Brendan Smith
Ceist:12 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he will introduce a code of practice for the grocery goods sector, and if it will be statutory or voluntary. [14626/11]
Written Answers.
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, answered orally.
Grocery Sector
The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "enact the Fair Trade Act, which will ban a number of unfair trading practices in the retail sector such as ‘hello money' which suppliers have to pay to secure a place for their goods on supermarket shelves".
I recently received the report of the facilitator appointed to explore the possibility of drawing-up a voluntary code of practice for the grocery goods sector. He concluded that it is very unlikely that a voluntary code of practice will be agreed between the bodies concerned at this time, given the wide disparity of views amongst stakeholders.
It is my intention to give effect to the commitment in the Programme for Government by including a specific enabling provision in the legislation, currently being prepared to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority.
The Government is strongly committed to ensuring that Ireland continues to have vibrant agri-food and retail sectors, particularly given the importance of these sectors to the national economy. The Government considers it important, therefore, that there is balance in the relationship between the various players in the grocery goods sector. The introduction of a Code of Practice is intended to achieve such a balance taking into account the interests of all stakeholders in the grocery goods sector including the interests of the consumer and the need to ensure that there is no impediment to the passing-on of lower prices to consumers.
Question No. 13 answered with Question No. 11.
Jobs Initiative
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:14 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures he will introduce to assist the retail sector. [14636/11]
The jobs initiative announced by the Government on 10 May includes a number of measures which will assist the retail sector. In particular, the commitment to halve employer's PRSI costs for those earning less than €356 per week will be of benefit, particularly given the part-time nature of many jobs in that sector. Also the reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9% which will apply to hairdressing and printed matter is intended to stimulate consumer spending.
With regard to labour costs, the Deputy will be aware that I published the Report of the Independent Review of Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreement Wage Setting Mechanisms on 24 May. The Report's overall finding is that the basic framework of the current JLC/REA regulatory system requires radical overhaul to make it fairer and more responsive to changing economic circumstances and labour market conditions. I have held discussions with various representative bodies on my proposals to overhaul the ERO/REA system, including discussions with employer representative organisations in the retail sector. These discussions afforded me the opportunity to hear at first hand the views of the main representative bodies on how a meaningful and overdue reform might be implemented in these wage-setting mechanisms in order to protect existing jobs and encourage employment growth in key sectors of the economy, including the retail sector. It is my intention to complete discussions with relevant parties by Friday 10 June with a view to submitting a final action plan for consideration by Government before the end of the month.
Along with my colleagues in Government, I will be taking further actions to improve the competitiveness of the retail sector over the coming months. Following the report of the facilitator, John Travers, on a Code of Practice to regulate relationships and practices in the Grocery Goods Sector, I intend to enact legislation that will ban a number of unfair practices in the retail sector. Provision for the Code of Practice will be included in the forthcoming Competition and Consumer Bill. I am also keen to ensure that Local Authority costs which impact on businesses are kept as low as possible. While almost all Local Authorities have again frozen or decreased their Annual Rate of Valuation in 2011, I have had detailed discussions with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on how we can work together to maximise opportunity for local business development and to keep all costs which impact on business as low as possible. This work will continue and will include the exploration of options for further reducing Local Authority charges to business. Rental costs are an important factor for high street retail businesses in particular. Under the Land Conveyancing and Law Reform Act 2009, upward-only rent reviews were abolished for all new leases signed on or after 28 February 2010.
The Programme for Government expresses our intention to legislate to end upward-only rent reviews for existing leases. This is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality in the first instance and I understand that the Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, has been in contact with the Attorney General on this matter.
Questions Nos. 15 to 18, inclusive, answered with Question No. 9.
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:19 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is actively considering a €500 million jobs fund. [14728/11]
1On 10 May, the Government launched a €500 million Jobs Initiative which has the objective of:
restoring confidence in the economy, both internationally and domestically,
supporting the maintenance of existing jobs, and facilitating the creation of new ones,
improving the business environment, and
assisting people to get back to work.
The Initiative includes a range of measures which will be taken across Government Departments — including my own — to stimulate the economy and help get people back to work.
The key elements of the Jobs Initiative include:
a commitment to maintaining our 12.5% corporate tax rate;
the introduction of a new temporary, second reduced rate of VAT to apply primarily to restaurant and catering services, hotel and holiday accommodation and various entertainment services;
the halving of the lower rate of employer's PRSI on earnings up to €356 per week;
the reduction of the air travel tax rate to zero;
a major reform to the visa application system for entry to Ireland;
a focusing of the State's capital expenditure towards more employment-intensive projects in the areas of education, local and regional roads and sustainable transport projects;
additional funding for energy efficiency schemes;
the provision of an extra 20,900 activation places for the unemployed;
improvements to the R&D tax credit scheme; and
developing proposals for a partial credit guarantee scheme to improve access to finance for SMEs, and for a Microfinance Start-up Fund.
This Jobs Initiative is an important first step in putting jobs at the heart of the new Government's strategy. The Programme for Government outlines a much broader range of initiatives which will be embodied in that strategy.
County Enterprise Boards
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:20 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered or will consider altering the organisational structure and administration of the county enterprise boards from a county to a regional basis; his views on whether the narrow definition of county creates a false barrier to industry and individuals that straddle county boundaries and thus encounter problems in correctly engaging with CEBs; his views on whether the consolidation of county enterprise boards into regional enterprise boards may prove more administratively and financially efficient while still maintaining a sub-national focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14709/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the issue of restructuring the CEBs has been in the public domain since the publication of the McCarthy Group Report under the last Administration. I should say that I am of the view that it is timely and appropriate to re-structure, and re-focus, how the State delivers its support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector as, after all, this Sector will be vital to job creation and to overall economic recovery in Ireland.
However, I am also of the view that any restructuring should not result in a compromise on service delivery to the end user and that it is vital to ensure that State support for enterprise and job creation activities is delivered in a coherent, effective and efficient manner.
I and my officials are currently seeking to determine the extent to which there should be restructuring of the County and City Enterprise Boards having regard to the Programme for Government, and to other recommendations on CEB restructuring, to the need to achieve a rational and focused model for entrepreneurs, as well as the need to ensure that there is targeted local delivery of enterprise support, driven by a national enterprise policy, in a manner which eliminates overlap and duplication.
Wage-setting Mechanisms
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:21 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a detailed account of his or his officials’ discussions with Commissioner Olli Rehn and his officials on the issue of the reform of joint labour committees and registered employment agreements. [14716/11]
I have had no meeting with Commissioner Olli Rehn, who is the member of the European Commission with responsibility for economic and monetary affairs, since my appointment as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
I did have an opportunity, along with senior officials of my Department, to meet on 12 April with the combined staff teams from the European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund who visited Dublin during April 5-15 for the first quarterly review of the government's economic program. On that occasion our discussions ranged over the different elements of the structural reform package to underpin growth that is a feature of the EU/ECB/IMF Programme of Support for the period 2010-13. We discussed the anticipated Jobs Initiative and the prospective completion of the report of the independent review of sectoral wage-setting arrangements. I recall that the visiting delegation also inquired about the new Government's plans to introduce legislative changes to remove restrictions on trade and competition in sheltered sectors, including the legal profession, medical services and the pharmacy profession.
Officials of my Department also participated, together with colleagues from the Department of Finance, in preliminary technical discussions with the staff teams from the European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund on 6th April. This was at the outset of the first quarterly review of the Government's economic program in order to assess progress and discuss operational aspects of policy implementation to achieve the objectives set down under the structural reform headings of the EU/ECB/IMF Programme. Following the publication of the Report of the Independent Review of Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreement Wage Setting Mechanisms on 24th May last, my officials participated on 7th June, at the invitation of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), in a teleconference together with officials of the European Commission, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund to consider the outcome of the report and the timetable for consideration of an action plan by the Government following the consultations with social partners and other stakeholders.
Innovation Policy
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:22 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding allocated to encourage innovation over and above that which was allocated by the previous Government. [14628/11]
1The use of innovation has a crucial role to play in supporting economic recovery and in driving sustainable employment in the current environment. A wide range of programmes are being delivered by the Enterprise Agencies — IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, to promote innovation and give Irish enterprise a competitive edge in the global market place.
Numerous measures have been taken to support enterprise to ensure that trade, exports and investment are positioned to retain sustainability and to ensure that emerging opportunities can be maximized. These include: — R&D Funding through Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland — Competence Centres established in strategically important sectoral areas like nanotechnology and bioenergy, and the new generation of Technology Centres. The Centres are designed to allow groups of multinational and indigenous firms to work together with academics to undertake cutting edge, industry led research. — Supports for new start-up companies with the potential to achieve significant exports — 80 new High Potential Start Ups were established in 2010 — In 2010, over 49 pieces of commercially relevant technology were transferred from State Funded Research into industry. — The Enterprise Ireland Technology Transfer System facilitated the creation of 31 spin-out companies in 2010 — 526 Innovation Vouchers were redeemed in 2010 worth over €2.5m, bringing the total number of Innovation Vouchers redeemed since the scheme opened to over 1,000. — Collaboration between SFI funded researchers and industry has also increased significantly in recent years. At present SFI is supporting 29 top-class research centres (9 CSETs and 20 SRCs) and SFI funded researchers are collaborating with over 550 industry partners, both multinational and indigenous. — Both in 2009 and 2010, IDA investments of over €500m were in research, development and innovation, and these investments are central to productivity and new business development in the multinational sector.
The Exchequer allocations for 2011 from my Department to the agencies under its remit involved in encouraging innovation are as follows
Enterprise Ireland — Subhead F — Research and Development is in receipt of €140.259m from my Department, (of which €131.393m is capital and €8.866m current funding).
Science Foundation Ireland has a budget of €175.142m, (of which €160.8m is capital and €14.342m current).
IDA has been allocated €124.577m, (of which €86m is capital and €38.577m current funds).
These allocations are provided for ongoing Enterprise Agency activities aimed at encouraging innovation, and ensuring that emerging opportunities are maximized.
The Government has arranged that a comprehensive spending review of existing capital and current spending will be undertaken, and it is currently ongoing. All allocation of funding will be considered in this process, my Department will be fully engaged in that Spending Review and future funding will be determined by the outcome of this work.
It will be my aim to enable the enterprise agencies under the remit of my Department to continue to support and encourage innovation and thereby help enterprise to be sustainable, develop, grow and provide jobs in this country for Ireland's workforce.
Questions Nos. 23 and 24 answered with Question No. 9.
Proposed Legislation
Denis Naughten
Ceist:25 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to update the current partnership law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14639/11]
The Company Law Review Group (CLRG) gave in-depth consideration, over a period of 4 years, to the reform of partnership law, in particular to the possibility of introducing Limited Liability Partnerships for accountants and solicitors. In general, the CLRG did not find any strong tide of opinion running in favour of introducing Limited Liability Partnerships. However, the Group did say that the issue warranted some further consideration and recommended that the Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation and the Department of Justice and Equality should establish a committee, made up of representatives of both Departments and of the CLRG, the Irish Accountancy and Auditing Supervisory Authority and the Courts Service, to consider whether accountants and solicitors should be permitted to form Limited Liability Partnerships or companies.
The issues at stake here are complex and wide ranging, particularly as it could involve the establishment of a new legal form which would have to apply generally and not only to the professions. The committee considering the issues will also have to take into account the taxation and transparency issues before coming to a conclusion and recommendations.
In the meantime, there have been some changes to the overall position on liability. Section 44 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2008 provides that a solicitor may contract with a client to limit his/her liability to that client. Furthermore, S.I. 220/2010, European Communities (Statutory Audits) (Directive 2006/43/EC) Regulations 2010, provides, among other things, for the removal of the prohibition on auditors incorporating as a limited liability company.
Job Creation
Barry Cowen
Ceist:26 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his job creation target for 2011 and 2012, and over the Government’s term of office. [14631/11]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:32 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has examined the potential job creation targets throughout his Department with the objective of achieving a reduction in the numbers on the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14696/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 32 together.
Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. It is only by creating the right environment for businesses to expand that we will see new jobs coming on stream.
In this context, the objective of the Jobs Initiative announced on 10 May is to put policies in place to improve the business environment in Ireland, drive competitiveness, continue to grow our exports, and restore confidence in the economy, both internationally and domestically. The Jobs Initiative will support the maintenance of existing jobs, as well facilitating the creation of new ones. The Initiative includes a range of measures, which will be taken across all Government Departments — including my own — to stimulate the economy and help get people back to work.
The Programme for Government recognises that economic recovery must be export-led. Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy is an integrated strategy that is global in scope and covers both existing and new high growth potential markets. It has set a number of ambitious targets to be achieved by end 2015 i.e. to create 150,000 new jobs (manufacturing, tourism and traded services). The jobs total figure of 150,000 direct new jobs, is from agency estimates based on their growth targets over the Strategy period to the end of 2015 i.e. 75,000 (IDA Ireland), 60,000 (Enterprise Ireland) and 15,000 in the tourism sector. The strategy also foresees the creation of a similar number of new indirect jobs.
Enterprise Ireland will support the achievement of these job creation targets through a number of key interventions such as:
support for start-ups, R&D and Innovation, and securing exports:
supporting the establishment and growth of High Potential Start-Ups.
supporting companies to target new opportunities in overseas markets
continuing to be focused on supporting company investments
continuing to invest in R&D both in terms of in-company investments, and by supporting the commercialisation of Ireland's research.
Just this week, I announced that Enterprise Ireland has invested in 80 new High Potential Start-Ups (HPSU), in 2010. These innovative young companies will create over 770 new jobs over the next three years, bringing their total employment to almost 1,300. Total sales over the same three year period are expected to reach €528 million, with exports accounting for over 80% of this figure.
In addition to its existing offer for Irish companies, Enterprise Ireland recently launched a new fund with the aim of assisting its client companies achieve enhanced growth through increased employment. The competitive Job Expansion Fund will provide grant support up to a maximum of €150,000 towards the recruitment of new employees, with the first call for applications closing on 30 June 2011.
FDI has been, and will continue to be, a key element in the export led recovery of the economy. IDA will focus on winning new investments in areas such as Global Services, High End Manufacturing and Research, Development and Innovation. IDA will also target new investments from sectors such as Life Sciences, Medical Devices, Information and Communications Technology, Financial Services, Content Industry, Consumer and Business Services, Diversified Industries and Engineering and Clean Technologies. Fifty per cent of these investments are to be based in locations outside of Dublin and Cork. A growing proportion of FDI will come from high-growth markets new to Ireland.
Sean Fleming
Ceist:27 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the job creation targets for the Industrial Development Agency for the period 2011 to 2014. [14625/11]
In March 2010, IDA Ireland published ‘Horizon 2020', its strategic blueprint for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland in the coming decade. FDI has been, and will continue to be, a key element in the export led recovery of the economy.
'Horizon 2020' sets out a compelling argument for the need for ongoing ‘transformation' in our approach to secure leading FDI here in Ireland. ‘Horizon 2020' sets out a road-map of what is needed to fuel Ireland's future success with leading global corporations over the coming decade. The investment targets for this strategy include the creation of 62,000 direct new jobs with 105,000 total jobs impact in Ireland from the period 2010-2014 and 50% of these investments are to be based in locations outside of Dublin and Cork. Building on existing regional strengths to ensure Ireland's economic development and optimising regional spread, in line with the NSS Gateway and Hubs, of overseas investments is central to IDA's core activities.
The Strategy is being implemented over a five year period (2010-2014). IDA has made good progress since the strategy was launched in March 2010.
IDA Ireland's specific targets for job creation for the period 2010 to 2014 are as follows:
105,000 new jobs (of which 62,000 will be direct employment)
640 investments
50% of investments will be located outside Dublin and Cork
20% of greenfield investments originating from emerging markets by 2014
Annual client spend of €1.7bn in Research, Development and Innovation by 2014
IDA will increase its focus on winning new investments in the following areas:
Global Services
High End Manufacturing
Research, Development and Innovation
IDA will focus on winning new investments, particularly from the following sectors:
Life Sciences
Pharma and Biopharma
Medical Devices
Information and Communications Technology
Financial Services
Content Industry, Consumer and Business Services
Diversified Industries and Engineering
Clean Technologies
A growing proportion of FDI will come from high-growth markets new to Ireland and IDA will win investments from these markets. FDI will also come increasingly from early-stage companies, which IDA can help attract to Ireland in part because so many established leading multinationals are already here.
