Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has had discussions with the Minister for Health with regard to the possible upcoming industrial dispute involving nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49105/18]
View answerThe Public Service Pay Agreement 2018 -2020 provides the appropriate industrial relations mechanisms for the processing of disputes that may arise between the parties to this Agreement. The threatened industrial dispute in question is being addressed on this basis in consultation between officials from my Department and those of my colleague the Minister for Health.
82. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the annual unitary payments for each of the past and current public-private partnerships will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48993/18]
View answerThe Deputy might be interested to know that I already publish two sets of financial data on PPPs. The data can be accessed on the PPP website at www.ppp.gov.ie. The first set of data provides an update on the existing Financial Commitments table. This table contains detailed information in relation to all PPP projects for which contracts have been signed and which are either operational or in construction. Information is broken out by individual project on the type of PPP model being used, the operational date of the project, the capital contractual value of the project, the total unitary payments made to the end of 2017, the projected total future unitary payments for each project, other PPP related costs, the total cost of each project, the year of final payment and the name of the PPP company delivering the project.
In addition to this considerable amount of information contained in the Financial Commitment table, I have also published the projected annualised breakdown of the expected future unitary payments for each year, by project, extending out to when each project will be handed back by the PPP Company to the Sponsoring Authority.
The published data is intended to provide indicative information in relation to PPP projects, based on information provided to my Department by the relevant responsible Departments or Agencies. The Central PPP Policy Unit in my Department endeavours to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible but any queries in relation to the details of specific projects should be confirmed directly with the State authorities responsible for those projects.
I should inform the Deputy, however, that with reference to PPP projects in the water sector, since 1st January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, and this includes taking on responsibility for the water related ‘PPPs’ from the local authorities.
As water projects have been fully funded by the Exchequer they are already classified as on-balance sheet in General Government terms. Such projects are not generally regarded as ‘classic’ PPPs as they do not involve private finance and there are no contingent liabilities associated with them since there is no risk of a potential future GGB or GGD impact associated with such projects given that they are already on-balance sheet - unlike ‘classic’ PPPs. On this basis, we do not record these projects on the PPP.gov.ie website, nor do I propose to change that approach.
Details of the PPP projects in the water area would, however, be available from Irish Water.
83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the policy in relation to the delivery of public infrastructure to examine the long-term costs and benefits of the present reliance on private sector providers will be reviewed in view of recent issues with competitive tendering and public procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49215/18]
View answerThe Public Spending Code, published by my department, summarises the high level principles to be applied when scrutinising expenditure proposals as well as the roles and responsibilities of those involved.
It also encompasses guidance on a variety of issues related to the management of expenditure at each stage of the expenditure lifecycle. This includes central guidance on the application of appraisal and evaluation methodologies including cost benefit analysis. This methodological guidance aims to enhance consistency across sectors through common approaches and the use of key technical parameter values needed for quantifying costs and conducting economic appraisals.
Where construction projects are concerned, the optimum means of delivery and the long-term costs of the project are specifically addressed as part of the evaluation.
In reality the majority of construction projects are undertaken by private sector contractors engaged following a procurement process since it is neither practical nor cost effective for the State to employ a skilled workforce of the size necessary to directly deliver large sections of the NDP. Indeed, even in that scenario, procurement of specialist expertise would still be necessary in certain circumstances.
Where there is a requirement to procure contractors, all public works projects delivered under the exchequer-funded element of the NDP must be procured in accordance with the provisions laid down in the Capital Works Management Framework which was developed to assist contracting authorities to meet their ongoing procurement requirements. It provides an integrated set of contractual provisions, guidance material, technical templates and procedures which cover all aspects of the delivery process of a public works project from inception to final project delivery and review.
The performance of the public works contracts was reviewed in 2014 and set out a number of recommendations including a range of interim amendments and the development of a medium term strategy for the procurement of public works projects. The interim amendments have been adopted and engagement on the medium term strategy has commenced. This will see a comprehensive review of the manner in which public works projects are procured and will focus on better delivery through public procurement. It will not determine whether procurement is the optimum means of delivery for a contract as this responsibility remains with the contracting authority as part of the initial evaluation process.
84. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action his Department is taking to tackle coastal erosion in Portrane, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49118/18]
View answerI am very familiar with the situation at Portrane and I have visited the area. Fingal County Council is leading on this issue, as it is a matter for local authorities in the first instance to assess and address problems of coastal erosion in their areas. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the OPW, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
In response to serious coastal erosion problems at The Burrow, Portrane, I am advised that Fingal County Council have completed implementing the interim emergency measures to protect properties at risk. Funding of €456,464 has been approved under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for these works.
Fingal County Council are also progressing the preparation of the consultants brief for the long term solution which will be commissioned in the near future.
85. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details on the management of the River Shannon as part of the report managing flood risk in Ireland; the timelines of the projects announced in the report; the annual money allocation until 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49188/18]
View answerOn 3rd May, 2018, I was delighted to launch 29 Flood Risk Management Plans and investment of €1bn in flood risk management as part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040.
These Plans are the output from the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State.
The Plans set out the measures proposed to address the flood risk nationally, and include 19 new flood relief schemes to protect towns in the River Shannon River catchment, in addition to the scheme already underway in Athlone.
Twelve of these have now been prioritised, as part of this ten year programme. The OPW and the Local Authorities have been engaging pro-actively since the launch of the Plans to advance the implementation of these schemes. Engagement with the Local Authorities is on-going in relation to Springfield, Ballinasloe, Nenagh, Longford, Rahan, Castleconnell, Mohill, Leitrim, Clonaslee and Killaloe and for Limerick City, King's Island and environs. Further to recent engagement with Leitrim County Council, the OPW and the County Council have also agreed to advance the implementation of the scheme for Carrick-on-Shannon.
Capital Funding for the delivery of the existing schemes and the additional schemes identified in the Flood Risk Management has been provided by the Government and expenditure in this area will increase to €100m annually by 2021.
In January 2016, the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by Government to support the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme and further enhance the on-going co-operation across all of the State agencies involved with the River Shannon, including ESB, Waterways Ireland, Bord na Móna, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, OPW and the relevant local authorities.
The Shannon Group has taken a number of significant decisions since its establishment, including targeted maintenance at a number of locations, trialling the lowering of the levels on Lough Allen, studies to explore managing flood risk at the Callows and lower Shannon below parteen.
86. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the 40-plus agencies that are either fully or partially exempt from freedom of information requests; his further views on whether these exemptions are in the public interest with regard to accountability and transparency; if he will consider conducting a review of the agencies that benefit from such exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49198/18]
View answerWhile obviously it would not be possible in this context for me to address each example individually, I am satisfied that there are compelling grounds to justify each of the various exclusions and part exclusions set out in schedule one of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
Taking the example of commercial state bodies, government policy remains that these should not be subject to FOI because of the competitive market in which they operate. The public interest would be badly served if entities of this nature were put at a disadvantage in their respective markets through being obliged to release classes of information that their privately owned competitors are not.
However, as the Deputy will be aware, the 2014 Act made companies such as Irish Rail, ESB Networks, Gas Networks Ireland, and Eirgrid which operate in a monopoly market or perform network functions subject to FOI in relation to their relevant activities.
These examples illustrate the approach taken in the 2014 Act, whereby even where unassailable policy or legal arguments for the exclusions of certain elements or activities of particular entities, every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that these entities are subject to FOI to the greatest extent possible. The exclusions were carefully crafted so as to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the public interest by providing for exclusions where neccessary, but furthering openness, transparency and accountability wherever possible.
Given the relatively short period of time that has elapsed since the introduction of the 2014 Act, I do not believe that the background facts underpinning the rationales behind the relevant exclusions has changed to any significant extent, and I therefore do not believe that there is any necessity to review these provisions at this time.
87. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he plans to use FEMPI legislation to deal with unions and workers that do not sign up to proposed pay deals; if he has received legal advice on targeting workers of a particular union in the same workplace as other workers who have agreed to such a deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49213/18]
View answerThe Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides for a range of benefits for those public servants who have accepted and comply with the terms of the Public Service Pay and Stability Agreement 2018 - 2020.
In exchange for work practice reforms, greater productivity, improvements in how services are delivered to the public, industrial peace and restraint from cost-increasing claims, public servants benefit from an accelerated and more advantageous phased series of pay increases up to October 2020 as part of the unwinding of FEMPI legislation.
Separately, the Agreement also provides processes through the Public Service Pay Commission to address particular recruitment and retention issues in the public service and makes provision to address salary scale issues for "New Entrants" to the public service.
