Tuesday, 19 Jan 2016

Written Answers Nos 83-98

Employment Data

Questions (83)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

83. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach the number of additional persons at work in the Cork-Kerry region since 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45888/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2015.

Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions.

The NUTS 3 South -West region includes Cork City, Cork County and Kerry.

Table 1a below shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment in the South-West NUTS 3 region in Q3 of each year from 2011 to 2015.

Table 1b shows the annual change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment in the South-West NUTS 3 region in Q3 of each year from 2012 to 2015.

Table 1c shows the four year and three year change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment in the South-West NUTS 3 region over the period.

Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) in the South-West region, Q3 2011- Q3 2015 '000

	Q3 11	Q3 12	Q3 13	Q3 14	Q3 15
In employment	270.1	274.9	287.1	277.2	286.5

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';

Reference period: Q3=Jul-Sep.

Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) in the South-West region, Q3 2012- Q3 2015 - Annual change

'000

	Q3 12	Q3 13	Q3 14	Q3 15
In employment	4.9	12.1	-9.8	9.3

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';

Reference period: Q3=Jul-Sep.

Table 1c Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) in South-West NUTS 3 region, Q3 2012- Q3 2015 - Period change

'000

	Four year change Q3 2011-Q3 2015	Three year change Q3 2012-Q3 2015
In employment	16.4	11.6

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.';

Reference period: Q3=Jul-Sep.

Law Reform Commission Funding

Questions (84)

Niall Collins

Question:

84. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the annual budget for the Law Reform Commission in each year since 2011. [46173/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The annual budget for the Law Reform Commission in each year since 2011 was:

Year	€
2011	€2.191 million
2012	€2.342 million
2013	€2.103 million
2014	€2.091 million
2015	€2.149 million

Irish Water Funding

Questions (85)

Michael McGrath

Question:

85. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach when EUROSTAT will next make a determination as to whether Irish Water meets the criteria as an off-balance-sheet entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45981/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Sector classification decisions for the purpose of the National Accounts are made in accordance with the rules of the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 2010). A decision on the classification of Irish Water was published by Eurostat in July 2015 based on their appraisal of the Irish Water business plan, as presented to them, in the context of these rules. The classification of Irish Water for future years will be dealt with as part of the review of the register of public sector and general government bodies undertaken annually by CSO. Under the normal rules for the classification of publicly controlled bodies, any reconsideration of the market/non-market nature of these bodies is based on observed data over a number of years (generally 3 years).

One factor in the Eurostat decision on Irish Water was their view of the uncertainty of the business case projections. Therefore it may be possible to begin a review of the classification decision as actual results become available, and CSO will be following up on this with Eurostat in 2016. In line with the normal rules for sector classification it would be possible to consider classifying Irish Water as a market entity only when sales are observed to exceed 50% of costs on a consistent basis.

Census of Population Data

Questions (86)

Robert Troy

Question:

86. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the number of children here who are under three years of age; and the estimated number of children that are between the ages of 1 year and six months and three years. [46124/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Central Statistics Office publishes annual population estimates in August with a mid-April reference period. Data is compiled at single year of age only. The latest results were published on August 26th 2015 and estimate that in mid-April 2015 there were 210,112 persons aged 2 years and under and 218,370 persons aged 1 to 3 years usually resident in the State.

The following table shows the estimated population by single year of age for those aged 0 to 3 years. It also shows estimated totals for persons aged 2 years and under and persons aged 1 to 3 years.

Estimated population classified by age, April 20151

Single year of age	Total persons
Under 1 year	68,078
1 year	69,423
2 years	72,611
3 years	76,336
Age group
2 years and under	210,112
1 to 3 years	218,370

12015 estimates are preliminary and are subject to revision following publication of Census 2016.

Source: Central Statistics Office.';

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (87)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

87. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach the number of annual subscriptions to external membership bodies and groups his Department has, including the cost and details. [46777/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The number of annual subscriptions to external membership bodies and groups held by my Department are detailed in the following table.

