Written Answers Nos. 229-251
229. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building for a school (details supplied); if a suitable green field site has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7440/18]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the project to which he refers was announced as part of my Department's Six Year Capital Programme in 2015.
Officials in my Department continue to work closely with officials from the relevant local authority under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of a suitable permanent location for the school to which the Deputy refers and with the assistance of Council officials a short-list of site options was identified and technically assessed.
Work on the site acquisition process is currently ongoing with a view to acquiring the most suitable site for the school. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to advance the site acquisition process as expeditiously as possible.
230. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the circumstances of a person (details supplied); when the person can expect to receive their entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7485/18]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The child in question is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and has been sanctioned for transport by School Transport Section.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the procurement of contractors to provide services for school transport purposes. Unfortunately to date, Bus Éireann has been unable to secure the services of a suitable contractor.
In the interim, the Department is prepared to offer the family in question a Special Transport Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
231. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in identifying a site for the proposed new post-primary school under the patronage of an organisation (details supplied) that is due to open in September 2018 in County Limerick; his plans for a temporary premises until the new school is built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/18]
View answerA building project for the new post-primary school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s current 6 year construction programme.
Officials from my Department have been working closely with Limerick City and County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the school.
As the Deputy is aware, a number of potential site options have been identified and engagement with relevant landowners is ongoing.
While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time. However, the patron of the school will be informed of the location as soon as it is possible to do so.
The task of sourcing temporary accommodation for the Secondary School to which the Deputy refers, which is due to open in September 2018, has been devolved to the Patron body (Educate Together). The Department and the Patron are fully committed to the opening of this school. Educate Together are working on identifying suitable temporary accommodation to facilitate the opening of the school for September 2018 and the Department will provide any assistance necessary to help Educate Together in this regard.
232. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new apprenticeship registrations in each employment sector and subsector on an annual basis in each of the years 2014 to 2017 for craft based apprenticeships, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7497/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Apprentice Registrations |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
CONSTRUCTION |
||||
|
Brick & Stonelaying |
20 |
26 |
52 |
60 |
|
Carpentry & Joinery |
185 |
291 |
399 |
443 |
|
Painting & Decorating |
11 |
19 |
27 |
44 |
|
Plastering |
9 |
7 |
18 |
34 |
|
Plumbing |
318 |
289 |
345 |
532 |
|
Stonecutting & Stonemasonry |
16 |
13 |
2 |
8 |
|
Wood Macnufacturing & Finishing |
23 |
48 |
71 |
59 |
|
Total |
582 |
693 |
914 |
1,180 |
|
ELECTRICAL |
||||
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
33 |
34 |
39 |
53 |
|
Electrical |
845 |
956 |
1,343 |
1,705 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
85 |
83 |
106 |
120 |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
16 |
28 |
28 |
72 |
|
Instrumentation |
10 |
8 |
10 |
20 |
|
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
62 |
75 |
79 |
106 |
|
Total |
1,051 |
1,184 |
1,605 |
2,076 |
|
ENGINEERING |
||||
|
Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting |
174 |
153 |
163 |
183 |
|
Farriery |
4 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
|
Industrial Insulation |
10 |
13 |
10 |
21 |
|
Metal Fabrication |
176 |
198 |
186 |
224 |
|
Pipefitting |
0 |
37 |
33 |
25 |
|
Sheet Metalworking |
23 |
38 |
40 |
53 |
|
Toolmaking |
66 |
62 |
66 |
65 |
|
Total |
453 |
508 |
503 |
577 |
|
MOTOR |
||||
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
38 |
59 |
43 |
45 |
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
56 |
77 |
59 |
86 |
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
145 |
154 |
136 |
143 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
325 |
423 |
420 |
353 |
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
40 |
47 |
58 |
46 |
|
Total |
604 |
760 |
716 |
673 |
|
PRINTING |
||||
|
Print Media |
8 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
|
Total |
8 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
|
Total |
2,698 |
3,153 |
3,742 |
4,508 |
233. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual budget of the Insolvency Service of Ireland since its foundation in 2012. [7088/18]
View answer234. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of insolvency solutions the Insolvency Service of Ireland has overseen (details supplied) since its inception, in tabular form. [7089/18]
View answer235. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the Exchequer is getting value for the cost of the Insolvency Service of Ireland and the number of solutions delivered. [7090/18]
View answer236. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the personal insolvency regime is fit for purpose; and if so, the method he is using to calculate this. [7091/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 236, inclusive, together.