Legislation passed by the Oireachtas, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides for accelerated payments only in respect of those public servants who have engaged with and are complying with the Public Service Pay Agreement 2018-2020. Such public servants are described as ‘covered public servants’ in the legislation.
Public servants who choose not to sign up to the Public Service Pay Agreement or having signed up, choose to breach the terms of the agreement in relation to industrial peace will not benefit from either the accelerated timetable (they will suffer a delay of nine months) set out in the agreement for pay increases or from the implementation of the recommendations of the Public Service Pay Commission or the New Entrant process. In addition, they will experience an increment freeze and will not benefit from advantageous changes to the payment of additional superannuation contributions. The legislation describes such public servants as ‘non-covered public servants’.
My Department is in receipt of regular legal advice including on the operation of the provisions of this legislation as required.
88. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that have been taken by the OPW in the securing of a site for the development of a new Garda divisional headquarters in County Meath as requested by the chief superintendent in the division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49196/18]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has advanced a comprehensive Garda Building Programme in recent years that has provided Garda accommodation such as, new builds, major extensions and refurbishments to existing Garda Stations. The design and construction of these new works has provided An Garda Síochána with appropriate, fit for purpose working conditions and facilities on a prioritised basis.
The Office of Public Works advances the provision of facilities for An Garda Síochána in line with the requirements identified by An Garda Síochána and included in its list of Capital Programme Priorities. The Garda Commissioner determines the priority of capital projects to be undertaken and this informs the schedule of capital works that is planned and undertaken by the OPW.
A new Garda Divisional Headquarters at Navan, Co. Meath has not been identified as a priority in the current programme. However, the existing Garda station at Navan has been identified by An Garda Síochána as a priority for the cell upgrade programme.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government also launched a Capital Investment Plan for An Garda Síochána for 2016-2021. This includes plans for the major refurbishment of Garda Stations and facilities for meeting victims of crime, essential remedial works to certain Garda properties, upgrading and modernising prisoner detention areas, developing Property and Evidence Material Stores (PEMS) in a range of locations. OPW has also recently completed the construction of three new major Garda Regional and Divisional Headquarters. A Regional Headquarters in Galway was completed in July 2018, one at Kevin Street, Dublin also this year and one in Wexford was completed in September 2017.
89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the supplementary expenditure Estimates he plans to introduce in Dáil Éireann; and the timeframe for same. [49207/18]
View answerDue to the scale of Government expenditure and the cash basis of Government accounting, the need for Supplementary Estimates can arise for a number of reasons, including policy decisions, timing issues and overspends. The position in relation to Supplementary Estimates takes into account the most up to date trends in Departmental expenditure and receipts. Last week, Supplementary Estimates were presented to Dáil Éireann and referred to Committee in respect of Votes in the following Ministerial Vote groups:
- Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Technical);
- Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Technical);
- Children and Youth Affairs (Substantive);
- Defence (Substantive);
- Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Substantive);
- Foreign Affairs and Trade (Substantive);
- Public Expenditure and Reform – Office of Public Works (Substantive) and Superannuation (Technical); and
- Transport, Tourism and Sport (Substantive).
Expenditure Report 2019 outlined that Supplementary Estimates would also be required for the following Vote Groups:
- Education and Skills (Substantive);
- Justice and Equality (Substantive);
- Health (Substantive); and
- Housing, Planning and Local Government (Substantive).
Arrangements are being made to present Supplementary Estimates for the relevant Votes in these Ministerial Vote Groups to Dáil Éireann in the coming days.
90. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Brexit funding available to Departments; if requests for additional expenditure have been received; if so, the Departments and the amount, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48840/18]
View answerBudget 2019 contains specific measures to ensure that Ireland is in the best possible position to respond to the challenges - and indeed the opportunities - that Brexit will bring.
Increased resources of €25 million has been provided across a range of Departments and Offices based on a Brexit central case scenario, where there will be a transition period until 31 December 2020. This will enable the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the Department of Health and the HSE implement necessary measures including in the areas of customs, SPS and food safety controls.
The €300 million Future Growth Loan Scheme, jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, provides a longer-term facility to support strategic capital investment by business at competitive rates in a post-Brexit environment.
A €71 million package has been provided for the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and its agencies, Teagasc and Bord Bia, to further strengthen the agriculture sector’s ability to become more resilient in addressing the challenges of Brexit.