Number of subscriptions	External membership body	Total cost per body (€) for 2015
2	Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Membership (CIPD)	430
1	Institute of International and European Affairs	7,000
1	Irish Centre for European Law	395
1	Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland	200
1	Irish Computer Society	115
1	Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	245

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (88)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

88. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach the number of annual subscriptions to newspapers or magazines his Department has, including the cost and details. [46778/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department has eleven annual subscriptions to newspapers/magazines at a total cost of €8,312.86. Details of the Department's annual subscriptions are as follows:

Newspaper/Magazine/Online Subscription	Annual Cost
Journal of the Statistical & Social Inquiry Society of Ireland	€200.00
European Voice	€199.75
Data Protection Ireland Journal	€355.00
Economist (print and online service)	€1,882.60
Eurointelligence (online service)	€875.00
Industrial Relations News	€64.80
Finance Dublin	€648.55
Politico	€398.00
Irish Times (online service)	€1,608.84
The Times	€2,080.32
Total	€8,312.86

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Questions (89)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

89. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach the annual cost to his Department of advertisements placed on its behalf in newspapers, magazines, television and radio and social media. [46779/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The total expenditure by my Department on advertisements in 2015 amounted to €57,906.

Live Register Data

Questions (90)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

90. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 15 December 2015, the estimated number of unemployed persons who are not on the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46814/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State and the seasonally adjusted number of persons (aged 15-74) unemployed as of the third quarter of 2015 was 197,100. While the QNHS provides quarterly benchmark estimates of unemployment, the CSO also publishes monthly unemployment estimates. The latest seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment figures for December 2015 indicate that the number of unemployed persons aged 15-74 years in that month was estimated to have been 190,600.

The primary classification used for the QNHS results is the ILO (International Labour Office) labour force classification. The classification for unemployed persons includes those persons aged 15-74 years who, in the week before the survey, were without work and available for work within the next two weeks, and had taken specific steps, in the preceding four weeks, to find work. The QNHS does not capture a respondent's status as measured by the Live Register.

The Live Register is compiled from returns made for each local office to the Central Statistics Office by the Department of Social Protection. It comprises persons under 65 years of age in the following classes:

All Claimants for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) excluding systematic short-time workers.

Applicants for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) excluding smallholders/farm assists and other self-employed persons.

Other registrants including applicants for credited Social Welfare contributions but excluding those directly involved in an industrial dispute.

It should be noted that the Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment as per the ILO unemployment classification used by the QNHS.

It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.

Question No. 91 answered with Question No. 81.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (92)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

92. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Taoiseach the names of the persons he has nominated to serve in positions carrying remuneration, other than out-of-pocket expenses, on commissions, industrial, assurance, semi-State or other similar concerns; the amounts received annually in respect of each appointment; the name of the concern to which each appointment was made during the years 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1851/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I make appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB).

No remuneration is paid, other than out of pocket expenses, to persons nominated to serve in positions on the NESC.

Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993 provides for the composition of and appointments to the National Statistics Board (NSB). It provides that the NSB shall consist of eight members comprising the following seven persons who shall be appointed by the Taoiseach:

- five persons of proven ability and experience in relevant fields - two of whom shall be nominated by the Taoiseach and three of whom shall be nominated by such organisation or organisations as the Taoiseach considers to be representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under this Act

- Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of the Taoiseach

- Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of Finance together with the Director General, ex officio.

The Chairperson is appointed by the Taoiseach from among the members of the Board.

My functions in relation to the NSB were delegated to the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State Paul Kehoe T.D., on the 22 March 2011. Minister Kehoe has made nine appointments to the NSB since March 2011.

Current membership of the NSB	Date of Appointment by Minister Kehoe	Stipend Received
		2011 (Mar to Dec)	2012	2013	2014	2015
Dr. Patricia O'Hara Chairperson	October 2013			€2,245	€8,978	€8,978
Ms Rowena Dwyer	March 2014	N/A	N/A	N/A	€4,854	€5,985
Mr. Tom Geraghty	March 2014	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dr. Helen Johnston	March 2014	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mr. Gerard O’Neill	March 2014	N/A	N/A	N/A	€4,854	€5,985
Mr. John Callinan, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach	September 2012 October 2013 (Re-appointed)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mr. John McCarthy, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance	March 2014	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mr. Michael McGrath, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance	October 2013	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mr. Pádraig Dalton, Director General, CSO	Ex-officio member	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Dáil Reform

Questions (93)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

93. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach recognising progress to date, if he will consider further reforms of Dáil Éireann such as the expansion of Leader's Questions to allow backbench Deputies an opportunity to raise issues of interest; if he will increase the number of Topical Issues to six per day to help meet demand; if he will expand Minister's questions to two hours to facilitate more Deputies' questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1929/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The process of parliamentary reform is an ongoing one. The Programme for Government outlined an ambitious agenda for Dáil Reform to be introduced in a phased process over the lifetime of the Government. On foot of this, since 2011 the Government has brought forward several packages of measures to reform the operation of the Dáil so as to improve its working and enhance the legislative role of members.

