Written Answers Nos. 121 - 140
121. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on reports that new rules from the Revenue Commissioners governing taxation of foreign employees working temporarily here could seriously undermine attractiveness for companies considering locating here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8022/17]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that income tax issues relating to foreign assignees working here temporarily are set out in the Revenue's Statement of Practice IT-3-07. The Statement of Practice was updated as a matter of routine in December 2016. In accordance with the terms of the OECD Model Convention on Income and on Capital, it re-affirmed the longstanding position in respect of the taxation of foreign assignees to Ireland and the obligations on employers in relation to the operation of the Irish PAYE system.
With effect from 1 January 2006, income attributable to the performance, in the State, of duties of a foreign employment has been chargeable to tax under sections 18 and 19 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Consequently employers are obliged to make the appropriate deductions from that income under the PAYE system.
However, under the terms of the Employment article of Double Taxation Agreements between Ireland and other countries, income attributable to the performance in the State of the duties of an employment may be relieved from the charge to Irish tax, and in such cases the tax deducted under PAYE is generally repaid to the individual. In order to reduce the administrative burden on employers, Revenue do not require an employer in these circumstances to operate PAYE where the employee is under the direction and control of the foreign employer and the duties of that office or employment are performed in the State for not more than 60 working days in total in a year of assessment.
The updated Statement of Practice contains additional guidance (in line with the internationally agreed commentary on the OECD Model Tax Convention) on this release from the obligation to operate PAYE. I am advised by Revenue that this position is not new and has been clarified by Revenue in extensive discussions with tax practitioner groups over the last two years. The additional guidance should improve certainty for employers as to their PAYE obligations, and certainty is frequently cited as a key concern which businesses take into account when making long-term business investment decisions. I am further advised by Revenue that, as necessary, it will seek to enhance its guidance in this area, to ensure that employers subject to these provisions have certainty as to their obligations at all times.
122. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of increasing the earned income tax credit for the self employed to levels of €1,250, €1,400, €1,500 and €1,650 in a calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8023/17]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that a Post-Budget 2017 Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html.
In relation to the Deputy's question, this Ready Reckoner shows a wide range of detailed information, including, on Page 6, the estimated first and full year costs to the Exchequer of changes to the earned income tax credit. While the figures do not match exactly those requested by the Deputy, they can be calculated on a straight-line basis.
All figures provided in the Ready Reckoner are estimates for 2017 incomes from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2014, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are provisional and may be revised.
123. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent during 2016 by his Department and by each named public body under his Department’s remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8040/17]
View answerThe amount spent during 2016 by my Department and by named public bodies under my Department's remit on legal services is set out in the attached document. In the time available, it was not possible to provide these details for all bodies under the aegis of my Department and the outstanding detail will be provided shortly in line with Standing Orders.
My Department publishes on a quarterly basis on its website the amounts spent by the Department on legal and consultancy services. It should also be noted that my Department recoups certain legal expenses incurred in relation to the stabilisation of the banking sector and this is noted on the attached table.
