Written Answers Nos. 110-120
110. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the expenses incurred by him from 2011 to date in 2015, including the date, expense type, description and amount; if each expense was vouched; his plans to introduce changes to the expenses system to ensure all expenses are fully vouched for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26999/15]
View answerThe expenses incurred by me as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation since taking up office are set out in the following table. The following table sets out the expenses incurred on an annual basis as to itemise each expense by individual date order for each of the years in question would require the retrieval of a substantial number of records requiring very significant and disproportionate administrative departmental resources. All the expenses listed in the table are fully vouched for with the exception of those relating to mileage. The mileage expenses were paid in accordance with the rates sanctioned by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. The rules concerning the payment and vouching of expenses are matters for consideration by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In relation to a number of the travel expenses, such as attendance at EU meetings etc, whilst the costs may have been incurred by me as Minister, an amount of these costs would have been recouped or are recoupable from the relevant EU body.
Minister Bruton’s Expenses 2011 to June 2015
|
Years |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
January to June 2015 |
|
Flights and Hotel Costs |
€2,386.42 |
€3,803.30 |
€7,588.29 |
€3,000.57 |
€2,033.18 |
|
Recoupable Flights |
€987.90 |
€2337.81 |
€940.96 |
€760.98 |
€429.98 |
|
* Mileage |
€5,167.25 |
€6,387.07 |
€5,626.62 |
€7,175.44 |
€4,451.80 |
|
Tolls |
€127.25 |
€181.23 |
€181.46 |
€255.49 |
€184.27 |
|
Official Entertainment |
€113.00 Working lunch With Action Plan for Jobs Industry partners |
€788.14 catering services for Ministerial Meeting with Agencies of Department |
€866.98 Catering Services for Ministerial Meeting with Agencies of Department |
||
|
Telephony Includes Ministers fax, landline and Mobile phone |
€1,587.67 |
€1932.64 |
€1876.82 |
€1990.06 |
€910.92 |
|
Stationery & Office Supplies includes Ministers Business Cards, Letterheads, Nameplates, etc. |
€2455.10 |
€894.15 |
€435.70 |
€1601.61 |
€337.08 |
|
Miscellaneous/ incidentals |
€321.26 |
€371.41 |
€295.65 |
€139.64 |
|
|
Re decoration and fit out-Customised Units for Ministers Office |
€3,533.20 |
||||
|
Gifts /Presentations Gifts and Presentations for Ministers trade mission to China |
€270.00 |
€483.30 |
|||
|
Kitchen equipment – Dishwasher |
€429.98 |
||||
|
Totals |
€16566.05 |
€16,177.61 |
€17,488.48 |
€16,055.59 |
€9,353.85 |
All expenses are vouched except those marked with an *.
111. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of requests for meetings he has received from private, external, non-State-funded lobby groups; the number of meetings he has held with these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26693/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in view of the range of my remit as Minister, I receive representations, including requests for meetings from a broad range of sources, including members of the Oireachtas, local and voluntary groups, private individuals, companies and representative associations. While my Office does not maintain a register of all such requests for meetings or invitations received, I can advise the Deputy that since January 2014 I have attended some 47 meetings with private external lobby groups. This figure would not include informal unscheduled meetings that might arise from time to time.
The Deputy will be aware that the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 has recently been enacted by the Oireachtas and will commence on 1 September 2015. The Act provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission) will establish and maintain an online register of lobbying and oversee compliance with the legislative provisions. The purpose of the register will be to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials. Persons lobbying will have to register with the Standards Commission and will be required to submit returns on their lobbying activities.
112. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider allocating unused funds arising from schemes under the rural development programme Pillar II and reallocating them towards a hill lamb sector welfare scheme and a weanlings welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26762/15]
View answerThe new Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving a more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. The RDP has been developed on the basis of extensive preparatory analyses and stakeholder consultation, and while it does not include a measure directly providing assistance towards hill lamb or weanlings welfare, there are a number of relevant supports to the sheep sector and the suckler cow sector. The Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) in the RDP will benefit sheep farmers and they will continue to be significant beneficiaries from the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. Knowledge Transfer Groups will also be run for sheep farmers, continuing and building upon the progress made to date under the Sheep Technology Adoption Programme (STAP). Also, a series of capital investment schemes are being introduced under the TAMS II scheme, several of which will provide for sheep farmers.
The RDP also includes the targeted Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), a measure with an overall budget of some €300 million, and which is aimed at suckler farmers producing weanlings. As with sheep farmers, suckler farmers may also benefit under GLAS, ANCs, Knowledge Transfer Groups and capital investment supports under TAMS II.
