Written Answers Nos. 47-68
47. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his role in working with the Northern Ireland Executive in agreeing and implementing cross-Border projects that can benefit from European Union funding, as per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13104/16]
View answer48. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the next British-Irish Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13106/16]
View answer66. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Taoiseach the status of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project following the meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council. [15870/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48 and 66 together.
The Irish Government outlined its commitment to supporting North-South development in the National Development Plan 2016 - 2021, in the "Fresh Start Agreement" and in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The Irish Government is committed to investing in infrastructure to support North-South cooperation and unlock the full potential of the economies of both jurisdictions.
As co-chair of the North South Ministerial Council, I ensure that the focus of Ministers is on the priorities for additional North South co-operation which they have identified in their respective areas of responsibility, particularly as regards assisting economic recovery, job creation, the best use of public funds and the most effective delivery of services for citizens across the island.
As indicated in the recent Programme for a Partnership Government, I look forward to the further development of mutual North South benefit, particularly through the ongoing work of the NSMC.
Narrow Water Bridge:
Under "A Fresh Start - Stormont House Agreement" the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government have agreed to undertake a review of the Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council next month. Discussions at official level have taken place between Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government officials and a report has been prepared for consideration at the next NSMC.
British-Irish Council
I attended the 26th Summit of the British-Irish Council on 17 June hosted by the Scottish Government in Glasgow. The heads of delegation were welcomed by First Minister Sturgeon on behalf of the Scottish Government.
First Minister Sturgeon commenced the meeting with a minute's silence to mark the shocking death of Jo Cox MP. The Council reflected on priorities for Member Administrations and discussed how the Council could continue to promote cooperation on issues of common concern. The Council also noted that there might be scope for new areas of cooperation based on emerging Government and Member Administration priorities across these islands, many of which have had elections in recent times. In the context of current issues, the forthcoming UK EU Referendum was discussed. I clearly set out the Irish Government position and our programme of outreach to Irish citizens in Britain who have a vote.
Minister of State, Helen McEntee met with counterparts with particular responsibility for unpaid carers in advance of the Summit to consider a detailed paper prepared by the Council’s Social Inclusion work sector. The discussion was then taken forward by Heads of Administration, where the Council agreed that carers are an integral part of society, caring for family, friends and neighbours affected by physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or substance misuse. It was agreed that further sharing of research and good practice in this important area will be pursued by Member Administrations.
The Scottish Government updated the Council on the work done in advance of the Summit to take forward work being undertaken to review the operation of the Council. It also noted the Secretariat’s end of year report and agreed a new Council Communications Plan for the period 2016-18. The Council also approved publication of the BIC Annual Report 2015.
The next British Irish Council Summit is scheduled for Wales in November 2016.
49. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans for overseas visits for the remainder of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14515/16]
View answerBetween now and the end of 2016, I will be attending three European Council meetings. I will travel to Brussels next week, on 28-29 June and again in October (20-21) and December (15-16).
I do not have any firm plans, at present, for other overseas visits. My officials, in conjunction with other relevant Government Departments and Agencies, are considering the matter with a view to developing recommendations. Careful consideration will be given to locations where significant opportunities exist to support and promote our efforts, at both EU and international level, to enhancing trade and bilateral relations, attracting investment and tourism, and growing export markets.
50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he has discussed the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union following the referendum scheduled for 23 June 2016 with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron. [14458/16]
View answer51. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his role in encouraging Irish persons living in Britain to vote to remain in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14461/16]
View answer52. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his views that Border controls will return in the event of Britain and Northern Ireland voting to leave the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14463/16]
View answer53. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to, written to or met with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, regarding the UK's referendum on 23 June 2016 on a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14465/16]
View answer54. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach to report on his visit to London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14466/16]
View answer55. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach to report on the meetings he had with Irish groups while in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/16]
View answer56. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach to report on meetings he had with British politicians during his visit to London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14468/16]
View answer57. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach his plans in securing a "Remain" vote in the United Kingdom's European Union referendum on 23 June 2016. [14470/16]
View answer58. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the security concerns expressed at the European Union Council at the implications of the possible British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14495/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 58, inclusive, together.
I recently spoke with Prime Minister Cameron by telephone on 6 May 2016, when we discussed a number of matters, including the UK Referendum on EU Membership.
I meet with Prime Minister Cameron regularly in the normal course of events on a bilateral basis and at European Council meetings. Our recent bilateral discussions have centred on the importance of the UK remaining a member of the EU.
When I met the Prime Minister on January 25th in Downing Street, the focus then was on the European Council on 18 February 2016 and the constructive role that Ireland could play in the negotiations. A package of reforms was subsequently agreed by Heads of State and Government which provides a strong basis for the Prime Minister's campaign for the UK to stay in a reformed EU.