An increase of €14 million in the allocation for the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation will enable it to continue to plan for the impact of Brexit on the business sector, including the expansion of Departmental and regulatory agency capacity, the expansion of its agencies' global footprint and additional Brexit information campaigns and supports.
€5 million has been allocated to the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade to enable it to continue to address the challenges posed by Brexit across a range of headings, including building capacity across strategic European locations and developing outreach responsibilities through public and stakeholder engagement and EU alliance enhancement. In addition, additional funding of €13 million will support the opening of new markets for our businesses and a higher international profile though our Global Ireland 2025 strategy, which aims to strengthen Ireland’s global footprint.
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his preferred options to meet the ongoing social and economic requirements of the country in the context of current and capital expenditure in line with prudent management but placing sufficient emphasis on the important structures such as social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49180/18]
View answerEnsuring our social and economic priorities are met depends on sound public finances and sustainable economic growth. To this end, the expenditure strategy for Budget 2019 is based on providing steady increases in public expenditure, which are underpinned by stable and predictable tax measures. This requires a focus on affordable and sustainable improvements in services as well as effective prioritisation in the allocation of resources to deliver on key policy objectives.
Since 2015, Government has been in a position to provide for increases in expenditure each year. While these increases have impacted broadly across all sectors, a particular emphasis has been placed on key sectoral areas of Health, Housing, Education and Social Protection which support our social goal of moving towards a fairer and more inclusive society.
Of course, as we increase expenditure we must also strengthen our focus on managing resources in a prudent and efficient manner. This is a key responsibility of each Government Minister and Department. Officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are in regular contact with all Government Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters and there is reporting to Government each month on expenditure levels. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against published expenditure profiles and this information is published each month with the Exchequer Statement.
Responsible spending means we must also prioritise spending that mitigates risk, enhances the resilience of the economy and raises our growth capacity. In this context, the Government has set out its vision for Ireland over the medium term through the publication of Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan. This plan sets out a roadmap for increasing investment levels in Ireland in a sustainable manner and delivering modern public infrastructure over the coming years. This will further our social and economic goals by improving the lives of people throughout Ireland and allowing our companies and economy to continue to compete in a globalised world.
Furthermore, it is also important that we continue to reform and enhance the way public services are delivered. This can be achieved by applying management accountability, raising efficiency, technological progress and other means. By better aligning inputs with outputs, we can ensure better value for taxpayers’ money and improve the efficiency with which these monies are allocated. A number of initiatives are in place in my Department and across the system that aim to do this, such as Performance Budgeting, Equality Budgeting, the Spending Review process and Social Impact Assessments.
92. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protocols in place regarding disclosure of complaints or disciplinary processes in relation to persons going for promotion in the public service. [49210/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in general, selection competitions within the Civil Service take place by way of;
- competitions confined to particular Offices/Departments (Internal promotion) or
- from competitions open to candidates from all Offices/Departments (Interdepartmental promotion) or
- from open competitions to all eligible candidates including members of the public
The Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) is an independent statutory body which has responsibity for overseeing appointments to a wide range of positions in the Civil and Public Service.
I understand from the CPSA that all appointment processes to all positions within the remit of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 are subject to Codes of Practice published by the Commission.
All appointments made by way of open recruitment must be carried out under licence. The CPSA has responsibility for issuing, where appropriate, recruitment licences to Offices/Departments, on request. Open and Interdepartmental competitions are generally organised on behalf of the Civil Service by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), which is an independent statutory body, under its recruitment licence. However, on occasion an Office/Department will carry out its own recruitment, under its own licence.
The Codes set out the regulatory framework for such appointment processes and centre on five recruitment principles. Through its audit function, the Commission safeguards the standards established in the Codes of Practice and ensures compliance by the Office Holder with these standards for the recruitment of staff to positions within the organisation. Open and Interdepartmental competitions are organised on behalf of the Civil Service by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), which is an independent statutory body.
In carrying out its oversight role, it audits recruitment processes and examines complaints from individuals disatisfied with the conduct of an appointment process. The CPSA may make recommendations, offer advice or give instructions to recruiting bodies within its remit however it does not have the statutory authority to reverse a recruitment decision taken by one of those recruiting bodies.
