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Wednesday, 17 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 70-89

Defence Forces Pensions

Questions (70)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of cases in which his Department has subsequently refused or reduced pension entitlement in which a serving soldier has been injured on duty and whose award arising therefrom ultimately affects the person's pension entitlements, such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42737/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Army Pensions Acts 1923-1980 provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or due to disease attributable to or aggravated by overseas service with the United Nations.

Application for a disability pension must be made within a statutory time limit of 1 year after retirement in wound/injury cases, and 8 years in disease cases.

The criteria for awarding a disability pension or gratuity are based on:

(a) whether the applicant is suffering from a permanent disablement due to wound/injury which is attributable to his military service at home or abroad, or to a disease attributable to or aggravated by service with a United Nations Force abroad, and

(b) the percentage degree of disablement from which the applicant is suffering.

The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members (both doctors). The Chairman and one doctor are civilians and the other member is a serving Army doctor. The Board’s principal function is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities under the Acts and to report to the Minister thereon. The Board determines the question of attributability to military service in each case; assesses the degree of disability; and reports its findings to the Department, which acts on the Board’s findings including the grant or refusal of appropriate benefits. The findings of the Army Pensions Board in regard to ‘attributability’ are final and conclusive and binding. However, there is provision for review of awards or refusals subject to certain conditions, for example if additional relevant information has subsequently become available.

The Army Pensions Acts essentially constitute a military occupational injuries code which operates separately from, but in addition to, the Defence Forces retirement benefit (superannuation) provisions. The combination of both pensions is subject to an overall limit. In a case where both a service (retirement) pension and a disability pension are payable the service (retirement) pension is reduced – usually by an amount equal to one-half of the smaller of the two pensions – and the disability pension is payable in full. A military disability pension is tax-free.

Furthermore, Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act, 1923, as amended, provides that any alternative compensation received may be taken into consideration in fixing the level of disability pension or gratuity that might otherwise be awarded for the same injury or medical condition. The underlying objective of section 13(2) is to take into consideration compensation paid ‘on the double’ for the same disablement. Compensation of the kind in question would usually result from a civil action for damages against the State, but compensation received from any other source is not excluded.

In a case where Section 13(2) applies, the applicant or his/her solicitors are advised of the provisions of Section 13(2). They are invited to make submissions as to how much, if any of the compensation should be taken into account in fixing the rate of disability pension. The Minister then makes a bona fide decision based on a consideration of all the facts of the case. Each case is considered on the basis of its individual circumstances, which vary widely. The Minister may decide to take all, some or none of the compensation into account in fixing the rate of disability pension. If the Minister decides to reduce the disability pension under Section 13(2), the reduction applies for the lifetime of the pension.

The Deputy has requested the number of cases which have subsequently been refused or reduced their pension entitlement. Unfortunately, such information is not readily available as the relevant legislative provisions have been in place since 1923 and it is not possible to compile such information without incurring significant administrative overheads.

I can, however, provide the Deputy with information on the number of personnel who have had their disability pensions reduced under Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act 1923, over recent years. This information is being compiled and I will write to the Deputy regarding the matter.

Departmental Funding

Questions (71)

John Brady

Question:

71. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the detail of State funding that is provided to religious organisations or persons here by his Department; the amount of funding provided for each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43152/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department did not provided funding to religious organisations or persons in the years 2010 to 2018.

A Chaplaincy Service provides pastoral care and spiritual support to members of the Defence Forces at home and on duty overseas. Pay and allowances for the Chaplaincy Service are met directly from the Defence Vote.

Passport Applications

Questions (72)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the most appropriate application to make for an Irish passport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42575/18]

View answer

Written answers

I understand from the Deputy that the person in question has at least one Irish -born grandparent and so may make an application for citizenship through Foreign Births Registration.

