Written Answers Nos. 38-55
38. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form a detailed breakdown of the name and number of ministerial special advisers in his Department; their annual remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35446/14]
View answer43. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if he will provide full details, including salary, of every appointment he has approved since coming into office of special advisers under his remit; the salary cap that is in place with respect to special adviser appointments; the number of appointments he has approved with salary in excess of the cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35504/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 43 together.
There are five Special Advisers employed in my Department, four of whom are my Special Advisers and one of whom is Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip.
The details requested in relation to their salaries are set out in the table below.
Remuneration was sanctioned by Department of Public Expenditure and reform (the then Department of Finance).
|
Name |
Title |
Salary |
|
Mark Kennelly |
Chief of Staff |
€156,380 |
|
Andrew McDowell |
Special Advisor to the Taoiseach |
€156,380 |
|
Paul O'Brien |
Special Advisor to the Taoiseach |
€84,706 |
|
Angela Flanagan |
Special Advisor to the Taoiseach |
€84,706 |
|
Mark O'Doherty |
Special Advisor to Chief Whip |
€84,706 |
39. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach the number of private secretaries employed by his Department since March 2011 to date in 2014 with a breakdown of the numbers appointed directly for him and those appointed directly to the Ministers of State attached to his Department during that period; and if he will provide a breakdown of the manner in which each appointment was made, that it was through open competition or an internal appointment. [35496/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy regarding Private Secretaries employed in my Department is set out in the following table.
|
- |
Date of appointment |
Manner appointment made |
|
Private Secretary to the Taoiseach |
March 2011 |
Reappointed |
|
Private Secretary to the Government Chief Whip |
March 2011 |
Reappointed |
|
Private Secretary to the Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection |
August 2014 |
Reappointed following request for expressions of interest |
|
Private Secretary to the Minister of State with responsibility for the Diaspora |
September 2014 |
Appointed following a request for expressions of interest |
As is customary Private Secretary positions are advertised within my Department or in some cases in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
40. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of administrative arrangements, as opposed to contracts for service, his Department is a party to; if he will provide in tabular form the party or parties to the administrative arrangement; the duration of these administrative arrangements; the cost recovery value of these administrative arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35500/14]
View answerMy Department is not a party to any administrative arrangements. Procurement of services by my Department is carried out under procedures set out by the Office of Government Procurement and EU Procurement rules. These procedures are designed to ensure that competitive processes are in place to select the providers of services which represent the best value to my Department.
41. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of new staff employed in his Department since 1 July 2013 up to 31 December 2013; the expected annual costs arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2014; the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2015; the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2016; the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35502/14]
View answer42. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of staff who retired, left or otherwise departed from their employment from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013; the expected annual savings arising therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2014; the annual expected savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2015; the annual savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2016; the annual savings therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35503/14]
View answer65. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach the total number of new appointments made in his Department and those under his remit since March 2011 to date in 2014, with a breakdown of the grade to which they were appointed during the period. [35802/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 42 and 65 together.
The following table outlines staff numbers by grade as well as total salary costs for the period March 2011 to 31 August 2014:
|
Staff Profile |
31/03/11 |
31/12/11 |
31/12/12 |
31/12/13 |
23/09/14 |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Second Secretary |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
4 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Principal Officer |
13.6 |
8 |
11 |
11.5 |
11 |
|
Assistant Principal |
22.4 |
17.4 |
23.7 |
23.8 |
25 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
21.3 |
22.1 |
23.2 |
22.6 |
21.6 |
|
Administrative Officer |
8 |
4 |
11 |
9 |
10 |
|
Executive Officer |
20.2 |
19.6 |
26.2 |
25.4 |
24.5 |
|
Staff Officer |
10.43 |
7.83 |
7.83 |
6.8 |
5.8 |
|
Clerical Officer |
37.5 |
31.5 |
32.3 |
32.3 |
31.3 |
|
Service Officer/ Service Attendant |
12 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
|
Cleaner |
7.58 |
7.58 |
5.58 |
5.58 |
5.58 |
|
Contract Staff |
23.5 |
25.5 |
42 |
28 |
28.4 |
|
Total Staff Number |
181.51 |
159.51 |
199.81 |
180.98 |
178.18 |
|
Annual Salary Costs |
€10,013,786 |
€10,280,736 |
€9,955,334 |
€9,979,499* |
*Estimated full year salary costs for 2014.
During the period in question, the Department's staff profile and areas of responsibility have changed considerably, including the transfer of the Public Service Modernisation function and 24 staff to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in April 2011, as well as the transfer in of 18 staff members to work on European Union issues from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2012. There were also some changes in staff profile that were temporary in nature that did not affect the permanent profile of the Department e.g. Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
During the period in question the Department has always worked within its Employment Control Framework.