This is clearly of particular importance to Ireland, given that our relationship with the UK is closer than with any other EU Member State. The Prime Minister fully recognises our mutual interest in matters relating to Northern Ireland, the importance of a reformed, more effective European Union, the Common Travel Area and our strong economic ties.
The Irish Government has been very active in our engagement with the UK Government, and with our EU partners, in outlining our concerns and our interests in this matter. 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.
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.
It is for all these reasons that the Irish Government is working hard to ensure that Irish Communities in the UK are aware of our particular perspective on the outcome of the upcoming referendum.
Irish citizens living in the UK will have a vote in the upcoming referendum. It is important that they are aware that they are entitled to vote and that they are fully informed on the issues.
I and other members of the Government have completed a targeted programme of outreach in Britain and Northern Ireland to Irish and Irish-connected citizens in the UK who have a vote. Last week I had engagements in Belfast and a programme of events in Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow where I engaged with the Irish community. I also attended a Summit meeting of the British Irish Council in Glasgow. However, my programme in Britain coincided with the shocking death of Jo Cox MP in West Yorkshire. Out of respect for her and her family, and in light of the suspension of the two official campaigns, I refrained from issuing any public statements about the referendum.
I travelled in a personal capacity to attend the Mayo v London game recently in Ruislip, London. Irish4Europe were launching their voter registration campaign and I met with some of the members informally in the margins of the match.
Naturally, the Government is alive to the risks associated with a possible overall leave result in the referendum.
One of the most beneficial effects of the peace process and our common membership of the EU has been the virtual elimination of the border. The re-establishment of customs checks on the border, or indeed of any customs arrangements, would be a regrettable and backward step for North-South trade and cooperation. The situation would depend on the future arrangements to be put in place between the UK and the remaining 27 EU member states, including Ireland, following a UK departure. We would certainly do our utmost to preserve the Common Travel Area. But it is difficult to imagine a situation where there would be no controls or checks on the movement of goods if the UK left the EU.
All EU partners share the view - for a variety of economic, political and social reasons - that continued UK membership of the Union is in all of our interests. Discussions on the EU-UK issue at the European Council to date were focussed on securing a constructive deal with the UK that would enable Prime Minister Cameron to recommend and campaign for a remain vote in the UK referendum, and that was also acceptable to all EU partners. Next week's European Council meeting was rescheduled to 28/29 June to allow EU leaders have a first exchange on the referendum result, to reflect on its implications and to begin to chart a way forward: Ireland is ready for these discussions. Today, I gave my pre-European Council statement to the House, where I will outline Ireland's position in more detail.
59. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the changes to staffing and to the salaries of advisers in his Department since 1 March 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14510/16]
View answer60. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the changes he will implement in the structure and responsibilities of his Department subsequent to the formation of the new Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14511/16]
View answer65. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach his plans for the staffing and structure of his Department. [15845/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 65 together.
The Department of the Taoiseach's core role will continue to be supporting me, the Government and the Ministers of State in the Department in relation to all our domestic, EU and international responsibilities, and driving implementation of the new Programme for a Partnership Government.
The Programme for Government Office, based in my Department, will continue to monitor implementation of Programme for Government commitments across all Government Departments and regularly report progress to me. The structures used to advance the Government’s key priorities will include Cabinet Committees; bi-laterals with relevant Ministers; and regular engagement at official level between the Programme for Government Office and Government Departments.
Taking account of the need to maintain a new relationship between the Oireachtas and the Government, the Office of the Chief Whip will have an expanded role in terms of more active management of all aspects of the legislative process, working with Government Departments and the Houses of the Oireachtas. As part of this process, the Chief Whip's Office will work closely with a new Parliamentary Liaison Unit and the Programme for Government Office which will track progress across all policy and legislative commitments.
Minister of State Murphy's portfolio has been expanded to include the EU Digital Single Market, in addition to responsibility for EU Affairs and Data Protection.
My Department no longer has responsibility at Ministerial level for International Financial Services. The member of staff who has been working full-time on International Financial Services will shortly transfer to the Department of Finance.
In relation to my role as Minister for Defence, Deputy Paul Kehoe has been appointed as Minister of State with special responsibility for the Department of Defence and will attend Government meetings. I signed the Defence (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 on 14th June 2016.
The outcome of the UK referendum on EU Membership may also have structural implications for my Department.
The resource implications of the above and other Programme for Government commitments for which my Department has direct responsibility for implementing will be addressed in the context of the Estimates process.
There have been no changes to the staffing and salaries of advisers in my Department since 1 March, 2016. There are currently five Special Advisers employed in my Department, four of whom are my Special Advisers and one of whom is Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip.
61. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when he will issue the tender for a polling company to source members of the citizens' assembly; and his plans to publish full details of the call for tender, given the importance of the issues to be addressed. [15598/16]
View answerMembers for the Citizens' Assembly will be selected on the basis of being representative of the Irish electorate in terms of gender, age and regional spread by a polling company commissioned for that purpose.
Preparations for establishment of the Assembly in the Autumn are being worked on by my Department. The tender document will be published when finalised.
62. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the constitutional referendums he will hold in the next 12 months. [15849/16]
View answerUnder the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to holding Constitutional referendums on the following matters:
- Article 41.2.1, regarding a "woman's life within the home"
- Article 40.6.1, on the offence of blasphemy
- Ireland's participation in the Unified Patent Court
- Giving the office of Ceann Comhairle constitutional standing.
A timescale has not yet been established for these referendums.
The Programme for a Partnership Government also commits the Government to establish a Citizens' Assembly, within six months, with a mandate to look at a limited number of key issues over an extended period of time. While these issues will not be limited to those directly pertaining to the constitution, the Citizens' Assembly will be asked to make recommendations to the Dáil on further constitutional changes, including on the Eighth Amendment, on fixed-term parliaments and on the manner in which referendums are held.
The Programme for a Partnership Government also says that on foot of the recommendation of the Banking Inquiry, the Government will seek a review of the powers of Oireachtas Committees in conducting inquiries and, based on this review, will consider whether there should be a Constitutional Referendum to strengthen Committees' powers.
63. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach the average wage for child care workers; how this compares to European Union and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development figures. [14721/16]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is currently not available.
Statistics on average wages are compiled from the quarterly Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS), and from the periodic Labour Costs Survey and Structure of Earnings Surveys conducted under EU Regulations. While these surveys include breakdowns by sector and by occupation, the figures do not include a separate breakdown in relation to childcare workers. Accurate results at this level of detail cannot be provided from sample surveys.
In the EU NACE Rev 2 economic activity classification system, Child day-care activities are classified as a sub-group of NACE code 88, Social work activities without accommodation. Figures are available for the latter sector from the quarterly EHECS survey, showing average earnings per week of €465.12 in quarter four of 2015. This is the average earnings for all occupations working in the Social work activities without accommodation sector.
Some comparative EU statistics are available for the Social work activities sector from the 2012 EU-Labour Costs Survey. Average earnings in the Social work activities sector in Ireland were €32,896 in 2012, the fourth highest average earnings in the EU. The United Kingdom had a comparative figure of €28,583, while the European Union average was €25,468. See Table 1.
Average hourly earnings for the Social work activities sector are also available from the 2012 EU-Labour Cost Survey and show that Ireland earned the fourth highest average hourly earnings in the European Union, with mean hourly earnings of €20.21. This compares to mean hourly earnings of €15.87 in the UK and €15.76 as an EU average. Denmark recorded the highest average hourly earnings in this sector with a figure of €26.70. See Table 1.
There are no comparative statistics available on childcare workers for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries.
The CSO is currently preparing updated results on the structure of earnings for the years 2011 to 2014, based primarily on administrative rather than survey data. Broad sectoral and occupational statistics from this source will be published before the end of July and more detailed breakdowns will subsequently be available upon request, subject to CSO confidentiality rules. While this will enable more detailed structural tables than before, the CSO does not expect that it will be possible to provide tables on earnings on specific detailed occupation codes of child care workers. To identify the earnings of childcare workers, individual occupations would need to be coded at the 4 digit level of the International Standard Classification of Occupations.