|
Department of Finance |
|
|
Firm/Name |
Amount |
|
Kate Hanley |
€7,658 |
|
David Ewart QC |
€34,878 |
|
Philip Baker QC |
€66,456 |
|
Geon Legal Solutions |
€16,102 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
€733 |
|
William Fry |
€249,529 (part recoupable) |
|
Hayes Solicitors |
€3,766 |
|
Arthur Cox |
€237,982 (part recoupable) |
|
Maurice Collins, S.C. |
€30,884 |
|
VM Forensics |
€1,476 |
|
Conor Quigley |
€58,538 |
|
Aoife Goodman |
€36,568 |
|
Body |
Amount(s) spent in 2016 |
Firm or Individual |
|
C&AGs |
€56,598 €9,671 |
Beauchamps, Solicitors Philip Lee |
|
Central Bank |
€7.332m |
The Bank do not provide the names of firms due to potential identification of ongoing cases, and only publish this information on an anonymised basis |
|
Credit Reviewer |
€992.50 (€750 plus VAT €172.50) |
McGrath McGrane |
|
Credit Union Advisory Committee |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo) |
3,936.00 2,275.50 |
MHC M. Powell |
|
Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau |
€123,521.47 €117,513.58 €45,323.42 €200.00 |
Eversheds O’Donnell Sweeney McDowell Purcell Solicitors Byrne Wallace Alan Haugh BL |
|
Financial Services Ombudsman Council |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Investor Compensation Company Limited |
€82,447.67 €1,620.86 |
William Fry Solicitors Ivor Fitzpatrick Solicitors |
|
Irish Bank Resolution Corporation |
The information sought in the question is not information held in my Department and I am advised by the Special Liquidators that an updated summary of the Special Liquidation fees, including legal fees, is not readily available at this time. However, the Special Liquidators have informed me that an updated summary of the Special Liquidation fees, including legal fees to 31 December 2016 will be contained in the next progress update report which will be published in H1 2017. |
|
|
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal |
€3,690.00 (inclusive of VAT) |
Hayes Solicitors |
|
Irish Fiscal Advisory Council |
Nil |
Nil |
|
National Asset Management Agency |
3,448,650 2,323,700 814,550 430,000 306,750 201,700 195,550 163,550 153,500 135,900 135,250 125,550 116,050 100,450 90,650 80,850 79,050 73,200 66,450 65,300 53,650 48,900 41,900 34,350 30,650 29,950 24,950 24,550 21,600 21,600 21,350 20,150 18,950 18,650 17,550 17,100 16,600 16,300 16,150 14,150 13,150 12,350 12,300 11,850 11,000 10,050 9,800 9,700 8,850 8,750 7,700 7,400 6,450 5,750 5,150 5,150 4,900 4,550 3,750 3,200 3,100 2,950 2,450 2,450 2,350 2,250 1,700 1,550 1,450 1,450 1,350 1,250 1,150 1,150 950 800 700 600 450 400 |
Dillon Eustace A&L Goodbody Solicitors Beauchamps Solicitors Arthur Cox Solicitors McDowell Purcell Solicitors Quarles & Brady LLP Hayes Solicitors Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors Burges Salmon LLP Taylor Wessing LLP (München) Dillon Eustace GBP Client A/c Mason Hayes + Curran J.W. ODonovan Solicitors Eugene F Collins DLA Piper (PARIS) LLP Byrne Wallace McCarter & English LLP Eversheds O'Donnell Sweeney Maples and Calder McCann Fitzgerald K & L Gates LLP William Fry Solicitors Hogan Lovells International LLP (Madrid) Alfred Thornton & Company Windels Marxlane & Mittendorf LLP Walkers Ireland Wierzbowski Eversheds Simmons & Simmons LLP Baker & McKenzie CVBA/SCRL Uria Menedez DLA Piper UK LLP (Germany) Eversheds LLP Nottigham Kennedys Law DLA Piper UK LLP Servulo & Associados Vision Net Matheson C&H Jefferson Solicitors Taylor Wessing (Prague) Taylor Wessing LLP Kane Tuohy Solicitors Hogan Lovells International LLP Paul Gallagher Le Clair Ryan Barry C. Galvin & Son Solicitors Dentons UKMEA LLP John McKee & Son Solicitors LK Shields Solicitors Niall Brosnan & Co Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP Actons Solicitors Brian Murray SC Robert Fitzpatrick BL O'Flynn Exhams Solicitors Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors - Galway Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon Francis Kieran BL DLA Piper LLP ( PRAGUE) Bonn Steichen & Partners DWF LLP Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP Carey Olsen REA McElhinney Hugh O'Neill SC Soltysinski Kawecki and Szlezak John Redmond Arthur Cox Northern Ireland Caren Geoghegan B.L Gartlan Furey Partnership Gaftarnik, Le Douarin & Associes Patrick F O'Reilly & Co Angel J Garcia Garcia Eversheds LLP Lavelle Solicitors Cormac McCarthy Solicitors Corporate Access Limited Appleby (Isle of Man) HBJ Gateley Hugh J Ward & Co Solicitors Express Company Seals Ltd |