While it is not possible to be definitive with regard to expected appointments and departures during 2015 and 2016 given the nature of the work of my Department, it is expected that approximately 2 people will retire in 2015 and 1 in 2016. Future costs and savings from changes in my Department's profile will form part of the overall budgetary arithmetic in 2015 and 2016 and will be influenced by the social and economic priorities of the Government.
44. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach when he will honour the programme for Government commitment to amend Dáil Standing Orders to ensure that replies to written parliamentary questions are furnished during Dáil recess. [35506/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out an ambitious Oireachtas Reform agenda, which will be implemented over the lifetime of the Government on a phased basis.
The first phase of Reform was introduced in 2011 and included:
- An additional Leader’s Questions session on Thursdays.
- Monthly Friday sittings to give TDs the opportunity to have their own Private Members Bills debated in the Dáil.
- Topical Issues Debates replacing the adjournment debates
- A procedure to allow Deputies raise issues regarding replies to Parliamentary Questions with the Ceann Comhairle.
- Reducing the number of Oireachtas Committees from 25 to 16.
- Introducing a Pre-Legislative Review structure to involve Oireachtas Committees at an early stage in the development of legislation before a Bill is published.
- Establishing a Public Service Oversight and Petitions Committee chaired by a member of the Opposition.
- Allowing MEPs attend Oireachtas Committees
- Other administrative reforms to improve the working of the Dáil.
In 2012 the Oireachtas Committee system was reviewed and further reforms introduced to improve its effectiveness.
The second phase of Reform was introduced in September 2013 and included:
- More Public Involvement in Law Making by expanding the Pre-Legislative Stage before Oireachtas Committees to be a requirement for all non emergency legislation. This allows the Committee to consult with citizens, experts in the area, civic society groups and other interested groups before any Bill is published, publish a report and outline to the Dáil at Second Stage the Committee’s work.
- An annual outline to Dáil of Government Priorities by the Taoiseach & Tanaiste followed by a detailed debate.
- Developing the role of Oireachtas Committees in the Budget Process
- Additional time for legislative debate in the standard Dáil week to help reduce the need to guillotine legislation.
- A 5 minute speaking slot at First Stage in the Dáil Chamber for the proposer of a Private Member’s Bill to outline briefly the purpose of the Bill.
- Extending the Friday sittings to every second week to allow more time for the Dáil to debate Private Members Bills published by individual Deputies and to debate Reports from Oireachtas Committees in a structured format for the first time.
- Reforming the Topical Issue Debates to allow a Deputy defer the debate if no Minister from the relevant Department is available.
- Oral questions to Ministers will only be answered if the Deputy tabling the Question is in the Chamber to outline the reason for the question before the Minister’s reply.
- A Post Legislative Review system requiring a Minister to report to the relevant Oireachtas Select Committee within 12 months of enactment to review the functioning of the Act.
In parallel with these ongoing reforms the number of Dáil sitting days has been significantly increased since the change of Government by reducing the length of Dáil breaks at Christmas, at Easter, after bank holidays and during the summer and the introduction of regular Friday sitting days. The increase in the number of sitting weeks and the corresponding reduction in the length of the Summer recess has reduced the length of time any Deputy has to wait for replies over the Summer.
The commitment in the Programme for Government to amend Standing Orders so that Written Parliamentary Questions have to be answered within a certain number of days even during the Dáil recess will be considered as part of the next phase of Oireachtas Reform.
45. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he has accepted the invitation of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to attend an extraordinary UN climate summit in New York on 23 September 2014; if so, the new announcements and action as requested by the Secretary General he plans to bring with him on behalf of the people of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35507/14]
View answerYes, I have accepted the invitation of Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to attend an extraordinary UN climate summit in New York on 23 September 2014. I will arrange for a copy of the text of my speech to be sent to the Deputy for her information after it has been delivered. I will use the opportunity to emphasise Ireland's commitment to playing its part in tackling climate change and our strong track record in the area including in the agriculture and food sector where we are a world leader in carbon efficient agriculture and food production. Ireland is also currently involved in intensive discussions at EU level regarding the approach to 2030 greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy targets. Our objective is to achieve targets that are affordable, fair, and sustainable.
46. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach if he will provide, in tabular form, the commitments under the programme for Government for which his Department is responsible; the progress made to date with regard to each commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35508/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government is a 5 year plan and progress is reported on an annual basis. The next report will be published in March 2015 and will also include progress on the commitments contained in the recently published Statement of Government Priorities 2014 - 2016.
