Written Answers Nos 51-70
51. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has held with the international banking sector regarding the possibility of expanding operations to Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4023/15]
View answerI have been informed by Minister of State Harris that he met with Cathaoirleach and CEO of Leitrim County Council in November regarding the MBNA closure, there were also EI and IDA representatives present. Minister of State Harris, in his role regarding international banking, is currently developing an International Financial Services Strategy. A key feature of this revised Strategy will be the focus on building employment in regions outside of Dublin and the Minister of State will continue to work closely with the state agencies, EI and the IDA, to support their initiatives.
53. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 17 September 2014, where he stated the annual report on high income individuals restrictions for 2012 will be published shortly if he will ensure it is made available immediately; and if he will provide the likely publication date of the 2013 report. [4054/15]
View answerThe relevant report for the tax year 2012 was published and laid before the Oireachtas on Budget Day, 14 October 2014. A copy of the report can be found on the Department of Finance website at http://www.finance.gov.ie/what-we-do/tax-policy/publications/reports-research/restriction-reliefs/restriction-reliefs.
In relation to the report for the tax year 2013, income tax returns for that year were filed in November 2014 and are currently being processed. As a result, the report for 2013 will not be available until sometime later this year.
54. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the number and percentage of the property portfolio which falls under the heading of heritage buildings; the overall budget allocation to these buildings out of the total Office of Public Works property budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4002/15]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the management of a significant proportion of State owned property assets, including Heritage estate and certain prestige properties, in all parts of the country. For the purposes of this Question however, the type of properties covered in the response requires to be defined: by including the term "Heritage buildings" in his Question, it is understood therefore that the Deputy is referring particularly to those properties which formed the built heritage estate which was transferred to the management and care of the OPW following a decision by the then Government in March 2003.
Defined in these terms, the Heritage estate managed by the OPW falls generally into two categories, as set out below:
|
Category Title |
Number of properties |
General Description |
|
National Monuments in State care |
768 |
These comprise almost 1,000 individual Monuments at 768 locations nationwide. A full list of National Monuments in State Care, by County, is available at: www.archaeology.ie/national-monuments/search-by-county Monuments are divided by those in State Ownership and those where Guardianship arrangement apply with the Owners' consent. |
|
National Historic Properties |
27 |
These comprise properties which are, for a variety of reasons considered noteworthy or historic. Though some of them (either wholly or partially) are National Monuments and are therefore also counted within the list of Monuments in State care, for the purposes of day to day management, they are treated separately within the OPW. A full list of National Historic Properties is available at: www.opw.ie/nhp |
From an annual Estate Portfolio Management allocation of €310m approximately, the allocation, inclusive of staffing, presentation, maintenance and upkeep for heritage properties, as defined above is €46.4m.
It is not feasible to determine the percentage of the total OPW property portfolio, which these properties represent as the nature, type and state is very varied - for example, the land area of the Phoenix Park alone might equate to the land area of much of the rest of the property portfolio combined.
55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which continued assessment is undertaken throughout the country, with a view to identifying areas of potential flooding which could be remedied by way of improved drainage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4047/15]
View answerThe problem of flood risk in Ireland is being addressed through the Office of Public Work's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. This is a major national programme under which the most comprehensive assessment of flood risk in the country to date is being undertaken.
The purpose of the CFRAM Programme is to:
- assess and map the existing and potential significant flood hazard and risk within the study areas,
- build the strategic information base necessary for making informed decisions in relation to managing flood risk,
- identify viable structural and non-structural measures and options for managing the flood risks for localised high-risk areas and within each river catchment as a whole.
There are three main stages in the Programme; each involving public consultation:
- Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment: The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) is a national screening exercise, based on available and readily-derivable information, to identify areas where there may be a significant risk associated with flooding. These areas are referred to as Areas for Further Assessment, or ‘AFAs’. The PFRA was completed in 2011, and 300 AFAs were identified nationally. The PFRA will be reviewed by the end of 2018 and every 6 years thereafter.
- Flood Hazard Mapping: This phase involves more detailed assessment of the AFAs to more accurately assess the extent and degree of flood risk and is undertaken through CFRAM Studies. These Studies are well underway, and detailed flood maps are currently being consulted upon locally within the AFAs through a programme of Public Consultation Days which are advertised locally. A national consultation on the flood maps will be undertaken in the Spring of 2015.
- Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans: Where the risk of flooding is significant, the CFRAM programme develops, where possible, measures to manage and reduce the risk. Making use of the detailed assessments and flood maps, potential flood risk management measures are being assessed for the AFAs to determine viable and acceptable options for managing the flood risk within the AFAs, and such measures may include drainage works. The options will be taken to public consultation in the summer and autumn of 2015, with a view to preparing draft Flood Risk Management Plans by the end of 2015 that will set out the proposed strategies and measures for managing flood risk, and that will also be taken to consultation.
The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for State investment in flood defences on a systematic and objective basis using Multi-Criteria Analysis. More information on the Programme is available on www.cfram.ie.
Pending the completion of the CFRAM Programme, the OPW is continuing with its programme of major flood relief schemes. These schemes are focused on locations throughout the country where significant flood events have occurred in the past. Cost benefit analysis is the standard methodology used to determine priorities and for selection of major schemes. Benefits are measured in terms of the damage and loss avoided. Details of major schemes are available on www.opw.ie under Flood Risk Management.
The Office of Public Works continues to maintain Arterial Drainage Schemes which it carried out under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. This involves a total of 11,500 km of river channel and 800 km of embankments. The annual maintenance programme is published by OPW on its website and typically involves some clearance of vegetation and removal of silt build-up on a five-yearly cycle.
OPW has no role in relation to urban storm water drainage. This is a matter for the local authorities.
OPW has been allocated a total of €225m for Flood Risk Management for the period 2012 - 2016. This allocation will allow OPW to continue to progress its current programmes including major flood relief schemes, the Minor Works & Coastal Protection Scheme, the CFRAM Programme and Arterial Drainage Maintenance.
56. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular format, the total amounts paid to each qualifying political party in respect of annual Exchequer payments under the Electoral Acts in each of the years 2012, 2013 and 2014; the fixed payment amount each year; the variable amount in each case and the way this was calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3953/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in my reply to question number 262 on 21 October 2014 (ref. 40211/14). The total amounts paid for the year 2014 are as follows:
Total amounts paid for the year 2014
|
Section 17(1)(a), as amended |
2014 |
|
Fianna Fáil |
€126,973.80 |
|
Fine Gael |
€126,973.80 |
|
Labour |
€126,973.80 |
|
Sinn Féin |
€126,973.80 |
|
Total |
€507,895.20 |
|
Section 17(1)(b), as amended |
2014 |
|
Fianna Fáil |
€1,040,882.44 |
|
Fine Gael |
€2,154,080.84 |
|
Labour |
€1,160,292.92 |
|
Sinn Féin |
€592,945.48 |
|
Total |
€4,948,201.68 |
57. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the details of the regulations that are in place to deal with removal of asbestos; if it is envisaged that there will be assistance to help with the removal of asbestosis in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3968/15]
View answerThe remit of my Department, in relation to asbestos in the workplace, arises under occupational health and safety policy where the focus is on prevention. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority, place obligations on employers and employees to ensure that the risk of exposure to asbestos is eliminated or reduced to a minimum and that any remaining residual risk is adequately controlled in accordance with the legislation. These Regulations are relevant to the matter of removal of asbestos.
In addition, national guidelines for the management and removal of asbestos-containing materials can be found on the website of the Health and Safety Authority (www.hsa.ie ).
Asbestosis is a chronic (long-term) lung condition caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. The Regulations of 2006 and 2010 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work provide for the health surveillance of employees exposed to asbestos and for the maintenance of an occupational health register in relevant employments and for the maintenance by the Authority of an Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Register of diseases which have been reported to the Authority. The presence of asbestosis within the wider community is a public health matter. I am assured that patients suffering from asbestosis have access to the same range of diagnostic and treatment services provided in the public health system as other patients with chronic lung conditions. Accordingly, neither my Department nor the Authority has a role in relation to the removal of asbestosis in the community.
58. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide figures on cases of asbestosis that are collated across the State on the asbestosis and mesothelioma register maintained by the Health and Safety Authority; the incidence of same in County Kildare, particularly in Athy when compared to the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3970/15]
View answerThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority, place obligations on employers and employees to ensure that the risk of exposure to asbestos is eliminated or reduced to a minimum and that any remaining residual risk is adequately controlled in accordance with the legislation.
The Regulations provide for the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work provide for the health surveillance of employees exposed to asbestos and for the maintenance of an occupational health register in relevant employments. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006) the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is required to maintain an Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Register of diseases which have been reported to the Authority.
Under the Regulations a registered medical practitioner who becomes aware of a case of asbestosis or mesothelioma is required to report that fact to the Authority which maintains the Register. I am informed that 61 cases have been recorded in the Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Register from June 2005 to date. Of these cases, 4 referenced asbestosis – 3 in Dublin and 1 in Kildare.
59. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding bursaries or grants available to a start-up enterprise providing spinning and hand weaving classes and demonstrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4076/15]
View answerAnyone looking for advice or information on starting up a small or micro enterprise should contact their nearest Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in the first instance.
The LEOs are the first-stop-shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs for the micro-enterprise sector. They pull together all the players – other Government Departments and Agencies – to support everyone with a good business idea and strengthen the enterprise sector in the local area. The LEOs are the first port of call in terms of advice, direction, training and, in certain circumstances, grant support for anyone who wishes to start or expand a business.
The LEOs themselves provide a range of financial and non-financial supports to help enterprises at start-up or during business expansion phases. It should be noted, though, that the LEOs generally only grant assist enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities. However, there are other non-financial supports available, such as mentoring and training, and the LEO staff can advise as to which supports would be most appropriate to your situation.
In addition, any business can use the LEOs as a gateway to accessing finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. The Fund available to MFI has a significant entrepreneurship focus and is open to anyone with a viable business proposal. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local LEO. Further information can be found on the LEO website at www.localenterprise.ie
Businesses can also access the new online search tool for SME business supports that was launched last May. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible.
By answering the eight questions in the Tool, a small business will, in one location be able to:
- Find out which of the over 80 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available to them
- obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit
- identify their nearest Local Enterprise Office where they can discuss the outcomes of the guide further
- download all these filtered results into a document for their further use.
The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is available at: www.localenterprise.ie/smeonlinetool
For enterprises starting up in County Wicklow, the contact details for the LEO Wicklow are: Wicklow County Campus, Clermont House, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, tel: 0404 30800, email: enterprise@leo.wicklowcoco.ie.
60. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [3971/15]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 April 2014. During the validation of the application, issues relating to the verification of compliance with the minimum stocking density were identified.
There are two criteria to be satisfied in relation to those applicants under 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme availing of equines to meet the minimum stocking density requirement. In the first instance, the holding itself must meet the definition of an Equine Breeding Enterprise and secondly, horses must be aged one to five years and, where older, must be a breeding mare for the purposes of the Scheme.
The person named had bovines and one equine on the holding during 2014. He submitted one equine passport to my Department but, on examination it was found that this was not in respect of a breeding mare that foaled in years, 2011, 2012 or 2013. Accordingly, no payment is due under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the applicant with regard to this issue.
61. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 553 to 555, inclusive, of 20 January 2015, the measures in place to ensure dogs in the care of local authorities comply with the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and are adequately cared for with appropriate accommodation and veterinary care including those put into the care of outsourced companies or institutions by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3991/15]
View answerSection 11 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides that a person who has a protected animal, including a dog, in his or her possession or under his or her control, is obliged to ensure that the animal is kept and treated in a manner that safeguards the health and welfare of the animal and does not threaten the health and welfare of that animal or another animal. This basic principle is the same for local authorities as it is for others who keep dogs.
Of course, the issue of dog control remains a matter for local authorities under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
62. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when GLAS will open for applications; the likely applicants that will be approved for participation in the scheme; the total expenditure for this scheme in 2015; the projected number of participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3993/15]
View answerGLAS (the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) is part of a suite of proposed measures under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) which was submitted to the European Commission in July. The Commission services notified us of their detailed observations on the draft Programme at the end of October last year, to which my Department provided immediate and detailed replies. Since then, bilateral discussions have been ongoing with the Commission, with the objective of securing approval for the Irish Programme at the earliest possible date. Once approval is granted, my Department will move to open the Scheme as soon as possible.
I anticipate that between 25,000 and 30,000 farmers will be approved for entry to GLAS this year and, as the regulations require that all applications be administratively checked before any application is approved, it will take some time to process applications. This work will be prioritised with a view to having it completed as quickly as possible. As with the introduction of previous agri-environmental schemes, payment in the first year of application (2015) will be on a part-year basis, followed by annual payments for a further five full calendar years. I have included a sum of €20m in my Department’s Estimates for 2015 to cover expenditure on GLAS this year.
63. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application under the farm safety scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4007/15]
View answer6,300 applications received, including the application referred to in this case, for the Farm Safety Scheme are currently being examined in my Department. Approvals will issue at the earliest possible opportunity.
64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the rural development programme will be approved and become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4020/15]
View answerThe draft Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2014-2020 was formally submitted to the European Commission on 3 July 2014, a number of weeks in advance of the regulatory deadline. The Commission’s formal observations on the draft RDP were received on 20 October 2014 with a total of 266 observations, incorporating a range of informational, technical and policy matters.
