Tuesday, 14 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos. 85 - 106

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Questions (85)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

85. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Taoiseach cé na dátaí a chas an fochoiste ar an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010 – 2030 le chéile le bliain anuas. [15332/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Bhí an cruinniú deireanach an Choiste Rialtais ar an nGaeilge agus ar an nGaeltacht ar 30 Márta 2015.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (86)

Clare Daly

Question:

86. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the amount of money his Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15423/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department had no spend on the Public Sector Times Magazine in 2015.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (87)

Clare Daly

Question:

87. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the amount of money spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15439/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department spent €72,827.21 on print newspapers (including daily, Sunday and weekly papers) in 2015. This compares to a spend of €109,330.76 in 2008 when my Department undertook a review of its expenditure on print media. On foot of this review, my Department rationalised its subscriptions and availed of a number of online subscriptions which resulted in expenditure savings.

My Department liaises closely with the Office of Government Procurement on all matters related to public procurement and monitors all areas of expenditure, including on print media, on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (88, 90)

Clare Daly

Question:

88. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the number of staff working in his Department's human resources section. [15455/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

90. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the changes in the numbers employed in his Department's human resources section following the introduction of PeoplePoint. [15487/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 90 together.

In 2011, when my Department began engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the PeoplePoint Project, there were 11.58 whole time equivalent staff members working in Human Resources (HR) in my Department. My Department moved to streamline and optimise its HR function ahead of the transfer of responsibility for its transactional HR activities to PeoplePoint and there are now 7.85 whole time equivalent staff members working in HR. HR staff members who were formerly engaged in transactional HR have also shifted their focus to more strategic activities such as induction, probation, absence and performance management.

Ministerial Staff

Questions (89)

Clare Daly

Question:

89. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the number of staff who work exclusively on constituency matters for him. [15471/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

There are six staff members working in my Constituency Office.

Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 88.

EU Membership

Questions (91)

Seán Haughey

Question:

91. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach the preparations he is making to deal with a British exit from the European Union; the issues he needs to address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15646/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Our Government’s position on the EU-UK question is clear: We want the UK, as our friend, closest neighbour and partner, to remain a member of a reformed EU.

Our relationship with the UK is closer than with any other Member State. We believe Ireland has a unique perspective and interest in the outcome of the referendum: as a neighbour sharing a land border; as a partner with the UK in transforming British-Irish relations in recent years; and as a facilitator and co-guarantor, with the UK, of successive agreements aimed at securing peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

However, Ireland will have a clear plan in place to deal with the implications of a UK vote to Leave.

A framework has been developed on a whole of government basis to identify contingencies that may arise in the days, weeks and months that follow.

This will be the framework within which each Minister, Department and agency will manage the policy, operational and programmatic implications that could arise from a UK leave vote. It will be capable of adapting to changing circumstances, depending on developments in the context of ongoing negotiations on new arrangements between the EU and the UK and bilateral discussions between the UK and Irish Governments.

The plan will clearly identify the Government's priorities and set out a detailed plan of action for communications and diplomatic contact. It will also take account of how the EU landscape might change in the event of a UK departure and the consequent loss of a key ally with which we share so many priorities including in relation to jobs, growth and investment. It will consider the possible re-balancing of relationships and priorities within the EU in this context.

A detailed plan of action for communications and diplomatic contact has also been prepared in the event of a leave result on 24 June.

Work in this area is being progressed by all Departments in conjunction with key agencies and will cover all areas of Government business. Dialogue with wider stakeholders including business groups, trade unions and NGOs across all relevant sectors will continue. Official and diplomatic contact with the UK, other EU Member States and the EU Institutions will be intensified in the event of a leave vote.

The key priority for Government will be to protect and promote Ireland’s key interests in the event that the UK votes to leave.

Government Departments have scoped the range of risks and opportunities that would fall to be addressed in the two year period following a Leave vote. This analysis will continue to be deepened in advance of the referendum.

Departmental Agencies Staff Data

Questions (92)

Noel Rock

Question:

92. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Taoiseach the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are employed or not employed on a Hay contract. [15679/16]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

There are no Semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department.

Visa Applications

Questions (93)

Peter Burke

Question:

93. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to expedite a short-term visa for persons (details supplied). [15401/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, Dublin, on 04/04/2016. The applications are currently awaiting examination.

As you will appreciate, in order to be fair to all applicants, applications are processed in order by date received in this office. While every effort is made to process them within a reasonable time frame, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of applications, their complexity and resources available.

The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the INIS Visa Office ([e-mail]).

Proposed Legislation

Questions (94)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

94. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she will progress the family leave Bill, given that young parents are anxious that the two weeks paid paternity leave will be introduced as promised in budget 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15523/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

In Budget 2016, the outgoing Government approved the introduction of 2 weeks paternity leave and the associated social welfare paternity benefit as from September 2016. It was originally intended that these provisions would be progressed as part of the Family Leave Bill but they are now being progressed as a stand alone Bill to ensure that the leave is in place as from 30 September. I will publish the Paternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2016 shortly.