The annual expenditure of the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI), since it was established, is set out in the following tables:
|
Year |
ISI Annual Expenditure €,000 |
|
2013 |
5,597 |
|
2014 |
8,367 |
|
2015 |
7,914 |
|
2016 |
6,527 |
|
2017 |
5,621 |
The following table shows the number of cases the ISI has helped since its launch through to the end of 2017:
|
Type of Insolvency Solution |
Total Number of Cases (to the end of 2017) |
|
Personal Insolvency Arrangement (secured and unsecured debt) |
2,175 |
|
Debt Relief Notice (for debts below €35K) |
1,177 |
|
Debt Settlement Arrangement (unsecured debt only) |
678 |
|
Bankruptcy (secured and unsecured debt over €20K) |
1,926 |
|
Total |
5,956 |
The ISI was established in 2013 and is a central element of the personal insolvency regime. The ISI’s objective is to restore people who are insolvent to solvency in a fair, transparent and equitable way.
International experience demonstrates that it takes several years for a new insolvency regime to really gain traction. However, to date, the ISI has returned over 6,000 debtors to solvency with over 2,000 of those cases being Personal Insolvency Arrangements (PIAs) which deal with mortgage debt.
In over 90% of these PIA cases, debtors have been able to stay in their homes. This is a significant achievement given that many cases involved arrears exceeding 720 days and is an important indicator that the system is achieving positive results for indebted borrowers.
The solutions introduced in the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 have also had an indirect impact on the number and quality of over 120,000 informal agreements between debtors and creditors, as reported by the Central Bank of Ireland. Because arrangements agreed under the Act are public and court approved, they set precedents for the terms of agreements that will be acceptable to a court. Debtors now have realistic alternative options available to them through the ISI if negotiations break down.
To date the value of debt involved in applications to the ISI, including bankruptcies, has exceeded €9.6 billion.
Insofar as the overall effectiveness of personal insolvency arrangements are concerned, the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 modernised the regime for personal insolvency and brought Ireland in line with international best practice by providing for a range of debt resolution options within a statutory framework which balances the rights of creditors and debtors. The Personal Insolvency Arrangement, in particular, is an innovative solution that seeks to restructure or settle secured debt. Other important elements of this framework include the minimum statutory protection laid down regarding the debtor's reasonable living expenses and their home.
The Government has introduced a number of amendments and supports, since 2012, to ensure the success of the solutions provided by the Personal Insolvency legislation. These include the section 115A Court review process and the Abhaile Mortage Arrears Resolution Service.
The section 115A Court review process, introduced with effect from November 2015, permits a debtor to ask the Court to review and assess the reasonableness of a PIA proposal which has been refused by creditors and which includes mortgage arrears on the debtor's home. The Court considers the reasonableness of the refusal using a balanced range of criteria and has power, if satisfied, to impose the proposed personal insolvency arrangement on the dissenting creditor(s). This removes the so called "Bank Veto".
The High Court has published a number of important detailed judgements on the criteria that will be applied by the courts in section 115A review cases, and the types of mortgage arrears resolutions that may be imposed. Those precedents involved the following issues:
- Separated Spouses - a case involving a separated spouse who restructured her mortgage. The Court rejected a claim by the bank that, before any restructure, the bank needed the cooperation of the other joint borrower.
- Rejection of unsustainable warehousing proposal and approval for negative equity write-off - a case where the mortgage lender wanted to warehouse part of a mortgage. The Court ruled that this could not be done unless there is a reasonable prospect of the couple paying back the warehoused amount. The PIA wrote off most of the negative equity.