|
National Treasury Management Agency
|
The information requested will be provided in line with Standing Orders |
|
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
€4,582,806 (CGs) |
External Solicitor Firms |
|
Byrne Wallace €514,899 |
||
|
Denis I Finn €501,469 |
||
|
Holmes O’Malley Sexton €776,580 |
||
|
Ivor Fitzpatrick and Company €996,181 |
||
|
Lavelle €181,744 |
||
|
Mason Hayes Curran Solicitors €937,446 |
||
|
Matheson €162,526 |
||
|
Pierse Fitzgibbon €511,962 |
||
|
€ 2,694,318 (Revenue Solicitor) |
Counsel €2,449,105 |
|
|
Alison Keirse BL €12,546 Anthony Aston SC €188,153 Anthony Kerr BL €14,293 Aoife Goodman BL €145,780 Arthur Cunningham BL €81,709 Benedict O Floinn BL €163,479 Brian Murray SC €95,879 Ciaran Ramsay SC €65,498 Cliona Kimber BL €2,454 Conor Bourke BL €194,057 David Goy QC €10,557 David Quinn BL €42,324 Dearbhla Cunningham BL €46,802 Denis McDonald SC €65,621 Dermot Cahill BL €54,403 Dominic McGinn SC €21,525 Donal T McCarthy BL €2,230 Eileen Barrington SC €47,199 Eileen Finn BL €24,772 Elizabeth Cogan BL €431 Eoghan Fitzsimons SC €9,053 Eoin Clifford Esq BL €37,331 Fergus Ryan BL €105,682 Gerard Kiely SC €11,070 Grainne Clohessy SC €316,295 Grainne Duggan BL €42,324 Grainne O Neill BL €1,932 Irene Sands BL €1,506 Jacqueline O Brien SC €126,998 Jeananne McGovern BL €49,655 Jennifer M O Connell BL €8,143 John Byrne BL €21,229 Kevin Prosser QC €5,990 Kieran Binchy BL €105,104 Kieran Kelly Esq BL €32,301 Lorna Gallagher BL €12,362 Marguerite Bolger SC €923 Mark O Mahony BL €17,036 Maurice Collins SC €43,665 Niall O Hanlon BL €32,601 Noel J Travers SC €7,534 Oisin Clarke BL €3,468 Patrick Quinn SC €38,499 Rosemary Healy Rae BL €18,942 Sally Glynn O Neill BL €61,792 Shelley Horan BL €15,252 Siobhan Stack SC €396 Sorcha Cristin Whelan BL €1,750 Teresa Pilkington SC €1,691 Thomas Rice BL €923 Tom Power BL €431 Una Tighe BL €30,135 Will Fennelly BL €7,380 €2,449,105 |
||
|
Court Reporters/Stenographers € 72,990 |
||
|
Gwen Malone Stenography €61,175 |
||
|
Doyle Court Reporters €11,815 |
||
|
External Solicitors Expenses €172,223 |
||
|
Barry Healy €14,416 |
||
|
William Fry €62,722 |
||
|
Philip Lee Solicitors €93,035 |
||
|
Holmes O’Malley Sexton €615 |
||
|
H D Keane €185 |
||
|
Fergus Mullen €1,250 |
||
|
€7,999.95 (CSD) |
External Solicitors |
|
|
Arthur Cox and Company Solicitors € 7,999.95 |
||
|
Social Finance Foundation |
€13,166 |
Arthur Cox |
|
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland |
The information requested will be provided in line with Standing Orders |
|
|
Tax Appeals Commissioners |
Nil |
Nil |
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
124. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the services available to survivors of institutional abuse through the Caranua agency; the way the fund is administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7934/17]
View answerCaranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse. The legislation provides that supports may be available in the areas of health and personal social services, mental health services, education and housing. It is a matter for Caranua itself to determine the range of approved services it will support and the criteria by reference to which decisions may be made in respect of applications. Further information regarding Caranua’s services, its application process, corporate governance arrangements, together with relevant publications, etc., may be found on the organisation’s website www.caranua.ie.
The Deputy will wish to be aware that up to the end of December 2016 Caranua had received over 5,600 applications and had spent over €56 million on supports to or on behalf of almost 4,200 applicants.
125. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will receive approval to move to stage 2B; his views on whether a realistic timeline for the opening of the school's new extension would be September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7773/17]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is completing Stage 2(a) of the Architectural Planning process, the Developed Design Stage.
