversity, genetic material security, climate mitigation, measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35164/14]
View answerAncient woodland refers to those woods that have had a continuous history of cover since before the period when planting and afforestation became common practice (mid1600s). This date is used because in the 1650s, two surveys were undertaken in Ireland to establish land use, land value and ownership. These surveys are the two most useful historical sources when identifying ancient woodlands. All native woodlands in Ireland are of conservation importance due to the small national resource estimated to cover only 1-2% of the country. Approximately 4,250 hectares of native woodland are designated as nature reserves or national parks, 6,500 hectares as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (including nature reserves and national parks) and another 23,500 hectares have been identified as potential Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). These may not necessarily be classified as ancient woodlands however.
Ancient woodlands themselves are of particular importance for a variety of reasons, not least that these represent potential links with prehistoric forests which are by their very nature irreplaceable. These forests also play a role in preserving natural topographical features such as undisturbed relic soils and unaltered watercourses, which are increasingly rare in the modern landscape. They are also of inherent cultural value and may contain a host of archaeological features.
Proposals for a new forestry programme covering the period 2014–2020 have been completed and have been released for public consultation. The programme itself has been designed to address four specific needs as follows:
- Increase the level of forest cover
- Increase supply of forest-based biomass to bridge expected supply gap by 2020 and beyond
- To support private forest holders in actively managing their forests and finally
- Enhance the environmental and social benefits of new and existing forests
The proposals to include forest management plans for ancient woodlands can be considered within the context of this public consultation process and within the scope of addressing the final need dealing with the environmental and social benefits that can be delivered by existing forestry. This consultation process is due to be completed on the 13th October 2014 after which the proposals will be submitted to the EU Commission for State aid approval.
26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has tried to use his influence within the EU, with regard to any potential EU-US trade agreement, with a view to protecting the future of the agrifood sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35152/14]
View answerI would start by saying that Ireland is very supportive of an EU/US trade deal. An agreement between the world’s two major trading blocs has the potential to increase growth and grow jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. In the agri-food sector we have strong offensive interests, both in terms of market access and in eliminating some of the irritants that hinder trade. We are seeking substantial market access for our dairy products and in the prepared foods area. We also want to see action to action to address the question of Grade A equivalence for dairy and the licensing system that applies to dairy imports into the US. Of course we have sensitivities as well. One of these is our beef sector. While we see some opportunities for establishing a niche market in the US for Irish beef, we have concerns regarding the prospect of increased beef imports into the EU. I have raised these concerns on a number of occasions with the EU Commission. I have proposed that Ireland’s sensitivities are reflected in the size and composition of any quota offered to the US. I have argued that the size of the quota should not exceed European market absorption capacity, which is substantially reduced according to the latest forecasts. I have also proposed that the quota should be designed – via end use conditions – to ensure that imports are not all concentrated on high value cuts and I have argued that an in-quota tariff rate should continue to apply to imports within the quota.
The most recent report of the European Parliament on the trade implications of the EU US trade bears out these Irish concerns in relation to the suckler cow herd in Europe which it finds will be adversely affected by the trade deal. In my meetings with the new Agriculture Commissioner I will continue to outline our concerns and seek mitigating measures in relation to the beef sector.
27. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress he has made in addressing the ongoing impasse on beef prices which has decimated farmers' income; and the role that the beef forum has in the process. [35177/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the price paid to farmers for their animals by meat processing factories is a commercial transaction and neither I nor my Department has any influence on prices. I do, however, have an important role to play in providing strategic direction and investment support to the sector. I have previously referred to the strong commitment shown by this Government to the sector in terms of National and EU investment under the draft Rural Development Programme. The Government is also engaged in the strategic development of the sector including, as the deputy notes, through the Beef Forum.
I have chaired two meetings of the Beef Forum already this year and these have involved key stakeholders in the beef sector, including representatives from IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, MII, Teagasc and Bord Bia. The discussions have focused on recent developments in the sector and a series of actions proposed that will aid the viability of beef production.
The discussions have been fruitful so far and the following initiatives have emerged from them:
1. Mr Michael Dowling has made recommendations for the Sector around various headings such as improved transparency, communications and contracts
2. The Beef Pricewatch data available on my departments Website has been expanded and made more user friendly with the addition of a weekly meat market report.