- Fixing interest rate for the long term - a case concerning a mortgage rate fixed for 27 years. In assessing if this unfairly prejudiced the financial institution (a fund rather than a bank), the court looked at market investment returns rather than the rates and terms that are available to a bank to raise capital and decided that the PIA proposal was fair and reasonable in this context.
A further significant High Court judgement, dealing with technical challenges made to the Section 115A process, was also issued at the beginning of February. This ruling has been positively received by both the ISI and Personal Insolvency Practitioners. Subject to any possible appeal, it is expected to lead to increased activity in Personal Insolvency Arrangements.
Another important enhancement is Abhaile, the Government's national Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service, which ensures that people who are in danger of losing their home have access to free professional advice, including advice from a Personal Insolvency Practitioner. Abhaile was introduced in 2016 to allow further enhanced access to the personal insolvency regime. Abhaile offers detailed financial and legal advice to homeowners in mortgage arrears with the aim of allowing them to find a solution to their arrears and to stay in their homes where possible. Take up of the Abhaile scheme has been high, with over 10,000 vouchers for these consultations issued since the start of the scheme in July 2016. A borrower may also apply for legal aid through Abhaile to seek a court review under section 115A. Abhaile is also raising awareness of the scheme through a targeted Abhaile public information campaign.
Finally, my Department is also finalising a review of the operation of the Personal Insolvency Acts. Submissions made by stakeholders via a public consultation have made a range of recommendations to enhance the process and to support increased engagement with the system. I look forward to bringing proposals to Government in the coming months to address the conclusions of the review.
237. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if universities and institutes of technology come under the requirements that require staff to be Garda vetted as per requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012; if such requirements are required in circumstances in which staff are close to retiring; the penalties enacted on those persons who do not register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7174/18]
View answerEmployment vetting is carried out by An Garda Síochána primarily in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016. The Deputy will understand that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
In accordance with the legislation, registered organisations must obtain vetting for all persons seeking employment and volunteers, where the relevant work or activities of the position sought involves regular access to children or vulnerable adults. The requirements in this regard are set out in the legislation.
The Deputy will appreciate that the vetting obligations apply to all persons carrying out relevant work or activities, as provided for under the legislation, regardless of when a person is likely to retire.
238. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the emergency reception and orientation centre, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; the number of refugees facilitated to date in the centre; the number expected to the facilitated in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6702/18]
View answerA number of persons are temporarily accommodated in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) located in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, under the relocation strand of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). As the name suggests, an EROC is largely about reception and orientation for those who are to be subsequently resettled and the majority of persons being relocated to Ireland are fleeing the war in Syria.
The services being provided include education, the services of a General Practitioner, HSE medical screening and access to the services of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. A core part of the job of the IRPP is coordination and ensuring appropriate service delivery and staff of the IRPP hold weekly clinics in the EROC with clients and any service level issues become immediately apparent.
The relevant services are provided locally or at the centre. The mode of service provision is determined on a case by case basis depending on the local situation and the individual circumstances of the asylum seekers. Services such as schooling and English classes are being provided directly to the children and adults at the centre. It should be noted that accommodating persons in EROCs for a period of time is considered to be good practice as it allows for a period of acclimatisation, de-stressing and on-site processing. It is also a process that is supported by the UNHCR as best practice.
Since Ballaghaderreen EROC opened in early last year nearly 300 people have resided there, with the current occupancy at 181.
The IRPP will relocate a further 204 people from Greece in the coming weeks and Government have also pledged to take a 600 refugees from Lebanon in 2018. Some of these refugees will be housed in Ballaghaderreen EROC. The exact numbers being housed there will be dependent on the movement of existing residents to their new homes in communities across the country.
239. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of jobs that have been created in the emergency reception and orientation centre, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon to date; the number projected for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6703/18]
View answerThe Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon is contracted to provide accommodation, catering, housekeeping, general maintenance, security and other services for persons who have been relocated to Ireland under the EU relocation programme.
