Written Answers Nos. 162-184
163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the prisoner population and the number of staff employed within Mountjoy Prison for 2012 to date in tabular form; the number of staff on maternity leave or long-term sick leave for 2012 to date in tabular form; the provision in place for such absences of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30575/16]
View answer164. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the prisoner population and the number of staff employed within the Prison Service on a prison-by-prison basis for 2012 to date in tabular form; the number of staff on maternity leave or long-term sick leave on a prison-by-prison basis for 2012 to date in tabular form; the provision in place for such absences of staff in Irish prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30577/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
I can inform the Deputy that the prisoner population, attendance and staff assigned can change on a daily basis. For the purposes of the information provided in this reply the data used are correct as of the 17 October 2016.
Daily Average in Custody:
|
Institution |
Year 2012 |
Year 2013 |
Year 2014 |
Year 2015 |
Year 2016 (up to Friday 14th October) |
|
Arbour Hill |
146 |
141 |
141 |
138 |
134 |
|
Castlerea |
361 |
354 |
338 |
308 |
296 |
|
Cloverhill |
429 |
402 |
413 |
359 |
381 |
|
Cork |
259 |
231 |
226 |
218 |
250 |
|
Limerick (f) |
28 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
32 |
|
Limerick (m) |
261 |
225 |
223 |
224 |
223 |
|
Loughan |
104 |
124 |
119 |
116 |
116 |
|
Midlands |
616 |
762 |
823 |
805 |
812 |
|
Mountjoy (f) |
124 |
127 |
123 |
107 |
111 |
|
Mountjoy (m) |
603 |
537 |
556 |
537 |
516 |
|
Portlaoise |
278 |
262 |
246 |
218 |
198 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
102 |
104 |
102 |
101 |
103 |
|
St. Patrick's |
204 |
129 |
11 |
3 |
1 |
|
Training Unit |
116 |
105 |
89 |
92 |
90 |
|
Wheatfield |
687 |
626 |
478 |
472 |
461 |
|
Total |
4,318 |
4,158 |
3,915 |
3,722 |
3,726 |
Number of Staff:
|
Institution |
29/12/2012 |
31/12/2013 |
31/12/2014 |
31/12/2015 |
Year 2016 (up to 1 October 2016) |
|
Arbour Hill |
98 |
86 |
101 |
100.5 |
97.5 |
|
Castlerea |
210 |
188 |
205 |
201 |
198 |
|
Cloverhill |
314 |
291.5 |
323.1 |
310.6 |
306.1 |
|
Cork |
200 |
176.5 |
194.5 |
191.5 |
184.5 |
|
Limerick (m & f) |
205 |
186.5 |
199 |
202 |
197 |
|
Loughan |
47 |
37 |
49 |
48 |
47 |
|
Midlands |
361 |
360.7 |
427.375 |
426 |
431.9 |
|
Mountjoy (f) |
82 |
77.5 |
85 |
86.5 |
86 |
|
Mountjoy (m) |
474.5 |
415 |
402 |
383 |
363.5 |
|
Portlaoise |
265 |
252 |
278.5 |
275 |
273.5 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
48 |
41 |
48 |
47.5 |
46 |
|
St. Patrick's |
190 |
152.5 |
138.5 |
131.5 |
128 |
|
Training Unit |
49 |
44 |
52 |
51 |
50 |
|
Wheatfield |
369 |
319 |
381.5 |
369.5 |
361.5 |
|
IPSC |
29.5 |
22.2 |
19.2 |
20.2 |
23.6 |
|
HQ |
5 |
5.5 |
6.5 |
5.68 |
8.68 |
|
BSD |
24 |
21 |
19 |
21 |
19 |
|
PSEC |
145 |
143.5 |
143.5 |
138.5 |
140 |
|
OSG |
145.5 |
141 |
145.5 |
147 |
142 |
|
Total |
3262 |
3266.875 |
3218.175 |
3155.580 |
3102.78 |
While there has been a reduction in the staffing levels in the Irish Prison Service, this has been as a result of controlled reductions as set out in the Croke Park Agreement and the Haddington Road Agreement and is in line with Government policy to reduce Public Service numbers. Under the Haddington Road Agreement, the Irish Prison Service undertook to engage in a joint examination of all tasks within the prisons system in conjunction with the Prison Officers' Association. The Joint Task Reviews examined in detail all current organisational, structural and operational arrangements that are necessary so that prisons can operate in the most effective and efficient manner.
