Written Answers Nos. 221 - 231
221. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not in receipt of single payment entitlements; if they will be allocated entitlements under the 2015 basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49083/14]
View answerThe person named was not a participant in the Single payment scheme 2005-2013.
Farmers who did not receive a direct payment in 2013 under the Single Payment Scheme, the Grassland Sheep Scheme, the Burren Farming for Conservation Scheme or the Beef Data Programme do not hold an automatic allocation right to receive entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015.
The “Scottish Derogation” allows for the allocation of payment entitlements to persons who never held Single Payment Scheme entitlements, either owned or leased, but who can produce verifiable evidence that they actively farmed in 2013. The terms and conditions of this provision and its application in Member states is currently the subject of discussion with the EU Commission and the outcome is expected shortly.
222. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49093/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 7 May 2014. No Single Payment Entitlements are held by the person named therefore no payment is due. Processing of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
223. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and more than five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49119/14]
View answerThe staff currently on career break in my Department is broken down below by period of time by both staff number and the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) as follows:
|
Period |
Number |
FTE |
|
0-6 months |
3 |
2.5 |
|
6 months-1 year |
4 |
3.5 |
|
1 year-2 year |
12 |
8.5 |
|
2 year-3 year |
11 |
9.3 |
|
3 year-4 year |
4 |
3.4 |
|
4 year-5 year |
3 |
2.5 |
|
More than 5 year |
13 |
12.3 |
224. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49134/14]
View answerIn my Department photographers are booked for the purpose of recording significant events such as the launch of schemes/programmes, new initiatives and visits by delegations from abroad. Where possible the Press Office uses in house photography and the number of occasions where photographers are booked has reduced substantially since 2011. In 2012, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade established a Framework Agreement comprising five firms for the provision of photography services. This Framework Agreement is available for use by all Government Departments and Offices for events in the Dublin region. If an event is outside Dublin, the practice is to get three written quotations. A detailed breakdown of expenditure since March 2011 is provided in the tables.
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
|
03-Feb-14 |
Dermot O’Leary Photography |
€173.00 |
|
|
06-Mar-14 |
Maxwell Photography Limited |
€150.06 |
|
|
17-Mar-14 |
Maxwell Photography Limited |
€137.76 |
|
|
08-May-14 |
Seamus Farrelly Photography |
€136.20 |
|
|
08-May-14 |
Maxwell Photography Limited |
€206. 6 4 |
|
|
12-May-14 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€209.98 |
|
|
13-May-14 |
Maxwell Photography Limited |
€172.20 |
|
|
16-May-14 |
Maxwell Photography Limited |
€413.28 |
|
|
19-June-14 |
Fennell Photography |
€820.01 |
|
|
27-June-14 |
Kenny Photographics |
€157.14 |
|
|
25-July-14 |
Fennell Photography |
€121.55 |
|
|
02-July-14 |
Maxwell Photography |
€275.52 |
|
|
16-July-14 |
Maxwell Photography |
€120.54 |
|
|
17-Sept-14 |
Maxwell Photography |
€154.98 |
|
|
20-Sept-14 |
Lensmen Photography |
€510.75 |
|
|
09-Oct-14 |
Maxwell Photography |
€120.54 |
|
|
25-Nov-14 |
Maxwell Photography |
€172.20 |
|
|
26-Nov-14 |
Maxwell Photography |
€154.98 |
2013
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
20-Mar-13 |
Lafayette Photography |
€200.36 |
|
27-Mar-13 |
Lafayette Photography |
€196.06 |
|
16-Apr-13 |
Lafayette Photography |
€94.81 |
|
16-Apr-13 |
Dermot Sullivan Photography |
€150.00 |
|
25-Apr-13 |
Lafayette Photography |
€196.06 |
|
08-May-13 |
Lafayette Photography |
€94.81 |
|
28-May-13 |
MacInnes Photography |
€234.35 |
|
09-Jul-13 |
Fennell Photography |
€208.13 |
|
26-Sept-13 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€147.60 |
|
10-Oct-13 |
Fennell Photography |
€227.55 |
|
28-Nov-13 |
Fennell Photography |
€209.10 |
|
11-Dec-13 |
Maxwell Photography |
€413.28 |
2012
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
18-Jan-12 |
Maxwell Photography |
€564.26 |
|
09-Feb-12 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€666.88 |
|
27-Feb-12 |
B.L. MacGill Photography |