Applications for citizenship via Foreign Births Registration are processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. All applications and payments are made online and original documentation should be posted to the Department in support of an application. Detailed information on documentary requirements and how to apply is available on the Department's website at the following link www.dfa.ie/passports-citizenship/citizenship/born-abroad/born-abroad-citizenship-by-descent.

Alternatively, as the person concerned has also lived in Ireland for a number of years, he may apply to the Minister for Justice and Equality for Irish citizenship through Naturalisation. Relevant contact details are as follows:

Citizenship Division, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, Department of Justice and Equality, Rosanna Road, Tipperary Town, E34 N566.

Consular Services Staff

Questions (73)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

73. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff in each consulate and embassy in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42599/18]

View answer

Written answers

Ireland’s diplomatic network of missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals such as ensuring the efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, supporting emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence.

Our Embassies and Consulates contribute directly to safeguarding our interests in negotiations on the UK exit from the European Union and they are helping to ensure that Ireland plays a full part in shaping the future development of the European Union.

The work of my Department in promoting a more just, fair, secure and sustainable world continues through mission engagement with multilateral institutions and agencies, including those of the United Nations, and via implementation of the Irish Aid programme in partner countries.

Our staff in Embassies and Consulates also make a strong contribution to job creation, exports, tourism and education in Ireland by assisting Irish businesses overseas in close cooperation with State agencies.

Our capacity to deliver on these key goals will increase with the expansion of my Department’s mission network abroad under the Global Ireland Initiative announced in June of this year. This includes the opening of an Embassy in New Zealand in August, the opening of a Consulate General in Vancouver this month and the opening of new missions in Bogotá, Santiago, Amman, Mumbai and Cardiff early in 2019 and in Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Rabat, Kyiv and Manila by the end of 2020.

Our missions are staffed by Departmental officers posted from headquarters; by staff seconded from other Government departments in certain missions including the Permanent Representation in Brussels and Visa Officers seconded to missions from the Department of Justice, and by locally recruited staff.

