Jonathan O'Brien
Question:524. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. [12932/16]
View answerInternational Agreements
Questions (524)
Written answers
The UN Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights opened for signature by UN Member States in New York in September 2009. To date, forty five States have signed the Optional Protocol, including eleven of the twenty eight European Union Member States. Twenty one States have ratified the Optional Protocol, including eight European Union Member States. The Optional Protocol came into force on 5 May 2013, three months after the deposit with the United Nations Secretary General of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession.
Ireland’s signature of the Optional Protocol on 23 March 2012 reaffirmed our commitment to the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights.
Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a separate step and something which we consider should only be done after wide-ranging examination of all the issues, screening of obligations to be assured under the Optional Protocol, extensive consultation with all relevant Government Departments and consideration by the Government in due course.
This process is necessary in order to lay out clearly the necessary steps to be taken to facilitate ratification and to ensure, once ratified, that the State can comply with its international obligations.
Passport Services
Questions (525)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:525. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on issues raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the issuing of a passport. [12543/16]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that the two applications referenced have been processed and approved. Passports were subsequently delivered by An Post on 27 May.
Both passport applications were received by the Passport Service on 29 April through Passport Express. This service which is operated in partnership with An Post offers a target turnaround time of fifteen working days from posting for correctly completed passport renewal applications. Unfortunately, in the case of these applications the target was not met. It should be noted that the target is not a stated guarantee and the volume of passport applications has an impact on turnaround times. Overall applications are up almost 13% so far this year over last year which is exceptional.
To respond to the seasonal spike in demand and the more general increase in applications, 223 temporary staff have been recruited so far this year. This is an increase of 52 officers on last year. Furthermore, processing work has been redistributed across passport offices in recent months and staff re-deployed from other areas of the Department. The Passport Service will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the effective deployment of staff resources and that turnaround times are kept to within target as far as possible.
The Passport Service has faced challenges in recent weeks in adequately handling a very high volume of customer queries. Additional staffing resources are currently being allocated to the customer care area to assist and there will be enhancements to the on-line application tracking function and to web-based communications in the coming months. Again, I regret that in the case referenced the normal standards of customer service were not met. However, with the steps I have outlined I am confident that the situation will improve in the coming months.
Visa Waiver Programme
Questions (526, 527)
Darragh O'Brien
Question:526. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of his recent discussions with the authorities in the United States of America on the implementation of a visa waiver programme for the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12724/16]
View answerDarragh O'Brien
Question:527. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of his discussions with the embassy of the United States of America on the implementation of a visa waiver programme for the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12725/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 527 together.
Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US remains a priority in the new Government’s relationship with the United States.
Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are active in advocating immigration reform and the issue is also the subject of high level political contacts between Ireland and the US Government. Meetings such as those the Taoiseach and I held with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Speaker Ryan, Senator Schumer and other key Congressional contacts around St Patrick’s Day have provided an important opportunity to reiterate our concerns in relation to the undocumented Irish and to encourage progress on a comprehensive legislative package by Congress.
Additionally, the Government is aware of and has raised the matter of waivers of three and ten-year travel bans imposed by the US authorities on Irish undocumented who have overstayed their visa in the United States, most notably with President Obama during the Taoiseach’s visit to Washington for St Patrick’s Day last year.
At my request, the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote to the US Ambassador to ask him to explore the question of such waivers further. I have also had the opportunity to directly discuss the matter with the US Ambassador on a number of occasions.
In response to the Government’s representations the US Embassy has pointed out that the US waiver system operates uniformly worldwide and is applied in strict accordance with US laws and regulations. Individuals who have received a three or 10 year ban for overstaying a visa in the US can apply for a waiver and these applications are assessed individually on a case-by-case basis, with the final decision on each a matter for the US authorities in Washington. The US Embassy also noted it was not possible for applicants to predict with any degree of certainty whether they would be successful in this process.
The Government has been assiduous in seeking to advance all viable opportunities to achieve relief for our undocumented citizens in the United States. While I am disappointed that representations to the US on this matter have not resulted in a more encouraging outcome, ultimately it is a matter for the US Government and US Embassy to interpret and implement their immigration laws.
The new Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassy in Washington, will continue to actively pursue all opportunities to achieve relief for the undocumented with the US Administration and the US Embassy in Ireland.