The table below lists all the commitments that come under the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach along with their current status.
ments that come under the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach along with their current status.
|
Commitment Text |
Status |
|
We will require Departments to publish Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) before Government decisions are taken, thereby offering a further channel to obtain the views of civil society on new rules and regulations. |
In Progress |
|
Abolition of the Seanad (Referendum) |
Completed |
|
We will establish a Constitutional Convention to consider comprehensive constitutional reform, with a brief to consider, as a whole or in sub-groups, and report within 12 months on the following: Review of our Dáil electoral system, Reducing the presidential term to 5 years and aligning it with the local and European elections, Provision for same-sex marriage, Amending the clause on women in the home and encourage greater participation of women in public life, Removing blasphemy from the Constitution, Possible reduction of the voting age, Other relevant constitutional amendments that may be recommended by the Convention. |
Completed |
|
Reduce the number of committees and give key committees constitutional standing: the Dáil needs fewer but stronger committees, resourced properly. |
Completed |
|
We will introduce a role for the Ceann Comhairle in deciding whether a Minister has failed to provide reasonable information in response to a question |
Completed |
|
The chief executive of every state funded body will be required to attend the relevant Oireachtas committee on a regular basis to answer oral parliamentary questions that can be submitted by any member, on a similar basis to the attendance of Ministers before the full Dáil. |
In Progress |
|
We will amend Dáil standing orders to ensure that replies to written questions are furnished within a specified number of days, even during Dáil recess. |
In Progress |
|
To make the oral question process more effective, we propose to increase the time allocated to oral question. To provide balance, there will be a reduction in the number of oral questions being submitted to one per member. |
Completed & Ongoing |
|
A member must be present in the chamber when his or her question is reached, although they may defer to another member the right to ask a supplementary question |
Completed |
|
We will legislate on the issue of cabinet confidentiality. |
Requires further consideration |
|
We propose an Investigations, Oversight and Petitions Committee of the Oireachtas. It would be a powerful committee, constructed on the lines of the Public Accounts Committee, bi-partisan in structure and chaired by a senior member of the opposition. |
Completed |
|
The Committee would receive parliamentary petitions from individuals and groups in the community seeking the redress of grievances connected with the public services of the State and with the public administration generally. Its functions would be to act as a "clearing house", directing complaints to those bodies most competent to act on them: the Ombudsman, the Data Protection Commissioner, the Local Government Auditor, the Oireachtas committee that has oversight of the relevant Department, and so on. |
Completed |
|
We will refer to the Constitutional Convention, the issue of reducing the Voting Age to 17 and giving citizens the right to vote at Irish embassies in the presidential election. |
Completed |
|
We will ask the Constitutional Convention, which is examining electoral reform, to make recommendations as to how the number of women in politics can be increased. |
Completed |
|
We will introduce a new code of practice for the use of the government jet, ensuring transparent and cost effective travel. |
Completed |
|
We will give committees the power to introduce legislation, while a new 10 Minute Rule will allow backbench TDs to introduce their own Bills. We will also tackle the huge over-use of guillotines to ram through non-emergency legislation |
In Progress |
|
We will significantly revamp the adjournment debate format. It will be renamed the topical issue debate. There will be a minimum of 5 topical issues. These will be taken in the middle of the day and there will be provision for questions at the end. A Minister or Minister of State from the relevant Department will be present and there will be an end to the practice of one junior Minister reading out scripts on behalf of a number of Departments about a range of issues of which he or she knows nothing. |
Completed |
|
We will introduce a package of changes that will bring about a 50 per cent increase in Dáil sitting days. Dáil Éireann will in future meet four days a week. There will be a summer recess of just six weeks and significantly reduced breaks at Christmas and Easter. We will abandon the practice of providing a “mid-term break” – a full week off at St Patrick’s Day and Hallowe’en. When the Dáil is not in session the Committees shall agree by roster that a particular Committee shall meet in the Dáil Chamber. |
In Progress |
|
We propose to break the Government monopoly on legislation and the stranglehold over the business of the Dáil, by providing that the new Friday sittings will be given over exclusively to committee reports and private members business except where urgent government business must be taken. |
Completed |
|
We will enhance the democratic process by involving public representatives at an earlier stage of the legislative process, particularly before Bills are published. We will amend cabinet procedure instructions so as to allow government to publish the general scheme of a Bill so that Oireachtas Committees can debate and hold hearings at an early stage. |
Completed |
|
While recognising that there may be exceptional circumstances in which debate may need to be concluded by a given deadline, we will restrict the use of guillotine motions and other procedural devices that prevent Bills from being fully debated, so that guillotining is not a matter of routine as it has become at present, particularly at the end of a session. |
Completed & Ongoing |
|
We will also deal with the related problem of legislation being shunted through at high speed and will ensure that Dáil standing orders provide a minimum of two weeks between each stage of a Bill, except in exceptional circumstances. |
In Progress |
|
