Written Answers Nos. 91-101
91. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the details of average cuts paid by his Department and those under his aegis to recruitment and temporary employment agencies, that is the proportion of the fee paid from State funding to such agencies received by the worker and the proportion by the agency. [42710/14]
View answerRecruitment of staff to my Department is ordinarily conducted through the Public Appointments Service (PAS), and where relevant through the redeployment mechanism introduced by Government to manage the reduction of numbers employed in the public sector in recent times.
Across the Department and its Offices, the only instance of use of an employment agency relates to the provision to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) of legal secretarial services. The fee received by the agency in the period 2012 to date is approximately €28,000 plus VAT. This represents just under 21% of the total amount paid to the agency, the balance of which is paid to the worker concerned. The agency is responsible for all administration costs in respect of the worker including, for example, administration of payroll and any human resource costs arising. In addition, they would be responsible for discharging employers' PRSI liability amounting to some €4,000, in respect of the worker, out of this fee. The breakdown of fees paid each year, including VAT, is as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2012 |
€12.45k |
|
2013 |
€12.51k |
|
2014 (to date) |
€9.6k |
Separately, I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of fees paid to recruitment and employment agencies, and I will communicate this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an annual breakdown of the fees paid to recruitment and employment agencies by his Department and those under his aegis. [42724/14]
View answerRecruitment of staff to my Department is ordinarily conducted through the Public Appointments Service (PAS), and where relevant through the redeployment mechanism introduced by Government to manage the reduction of numbers employed in the public sector in recent times.
Across the Department and its Offices, the only instance of use of an employment agency relates to the provision to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) of legal secretarial services. The fee received by the agency in the period 2012 to date is approximately €28,000 plus VAT. This represents just under 21% of the total amount paid to the agency, the balance of which is paid to the worker concerned. The agency is responsible for all administration costs in respect of the worker including, for example, administration of payroll and any human resource costs arising. In addition, they would be responsible for discharging employers' PRSI liability amounting to some €4,000, in respect of the worker, out of this fee. The breakdown of fees paid each year, including VAT, is as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2012 |
€12.45k |
|
2013 |
€12.51k |
|
2014 (to date) |
€9.6k |
Separately, I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of fees paid to recruitment and employment agencies and I will communicate this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the single farm payment and disadvantage area based payment for 2014 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42491/14]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2014, declaring a total of 61.03 hectares, 24.92 hectares of which is in respect of Commonage land. This commonage is the subject of a review and on completion of this review the application will be further processed. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named to clarify the situation.
94. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will be issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42507/14]
View answer95. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Clare [42537/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
An application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 30 April 2014. Processing of this application has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
96. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42587/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below. Many of the reports commissioned are a compulsory element of the Department’s participation in EU funded programmes.
2012
|
Consultant |
Title of Report |
Cost € |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2011 |
12,792 |
|
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2011 |
||
|
Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2011 |
||
|
Indecon |
Review of certain aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry |
59,225 |
|
CMG Crime Management Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Plan- Castleownbere Fishery Harbour Centre |
3,198 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
114,805 * |
|
Team BDS |
Lean Review of the Meat Inspection Service |
98,597 |
|
TMS Environment Ltd |
Risk assessment and Occupational Monitoring of Department’s office, Records Branch, Portlaoise for yeasts, moulds and dust containments. |
4,428 |
|
TMS Environment Ltd |
Risk assessment and Occupational Monitoring of staff health at Department’s office, Records Branch, Portlaoise arising from possible mould contaminants. |
1,845 |
|
IRS Solutions |
Bi-annual legislation update on Health and Safety legislation – 1st report |
1,471 |
|
IRS Solutions |
Bi-annual legislation update on Health and Safety legislation – 2nd report |
1,471 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification |
514,169 |
|
NTA Monitor Limited |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure |
16,162 |
|
Espion |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure |
32,133 |
2013
|
Consultant |
Title of Report |
Cost € |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2012 |
11, 400 |
|
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2012 |
||
|
Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee 2012 |
||
|
Indecon |
Review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon |
60,885 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Ex Ante Evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the 2014 – 2020 Rural Development Programme |
48,400 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
57,403* |
|
Norfolk Marine Ltd |
Survey works report to Killybegs FHC |
10,828 |
|
IRS Solutions |
Bi- annual legislation update on Health and Safety legislation – 1st report |
1,471 |
|
IRS Solutions |
Bi-annual legislation update on Health and Safety legislation – 2nd report |
923 |
|
Brian Scott |
Port Facility Review Killybegs |
1,200 |
|
Compass Informatics |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Independent Review of GIS Applications |
23,418 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification |
468,277 |
|
Forest Solutions |
NPV and IRR analysis for New afforestation scheme |
1,968 |
|
Judith A Annett Countryside Consultancy |
Irish Deer Management Policy Vision |
2,500 |
2014: January- October
|
Consultant |
Title of Report |
Cost € |
|
Crime Management Services Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Assessment Castletownbere |
4,735 |
|
Crime Management Services Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Assessment Killybegs |
4,735 |
|
IRS Solutions |
Bi-annual legislation update on Health and Safety legislation |
923 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
57,403* |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification |
271,602 |
|
Dr. Sean Brady |
The Dairy Expansion Activation Group Report (2011-2014) |
17,000 |
|
RSM McClure Watters (Consulting) |
Ex Ante Evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the 2014 – 2020 Forestry programme |
97,508 |
|
Forest Solutions |
NPV and IRR analysis for New forestry for Fibre scheme |
2,214 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 201 3 |
11,780 |
|
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 201 3 |
||
|
Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee 2013 |
* Part of the same contract.
97. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair agus faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste do 2014 le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth a bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42611/14]
View answerRinne an duine ainmnithe iarratas faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta/na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste an 7 Bealtaine 2014. Próiseáladh an t-iarratas le déanaí agus eiseofar an íocaíocht dhlite go gairid, díreach chuig cuntas bainc ainmnithe an duine ainmnithe.
98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the single farm payment scheme and the disadvantaged area based scheme for 2014 and any other agriculture payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42612/14]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes revealed that a number of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. The outcome of this check resulted in an over- claim in area of greater than 20% being recorded on the lands claimed by the person named. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes such an over-claim results in no payment being due in respect of 2014.
99. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when TAMS 2 will be introduced, as a number of farmers are awaiting the introduction of same to enable them to proceed with intended investment in these areas and the introduction of same may be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42614/14]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. The following investments have been identified as priority areas which will be targeted in the initial stages:- (i) dairy equipment, (ii) low emission spreading equipment, (iii) animal welfare and farm safety (specifically 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. TAMS II will subsequently be expanded to cover farm nutrient storage and animal housing. The new schemes can only be opened when EU Commission approval for the Programme has been received. That process is well underway at this stage but it is not possible at this stage to fix definitive dates for their introduction.
100. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42626/14]
View answer101. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42627/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.
The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas scheme application on 1 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