At present, all rural development funding has been fully allocated to schemes as set out in the Financial Plan chapter of the RDP , and there are no unused funds. However, it is a seven year Programme, and so the situation will be kept under review and amended, if necessary, in consultation with the RDP Monitoring Committee and with the approval of the European Commission. Any new measures would need a clear legal basis in the EU regulations, and would also need to respond to a detailed analysis and clear needs. Implementation of the agreed Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 is currently a high priority for my Department.
113. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered permitting commonage farmers signed up to the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme to be only held accountable for their individual actions, considering the collective penalty scenario currently in operation for commonage farmers whereby if a baseline breach occurs and it cannot be attributed to any one farmer, then penalties of up to 100% will apply to all farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26763/15]
View answerCommonage payments have increased significantly from €75 per hectare under AEOS to €120 per hectare under the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) and are calculated on the basis of income foregone and the cost of compliance with delivery of the GLAS action. Payments are advanced on the basis of the land being farmed to environmentally sustainable standards for the duration of the GLAS contract. In order for such payments to be made, they must exceed the baseline eligibility requirements that apply under the Basic Payment Scheme.
I have already made it clear that where failure occurs at individual level, the relevant penalty arising will be applied individually. For example, if a shareholder fails to reach the individual targets set for him or her in the Commonage Management Plan, then it is he or she who suffers the penalty. However, where a breach is found that cannot be attributed to any one shareholder the sanction, if any, will be applied to all shareholders in GLAS. Any such sanction will be proportionate to the breach found.
114. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider providing greater flexibility in the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme for commonage farmers, with regard to how the minimum and maximum figures apply for each farmer who joins the scheme and for the overall commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26764/15]
View answerAt the outset I wish to acknowledge the number of commonage farmers, 3,934 in total, who have applied to join GLAS. They farm on nearly 2,700 commonages, which represents more than half the commonages in the country. This shows a healthy interest in the scheme, which I expect will grow as subsequent tranches are opened. Commonage lands are recognised as valuable farmed habitats and as such are given the highest priority within GLAS. The Scheme aims to pay farmers who graze and manage commonages in accordance with best environmental practice. One cohesive Commonage Management Plan will be put in place by one commonage adviser and will cover the grazing and other activities of all GLAS shareholders on the commonage.
The GLAS approach to Commonages already provides for considerable flexibility. The Commonage Management Plan will be drawn up by the shareholders themselves working with a trained GLAS adviser of their own choice. The minimum and maximum stocking densities suggested by my Department for each commonage are open to change on the basis of the plan presented by the shareholders. Each shareholder must reach their own minimum stocking density based on the overall figures established in the Plan, but I have provided for flexibility thereafter to allow some shareholders to expand further and others to remain at the minimum level, if that is what they want, and if the overall maximum density for the commonage is respected.
I am aware that the task of preparing plans will be challenging. In view of this, my Department has held recent meetings with the adviser representatives and the farm bodies to surface remaining issues of concern. In reviewing this, account will be taken of all salient factors, mindful of the overriding environmental objective of keeping these lands in good condition and the need to ensure that the actions undertaken exceed the baseline for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.
115. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding improvements to the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26800/15]
View answerAt the outset I wish to acknowledge the number of commonage farmers, 3,934 in total, who have applied to join GLAS. They farm on nearly 2,700 commonages, which represents more than half the commonages in the country. This shows a healthy interest in the scheme, which I expect will grow as subsequent tranches are opened.
Commonage lands are recognised as valuable farmed habitats and as such are given the highest priority within GLAS. The Scheme aims to pay farmers who graze and manage commonages in accordance with best environmental practice. In order to put the best management regime in place, commonage advisers will walk and assess a commonage before drawing up one cohesive and integrated Commonage Management Plan covering all GLAS shareholder on that commonage. Individual plans drawn up by different advisers would be unlikely to achieve the optimum environmental outcomes required and could represent a fractured approach to the management of these uplands. It is worth noting that payments to commonage farmers have increased significantly from €75 per hectare under AEOS to €120 per hectare under (GLAS).
The GLAS approach to Commonages already provides for considerable flexibility. The Commonage Management Plan will be drawn up by the shareholders themselves working with a trained GLAS adviser of their own choice. The minimum and maximum stocking densities suggested by my Department for each commonage are open to change on the basis of the plan presented by the shareholders. Each shareholder must reach their own minimum stocking density based on the overall figures established in the Plan, but I have provided for flexibility thereafter to allow some shareholders to expand further and others to remain at the minimum level, if that is what they want, and if the overall maximum density for the commonage is respected.