Negotiations in relation to the formal adoption of the RDP are currently underway between my Department and the Commission. It is, however, difficult to predict the exact timing of RDP approval given the capacity constraints experienced by the Commission in approving 118 RDPs across all Member States.
At present, Department officials are in ongoing and intensive discussion with the Commission in order to seek a speedy resolution of outstanding issues . The agreement of the new RDP and the subsequent roll-out of schemes is being pursued as a matter of priority.
65. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a fishing matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4027/15]
View answerMy understanding is that the issue raised relates to mackerel management. The allocation of mackerel has long been a contentious issue and this has been addressed by a comprehensive policy on the management of the stock.
Prior to 2001, an allocation of 1,500 tonnes was set aside for polyvalent segment vessels out of the total national quota. This was increased to a set amount of 7,000 tonnes and did not take account of changes in quota. This changed in 2009, after a review, and a set percentage level was introduced to allow for increased allocations when the quota increased (or indeed reductions when the quota reduced).
This policy provides that the Polyvalent Segment vessels are allocated 13% of the quota and the RSW Pelagic Segment is allocated 87% of the quota. The distribution of quota amongst the vessels in the RSW Pelagic Segment is made in accordance with long standing ratios based on historic vessel size which has been in place for many years. The distribution of the quota for the Polyvalent segment vessels is made in accordance with Ministerial policy put in place in 2010. Under this policy, mackerel allocations were made available to vessel owners based on track record from the two best years 2007, 2008, 2009.
In terms of the allocation of quota between the RSW Pelagic segment vessels and the Polyvalent segment vessels, I do not consider that there are changed circumstances that would support a review of the allocations between the segments. I consider that the percentage based allocation between the segments can properly deal with year on year fluctuations in national quota in a fair, transparent and balanced way. Any change in the current arrangements would be justified only if circumstances have changed since the 2009 review. At that time, the Minister fully consulted with industry representatives on the issue and as a result was fully aware of the divergent views that prevailed within the industry at that time in relation to the management of this fishery. The specific management arrangements for the allocation of the mackerel quota introduced in 2009 were developed by the Minister for the proper and effective management of the mackerel fishing opportunities while at the same time fully cognisant of the divergent views that existed on the issue within various segments of the fishing industry.
The quota available to the Irish fleet for 2015 amounts to 89,200 tonnes and authorisations for the 2015 fishery have been issued in accordance with the policy in place.
66. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment for 2014 will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4029/15]
View answerAn application under the Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on 4 April 2014. During the validation of the application, an over-claim was discovered in respect of a parcel of land declared on this application. As the person named does not hold any Single Payment entitlements, no payment is due under the Single Payment Scheme. However, as the over-claim exceeded 20% of the area declared by the applicant, no payment is due to the person named under the 2014 Disadvantaged Area Scheme.
67. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment option scheme payment will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4030/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013 and payment has issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This process is under way in respect of the 2014 Scheme year and I expect 75% payment for 2014 to issue shortly. The balancing 25% payment will follow in due course.
68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a íocfar íocaíocht AEOS atá ag dul d’fheirmeoir (sonraí leis seo); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4031/15]
View answerCeadaíodh rannpháirteacht an duine ainmnithe sa Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaol Talmhaíochta 2011 (AEOS 2) le héifeacht ón 1ú Meán Fómhair 2011 agus eisíodh íocaíocht iomlán i ndáil leis na blianta Scéime 2011, 2012 agus 2013.
Faoi Rialacháin an AE a rialálann an Scéim sin agus scéimeanna íocaíochta limistéir-bhunaithe eile, ní mór seiceálacha cuimsitheacha riaracháin, lena n-áirítear tras-seiceáil leis an gCóras Aitheanta Dáileachtaí Talún a dhéanamh, sular féidir aon íocaíocht a eisiúint. Tá na seiceálacha sin tugtha chun críche go rathúil i ndáil leis an mbliain Scéime 2014 agus eisíodh 75% den íocaíocht iomlán chuig an duine ainmnithe an 12 Nollaig 2014. Bheinn ag súil go n-íocfaí an 25% atá fanta go luath.
69. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive payment of the disadvantaged area payment for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4032/15]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 April 2014, processing of which has recently been completed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
70. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a REP scheme payment for 2013 (details supplied) [4068/15]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. During the SPS cross-checks in 2013 an issue arose in relation to the re-digitization of land parcels contained in the REPS Agri-environmental plan of the person named which required further investigation. This issue has now been resolved and the 2014 75% REPS payment will issue shortly, the remaining 25% balancing payment will issue thereafter.