The Family Leave Bill, the aim of which is consolidate all family leave legislation (maternity, paternal, adoptive and carer’s leave) in one Act, will continue to be progressed as a longer-term project.

Parental Leave

Questions (95)

James Lawless

Question:

95. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will award extra days under the parental leave scheme to parents with children who have special needs given the many hospital and other appointments to which they need to accompany their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15571/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The Parental Leave Act, 1988 entitles a relevant parent to take parental leave until the child concerned attains the age of 8 years. Section 2(2)(c) of the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006 increased the age limit to 16 years in the case of a child with a disability. The proposed Family Leave Bill, which Government has approved and is currently being drafted, will address all existing family leave legislation such as parental leave, carer's leave, maternity leave, and adoptive leave and consolidate this legislation into one Act.

Prisoner Health

Questions (96)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

96. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to conduct a review of health care in prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15711/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The position has not changed since my reply to you in Parliamentary Question No.144 of 31 May 2016:

"The Irish Prison Service has advised that discussions have taken place with HIQA regarding the possibility of them conducting a review of Healthcare service delivery in prisons. HIQA has indicated that it is not in a position to conduct such a review at the present time. My Department is currently in communication with the Department of Health in relation to a fundamental review of healthcare in prisons and the provision of healthcare services in prisons generally."

Insolvency Service of Ireland

Questions (97)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

97. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she makes any provision for home rent costs in a bankruptcy process. [15882/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy in the Insolvency Service of Ireland that provision for rent or mortgage costs are allowed for as part of Reasonable Living Expenses under Housing costs. These costs are reviewed by the Bankruptcy Division on a case by case basis to ensure they are reasonable for the individual family circumstances.

Reasonable Living Expenses Guidelines are published by the ISI in accordance with Section 23 of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012.

Drugs Crime

Questions (98)

Jack Chambers

Question:

98. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been an increase of 25% in the number of drugs supply detention cases in 2016 based on 2008 figures, as targeted in the national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16064/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter raised and will be in further contact with the Deputy when that report is to hand.

Drugs Crime

Questions (99)

Jack Chambers

Question:

99. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a 25% increase in 2016 in the volume of drugs seized that are considered to be intended for the Irish market, based on 2008 figures, as targeted in the national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16065/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter raised and will be in further contact with the Deputy when that report is to hand.

National Drugs Strategy Implementation

Questions (100)

Jack Chambers

Question:

100. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if 20 local policing fora have been established and are in operation, as targeted in the national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16066/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I can inform the Deputy that Action 2 of the National Drug Strategy provides a commitment to the establishment of local policing fora in all local drug task force areas.

Further to that commitment an audit of local policing fora was undertaken by my Department in conjunction with local drug task forces in April 2012. This exercise identified 24 local policing fora operating at that time across the 14 local drug task force areas.

As the Deputy may be aware, such fora are locally established structures which provide a mechanism through which the community, An Garda Síochána, the Local Authority and other local stakeholders can come together to improve communication, share appropriate information and identify issues of concern in relation to policing, anti-social behaviour and estate management.

While such fora do not formally report to my Department, I have requested that officials in my Department liaise with relevant agencies to provide a further update to the Deputy.

Legal Services Regulation

Questions (101, 102)

Clare Daly

Question:

101. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if it will be necessary to produce statutory instruments prior to commencement with respect to legal services regulation; when she will complete this; if she is being lobbied on matters related to commencing the reform; and the budget she requires for 2017. [15334/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

102. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken to develop a robust protected disclosure process to underpin the new legal services regulation oversight system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15335/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.

As previously conveyed to the House, preparations for the phased commencement of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 are already underway. In keeping with normal procedures this will be formalised in a series of Statutory Instruments. A necessary first step in preparation for these commencements is the appointment of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority after which the Authority will appoint its own Chief Executive. I can confirm that nominations to the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority have been received from the relevant nominating bodies as set out in the Legal Services Regulation Act. The appointment by Government of the relevant nominees under the various criteria set out in the Act will then be subject to approval by resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Government will appoint one of the lay members of the Authority to be Chairperson. At the same time, preparations are also being made in support of the public recruitment, by the new Regulatory Authority, of its Chief Executive whose terms and functions are similarly set out in the 2015 Act. A start-up support team is being established and a suitable premises is being identified from which the new Authority can commence its operations.

These are the initial steps that will enable the members and Chief Executive of the new Regulatory Authority to spear-head the coming into operation of the new legal services regulatory regime. This stage will also include the phased commencement, under the appropriate Statutory Instruments, of the Parts of the Act such as those dealing with legal costs, the new Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicator, the Roll of Practising Barristers and Pre-Action Protocols. Under section 7 of the 2015 Act, I will also, by order, appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of the Act.