Official Engagements
Niall Collins
Ceist:28 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the meetings he has had with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, Irish Small and Medium Enterprises and other employer and employee representative groups since taking office; if he will report on the details of these meetings; the dates of these meetings and the matters discussed; if there have been no meetings to date, the date on which he proposes to meet with these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14634/11]
Since taking office on 9 March last, I have held meetings with sixteen employer and employee representative groups as detailed in the table below. Further meetings with these and other such representative groups will be scheduled as necessary as issues arise.
|
Name of Employer / Employee Representative Group |
Date of meeting (include dates of planned meetings, if known) |
Details of meetings / Matters discussed |
|
Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
07 April 2011 |
Discussion on a range of issues relating to employment and unemployment. |
|
Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) |
11 April 2011 |
Discussions on Corporation tax, Internship scheme, National Minimum Wage, Sectoral Wage Agreements, industrial relations. |
|
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) |
11 April 2011 |
Discussion on a range of issues relating to Minister’s responsibilities. |
|
Small Firms Association (SFA) |
11 April 2011 |
Discussion on a range of issues relating to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. |
|
Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Association (ISME) |
11 April 2011 |
Discussion on a range of issues relating to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. |
|
Chambers Ireland |
18 May 2011 |
Discussion on a range of issues relating to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. |
|
IBEC CEO Panel / President of US Chamber |
19 May 2011 |
Discussions on the concept of a tariff free trade regime between the EU and the US. |
|
Financial Services Ireland, a constituent part of IBEC |
25 May 2011 |
Periodic meeting with internationally traded Financial Services Industry representatives to advance policy issues relating to the promotion of employment and output in the sector. |
|
Mandate Trade Union, SIPTU, Bakers’ Union |
26 May 2011 |
Discussions on a matter relating to a specific company. |
|
Construction Industry Federation |
31 May 2011 |
Discussions on Report on Review of JLC/REA mechanisms. |
|
IBEC |
31 May 2011 |
Discussions on Report on Review of JLC/REA mechanisms. |
|
Retail Excellence Ireland |
31 May 2011 |
Discussions on a range of issues relating to retail enterprises. |
|
ICTU |
01 June 2011 |
Discussions on Report on Review of JLC/REA mechanisms. |
|
IBEC (Retail Ireland) |
07 June 2011 |
Discussions on JLCs, economic recovery. |
|
Irish Farmers Association |
07 June 2011 |
Discussions on retail issues. |
|
RGDATA — Jobs Alliance |
08 June 2011 |
Discussions on Report on Review of JLC/REA mechanisms. |
Departmental Bodies
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:29 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to renegotiate EU-imposed grant ceilings throughout the State. [14723/11]
The various EU State Aid regulations and frameworks set out the types of activities that can be supported by the Member States and stipulate the maximum percentage of eligible costs that can be aided. These ceilings vary according to the type of aid measure involved but typically allow higher rates of aid for small and medium sized enterprises. Most measures are horizontal and do not have differentiated aid rates depending on the location of a company in the EU.
By contrast, the Regional Aid Guidelines govern the areas in which Member States may grant regional aid, more commonly known as investment aid. Investment aid is intended to promote the economic development of certain disadvantaged areas within the European Union in order to redress regional disparities. The Guidelines specify rules for the selection of regions which are eligible for regional aid and define the maximum permitted levels of this aid. Under Ireland's current Regional Aid Map, regions covering 50% of the population are entitled to grant Regional Aid.
Under the Regional Aid Map, the highest rates were afforded to the Border, Midlands, West (BMW) region. For the period of 2007 to the end of 2010, the region qualified for a rate of 30% for large firms; for medium and small firms the rates were 40% and 50% respectively. In accordance with the Guidelines, a reduced rate of aid for the BMW region is applicable from 1 January 2011: 15% for large companies, 25% and 35% for medium and small firms respectively. The maximum aid rates for eligible regions within the Southern and Eastern Region remain at 10% for large companies, 20% and 30% for medium and small firms respectively. No scope exists to renegotiate aid rates within the current Guidelines, which are due to expire on 31 December 2013.
To launch the work on the new Guidelines beyond 2013, the European Commission hosted a workshop for Member States in Brussels last March. The purpose of the workshop was to gather information on the operation of the current Guidelines and the experiences of Member States and to give Member States the opportunity to express preliminary views on the issues that should be reviewed in the future framework.
Following consultation with stakeholders, my Department made preliminary submissions to the Commission both in advance of and after the workshop. There are as yet no proposals from the Commission on a future Regional Aid Framework. The next steps are that the Commission is to undertake an Impact Assessment, which will involve questionnaires to Member States. This is due to be followed by further multilateral meetings in advance of adopting new Guidelines by end of 2012. The process of notification of the new Regional Aid Maps for the Member States will continue throughout 2013, after which the new Regional Aid Guidelines will enter into force. My Department will continue to liaise with stakeholders throughout the process.
Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 6.
Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 9.
Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 26.
Credit Guarantee Scheme
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:33 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans regarding the development of an enterprise loan guarantee scheme; the amount of additional credit it will deliver into the system; how the criteria for the granting of credit differ from the criteria currently used by banks; and the annual cost to the State of such a scheme. [14724/11]
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:43 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects the partial guarantee scheme to come into effect; the period to which it will apply; if it will be applicable generally or for specific sectors; and the estimated annual cost to the taxpayer. [14624/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 43 together.
As part of the Jobs Initiative announced in this House on, 10th May, both the Minister for Finance and I confirmed the Government commitment to initiating a tendering process for the development of a temporary partial credit guarantee scheme.
The design of the scheme will draw from international experience to support new lending that would not otherwise have been extended by the banks. In this way, the scheme will be targeted in its scope and will complement, rather than be a substitute for, existing lending activities by the main financial institutions. It will be designed to encourage banks to lend to these new or expanding commercially viable SMEs so that they can grow their company, develop new products or expand in to new markets.
The Government's commitment will be for an initial period of one year. Specific performance criteria will be set down that allow for review and revision of the scheme at the end of that initial period before committing to a roll-over of the scheme for subsequent years. There will be a modest level of exposure to the taxpayer when the scheme is launched but there will be a significant positive knock-on benefit to the economy in terms of job creation, welfare savings and returns to the Exchequer by way of tax revenue generated.
Any costs arising in 2011 will be minimal and associated with the design and set up of the scheme which is due to be in place by the autumn. The tendering process will be commenced shortly.
Questions Nos. 34 and 35 answered with Question No. 9.
Job Creation
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:36 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he remains committed to investing €7 billion over the lifetime of the Government to create 100,000 jobs; and if he will outline his plans on this matter. [14726/11]
The role of Government is not to create jobs directly, but to put in place the environment where businesses can prosper and generate jobs. In this context, the Jobs Initiative which was announced by the Government on 10th May will support the maintenance of existing jobs, as well as facilitating the creation of new ones. The Initiative includes a range of measures which will be taken across all Government Departments — including my own — to stimulate the economy and help get people back to work.
Additionally, the NewERA project is an integral part of the Government's commitment to refocus and streamline the semi-state sector to support employment in the short-term and provide a basis for sustainable jobs and growth in the long term. NewERA will focus on investment in next generation water, broadband and bioenergy infrastructure.
The NewERA plan is the responsibility of the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Fergus O'Dowd, T.D. I am aware that Minister O'Dowd is working intensively to shape the programme with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Minister Rabbitte, and with other relevant Ministerial colleagues with a view to progressing the project as expeditiously as possible. It is likely that the impact on employment of these, and other initiatives which will be introduced by the Government, will be most visible from 2012, as economic activity picks up in response to the Government's policies. The Stability Programme Update, which was laid before the Dáil on 29th April, foresees net employment creation of the order of 100,000 over the period 2012 to 2015.
The overall level of investment in facilitating job creation will be determined by economic conditions over the lifetime of the Government.
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:37 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans and those of the Industrial Development Agency to try to create jobs in an area (details supplied) which is now suffering from a critical lack of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14637/11]
Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. The Jobs Initiative announced on 10 May focuses our limited resources on measures that offer the greatest potential for expansion and employment creation in the domestic economy. The Initiative has a significant focus on tourism and the reduction in the VAT Rate and the abolition of the travel tax will provide an important stimulus to tourism businesses in Kerry and around the country.
The programmes supported by my Department and its agencies will be critical in achieving economic growth through promoting the export potential of enterprise in Ireland and driving our Smart Economy. The allocation of €508 million in funding for 2011 will ensure that the core programmes of the enterprise agencies are sustained and targeted as well as driving investment in research and development. This investment in the Enterprise Development agencies will drive recovery in the economy by facilitating the winning of foreign direct investments, the growth of indigenous exports and the creation of sustainable jobs.
IDA Ireland promotes Co. Kerry for new inward investment across the ICT, International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors. As well as attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA works closely with its existing clients to encourage them to expand their operations in the County. In selecting locations to show companies, IDA Ireland seeks to include locations, which have been affected by closures and job losses. However, the final decision on where to locate is taken in all cases by the promoting company. At present there are 15 IDA Ireland-supported companies in Co. Kerry employing more than 1,300 people.
Enterprise Ireland continues to support job creation through a number of interventions, such as supporting the establishment and growth of high potential start-up companies and supporting companies to target new opportunities in overseas markets. At present there are 133 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Kerry employing more than 3,000 people. In 2010, Enterprise Ireland paid out over €3.2m in financial support to its client companies in Co. Kerry. In addition, the agency has been providing support to seven community enterprise centres.
Kerry County Enterprise Board continues to be actively involved in the economic development of the Caherciveen area and the County as a whole. Since its inception in 1993 to end 2010, Kerry CEB has issued almost €7.1m in grant assistance to 888 clients. So far this year, Kerry CEB has approved €153,000 in grant support to 16 micro-enterprise projects in the County, supporting the generation of 44 new jobs. There are approximately 1,300 people employed in companies assisted by Kerry CEB.
The State Enterprise Development agencies, together with the Kerry County Enterprise Board continue to work together with other stakeholders in relation to enterprise development. The actions to be taken across Government will stimulate the economy, facilitate enterprise and encourage job creation, including in Co. Kerry.
Departmental Agencies
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:38 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans regarding the reorientation of enterprise development agencies towards emerging markets in Brazil, Russia, India and China. [14722/11]
The Government believes that our economic recovery will be export led and in this regard is fully committed to developing and expanding engagement with the key high potential markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The agreed Programme for Government commits us to achieve the maximum potential growth in exports, including the long-term development of new and emerging markets. In this context the Government has given a commitment to progressively implement the recommendations in the strategy and action plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, entitled Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy which will inter alia, position Ireland to develop better trade relationships with emerging economies. That Strategy takes a two-pronged approach, focussing on particular markets and sectors. In terms of markets, it identifies potential to further grow our existing key markets and, most particularly, to increase or gain a foothold in high-growth and high-potential markets, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The targets in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy which have been agreed by the relevant State Agencies — Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland- will of course guide their activities in the coming years.
Following a Government decision on 24 May, the transfer of trade promotion functions from my Department to the new Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade took place on Wednesday 1 June. The new Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for the management of the Export Trade Council to be established following the commitment in the Programme for Government. Key instruments to pursue trade expansion are, of course, Trade Missions and over the last five years, Taoiseach-led Trade Missions have been organised to China and India and several other Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to China, India, Russia and Brazil. I myself led a Trade Mission to India in April last, with 22 Enterprise Ireland client companies participating, where I officiated over a successful programme of events to promote our exports to that country. My Department and the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade will work closely together in planning for trade missions. It is envisaged that these missions will include visits to high-growth developing markets.
A further indicator of commitment is the fact that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has expanded its network of Embassies and Consulates in some of those countries and Enterprise Ireland has opened new offices to facilitate Irish companies developing export opportunities there. In addition, Enterprise Ireland has a dedicated High Growth Markets Unit in Dublin to provide further assistance to client companies doing business in a range of countries, including Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Furthermore I retain responsibility for trade policy. Consequently, my Department is engaged in the promotion of Ireland's trade interests through for example, the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements between the EU and third countries. A Free Trade Agreement is now under negotiation with India and another with South Korea comes into effect on 1 July this year. I also place a particular emphasis on promoting less restrictive global trade arrangements by means of the current round of world trade talks at the World Trade Organisation and developing new opportunities for exporters by reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers through trade and regulatory discussions between the EU and China, Russia, Brazil and the United States.
All the efforts have borne considerable fruit. Between 2005 and 2010, Merchandise exports to these countries have risen 73% and between 2004 and 2009 (latest available year) Services exports have risen by 622%. A key example of this success is the fact that Ireland now has a modest trade surplus with China, a dramatic turnaround from the position only three years ago when we had a trade deficit of €2.9bn with that country.
EU Funding
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:39 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he is in communication with the European Commission with a view to utilising all possible assistance towards the generation of employment through EU-sponsored innovation initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14697/11]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:102 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will set out the extent of EU support toward job creation with particular reference to innovation and research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14949/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 102 together.
I fully support the core elements of the European Union's new strategy for Jobs and Growth: Europe 2020 and its objectives to stimulate growth based on knowledge and innovation and a more sustainable and greener economy with high employment and social inclusion. These objectives are also broadly consistent with the Government's own strategies as set out in the Programme for Government and with the National Recovery Plan.
I believe that it is of vital importance to Ireland's interests in implementing this strategy that both Ministerial and Official links with the EU Commission, the European Parliament and other EU Institutions be strengthened and maintained.
At Official level, my Department has regular contact with EU Commission Officials on foot of the EU competitiveness and National Reform Programme monitoring and tracking processes. At Ministerial level, we are increasing our levels of engagement as we look forward to the Irish EU Presidency in 2013. Since my appointment as Minister, I have attended 2 formal Councils in Brussels and have met with four Commissioners, including Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn who has responsibility for research and innovation. At these meetings I took the opportunity to, first and foremost, underline the important national efforts at recovery underway and explained that restructuring of the banks was key in terms of releasing lending to SMEs. I emphasised that exports are key to our growth model which is built on tax certainty and therefore I also highlighted our concerns on Corporation Tax.
In recognition that business and enterprise create jobs and drive economic growth and innovation, the Commissioners concurred that it was essential that the optimal environment and framework conditions be in place to allow this to happen. At EU level, I agreed that it was important that we continue to develop strong demand side innovation policy instruments in areas such as standardisation, public procurement supporting innovation, an integrated EU venture capital market and the development of more competitive solutions, better regulation and tackling red tape and duplication. We will be working with our EU partners and the EU Commission to bring these policy instruments and associated measures to fruition through the various Council Working Groups and Committees and in particular through the EU Competitiveness Council.
The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7), with a budget of over €50 billion over the period 2007 to 2013, is the EU's main instrument for funding research and development in Europe. In order to extract the maximum benefit from the opportunities available within FP7, a National Support Network has been put in place, headed by a National Director for FP7 based in Enterprise Ireland who leads a team of national contact points for various elements of the Programme. Ireland's target for drawdown of funds from FP7 over the lifetime of the programme is €600 million. Achievement of this target is well on track, with some €269m already awarded by end 2010. I am determined that we will achieve the target set.
Ireland also continues to exploit its membership of the European Space Agency (ESA) by supporting Irish companies to develop new products and services, generating increased employment and export sales in participating companies. Ireland's ESA membership has contributed to the development of a highly knowledge-intensive industry sector with over 60 Irish technology companies having secured ESA contracts since 2000.