In addition, the Government recently indicated its acceptance of a number of recommendations for Constitutional change and for changes in Standing Orders as made by the Convention on the Constitution in its Seventh Report, on Dáil Reform.

The reforms the Government have already introduced in the Dáil since 2011 include the following.

Increased Number of Sitting Days

The number of Dáil sitting days has been significantly increased by reducing the length of Dáil breaks at Christmas, Easter, public holidays and the summer and introducing regular Friday sitting days.

In the 45 months for which the previous Government was in office, the Dáil sat for 349 days – an average of 93 days a year. In the present Government's period in office, the 57 months to end 2015, the Dáil has sat for 588 days – an average of over 123 days a year.

Dáil and Oireachtas Reform Package 2011

The first phase of Dáil Reform, introduced in the summer of 2011, included:

1. An additional Leaders' Questions session on Thursdays, taken by the Tánaiste

2. Replacement of the outdated Adjournment Debates with Topical Issues Debates, to give Deputies an opportunity to raise issues directly with Ministers from the relevant Department

3. Friday sittings, to enable Deputies to play a fuller role in the legislative process by introducing their own Bills and having those Bills debated on the floor of the Dáil

4. A mechanism for appeal to the Ceann Comhairle if a Deputy is dissatisfied with the reply received to a Parliamentary Question

5. A Pre-Legislative review system, whereby Ministers could provide the Heads of a Bill to the relevant Oireachtas Committee to review before the Bill was published

6. Reducing the number of Oireachtas Committees from 25 to 16

7. Introducing a new Oireachtas Committee chaired by an Opposition Deputy to work with Ombudsmen's offices and review petitions.

Oireachtas Committee Reforms 2012

In the summer of 2012 the Oireachtas Committee system was streamlined to provide an additional focus on areas of priority such as Jobs and Agriculture.

Dáil and Oireachtas Reform Package 2013

In September 2013 the Government announced a further phase of Dáil Reform:

1. Opening up the law-making process through a Pre-Legislative Stage. A Pre-Legislative Stage at an Oireachtas Committee is now a general requirement for non-emergency legislation. A Minister who does not bring a Bill to Committee for Pre-Legislative Stage is required to explain that decision to the Dáil. The Pre-Legislative Stage allows for an unprecedented and extensive engagement by the public in the process of law-making. The relevant Committee can consult with experts and civic society groups; crucially, this takes place before the legislation is drafted. Where there has been a Pre-Legislative Stage, the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee has an opportunity to outline the Committee's work to the members of the Dáil during the Second Stage debate after the Minister and main opposition spokespeople have spoken on the Bill.

2. Each year the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will address the Dáil setting out the Government’s annual priorities.

3. The role of Oireachtas Committees in the Budget process has been expanded.

4. The number of Legislative Programmes has been reduced to two per year.

5. The time available for legislative debate in the Dáil has been increased, by increasing the total number of sitting days, extending the length of sitting days and starting at 9.30 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

6. The proposer of a Private Member’s Bill has five minutes at First Stage to outline the purpose of the Bill to the Dáil.

7. The number of Friday sittings has been expanded and the Dáil now sits every second Friday to debate Private Members' Bills and Committee Reports selected using a lottery system.

- The number of Bills introduced by Deputies has grown from 14 published in 2010 to 53 published in 2014.

- The new Friday sittings also allow Committees, for the first time, to seek directly to have their own reports debated in the Dáil.

- The system of Topical Issues now requires the Minister or a Minister of State from the relevant Department to reply, or the Deputy who raised the issue can have it deferred until a Minister from that Department is available.

- Ministerial Questions have been reformed:

- The time allocated to Oral Parliamentary Questions to Ministers has been standardised to 75 minutes.

- An ordinary Oral Question will be answered only if the Deputy tabling the Question is in the Chamber when it is reached.

- Each Deputy has 30 seconds to outline the question.

In addition to these reforms, and as mentioned earlier, the Government has indicated its acceptance of a number of recommendations for Constitutional change and changes in Standing Orders made by the Convention on the Constitution in its Seventh Report, on Dáil Reform.

The Government Chief Whip outlined the Government's position on these in the Dáil on Thursday 14 January, as follows.

The Government accepts that there is a case for a referendum to enhance the Office of Ceann Comhairle by giving it constitutional standing, and also for including a reference to Oireachtas Committees in the Constitution.