Military Aircraft Landings
Questions (528)
Clare Daly
Question:528. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to explain the basis upon which permission was given for a US Marine Corps warplane to refuel at Shannon Airport on the evening of 23 May 2016, given that there is no conceivable reason for its presence except that it was there as part of a military operation, and it is also inconceivable that this aircraft was not carrying weapons and munitions, at the very least the personal arms of the crew and its military passengers. [12770/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland.
Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, and if granted, is subject to strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations.
The Shannon Airport Authority has confirmed that three US military aircraft landed at Shannon Airport on 23 May. I can further confirm that my Department granted permission in each case, subject to the strict conditions which I have outlined above.
My Department is satisfied that the US is fully aware of the need to comply with these strict conditions.
Departmental Advertising Expenditure
Questions (529)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:529. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of money spent by his Department on media advertising from March 2011 to February 2016, showing the media organisation, newspaper, radio, television or any other forms of media to which advertisement fees were paid by his Department; and the amount of money paid per year to each individual media organisation in tabular form. [12887/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote 27: International Cooperation. Advertising undertaken by the Department typically includes advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods, changes in passport application procedures and fees, employment opportunities that arise in the Department from time to time, as well as public information notices relating to developments in the European Union or in regard to Ireland’s official Development Aid Programme. Much of this material is placed on the Department’s Websites but the advertising continues to be necessary in order to reach all of our clients, particularly in relation to important passport and consular services.
The information requested by the Deputy on the Department’s headquarters spend on media advertising from March 2011 to February 2016 is set out in the following tables. The Department’s Missions abroad may undertake advertising with regard to a range of miscellaneous local matters. The costs incurred are relatively small and gathering and compiling the detailed data requested by the Deputy in the time available is not possible.
Vote 28
|
Supplier |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 (to February) |
|
Iris Oifigiuil |
1,112 |
663 |
115 |
559 |
410 |
- |
|
Brindley Advertising |
41,605 |
- |
35,951 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Golden Pages/Truvo |
7,078 |
6,191 |
6,191 |
6,191 |
6,191 |
- |
|
Mediavest |
- |
- |
- |
21,163 |
23,877 |
- |
|
Torann na Dtonn |
- |
544 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Irish Times |
- |
- |
6,457 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
6,150 |
- |
- |
- |
Vote 27
|
Supplier |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 (to February) |
|
Ard Education Limited |
- |
- |
615 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Brindley Advertising Ltd |
20,665 |
3,045 |
5,149 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Google Ireland Limited |
1,196 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Guerin Media Ltd |
- |
- |
1,230 |
1,230 |
1,230 |
- |
|
Into |
1,328 |
1,350 |
- |
2,634 |
2,634 |
- |
Middle East Issues
Questions (530)
Seán Crowe
Question:530. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the legal attacks that an organisation (details supplied) is facing and that it is facing a demand to disclose the identity of its testifiers who spoke out after Operation Protective Edge, which is an attempt to eliminate its testimony project; if he is further aware that this is part of wider organised and political attacks that the organisation has faced in recent years, which has been supported by a variety of politicians including the Israeli Prime Minister; and if he will raise any concerns about these developments with his Israeli counterpart. [12972/16]
View answerWritten answers
The general issue of growing pressure on NGOs in Israel has been discussed in the House on a number of occasions recently, including in last week’s oral Questions. I have stated that this pressure is a matter of growing concern, both to me and in the wider international community, while recognizing nonetheless that Israel still enjoys a much stronger civil society sector than is the case in other countries in the region.
The case of the organization raised by the Deputy is a particularly troubling one as Breaking the Silence is well known to my Department. We are monitoring the case and we will continue to do so and to make clear to the Israeli authorities my views on this regrettable campaign.
Military Aircraft Landings
Questions (531)
Seán Crowe
Question:531. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that a US Marine Corps military aircraft landed at Shannon Airport on 24 May 2016; if he granted permission for the aircraft to land at Shannon Airport; if he will agree that it is inconceivable that this aircraft was not carrying weapons and munitions, at the very least the personal arms of the crew and its military passengers; and if he received any assurances that its stop at Shannon Airport was not helping to facilitate a military operation. [12973/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland.
Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, and if granted, is subject to strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations.
The Shannon Airport Authority has confirmed that two US military aircraft landed at Shannon Airport on 24 May. I can further confirm that my Department granted permission in each case, subject to the strict conditions which I have outlined above.
My Department is satisfied that the US is fully aware of the need to comply with these strict conditions.