Review/Appeal Procedures
There are two distinct review procedures provided for under Section 7 and Section 8 of the CPSA Codes of Practice.
A review under Section 7 applies in cases where a candidate is unhappy with a decision in relation to his or her candidature (but does not believe that there was a breach of the Codes) and wishes to have that decision reviewed. The review of a recruitment decision is conducted solely by the Licence Holder. The Commission cannot overturn the decision of the Licence Holder and, aside from setting out how the review should be conducted, has no role in this process.
A review under Section 8 applies in cases where a person believes that an appointment process has breached the Codes and wishes to have it investigated. The complainant must make the complaint to the Licence Holder in the first instance. If the complainant remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the Licence Holder’s review, he or she may request the Commission to investigate the alleged breach.
93. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there will be a review of the terms of reference of the Public Service Pay Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48992/18]
View answer“The Terms of Reference for the work of the Public Service Pay Commission are published at https://paycommission.gov.ie/ and I have no plans to review those Terms of Reference. “
94. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the functioning of the freedom of information system in place under the Freedom of Information Act 2014; if he will consider amending section 44 of the Act to give himself the power to instruct the Information Commissioner to carry out a review of the operations of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49197/18]
View answerThe 2014 Act was the product of a very extensive process of review, involving FOI users, academics and transparency advocates, as well as representatives of public bodies. These findings informed all aspects of the approach taken in the Act, as well the Code of Practice issued under the legislation, which sought to bring about greater efficiency, consistency and promote best practice in the operation of FOI throughout public bodies.
FOI gives rise to significant challenges. The number, nature and complexity of requests continues to grow. To support the effective implementation of FOI, the FOI Central Policy Unit at my Department oversees a training framework to ensure consistency in standards and approach through which over 9,000 participants have receiving training. The Central Policy Unit also provides ongoing support and advice to citizens and to FOI bodies through its website, www.foi.gov.ie and helpdesk and has presented at a number of conferences and training events. Networks for FOI Bodies have been established which provide an excellent means of sharing learning and expertise, assisting in the development of common approaches and facilitating the transfer of learning between FOI bodies.
Some 33,979 requests were received across the system in 2017, a record number, representing an increase of 11% on 2016. The total annual usage figure has risen by 67% since the 2014 Act came in to force. 74% of those requests were granted either in full or in part. It is also worth noting that in only 3% of cases did requesters avail of the review mechanism available to them, with only 1.5% of seeking an independent review by the Information Commissioner. The steps taken by my Department and the low level of appeals gives some indication of the progress being made in the implementation of the 2014 Act and the general satisfaction of requesters.
As the Deputy will be aware, under section 44 of the 2014 Act the Commissioner, supported by his staff, has extensive powers to keep the operation of the 2014 Act under review on an ongoing basis, as well as to carry out investigations at his own initiative if he believes it is warranted. By law, the Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions, which is of tremendous importance in ensuring that his Office is seen to be impartial in carrying out is functions. I do not see that there is any compelling reason to compromise that independence by empowering the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to direct him in the performance of his role.
95. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the number of jobless households in each county in tabular form. [49129/18]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
Estimates for the jobless household indicator are produced by NUTS 3 Regions and are not available on a county basis.
The CSO Labour Force Survey (LFS), which replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017, is the official source of data for the jobless household indicator in the State.
The most recent LFS figures available are for Q3 2018.
The jobless households indicator can be calculated using different age categories. In general, the age categories used (by Eurostat for example) are for persons aged 0-17 years (children) and persons aged 18-59 years (adults). Therefore, the indicator "People aged 18 - 59 years living in jobless households" is calculated as the share of persons aged 18 - 59 who are living in households where no one is in employment. The indicator "People aged 0 - 17 years living in jobless households" is calculated as the share of persons aged 0 - 17 who are living in households where no one is in employment.
The table below shows the proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households classified by sex, age group and NUTS3 region in Q3 2018 while the table also includes the different age categories as defined above. Persons aged 18-59 years are also categorised by sex.