Both the Minister for Research and Innovation, Mr. Sean Sherlock, and the Minister for Small Business Mr. John Perry are actively engaged in Europe, Minister Sherlock on the Research, Development and Innovation agenda and Minister Perry as the newly appointed National SME Envoy for Ireland, following the Commission initiative to gather a group of High Level Representatives from each Member State to meet regularly and to represent the interests of small business.
Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 9.
Jobs Initiative
Denis Naughten
Ceist:41 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to support enterprise development in the midland and western regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14640/11]
Job creation is central to our economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. The Jobs Initiative announced on 10 May focuses our limited resources on measures that offer the greatest potential for expansion and employment creation in the domestic economy.
The Initiative had a significant focus on tourism, and the reduction in the VAT Rate along with the abolition of the travel tax will provide an important stimulus to tourism businesses in the regions concerned and around the country.
Two Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, together with the relevant County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) support enterprise development in the regions in question.
The primary role of IDA Ireland is the attraction of high quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ireland. An integral and fundamental element of this role is the agency's mandate to promote sustainable and balanced regional development. One of the high level goals of IDA's strategy "Horizon 2020” is that in the period to end 2014, 50% of new FDI projects will be located outside of Dublin and Cork. To date in 2011, of the 22 investments announced, 16 have met have met this criteria. Six of these are located in the West Region and five in the Midlands. These announcements alone have the potential to create up to 1,000 jobs.
Considerable success has been achieved in attracting high quality investment to both regions. At present, there are a total of 115 IDA supported companies employing over 18,000 people between both regions. The key sectors of focus are life sciences, information and communications technologies and high value services activities. IDA has a good pipeline for 2011 and is hopeful of securing further investments across a number of locations.
Enterprise Ireland has a wide range of programmes to address the multi-disciplinary demands of entrepreneurship and the diversity of business types. The agency supports companies to achieve productivity gains, internationalisation and export growth. It assists with research and development, management skills acquisition, market information and seed and venture capital. Between the two regions, the agency has almost 700 clients employing over 17,000 people. In 2010, Enterprise Ireland-assisted companies created 457 new full-time jobs in the Midlands region and 786 in the West. In addition, over €23m was approved for the agency's client companies in the two regions. To stimulate entrepreneurship within the regions Enterprise Ireland is supporting an Enterprise Platform Programme based in GMIT (Galway and Castlebar) and in the Athlone Institute of Technology. This programme will start at the end of June 2011 and is open for applications.
During 2010, the CEBs in the two regions paid out over €2.3m in grant assistance to 207 clients. Of this, €1.1m was paid out to 101 client companies in the Midlands Region comprising counties Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. €1.2m was paid out to 106 client companies in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, which make up the West Region. This year, the CEBs are continuing to support enterprise development through the provision of both direct financial assistance (in the form of capital, feasibility and employment grants) and through indirect or "soft support" assistance such as management development, capability support and the development and delivery of activities to highlight and promote enterprise.
Economic Competitiveness
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:42 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for reform of wage levels for highly paid professionals such as consultants and lawyers and other sheltered sections of the labour force. [14712/11]
In order for the Irish economy to make the necessary transition from a reliance on domestic demand to sustainable export-led growth in the medium term, a convergence of Irish costs, charges, professional fees, etc towards the levels of Ireland's trading partners is required. Therefore, to improve Ireland's relative cost competitiveness, there is a need to achieve reductions in costs faster than the Eurozone average. Ensuring competition within Ireland's domestic economy is vital to improving overall competitiveness. More competition will result in better value for money, lower prices for consumers and greater opportunities for job creation. Well-run markets are vital from every side of the perspective.
The Competition Authority has published a number of reports resulting from studies it carried out on various sectors or professions since 2004. The reports usually contain a suite of recommendations, aimed at improving competition in the relevant area and are addressed to the responsible Government Department or body. Such reports have included the medical and legal professions.
Responsibility for any proposals aimed at ending apparent restrictions on competition in a particular sector rests with the Minister with responsibility for that particular policy area. For example, policy proposals concerning the legal and medical sectors are matters for my colleagues, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Health respectively. I understand that both Ministers are working on proposals in respect of these sectors at present.
Given the responsibility of my Department for competition policy in general, I will be reporting to Government shortly on the progress achieved by a number of Government Departments in the implementation of the Competition Authority recommendations and I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that everything is done to help improve competitiveness in their areas of responsibility.
Question No. 43 answered with Question No. 33.
Overseas Trade
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:44 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will indicate his strategy to establish new export outlets or trade links with EU and non-EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14954/11]
I and my colleagues in Government are firmly of the view that Ireland's economic recovery will be export led. In the Programme for Government, we committed to implementing a number of actions to achieve the maximum growth in exports, including the long-term development of new markets. One of the key actions in this regard is to progressively implement the recommendations in the Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy Strategy.
This Strategy is an action plan for improving trade, tourism and investment links with new and fast-developing markets. It sets out cross-sectoral priorities and a series of recommended actions that will enable the export sector to realise its potential for growth in coming years.
To take forward the recommendations within the Strategy and to coordinate our efforts to expand trade links in new and existing markets, the Government has also committed to establishing an Export Trade Council.
Under the new arrangements for trade promotion, my Department will have responsibility for managing the Export Trade Council, which I will chair. As well as Government and State Agency representatives, it will have private sector representation and draw on the experience of those directly involved in growing export oriented business.
This Council will examine how we can ensure that every opportunity possible is taken to develop links and enhance trade relations with existing and new partners, within and outside the EU, including in emerging high growth markets.
Discussions on the practical arrangements for the transfer of enhanced responsibilities for trade promotion from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to my Department are currently being finalised. Once this has been done, I intend to put in place arrangements for the first meeting of the Export Trade Council.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:45 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he has been in contact with trading partners in the European Union and worldwide with a view to maximising export opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14956/11]
Trade and business events are included in my programme of meetings overseas wherever possible. In March I visited New York for St. Patrick's Day events before travelling on to Washington D.C. for a bilateral meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. In New York I addressed the Ireland-US Council and met with U.S. based Irish business networks. I also attended a Bank of America — Enterprise Ireland Technology Innovation event in which Irish high-tech companies met with some of the leading technology companies in the US. I visited London at the start of May where I met with the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Foreign Secretary William Hague, as well as a number of key Enterprise Ireland clients. On 13 May, I visited Oslo and had discussions with the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and a separate meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre. More recently, I attended an OECD meeting in Paris at the end of May and took the opportunity to meet with the French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppé, as well as my counterparts from Australia and New Zealand, and to speak with them on economic matters. I also met with Enterprise Ireland clients while in Paris.
Building and strengthening Ireland's economic and trade links abroad is a key focus of the work of my Department, and its network of Embassies throughout the EU and the world. At last week's Ambassadors Conference I underlined the priority to be given to the promotion of Ireland's economic interests. The Government's objective is to ensure we get the maximum co-ordinated approach and impact from our entire presence abroad and give it a renewed focus on trade and business.
Human Rights Issues
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:46 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any action is being taken at EU and UN level to protest at and reverse the sentencing to death of Asia Bibi in Pakistan under the country’s blasphemy laws; if his Department has contacted the ambassador of Pakistan and the Pakistani Government on this matter; if he will indicate if he has been briefed on this issue by any organisation, including the Irish advocacy group for persecuted Christians, Church in Chains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14858/11]
I am gravely concerned about the case of Mrs. Asia Bibi. In November 2010, Mrs. Bibi was sentenced to death by hanging in a Punjab court for blasphemy. I understand that this is the first time a woman has been sentenced to death in Pakistan under its blasphemy law. When reports of the case came to the attention of my Department, a senior official contacted the Embassy of Pakistan to express our concern at the conviction and sentence. He also expressed our disquiet at the nature of Pakistan's blasphemy law. Mrs. Bibi's case and Pakistan's blasphemy laws were discussed at the 23 May bilateral political consultations in Dublin, with the Pakistani Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe and the Pakistani Ambassador, when our strong concerns about the conviction, sentence and the nature of Pakistan's blasphemy laws were re-iterated.
At European level High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, has also expressed her concerns at the Asia Bibi judgement and others like it, and called on Pakistan to respect human rights as guaranteed under international conventions to which it is a party. She also re-affirmed the European Union's position on the death penalty as a cruel and inhuman punishment.
Respect for human rights is a cornerstone of foreign policy for both Ireland and the European Union as whole. For its part, the Pakistani Government has given clear commitments to protect religious minorities and to promote religious tolerance. The establishment of a Ministry for Human Rights, a Ministry for Minorities and the proposed establishment of an independent national Human Rights Commission are welcome initiatives in this regard.
I would add that Ireland is at the forefront of efforts to promote the total and universal abolition of the death penalty. It has been almost ten years since the Irish people voted in a referendum to abolish fully and formally the use of the death penalty. In so doing, Ireland stands out as one of the few countries in the world where the electorate has voted to insert an article into our Constitution explicitly forbidding use of the death penalty.
I would take this opportunity to again urge the Pakistani Government to resolve Mrs. Bibi's case as soon as possible and to initiate a thorough review of its blasphemy law, in particular, the use of the death penalty. I will continue to follow Mrs. Bibi's case closely and officials will remain in contact with the Pakistani authorities in relation to this matter.
Sunday Trading
Gerald Nash
Ceist:47 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to amend the Betting Act 1931 to permit bookmakers’ shops to open to the public on Sundays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14901/11]
The permitted opening hours for bookmakers' shops is one of the issues being considered in the context of the proposed Betting (Amendment) Bill 2011. I would however draw to the attention of the Deputy that bookmakers' shops are currently permitted to open to the public on all Sundays except Easter Sunday.
Credit Unions
Michael McGrath
Ceist:48 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding stress testing of the credit union sector which was due to be completed by the end of May 2011. [14777/11]
Michael McGrath
Ceist:49 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the plan to underpin the solvency and viability of the credit union sector which under the revised EU-IMF deal was due to be completed by the end of May 2011. [14779/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
Under the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland, stress tests on credit unions have been completed by the Central Bank. Credit unions were subjected to a detailed stress testing exercise to make an assessment of the likely impact of a given stress scenario on the capital buffers of credit unions. The purpose of this work is to provide the Central Bank with the necessary regulatory information to concentrate its supervisory focus and, where necessary, to take pre-emptive remedial action to maintain member confidence and protect the financial stability of the credit union sector. These stress test results also feed into Government policy in relation to the credit union sector.
In light of the stress tests on credit unions, I have prepared a plan to underpin the solvency and viability of undercapitalised credit unions. I intend to bring this Strategy to Government shortly.
Michael McGrath
Ceist:50 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the establishment of a commission on credit unions which was due to be in place by the end of May 2011. [14780/11]
At its meeting of 31st May 2011, the Government agreed to establish a Commission on Credit Unions to review the future of the credit union movement and make recommendations in relation to the most effective regulatory structure for credit unions, taking into account their not-for-profit mandate, their volunteer ethos and community focus, while paying due regard to the need to fully protect depositors' savings and ensure financial stability. I hope to make the formal announcement regarding the establishment of the Commission by the end of this week. This announcement will include the membership of the Commission and the Terms of Reference.
Tax Code
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:51 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if exemptions will be put in place for persons who were contracted workers for semi-State companies with regard to their late entry into a pension scheme. [14797/11]
Robert Dowds
Ceist:58 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if the 0.6% levy on the pensions industry will be applied to pension funds in distress, particularly those in debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14862/11]
Robert Dowds
Ceist:59 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to ensure that the 0.6% levy on the pensions industry will be taken from its charges or profits rather than from pensioners themselves. [14863/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 58 and 59 together.
As regards exemptions from the levy, the intention is that the levy will not apply to the assets of occupational pension funds in respect of the provision of retirement benefits to current active members whose employment in relation to the scheme is and always was exercised outside the State, or, in the case of members whose employment in relation to the scheme has ceased, either through leaving the employment or retirement, where the employment was always exercised outside the State. The aim is to exclude members of pension funds approved by the Revenue Commissioners who have no connection with Ireland as such. Also, the levy will not apply to occupational pension funds where the trustees pass a resolution to wind-up the fund and where the trade or undertaking in relation with which the scheme was established is insolvent. No other exemptions are proposed.
On the question of fees or charges, I take the view that there is scope for the pension fund industry to absorb the impact of the temporary pension scheme levy by way of a reduction in the fees and charges made on those schemes. I have made that clear in this House and I have conveyed that view to representatives of the pension fund industry at face-to-face meetings. I have also written to the main representative organizations of the industry in this matter and I am awaiting a response from them.
Coastal Protection
Tom Fleming
Ceist:52 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will make funding available for coastal protection works at Rossbeigh Beach, Glenbeigh, County Kerry. [14800/11]
An application for funding was received from Kerry County Council on 31 May, 2011, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, to undertake works involving the strengthening and extension of the rock armour structure at this location. The Council estimate the cost of the works to be €350,000. The application is one of five schemes for which the Council have applied for funding in 2011.
The application is currently being assessed in accordance with the scheme criteria, and also having regard to the overall availability of resources.
Tax Code
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:53 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a levy on text messages; if he has pursued such a proposal; the legislation that will be needed to enact such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14834/11]
Text messages are currently subject to VAT at 21%. A levy on text messages could have a behavioural impact if it was directly imposed on customers or imposed on the mobile telephone companies and passed on to customers. Thus it is not safe to estimate the potential yield of such a tax from the current level of text message usage.
As such a levy would probably be a Stamp Duty charge, the legislation required would be contained in a Finance Bill as an amendment to the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999.
I am not aware of a similar tax anywhere else in the world and I have no plans to introduce such a tax at this time.
Flood Relief
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:54 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date on the remedial works carried out with regard to flooding and those that are about to be carried out in places at which there was severe flooding in late 2009; the position regarding the drainage scheme at Ballinasloe town and the drainage on the Dunkellin river from Craughwell to Kilcolgan; the other areas that are to be grant aided this year; the flooding black spots that are being addressed in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14836/11]
Details of funding allocated in 2010 by the Office of Public Works under the Minor Flood & Coastal Protection Scheme are given in the following table.
To date in 2011, 9 local authorities have had 24 applications approved for funding totalling €1,037,425. Of these, 12 applications were from Galway County Council, totalling €338,850. Progress in relation to the works to be undertaken in each particular case is a matter for the local authority concerned.
Following a call for proposals in 2011, twenty one local authorities have recently submitted applications and these are currently being assessed in accordance with the scheme criteria and also having regard to the overall availability of resources.
In December 2009, the Office of Public Works and Galway County Council established a Joint Working Group to examine the causes of flooding in the County and to identify interim flood mitigation measures.
Regarding Ballinasloe, the Office of Public Works has provided funding to Galway County Council to construct a flood wall to protect the Derrymullen area, which is approaching completion and has also funded a number of other works including blocked openings at East Bridge and the removal of obsolete sluices at the same location. In the past few weeks Galway County Council has applied for funding to improve the East Bridge, this application is under consideration at present.
In relation to the Dunkellin River, the Office of Public Works has agreed to progress a programme of flood alleviation works for this River and the Aggard Stream. It has been agreed that Galway County Council will act as the Contracting Authority with overall responsibility for the Flood Relief Scheme and that OPW personnel will, on scheme approval, carry out the channel construction works, acting as agents of the Local Authority.
The Council has appointed the engineering & environmental consultants needed to complete the scheme design and to attain the necessary statutory permissions for the scheme. OPW have made provision in their current budgetary estimates to commence construction works on the Dunkellin Flood Relief Scheme in the latter half of 2011. However, this is contingent on all environmental considerations and issues being resolved to the satisfaction of the National Parks and Wildlife Services Division of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. It is also a prerequisite of the scheme that the Council secure the appropriate statutory permissions to allow the scheme to advance to construction.
Subject to the scheme obtaining the required approvals and consents and to continuing availability of funding, it is anticipated that the scheme will be at construction stage by the end of 2011 or early in 2012.