€200.00 |
|
05-Mar-12 |
Barry Cronin Photography |
€602.12 |
|
21-Mar-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€211.09 |
|
02-Apr-12 |
John Power Photography |
€113.50 DATE |
|
30-Apr-12 |
John Sheehan Photography |
€340.50 |
|
17-May-12 |
Marta Trzeciak-Nash |
€150.00 |
|
21-May-12 |
Barry Cronin Photography |
€626.14 |
|
22-May-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€157.50 |
|
15-Jun-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€153.75 |
|
24-Jun-12 |
Marty Katz Photography |
€317.71 |
|
02-Jul-12 |
Harvey Rogers Photography |
€113.50 |
|
12-Jul-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€164.60 |
|
19-Jul-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€153.75 |
|
04-Sept-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€127.70 |
|
08-Oct-12 |
Marta-Trzeciak-Nash |
€125.00 |
|
26-Nov-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€135.30 |
2011
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
26-Mar-11 |
O’Gorman Photography |
€363.20 |
|
30-Mar-11 |
Fennell Photography |
DATE €350.56 |
|
01-Apr-11 |
John Power Photography |
€124.85 |
|
07-Apr-11 |
Edmund Ross Studios |
€567.50 |
|
07-Apr-11 |
Edmund Ross Photographer |
€397.25 |
|
08-Apr-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€491.16 |
|
12-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€473.19 |
|
14-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€505.20 |
|
18-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€779.96 |
|
19-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€285.23 |
|
05-May-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€506.58 |
|
10-May-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€240.57 |
|
16-May-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€215.65 |
|
28-May-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,582.19 |
|
02-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,732.19 |
|
09-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,170.28 |
|
10-Jun-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€784.23 |
|
15-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€276.52 |
|
23-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€30.86 |
|
29-Jun-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€227.00 |
|
14-Jul-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€374.55 |
|
04-Aug-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€295.10 |
|
06-Aug-11 |
B.L. MacGill Photographic Images |
€300.00 |
|
25-Aug-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€272.89 |
|
14-Sept-11 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€73.81 |
|
25 - 27 Sept-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€6,762.85 |
|
03-Oct-11 |
Press 22 |
€624.25 |
|
18-Oct-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€213.72 |
|
20-Oct-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€995.68 |
|
08-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€497.83 |
|
08-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€541.96 |
|
15-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€851.25 |
|
15-Nov-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€595.71 |
|
23-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€416.56 |
|
25-Nov-11 |
Photography by Dermot Sullivan |
€200.00 |
|
25-Nov-11 |
B.L. MacGill Photography |
€200.00 |
|
26-Nov-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€588.96 |
|
12-Dec-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€670.82 |
225. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49149/14]
View answerMy Department does not employ external public relations firms. Public relations advice is provided by my Department’s Press Office.
226. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49164/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy can be found in the following table. The IT consultancy engagements concerned relate to quarterly independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures as required for EU accreditation purposes and biannual independent security review of the Department's IT infrastructure. An independent review of all the Geographical Information based computer systems (GIS) in my Department was also carried out as this is an integral part of the effective and efficient administration of our EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) based payment schemes. In addition, my Department has a number of contracts in place for contractors in roles for ICT infrastructure technical support and for contract programming resources, which have been tendered at various points since March 2011, using open EU tendering procedures.