Following establishment of the Authority and appointment of a Chief Executive the key provisions centred around Part 6 of the Act dealing with the new public complaints and professional conduct and disciplinary procedures, and the appointment of the new Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, will be commenced. The managed commencement of these functions is planned for the Autumn in order to allow adequate time and preparation to ensure their effectiveness and success as crucial components of the new regulatory framework. It should be noted that, under the relevant transitional provisions contained in the 2015 Act, complaints already made to the Law Society under the Solicitors Acts will be brought to completion under that framework and existing law.

In support of the planned and managed commencement of the relevant Parts of the 2015 Act proposed, as I have outlined, between now and the end of this year, an allocation of €1 million has been made under the Justice Vote for 2016 as set-up support for the new Regulatory Authority. This will be provided on a recoupable basis. As an independent corporate body under statute the new Authority will have the power to manage the conduct of its affairs and its finances. The annual running cost of the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority, including the new complaints regime and Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal which will deal with both solicitors and barristers, is estimated at a figure of €4.5 million. Once in operation, the new regulatory regime will be self-funding by means of a levy on the regulated legal professions under the terms set out in the 2015 Act.

As far as any lobbying may be concerned, there is broad public interest being expressed in general correspondence with my Department in support of the early implementation of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 and its package of structural reforms. This has been conveyed positively with the emphasis to date being on the roll-out of the new legal costs transparency measures, the coming into operation of the new public complaints framework and the commencement of the process for the introduction of pre-action protocols in medical negligence cases.

In relation to protected disclosure, I very much share the concern of the Deputy that the new legal services regulatory regime be bolstered by robust protected disclosure safeguards. The Deputy will be aware that the legal services sector-specific measures on protected disclosure, which were in the original Legal Services Regulation Bill as published in 2011, were overtaken by the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act in 2014, which now provides a comprehensive suite of employment and other protections to whistle-blowers who are penalised by their employer or suffer a detriment from a third party on account of raising concerns regarding possible wrongdoing in their workplace. This is a key pubic interest issue on which there has been detailed consultation between officials of my Department and those of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which leads on policy in this area. The protection being afforded by the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to persons making disclosures under the the new Legal Services Regulation Act will be kept under active review by both Departments to ensure that the Acts are mutually reinforcing. The underlying objective is, therefore, to provide and to maintain a coherent protected disclosure regime for all concerned under the over-arching Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and to keep it under regular review.

Garda Operations

Questions (103)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

103. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 68 and 69 of 24 May 2016 on permits and checks for heavy goods vehicles, the number of the 3,763 checkpoints which An Garda Síochána conducted that identified invalid permits, and the penalties imposed, in each of the years 2014 to 19 May 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15355/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I am informed by the Garda authorities that while the number of checkpoints are recorded on the PULSE system, the numbers of invalid permits identified at such checkpoints and the penalties imposed are not recorded in such a manner as to be in a position to readily provide the Deputy with the specific information requested.

Garda Vetting Applications Data

Questions (104)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

104. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána clearance applications received in each of the years 2014 to 31 May 2016, by number received from registered organisations, by average time for completion or return of Garda clearance, by percentage completed within six weeks, by percentage completed within six to 12 weeks, by percentage completed within 12-24 weeks and by percentage taking longer than 24 weeks. [15386/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The number of vetting applications received for the requested time periods is set out in the following table. However, the more detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and its compilation would necessitate a disproportionate amount of staff time and effort.

Year	Applications received	Turnaround times
2014	315,138	4 weeks for 80% of applications received
2015	335,427	4 weeks for 80% of applications received
2016 (31 May 2016)	129,651	4 weeks for 80% of applications received

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current average processing time for vetting applications is four weeks. However, in some individual cases additional enquiries may be necessary which may involve authorities other than An Garda Síochána and this may result in processing times in excess of the average. Any vetting process will take a certain minimum amount of time to complete and, taking into account the importance of measures to protect children and vulnerable adults while providing an effective and efficient service, the current period is not unreasonable.

The Deputy may also wish to know that An Garda Síochána launched an 'e-vetting' system on 29 April 2016 which will facilitate the processing of applications in an on-line format, thus removing the current time-consuming process of manual applications. E-vetting will further streamline the vetting process and contribute to sustaining reduced processing times for vetting applications. The e-vetting system is designed to be compatible with the requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 and, in this regard, was launched in tandem with the commencement of the Acts.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (105)

Clare Daly

Question:

105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money her Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15420/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

My Department did not incur any expenditure in relation to the purchasing of the Public Sector Times in 2015.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (106)

Clare Daly

Question:

106. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15436/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

My Department incurred expenditure totalling €14,411.85 on daily newspapers in 2015. In addition the Irish Prison Service (IPS) incurred expenditure totalling €37,798 in 2015 for newspapers and other publications. The IPS amount covers all publications including newspapers and it is not possible to provide a breakdown for daily newspapers only.

At present this expenditure is considered appropriate. It is not always possible to access relevant articles on-line. Also newspapers are shared between multiple staff members and also between Divisions, something that would not be possible with on-line subscriptions.

However, my Department regularly reviews all expenditure made in order to get the best value for money.