The contractor is required to keep the Department informed about staffing details. There are currently 36 persons directly employed in the EROC. The Department does not have data on the number of jobs that the Centre has created indirectly, or future staffing plans by the contractor as this is a matter entirely for the contractor.
The Centre is also creating business opportunities for those supplying food and other services to it.
240. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the contracts awarded for services (details supplied) that are provided to ensure the running of the emergency reception and orientation centre, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6704/18]
View answerAll ancillary services including laundry, cleaning, catering supplies etc., provided in accommodation centres under contract to the Department of Justice and Equality are included in the contract agreed following negotiations with the principal contractor.
The Department only holds details of this primary contract for the provision of services to the residents in Ballaghaderreen and would not hold the details of any subsequent contract or sub-contract that the primary contractor may have entered into to deliver the required services.
241. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the remuneration and expenses that will be payable to the members of the change implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6705/18]
View answerOn 30 January, the Government agreed to appoint a Change Implementation Group (CIG) for the Department of Justice and Equality. The members of the CIG are providing their services free of charge. With respect to expenses arising from the work of the Group, all necessary administrative supports and facilities will be provided by the Department.
242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to date and pending in regard to residency in the case of a person (details supplied); if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6709/18]
View answerA Deportation Order was signed in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy on 13 May 2016. Leave was granted by the High Court on 27 June 2016 to take Judicial Review proceedings seeking to quash the Deportation Order. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I am not in a position to comment further.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
243. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which he plans to address the employment reservation throughout the ratification process of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the protections he plans to put in place regarding employment for persons with disabilities until legislation is finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6710/18]
View answerThe reservation to which the Deputy refers, in relation to Article 27(1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is permitted under the EU Framework Directive and has been entered by a number of other EU member states.
This reservation allows for the continued operation of appropriate occupational health assessments in recruitment to front line posts where there are genuine requirements with regard to performance of duties. This arises in the case of the operational roles in the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, the Prison Service, and the Emergency Services
This is not to preclude recruitment of persons with disabilities into alternative and appropriate roles but rather it is accepting of the fact that an accident or fire scene, for example, may not be a safe or appropriate working environment for a person with certain types of disability.
Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 makes provision for certain conditions for the employment of people with disabilities in public service employment. It does not currently apply to the Defence Forces, the Garda Síochána or prison officers of a prison. However it is intended that Part 5 of the Act will be amended to apply to the civilian staff of An Garda Síochána and provisions to this effect will be included in the Disability (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill 2016.
It is important to note that these provisions do not mean that persons with disabilities are precluded from employment within the relevant services. It does mean, however, that the physical nature of certain roles requires those holding those posts to possess certain physical capabilities in connection with the specific requirements of the role. Minimum physical standards apply for specific positions and the obligations imposed by part 5 of the Act do not apply in that context.
Government departments are implementing a range of measures to improve employment prospects for persons with disabilities. The Report of the Make Work Pay Group was published earlier this year and already action has been taken on its recommendations. We have a Comprehensive Employment Strategy in place to ensure a coordinated approach to support persons with disabilities to progress into employment. The Strategy sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities, who could and want to work, are supported and enabled to do so. A strategy implementation group meets regularly to monitor the implementation of actions across the public service.
The Government has already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Strategy:
- the public service employment target of people with disabilities will be increased on a phased basis as set out in the Strategy from 3% to 6%
- special public service competitions for people with disabilities will be arranged and we will open up alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities
- an employer helpline will be provided with the assistance of the National Disability Authority, to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities.
244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when an extension to a stamp 4 will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6713/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned had their permission to remain in the State renewed for a three year period, to 07 July 2017. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 09 July 2014.
The renewal decision letter referred to, advised the person concerned of the requirement that they apply for a further renewal of their permission to remain, two weeks before their existing permission expired, to their Local District Headquarters. The person concerned had their permission to remain renewed for a further year to the 05 July 2018 at their Local District Headquarters.