Following the Stage 2(a) Stakeholder’s meeting which was held on the 30th November 2016, the ETB and its Design Team were requested to submit a Stage 2(a) addendum addressing issues which arose at the meeting. This addendum was submitted by the ETB on the 22nd December 2016 and is currently under review by my Department.
Upon successful completion of Stage 2(a) the project will progress to complete Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for statutory approvals and the preparation of Tender Documents. Until such time as planning permission has been secured and the project has progressed to and completed tender stage and the appointment of a building contractor, it will not be possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the completion of the construction stage of the project.
The project is included on the 6 year construction programme 2016-21 announced on 17th November 2015.
126. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) to allow the building of a new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7775/17]
View answer133. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will provide a new national school (details supplied). [7963/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 133 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department met with the school referred to in the context of an application received for a replacement school. The school were advised that, due to the need to prioritise available funding towards the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand, it would not be possible to progress a major project for the school at this time. The school were also advised that should enrolment numbers justify the appointment of an additional teacher and if it was not possible to accommodate this teacher within the school, that the school could submit an application to my Department for an additional classroom at that point.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that since 2009 over €325,000 has been approved by my Department to provide additional accommodation and to improve the existing building facilities. The Deputy will be aware that more recently, my Department approved funding of over €28,000 under the Summer Works Scheme for electrical upgrade works.
127. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the location a person (details supplied) can obtain the necessary supports they urgently require. [7878/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
In respect of children with ASD who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided. My Department considers that it is essential that in assessing the need for specialised placement options in certain areas, the individual needs of children should be properly assessed to determine the appropriateness of special class or special school provision for them.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas as required.
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for their attention and direct reply.
128. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the regulations and guidelines in place for international students arriving here; the support services that are available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7886/17]
View answerThe regulations and guidelines in place for international students arriving here are a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality.
Higher Education Institutions in Ireland provide high quality support services to international students. A Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Education and Training to International Learners was published by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) in July 2015. The Code highlights for providers the key areas of their activities which are of particular significance in their interactions with international learners including requirements such as the protection of enrolled learners, pastoral care services, marketing, and recruitment and admissions practices. Compliance with this Code is now a mandatory condition of validation by QQI for all programmes recruiting international learners.
129. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 31 January 2017, the amount of money that is being drawn from the European Social Fund, ESF, to fund local training initiative centres here; the amount of ESF funding that goes towards a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7892/17]
View answerThe Local Training Initiative Programme (LTI) has not, to date, been selected for inclusion in the ETB Training for the Unemployed activity within the current ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. The projects currently selected for support under this activity are Specific Skills Training; Bridging-courses and Traineeships. The ESF Managing Authority, within my Department, and the Operational Programme Monitoring Committee maintains an ongoing overview of the funding allocations under the PEIL and will re-allocate the available funding as required, in accordance with the EU Regulatory provisions, over the lifetime of the PEIL.
The inclusion or otherwise of the LTI in the PEIL for ESF support does not impact on its funding, which is a matter for the relevant ETBs in consultation with SOLAS.
130. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the same child care level 7 course in Carlow IT and NUIG is being offered to students at different fee rates and Skillnets is funding Carlow IT for this course and not in NUIG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7913/17]
View answerSkillnets is an enterprise-led agency, where groups of private sector companies come together to provide solutions to identified training and learning needs. One of the networks funded under the Skillnets Training Networks Programme is the Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet. Four years ago, the Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet began a consultation with the local childcare industry and childcare representatives about identified skill needs/shortages for the sector. This led to the development of a new QQI accredited Level 7 BA Honours Degree in Early Childhood Education & Care. The course was developed in partnership with Carlow IT, with whom the network has developed a strong working relationship as part of its local stakeholder collaboration.
This is a 1-year programme which has had three iterations to date, with a fourth course planned for 2017. It has proved to be a successful programme, with all places filled from the enterprise membership of the Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet and other neighbouring Skillnet networks. The programme development costs were borne by Carlow IT, and Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet negotiated commercial rates with Carlow IT for the programme delivery costs. The course fees for the candidate are effectively subsidised via the Skillnets grant, which incentivises both the development and delivery of industry-led learning programmes.