Table 1: Mean annual and hourly earnings in Social work activities sector (NACE code 88) - 2008 and 2012
|
Average Annual Earnings |
Average Annual Earnings |
Average Hourly Earnings |
Average Hourly Earnings |
|
|
2008 |
2012 |
2008 |
2012 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
European Union (28 countries) |
23,901 |
25,468 |
14.93 |
15.76 |
|
European Union (15 countries) |
24,972 |
27,166 |
15.67 |
16.93 |
|
Euro area (19 countries) |
23,118 |
25,111 |
14.83 |
16.32 |
|
Belgium |
21,785 |
26,250 |
16.20 |
18.94 |
|
Bulgaria |
2,253 |
2,692 |
1.32 |
1.58 |
|
Czech Republic |
7,800 |
8,643 |
4.51 |
4.99 |
|
Denmark |
35,630 |
38,686 |
24.22 |
26.70 |
|
Germany |
25,602 |
28,843 |
15.35 |
17.47 |
|
Estonia |
7,203 |
7,084 |
4.14 |
4.02 |
|
Ireland |
33,575 |
32,896 |
20.03 |
20.21 |
|
Greece |
13,462 |
15,692 |
7.15 |
8.60 |
|
Spain |
18,851 |
18,721 |
11.61 |
11.55 |
|
France |
22,085 |
22,109 |
14.61 |
15.32 |
|
Croatia |
13,750 |
10,423 |
7.62 |
6.51 |
|
Italy |
17,283 |
19,015 |
10.51 |
12.13 |
|
Cyprus |
22,511 |
18,700 |
14.99 |
11.42 |
|
Latvia |
7,076 |
6,419 |
3.88 |
3.50 |
|
Lithuania |
5,725 |
5,457 |
3.27 |
3.01 |
|
Luxembourg |
34,809 |
40,342 |
21.12 |
23.78 |
|
Hungary |
7,053 |
3,892 |
4.08 |
2.18 |
|
Malta |
13,022 |
17,983 |
6.64 |
8.25 |
|
Netherlands |
28,494 |
31,685 |
19.82 |
21.03 |
|
Austria |
24,903 |
29,187 |
14.84 |
17.27 |
|
Poland |
9,183 |
9,152 |
5.60 |
5.50 |
|
Portugal |
10,391 |
11,571 |
6.40 |
7.11 |
|
Romania |
2,982 |
2,761 |
1.58 |
1.48 |
|
Slovenia |
20,514 |
19,961 |
12.48 |
12.41 |
|
Slovakia |
6,422 |
7,438 |
3.76 |
4.73 |
|
Finland |
24,085 |
27,370 |
15.27 |
17.79 |
|
Sweden |
26,325 |
33,466 |
15.26 |
19.01 |
|
United Kingdom |
28,972 |
28,583 |
16.48 |
15.87 |
Reference period: 2008 & 2012.
Source: Labour Cost Survey, Eurostat.
64. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the elements of the programme for Government for which he is responsible. [15843/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government was published on 11 May and sets out an ambitious programme of work to be implemented over the lifetime of the Government.
My Department is working in consultation with all Departments to identify individual commitments and agree responsibility for these actions. These will be published in due course by each Department in their respective Statements of Strategy.
While this process has not yet concluded, my Department will have a number of commitments coming under its responsibility including the areas of Dáil reform, relations with Britain and Northern Ireland, and managing the new partnership approach between government and parliament. Officials in my Department will work with all stakeholders involved to progress these issues over the lifetime of the Government.
67. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 22 March 2016, the additional cost of producing detailed county estimates of the number of persons at work; the increase in sample size that would be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17157/16]
View answerThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of employment estimates in the state and is conducted in line with the European regulation for the conduct of labour force surveys (577/98). The QNHS is based on a national sample of 26,000 households each quarter. This sample of households is designed to be representative of the population at both regional (NUTS 3) and national levels and the sample selection process takes account of the distribution of the population across the country.
The labour market estimates produced by the QNHS are designed to meet strict quality criteria set down by Eurostat, which specify the level of statistical accuracy that these estimates must achieve at national level. The CSO also produces regional labour market estimates from the QNHS (NUTS 3 level) although this level of detail is not required by Eurostat.
In order to produce labour market estimates at county level (NUTS 4) that would meet the same statistical standards as currently achieved for national and regional labour market statistics, it is estimated that the QNHS sample size would need to be increased by a factor of four in some counties. Potentially this could mean an increase in the QNHS sample size nationally from 26,000 households to 104,000 households.
In order to interview a sample of this size the CSO would need to increase the number of permanent field staff posts from 100 to 400 and increase the number of temporary or backup posts from 40 to 160. The current cost of the QNHS fieldwork is approximately €4m per annum, which includes fieldstaff pay, travel costs and computer hardware costs. It is estimated that with a potential increase in the sample outlined above the cost of the QNHS could similarly increase the fieldwork costs to €16m per annum.
The actual level of increase required in the household sample size in each county would require a more detailed statistical examination.
68. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures British citizens living here will have to take in relation to Irish citizenship in the event of Britain leaving the European Union after their referendum on the matter; if they can apply for dual citizenship or a passport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16689/16]
View answerThe entitlement to Irish citizenship, as well as the conditions pertaining to a grant of citizenship through naturalisation, are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Act. Under Irish law it is possible for an Irish national to hold dual citizenship; the acquisition of Irish citizenship is not contingent on the renunciation of the citizenship of another jurisdiction. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie.
As outlined, the grant of citizenship is a national competency and there are no current plans to amend the legislation. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the upcoming UK referendum except to say that it is our intention to maintain the existing arrangements with regard to the United Kingdom. Should an issue arise in this area during any possible future negotiations between the UK and the other EU member states, the position will be revisited at that stage.