Responsibility for the registration process referred to is vested in the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
245. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 1 February 2018, if a decision has been made as to the timeframe for the establishment of the review committee provided for under section 62 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; and if so, the timeframe in this regard. [6715/18]
View answerResponsibility for the establishment of the Review Committee provided for under section 62 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 lies with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority which is independent in the performance of its functions. As such it is one of those key structural reforms that will be rolled-out under Part 6 of the 2015 Act relating to public complaints, professional misconduct and the appointment of the new Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal.
The current working focus of the Authority is, I understand, very much on the managed roll-out of these and its other remaining functions. This also includes the necessary preparatory steps for the establishment and application of the new Roll of Practicing Barristers and other matters that are a pre-requisite for the exercise by the Authority of its core public complaints functions including under the Review Committee to which the Deputy has referred. The Authority is also in the process of preparing its first three-year Strategic Plan for submission under section 20 of the 2015 Act which will, I understand, give enhanced focus to the issue of delivery timelines.
The Authority is, therefore, continuing its work to progress the identification and elaboration, in conjunction with my Department, of the specific delivery dates concerned. I expect these will be made known as soon as they have been aligned, to the satisfaction of the Authority, with its anticipated staffing and other working resources as an independent regulator.
246. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent by his Department on photography by photographer and agency, public relations or communications advice external to the media officers of his Department, by agency; the use of public relations or communications advice by an agency fully funded by his Department by agency and month, in tabular form since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6752/18]
View answerThe Press and Communications Office of my Department procured photography and design software in November 2016. Since this date, that Office has provided photography and design services throughout the Department both at events and in the production of multi-media content. This has greatly reduced the need for my Department to engage the services of external photographers.
The following is the amount spent by my Department on photography and public relations/communications advice from external photographers and agencies since 1 January 2016:
|
Year |
Company |
Service provided |
Amount Spent |
|
2016 |
Maxwell Photography |
Photography Services |
1,797.24 |
|
2016 |
Finbarr O’Rourke Photography |
Photography - 'Someone Like Me' Primary Schools Art Competition |
676.50 |
|
2016 |
The Communications Clinic Ltd. |
Preparation and delivery of communications strategy to support the implementation of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. |
24,221.24 |
|
2017 |
Real Nation |
Administration and running of the 'Someone Like Me' Primary Schools Art Competition. |
30,203 |
|
2017 |
The Communications Clinic Ltd. |
Preparation and delivery of communications strategy to support the implementation of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. |
2691.24 |
The following table sets out the information sought in relation to agencies of my Department, by agency and month, since 1 January 2016. The following agencies have reported no expenditure on public relations or communications advice: Office of Inspector of Prisons, Office of State Pathologist, Criminal Assets Bureau, Irish Film Classification Office, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, Probation Service, Property Services Regulatory Authority, Private Security Authority, Policing Authority, Legal Services Regulatory Authority. I have asked agencies who were not in a position to provide the information requested in the time available to communicate it to you directly.