This has resulted in significant savings of circa €20 million to the exchequer
Number of Staff on Maternity Leave
|
Prison |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Arbour Hill |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Beladd |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
BSD |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Castlerea |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Cloverhill |
2 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dóchas |
7 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Loughan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Midlands |
9 |
10 |
8 |
13 |
6 |
|
Mountjoy |
7 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
|
OSG |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Portlaoise |
5 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
|
PSEC |
3 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
|
Shelton |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
St Pats |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Training Unit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wheatfield |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
Total |
48 |
57 |
54 |
52 |
37 |
Number of Staff on Long Term Sick Leave (90+ days)
|
Prison |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Arbour Hill |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
IPSC |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
BSD |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Castlerea |
13 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
|
Cloverhill |
12 |
16 |
16 |
15 |
|
Cork |
15 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
|
Dóchas |
7 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
15 |
12 |
8 |
6 |
|
Loughan |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Midlands |
14 |
9 |
15 |
10 |
|
Mountjoy |
16 |
19 |
19 |
14 |
|
OSG |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Portlaoise |
14 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
PSEC |
5 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
Shelton |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
St Pats |
6 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
Training Unit |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Wheatfield |
15 |
13 |
13 |
9 |
|
Total |
136 |
114 |
111 |
92 |
Please note the figures for long term Staff sick leave for 2012 are unavailable.
The is no provision within the staffing arrangements of the Irish Prison Service to replace staff on maternity leave or sick leave. However, there are mechanisms in place to support leave absences include the utilisation of additional working hours and the use of Diminishing Task Lines, to address a shortfall in staffing which may occur on any given day including absences of certified sick leave. The Diminishing Task Lines is the process whereby identified tasks are temporarily suspended to allow staff previously assigned to these tasks and posts to be redeployed to priority tasks and posts.
Prison management are responsible for the efficient and effective deployment of resources on any given day to maintain good order, safe and secure custody, whilst maintaining, as far as is reasonably practicable, access to structured activities for prisoners.
In addition, where a long term absence exists in the healthcare area, access to agency staff is requested.
165. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the exact funding increase provided by budget 2017 for her Department in 2017, minus provision required for demographics and the Lansdowne Road agreement, compared to the estimate provided in budget 2016, the summer economic statement and the expected out-turn for 2016, in tabular form. [30603/16]
View answerThe Justice Vote Group comprises eight individual votes including the Department Vote - Vote 24 - Justice and Equality.
As outlined in the budgetary documentation published on Budget Day there is an increase of €68 million in gross current expenditure for the Justice Vote Group compared with the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, which does not include any provision for Lansdowne Road Agreement. In overall terms, there is an increase of €85 million (current and capital) compared with the Revised Estimates for 2016. This includes a provision of almost €14 million for the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
The out-turn for 2016 will be determined closer to the end of the financial year but will not exceed the overall provision in the Revised Estimate Volume for the Vote Group in 2016.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30625/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 established specifically 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.
167. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the undue delay in the finalising of a Garda vetting application by a person (details supplied) which was submitted ten weeks ago. [30702/16]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the vetting application for the person to whom the Deputy refers was received by the National Vetting Bureau on 20 August 2016 and was processed and returned to the Liaison Person in the Registered Organisation on the 28 September 2016. In the circumstances I would suggest that the person contact the Registered Organisation directly to ascertain the current position.
168. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of study visas received, issued and refused by her Department for the years 2013, 2014, and 2015 by country in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30740/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that details of the number of student visas granted and refused are set out in the following table. It should be noted that the "All other nationalities" data in the table refer to in the order of 100 different nationalities and, accordingly, the information has been aggregated.
It should also be noted that nationals from many countries including for example, Brazil and the USA, do not require a visa to come to study in Ireland. For nationals requiring a visa, in line with other jurisdictions, my Department operates a visa system which examines the bona fides of each study visa application. The requirements and procedures that are in place are designed to ensure that potential abuses of the study visa system are minimised whilst also affording visa required non-EEA nationals every opportunity to come and study in Ireland.