Female Genital Mutilation
Questions (532, 533)
Mick Wallace
Question:532. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on being trade partners with countries that do little to enforce the laws against the practice of female genital mutilation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/16]
View answerMick Wallace
Question:533. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount his Department allocated to schemes that tackle female genital mutilation in Egypt, Sudan, Mali, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Guinea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13392/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together.
We regard the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) as a clear violation of the human rights of women and girls. It represents one of the most pervasive forms of gender based violence. Its prevalence in certain regions is in general not the result of Government policy but of traditional practice, based on a complex range of factors.
Experience has shown that, through constructive engagement with Governments and communities, consistent progress on harmful practices such as FGM can be achieved. While the rate of progress has been uneven, there has been a considerable decline in the prevalence of FGM over the past three decades. The achievement of agreement at the United Nations in 2015 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a target shared by all UN members to eliminate the practice of FGM by 2030. Ireland played a central role in co-facilitating the process which led to this agreement and, nationally, advocated strongly for the inclusion of the target on FGM.
Our trade relations with countries in which FGM is prevalent do not have a particular relevance to the work to eliminate the practice. They do not in any way prevent us from raising human rights issues. Ireland has made strong statements against FGM internationally, in particular during our term in the Human Rights Council. For example, we made specific recommendations in relation to FGM in the context of the Universal Periodic Review of Guinea. These recommendations were accepted by the Government of Guinea.
In addition through our programme of development assistance, we focus on tackling many of the root causes of FGM, including persistent poverty, gender inequality, and gender based violence. Our aid programme in Sierra Leone prioritises the empowerment of women and girls, and in 2015, for instances we provided more than €2 million to address some of the root causes of FGM in the country.
We also provide core funding to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Fund for Children (UNICEF) which operate a Joint Programme on FGM in 17 countries, including Egypt, Sudan, Mali, Somalia, and Guinea. In 2015, Ireland provided €7.2 million in core funding to UNICEF, and €2.8 million in core funding to the UNFPA.
We also support UN Women and the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women. Operating at local, national and international levels, these UN agencies work to combat gender inequality, to mobilise action by young people, families, communities, and civil society groups to end the practice of female genital mutilation.
Human Rights
Questions (534)
Mick Wallace
Question:534. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to the governments of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on the removal of restrictions on press freedom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13394/16]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has raised freedom of expression and media freedom in a wide range of countries, both through national statements and bilateral diplomatic contacts and through the EU.
In the most recent session of the UN Human Right Council in March 2016, the EU statement delivered a Statement in which it raised concerns about “increased pressure - including through travel bans - on journalists, cultural organisations, academia and civil society” in Egypt and noted that “limitations on freedom of expression and the severe punishments against human rights defenders and bloggers are also of concern” in respect of Saudi Arabia.
The EU raised concerns about press freedom in the UAE during the most recent meeting of the EU-UAE Human Rights Dialogue, which took place on 26 May 2016 in Abu Dhabi.
Ireland made a recommendation to the UAE on freedom of expression and internet freedom in the UAE’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council. Ireland also supported a cross-regional Statement on Egypt at the Council, which stated that “we believe that it is impossible to create an informed, active and engaged society, which is essential for transparency and democratic participation, without respect for media freedom and for the work undertaken by journalists”.
Ireland co-sponsored a resolution on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity at the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly, which took place in October 2015, and at the two preceding General Assemblies also. This resolution calls upon States to implement more effectively the applicable legal framework for the protection of journalists and media workers and to combat impunity for attacks.
In May 2015, Ireland co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the Protection of Journalists, which focuses on the need to combat impunity for attacks against journalists, enhance reporting on violence against journalists, and improve international coordination to strengthen the protection of journalists.
Visa Agreements
Questions (535)
Jackie Cahill
Question:535. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to request the relevant authorities to do what they can to avoid unnecessary delays in processing applications for J1 visas and to facilitate, in so far as possible, the previously organised travel arrangements of applicants where these applicants have applied in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13579/16]
View answerWritten answers
The US J1 Summer Work and Travel programme has been a tremendously successful part of the Irish-US bilateral relationship for almost 50 years, with 150,000 Irish third level students taking the opportunity to experience life and work in the US over that time.
The Government of Ireland does not have any role in administering the J-1 scheme, which is a programme of the US Department of State run by a number of not-for-profit US sponsoring bodies, who in turn work with commercial agencies here in Ireland. However, I am aware of issues affecting a relatively small number of applicants in relation to the processing of their pending applications.