Mission

Number of Staff 2016

Number of Staff 2017

Number of Staff 2018 to date

Abu Dhabi

12.5

13

14

Abuja

11

14

11

Addis Ababa

8

9

11

Ankara

11

12

12

Athens

6.3

8

7

Atlanta CG

3

3

4

Austin CG

3

4

4

Bangkok

8

9

9

Beijing

23

25

23 + 1 Vacancy

Berlin

13.6

20.6

18.6

Berne

5

5

5

Boston CG

5

7

7

Brasilia

5

6

4 + 1 Vacancy

Bratislava

4

3

3

Brussels incl Brussels PFP

12

12

12

Brussels PR

91

99

100

Bucharest

6

7

6

Budapest

6

6

6

Buenos Aires

6

5 + 1 Vacancy

6

Cairo

9

9

7

Canberra

10.6

11

11

Chicago CG

6.4

5.4

6.4

Copenhagen

5.9

6.9

6.5

Dar-es-Salaam

8

8

9

Edinburgh CG

4

3 + 1 Vacancy

4

Edinburgh BIC

1

1

1

Freetown

4

4

5

Geneva PMUN

15.5

16

16

Hanoi

9

10

11

Helsinki

5

5

5

Holy See

2.75

2.75

3.75

Hong Kong CG

5

5

5

Jakarta

8

7

7

Kampala

7

8

9

Kuala Lumpur

5

6

6

Lilongwe

7

7

9

Lisbon

6

6

6

Ljubljana

5

5

5

London

56.5

66.6

64.6

Lusaka

7

7

7

Luxembourg

4.5

3.5

3.5

Madrid

13.5

14

15

Maputo

7

11

13

Mexico

9

9

8

Monrovia

0

0

3

Moscow

17

18

17

Nairobi

3

9

8

New Delhi

14

14

15

New York CG

17.5

16.5

16

New York PMUN

17

17

29

Nicosia

4

4

4

Oslo

5

5

5

Ottawa

10

10

10

Paris

18

21.2

19.2

Paris OECD

4

6

5

Prague

7.5

7

7

Pretoria

10

13

13

Ramallah

6

6

6

Riga

3

3

3

Riyadh

9

10

8

Rome

13.3

13.42

14.72

San Francisco CG

6

6

9

Sao Paulo CG

4

4

4

Seoul

6

6

6

Shanghai CG

8

7

8

Singapore

6.5

6.3

6.3

Sofia

6

6

6

Strasbourg CoE

5

6

6

Stockholm

5.62

5.62

5.62

Sydney CG

5

6

6

Tallinn

3

5

3

Tel Aviv

5

5

7

The Hague

9

10.8

10.6

Tokyo

10

10

11

Valletta

4

4

4

Vancouver CG

0

0

1

Vienna

9

9

9

Vienna OSCE

4

4

5

Vilnius

4

4

5

Warsaw

8

8

10

Washington DC

20

18

17

Wellington

0

0

1

Zagreb

3

3

3

TOTAL

750.47

811.59

832.79

Brexit Expenditure

Questions (74)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

74. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of running the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready road shows; the breakdown of costs that are taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42600/18]

View answer

Written answers

Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in June 2017 I have overseen and co-ordinated a sustained intensification of Brexit preparedness and contingency planning across Government.

As part of these efforts, the Government is organising “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” public information events around Ireland to inform and advise about Brexit preparedness and the range of support measures and resources that the Government has put in place.

These events bring together a dozen Agencies and their parent Departments – the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport - under one roof to inform and advise both citizens and businesses about Brexit preparedness and the range of support measures and resources the Government has put in place.

Two Getting Ireland Brexit Ready workshop events have so far taken place in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork on 5 October and in NUI Galway on 12 October. Having participated in both, I am pleased to confirm that the Cork event attracted a strong attendance of over 400 people. The number of attendees in Galway were somewhat affected by the threat of adverse weather conditions on the day but were still close to 200. Both events also attracted significant domestic and international (in particular UK) media coverage which afforded an opportunity to highlight Ireland’s overall approach and specific concerns in relation to Brexit.

Costs that have arisen directly so far in connection with the Cork and Galway workshop events and for which invoices/confirmed costings have been received are as follows:

Item

Totals

Venue Hire & Related

€5,069.94

Event Staging / Audio-Visual Equipment (OPW)

€35,420.93

Event Materials / Signage

€4047.99

Badging / Registration

€702.33

Catering

€1,387.50

Photography

€522.75

Totals

€47,151.44

Two further Getting Ireland Brexit Ready workshop events will take place in Monaghan and Dublin on 19 and 25 October respectively. I am confident that these will likewise be in high demand and, as occurred in Cork and Galway, that attendees will gain many useful insights and practical advice on steps which they and their businesses can take to help prepare for the impact of Brexit. Other Brexit preparedness-related public information activities and events continue to be organised by State Agencies and Departments across Ireland and relevant details on these can be found at the new dedicated Brexit events page on the dfa.ie/brexit website.

Irish Aid

Questions (75)

Niall Collins

Question:

75. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason, in the context of an organisation (details supplied) acting under contract as an agent of Irish Aid, missionary organisations have not yet received their approved grants for 2018 to support their development and humanitarian projects in Africa, South America and Asia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42738/18]

View answer

Written answers

I refer the Deputy to my replies to Question 122 of Tuesday 18 September 2018 and Question 113 of Wednesday 26 September 2018 in connection with the distribution of approved grants for NGO’s.

Irish Aid currently has a three-year Strategic Partnership agreement with the organisation in question, covering the period 2017-2019. The organisation in question receives one of the highest Irish Aid grants to a civil society organisation.

In 2018, a total grant of €15.5 million was approved for the organisation in question, with the first tranche of €10 million disbursed on 19 September following submission of results information which was contractually required. This is in line with the relevant circular of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on grant management. The second tranche, comprising the balance of €5.5 million for 2018, will be transferred in the coming weeks.