In addition, the Office of Public Works, in association with Galway County Council, are currently developing a Flood Relief Scheme for the Clare River in the environs of Claregalway, Caherlea/Lisheenavalla, and the Carnmore/Cashla areas. OPW has appointed environmental & consulting engineers to complete the detailed design of the scheme including the preparation necessary to have the scheme brought to Public Exhibition. If the scheme meets with approval from National Parks and Wildlife Services, the general public and other stakeholders it will be put forward to the Department of Finance for confirmation and approval. Subject to the scheme obtaining the required approvals and consents and to continuing availability of funding, it is anticipated that the scheme will be at construction stage by the end of 2011 or early in 2012. The OPW currently has provision in its budgetary estimates for the construction of the works.
In response to concerns of immediate flood risk last winter, it was agreed that the following remedial works would be carried out in advance of the Claregalway flood relief scheme: installation of an additional flood eye at Claregalway Bridge; construction of a new bridge at Crusheeny.
The works on Claregalway Bridge will be completed in June/July 2011 with works at Crusheeny Bridge, commencing with the demolition of the existing bridge, due to start in September 2011.
The study for the Shannon catchment based flood risk assessment and management plan began earlier this year. The study will identify and examine in detail the causes of flooding throughout the Shannon catchment and produce an integrated plan of specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors in a pro-active and comprehensive way.
|
Local Authority |
No of Applications Received |
No of Applications Approved |
Total Funding Allocated€ |
|
Carlow County Council |
3 |
3 |
741,510 |
|
Cavan County Council |
26 |
1 |
72,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
22 |
6 |
643,800 |
|
Cork County Council |
42 |
9 |
1,344,000 |
|
Cork City Council |
1 |
1 |
900,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
21 |
13 |
506,979 |
|
Dublin City Council |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown County Council |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal County Council |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway County Council |
113 |
67 |
3,706,905 |
|
Galway City Council |
2 |
2 |
148,995 |
|
Kerry County Council |
16 |
2 |
407,700 |
|
Kildare County Council |
5 |
5 |
1,467,020 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
6 |
5 |
679,000 |
|
Laois County Council |
2 |
1 |
14,400 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
9 |
4 |
220,860 |
|
Limerick County Council |
33 |
17 |
777,915 |
|
Longford County Council |
10 |
3 |
201,936 |
|
Louth County Council |
8 |
2 |
234,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
16 |
5 |
191,700 |
|
Meath County Council |
4 |
1 |
315000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
11 |
1 |
31500 |
|
Offaly County Council |
12 |
4 |
234000 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
31 |
14 |
951,143 |
|
Sligo County Council |
1 |
1 |
423,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
8 |
4 |
94,164 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
11 |
10 |
302,399 |
|
Waterford County Council |
4 |
4 |
53,550 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
7 |
3 |
520,070 |
|
Wexford County Council |
16 |
3 |
641,700 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
13 |
4 |
398,700 |
|
Total: |
465 |
195 |
16,223,946 |
Departmental Staff
Seán Kenny
Ceist:55 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed by his Department by grade; and the pay scale of each grade. [14838/11]
At present there are 564.18 Whole Time Equivalents (WTEs) employed in my Department. When formally established, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will be comprised principally of staff currently allocated to the Sectoral Policy and Public Service Management Development Divisions of my Department together with the staff of the Modernisation Unit of the Department of the Taoiseach who have redeployed to my Department. After the changes, my Department will consist of policy areas within the Financial Services and Budget, Taxation & Economic Divisions. Areas such as Corporate Services Division (Human Resources and Facilities Management), Finance Unit, Salaries Section and the Press Office will continue to provide services to staff in both Departments on a ‘shared-service' basis. Similarly, services will be provided to both Departments by an IT Unit based in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The precise number of staff to be allocated to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently being finalised and assignments will be complete by the date of establishment. The current payscales for civil service grades generally are outlined in Circular 28/2009 which is available on the Department's website www.finance.gov.ie. The pay rate for certain staff members specific to the Department which are not included in the circular are listed as follows. — Secretary General, Department of Finance — €228,466 per annum. — Secretary General, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform — €200,000 per annum. — Second Secretary — €188,640 per annum.
A detailed list of pay rates for grades specific to this Department will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
National Lottery
Seán Kenny
Ceist:56 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that was generated for the Exchequer through sales of National Lottery tickets for each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [14839/11]
The amount of revenue (surplus) generated by the National Lottery through the sales of National Lottery tickets (i.e. its turnover net of prizes and all costs) is shown in the following table. The final figures for 2011 are not yet available.
|
Year |
€ million |
|
2007 |
245 |
|
2008 |
268 |
|
2009 |
264 |
|
2010 |
244 |
|
2011 |
230 (Estimated) |
Car Scrappage Scheme
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:57 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to extend the car scrappage scheme until 30 June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14855/11]
I have no plans to extend the car scrappage scheme beyond 30 June 2011.
Questions Nos. 58 and 59 answered with Question No. 51.
Pension Provisions
Ciara Conway
Ceist:60 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a request for an extension of the retirement age by one year from a public service worker (details supplied) in County Waterford, under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, in view of the date on which they entered the public service and the positive effect that this extension would have on the person’s pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14871/11]
I regret I am unable to answer the Deputy's question as the information supplied is not sufficiently specific. The Deputy's office has been contacted for further information on the case and a response is awaited.
Pay Rates
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:61 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the establishment of a high pay commission to examine the levels of high pay and compensation across the economy in both private and public sectors in view of the high levels of remuneration in the Irish economy, which can be multiples of more than 30 times the average industrial wage or 50 times the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14938/11]
I have no plans to establish a commission to examine levels of pay in the private and public sectors of the economy. Apart from instances where statutory rates of pay apply, pay rates in the private sector are generally a matter for negotiation between individual employers and employees. In the public service where the Government has a direct role in the determination of pay rates as employer, pay rates have already been reduced by up to 15% and a progressive pension related reduction applied through the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts.
I am currently reviewing the issue of the appropriate level of senior pay in the public service and I will be bringing proposals to Government shortly.
Bank Guarantee Scheme
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:62 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the amounts repaid to senior bondholders by the covered financial institutions in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14939/11]
The Central Bank of Ireland has advised my Department that the total amount repaid to senior unguaranteed bond holders by the covered institutions is as follows:
|
From September 2008€m |
2009€m |
2010€m |
2011€m |
Total |
|
|
Senior Unguaranteed Secured |
23 |
69 |
477 |
729 |
1,298 |
|
Senior Unguaranteed Unsecured |
0 |
0 |
2,430 |
3,599 |
6,029 |
|
Total |
23 |
69 |
2,907 |
4,328 |
7,327 |
My Department is awaiting up to date information requested by the Central Bank from the covered institutions of the amounts of senior guaranteed bonds that have been repaid by the covered institutions and I will send this information to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Fiscal Policy
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:63 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the size of the projected total deficit in the budget 2011 current and capital accounts; the amount of that deficit that is composed of payments to banks and bondholders under the blanket guarantee; how the total State income breaks down between taxes raised by the State and troika moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14940/11]
The Stability Programme Update (SPU), which was published at the end of April and submitted to the European Commission, updated the economic and budgetary forecasts contained in Budget 2011. The SPU projected an Exchequer deficit in 2011 of €18,165 million, made up of a €12,035 million current budget deficit and a €6,130 million capital budget deficit. The bank guarantee has not been called upon, so no money has been paid to the banks and bondholders under the guarantee. Indeed, the current-side of the Exchequer account benefits from fees paid under the bank guarantee schemes. At end-May, some €286 million had been received in this regard as non-tax revenue, with a total of €800 million expected for the year as a whole.
Of course, there has been and is a large cost associated with bank supports and these have been widely documented. For example, in terms of 2011 cash spend, there is a non-voted capital expenditure payment of approximately €3.1 billion, representing the first instalment of the Promissory Notes issued to Anglo Irish Bank, Irish Nationwide Building Society and Educational Building Society, the purpose of which was to provide capital injections to these financial institutions. However, this amount does not impact the General Government deficit in 2011.
As regards 2011, the SPU projected tax revenue receipts of €34,900 million. Taking account of this projected tax revenue, the Exchequer deficit, as outlined above, is projected at €18,165 million. The Deputy may like to bear in mind that the figure for the cash deficit differs from the General Government deficit, which is projected at €15,665 million. The funding which is available for sovereign purposes under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support is not an income of the State. Rather it is essentially borrowing which is used to fund the difference between the State's revenues, including those from tax receipts, and the State's expenditures, namely the Exchequer deficit. As of end-May 2011, approximately €22.4 billion has been drawn down from the EU/IMF under the Programme, with a total of €38.4 billion projected for the year as a whole.
Fiscal Policy
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:64 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the legislation needed for a levy to be introduced on the tuition fees paid to primary and secondary schools and fees paid to grind schools; his views on the amount of revenue which could be raised if a 1% levy was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/11]
If a levy such as is suggested was a taxation measure it would probably be a Stamp Duty, so the legislation required would be contained in a Finance Bill as an amendment to the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999. I am advised there is insufficient information to estimate the potential yield from a levy on tuition fees.
While any additional revenue would be welcome in the current circumstances, I must also take into account the wider social and economic factors which might militate against the introduction of a levy on tuition fees. Also, the potential yield from such a levy would be affected by the possible behavioural impact of the charge. I have no plans at this time to introduce such a tax.
Mortgage Arrears
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:65 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on a proposal (details supplied) to assist those who are struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments. [14964/11]
I would like to inform the Deputy that there are a number of measures in place to assist mortgage holders who are in genuine difficulties with regard to the payment of their mortgages. The Deputy will be aware of the work of the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt. This Group published its final Report in November 2010. All of the Expert Group's recommendations are listed in Chapter 2 of the Report which can be accessed at www.finance.gov.ie.
One of the recommendations of the Group was that lenders should offer a Deferred Interest Scheme (DIS) to borrowers. Under this Scheme, borrowers are allowed, subject to certain criteria being satisfied, to pay at least 66% of their mortgage interest but less than 100%. Payment of the balance may be deferred for up to five years. Lenders representing the majority of the market have already indicated their willingness to implement the Group's proposals for a DIS or a variation of it. I am awaiting information from the Central Bank on the up-to-date position on this and, on receipt, I will communicate the information to the Deputy. While the scheme is voluntary for all lenders, those who have signed up in support of the scheme will be monitored by the Central Bank to ensure compliance.
Since the publication of the Group's Report, the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) has been revised by the Central Bank to reflect many of the recommendations, including key recommendations relating to the introduction by all regulated lenders of a standardised Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). The most significant changes in the revised CCMA include:
Penalty interest charges may not be imposed on borrowers in arrears who co-operate with the MARP;
Harassment of borrowers through unsolicited communications is outlawed;
Borrowers in financial difficulties, but not in arrears, are allowed to come under the MARP; ·
When a lender is determining the 12 month period the lender must wait before applying to the courts to commence legal action, the lender must exclude any time period during which a borrower is complying with the terms of an alternative repayment arrangement, making an appeal to the internal appeals board or making a complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman. The revised CCMA came into effect on 1 January 2011 and can be accessed at www.centralbank.ie. Lenders are required to comply with the CCMA as a matter of law but have been given a period of six months grace ending on 30 June 2011 to put in place the requisite systems and training of staff necessary to support the implementation of the MARP.
The recommendation of the Group to amend the local authority needs assessment process has been implemented by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Local authorities have been provided with guidance on the treatment of applicants for social housing support whose mortgages have been deemed unsustainable. Discussions are on-going between that Department and the Irish Bankers' Federation to enable borrowers, whose properties are to be repossessed to remain in their homes for a period of time, pending the sourcing of appropriate accommodation by the housing authority.
As regards the recommendations of the Group in relation to the Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme (MIS), I have been informed by the Department of Social Protection that the implementation of these recommendations will require changes to both primary and secondary legislation. That Department is currently finalising an implementation plan that will set out a framework for the future of the MIS.
People in debt or in danger of getting into debt can avail of the services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service. This is a national, free, confidential and independent service.
Banks Recapitalisation
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:66 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if the recent recapitalisation of Permanent TSB will affect individuals with shares in Irish Life and Permanent Group Holdings plc; if the recapitalisation of PTSB will result in the transfer of wealth from IL&P shareholders to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14967/11]
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:67 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if issues surrounding the Irish Life and Permanent situation as it pertains to shareholders (details supplied) have been brought to his attention; and whether the points contained therein have been addressed. [14968/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, important aspects of the matters raised in his questions on this issue are commercially sensitive and it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment beyond what I have stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 25 May 2011.
Higher Education Grants
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:68 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills, in view of the cuts being made to third level grants for the coming academic year 2011-2012 (details supplied), if a provision will be considered for those who entered into courses of two years’ duration, as distinct from two separate years of study. [14969/11]
I regret that the economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse or vary any of the changes to the student grant measures announced in Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government. I am very conscious of the fundamental role played by the student grant schemes in supporting families who are putting their children through further and higher education and I understand their concerns at the 2011 budgetary measures. I will take account of these in considering any future changes to the student grant schemes as part of the budgetary process for 2012 and beyond, having regard to the position of the public finances.
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:69 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a website (details supplied) still states that no decision to cut higher education grants has been finalised when individuals affected by this cut have been notified by their local councils of the change; when this decision was finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14970/11]
My Department is aware of the position with the website in question. It has been in contact with the HEA in relation to this. While some updates have been carried to reflect the changes introduced under Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government, work on updating it fully for the 2011/12 academic year is on-going. This will be completed when the student grant scheme for the 2011/12 academic year is available. I expect to be in a position to publish this shortly.
FÁS Training Programmes
Joe Costello
Ceist:70 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied) travelling for work experience on unpaid FÁS courses are only eligible for €4.60 per week travel expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14991/11]
The rate of travel allowance provided for FÁS course participants is not fixed but varies in relation to the journey travelled. In the case in question the amount cited by the Deputy is the amount originally received by the person, which related to the distance between the home address and course location. The allowance has however been increased to take account of the additional distance now involved in travelling to the work experience location, and the increase applies from the time the work experience commenced.
Languages Programme
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:71 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the development of meanscoil facilities for students learning through Irish in the Dublin North-East constituency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14801/11]
As the Deputy may be aware, Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Donaghmede, Dublin 13 currently provides all-Irish second level education for children in the areas concerned. The Forward Planning Section of my Department is analysing all areas of the country in order to determine the level of additional school provision which will be required at both primary and post-primary levels up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the areas referred to by the Deputy, including the case for additional Irish language post-primary provision, will be fully considered in this context.
Physical Education Facilities
Clare Daly
Ceist:72 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that the staff cuts of 13 workers who work for the trust at Tallaght Sports Complex in Balrothery, County Dublin, will be recorded as part of his target for cutbacks; and the amount of savings that will be generated from the axing of these jobs. [14802/11]
The sports complexes attached to a small number of community and comprehensive schools, including that referred to by the Deputy, were established in the early 1970s on the basis that they would operate on a self-financing basis. In recent times, the complex at Tallaght Community School has experienced some difficulty in matching its operating costs and its income. Accordingly, the Board of Management, in consultation with the school's Trustees, has restructured its operations, which will involve making some staff redundant.
The employees are recruited and paid directly by the sports complex management. They are not, therefore, funded by my Department or included in my Department's Employment Control Framework. My Department has been kept informed by the Board of Management on the issues involved, and will support the Board and the Trustees in their efforts.
Departmental Funding
Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:73 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if assistance can be provided in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14812/11]
My Department has no record of an application for assistance from the school referred to by the Deputy. Should an application be received it will be assessed and the school authorities will be notified of the outcome. The application form, concerned, can be downloaded from my Departments website on www.education.ie.
Special Educational Needs
Sean Fleming
Ceist:74 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of special needs assistants and resource teaching hours in primary schools here; the amount available in the current school year and his plans for these facilities for the next school year starting in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14816/11]
The Deputy will be aware that it is necessary to ensure that educational services are delivered within the resources available due to the current fiscal position. I intend to prioritise and support special educational services. However, I cannot re-visit the previous Government's decision to place a cap on the number of posts available under the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. This number is 10,575 whole time equivalent (WTE) posts. This is a significant number of posts and unlike other areas of the public sector vacancies are being filled up to this number. It also represents continual increases in the number of SNAs over recent years.