I am further advised by INIS that they work closely with the colleges, in the third level sector in particular, to ensure every effort is made to process visa applications as quickly as possible bearing in mind various enrolment dates and the type of course which students may wish to undertake to Ireland.
|
2013 |
Granted |
Refused |
|
Saudi Arabia |
1,741 |
3 |
|
Russian Federation |
1,540 |
32 |
|
People's Republic of China |
1,392 |
125 |
|
India |
1,334 |
553 |
|
Oman |
444 |
0 |
|
All other nationalities |
2,648 |
1,038 |
|
Total |
9,099 |
1,751 |
|
2014 |
Granted |
Refused |
|
Russian Federation |
3,263 |
45 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
1,604 |
2 |
|
People's Republic of China |
1,378 |
104 |
|
India |
1,129 |
416 |
|
Turkey |
462 |
76 |
|
All other nationalities |
2,626 |
1,243 |
|
Total |
10,462 |
1,886 |
|
2015 |
Granted |
Refused |
|
Russian Federation |
2,465 |
23 |
|
People's Republic of China |
1,726 |
45 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
1,600 |
4 |
|
India |
1,125 |
533 |
|
Turkey |
860 |
121 |
|
All other nationalities |
2,567 |
813 |
|
Total |
10,343 |
1,539 |
169. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on Garda Operation Sonnet; if this operation is still active; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30769/16]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that Operation Sonnet is an ongoing joint operation by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), with the assistance of other Garda Divisions, undertaken for the purpose of assessing, detecting and deterring unlawful immigration into the State.
This year to date the GNIB have conducted two such operations. The most recent was a joint operation on the 3 October 2016 with the assistance of both Louth Gardaí and DMR Traffic. The operational activities were concentrated in Dundalk, Dublin Airport and Dublin Port. During the course of this operation eighteen (18) detections were made. An operation was also undertaken on the 27 January 2016 at Rosslare Port. During the course of this operation nine (9) detections were made.
This operation is part of the overall response by An Garda Síochána to enforcement of immigration controls and laws.
170. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on Garda Operation Woven; if this operation is still active; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30770/16]
View answerI have asked the Garda authorities for a report on the matter raised by the Deputy and I will contact him directly when the Garda report is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I am now informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Woven is an ongoing strategic operation of the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau targeting Organised Criminal activities. I am also informed that due to the sensitive nature of this live operation the Bureau is not in a position to comment further as doing so could compromise the integrity of the operation and may impinge on any future criminal proceedings.
As you know, An Garda Síochána continue to make important arrests in various locations around the country, as well as the seizure of illegal drugs and proceeds of crime as a result of Garda operations. These strong anti-crime measures are supported by the very significant investment in policing made by this Government. For 2017, I was pleased to secure afurther €71.5 million for Garda overtime which will facilitate the continuation of large-scale policing operations including those targeting gangland crime and burglary.
Underpinning these measures is the Government’s intention to increase Garda numbers to 15,000. While in the short term substantial funds are being made available for overtime, measures are being considered to accelerate the planned Garda recruitment programme, along with the recruitment of further civilian and specialist staff. In 2017 an extra 800 Gardaí will berecruited as well as 500 civilian staff to ensure that the service is renewed and has the capacity to provide visible, responsive and effective policing to every community throughout the country.
171. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide funding for the appointment of extra full-time forensic accountants and extra full time financial crime analysts for the Criminal Assets Bureau; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30771/16]
View answerThe resources of the Bureau are kept under ongoing review by both the Criminal Assets Bureau and my Department.
With regard to staffing in the Bureau Analysis Unit of the Bureau, I can inform the Deputy that my Department has been in consultation with the Chief Bureau Officer to agree the proposed recruitment process for the filling of both a forensic accountant vacancy and a financial crime analyst vacancy. In this regard, arrangements are being made to proceed with recruitment through the Public Appointments Service.
More generally, I can inform the Deputy that an additional €0.5m in funding for the Bureau was announced in Budget 2017 which will go towards essential staffing requirements.
172. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of incremental pay of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30789/16]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the person referred to in her question passed the Higher Certificate in Custodial Care on 13 May 2016 and has been placed on Point 1 of the Prison Officer payscale with effect from that date.
173. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 159, 161, 163 and 174 of 16 September 2016, when the provisions implementing sections 149 to 161 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30813/16]
View answerAs I have outlined to the Deputy and other Members of the House in my Written Reply of 16 September 2016, the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 makes extensive provision in Part 10 for a new and enhanced legal costs regime that will bring greater transparency to how legal costs are charged along with a better balance between the interests of legal practitioners and those of their clients in this area. Part 10 of the Act is divided into five Chapters of which Chapter 3, consisting of sections 149 to 153, deals with the duties of legal practitioners in relation to legal costs. The remaining Chapters of this Part deal with other aspects of the new legal costs regime including the new Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators that will take over the work currently carried out by the Office of the Taxing-Master along with the way in which the new legal costs adjudication process will operate. All legal practitioners will be obliged, under the transparency provisions of Chapter 3, to provide more detailed information about legal costs from the outset of their dealings with clients. The details of these transparency provisions remain as set out in my Written Reply of 16 September to which the Deputy has referred.
The provisions of Part 10 of the Legal Services Regulation Act provide, in Chapter 2, or the changeover from the existing Office of the Taxing-Master to the new Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators. The new and enhanced legal costs adjudication process is found in Chapter 4 of Part 10 as set out in my previous Reply.
It remains the case that there is no impediment to the various provisions of Part 10 taking effect other than that of ensuring, through detailed planning and sequencing, that the relevant legal and administrative arrangements are properly in place. This includes within the Courts system where the adjudications of legal costs under the new structure will be conducted in succession to the existing taxation of costs regime. The Deputy will appreciate that a significant transformation of the existing taxation of costs system is provided for in Part 10 of the Act and that this cannot be done arbitrarily and must be managed carefully - including in terms of having the relevant personnel and expertise in place and given the fundamental legal procedures involved.
As I have previously conveyed, the five Chapters of Part 10 of the 2015 Act are very much interlinked and their successful commencement will be key to the phased roll-out of the Legal Services Regulation Act which is already underway. As with other Parts of the Act which will be commenced on a phased basis over the coming period, I am, along with officials at my Department and the Courts Service, giving detailed consideration to the commencement of Part 10. This includes the possible prioritisation for commencement of sections 149 to 161 contained in Chapter 3 as may be practicable from both a structural reform and a legal perspective.
On 19 July 2016 I commenced those provisions of Parts 1 and 2 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 necessary to support the appointment and start-up of the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority – S.I. No. 383 of 2016 refers. On 29 September, as provided under section 7 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, I appointed, by order, 1 October 2016, as establishment day of the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority – S.I. No. 507 of 2016 refers. The resolutions of both Houses approving those nominated by the prescribed nominating bodies for membership of the new Regulatory Authority were completed on 6th October in accordance with the relevant procedures and criteria in Part 2 of the 2015 Act. Dr. Don Thornhill has been appointed Chairperson of the new Authority which will hold its inaugural meeting later this month. Following on from these initial steps, it is intended that the phased commencement of the remaining Parts of the 2015 Act will be implemented over the remainder of this year and into early 2017 in relation to major undertakings such as the start-up of the Authority’s critical public complaints function and the completion of all aspects of the transition to the new Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators.
174. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the location of the new building acquired by the OPW for the new Garda station in Bailieborough; if there is funding in place for this project; if there is a date for works to go to tender; when it is envisaged it will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30890/16]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has the primary responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and works closely with the Garda authorities in this regard, and I, as Minister, have no role in these matters.
The position remains as outlined in my response to the Deputy's question number 76 of 21 June 2016 wherein I indicated that the Office of Public Works is progressing legal matters relating to the acquisition of a site for the proposed new Garda station in Bailieborough. The Deputy will appreciate that, until these matters are complete, it is not possible to provide an exact timeline and details concerning procurement or costing of the new station.
175. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which she will publish legislation to establish a judicial council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30900/16]
View answerThe recently published Legislation Programme includes the Judicial Council Bill amongst those Bills whose publication this Session is a priority. Work on the drafting of the Bill is continuing in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General and my Department is working closely with that Office to bring that work to a timely conclusion in order to ensure publication within the timeframe set out in the Legislation Programme.
176. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the European Court of Human Rights judgment in B.A.C. v. Greece, which held unanimously that there had been a violation of Articles 3, 8, and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights due to authorities' failure to determine the applicant's asylum application; if she has discussed this matter with her Department officials; her plans to address delays in the Irish asylum processing system as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30956/16]
View answerI am aware of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in B.A.C. v Greece referred to by the Deputy. The judgment refers to a case in which the Greek authorities failed to finally determine an asylum application which had been lodged initially by the applicant in January 2002.
With regard to the asylum processing system in place in this jurisdiction, the Deputy will be aware that the International Protection Act was signed into law by the President late last year. The Act provides for the introduction of a single application procedure for protection applications. Under the single procedure, an applicant will make only one application, and will have all grounds for seeking international protection and to be permitted to remain in the State examined and determined in one process. The single procedure will replace the current multi-layered and sequential protection application system, and this reform is designed to significantly simplify and streamline existing arrangements and allow us to grant international protection in a significantly shorter timeframe to those who are entitled to it while identifying, at a much earlier stage, persons who have no entitlement to stay in the State and who can safely return to their country of origin. All preparations are currently being made by my Department for the commencement of the Act.
Under the new legislation, a dedicated unit of my Department, to be known as the 'International Protection Office' will be the determining authority at first instance for applications for international protection, replacing the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC). The case workers making decisions under the new structure are specialists in the processing of protection cases and trained to UNCHR standards.
The existing Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) will be replaced by a newly constituted and independent appeals body to be known as the International Protection Appeals Tribunal. The newly configured and resourced Tribunal is designed to lead to the more efficient conduct of its business and greater consistency in its appeals decisions.
The transitional provisions in the Act set out how protection applications which are pending in the existing system on the commencement date will be dealt with. In order to achieve a smooth transition from the existing system to the single applications procedure, additional resources are being deployed to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), ORAC and RAT to assist with the implementation of the Act, including the tackling of existing caseloads both prior and subsequent to the commencement of the Act.
177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce reliefs for first-time buyers who are self-building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30223/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I announced a "Help to Buy" initiative in the Budget, which will provide an income tax rebate to first time buyers to assist them in getting the deposit for their first home, as required under the Central Bank's macro-prudential mortgage rules. This scheme is open to both those who purchase a new build, and those who self-build, where these individuals meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme.
The full details of the incentive will be published in the Finance Bill.
178. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the report of gangs utilising mortgages to launder money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30486/16]
View answerI would note that pursuant to Part 4 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, as amended, financial institutions including those offering mortgages are required to identify and verify customers identities. Where suspicions arise that persons have been or are engaged in an offence of money laundering, those institutions are required to report such suspicions to An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners.
Once An Garda Síochána have been made aware of such a suspicion, any investigation is an operational matter for them. The procedures and the powers available to An Garda Síochána in such an event is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, who is the responsible Minister.
179. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of visits by Customs and Excise officers to a location (details supplied) in 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; the number of those visits that were not notified in advance to the owners and staff of the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30567/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that a decision on whether to undertake a visit to or an intervention at an aerodrome is dictated by Revenue's assessment of risk, having regard to a range of factors, which for operational reasons Revenue is not in a position to disclose. Where visits or interventions are undertaken, there is no prior notification of same.
The number of visits for the location concerned is as follows:
|
Year |
No. of Visits |
|
2013 |
23 |
|
2014 |
18 |
|
2015 |
10 |
|
2016 (to date) |
13 |
180. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance if a couple who commenced building a house one year ago but have not drawn down their full mortgage on the build are eligible for the new first-time buyer's scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30709/16]
View answerIn Budget 2017, I announced a "Help to Buy" initiative which will provide an income tax rebate to first time buyers to assist them in getting the deposit for their first home, as required under the Central Bank's macro-prudential mortgage rules. This scheme is a complement to the structural actions in the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness published on 19th July 2016, and applies to both self-build and new build homes. In the case of a self-build, applicants who drew down the first tranche of their mortgage on or after 19 July 2016 will be eligible.
There are a range of criteria that a first-time buyer must meet in order to be eligible for a rebate of income tax under this initiative. The full details of these criteria will be set out in the Finance Bill.
181. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance if one half of a couple owned a house previously and sold it, would the couple be eligible for the first-time buyer's scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30710/16]
View answerIn Budget 2017, I announced a "Help to Buy" initiative which will provide an income tax rebate to first time buyers to assist them in getting the deposit for their first home. In line with the Central Bank's macro-prudential rules, a joint purchase where one person has bought previously is designated as a non-first-time buyer under the initiative. This applies whether the person continues to own the property or has sold it.
Further details will be provided in the Finance Bill.
182. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 80 and 82 of 6 October 2016, the reason for the difference of 1,813 units between the number of properties owned by persons and entities that own 200 plus properties from the total of 25,737 in the reply and the number of properties in the 200 plus category out of 27,600 as stated in the Revenue Commissioners' local property tax statistics to June 2016, as published on the Revenue Commissioners' website. [30202/16]
View answer183. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Questions Nos. 80 and 82 of 6 October 2016, if properties owned by approved housing bodies, AHBs, are included in the table provided in reply to those questions, in view of the fact that the Revenue Commissioner's local property tax statistics, on the Revenue Commissioner's website, note that AHBs are excluded from their figures on multiple-property ownership. [30203/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
In relation to Question No. 182, I am advised by Revenue that the earlier Parliamentary Question to which the Deputy refers was correctly answered on the basis of 2015 data (a total of 25,787 properties). However, the 2015 Local Property Tax (LPT) statistical report on the Revenue website incorrectly displayed provisional data in relation to multiple property owners which was in fact the figure for 2016 (a total of 27,600 properties).
As regards Question No. 183, I am informed by Revenue that this was an error in the description in their LPT statistics on their website. The figures presented in respect of multiple property owners include approved housing bodies (but not Local Authority owned properties).
Both errors have now been rectified and Revenue thanks the Deputy for bringing these issues to its attention.
184. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to the Irish Strategic Investment Fund divesting from fossil fuels as part of the current review of its investment strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30222/16]
View answerI am informed by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) that its shareholdings with fossil fuel exposure include certain investments inherited from its predecessor the National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF).
The shareholdings with fossil fuel exposure which were inherited from the NPRF are in companies based outside Ireland and, as such, are held in ISIF's global portfolio. The global portfolio has been restructured and is being sold over time to fund Irish investment commitments as they arise, in keeping with ISIF's mandate to invest, on a commercial basis to support economic activity and employment, in Ireland.
ISIF's equity holdings in the Energy sector are valued at €11 million (0.14% of ISIF's assets under management). ISIF is also invested in circa. €97 million of short term fixed income investments in energy corporations representing just over 1% of the ISIF's assets.
Such investments should be considered in the context of ISIF's Irish portfolio and its significant commitment to renewables. ISIF's investment strategy is aligned with government policy and the State's commitment to make the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and sustainable economy. The strategy states that ISIF's €800m energy allocation will include a significant element of renewables investment. To date such investment commitments include:
- €44 million for the €500 million Dublin Waste to Energy project.
- €35 million commitment to NTR's onshore wind fund.
- Investment in Bluebay SME credit fund which has made loans to Gaelectric and Mainstream, Irish headquartered renewable energy developers.
- Being a cornerstone investor in the Irish Infrastructure Fund (IIF) which holds a number of Irish onshore wind assets, forestry, and a designer/manufacturer of high power density high efficiency power supplies.
As part of its on-going commitment to operate to high international standards ISIF has recently published its Sustainability and Responsible Investment Policy which is available online at: http://www.isif.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SustainabilityandResponsibleInvestingPolicyJuly2016.pdf.
The Policy emphasises climate change as part of the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) into its investment decision making.
Many major funds internationally have made significant divestments from fossil fuels such as coal, while other such funds have adopted an approach of engagement with energy companies to establish their strategy and positioning for the transition to a low carbon economy. ISIF continually reviews its carbon exposure and the investment case for companies that may not be aligned with the long term transition to a low-carbon economy.
The National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014, which established ISIF on a statutory basis provides that ISIF shall review its investment strategy after 18 months of operation and that in reviewing its investment strategy shall consult with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and that the Minister for Finance may consult with other Government Ministers, as appropriate. This review will be completed in Q4 2016 and the issues of decarbonisation and Ireland's long term transition towards a low carbon economy are being considered as part of this process.