3. I have committed to launching a Beef Pricewatch App for Smartphones and other mobile devices. This will make data on factory prices much more accessible to beef producers. My Department is currently in the final stages of developing this App and I intend to launch this very shortly.
4. My Department is currently engaged in public consultation on the possibility of legislating for POs in the Beef Sector. The Dowling report suggested that POs could bring about a new degree of professionalism in contract negotiations between producer and processor and help ensure a stability of supply.
5. Bord Bia has expanded its marketing budget for beef by €0.5m and this is aimed at targeting key markets throughout Europe for Irish Beef promotion.
I have committed to reconvening the Beef forum discussions on a quarterly basis. I see them as a good vehicle for constructive dialogue in the Sector and a forum in which real solutions can be found to help overcome the current difficulties and set out a roadmap for a sustainable future for beef farmers.
28. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the implications for Irish agriculture of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership to be negotiated between the European Union and the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35160/14]
View answerI would start by saying that Ireland is very supportive of an EU/US trade deal. An agreement between the world’s two major trading blocs has the potential to increase growth and grow jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. In the agri-food sector we have strong offensive interests, both in terms of market access and in eliminating some of the irritants that hinder trade. We are seeking substantial market access for our dairy products and in the prepared foods area. We also want to see action to action to address the question of Grade A equivalence for dairy and the licensing system that applies to dairy imports into the US. Of course we have sensitivities as well. One of these is our beef sector. While we see some opportunities for establishing a niche market in the US for Irish beef, we have concerns regarding the prospect of increased beef imports into the EU. I have raised these concerns on a number of occasions with the EU Commission. I have proposed that Ireland’s sensitivities are reflected in the size and composition of any quota offered to the US. I have argued that the size of the quota should not exceed European market absorption capacity, which is substantially reduced according to the latest forecasts. I have also proposed that the quota should be designed – via end use conditions – to ensure that imports are not all concentrated on high value cuts and I have argued that an in-quota tariff rate should continue to apply to imports within the quota.
The most recent report of the European Parliament on the trade implications of the EU US trade bears out these Irish concerns in relation to the suckler cow herd in Europe which it finds will be adversely affected by the trade deal. In my meetings with the new Agriculture Commissioner I will continue to outline our concerns and seek mitigating measures in relation to the beef sector.
29. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will open applications for the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme at an early date; and if he will ensure that budget 2015 will provide adequate funding for same. [35175/14]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission approval for approval in July 2014. In the case of TAMS II, it is proposed, subject to EU Commission approval, to provide funding in the initial stages for investments in relation to (i) dairy equipment, (ii) low emission slurry spreading equipment, (iii) animal welfare and farm safety (especially beef and sheep handling facilities), (iv) pig and poultry investments in energy, water meters and medicine dispensers, (v) organic capital investment, and (vi) a young farmer capital investment scheme. EU Commission approval will be required for the Programme before any TAMS II measures can be introduced under its remit. The level of funding allocated to TAMS II for next year will be determined in the context of the 2015 Estimates exercise which is currently underway. I am aware of the interest which farmers will have in this new suite of investment schemes and am anxious to have the initial strand of schemes in place at a very early stage following receipt of the required EU Commission approval.
30. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers with rights to commonage land will have to agree a grazing plan with at least 50% of farmers using the same commonage in order to qualify for single farm payments and disadvantaged area payments under the new Common Agricultural Policy proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35162/14]
View answerCommonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, in addition to being crucial from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and tourism. A total of some 14,936 farmers declare commonage land under the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Commonage lands form a significant area of the lands declared annually by farmers in Ireland for the purposes of claiming the Single Farm Payment, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes, with approximately 7% of the lands declared are commonage lands. However, there is a growing risk of land abandonment on commonages as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Farming of commonages is a complex matter, with issues about the legal right to claim, in addition to regular disputes about the grazing of the commonages.