It is considered that with equitable and careful management and distribution of these resources that there should be sufficient posts to provide access to SNA support for all children who require such care support to attend school, in accordance with Departmental criteria.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE asked schools to submit all applications for SNA support to them by 18th March, 2011 and intend to inform schools of their annual SNA allocation as soon as possible, in advance of the coming school year.
In respect of the allocation of Resource Teaching hours/posts, the total number of Whole time Equivalent (WTE) posts that are being provided for resource teaching/learning support (including under the General Allocation Model) for 2011 is approximately 9,950 WTE posts. By comparison approximately 9,600 WTE posts were provided for 2010. The Deputy will note that this is an increase in the number of WTE posts available for the previous year. Circular 37/2011 provides information to schools regarding the arrangements which are being put in place for the 2011/12 school year for the allocation of Resource Teaching hours for children with assessed special educational needs.
Higher Education Grants
Brian Stanley
Ceist:75 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the higher education grant system in which a student’s whole family income is assessed for awarding of a higher education grant at the full non-adjacent rate, but when the student’s family passes the reckonable income limit for receipt of the special rate of grant but the family income is received by a non-biological parent of the student, and the biological parent is unable to receive a social welfare payment in their own right, the student in financial need is unable to receive the special rate grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14830/11]
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for a student's grant awarding body. The Deputy will appreciate that, in the absence of the all of the relevant details contained in an application form, it is not possible for me to say what rate of grant a student qualifies for or, indeed, if he/she qualifies for a grant at all.
However, to qualify for the special rate of grant for the 2010/11 academic year, an applicant must meet the following conditions: 1. Qualify for the ordinary rate of grant; 2. Total reckonable income must not exceed €22,703; and 3. On the 31st December 2009, the reckonable income must include an eligible long-term payment prescribed under the scheme.
In the case of a dependent candidate, the reckonable income taken into account is that of the candidate and of the candidate's parents or legal guardian. The income of a non-biological parent is not taken onto account unless they are a student's legal guardian.
My advice in this case is that if the student feels that the terms and conditions of the grant scheme have not been correctly applied, he or she may appeal this to his or her grant awarding authority. If he or she is unhappy with the outcome of the appeal, then that decision may then be appealed to my Department. All appeal documentation is available from the student's grant awarding authority.
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:76 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current teacher-pupil ratio for primary and secondary private fee-paying schools; the estimate of the savings which could be generated by increasing the ratio by one point and by two points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14832/11]
My Department does not allocate or fund teachers in private fee charging schools at primary level. At post-primary level the pupil-teacher ratio is one teacher for every 20 pupils for fee charging schools. Each one point increase in the staffing ratio for post-primary fee charging schools is estimated to lead to annual savings of the order of €3.5m.
Schools Building Projects
Derek Keating
Ceist:77 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in approval for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the progress of the proposed extension; and the likely timeframe for it to be completed. [14833/11]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. In January 2011 my Department authorised this project to complete Stage 2(b) — Detailed Design. Subsequently, a request for additional fees was received from the design team. The initial fee was considered excessive by my Department and a revised fee proposal was sought. The revised fee proposal is currently being considered by my Department and when this consideration is complete my officials will revert to the Board of Management regarding next steps.
Upon completion of stage 2b the Design Team will submit same to the Department and thereafter, assuming no further issues arise, my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management with regard to progressing the project to tender and construction stages.
School Staffing
Anne Ferris
Ceist:78 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reform the teacher panel system to allow for a specific panel in respect of vacancies for teachers in gaelscoileanna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14868/11]
Over half of the Gaelscoileanna are under Catholic patronage and the redeployment of surplus teachers from these schools is through the relevant diocesan panels. Under the existing redeployment arrangements a board of management has the right to interview, once there is more than one teacher on a panel.
My Department had discussions recently with An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to its request for a separate panel for Gaelscoileanna under its patronage. These discussions are on-going and a key issue for my Department is how best to facilitate this request in a manner that avoids the inherent inefficiencies of a separate panel for a relatively small number of schools. Given our budgetary situation we need to have sufficient flexibility in the redeployment arrangements to ensure that surplus teachers in all schools regardless of patronage type can be readily redeployed to vacancies wherever they exist.
The existing arrangements for the redeployment of surplus teachers operate between schools of the same patronage and are not certain to bring about the redeployment of all surplus teachers. To address the current limitations my Department has recommenced discussions with the relevant education partners, including An Foras Pátrúnachta, on changes necessary to achieve our objective of absorbing all surplus teachers into vacancies that exist in other schools. These discussions can also deal with the request for a separate redeployment panel for Gaelscoileanna under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.
Teacher Training
Anne Ferris
Ceist:79 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to create a teacher training college run through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14870/11]
I have no plans to establish a teacher training college run through Irish. The 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-30 includes a number of actions relating to teacher education which will be progressed by my Department as resources allow.
National Lottery Funding
Sean Fleming
Ceist:80 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the exact amount of National Lottery funding included in subhead B1, grant-in-aid fund for general expenses of adult education organisations, in the Revised Estimates for public services 2011. [14884/11]
The Revised Estimates Volume (REV, published by the Department of Finance) provides summary details of programmes part-financed by the National Lottery and disbursed by relevant Government Departments and Offices. The REV provides these details at Vote subhead level and identifies the aggregate amount of National Lottery funding towards the programme in question, together with the amount of Exchequer funding. My Department cannot disaggregate the National Lottery funding. The 2011 REV allocation to subhead B1 (Grant in Aid for General Expenses of Adult Education Organisations) is €854,000. By way of background, the 2011 REV indicates that the estimated total expenditure from subheads with a National Lottery designation is €349.26m, of which €230m is scheduled to be made from National Lottery funds.
Sean Fleming
Ceist:81 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of National Lottery funding included in subhead B14, grant-in-aid fund for general expenses of cultural, scientific and educational organisations, in the Revised Estimates for public services in 2011. [14885/11]
The Revised Estimates Volume (REV, published by the Department of Finance) provides summary details of programmes part-financed by the National Lottery and disbursed by relevant Government Departments and Offices. The REV provides these details at Vote subhead level and identifies the aggregate amount of National Lottery funding towards the programme in question, together with the amount of Exchequer Funding. My Department cannot disaggregate the National Lottery funding. The 2011 REV allocation to subhead B14 (Grant-in-aid fund for general expenses of Cultural, Scientific and Educational Organisations) is €196,000. By way of background, the 2011 REV indicates that the estimated total expenditure from subheads with a National lottery designation is €349.26m, of which €230m is scheduled to be made from National Lottery funds.
School Transport
James Bannon
Ceist:82 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the transport provision that will be made for the pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14897/11]
The changes to school transport services were announced in the 2011 Budget by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from a recommendation in the Value for Money Review of the scheme. These changes include the requirement that a minimum of 10 eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, will be required to retain or establish a school transport service from 2011/12 school year. As is currently the position, families of eligible pupils, for whom there is no school transport service available, may apply for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. Decisions in relation to the retention or establishment of school transport services will be made when all applications for school transport, for the 2011/12 school year, have been received and assessed.
Disadvantaged Status
James Bannon
Ceist:83 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the rural co-ordinator for disadvantaged status is to be suppressed with effect from 1 September 2011 at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14898/11]
The school to which the Deputy refers was selected to participate in the rural element of DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunities in Schools) the action plan for educational inclusion. My Department is currently preparing for the next cycle of DEIS. An evaluation of DEIS has been undertaken by the Educational Research Centre on behalf of my Department and a report of this evaluation is expected shortly. It is expected that the evaluation will inform any future changes to the current programme. There will not be an opportunity to consider the re-classification of this or any other school in DEIS until this process has been complete.
The decision to remove the Rural Coordinator Service from 331 rural DEIS schools was a measure taken by the last Government to secure some €24m in savings in the 2011/2012 school year. The service will therefore be discontinued with effect from 31 August 2011. I cannot revisit the decision of the previous Government to withdraw rural coordinator posts. The requirements to make expenditure savings and to ensure that staffing numbers remain within the Public Service Employment Control Framework prevent me from re-visiting this decision.
This measure will not affect the provision of HSCL services which remain in 200 post primary and 345 urban primary participating in DEIS. DEIS rural primary schools will continue to receive the following supports: — additional capitation funding based on level of disadvantage. — additional funding for schools books. — access to the School Meals Programme — access to numeracy/literacy supports and measures. — access to planning supports. — access to a range of professional development supports.
Schools Building Projects
John Browne
Ceist:84 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an approval for tender documents submitted by a primary school (details supplied) in County Wexford will issue. [14916/11]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school to which he refers was recently authorised to commence the award process.
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:85 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14924/11]
The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application will be assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and a band rating will be assigned if appropriate. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie. The progression of all large scale building projects, including any project at this school, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department’s multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of any project at this school at this time.
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:86 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14925/11]
The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2 rating.
Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
School Enrolments
Joe Costello
Ceist:87 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary gaelscoileanna in the country; the number of students and staff concerned; the number of Educate Together primary schools; the number of students and staff concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14929/11]
Joe Costello
Ceist:88 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary gaelscoileanna in the country; the number of students and staff concerned; the number of Educate Together secondary schools; the number of students and staff concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14930/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive information relating to primary and post-primary schools and the number of pupils in each school.
My Department's Teacher Allocation Section is currently focused on the redeployment process and on the allocation of staffing for the coming school year and I do not propose to divert them from this work at this key time.
Departmental Funding
Joe Costello
Ceist:89 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide financial or other support for an educational facility (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14931/11]
My Department has no record of receiving an application for funding from the facility referred to by the Deputy. However, I also understand that the facility concerned would not qualify for support as it accommodates a private college which is not recognised by my Department for funding purposes.
Joe Costello
Ceist:90 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider a matter (details supplied); if he can identify any source of funding such as grants or bursaries which would facilitate this person in developing their considerable potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14932/11]
Unfortunately, my Department does not have any sources of funding which would facilitate the individual concerned.
School Patronage
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:91 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to set up an Educate Together primary school in the Dublin 4 area. [14962/11]
A review of the criteria and procedures for the establishment of new primary schools has been undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation and its report has recently been published on my Department's website. It will be necessary to consider the report's recommendations and proposals. In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the increases in pupil numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which require the provision of new schools.
The establishment of new schools, including the request for an educate together primary school in the Dublin 4 area, will be considered in this context. In line with a commitment given in the programme for Government I have launched a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector which will enable all stakeholders including parents to engage in open debate on change of patronage in communities where it is appropriate and necessary. The Forum intends to develop a mechanism by which a change of patronage in existing schools can occur. I want to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring our education system caters for a pluralism of choice which reflects the needs of Ireland today and into the future.
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:92 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the restrictive practices that are in place in State schools with a Catholic ethos, such as that disqualifying unbaptised children from enrolment, are acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14963/11]
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the rights of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Equality legislation, which also outlaws discrimination in relation to the admission of a student, makes provision for exemptions to apply in the case of single sex schools and in the case of schools where the objective is to provide education in an environment that promotes certain religious values. The legislation provides that any school that has this objective may admit a student of a particular religious denomination in preference to other students.
School Transport
Michael McNamara
Ceist:93 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make the records of the 1969 closure of a school (details supplied) in County Clare available to the board of management, in order that they can confirm the agreement given to parents about the new arrangement for school bus transportation of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14982/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that school transport arrangements under the Closed School Rule originated from the last major amalgamation of schools in the late 1960s. Under the Closed School Rule, transport is generally provided to the school of amalgamation for pupils who reside in a closed school area. However, over the course of the last 42 years, many parts of Ireland have experienced changes in population, the number of schools in an area may have increased and private transport is more widely available. While my Department acknowledges the importance of school transport, my Department must always seek to ensure that every service that is funded by the public is operated in a manner that delivers for pupils, parents and taxpayers alike.
In light of this, the Closed School Rule changes to school transport services were announced in the 2011 Budget by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme. One of the changes, which takes effect from the beginning of the 2011/12 school year, is that the distance eligibility criterion will be applied uniformly to all pupils attending primary schools and the exemption under the ‘Central/Closed School Rule' (CSR) will cease. This means that children who reside less than 3.2 kilometres from their school of attendance and who are currently availing of free transport to that school under the CSR will lose their transport eligibility.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that the children referred to reside less than 3.2 kilometres from the school in question and will therefore not be eligible for school transport from 2011/12. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply to Bus Éireann for concessionary transport in accordance with the terms of the scheme.
Schools Building Projects
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:94 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a new school building (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15019/11]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The stage 1 submission which incorporates Preliminary Design was received on 9th May and is currently being reviewed by my Department. Subject to no issues arising in relation to the stage 1 submission it is envisaged that the project will thereafter advance to completion of stage 2(a) — Developed Sketch Design and stage 2(b) which will include applications for planning permission and other statutory approvals. Until planning permission has been secured and stage 2(b) of architectural planning has been completed, it will not be possible to give an indication of the timeframe for completion of the subsequent tender and construction stages.
Pension Provisions
Jim Daly
Ceist:95 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the options available to a person whose employer did not make the compulsory contribution to the Construction Industry Federation pension fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14782/11]
I am advised that the best option for the person concerned is to take the matter up with the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman. That Office provides a free, independent and impartial service investigating complaints and disputes concerning maladministration and financial loss of pension entitlements. The office is located at 36 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2 and can be contacted by e-mail at info@pensionsombudsman.ie, by telephone at (01) 6471650 or by fax at (01) 6769577.
Job Initiative
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:96 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied that the measures taken to date by him to combat unemployment are adequate. [14988/11]
The live register figures published last week remind us once again of the scale of the challenge facing the economy and the government. The seasonally adjusted live register for May 2011 shows 440,947 persons seeking employment compared with 154,000 in May 2007, an increase of approximately 286,000. These figures underline the extent of the challenge we face in reducing unemployment.
On 10th May, the Government launched a range of measures under the Jobs Initiative to improve the competitiveness of the economy, to support the maintenance of existing jobs and the creation of new ones, and to assist those who are currently unemployed to return to work. The labour market aspect of the Jobs Initiative includes the creation of an extra 20,900 activation places for the unemployed. These places will be delivered by the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Education and Skills. The overall objective of the Government's labour market policy is to ensure a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register, and to improve their employment prospects as new job opportunities become available through economic recovery.
In addition to the labour market interventions in the Jobs Initiative, the Government also introduced a number of measures to boost the domestic economy, including:
the introduction of a new temporary, second reduced rate of VAT to apply primarily to restaurant and catering services, hotel and holiday accommodation and various entertainment services;
the halving of the lower rate of employer's PRSI on earnings up to €356 per week;
the reduction of the air travel tax rate to zero;
a major reform to the visa application system for entry to Ireland;
the focusing of the State's capital expenditure towards more employment-intensive projects in the areas of education, local and regional roads and sustainable transport projects;
additional funding for energy efficiency schemes;
improvements to the R&D tax credit scheme.
Commitments were also given in the Jobs Initiative to developing proposals for a partial credit guarantee scheme to improve access to finance for SMEs, and for a Microfinance Start-up Fund. All of these measures will contribute to combating unemployment by stimulating the economy and facilitating job creation and retention. The Jobs Initiative was an important first step in putting jobs at the heart of the new Government's strategy. The Programme for Government outlines a much broader range of initiatives which will be embodied in that strategy.
Departmental Correspondence
Niall Collins
Ceist:97 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action he will take to address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he or his Department has made contact with the company which corresponded with him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14877/11]
EU Regulation 245/2009 of 18 March 2009 provided, inter alia, for the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs over a period between 1 September 2009 and 1 September 2012. The purpose of the Regulation is to phase out inefficient incandescent light bulbs throughout Europe on a staged basis and replace them with more energy-efficient alternatives such as new improved halogen light bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LEDs. The aim of the Regulation is to save energy, limit CO2 emissions and help consumers save money in lower electricity bills without the loss of functionality.
