Written Answers Nos. 206-211
206. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contracts a person's businesses and/or subsidiaries (details supplied) have with his Department; the value of these contracts; their length; and the other companies that entered the tendering process that resulted in this person's companies winning the contract. [12361/15]
View answerThe Department does not hold details of the business interests of the person specified by the Deputy. However, information on all contracts entered into by the Department is published periodically on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
207. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a positive decision has not been made regarding the acquisition of property in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the date on which a decision will be made; the amount of ground to be acquired; the amount of compensation to be paid; his views on this project, taking into account the co-operation of this person over many years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12295/15]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy's Question.
This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme provides qualifying applicants with a payment of €1,500 per year, index linked, for 15 years or, where feasible, relocation to non-designated bogs, where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum while relocation sites are identified, assessed and prepared. The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. An additional once-off payment of €500 will be provided where legal agreements are signed with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The provision of compensation under the scheme does not affect an applicant's title to his/her property.
The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation – ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
I am advised that the applicant referred to by the Deputy had been unable to provide evidence of a legal interest in the site on which he claims to have been cutting turf and had been informed that an official of my Department had decided that the qualifying criteria of the scheme had not been met in his case. He has requested a Departmental review of this decision and submitted additional information in support of his application. An official from my Department will be in contact with the applicant in relation to the matter shortly.
208. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the Nevin Economic Research Institute quarterly report for spring 2015 showing a concentration of new employment in the Dublin area, her views on the impact of the job creation strategy on the Gaeltacht; the steps she is taking to ensure employment is secured in the Gaeltacht; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12325/15]
View answerEnd of year results for 2014, published by Údarás na Gaeltachta earlier this year, show the highest level of job creation in the Gaeltacht since 2008. Údarás na Gaeltachta created 737 new jobs in the Gaeltacht in 2014 and at year-end, total employment in Údarás client companies stood at 7,682. Údarás na Gaeltachta aims to create 570 new jobs in the Gaeltacht in 2015 and to maintain 7,000 jobs in Údarás client companies. In order to enable Údarás na Gaeltachta to fulfil its job creation and job retention role in the Gaeltacht, capital funding of €6.687m is being provided by the Exchequer to Údarás in 2015 in addition to its own resources from the sale of assets and investments.
The Government's commitment to accelerate the jobs recovery in every part of the country through the regional development of Action Plans for Jobs is to be welcomed. In its regional enterprise role in the Gaeltacht, Údarás na Gaeltachta, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, will continue to work towards attracting investment to the Gaeltacht, in addition to supporting micro-enterprises and developing the skills base in the Gaeltacht.
209. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contracts a person's businesses and/or subsidiaries (details supplied) have with her Department; the value of these contracts; their length; and the other companies that entered the tendering process that resulted in this person's companies winning the contract. [12349/15]
View answerI am advised that no contracts have been placed by my Department with the person referred to by the Deputy or with businesses with which the person is known to be associated. It should be noted, however, that public procurement requirements do not require a tenderer to identify third parties to which the tenderer may be connected.
210. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department, on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and her plans to make savings from this area. [12551/15]
View answer211. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel expenses and other expenditure; and her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12601/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
My Department does not collate information relating to the age of chairpersons or members of State boards in bodies operating under its aegis.
In relation to the numbers of appointees to State boards under my Department's aegis, the total number of current board members is 156. It should be noted that the National Archives Act 1986 requires that the membership of the National Archives Advisory Council must include two members of the board of the Irish Manuscripts Commission. A further individual serves on both the aforementioned boards due to the crossover in the specialisation and expertise drawn upon for both boards. Finally, the Acting Director of the National Library serves as an ex officio member of the boards of both the Chester Beatty Library and the Irish Manuscripts Commission.
The total amount paid in fees in 2014 to members of State boards under my Department's aegis was €200,207. I am advised that the total expenditure on board fees is expected to fall below that level in 2015. Some members of boards are not paid fees due to the 'one salary' rule and others who could claim fees have waived their fee on a voluntary basis.
The table sets out details of the numbers sitting on State boards under my Department's aegis, the numbers and percentage of women sitting on the boards and the fees paid in 2014. It has not been possible to identify the total expenditure on travel and other costs in the time available. However, I am advised that all such expenses are paid in accordance with the guidelines and rules set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
|
Body |
Total board members |
Female board members |
% female membership |
Fees paid in 2014 |
|
National Library |
10 |
3 |
30% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
10 |
6 |
60% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
9 |
3 |
33% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
10 |
3 |
30% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
20 |
7 |
35% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
National Concert Hall |
15 |
8 |
53% |
€2,993 paid to the previous Chairperson from 1 January to 15 April 2014. The current Chairperson was appointed on a pro bono basis. No fees are payable to board members. |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
15 |
6 |
40% |
€4,896 paid to board members who accepted a fee from 1 January to 28 February 2014. All board members thereafter waived their fees. |
|
IMMA |
10 |
6 |
60% |
Chairperson has waived the fee payable. No fees are payable to board members. |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
15 |
5 |
33% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Heritage Council |
11 |
5 |
45% |
€26,334 paid to 5 board members. The remaining board members are public servants and are not eligible to claim fees under the one person one salary principle. |
|
Arts Council |
13 |
7 |
54% |
€72,951 paid to 12 board members. One board member waived the fee. |
|
Irish Film Board |
7 |
3 |
43% |
No fees are payable to board members. |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
11 |
2 |
16.66% |
€93,033 aid to 8 board members. The remaining board members are public servants and are not eligible to claim fees under the one person one salary principle. |
In the interest of completeness, it may be noted that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge (16 members) and the Ulster-Scots Agency (8 members), being agencies of the North South Implementation Body, are made by the North South Ministerial Council, arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction. Relevant board details, including fees, are published on the websites www.forasnagaeilge.ie and www.ulsterscotsagency.com.