In the case of the treatment of commonage lands under the 2014 Direct Payment Schemes, the situation remains unchanged. However, from 2015 onwards, a minimum grazing requirement, equivalent to at least one ewe per 1.5 hectares, will be required of all those applicants declaring marginal lands including commonage under the Basic Payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. A lower grazing level will be fixed for marginal lands where it is necessary on environmental grounds. These requirements must be met by each individual claimant by end December 2015 at the latest. The minimum grazing requirement must be met in order to qualify for the Basic Payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme under the new CAP and does not require a grazing plan with at least 50% of farmers using the same commonage.
With a view to having a system to meet the requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme and Areas of Natural Constraint, which will be implemented in 2015, my Department will be writing to all commonage claimants in the coming weeks setting out their individual grazing requirements for marginal lands. The claimants will have the right, if they consider that the figures provided would not meet the requirements of their commonage, to submit an assessment by a professional planner providing alternative figures.
Above the minimum stocking level of one ewe per 1.5 hectares, the management of the grazing requirement is a matter for the individual claimants, provided that the commonage is kept in good agricultural and environmental condition and meets all the requirements for both the BPS and ANC schemes. Farmers should bear in mind that they must keep the land adequately grazed in order to ensure that the commonage retains the area eligible for payment.
31. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will revise the requirement for 50% of farmers on a commonage to agree a grazing plan in order to participate in GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35163/14]
View answerThe preservation and restoration of commonages, and the continuation of suitable and environmentally friendly farming practices on the hills, is a core element of GLAS and part of Ireland’s overall plan for halting biodiversity loss. In recognition of the importance of commonages, hill farmers will get priority access into GLAS but I think it is accepted by all that the most effective management of these hills is achieved when those who are actively farming it work together. That is why the creation of a Commonage Management Plan, that encourages the shareholders themselves to take control of the grazing of their commonage, is the model we have chosen for GLAS. In addition, in order to qualify for an agri-environment payment, the actions undertaken by farmers must be above the baseline for the Basic Payment Scheme, and it is the actions in the Commonage Management Plan which demonstrate this. The only requirement for commonage farmers joining GLAS is for 50% of active farmers to sign up to a GLAS commonage plan or sufficient farmers to bring in at least 50% of the land. There is no imposition of minimum or maximum stocking densities, and smaller commonages of less than ten hectares in size will not be subject to any minimum participation requirement. On commonages of that size, farmers can enter GLAS in their own right.
I do not believe that a minimum participation requirement based on this model is insurmountable and there are ways in which the application process can be structured that might assist. However, where real difficulties are being encountered the farmers concerned can make a case to the Commonage Implementation Committee for entry to the scheme. If it is clear that the farmer or farmers have made every effort to meet the requirement but have failed through no fault of their own, they will not be locked out of GLAS.
32. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the concerns of farmers that the increase in deer population may be adding to the number of herds with TB; the discussions he has had with other Departments regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/14]
View answerResponsibility for the protection of wild deer in the State under the Wildlife Acts rests with the Minister for of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I understand that there is an annual open season during which deer can legally be shot under licence. Control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners who may apply to the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht for a permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to cull deer where this is necessary outside the annual open seasons. These permissions offer a facility whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case by case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Permissions are issued by D/AHG where there is evidence of such damage. I might also mention that, arising from the contacts between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, a non-statutory Irish Deer Management Forum to look specifically at tackling the range of issues around deer will shortly be activated. This Forum will be independently chaired and comprise staff from both Departments and from stakeholder groups. This group will be a national group and is separate from the Wicklow Deer Management Group that both Departments have also supported.
Based on existing evidence, my Department’s belief is that, insofar as TB is concerned, the underlying problem in areas such as Wicklow is driven primarily by badgers and not by deer. In fact, research has shown that deer as a species are not particularly effective as maintenance hosts for TB except when numbers are high. In this context, an exercise conducted in 2007-2008 focussed on TB strain-typing in cattle, deer and badgers, found a significantly higher prevalence in badgers than in either cattle or deer.
In response to current concerns, and following meetings with farmers from Wicklow, my Department is organising a cull of 100 deer in the North Wicklow area for laboratory testing for TB – the project will also involve Strain typing of the TB for comparison with that found in cattle and badgers in the same area.