Grant assistance and disbursement by the organisation referred to other bodies is solely a matter for that organisation itself to manage and oversee, against the criteria set in the three-year Strategic Partnership agreement. This should include having due regard to applicants corporate governance, performance criteria and results reporting.

Departmental Funding

Questions (76)

John Brady

Question:

76. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of State funding that is provided to religious organisations or persons here by his Department; the amount of funding provided for each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43155/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department, through the Reconciliation Fund established in 1982, supports a broad range of non-governmental, voluntary, community and other organisations in creating better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. The many partner organisations supported by the Reconciliation Fund include religious organisations and organisations with a strong religious or faith ethos, association or inspiration.

So far this year, for example, the Reconciliation Fund allocated funds to reconciliation projects undertaken by groups such as the Carryduff Elim Pentecostal Church, the Churches Trust, Corrymeela Community, Dialogue for Diversity, Epworth Methodist Church Bonfire Group, Holycross Retreat Ardoyne, Kilkeel Parish Bridge Association, Newry District Interchurch Forum, The Saint Patrick Centre and St Columb’s Cathedral. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade publishes details of grants on our website at www.dfa.ie.

The Government’s programme for overseas development, Irish Aid, provides funding to Misean Cara, a missionary movement which implements projects in more than 50 countries. Since it was established in 2004, Misean Cara’s funding from Irish Aid increased steadily from €12m in 2005 to €20m in 2008.

Misean Cara received €16m annually from Irish Aid from 2009 until 2015.

The annual allocation for 2016 and 2017 was €15.5m. The 2018 allocation is also €15.5m. €10m of this was disbursed in September with the remaining €5.5m to be disbursed later this year. Irish Aid also provides funding to numerous other NGOs, many of which are faith-based, including Trócaire, Christian Aid Ireland, World Vision Ireland and Tearfund Ireland.

In addition, the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. Two such organisations, Crosscare and the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO), both with headquarters in Ireland and under the auspices of religious organisations, receive grants from my Department.

Crosscare is the Social Support Agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin and provides a range of social care, community and youth work services across the Dublin Archdiocese. The Crosscare Migrant Project, supported through the Department’s Emigrant Support Programme, provides information, advisory and advocacy services for Irish emigrants and returning emigrants and offers comprehensive pre-departure services to Irish citizens considering emigration.

The ICPO provides support to Irish prisoners and their families in Africa, Asia, South and Central America, North America, Europe and Australia. The ICPO operates under the auspices of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants - a Council of the Irish Bishops' Conference.

The table outlines the funding to Crosscare, ICPO and Misean Cara between 2010 and 2018.

My Department also supports projects and proposals which further Ireland’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) priorities. This includes maximising the EU’s voice on human rights issues, preserving international peace and security and supporting the UN and other multilateral organisations. Some of these organisations may be religious in nature, or could have a religious ethos, but none are based in Ireland.

Table of Funding to Crosscare, ICPO & Misean Cara 2010 -2018

Organisation

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Crosscare

€161,140

€172,000

€172,000

€150,000

€220,500

ICPO

€95,302

€96,448

€95,779

€128,176

€102,591

Misean Cara

€16,000,000

€16,000,000

€16,000,000

€16,000,000

€16,000,000

Organisation

2015

2016

2017

2018

Crosscare

€175,168

€219,000

€229,322

€250,683 1

ICPO

€126,730

€98,265

€117,855

€141,081

Misean Cara

€16,000,000

€15,500,000

€15,500,000

€15,500,000 2

1 Approved, not yet disbursed

2 €5,500,000 remaining to be disbursed in 2018

Mortgage Lending

Questions (77)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

77. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Finance if a proposal (details supplied) will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42614/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Central Bank of Ireland has overall responsibility for the protection of financial stability in Ireland and in that context it introduced, in 2015, certain restrictions on residential mortgage lending by regulated financial institutions.