|
Agency |
Month/Year |
Company |
Amount Spent |
|
GSOC |
September 2017 |
Claire Grady |
9,720 |
|
GSOC |
October 2017 |
Claire Grady |
3,220 |
|
GSOC |
November 2017 |
Claire Grady |
5,200 |
|
GSOC |
December 2017 |
Claire Grady |
7,460 |
|
GSOC |
January 2018 |
Claire Grady |
5,480 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
February 2016 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
6,841.88 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
March 2016 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
2,767.50 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
April 2016 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
615.00 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
June 2016 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
1,695.94 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
September 2016 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
22,601.25 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
November 2016 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
18,142.50 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
December 2016 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
572.79 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
January 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
23,810.34 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
March 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
5,997.66 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
April 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
20,974.01 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
May 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
14,886.28 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
June 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
16,635.77 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
August 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
8,917.50 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
September 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
8,331.12 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
October 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
10,531.88 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
December 2017 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
14,145.00 |
|
Data Protection Commission |
January 2018 |
Powerscourt Financial Media |
9,378.75 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
January 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
2,472.30 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
February 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
4,256.60 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
March 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
2,461.11 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
April 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
4,428.86 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
May 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
1,134.68 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
June 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
553.50 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
July 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
1,190.03 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
August 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
1,906.50 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
September 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
1,230.00 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
October 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
2,546.10 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
November 2016 |
Hume Brophy |
1,494.45 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
January 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
2,721.01 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
February 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
2,130.98 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
March 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
1,190.03 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
April 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
498.15 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
May 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
387.45 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
June 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
738.13 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
August 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
1,230.00 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
September 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
1,051.65 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
October 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
1,715.85 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
November 2017 |
Hume Brophy |
3,514.73 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
January 2018 |
Hume Brophy |
525.83 |
|
The Courts Service |
January 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
February 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
March 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
April 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
May 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
June 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
July 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
Jan - July 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. (expenses) |
616.64 |
|
The Courts Service |
August 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
September 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
October 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
November 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
December 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
Aug - Dec 2016 |
Curran Communications Ltd. (expenses) |
1,607.08 |
|
The Courts Service |
January 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
February 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
March 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
April 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
May 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
June 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
July 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
August 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
September 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
October 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
Jan - Oct 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. (expenses) |
1,174.46 |
|
The Courts Service |
November 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
December 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. |
8,333.33 |
|
The Courts Service |
Nov - Dec 2017 |
Curran Communications Ltd. (expenses) |
1,517.00 |
In relation to the Data Protection Commission, the availability of expert communications services to the DPC, such as that provided by Powerscourt Financial Media Ltd, is integral to the effectiveness of the office in dealing, in particular, with the very significant international communications challenges associated with regulating the EU data processing operations of most of the world’s leading technology companies that have located their European operations in Ireland. In addition, in the context of the coming into force on 25 May 2018 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the DPC has launched a broad based communications campaign to raise awareness of the new law. These communications activities are focused on building awareness of the very significant additional obligations the GDPR will place on organisations, as well as the greatly strengthened rights it extends to individuals to have their personal data protected and safeguarded.
The spend in relation to the Insolvency Service of Ireland relates to the 'Back on Track' campaign. The 'Back on Track' campaign promotes the ISI's range of debt solutions at every opportunity in a range of ways including through the backontrack.ie website, targeted advertising campaigns (including TV, video on demand, outdoor, press, radio, and online), information booklets which are distributed nationwide, and presentations and meetings with relevant groups. Research has found that the campaign has greatly increased awareness of the ISI's services. Those who availed of an ISI solution have also spoken of the immense sense of relief once they took the first step to address their debt problems.
247. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are limitations or restrictions as to the location in which a business with a specific purpose can be located within a town centre (details supplied). [6764/18]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that I have no role in the licensing process for amusement arcades.
All lawful gaming in amusement and gaming arcades in Ireland is, at present, confined to areas in respect of which Part III of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 is in force. Part III is only in force where a resolution has been passed by the relevant local authority.
In the case of amusement and gaming arcades, an application for a certificate may only be made to the District Court in respect of a premises which is located within an area where the local authority has passed a motion adopting Part III of the Act (i.e. where the local authority has allowed gaming in its administrative area).
A gaming licence is issued by the Revenue Commissioners on foot of a certificate being issued by the District Court.
248. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the opening hours of Garda stations (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6766/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources, including the opening times of Garda stations, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have asked the Garda authorities for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
249. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the unit the five gardaí assigned to Collon Garda station, County Louth, are assigned to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6767/18]
View answer250. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the unit the five gardaí assigned to Castlebellingham Garda station, County Louth, are assigned to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6768/18]
View answer251. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the unit the five gardaí assigned to Clougherhead Garda station, County Louth, are assigned to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6769/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 249 to 251, inclusive, together.
I have requested a report from the Garda Commissioner in relation to the information sought and I will write directly to the Deputy when the report is to hand.