33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if it is the case that the Central Statistics Office does not plan to engage in any public consultation on the development of questions for the next scheduled census in 2016; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no new questions will be added and it will be virtually identical to Census 2011; his views that this presents a serious obstacle to the accurate measuring of some statistics, such as the question on religion which is largely recognised as vague and misleading and includes other questions which have been rendered redundant, such as questions on water supply and sewerage; if he has had any consultation with the CSO on the forthcoming census; if the CSO will commit to a process of public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35826/14]
View answerThe Census of Population is a very large statistical, administrative and logistical exercise that must be conducted with great care and professionalism. It requires careful and detailed advance planning and the 2016 census will cost the exchequer some €50 million over the three years from 2015 to 2017.
Given the recent budgetary environment that Ireland has experienced the Central Statistics Office conducted an extensive user consultation on the continuing need for a five-yearly census in Ireland. The response to that consultation showed overwhelming support for a five-yearly census and the enormous value that the data brings, with particular emphasis on the value of small area data that only the census can provide. The Government accordingly decided that a census will be undertaken in 2016. Census day will be 24th April 2016.
The CSO works hard to ensure that the information collected and provided from the census remains current, relevant and of maximum use to the public. It has been common practice in advance of each census to conduct a public consultation on possible new questions and changes to existing questions, which are then considered by a specially convened Census Advisory Group in advance of testing in the field in the form of a pilot survey of some 12,000 dwellings. Unfortunately given the very tight budget circumstances in 2013 and 2014, with constraints on resources right across the public sector, it was not possible to pursue this route for census 2016. Accordingly the 2016 census will be run as a ‘no-change’ census with the questions on the 2016 questionnaire remaining unchanged from those used in the 2011 census, with the exception of the question on marital status.
The Government believes that the results from the 2016 census, in the form of some 700 statistical tables, hundreds of user-generated reports, interactive mapping and small-area profile reports, and a detailed micro-data file on travel and work patterns that is unique to Ireland, will be of great benefit to citizens, businesses and public bodies across Ireland.
34. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach the number of workers that work on temporary or part-time contracts of employment in the years 2007-13, inclusive. [32433/14]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State.
Table 1 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over classified by permanency of job from Q2 2007 to Q2 2014.
Table 2 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 and over not in permanent employment classified by reasons for being in temporary employment from Q2 2007 to Q2 2014.
Table 3 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over not in permanent employment classified by full-time/part-time employment from Q2 2007 to Q2 2014.
Table 1 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over classified by permanency of job
|
'000 |
Q2 07 |
Q2 08 |
Q2 09 |
Q2 10 |
Q2 11 |
Q2 12 |
Q2 13 |
Q2 14 |
|
Person has a permanent job or work contract of unlimited duration |
1,609.2 |
1,614.3 |
1,481.6 |
1,408.9 |
1,381.1 |
1,359.5 |
1,379.2 |
1,405.7 |
|
Person has a temporary job/work contract of limited duration |
153.7 |
152.1 |
136.7 |
148.9 |
161.1 |
156.6 |
153.3 |
144.1 |
|
Not stated |
17.0 |
13.5 |
10.6 |
13.0 |
11.8 |
15.2 |
18.3 |
22.2 |
|
Total |
1,779.8 |
1,779.9 |
1,628.9 |
1,570.8 |
1,554.0 |
1,531.3 |
1,550.8 |
1,572.0 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Table 2 Employees (ILO) aged 15 and over not in permanent employment classified by reasons for being in temporary employment
|
'000 |
Q2 07 |
Q2 08 |
Q2 09 |
Q2 10 |
Q2 11 |
Q2 12 |
Q2 13 |
Q2 14 |
|
It is a contract covering a period of training |
5.5 |
6.3 |
6.1 |
4.3 |
4.3 |
14.7 |
18.9 |
18.5 |
|
Person could not find a permanent job |
24.6 |
24.3 |
30.7 |
44.4 |
46.6 |
87.2 |
78.1 |
71.3 |
|
Person did not want a permanent job |
32.6 |
31.4 |
18.7 |
21.3 |
19.3 |
23.7 |
21.6 |
22.8 |
|
It is a contract for a probationary period |
: |
: |
: |
: |
: |
[3.0] |
[3.8] |
5.4 |
|
Not stated |
90.9 |
90.2 |
81.2 |
78.9 |
90.9 |
28.1 |
30.7 |
26.1 |
|
Total |
153.7 |
152.1 |
136.7 |
148.9 |
161.1 |
156.6 |
153.3 |
144.1 |