The Central Bank has advised that these mortgage measures are now in place as a permanent feature of the market and are operating in line with their stated objectives of enhancing the resilience of banks and borrowers to future shocks and reducing the risk of credit - house price spirals from developing.

In line with its procedures, the Central Bank reviews the calibration of the mortgage measures on an annual basis given prevailing market conditions and with respect to the objectives of the measures. The Central Bank has indicated that the reviews which have taken place since their introduction have confirmed that the measures are effective, and are contributing to financial and economic stability by reducing the risk of unsustainable lending and borrowing. In particular, when the supply of housing remains below what would be considered optimal given demand factors such as demographic trends and income growth, the absence of such mortgage measures would likely have resulted in more aggressive increases in house prices.

The measures limit the amount of high loan-to-income (LTI) and loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages which can be provided. For principal dwelling mortgages the LTI limit is 3.5. For first-time buyers (FTBs) the LTV limit is 90 per cent, while for second and subsequent buyers (SSBs) the limit is 80 per cent. The limits are proportional, and across the various categories lenders are permitted to issue a certain level of loans above these limits in a prudent manner. Also borrowers who are currently in negative equity and want to move home by purchasing another property are exempt from the LTV limits.

Tax Code

Questions (78)

John Brady

Question:

78. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance if he will defer tax paid on the purchasing of defibrillators for first responder groups here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42627/18]

View answer

Written answers

Defibrillators, other than implantable defibrillators, are liable to VAT at the standard rate, which in Ireland is 23%. Parts or accessories are also liable to VAT at the standard rate. There is no provision under existing VAT law that would make it possible to apply a reduced rate or zero rate to the supply of such products. Under the EU VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rate on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. As such a zero rate cannot be applied to defibrillators. Any changes to VAT rates outside of what is currently permitted by the EU VAT Directive must be negotiated at EU technical working groups and ultimately agreed by the EU Council of Finance Ministers.

As part of the Action Plan on the future of VAT on 7 April 2016 which sets out the Commission’s pathway for modernising the VAT system, the EU Commission published a proposal on the reform of VAT rates in January 2018. Prior to publication, preliminary details of the proposed changes were discussed as part of the EU Commission’s Group on the Future of VAT - a forum for consulting VAT experts from Member States on pre-legislative initiatives. Officials from the Department of Finance contributed to these discussions. With regard to what activity should be subject to a reduced rate of VAT going forward, Ireland specifically recommended to the Commission to include defibrillators and other emergency-medical and rescue equipment.

In the course of technical and political discussions on the proposal, Ireland will take the opportunity to continue to recommend that Member States should be able to apply specialised VAT rating to defibrillators and other emergency-medical and rescue equipment.

Customs and Excise Staff

Questions (79)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

79. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Finance the status of the recruitment of customs officials to prepare for Brexit on an east-west basis; the number of persons expected to be hired; the number recruited to date; when the recruitment process will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42598/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by Revenue that it will require an additional 600 staff as a result of Brexit, based on a scenario of a transition period to the end of 2020 and a future trade agreement. These posts will be filled by internal, interdepartmental and open recruitment and a recruitment campaign has started with a view to having 200 officers trained and in place before 29 March 2019.

As part of this campaign the Public Appointments Service advertised for Clerical Officers in Customs Trade Facilitation on 30 August 2018 and the closing date for applications was 11 September 2018.

Over 3,000 applications were received and the Public Appointments Service are processing these applications and it is expected that interviews will be held before the end of October. At this juncture I am advised by Revenue that it is envisaged that the balance of 400 staff will be recruited during the transition period from April 2019 to the end of 2020.

Fuel Prices

Questions (80)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

80. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to instances in which diesel fuel prices were increased on fuel forecourts in advance of an anticipated budget 2019 announcement concerning the introduction of a carbon tax and that those price increases have remained; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42628/18]

View answer

Written answers

Garages are not committing an offence simply by charging a higher price than competitors. However, all garages must operate within the bounds of consumer protection and competition law in relation to their pricing policies and practices. I have no function in this area.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory independent body responsible for the promotion of consumer rights and the enforcement of consumer law. The CCPC provides information on consumer rights and enforces consumer protection laws, including rules on pricing and deceptive trading practices.