The total amount spent on external IT consultants in each year is as follows:
|
- |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 to date |
|
€ |
74,279 |
73,597 |
48,387 |
42,152 |
18,382 |
227. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49179/14]
View answerMy Department awards a contract for ICT security consultancy services on an ongoing two year basis. The service consists of quarterly independent assessments of my Department’s ICT security measures and a biannual independent security review of my Department's ICT infrastructure. This is required for EU accreditation purposes in order to maintain my Department’s status as the EU-accredited paying agency in Ireland. In addition, services for independent internet-facing application testing are provided for in the contract, where required. Following an open EU public tendering procedure held in April 2013, a contract for this work was awarded in June 2013. On this occasion it was awarded to a different company than on the previous occasion that this work was tendered. Following a review of the initial 12 month period of the contract, my Department and this company agreed to an extension of the contract for a further period of 12 months. On the expiry of this service in 2015, it is envisaged that my Department will run a new open EU tender competition for this ICT consultancy work.
My Department is also heavily reliant on high quality Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to both assist with the effective and efficient administration of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) based single payment and agri-environmental schemes and also in carrying out our animal health and farm inspection obligations. Following an open public tendering procedure held in 2012, my Department awarded a contract to Compass Informatics to carry out a review of the operation of the Department’s GIS systems and to produce a technical report on how to ensure that these systems continue to serve my Department well into the future. The final report was completed as scheduled and a number of the recommendations are currently being implemented.
In addition, my Department has a number of contracts in place for ICT infrastructure technical support and for contract programming resources, which have been retendered at various points since March 2011, using open EU tendering procedures.
228. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [49194/14]
View answerSince May 2011, a notification was placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. The list of board vacancies was updated on a regular basis. Since the end of November, in line with the recent Government decision, vacancies on the boards of these State Bodies, other than those which will be filled on the basis of nominations from specified organisations, will be published on www.stateboards.ie. In making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the relevant board. Also in the case of the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Teagasc, National Milk Agency, Veterinary Council of Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion in that individuals are nominated for appointment by me as specified in the relevant statute.
The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table as at 18 December 2014.
|
Body/Agency |
No of Board Members |
No of vacancies since March 2011 |
No of Board appointments since March 2011 |
No of appointments from ‘Expression of Interests’ |
No of other appointments e.g. Minister’s discretion, third party nominations as set out in legislation |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
7 |
9 |
8 (including the Chair) |
1 |
7 |
|
An Bord Bia |
15 |
21 |
14 (including the Chair) |
0 |
14 |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
7 |
6 (including the Chair) |
5 |
1 |
|
Bord na gCon |
7 |
12 |
8 (including the Chair) |
6 |
2 |
|
Coillte |
9 |
11 |
9 (including the Chair) |
5 |
4 |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
6 |
6 (including the Chair) |
0 |
6 |
|
Irish National Stud |
7 |
9 |
9 (including the Chair) |
5 |
4 |
|
Marine Institute |
9 |
5 |
5 (including the Chair) |
4 |
1 |
|
National Milk Agency |
14 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
13 |
|
Body/Agency |
No of Board Members |
No of vacancies since March 2011 |
No of Board appointments since March 2011 |
No of appointments from ‘Expression of Interests ’ |
No of other appointments e.g. Minister’s discretion, third party nominations |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
3 |
2 |
2 (including the Chair) |
0 |
2 |
|
Teagasc |
11 |
11 |
10 ( including the Chair) |
3 |
7 |
|
Veterinary Council |
19 |
20 |
1 8 (including the Chair) |
0 |
18 |
229. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form per annum from 2009 to date in 2014, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; total granted; total part-granted; total appealed; total successful appeals; total part-successful appeals; total refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49237/14]
View answerThe Freedom of Information data requested are set out in the table.
In relation to your request for data concerning appeals, I have included data on both internal reviews carried out by more senior members of staff within my Department and on appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC).
If a requester is not satisfied with the response of my Department to any aspect of his/her request for information he/she can seek to have the decision re-examined. The internal review of an FOI decision is carried out by a more senior member of staff within my Department. Following the outcome of the internal review of the decision, if a requester is still unhappy with the decision, he/she has the right to appeal the decision to the OIC.
* This information is not available in the Department for the years 2009 to 2011 inclusive.
230. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form per annum, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [49252/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table. Many of the reports commissioned are a compulsory element of the Department’s participation in EU funded programmes.
2011: March-December
|
Consultant |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs |
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
University College Dublin |
Evaluation of the EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland 2011 - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 |
10-Jan-12 |
4,500 |
|
University College Dublin |
EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland – A review of evaluations completed to date - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 |
06-Feb-12 |
6,388 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2010 |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire - completed May 2011, |
12,792 |
|
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2010 |
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2011, published in 2010 Woodflow January 2012 |
||
|
Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2010 |
UNECE report completed Sept 2011 |
||
|
Rockwell Automation |
Hazard and Operability Study |
13-Dec-11 |
3,740 |
|
Brendan Riordan, Research Economist |
The Net Contribution of the Agri-Food Sector to the Inflow of Funds into Ireland: a New Estimate |
23-Jul-12 |
6,000 |
|
Accenture |
An analysis of an internal review of procurement. |
20-Sep-11 |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Accenture |
An examination of the opportunities and capacity for further shared services between the Department and its non-commercial state agencies. |
20-Sep-11 |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Accenture |
A review of the Department’s role in regulating meat plants |
20-Sep-11 |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
KPMG |
An examination of the administration of the Single Payment Scheme. |
13-Oct-11 |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Fitzmaurice Tingle Ltd. |
Refrigeration Consultancy on 6 Fishery Harbour Centre Sites |
08-Nov-11 |
3,505 |
|
Brian Scott, 28 Portlock Gardens, Nailsea, Bristol, BS48 2QY, UK |
Port Security Assessment- Castleownbere Fishery Harbour Centre |
Nov-11 |
4,680 |
|
University College Dublin |
EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland- A review of evaluations completed to date- requirement of EU Commission Regulation 288 0f 2009 |
06-Feb-12 |
6,388 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
To examine recommendations of the Report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities as applicable to be this Department to value the assets referred to and to make a series of recommendations |
Not applicable |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Michael Dowling |
Beef 2020 Activation Group: Growing the Beef Sector |
June 2011 – Unpublished |
13,000 |
|
Briggs Environmental Services |
Oil Spill Contingency Plans |
Updated on regular basis |
4,424 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification |
Not for publication – Report is a requirement of EU legislation |
509,830 |
|
ESPION |
Independent assessments of the Department's IT security measures and security review of the Department's infrastructure |
Not for external publication Required for EU accreditation purposes |
11,306 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Interim evaluation of Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 |
07-Jun-11 |
39,325 |
2012: January- December
|
Consultant |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs |
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2011 |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire - completed May 2012, |
12,792 |
|
|
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2011 |
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry report published in 3 July 2012 |
|
|
|
Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2011 |
UNECE report completed Sept 2012 |
|
|
Indecon |
Review of certain aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry |
20-Jul-12 |
59,225 |
|
CMG Crime Management Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Plan - Castleownbere Fishery Harbour Centre |
Jun-12 |
3,198 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
Jan-14 |
114,805* |
|
Team BDS |
Lean Review of the Meat Inspection Service |
Report under consideration |
98,597 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification |
Not for publication – Report is a requirement of EU legislation |
514,169 |
|
Compass Informatics Ltd. |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - GIS Review 2012/2013 |
Not for publication (For internal Departmental information) |
23,419 |
|
ESPION |
Independent assessments of the Department's IT security measures and security review of the Department's infrastructure |
Not for external publication Required for EU accreditation purposes |
32,134 |
2013: January- December
|
Consultant |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs |
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
Norfolk Marine |
Survey works report to Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre |
Apr-13 |
10,828 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2012 |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire - completed May 2013, |
11,400 |
|
|
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2012 |