I understand that the US Embassy in Dublin is in touch with the agencies involved and is seeking to determine the best course of action to ensure that Irish students who are eligible and qualified to participate in the J-1 program this year will be able to do so.
Officials from my Department are in ongoing contact with the US Embassy in relation to this issue and I can assure the Deputy of the Government’s commitment to the continued success of the J-1 programme.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (536)
David Cullinane
Question:536. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated full year savings for 2017 from reducing spending on professional fees by 10% in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14111/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation.
The total amounts spent on professional fees in 2015 was as follows:
|
Votes |
Amount |
|
Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): |
€5.992m |
|
Vote 27 (International Cooperation): |
€1.364m |
|
Total |
€7.356m |
The application of 10% reduction to this expenditure would result in a savings of approximately €0.7m.
The Department engages a range of professional external service providers in a number of areas where the required skills are not available in-house and it is more cost-effective to source these services externally.
Decisions on the need to commission and engage outside expertise are subject to the establishment of appropriate business cases and an approvals process carried out by Senior Management in the Department.
These services are procured by open competitive tender in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objective of the Department. This is particularly relevant in relation to the external services engaged for the independent monitoring and evaluation of Ireland’s programme of overseas development assistance, Irish Aid.
In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed and continues to inform the Department’s policies, allowing for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
The level of expenditure on professional fees is constantly monitored to ensure that it does not exceed the level required to provide services to manage, oversee, monitor, evaluate and audit programmes and projects in the Department.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (537)
David Cullinane
Question:537. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated full year saving for 2017 from reducing spending on travel by 10% in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14128/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation.
The total amount spent on travel in 2015 is as per the following table:
|
- |
€ |
|
Vote 27 |
1.647m |
|
Vote 28 |
4.434m |
|
Total |
6.081m |
The application of 10% reduction to this expenditure would result in a savings of approximately €0.6m.
Reductions of this kind to travel could not be made without severe disruption to the vital work of the Department.
Given the nature of my Department’s responsibilities, officers are obliged to undertake a significant amount of official travel. Travel and meetings often take place out of hours and away from the officer’s headquarters leading to travel and/or subsistence requirements. The central aim of the Departmental travel policy is to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties.
The Department complies with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars in relation to subsistence payments.
Garda Station Closures
Questions (538)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:538. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of former Garda stations that have been disposed of or are expected to be disposed of by the end of 2016 and thereafter. [12561/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 2012 and 2013 policing plans for An Garda Síochána identified 139 Garda stations for closure.
Of the 139 Garda stations 36 of the properties have been sold or are sale agreed. A further 49 are currently being assessed for future use. One such option which will form part of this analysis will be disposal.
Public Sector Staff Recruitment
Questions (539)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:539. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will investigate the reason e-mails from the Public Jobs website to applicants (details supplied) offering interviews in Sligo were not received; why a number of applicants have been facilitated interviews while others were not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13126/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Public Appointments Service is the independent, centralised recruitment agency for the civil and public service and conducts Temporary Clerical Officer competitions to fill vacancies which may arise during the year in various departments and locations around the country.
I understand from the Public Appointments Service that the 2016 competition attracted over 11,500 applications. Following the first stage of the selection process candidates were ranked in line with their performance. Based on the number of likely vacancies in their selected location, candidates are invited to interview in order of their ranking from Stage 1.
In the case mentioned, an invitation to interview issued by email. It would appear however that the individual's personal email account has filters resulting in emails from publicjobs.ie being blocked or directed to Junk/Spam email folders. The Public Appointments Service advised candidates at the outset of the competition to add publicjobs.ie to their safe senders to avoid such situations arising. The candidate referred to has been contacted directly and the matter has been resolved.
Garda Station Expenditure
Questions (540)
Pearse Doherty
Question:540. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of moving the Garda barracks in Harcourt Street to a new location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Commissioners of Public Works have sought to exercise their rights to a statutory renewal of the leases for Harcourt Square, and as the matter is the subject of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Garda Station Expenditure
Questions (541)
Pearse Doherty
Question:541. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total rent paid by An Garda Síochana for its barracks in Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 to date. [13228/16]
View answerWritten answers
The current annual rent being paid for the accommodation provided to An Garda Siochana in Harcourt Square is €4,933,550 per annum.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (542)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:542. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform why public service pay restrictions that were imposed during times of economic necessity can be maintained, given that gross domestic product figures indicate that Ireland is no longer in recession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12544/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under section 12 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2013, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is required to review the necessity of FEMPI legislation annually and cause a written report of the findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. In that context the most recent report made under the 2013 Act was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas by the then Minister on 29 June 2015.