If an individual believes that a breach of their consumer rights has occurred, they may make a complaint directly to the business concerned. The CPCC provides advice and guidelines on the process of making a complaint. Full information is available at: www.ccpc.ie

Tracker Mortgage Examination

Questions (81)

Mary Butler

Question:

81. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Finance when the Central Bank review of tracker mortgages will be completed in full; the specific outcome expected in respect of mortgage account holders of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42644/18]

View answer

Written answers

As referenced at the Central Bank’s recent attendance at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, it is the Central Bank's goal to produce a report on the Tracker Mortgage Examination by the end of the year. The Central Bank advises that work is ongoing to progress the Examination to its conclusion, and a date for publication of the report has yet to be determined.

Haven Mortgages Limited is part of the AIB Group and it is, therefore, within scope for the Tracker Mortgage Examination. However, the Central Bank has advised that it is not in a position to comment on its supervisory engagement with an individual firm.

Overseas Development Aid

Questions (82)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

82. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the date on which overseas development aid funds approved in October 2017 were transferred to Irish Aid for onward distribution to civil society and other approved organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42659/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy is presumably referring to Budget 2018 (as published in October 2017), within which, money was approved by the Oireachtas and drawn down as appropriate during the following year by the relevant Vote. For Budget 2018, the Government announced a total allocation of €707 million to Official Development Assistance (ODA). Just over €500 million is being managed by The Department of Foreign Affairs through Vote 27 International Cooperation, publically known as Irish Aid. This represented an increase of over €13 million on the 2017 Vote allocation.

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our priorities are clearly laid out in the Government’s development policy, ‘One World One Future’. In line with our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, our aid programme is sharply focused on delivering our goals of reducing poverty and hunger, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and building more equitable and better systems of governance.

Departmental Funding

Questions (83)

John Brady

Question:

83. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the detail of State funding that is provided to religious organisations or persons here by his Department; the amount of funding provided for each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43154/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department funds the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, an independent body set up to review decisions where an individuals application for the Primary Medical Certificate is unsuccessful at local HSE level. Payments to fund this Board are made to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, a Catholic voluntary publicly funded hospital under the care of the Sisters of Mercy and jointly held in trust with the Minister for Health. Details of the amounts paid for the period in question are in the following table.

Year

2010

€311,548.00

2011

€325,543.10

2012

€331,582.10

2013

€324,562.20

2014

€289,235.22

2015

€327,459.90

2016

€319,539.20

2017

€276,529.20

2018

€118,733.58

In 2010, my Department administered the Charitable Lotteries Scheme. Under this Scheme, funding was made available to supplement the income of certain private charitable lotteries whose products were competing directly with National Lottery products. In 2010, a total of €8,618,000 was awarded to 19 different charitable organisations. While some of the recipients may be classed as religious organisations, our records do not differentiate between these and other charitable organisations. From 2011 until it was disbanded, this Scheme was administered by the Department of Justice and Equality.

Since 2015, my Department has administered the Fuel Grant Scheme for Disabled Drivers, which was introduced to replace the excise relief element of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. Organisations who are limited companies and registered as a charity, and who are involved in the transport and care of primary medical cert holders are eligible for this grant. Again, our records do not differentiate between religious organisations and other charitable organisations in receipt of these grants.

A nominal figure (between €20-€50 approximately) has been spent annually on Mass Cards, as part of my Department’s Bereavement Policy, in which sympathy cards are sent by HR to bereaved staff members or their families.