Note: Caution is warranted in comparing data captured from Q2 2012 to prior periods due to change in filter for question and adding of additional answer option impacting upon direct comparability of series
: No data available
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change';
* Estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered reliable;
Parentheses [ ] indicate where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution;
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Table 3 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over not in permanent employment classified by full-time/part-time employment
|
'000 |
Q2 07 |
Q2 08 |
Q2 09 |
Q2 10 |
Q2 11 |
Q2 12 |
Q2 13 |
Q2 14 |
|
Full-time |
78.7 |
79.0 |
62.0 |
66.1 |
72.7 |
65.4 |
67.9 |
61.0 |
|
Part-time |
75.0 |
73.1 |
74.7 |
82.9 |
88.3 |
91.3 |
85.3 |
83.1 |
|
Total |
153.7 |
152.1 |
136.7 |
148.9 |
161.1 |
156.6 |
153.3 |
144.1 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change';
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
35. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a copy of the briefing he received upon entering office from his Department; if he will publish the briefing; and if so, when the briefing will be published. [35443/14]
View answerThe briefing material I received upon entering office as Taoiseach has been available in the Publications Section of my Department's website since 1st April 2011. The website address is www.taoiseach.gov.ie.
36. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach his priorities for the remainder of his term in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35444/14]
View answerIn July, the Government published its Statement of Government Priorities 2014 - 2016. Building on the commitments in the Programme for Government and the Medium Term Economic Strategy, the new Statement sets out the key priorities for the remainder of the Government's term of office:
- Strengthening the Domestic Economy & Prioritising New Jobs for the Unemployed
- Delivering Better Living and Working Standards
- Improving Housing Availability & Affordability
- Responsible and Sustainable Management of the Public Finances
- Rebuilding Trust in Politics & Public Institutions
- Protecting & Enhancing Peace in Northern Ireland
Progress on the implementation of these priorities will be included in the Programme for Government annual report which is published every March.
37. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the gender quota targets for the boards of State bodies and agencies under his remit; the level reached to date; and his plans to meet and maintain the targets [35445/14]
View answerI make appointments to the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB). The target is for 40% representation of each gender on each of the Boards by 2016.
At its meeting on 23 July 2014, the Government approved measures to strengthen the gender balance on State Boards with a view to meeting this target, including the development of implementation plans at Departmental level by end September 2014.
National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO)
NESDO is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). The Board compromises ex-officio, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the NESC, both of whom are civil servants from my Department and are male.
National Economic and Social Council (NESC)
NESC consists of thirty four members. I have discretion to appoint the eight members and there is currently a 50%/50% female/male representation among this group. Overall, gender balance is twenty five male to nine female (74%/26%). Twenty members are appointed on the basis of nominations by other groups and organisations. Six Council members are civil servants appointed in an ex-officio capacity (five Secretaries General and one Assistant Secretary).
Approaches to future appointments will endeavour to address gender balance on the NESC by encouraging nominating bodies and organisations to give full consideration to the issue of gender balance when meeting any changes to their representation. I will continue to take full account of gender balance when making any appointments.
The National Statistics Board
The NSB consists of eight members. I have discretion to appoint five members and there is currently a 60%40% female/male representation among this group. The gender balance is three female members (including the Chairperson) to five male members (37.5%/62.5%). Two board members are male civil servants at Assistant Secretary level with relevant functional responsibility in the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance. The Director General of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is an ex-officio appointment. The current Director General is male.
The current Board shows a significant improvement in gender balance, with overall female representation on the NSB at 37.5%, up from 12.5% on the previous Board.
The term of the current Board runs until end 2016. If a vacancy was to arise before the end of the Board’s term, the appointment process will take full account of gender balance when choosing the most suitable candidate.