In that report, the Minister found that, having regard to the purposes of the relevant Acts, the overall economic conditions in the State, national competitiveness and Exchequer commitments in respect of public service pay and pensions, the measures put in place by the FEMPI Acts 2009-2013 continued to be needed in 2015. However, the review also noted that for 2016 out to September 2018, the Government had then approved agreed proposals which subsequently gave rise to the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA). The FEMPI Act 2015 included a series of measures including the gradual unwinding of the pay reduction measures as they apply to public servants in line with the LRA and the amelioration of public service pension reductions applying to retired public servants. The estimated costs of the measures, which are currently being implemented from 1 January 2016, in respect of public service pay and pensions on a full year basis in 2018 are €844m and €90m respectively.
As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I am required to undertake a further review of the necessity of the FEMPI legislation and report to the Oireachtas before 30 June 2016 next. That report is currently being prepared for laying before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (543)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:543. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the public service pay commission will consider loss of earnings and allowances for public service workers; if he supports various unions and groups that state that a two-tier pay system is unfair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12545/16]
View answerWritten answers
I refer the Deputy to my earlier answer on the matter of the Pay Commission (PQ 12978/16); the precise parameters for which have yet to be decided. The issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). Any further consideration of remuneration for any group of public servants, including issues relating to more recently recruited public servants, will fall to be examined within the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 -2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement). Any such consideraton will also of course have to comply with the terms of the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest Acts 2009 - 2013 (FEMPI), as well as its affordability being underpinned through delivering enhanced work place practices and productivity.
Public Sector Allowances Payments
Questions (544)
Bernard Durkan
Question:544. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the procedure a person (details supplied) must follow to obtain a marriage gratuity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12581/16]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Deputy's question Marriage Gratuity relates to Civil Servants who joined the Civil Service before 1974.
An officer appointed from a recruitment competition advertised prior to 1 February 1974 (or an officer serving in a temporary capacity before that date who, without a break in service, subsequently became established) who has at least 5 years' actual reckonable service prior to marriage, and who resigns from the civil service on or shortly before marriage, or within 2 years after the date of marriage, may be paid a marriage gratuity which, if applied for and awarded, is in lieu of any other civil service superannuation benefit.
The named person contacted PeoplePoint on the 16th of May making enquiries regarding the payment of a Marriage Gratuity and investigations are currently underway as to the benefits she may be entitled to under the relevant Superannuation scheme.
Ordinarily the procedure would be for Officers (or former Officers) to approach the parent department of the Organisation he/she worked for to establish whether any benefits are due. Further information is available from cspensions.gov.ie.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (545)
David Cullinane
Question:545. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public service workers in gross income ranges (details supplied) for each of the years 2007 to 2015. [12618/16]
View answerWritten answers
The data sought by the Deputy are not available to my Department. The closest data currently available within the Department to that sought by the Deputy are in the estimated breakdown of employee numbers on a whole time equivalent basis by salary range within the public service from 2012 to 2015 and is set out in the following table.
|
- |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
€ |
WTE* |
WTE* |
WTE* |
WTE* |
|
0 to 30,000 |
52,000 |
43,200 |
41,200 |
38,200 |
|
30,000 to 40,000 |
78,500 |
74,600 |
76,200 |
77,700 |
|
40,000 to 50,000 |
69,000 |
74,500 |
74,300 |
72,800 |
|
50,000 to 60,000 |
40,500 |
44,200 |
43,700 |
47,700 |
|
60,000 to 70,000 |
23,200 |
28,100 |
25,100 |
29,300 |
|
70,000 to 80,000 |
13,700 |
14,100 |
16,000 |
16,300 |
|
80,000 to 90,000 |
6,300 |
4,600 |
5,100 |
5,400 |
|
90,000 to 100,000 |
3,000 |
1,700 |
2,200 |
2,300 |
|
100,000 to 125,000 |
2,100 |
1,700 |
1,600 |
1,600 |
|
125,000 to 150,000 |
1,000 |
1,200 |
1,300 |
1,400 |
|
Over 150,000 |
2,700 |
2,100 |
2,000 |
1,800 |
|
Total |
292,000 |
290,000 |
288,700 |
294,500 |
|
*Rounded to nearest 100 |
- |
- |
- |
- |