Departmental Funding

Questions (84)

John Brady

Question:

84. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the detail of State funding that is provided to religious organisations or persons here by his Department; the amount of funding provided for each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42626/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has not provided any funding to such organisations or persons since it was established in 2011.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (85)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

85. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if water levels in Lough Allen are to be reduced again due to flooding concerns; if an environmental impact study has been undertaken for this plan for Lough Allen basin; if not, when it is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42661/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to enhance ongoing co-operation of all State agencies involved with the River Shannon and to add value to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.

The Group took a decision in October 2016 to trial the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen, within the existing statutory framework, during the Winter 2016/2017 to help mitigate potential flood risk. A protocol was finalised between ESB, Waterways Ireland and the OPW to lower the late Autumn and Winter minimum lake levels in Lough Allen by approximately 0.7 metres with the first reduction implemented in October 2016. This protocol was operated for a second time during the Winter of 2017/18. At its meeting in May 2018, the Group agreed to continue for a third year of the trial. The ESB has commenced a process of full environmental screening to help inform any decision to extend the pilot beyond a three year term. It has also commissioned a review of the past 20 or so years to inform the management of levels in Lough Allen.

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (86)

Clare Daly

Question:

86. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the fact that works being carried out under the measured term maintenance contract for Dublin city and county, operated by the Office of Public Works, is breaching the contract on a continued and repeated basis, particularly by undertaking works outside the Dublin and city area and by engaging in projects beyond the limit of €500,000. [42704/18]

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Written answers

The Office of Public Works does not use the Measured Term Maintenance Contract for undertaking works outside the Dublin and city area and engaging in projects beyond the limit of €500,000 on a continued and repeated basis. However, the Measured Term Maintenance Contract has been used outside of the OPW Dublin Regional Maintenance Area on one occasion. In a relatively small number of projects the €500,000 limit has been exceeded, these being on an exceptional basis to address emergency situations and extraordinary circumstances.

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (87)

Clare Daly

Question:

87. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the measured term maintenance contract operated by the Office of Public Works for Dublin city and county costing €1 million to refurbish the gates in the Phoenix Park has been permitted in view of the contract limit. [42705/18]

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Written answers

A number of entrances and gates to the Phoenix Park were removed using the Measured Term Maintenance Contract. The removal was considered necessary in the interest of public health and safety considerations due to the Papal visit to the Phoenix Park. The circumstances of this work were exceptional and urgent. The Measured Term Maintenance Contract provided the most appropriate solution in the carrying out of the works. The amount of certified works to date carried out to the Phoenix Park Gates has been €215,000 plus VAT. This expenditure did not breach the limit set for a single order under the Measured Term Maintenance Contract. The entrances and gates will need to be refurbished and restored and the works will be tendered as a separate contract.

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (88)

Clare Daly

Question:

88. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he has permitted the measured term maintenance contract for Dublin city and county operated by the Office of Public Works in the context of its apparent breach of procurement legislation in view of the fact that the projects undertaken are not in line with the contract, which is primarily supposed to be a maintenance contract. [42706/18]

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Written answers

The Measured Term Maintenance Contract was awarded following a competitive tendering process in line with procurement legislation. The contract provides for the delivery of building fabric maintenance and minor works. The pricing document includes rates for a wide variety of works.

National Training Fund

Questions (89)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

89. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the human capital fund announced in budget 2019; the way in which this scheme will operate; when it will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42596/18]

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Written answers

A new Human Capital Initiative has been announced by my Department as part of budget 2019. This initiative will involve substantial investment of €300m over the 5 year period 2020-2024, with €60m being made available in each of those years. This investment will be funded through the National Training Fund (NTF) surplus.

The aim of this initiative is to provide targeted funding to meet the skills and enterprise needs of the economy and respond to Brexit and other challenges facing our economy. These needs are being identified through the operation of the detailed framework now in place under the National Skills Council. It will also reinforce the achievement of key regional development objectives set out in the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.

My Department officials and I, will work closely with the proposed new oversight arrangement with a view to launching a competitive call for new courses in Q.2 2019 that are aligned with the key objectives of the new fund.

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