In order to enhance the role of the legislative committees, we will organise a committee week every fourth sitting week. The Dáil plenary will sit only for questions, including Leaders’ Questions and the order of business and the remainder of the day will be taken up in committee. |
In Progress |
|
We will establish a petition system to the Dáil, similar to that operating in the European Parliament, to be managed by a specific Dáil committee that will investigate and report on petitions which raise issues warranting attention. |
Completed |
|
We will enhance the parliamentary relationship with the European Parliament in conjunction with Ireland’s MEPs. These arrangements will include regular attendance by MEPs at relevant Dáil committees. |
Completed |
|
The standing orders on urgent issues are used regularly to attempt to raise issues that are not urgent and such requests are almost invariably refused. We will make the Dáil rules for raising urgent issues more meaningful by requiring a minimum number of signatories for such a request. In future, Standing Order 32 requests will not be read out. |
Completed |
|
The Taoiseach will be obliged to brief the Oireachtas prior to attending European Council meetings and to engage with the Oireachtas in debate on EU issues of national significance and concern. |
Completed |
|
The Oireachtas will devote a full week each year to debating major EU issues of concern to Ireland such as the Draft Annual Work Programme, Green and White Papers and proposals for EU budget co-ordination. |
Completed & Ongoing |
|
The Oireachtas will be linked up with the Irish offices of the European Commission and the European Parliament in communicating Europe to the Irish people. Outreach programmes, meetings and competitions particularly in schools will be organised and TDs and Senators invited to participate. |
In Progress |
|
Under the Lisbon Treaty provisions the Oireachtas is entitled to receive all documents produced by the EU Commission at the same time as the EU institutions and the Irish Government receive them. We will ensure all EU documents are forwarded to the Oireachtas through the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach. They will transmit them to the Oireachtas library and the relevant Committees. Every TD and Senator will be informed of the documents as they arrive, so that they can engage in EU matters that concern or interest them. |
Completed |
|
We propose that Oireachtas Committees will play the major role in scrutinising the EU in the coming years. Greater emphasis will be placed on deepening the involvement in EU matters of the Oireachtas committees that shadow the work of each Government Department. We will oblige all sectoral committees to deal with EU matters that come within their remit within a defined period of time. |
Completed |
|
Committees will be supplemented by a system of subcommittees and a system of rapporteurs who have a particular interest in an area of policy or scrutiny and who volunteer to carry out an in-depth study for the relevant committee. |
Completed & Ongoing |
|
The Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) prepared for Ministers on all EU Directives and significant Regulations will be forwarded automatically to the relevant sectoral Oireachtas Committees. These Committees should advise the Minister and the Joint Committee on European Affairs as to whether the transposition should take place by Statutory Instrument or by primary legislation. Where primary legislation is recommended the full Oireachtas plenary process should be followed. |
In Progress |
|
All Ministers will be obliged to appear before their respective Committees or before the Committee on European Affairs prior to travelling to Brussels for meetings of the Council where decisions are made. |
Completed & Ongoing |
|
We will reduce the size of the Department of the Taoiseach, transforming it into the equivalent of a Cabinet Office that oversees the delivery of a new Programme for Government. |
Completed |
|
Require Departments to carry out and publish Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) before Government decisions are taken. |
In Progress |
|
Prioritise a programme of law reform arising out of the recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission. |
Completed |
|
We are fully committed to the EU2020 strategy and its creation of employment and smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. |
In Progress |
|
We will commission an independent audit into the transposition and implementation of EU legislation, placing priority on laws and regulations that caused concern or deemed burdensome to Irish business. We will put in place a mechanism across Government to accelerate implementation of directives, involving relevant Departments and the Attorney’s Office. |
In Progress |
|
We will rationalise regulators to strengthen consumer regulation and promote the consumer interest. |
In Progress |
|
We will continue to support the development of Dublin as an international city region that will have positive economic benefits for the entire country. |
In Progress |
|
The Government remains committed to ensuring that the European Union prioritises the key themes which were central to Ireland’s presidency – Jobs, Stability and Growth. Both government parties will work through their membership of the largest European political families – the EPP and PES – to ensure that growth and job creation are at the heart of EU’s agenda. |
In Progress |
|
We will continue to pursue additional Seanad reforms through the Seanad Committee on Practices and Procedures (CPP). |
In Progress |
|
We remain fully committed to the full implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. We will work closely with the British Government to support the efforts of the political parties in Northern Ireland to reach agreement on the issues of parades, flags and dealing with the issues of the past.(Co-lead with the Department of Foreign Affairs) |
In Progress |
47. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach if details exist in his Department of negotiations and arrangements with Independent Deputies in exchange for support between 1997 and 2011; if details exist of the demands made by Deputies for State board appointments, the creation of allowances and more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35509/14]
View answerIt was widely reported at the time that there were political agreements between previous Governments and various Independent Deputies from 1997 to 2011. I understand that no records of any such agreements are on official files held at the Department of the Taoiseach.
48. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach the total number of appointments to State boards since March 2011 under the aegis of his Department; the total number of appointments that have been advertised on his Department’s website. [35510/14]
View answerAs follows:
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.
The National Statistics Board
Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993 sets out the composition and procedures for appointing the National Statistics Board. It states:
The National Statistics Board shall consist of eight members comprising the following seven persons who shall be appointed by the Taoiseach:
› five persons of proven ability and experience in relevant fields - two of whom shall be nominated by the Taoiseach and three of whom shall be nominated by such organisation or organisations as the Taoiseach considers to be representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under this Act
› Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of the Taoiseach
› Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of Finance together with the Director General, ex-officio.
Since 2011 there have been 9 appointments to the NSB.
One vacancy was filled by an Assistant Secretary in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2012.
The Board's term expired in 2013 and the Chairperson, two Civil Servants and the ex-officio member (Director General of the Central Statistics Office) were re-appointed. The remaining four positions were advertised on the Department of the Taoiseach and NSB websites and the vacancies were filled in 2014.
49. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach the number of chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of his Department since March 2011 who have appeared before the relevant Oireachtas joint committee. [35511/14]
View answerDr. Patricia O'Hara was re-appointed Chairperson of the National Statistics Board in 2013. Dr. O'Hara has not appeared before an Oireachtas Committee and has not been asked to do so.
50. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach the number of retired public servants who have been awarded temporary or term-time posts in his Department in 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014. [35512/14]
View answerNo retired public servants were awarded temporary or term-time posts in my Department in the timeframe identified by the Deputy.
51. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of new agencies or State bodies that have been established under the aegis of his Department since 2011. [35513/14]
View answer52. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of agencies or State bodies under the aegis of his Department that have been abolished since 2011. [35514/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
No agencies or State bodies under the aegis of my Department have been established or abolished since 2011.
53. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number and percentage of young persons not in education, employment and training by nomenclature of territorial units for statistics region here. [35515/14]
View answerThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment and unemployment in the State and the data also provides information on persons Neither in Employment nor in Education and Training (NEET).
The Q2 2014 estimates are the most recent QNHS figures available.
The table below shows the volume of persons aged 16-24 who are classified as being Neither in Employment nor in Education and Training (NEET) by NUTS2 and NUTS3 region, together with the proportion of persons aged 16-24 this represents.
Persons aged 16 - 24 Neither in Employment nor in Education and Training (NEET) by NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions, Quarter 2 2014
|
- |
Border, Midland and West |
Border |
Midland |
West |
Southern and Eastern |
Dublin |
Mid-East |
Mid-West |
South-East |
South-West |
State |
|
Persons Neither in Employment nor in Education and Training (NEET) - Thou |
23.6 |
10.0 |
7.3 |
6.3 |
49.8 |
15.1 |
8.2 |
4.9 |
10.1 |
11.6 |
73.4 |
|
% of 16-24 year population |
19.5% |
21.2% |
23.2% |
14.8% |
14.6% |
12.4% |
14.8% |
12.4% |
19.3% |
16.2% |
15.9% |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Reference period: q2=Apr-Jun.
Note: The indicator on people Neither in Employment nor in Education and Training (NEET) corresponds to the population of the age group who is not employed and not involved in further education or training, i.e. persons who meet the following two conditions: (a) they are not employed
(i.e. unemployed or inactive according to the International Labour Organisation definition) and (b) they have not received any education or training in the four weeks preceding the survey.
When calculating the proportion of all persons in the age group classified as NEET, it should be noted that respondents who have not answered the question 'participation in regular (formal) education and training' are excluded from the calculation.
54. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach if he will provide, in tabular form, those Acts currently in force for which he has lead responsibility that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced; the details or purpose of same. [35516/14]
View answerMy Department has no Acts currently in force for which I have lead responsibility that have parts of sections yet to be formally commenced.
55. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council. [35517/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 58 of 15 July 2014 in which I gave an update of the last meeting of the British-Irish Council. The next summit meeting is due to be held in the Isle of Man in November.