While Skillnets has no involvement in the provision of a similar course via NUIG, one assumes that this is a publicly-available programme, the course fees for which are determined by NUIG.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged in relation to third level students who do not qualify for free fees is determined by the institutions and accordingly I have no role in relation to the matter.
131. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools from each county added to the DEIS programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7936/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Plan-2017-New-DEIS-Schools-List.pdf.
132. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to the N4 educational study which assessed the needs for the establishment of new schools in the general area, if further assessment has been carried out in relation to the necessity to provide a secondary school in Kinnegad to facilitate the expanding population in Kinnegad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7959/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
-Utilising existing unused capacity with a school or schools,
-Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
-Provision of a new school or schools.
Following completion of such demographic analyses, four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs nationwide. As part of the announcement of these new schools, it was noted that a range of areas nationwide, including Kinnegad (which is in the Killucan school planning area), are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under review.
As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the Killucan school planning area is being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a higher education grant is available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7986/17]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.
The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant.
In general terms, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.
It is anticipated that the SUSI online application process for the 2017/18 academic year will open in early April. Prospective students are advised to apply early so that their application can be queued and assessed early in the assessment process.
135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding made through the summer works scheme and submitted by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for the upgrading of toilet facilities; if his attention has been drawn to the poor condition of the present facilities which are no longer fit for purpose; when a decision in respect of the application will issue to the school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8018/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 5 application, toilet improvement project, under the Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017) from the school to which he refers.
Nearly 50% of schools have applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand. Details of successful school applicants in respect of Categories 1 and 2 were announced in April last and are published on my Department’s website www.education.ie. Assessment of valid projects in further categories is now being undertaken by my Department, subject to the overall availability of funding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website. The application from the school in question is available to be considered in this context. It is my intention to publish a list of successful applicants in due course.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if back to education allowance or higher education grant is available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8029/17]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.
The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant.
In general terms, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.
It is anticipated that the SUSI online application process for the 2017/18 academic year will open in early April. Prospective students are advised to apply early so that their application can be queued and assessed early in the assessment process.
Separately, the Deputy will be aware that the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is administered by the Department of Social Protection. Further enquiries in respect of the BTEA should be referred to the Department of Social Protection.
137. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent during 2016 by his Department and by each named public body under his Department’s remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8038/17]
View answerThe information requested in respect of my Department’s expenditure on legal services in 2016 is detailed below. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of agencies is not held centrally by my Department. Expenditure on legal services by agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for each agency. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular agency then officials in my Department will request the agency concerned to provide the relevant information insofar as it is possible.
|
Legal Practitioner |
Cost |
|
Mr Martin Egan |
€110.70 |
|
Mr Conor Feeney BL |
€16,236 |
|
Arthur Cox Solicitors |
€9,840 |
|
McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors |
€1,476 |
138. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the EPA nitrates directive will be reviewed. [7806/17]
View answerThe European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014, as amended, give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has commenced the process of review of the Nitrates Action Programme and has recently commenced formal engagement with the European Commission with a view to having a new Nitrates Action Programme in place by 2018 , to run up to 2021. A request for a new nitrates derogation will be submitted to the Commission as part of the review process. A full consultation process will be commenced in the coming weeks as part of this review and any issues raised by stakeholders will be considered as part of that process.
139. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the specific houses which are still scheduled to be demolished in the four regeneration areas of Limerick city, namely Moyross, Southill, Balliancurra Weston and St Marys’s Park following the review of the progress of the Limerick regeneration framework implementation plan. [7774/17]
View answerThe Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan sets out Limerick City and County Council’s approach to demolitions under the Limerick Regeneration programme and is available at the following link: https://www.limerick.ie/council/limerick-regeneration-framework-implementation-plan.
The implementation of the overall Plan and the demolition schedule is a matter for the Council and my Department does not have records of specific houses yet to be demolished.
140. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if improvements will be introduced to the tenant purchase scheme to enable Part V tenants that are in a financial position to purchase their homes participate in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7780/17]
View answerIn line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and reaffirmed in Rebuilding Ireland – Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of operation of the scheme is currently being undertaken by my Department. Any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidenced gathered will be brought forward.
I expect this review to be completed by the end of Quarter 1 2017.