I am aware that the task of preparing plans will be challenging. In view of this, my Department has held recent meetings with the adviser representatives and the farm bodies to surface remaining issues of concern. In reviewing this, account will be taken of all salient factors, mindful of the overriding environmental objective of keeping these lands in good condition and the need to ensure that the actions undertaken exceed the baseline for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.
As regards breaches for non-compliance under the Scheme, where this can be clearly attributed to an individual, that individual alone will bear the penalty. Any such sanctions will be proportionate.
As regards the Beef Data and Genomics Scheme, I do not agree that it is not suitable for farmers with 10 or less cows. On the contrary, I would like to remind the Deputy that I managed to secure an increased payment linked to the first 10 animals in each herd. In per hectare terms, this results in a payment of €142.50 for the first 6.66 hectares compared to €120 thereafter. This was precisely with a view to favouring smaller herds and has been widely welcomed by the stakeholders in the sector.
7,851 herds with 10 suckler cows or less have applied for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme. This equates to 27% of the total number of applications received for the BDGP, which is broadly proportionate to the level of participation of farmers with 10 cows or less in the last year of the Suckler Welfare Scheme and the Beef Genomics Scheme last year. The scheme is fully subscribed and my priority now is to engage with the applicants and provide them with the support of my Department, Teagasc and the ICBF in order to ensure that they derive the maximum benefit from the scheme.
116. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the expenses incurred by him from 2011 to date in 2015, including the date, expense type, description and amount; if each expense was vouched; his plans to introduce changes to the expenses system to ensure all expenses are fully vouched for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26990/15]
View answerThe information regarding my expenses incurred and paid since 2011 is set out in the following table. My travel expenses are calculated on the basis of rates approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and as such are not vouched. All other expenses I have incurred were paid on foot of receipts verifying the actual costs incurred.
|
Year |
Travel Expenses |
Expenses within Ireland |
Foreign Travel Expenses |
Commercial Air Fare Costs * : |
No of Council of Ministers Meetings |
Trade Missions |
|
2011 |
€13,868.40 |
€615.12 |
€2,728.17 |
€4,696.73 |
11 |
Algeria |
|
2012 |
€18,368.16 |
€962.70 |
€9,318.61 |
€9,280.24 |
11 |
China, U.S.A. |
|
2013 |
€19,366.84 |
€1,101.21 |
€9,988.91 |
€10,211.09 |
11 |
Switzerland, Middle East, U.S.A. and Tokyo |
|
2014 |
€20,101.38 |
€1,074.88 |
€9,203.45 |
€13,456.23 |
9 |
U.S.A., China |
|
2015 (to date) |
€6,418.09 |
€131.66 |
€1,946.73 |
€5,562.21 |
3 |
U.S.A. |
* Net costs of commercial air fares to the Department after excluding amounts recouped in respect of attendances at Council of Ministers meetings and certain other EU meetings.
117. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of soldiers who were administered Mefloquine and Primaquine by the Army, despite having been diagnosed as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency negative. [26678/15]
View answerAs part of the screening process prior to deployment on a mission to a malarious area, an individual’s G6PD status is checked. As a matter of policy, those found to be deficient in G6PD are deemed unsuitable for deployment to a malarious area. While G6PD deficiency is not a contraindication to the use of Lariam (Mefloquine), if the individual is not found suitable for overseas service in a malarious area, he/she will not be required to use Lariam (Mefloquine) or Primaquine.
118. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the reason Primaquine was prescribed for soldiers by the Defence Forces, despite it being unlicensed and unregulated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. [26679/15]
View answerUnfortunately it has not proved possible to compile the full information in response to this question in the time available. I will write to the Deputy when the information is to hand.
119. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of requests for meetings he has received from private, external, non-State-funded lobby groups; the number of meetings he has held with these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26697/15]
View answerI have received no requests for meetings from private, external, non-State funded lobby groups in my capacity as Minister for Defence.
120. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if there will be a recruitment drive for the Naval Service this year; if so, if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26754/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. Targeted recruitment has taken place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. A recruitment competition for General Service Recruits for the Naval Service took place from 6 March 2015 to 27 March 2015. The selection process for this competition is progressing and it is planned to recruit 40 personnel from this panel in September 2015 and a further 40 from the same panel in December 2015.
A recruitment competition for Naval Service Cadetships took place from 10 April 2015 to 1 May 2015 for Naval Service Operations Branch, Naval Service Electrical Engineering Branch and Naval Service Marine Engineering Branch. The selection process for this competition is also progressing and induction is scheduled to take place in September 2015 and it is planned to induct 15 Cadets from this panel.