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry report & published in 2012 Woodflow (July 2013) |
|
|
|
Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee 2012 |
UNECE report completed in October 2013 |
|
|
Indecon |
Review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon |
12-Jul-14 |
60,885 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Ex Ante Evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the 2014 – 2020 Rural Development Programme |
Ongoing |
48,400 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd. Unit 5A Fingal Business Park Balbriggan Co. Dublin |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
Jan-14 |
57,403* |
|
Norfolk Marine Ltd |
Survey works report to Killybegs FHC |
Apr-13 |
10,828 |
|
Brian Scott |
Port Facility Review Killybegs |
Jul-13 |
1,200 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification |
Not for publication – Report is a requirement of EU legislation |
468,277 |
|
ESPION |
Independent assessments of the Department's IT security measures and security review of the Department's infrastructure |
Not for external publication Required for EU accreditation purposes |
18,825 |
|
NTA Monitor Limited |
Independent assessments of the Department's IT security measures and security review of the Department's infrastructure |
Not for external publication Required for EU accreditation purposes |
16,162 |
|
Judith A Annett Countryside Consultancy |
Irish Deer Management Policy Vision |
Has not been officially published but was circulated to stakeholders |
2,500 |
|
Forest Solutions |
NPV and IRR analysis for New afforestation scheme |
Was not officially published but formed part of the deliberative and consultative process on the new forestry programme |
1,968 |
2014: January- December
|
Consultant |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs |
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
Crime Management Services Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Assessment Castletownbere |
Jun-14 |
4,735 |
|
Crime Management Services Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Assessment Killybegs |
Jul-14 |
4,735 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Ex Ante Evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the 2014 – 2020 Rural Development Programme |
Ongoing |
48,400 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification |
Not for publication – Report is a requirement of EU legislation |
349,603 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd. Unit 5A Fingal Business Park Balbriggan Co. Dublin |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
Jan-14 |
57,403* |
|
NTA Monitor Limited |
Independent assessments of the Department's IT security measures and security review of the Department's infrastructure |
Not for external publication Required for EU accreditation purposes |
18,382 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2013 |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire – completed and submitted to the EUROSTAT/FAO |
11,780 |
|
|
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2013 |
Joint Wood Energy Enquiry report - completed and published as part of the COFORD Woodflow 2013 |
|
|
|
Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee 2013 |
UNECE report - was completed for submission to the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry |
|
|
RSM McClure Watters (Consulting) |
Ex Ante Evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the 2014 – 2020 Forestry programme |
Published in 2014 as part of the consultative process on the new forestry programme |
97,508 |
|
Forest Solutions |
NPV and IRR analysis for New forestry for Fibre scheme |
Was not officially published but formed part of the deliberative and consultative process on the new forestry programme |
2,214 |
|
Forest Solutions |
Cost Benefit Analysis - Forest Roads Programme 2014-2020 |
Was not officially published but formed part of the deliberative and consultative process on the new forestry programme |
2,952 |
|
Freshwater Bivalve Investigations |
Site Assessment of the River Lickey |
Not published |
5,040 |
|
Freshwater Bivalve Investigations |
Site Assessment of the River Lickey |
Work ongoing |
3,000 ( estimate ) |
|
RSM McClure Watters and Poseidon |
Ex-ante evaluation, SEA and AA of Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 |
Apr-15 |
€16,021 ** |
* Three individual payments under one contract totalling €229,610
** First payment from contract totalling €64,083.
231. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49318/14]
View answerThe details of subsistence and taxi fare payments in respect of the staff of my Department, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in the following table:
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (To date) |
|
Subsistence |
€2,650,969.00 |
€2,532,150.79 |
€2,443,822.99 |
€ 2,265, 390.92 |
|
Taxi Fares |
€40,567.92 |
€42,490.09 |
€53,461.01 |
€39,419.17 |
These payments have not been the subject of audit by the Revenue Commissioners. All subsistence payments are made in accordance with the Civil Service rates for travel and subsistence and are therefore disregarded for income tax purposes. The taxi fare payments mainly relate to travel in connection with official duties abroad, with a very small numbers of instances occurring where ICT staff complete a shift at midnight and due to these unsocial hours may avail of a taxi service. My Department continuously endeavours to be tax compliant in all matters, including the correct tax treatment of travel and subsistence expenses.