I have received correspondence from a company concerning the presence, on the retail market, of incandescent light bulbs of 100W and higher, which in general were to be phased out from 1 September 2009. However, I should point out that stocks that were already on the shelves of retailers or in retailer stocks before 1 September 2009 can continue to be sold until they are depleted.
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is the designated authority for the surveillance and enforcement of the EU Regulations on light bulbs and other energy-related products, and I have forwarded the correspondence which I have received to the Minister for his attention and any further action which may be appropriate. A reply to this effect will also issue from my Department to the correspondent.
Job Losses
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:98 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the recent proposals by a company (details supplied) to move more than 130 Dundalk- and Dublin-based jobs to offshore locations in India and Egypt, in view of the multi-million euro profits the company makes in the Irish telecommunications sector each year; if he has contacted the company on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14879/11]
I am very concerned about the job losses that have been announced and of the impact that they have had on the workers concerned and their families as well as the communities affected. I understand that Vodafone Ireland, which is not an IDA or EI client, has announced this as a part of a review of its European operations and which will also impact on its operations in other EU Member States. I am advised, as part of this process, that the company has been in discussions with unions and its Irish Call Centre contract partner, Rigney Dolphin. I am aware that Vodafone has decided that a portion of the existing contracted call centre operations in Dundalk and Dublin will be moved to other locations — Egypt and India — within the Vodafone Group and to other specialist contractors in Ireland.
This decision will impact 45 Vodafone roles and 139 in Rigney Dolphin — the 139 staff are employed by Rigney Dolphin but are in-sourced to Vodafone and are based at its sites in Dublin and Dundalk. I have been assured that Rigney Dolphin will work through the implications of the redundancies with their employees. I also understand that all impacted Vodafone employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to alternative roles within Vodafone Ireland, and voluntary redundancy packages will be offered. A consultation process is now underway with all Vodafone employees affected by the decision to finalise the alternatives available. The changes to Vodafone Call Centre operations will take place in late 2011 and early 2012.
Yesterday, my officials and Minister of State, Deputy Seán Sherlock met with Vodafone. The company explained that in the current market environment, cost efficiencies are a prerequisite so as to ensure their continued ability to compete in the Irish market where they employ over 1,000 people. In particular, this includes being in a position to make major funding investments in Ireland that will be required in the future to compete in the market.
Job creation is central to economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. The programmes supported by my Department and its agencies will be critical in achieving economic growth through promoting the export potential of enterprise in Ireland and driving our Smart Economy.
Jack Wall
Ceist:99 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views in regard to the attached submission (details supplied); the actions he has taken or meetings he has had regarding this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14910/11]
I am very concerned about the job losses that have been announced and of the impact that they have had on the workers concerned and their families as well as the communities affected. I understand that Vodafone Ireland, which is not an IDA or EI client, has announced this as a part of a review of its European operations and which will also impact on its operations in other EU Member States. I am advised, as part of this process, that the company has been in discussions with unions and its Irish Call Centre contract partner, Rigney Dolphin. I am aware that Vodafone has decided that a portion of the existing contracted call centre operations in Dundalk and Dublin will be moved to other locations — Egypt and India — within the Vodafone Group and to other specialist contractors in Ireland.
This decision will impact 45 Vodafone roles and 139 in Rigney Dolphin — the 139 staff are employed by Rigney Dolphin but are in-sourced to Vodafone and are based at its sites in Dublin and Dundalk. I have been assured that Rigney Dolphin will work through the implications of the redundancies with their employees. I also understand that all impacted Vodafone employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to alternative roles within Vodafone Ireland, and voluntary redundancy packages will be offered. A consultation process is now underway with all Vodafone employees affected by the decision to finalise the alternatives available. The changes to Vodafone Call Centre operations will take place in late 2011 and early 2012.
Yesterday, my officials and Minister of State, Deputy Seán Sherlock met with Vodafone. The company explained that in the current market environment, cost efficiencies are a prerequisite so as to ensure their continued ability to compete in the Irish market where they employ over 1,000 people. In particular, this includes being in a position to make major funding investments in Ireland that will be required in the future to compete in the market.
Job creation is central to economic recovery and the Programme for Government has job creation at its core. The role of my Department is to ensure that we have the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. The programmes supported by my Department and its agencies will be critical in achieving economic growth through promoting the export potential of enterprise in Ireland and driving our Smart Economy.
State Agencies
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:100 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his proposals to rationalise the number of agencies within his Department dealing with matters concerning consumer protection, competition and regulation of retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14923/11]
As part of the plan for rationalisation of State agencies, the amalgamation of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority is being pursued. As both the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority were established under statute, it is necessary to give effect to the newly merged body by way of primary legislation. I will shortly be seeking Government approval to draft the Bill which will, inter alia, provide for the merger of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency.
Job Losses
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:101 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs lost on a monthly basis in each of the past five years and to date in 2011; the number of new jobs created during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14948/11]
Figures in respect of the number of jobs created or lost in firms assisted by the industrial development agencies, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, are compiled annually in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2011 will not be available until 2012. Details of the number of jobs created and lost on an annual basis over the last five years are set out in the following tabular statement.
My Department does not collect or retain information on the number of jobs that have been created or lost in County and City Enterprise Board assisted companies. However, statistical information in relation to details of jobs existing in companies assisted by the County and City Enterprise Boards is collated annually and is set out in the following tabular statement for the last five years. Figures in respect of 2011 will be available in early 2012.
|
Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Full Time Job Gains in Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development assisted companies |
34,520 |
28,708 |
23,508 |
14,272 |
17,582 |
|
Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Full Time Job Losses in Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development assisted companies |
21,347 |
24,141 |
30,290 |
45,927 |
23,704 |
|
Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Jobs Existing in CEBs (Based on CEB Annual Employment Survey) |
32,279 |
34,545.5 |
33,811 |
30,726.5 |
32,910 |
Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 39.
Economic Competitiveness
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:103 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has identified issues affecting national economic competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14950/11]
Improving Ireland's competitiveness is essential in order to achieve a return to sustainable economic growth. Improved competitiveness will help businesses to retain existing jobs, create new ones, increase exports and contribute to economic recovery.
The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) monitors and analyses costs and other competitiveness issues in the Irish economy through its suite of reports and offers recommendations for policy actions required to enhance Ireland's competitive position. The Council produces an annual Competitiveness Challenge report which identifies priority competitiveness challenges for Ireland. The issues identified by the NCC in its 2010 Competitiveness Challenge were:
tackling unemployment;
driving productivity growth;
sustaining and deepening our competitive advantage in key sectors;
broadening our export base;
delivering further improvements in cost competitiveness;
building a stronger physical and knowledge infrastructure base;
restoring macroeconomic stability; and
delivering on public sector reform and implementation.
These issues are consistent with the Government's objectives, as set out in the Programme for Government.
The Government has already made progress in tackling the competitiveness of the economy through the restructuring of the banking system, the introduction of a Jobs Initiative and in its commitment to public sector reform. Further measures to improve the competitiveness of the economy will be explored and implemented by the Government over the coming months.
Economic Policy
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:104 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has met with or intends to meet all of the stakeholders in the economic sphere with a view to identification of objectives in the context of economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14951/11]
Since I took up office as Minister with responsibility for jobs, enterprise and innovation, I have met with various stakeholders to hear their views on the economy, job creation and the needs of enterprise. These stakeholders include employer representatives, employee representatives, business representatives, individual companies and other relevant parties. I have also led trade and economic missions to Germany, India and Saudi Arabia, where I had the opportunity to see and hear at first hand the importance of these key markets to trade and investment. I met with many Irish companies operating in these markets, as well as with potential new investors in our economy. They, too, had interesting ideas and suggestions that could enhance our exports and investment performance.
The Government has obtained a secure and stable mandate to bring about economic recovery and our objectives are set out in the Programme for Government. These objectives include:
restoring our public finances,
supporting the protection and creation of jobs,
restoring confidence in, and getting the economy moving,
fixing the banking system,
radically reforming our system of public administration, and
rebuilding Ireland's reputation on the international stage.
We are well on the way to delivering on these objectives. The Jobs Initiative which was announced on 10th May was one of the early steps taken by the Government to deliver an improvement in the growth rate of the economy. This year, we can look forward to positive growth after three successive years of economic decline. We fully expect this growth to accelerate as we move into 2012 and beyond. In my capacity as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I will continue to meet with representative bodies, companies and individuals who can offer helpful suggestions as to how we can continue to build on the progress we have made so far in bringing about economic recovery.
Job Creation
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:105 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent of inward investment leading to job creation from other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14952/11]
Ireland's position as a leading international location for value intensive FDI remained strong in 2010 with IDA Ireland securing 126 investments. IDA has continued to increase the number of companies investing in Ireland for the first time while encouraging existing operations to expand and diversify their operations here. The average employment per investment in 2010 was double the 2009 level.
Ireland's value proposition which includes our talent pool, attractive corporation tax regime, strong track record of FDI companies and technological capability remains strongly attractive to many of the world's leading multinationals and emerging companies. IBM's 2010 Global Locations Trends report ranked Ireland 1st globally for jobs by inward investment per capita, injecting renewed confidence in Ireland's reputation for FDI. Also in 2010, the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, for the key measures influencing foreign direct investments, ranked Ireland;
1st for corporate taxes
4th for the availability of skilled labour
4th for being open to new ideas
6th for labour productivity
7th for the availability of financial skills
7th for the flexibility and adaptability of people
Ireland also ranked first in Euro-zone of best countries for business. (Source: Forbes 2010). These are critical criteria for multinationals making mobile investment decisions.
At 31 December 2010 there were 403 IDA supported companies from other EU member states in Ireland, with total employment of 32,621. Inward investment has continued in 2011 with in excess of 3,000 jobs announced from 25 companies, including Valeo and Murex. In total, IDA supported companies directly employ approximately 139,000 people with a total impact of 240,000 jobs in the Irish economy, accounting for €110bn or over 75% of total Irish exports (goods and services). These companies contribute over €19 billion in direct expenditure to the Irish economy.
Job Losses
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he has studied the reasons for investment and job relocations from this country to other EU member states in each of the past five years and to date in 2011; the steps he proposes to take to address any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14953/11]
Many of the recent jobs losses which have occurred are as a result of the restructuring process which is going on in industry in Ireland whereby activities (and hence jobs) at the lower end of the value added scale are being phased out as these activities become uneconomic in an Irish context. Manufacturing is the bed-rock on which the growth in Ireland's FDI was founded. Mirroring the rest of our economy, manufacturing is also in transition. Historically, it has been a significant segment of our investment portfolio and it will continue to remain so. Higher technological investment and higher value products will be the hallmark of future manufacturing operations in Ireland. The sector will be characterised by increased international competition and enhanced output volumes due to investments in technology and automation. These operations will be knowledge, capital and skills intensive, characterised by a participative innovative culture where management and staff continuously collaborate to drive innovation, productivity, agility, learning and adaptability. Globally, manufacturing jobs, as a percentage of total employment, will continue to decrease even in lower cost locations.
In March 2010, IDA published its strategy for the forthcoming decade, Horizon 2020. This presents our view of how the environment in which we operate will change over the next ten years, and the opportunities for FDI created by global trends. Horizon 2020 sets out IDA's targets for the 5 year period to 2014 as well as the direction IDA will take in the pursuit of these goals. IDA's strategy includes winning as many new jobs as possible each year and giving equal priority to maintaining existing jobs. We recognise that jobs losses occur every year for a variety of reasons including changing competitiveness, competition from sister sites, product and technology life cycles or global location rationalisation as a result of mergers and acquisitions.
To address the need to maintain jobs in Ireland, IDA is actively encouraging its clients to strongly engage in transformation initiatives, and is assisting them in programmes to:
Improve company-wide competitiveness.
Enhance use of new technologies.
Grow the skills of the business.
Engage in Research, Development and Innovation.
Develop new business processes.
Make company operations more energy efficient.
There is a requirement to have a constant agenda to support clients to improve and invest to transform their Irish operations to ensure jobs can be maintained and losses minimised. Over the past number of years (2006-2010) IDA has continued to attract and retain high value manufacturing investments from leading Global Corporations. A total of 126 investments were announced in 2010 with a combined total of almost 11,000 jobs.
The combined influence of Ireland's increased competitiveness in business costs, commitment to our 12.5% corporate tax rate, transformation of client operations and activities, national Infrastructure development, Government's investment strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation and development of growth markets will continue to attract and increase the level of inward investment in Ireland. Inward investment has continued in 2011 with announcements from companies including Intel, PayPal, Fidelity and LinkedIn. Fourteen out of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies have plants in Ireland, including Abbott, J&J, Pfizer, Schering Plough and Wyeth Medica mainly in high value manufacturing activities. A significant number have supplemented this manufacturing activity with RD&I investments and high value services activities.
Job Creation
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:107 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he expects to see job creation through innovation over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14955/11]
The Government is committed to using Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) as a means of adding value to Ireland's output and thereby achieving increased demand, sales and exports and headlining Ireland's attractiveness as a locale for FDI. The overall objective is the maintenance and growth of well-paid sustainable jobs.
In order to develop the companies of the future in Ireland, both indigenous and multinational, we must not only fund high tech research in our universities but also crucially ensure that the research ideas we have developed can be put into action in industry. In this way, new businesses can be created and established companies can expand and create more jobs. The Programme for Government commits to addressing that gap through establishing technology centres in order to develop good ideas into workable businesses so as to create the jobs of the future and get the economy growing again. Recent announcements that I have made involving investments of over €65 million demonstrate that this initiative is being implemented.
The key challenge facing the Government is to strike the correct balance of investment in RDI, both as regards the level of investment and types of activities to support. Other countries are growing their investment in RDI but we are not in a position to significantly increase the level of public investment given the fiscal and banking pressures on the economy. We have, however, as part of our National Reform Programme, confirmed that we will maintain the existing levels of RDI investment until 2014 and significantly increase such investment over the period 2014 to 2020.
At the same time, we have to ensure that every Euro invested in RDI, as in every other area, is achieving the maximum possible impact. A Steering Group, chaired by Mr. Jim O'Hara, former GM of Intel Ireland, is carrying out a project to establish priority areas of focus for Irish research. This very important piece of work will take account of research areas where Ireland has built significant strength to date and particular areas that have the greatest potential to deliver sustainable economic return through enterprise development, employment creation, or indeed, quality of life. The Steering Group has been tasked with submitting its report by Autumn 2011. The Government will carefully consider its findings as we decide future areas of RDI for investment.
In the meantime, the agencies under the aegis of my Department are working to ensure that investment in RDI is directed towards job creation. Enterprise Ireland (EI) aims to create 60,000 new jobs and €17 billion in export sales by 2015. This will be achieved by enabling Irish companies to develop the important competitive advantages through innovation. EI will help 1,200 companies in 2011 with RDI activities. It will generate 85 new companies with high potential this year and move up to 100 per year by 2015. It will place greater focus on collaboration between industry and third level institutions; this will include doubling the number of technology centres from the current 8 to 16 by 2015. EI will enhance the opportunities for commercialisation to ensure that the best use is made of research with commercial and market potential.
IDA Ireland's current strategy sets the following high-level goals for the five-year period 2010 to 2014:
Create 62,000 new direct industrial jobs and 43,000 indirect;
640 investments;
50% of FDI projects outside of Dublin and Cork;
20% of greenfield investments from emerging high growth markets; and,
€1.7 billion investment in RDI per annum by client companies.
These targets demonstrate the Government's determination to make significant public investment in RDI for the collective gain of the country. We are clear that this approach will stimulate the market and result in productive partnerships with the private sector in order to regain competitiveness, increase exports and create jobs.
There is a well-founded belief among OECD and BRIC countries of the central importance of innovation and technological change to the growth process. This view, that RDI is one of the key drivers of economic growth, has been underscored very recently in a trenchant analysis by Dr. Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Supply (the central bank of the USA).