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households classified by sex, age group and NUTS3 region, Q3 2018
|
NUTS3 regions |
Q3 2018 |
|
Border |
% |
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
8.3 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
9.9 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
9.3 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
9.6 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
9.2 |
|
West |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
14.4 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
10.4 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
12.1 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
11.2 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
12.2 |
|
Mid-West |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
11.4 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
9.5 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
12.7 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
11.1 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
11.2 |
|
South-East |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
14.7 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
10.2 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
15.0 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
12.7 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
13.3 |
|
South-West |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
11.1 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
6.4 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
8.2 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
7.3 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
8.5 |
|
Dublin |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
11.6 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
6.0 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
7.4 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
6.7 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
8.1 |
|
Mid-East |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
8.8 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
7.4 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
8.3 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
7.9 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
8.2 |
|
Midland |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
13.5 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
10.4 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
15.1 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
12.7 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
13.0 |
|
State |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
11.4 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
7.9 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
9.9 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
8.9 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
9.7 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q3=July-September.
Note: Households consisting entirely of persons aged 18-24, all of whom have indicated that their Principal Economic Status is Student, are excluded from the above calculations.
Note: The composition of the NUTS regions changed in 2016 and took effect in the LFS from Q1 2018. Data from Q1 2012 to Q4 2017 was revised to reflect these changes at that time.
96. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he had bilateral meetings when attending the November EU Council meeting; and the issues that were discussed. [49142/18]
View answerI attended the special meeting of the European Council on Sunday, 25 November in Brussels. I had no formal bilateral meetings at this Summit.
However I had the opportunity to engage informally with my EU counterparts in the margins of the Summit.
The focus of our exchanges was on Brexit, where I took the opportunity to thank them for their solidarity in relation to our concerns and the need to ensure a legally operable backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement.
97. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Taoiseach the fees paid and services rendered to a person (details supplied) in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [49432/18]
View answerMy Department has not paid any fees or rendered any services to the person or company in question for the years 2013 to date.
98. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Government plans to participate in the Joint EU Intelligence School; the funds that will be spent on the project; his views on reports that the project would form part of a European army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49024/18]
View answerUnder PESCO, Member States are coming together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations under the EU Common Security and Defence Policy.
With regard to the Joint EU Intelligence School, this is a PESCO Project which is led by Greece and features in the second round of projects. The second round of projects were agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers in Brussels on the 19th November, 2018.
The project aims to provide education and training in intelligence disciplines and other specific fields to EU member states intelligence personnel. I can confirm that Ireland does not have any plans to participate in this project and as such no costs will arise in this regard.
PESCO is provided for in the Treaty of the European Union (Articles 42.6, 46 and Protocol 10) introduced under the Lisbon Treaty. PESCO has nothing to do with the creation of an EU army. Indeed the Irish Protocols to the Lisbon Treaty specifically state that the Lisbon Treaty does not provide for the creation of an EU Army.
99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the projects announced on 19 November 2018 (details supplied) in the PESCO framework he plans to participate in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49025/18]
View answerOn 2 May 2018, the European Defence Agency, through the PESCO Secretariat, invited participating Member States to submit their project proposals for the second list of PESCO Projects. The proposals once submitted were then evaluated and assessed from both the capability and the operational perspective with the second wave of seventeen (17) PESCO Projects adopted on 19 November 2018 at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The updated projects list referred to also contains the seventeen (17) first round PESCO Projects as adopted on 6 March 2018.
In relation to the second round of PESCO projects agreed this week at the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers, while not committing to participating in any further projects, we confirmed our interest in being an Observer on two projects: the French led “EU Radio Navigation Solutions (EURAS) Project” and the Italian led “Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Project”. Observer Status allows PESCO participating Member States to keep abreast of developments in a particular area.
Ireland is currently participating in two projects from the first round of PESCO projects as adopted in March 2018. One relates to the ongoing development of Defence Forces capabilities for peace support and crisis management operations; The German led "Centre of Excellence for EU Military Training Missions (EUTMCC) Project" and the second project is a Greek led "Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance Systems". We also maintain observer status on eight further projects from the first tranche.
100. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary question No. 30 of 9 October 2018, if the figures provided include persons being double-counted such as in an example (details supplied) or if the figures represent only discrete individual cases. [48957/18]
View answerI refer to the clarification sought by the Deputy in relation to the figures that were provided further to her Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 9 October 2018.
I have requested the information from the Military Authorities and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
|
Malaria chemoprophylaxis prescribed |
Total |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Mefloquine (Lariam) |
110 |
62 |
48 |
|
Malarone |
24 |
3 |
21 |
|
Doxycycline |
31 |
16 |
15 |