The Government also accepts three of the Convention's recommendations for changes to Dáil Standing Orders and will shortly ask the Dáil to amend Standing Orders accordingly. The three changes are:

- election of the Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot, intended to enhance the independence of the office of Ceann Comhairle and strengthen the link between the holder of that Office and the members of the Dáil.

- introduction of a system whereby the Taoiseach will appear before the Working Group of Committee Chairs twice a year.

- proportionate allocation of Committee chairs using the d’Hondt system.

In addition, a number of Convention recommendations will be referred to the Dáil Reform Sub-Committee for further consideration, including that the members of Committees should have access to the support of a panel of external members and former TDs; and how the introduction of family friendly hours for the Dáil, and a Committee Week, would work in practice.

As regards the measures proposed by the Deputy, both the Government Chief Whip and the Dáil Reform Sub-Committee of Dáil CPP are willing to consider any proposals made to them by any member of the House. The Deputy's proposals - the expansion of Leader's Questions to allow backbench Deputies an opportunity to raise issues of interest; an increase in the number of Topical Issues to six per day; and expansion of Minister's Questions to two hours to facilitate more Deputies' questions - have merit and could be considered for any future package of Dáil reforms.

Freedom of Information Fees

Questions (94)

Seán Fleming

Question:

94. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the amount his Department has received in fees from freedom of information requests in 2014 and in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45767/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The fees from Freedom of Information requests received by my Department in 2014 and 2015 were €2,194 and €594 respectively.

In considering these figures it should be noted that the Freedom of Information Act 2014, which came into force on 14 October 2014, introduced a number of changes to the charging system for freedom of information requests, including abolition of the application fee, reduction in the internal review fee and changes to search and retrieval fees.

Departmental Staff Promotions

Questions (95)

Seán Fleming

Question:

95. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach under the Civil Service reform programme, the number of clerical officers who have been promoted to higher executive officer and the number of executive officers who have been promoted to assistant principal officer in his Department through internal competitions after the significant change in eligibility rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2583/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department has implemented the provisions of the circular letter issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 14 January 2014 regarding Cross-Stream Promotion Arrangements.

No Clerical Officers were promoted directly to Higher Executive Officer and no Executive Officers were promoted directly to Assistant Principal Officer through internal competition in my Department since the introduction of these arrangements.

Widow's Pension Applications

Questions (96)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

96. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person is not receiving the increase in the widow's pension as per budget 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1843/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

In Budget 2016, there was limited scope for rate increases, and it was decided that the additional funds would, largely, concentrate on the elderly, who are less likely to be in a position to take up employment than those of working age. The Budget increased the maximum rates for all social welfare recipients aged 66 and over by €3 per week. This increase applied to State Pensions, but also to Widow aged 66 and over, Carer's Allowance recipients aged 66 and over and Incapacity Supplement recipients aged 66 and over. In this context, the rate of payment for widows of working age was not changed.

A widow aged between 60 and 65 years, whose late spouse/civil partner received the Household Benefits package from this Department, may qualify for that package if they otherwise satisfy all other conditions and receive a relevant qualifying payment.

Where the surviving spouse/surviving civil partner was the person in receipt of the allowance(s) they can retain the Household Benefits package provided that the conditions for receipt of the allowance remains satisfied. Where a widow/widower/surviving civil partner is also in receipt of half rate Disability Benefit this will not prevent him/her from qualifying for the Household Benefits Package.

I was pleased to announce in Budget 2016 that the rate of the Fuel Allowance scheme was increased from €20 to €22.50, which will be of benefit to many disadvantaged widows of all ages, and householders on long-term welfare, and will assist with meeting the costs of their heating needs during the winter season. To receive Fuel Allowance, Widows pension recipients must also satisfy the other conditions for that payment, i.e., be unable to provide for their heating needs from the resources of their household, live alone or only with one of a list of exempted persons, and satisfy a means test. All recipients of non-contributory payments are accepted as satisfying the means-test.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (97)

Dan Neville

Question:

97. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick under the disability allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1833/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance on 17 April 2015.

The application, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 30 June 2015 and of her rights of review and appeal. On receipt of further medical evidence, a deciding officer reviewed the claim and upheld the original decision. An appeal of this decision was received and the decision of the Appeals Officer (AO) was to disallow the appeal. However, the Department understands that the AO is currently reviewing this decision.

The department received a further application for DA from the person in question on 19 November 2015 and this application is currently being processed. The person in question will be notified directly when a decision has been made on her entitlement.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (98)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

98. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a decision on the allocation of a carer's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be made. [1834/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 24 September 2015. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.