Job Losses
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:108 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will set out the full extent of high-tech jobs lost to other competing economies during the past four years to date; the number of low-tech jobs lost in the same period; the extent to which the causes of such job relocation have been identified; the action taken or proposed to address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14957/11]
It is not possible to identify with any certainty the number of jobs lost to competing economies. However, we do know that there are many differing and complex factors that can influence a firm's decision to relocate and these are a reality of the modern globalised economic environment. Notwithstanding this, IDA Ireland has continued to attract and retain high value manufacturing investments from leading global corporations.
Job ‘churn' occurs in the internationally trading sector of the economy, in a number of ways and for a variety of reasons. Companies adjust their plant location and utilisation strategies to address matters such as accessing new markets, moving production nearer to customers, meeting firm or market specific customer relationship issues, accessing technology, in addition to business takeovers and consolidations. For much of the last decade, this churn has been positive for Ireland with companies replacing lower value activities with activities of higher value, resulting in better-paid, more highly skilled jobs.
In terms of supporting the creation of new employment opportunities across the country the State Development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, together with the County and City Enterprise Boards assist and promote enterprise development and employment growth in businesses. Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients throughout all regions to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of innovation and exports, which in turn, stimulates job creation.
The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards is to provide support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate entrepreneurship at local level, with a view to growing firms to exporting stage. While it is clear that we are operating in a very difficult economic environment, there are still investment opportunities in global markets and IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for Ireland. So far this year, there have been 22 IDA announcements with the potential to create nearly 3,000 jobs.
Employment Support Services
Tom Fleming
Ceist:109 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will set up a jobs register and a register for prospective employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14804/11]
Through FÁS Employment Services, responsibility for which has been transferred to my Department, a fully integrated nationwide range of services and supports is available to Employers and Jobseekers.
Employers
Employers can access a wide range of Jobseekers by using FÁS Employment Services. FÁS Jobs Ireland provides a service for employers who wish to register with FÁS and advertise job vacancies/opportunities. Vacancies can be registered either on line at www.fas.ie or by contacting the FÁS National Contact Centre (NCC) on Freephone 1800 611 116. All vacancies advertised via FÁS Jobs Ireland are validated by the NCC before publishing. These opportunities are accessible via the: Internet; WAP enabled mobile phones; Self Service Kiosks located in FÁS Offices and displayed in FÁS Offices, and through the EURES network. FÁS Employment Services can assist in identifying potential candidates who match the vacancy specification and also with recruitment supports.
Jobseekers and Job changers
Jobseekers and Job Changers can register at one of the 63 local FÁS Employment Service Offices nationwide, for on-site career guidance and job placement services. FÁS also contracts with partnership companies and community organisations for the delivery of the Local Employment Service (LES) which provides career guidance/support in a further 25 locations throughout the country. In addition, FÁS Employment Services & the LES are the ’Gateway’ to all FÁS training and employment programmes for Jobseekers and Job Changers. Further information for Jobseekers and Job Changers is available online at www.fas.ie, or from any one of the local FÁS Employment Service Offices nationwide.
The FÁS Jobs Ireland service is provided free of charge to both Employers and Jobseekers. Information provided to FÁS by Jobseekers and Employers is subject to the terms of the Data Protection Act 1988 and 2003.
Enterprise Support Services
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:110 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding available for the short-term enterprise allowance; the amount allocated for 2011 versus the amount drawn down; and her plans for guaranteeing the future of the scheme. [14961/11]
The Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) is one of a range of activation supports and policies with the objective of assisting social welfare recipients to improve their life chances by facilitating access to self employment, work experience, education and training. The STEA is designed to provide immediate support for a person who qualifies for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) and who wishes to engage in self employment; it is payable for the duration of their JB entitlement. Accordingly there is no discrete fund from which expenditure on the scheme is drawn down. At the end of May 2011 there were 1,222 participants in the STEA.
The STEA, in conjunction with other employment support schemes, was considered under the Programme for Government 2011-2016 and will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
Redundancy Payments
Joe Carey
Ceist:111 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of redundancies arising from the liquidation of a company (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14793/11]
Joe Carey
Ceist:112 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of redundancy payments which have been paid to date in respect of a company (details supplied) in County Clare; the number of outstanding redundancy payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14795/11]
Joe Carey
Ceist:113 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection when is it expected that all redundancy payments will be made in respect of a company (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14796/11]
Joe Carey
Ceist:114 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection when a redundancy payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14798/11]
Joe Carey
Ceist:115 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection when redundancy payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14810/11]
Joe Carey
Ceist:116 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection when a redundancy payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14811/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 116, inclusive, together.
On 1 January 2011, my Department assumed responsibility for making redundancy payments from the Social Insurance Fund. There are two types of redundancy payment made from the fund i.e. rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. I can confirm that over one hundred and sixty one statutory redundancy lump sum claims have been received over various dates in March 2011 in respect of the former employees of the company concerned and these claims await processing. Lump sum claims from January and February of this year are currently being processed.
Current processing times are attributed to a high level of claims over the past number of years, and delays are regretted. The Department is investing in a new IT system and process which is due to go live in the final quarter of this year, which will impact positively on processing times.
Social Welfare Appeals
Tom Fleming
Ceist:117 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [14829/11]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, allowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of an oral hearing. The person concerned has been notified of the decision. However, the file was returned to the Appeals Officer by the Department with a query in relation to the Appeals Officer's decision. The Appeals Officer has dealt with the query and the file has been returned to the Department to implement the Appeals Officer's decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Pension Provisions
Damien English
Ceist:118 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people paying into private pension funds here; her plans to promote an increase of the coverage and adequacy of pensions; her views on the auto-enrolment of persons into pension schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14865/11]
In 2010, just over 550,000 people were members of a defined benefit schemes. In the same period, almost 260,000 people were members of defined contribution schemes. At the end of 2010 there were over 187,000 Personal Retirement Savings Account contracts in force, which represents an increase of 16,252 contracts over 2009.
The most recent coverage figures available from the Central Statistics Office indicate that just over half of workers aged between 20 and 69 had a pension at the end of 2009. The fact that supplementary pension coverage continues to be relatively low is of major concern to the Government. That is why the Programme for Government includes a commitment to achieve universal coverage, with a particular focus on low paid workers.
A soft-mandatory approach such as that envisaged by an auto-enrolment scheme is a very proactive way in which we can increase pension coverage. This proposal was set out in the National Pensions Framework and the Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, has been working on the development of the detailed regulatory, legislative and operational aspects of this scheme in detail. In addition, we must continue to raise awareness about pensions and about the importance of having a pension. In that regard, the Pensions Board runs the National Pension Awareness Campaign each year. I am pleased that my Department is continuing to support that campaign through the allocation of €400,000 in funding this year.
With regard to adequacy, the State pension is the bedrock of our pension system. We are introducing a number of reforms in order to increase the sustainability of the system so that we can continue to maintain the value of the State pension. I am also examining ways in which the defined benefit model in particular can be strengthened in order to improve the position of members of such schemes, particularly where the schemes are underfunded.
Social Welfare Benefits
Jack Wall
Ceist:119 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is on a reduced rate of rent supplement, in view of the fact that they have two children and their means of income is one parent family allowance and maintenance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14874/11]
The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned is in receipt of her full entitlement to rent supplement based on her household circumstances.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:120 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason carer’s allowance was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14927/11]
On 26 November 2009 the person concerned was refused carer's allowance on the grounds that he had failed to disclose means to an investigative officer as prescribed in the social welfare legislation. He was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeal's Office. The person concerned appealed this decision and the matter was brought before an oral hearing of the Social Welfare Appeal's Office. The appeal's officer listened to all the information supplied by both parties before determining that the decision of the deciding officer be upheld and that the appeal was disallowed. On 31 May 2011 the person concerned was notified of the appeal's officer's decision.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:121 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will be given in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of new evidence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14928/11]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. Notification of the Appeals Officers decision was issued on 25 November 2010. Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. The legislation also provides that an Appeals Officer may decide a case before him/her on the basis of the documentary evidence. This course of action was taken in the case of the person concerned as it was considered that an oral hearing was not warranted.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that no new evidence has been received to date in that Office to warrant a review of the case by the Appeals Officer. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Kevin Humphreys
Ceist:122 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the appeal for reinstatement of a week of disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason it has taken nine months for such a request of appeal to be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14980/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th September 2010. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 1st April 2011 and the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer, in due course, who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
There was a 46% increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2009 when compared to 2008, which in itself was 27% greater than the numbers received in 2007. There was an increase of a further 25% in the number of appeals received in 2010. These increases have caused delays in the processing of appeals. In order to be fair to all appellants, oral hearings are arranged in strict chronological order.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
National Monuments
Brian Stanley
Ceist:123 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will designate the entire terrace of buildings on which 14-17 Moore Street is situated, from Henry Place to O’Rahilly Parade, as a national monument. [14826/11]
Brian Stanley
Ceist:124 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will give a commitment that he will not allow demolition of any existing section of the national monument on Moore Street, Dublin 1, including any attached structures within the curtilage of the site. [14827/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.
I refer to the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 29 of 11 May 2011.
National Lottery Funding
Sean Fleming
Ceist:125 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of National Lottery funding included in subhead G1- Grant for An Chomhairle Oidhreachta, Heritage Council — in the Revised Estimates for Public Services for 2011. [14883/11]
Sean Fleming
Ceist:127 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of National Lottery funding included in subhead F1 — Irish Language Support Schemes — in the Revised Estimates for Public Services for 2011. [14888/11]
Sean Fleming
Ceist:128 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of National Lottery funding included in subhead D7 — An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Grant-in-aid — in the Revised Estimates for Public Services for 2011. [14891/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 127 and 128 together.
The published Revised Estimates for the Public Service 2011 show that the subheads referred to by the Deputy, which are now included in the Vote of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, are part-funded by the National Lottery. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the allocation of the proceeds of the National Lottery is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Elements of voted expenditure across a number of Departments are listed as being part-funded by the National Lottery. This expenditure is detailed in Appendix 1 of the 2011 Revised Estimates for the Public Service, as published. A footnote to this Appendix indicates that in 2011 the National Lottery will finance an estimated €230m, or 66%, of the €349.26m allocated for all of the subheads to be part-funded by the National Lottery, with the remainder to be funded by the Exchequer.
Irish Language
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:126 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will tackle and begin implementing the 20-year Strategy on the Irish Language 2010-2030, starting with the early publication of the implementation plan being prepared by his Department, in view of the fact that the Irish language deserves to be maintained and enhanced for this and future generations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/11]
The Programme for Government pledges support for the 20-Year Strategy on the Irish Language 2010-2030 and for the delivery of its achievable goals and targets. It must be acknowledged that the implementation of the Strategy can only be achieved within the resources available, given the economic pressures facing the country at present. A number of steps have been taken to progress the implementation of the Strategy:
The Cabinet Committee on the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht has been re-established under the chairmanship of An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., to drive forward key priorities under the Strategy and has met twice, in April and in May.
A Strategy Unit has been established in my Department to facilitate the implementation of the Strategy. An implementation plan for 2011 has been prepared and work is in progress to prepare a three-year implementation plan for the Strategy. These plans will be published on my Department's website in due course, following their consideration by a senior officials group made up of high-level officials from relevant Departments, which supports the Cabinet Committee.
In order to ensure effective co-operation with other key stakeholders, a number of high-level working groups have been established as follows:
between my Department and the Department of Education and Skills regarding education under the Strategy;
between my Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge regarding the implementation of the Strategy by those public bodies;
between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation regarding enterprise investment in the Gaeltacht and associated issues.
The Government has also taken a number of key policy decisions regarding the 20-Year Strategy.
With regard to the implementation structures for the Strategy, my Department will retain primary responsibility for matters concerning the Irish language, both within and outside of the Gaeltacht. Foras na Gaeilge will continue to fulfil its responsibilities on an all-island basis as an agency of the North South Language Implementation Body. My Department, in partnership with relevant State bodies, will be responsible for the implementation of the Strategy outside the Gaeltacht. The potential for Foras na Gaeilge to deliver certain elements of the Strategy, on an agreed basis, will be explored. Údarás na Gaeltachta will be responsible for the implementation of the Strategy within the Gaeltacht.
With regard to the future definition of the Gaeltacht under the 20-Year Strategy, the Government has decided that the new definition will be based on linguistic criteria rather than on geographical areas, as is currently the case. The Gaeltacht Bill, which is currently being drafted by my Department, will provide for Orders to be approved by Government which will specify areas as Gaeltacht areas, as ‘network Gaeltacht' areas or as Gaeltacht Service Towns. In addition, the Government has decided that the status quo will be maintained regarding the current functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta, including its enterprise functions, subject to the following:
statutory provision to enable the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to direct Údarás na Gaeltachta to focus its limited resources towards specific enterprise sectors; and
the development of a mechanism to facilitate Údarás na Gaeltachta to cooperate with other enterprise agencies, particularly with regard to significant Gaeltacht projects with high potential.
The Government has also decided that provision will be made under the Gaeltacht Bill to significantly reduce the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and to end the requirement to hold elections. It is my intention that the Gaeltacht Bill, which will give effect to the Government's policy decisions on the 20-Year Strategy, will be published as soon as possible, depending on the Government's legislative schedule.
Questions Nos. 127 and 128 answered with Question No. 125.
Arts Funding
Joe Costello
Ceist:129 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will consider a matter (details supplied); if he can identify any source of funding such as grants or bursaries which would facilitate this person in developing their considerable potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14933/11]
Funding for the course referred to in this question is a matter for the consideration of the Arts Council. Under the Arts Acts 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent of the Minister in its funding decisions and in its processes and Section 24(2) of the Arts Act 2003 precludes interference by the Minister in Arts Council funding decisions. In addition, as a condition of the grant aid for the refurbishment of the Theatre, the Gaiety offers a number of bursaries annually.
Electricity Transmission Network
Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:130 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding ownership of the power transmission grid; his views on whether the previous Government missed the EU deadline for unbundling the grid and transferring ownership to EirGrid; if the EU will now impose fines until we comply with the relevant EU directives; if he intends to seek a derogation from the directive; and if he intends to compensate the ESB for loss of the asset. [14792/11]
The EU Energy Third Package, which sets out a complex range of measures relating to the further liberalisation of the Electricity and Gas Markets came into force in September 2009. The range of measures was due to be transposed by 3 March last but very few States have actually fully transposed the Directive.
Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 2003/54/EC relates to the electricity market. The European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 450 of 2010) were signed into effect on 17 September 2010 and mark the first step in full transposition of this Directive.
I will be bringing proposals to Government in due course with a recommendation on the next steps with regard to the future ownership of the electricity transmission assets in the context of options under the Directive. I am mindful of the urgency for an early definitive decision to comply with the legal deadlines in the EU Directive. In that context the European Commission has confirmed to all Energy Ministers that it acknowledges that Member States will take some time longer than the due date of 3 March to fully transpose and comply with the Directives.
Member States are required to formally notify the EU Commission of transposition measures. The imposition of fines against a Member State for breaches of EU legislation represents the culmination of a formal process which requires the issue of a judgment by the European Court of Justice against the Member State. The process is initiated by the sending of a formal notification by the EU Commission to the Member State concerned setting out the Commission's case and providing the Member State with the opportunity to state its case. To date, such a letter has not been issued against Ireland in regard to failure to fully transpose of the Third Package.
Proposed Legislation
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:131 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 12 May, 2011, the consultation process for transposing the 2003 EU regulatory framework of the telecommunications market will be extended beyond the telecommunications industry to include relevant consumer groups and the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14860/11]
A revised EU regulatory framework for telecommunications was adopted by the European Council and Parliament in December 2009. Following detailed consultations with the national regulatory authorities, the industry and other stakeholders, draft regulations transposing the revised regulatory framework into Irish law are currently being finalised by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I expect to sign the regulations and make them effective very shortly.
The regulatory framework covers a wide range of technical issues to, among other things, provide strong independent regulation of the telecommunications market, promote competition, encourage investment in new and existing infrastructure and protect and strengthen the interests of the consumer. I am satisfied that during the consultation process with the regulatory authorities and with other stakeholders, the interests of the consumer and the general public were adequately represented and reflected in the draft regulations.
Telecommunications Services
Dominic Hannigan
Ceist:132 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a company (details supplied) is unable to obtain a licence for 100 MB broadband in Duleek, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14904/11]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
The provision of broadband services over fixed lines, including cable, is subject to a notification to ComReg by the service provider under their general authorisation. A specific licence to provide broadband services over fixed lines does not arise.
Broadband services can also be provided using wireless technologies, which would require a licence to use the wireless spectrum. Wireless technologies capable of delivering speeds of 100 megabits per second are not currently available in the market.
Dominic Hannigan
Ceist:133 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when high speed broadband will be available in Stamullen, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14905/11]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by a number of private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. Details of broadband service providers in County Meath are available on ComReg's Call Costs website at http://www.callcosts.ie/broadband/Broadband_Calculator.175.LE.aspI.
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government to deliver higher broadband speeds, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband to every home and business in the State. Consideration of how best to advance these proposals is being advanced by my Department with other stakeholders across Government.
Additionally, in order to accelerate the development of high speed broadband, my officials have been engaging with industry. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT), which I chair, will consider how best to roll out Next Generation Broadband. The NGBT, which includes representatives of large network owners and smaller telecommunications services providers, will meet shortly to discuss policy and related matters. I expect that the NGBT will be helpful in terms of identifying the optimal policy position to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband.
Inland Fisheries
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:134 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to realise the full potential of the angling sector to generate employment and revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14919/11]
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), which operates under the aegis of my Department, is statutorily responsible for the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Section 7 (3)(k) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 specifically provides that IFI "support angling promotion and marketing activities and cooperate with relevant State agencies and such sectoral interests as IFI considers relevant in developing international promotion and marketing strategies and activities in relation to game, coarse and sea tourism angling".
IFI is fully alert to the benefits of angling tourism to the national and regional economy and promotes angling to develop the tourist potential of the resource throughout the country and as a leisure pursuit.
IFI works closely with both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to develop and promote angling for overseas visitors. An Angling Tourism Marketing Strategy was jointly developed by Fáilte Ireland and IFI's predecessor, the former Central and Regional Fisheries Boards, in 2007. This identified that angling in Ireland has considerable potential for growth and development that can contribute to the achievement of broader public policy objectives in terms of national and regional development.
Currently IFI provides, inter alia, advice and assistance with regard to the Irish angling product to both national and overseas tour operators and agents. They endeavour to optimise coverage of the Irish angling product with local, national and international media. They maintain an up to date databank of angling information, and assist at national angling events.
IFI will continue to develop, market and promote, within available resources, all aspects of angling.
Telecommunications Services
Billy Timmins
Ceist:135 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14947/11]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by a number of private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite.
The area of Kiltegan is in the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) coverage area. Broadband is now available in all NBS areas, including Kiltegan, County Wicklow. 3, the NBS service provider, is obliged to provide broadband to anyone in a NBS area who requires a service. 3 can be contacted on freephone 1913 or www.three.ie.
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government to deliver higher broadband speeds, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi-State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband to every home and business in the State. Consideration of how best to advance these proposals is being advanced by my Department with other stakeholders across Government.
Additionally, in order to accelerate the development of high speed broadband, my officials have been engaging with industry. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT), which I chair, will consider how best to roll out Next Generation Broadband. The NGBT, which includes representatives of large network owners and smaller telecommunications services providers, will meet shortly to discuss policy and related matters. I expect that the NGBT will be helpful in terms of identifying the optimal policy position to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:136 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the consultation process for transposing the 2003 EU regulatory framework of the telecommunications market involves an analysis of the health impacts of telecommunications equipment and devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/11]
The revised EU regulatory framework for telecommunications does not contain any provisions relating to the health impacts of telecommunications equipment and devices. The framework is primarily concerned, among other things, with providing strong independent regulation of the telecommunications market, promoting competition, encouraging investment in new and existing infrastructure and protecting and strengthening the interests of the consumer. Accordingly, no analysis of such impacts was carried out during the consultation process.
Issues relating to the potential health effects of from non-ionising radiation and electro-magnetic fields are a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Missing Persons
Anne Ferris
Ceist:137 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the 116000 missing child hotline, due under Directive 2009/136/EC, will be set up; if funding will be provided for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14992/11]
The allocation of specific numbers in the 116 number range, which is reserved for services of social value, is managed in Ireland by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
The role of ComReg is limited to the assignment of the number to an appropriate service provider. Once the number has been assigned, it is a matter for the service provider to provide the service. While the number 116000 has been specifically reserved for a hotline for missing children, it will not become operational until it is assigned to an appropriate service provider. ComReg has published an information notice on its website which makes all relevant information available to potential applicants who may wish to provide the 116000 service. It also issued corresponding national press advertisements inviting applications for the number in question. Unfortunately, to date, no applications have been received in respect of the 116000 service. Neither ComReg nor my Department has any function in providing such a service or the remit to require any organisation to provide the service.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Defence and the Department of Health and Children, have policy functions in the area of missing children and child protection respectively and the question of providing a missing children's hotline has been raised with them. I have written to both Ministers recently in the matter and officials from my Department are continuing to engage with those Departments on this issue.
Local Authority Charges
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:138 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered the introduction of a waiver scheme, or deferred payment scheme, in relation to council rates for start up businesses employing fewer than ten persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14973/11]
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Under the provisions of the Local Government (Rates) Act 1970, a rating authority may make and carry out a scheme providing for the waiver by the authority of all or a portion of commercial rates due by ratepayers in respect of a specified class or classes of property. The making of such a scheme is subject to my consent as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
There is currently no legal provision to introduce a national waiver scheme for rates. While matters relating to rates are kept under regular consideration in my Department, I have no immediate plans to bring forward legislative amendment in this area.
Local Government Reform
Joan Collins
Ceist:139 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group published in July 2010 has been circulated to the chair or meeting administrator of each local authority to allow for the contents to be considered by the elected councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14776/11]
The Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group was circulated to the Cathaoirleach and Manager/Town Clerk of each local authority in July 2010.
Local Authority Staff
Joan Collins
Ceist:140 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the travel and subsistence charges that were refunded by the Local Government Management Services Board in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the sum claimed by staff and members of the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/11]
The information requested is provided in the table below.
|
LGMSB Travel and Subsistence |
StaffTotal |
Board MembersTotal |
Total |
|
2007 |
€65,105.34 |
€15,665.01 |
€80,770.35 |
|
2008 |
€68,435.74 |
€18,422.53 |
€86,858.27 |
|
2009 |
€52,083.09 |
€12,592.01 |
€64,675.10 |
|
2010 |
€47,857.52 |
€17,042.26 |
€64,899.78 |
Local Government Reform
Joan Collins
Ceist:141 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the submissions made to the local government efficiency review group are available for inspection; the way a citizen can access them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14784/11]
The submissions made to the Local Government Efficiency Review Group are available from my Department by contacting the Secretary, Local Government Efficiency Review Group, Custom House, Dublin 1 (Phone (01) 8882409), (Fax (01) 8882643).
Litter Pollution
Seán Kenny
Ceist:142 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is existing legislation that would compel those who fix poster ties to lamp posts to remove them. [14785/11]
While existing legislation does not specifically refer to poster ties, Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 makes it an offence to exhibit articles or advertisements on property in or visible from a public place without the prior written authority of the relevant owner, occupier or person in charge. In the case of an advertisement, the person on whose behalf the advertisement is exhibited will also be guilty of an offence.
There is an exemption for any advertisement which is exempted development under the Planning Acts. There is also an exemption for those advertisements which advertise a public meeting, other than an auction, and for those relating to elections or referenda. However, these cannot be displayed for any period greater than 30 days preceding the event and must be taken down within seven days of the event.
Local Authority Charges
Joe McHugh
Ceist:143 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the envisaged imposition of charges on property will take into account the existing €200 charge on owners of non-residential houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14786/11]
The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland under its fiscal consolidation measures commits to the introduction of a property tax for 2012 and to an increase in the property tax for 2013. The Programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing, improve accountability and better align the cost of providing services with the demand for such services.
In light of the complex issues involved, a property tax, requiring a comprehensive property valuation system, would take time to introduce and accordingly, to meet the revenue measure in the EU/IMF Programme, I have already indicated my intention to introduce a household charge in 2012. This will be introduced on a flat rate basis, and will be completely separate to the NPPR charge. I will be bringing proposals to Government in the near future on the legislative and administrative requirements necessary to implement the household charge.
Grant Payments
Simon Harris
Ceist:144 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to provide grants to households or manufacturers of water conservation and water recycling products in private homes in an effort to reduce household water consumption levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14791/11]
There is potential for the use of harvested rainwater as an alternative source of water for various business and commercial operations and for supplying toilet cisterns, washing machines etc. in domestic situations. Environmental and economic benefits can accrue from this type of approach through reducing the demand for water abstraction at source and the subsequent and expensive treatment of raw water for human consumption.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recently introduced a scheme of grant aid for the installation of rainwater harvesting equipment on farms. Details of the scheme are available on that Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. However, the introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary constraints and, in so far as the funds administered by my Department are concerned, there are currently no plans to introduce a scheme of grant aid for households or manufacturers for water conservation products or rainwater harvesting equipment.
Water and Sewerage Schemes
Tom Fleming
Ceist:145 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the funding situation with Kerry County Council, in relation to the proposed waste water treatment plant in Waterville, in view of the fact that raw sewage is flowing onto the shoreline; and when work will commence on this scheme. [14824/11]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 267 of 10 May 2011. The position is unchanged.
Departmental Agencies
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:146 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there has been any recent review of the Environmental Protection Agency; if so, if it has been published; if not, his plans to conduct such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14831/11]
The report of the Environmental Protection Agency Review Group was recently presented to me and was published on 30 May 2011. It contains 58 recommendations across a number of themes, such as governance and resources, licensing, assessment and monitoring, research and information and stakeholder relationships. My Department will now consider the findings and recommendations, and I have asked the EPA to let me have its views also in these regards by July. The report is available on www.environ.ie.
Local Authority Funding
Sandra McLellan
Ceist:147 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding capital funding to Fermoy Town Council for schemes (details supplied) in County Cork. [14869/11]
This year my Department has allocated €140 million and €34 million to support local authority capital investment in social housing supply and remedial works programmes respectively. In the case of the Remedial Works Scheme at St. Mary's Terrace, Fermoy which involves the refurbishment of eleven houses and the construction of one new unit, my Department issued approval in principle for this project to proceed through planning and design stages in early 2009. The tender documents and other details are currently being examined with a view to issuing approval to proceed to tender stage very shortly.
All new construction proposals, including the infill housing at Oliver Plunkett Hill, are currently being considered in the context of existing commitments and the available capital funding. At present, Cork County Council has a significant level of construction commitments as well as substantial commitments in respect of properties coming on stream through the Part V process. Against that background, Fermoy Town Council has been advised that it is not possible to progress this project to construction at this time. However, the Town Council has been invited to submit a recoupment claim in respect of the planning and design costs incurred to date.
Community Development
Niall Collins
Ceist:148 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is grant assistance available for a community group (details supplied) in County Limerick to carry out refurbishment work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14873/11]
Funding of €427m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to identify and provide appropriate amenity and leisure facilities to local communities not otherwise available to them. Funding for this type of activity may include updates/refurbishments to current structures as well as the construction of new facilities and in this context it may be possible to obtain funding for a project of the nature referred to in the question under the RDP.
There are 36 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Departmental operating rules and EU regulations. Contact details for these groups can be found on the website of the National Rural Network at www.nrn.ie.
National Lottery Funding
Sean Fleming
Ceist:149 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead B.1.11, communal facilities in voluntary and co-operative housing scheme, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14881/11]
Sean Fleming
Ceist:150 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead B.3.1, private housing grants, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14882/11]
Sean Fleming
Ceist:151 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead B.1, supports for community and voluntary sector, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14886/11]
Sean Fleming
Ceist:152 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead B.3, local and community development programmes, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14887/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 152, inclusive, together.
Details of expenditure part-funded by the National Lottery are set out in Appendix 1 to the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011 , published by the Department of Finance in February 2011. The following expenditure subheads in my Department's Vote are part funded by the National Lottery: communal Facilities in Housing Projects, private Housing Grants, supports for Community and Voluntary Sector, local and Community Development Programmes. Issues related to the allocation of National Lottery funding to meet relevant expenditure are a matter for the Department of Finance.
Local Authority Charges
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:153 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify his proposals, if any, in terms of water charges, household charges and-or utility charges. [14902/11]
The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland under its fiscal consolidation measures commits to the introduction of a property tax for 2012 and to an increase in the property tax for 2013. The Programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing, improve accountability and better align the cost of providing services with the demand for such services.
In light of the complex issues involved, a property tax, requiring a comprehensive property valuation system, would take time to introduce and accordingly, to meet the revenue measure in the EU/IMF Programme, I have already indicated my intention to introduce a household charge in 2012. This will be introduced on a flat rate basis. I will be bringing proposals to Government in the near future on the legislative and administrative requirements necessary to implement the household charge. It is my intention that the revenues from the charge will support the provision of locally based services and will in turn reduce local government's requirement for Exchequer support for the funding of such services.
The Programme for Government also proposes the installation of water meters in individual households and the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is developing proposals to implement the metering programme. Further details will be made available following Government consideration of the proposals.
National Spatial Strategy
Gerald Nash
Ceist:154 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he plans to carry out a comprehensive review of the national spatial strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14906/11]
The 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is a twenty-year planning framework designed to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development and population growth between regions, and it provides the spatial vision and principles for statutory regional planning guidelines across the eight regions and for development plans at a local level.
A comprehensive review of implementation of the NSS was undertaken during 2010, culminating in the publication in October 2010 of the NSS Update and Outlook Report (available at www.environ.ie). This report reaffirms commitment to implementing long-term planning frameworks such as the NSS and identifies new priorities and objectives to deliver more consistent implementation at all levels, taking account of experience since 2002 and the new environmental, budgetary and economic challenges that we are currently facing. In particular, the 2010 Report identifies a series of actions in respect of: better alignment and prioritisation of sectoral infrastructure investment, improved governance at national, regional and local levels, and the promotion of more sustainable patterns of development, both in rural and urban contexts, through more effective, evidence-based planning policies, with the aim of maximising the role of NSS implementation in supporting overall economic recovery.
In addition, the adoption of updated Regional Planning Guidelines in 2010 for the twelve-year period to 2022 and the new legislative provisions to include core strategies in development plans, taking account of regional policies, targets and priorities, are further embedding the NSS principles into the forward-planning process, and should help to deliver more co-ordinated, coherent and sustainable planning outcomes.
Local Authority Charges
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:155 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any proposed water charges, household charge or site valuation tax will be applied to residents living in apartments; if such charges will apply to those individual householders or to their management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14941/11]
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:156 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to levy additional household charges on apartment dwellers in view of existing management company charges for householders and if such charges will be levied on those companies themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14942/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland under its fiscal consolidation measures commits to the introduction of a property tax for 2012 and to an increase in the property tax for 2013. The Programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing, improve accountability and better align the cost of providing services with the demand for such services.
In light of the complex issues involved, a property tax, requiring a comprehensive property valuation system, would take time to introduce and accordingly, to meet the revenue measure in the EU/IMF Programme, I have already indicated my intention to introduce a household charge in 2012. This will be introduced on a flat rate basis, and will apply to all residential property on a point-in-time basis. I will be bringing proposals to Government in the near future on the legislative and administrative requirements necessary to implement the household charge.
The Programme for Government also proposes the installation of water meters in individual households and the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is developing proposals to implement the metering programme, and further details will be made available following Government consideration of the proposals.
Departmental Bodies
Joan Collins
Ceist:157 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Office for Local Authority Management is the headquarters of the County and City Managers’ Association and provides management support services including administrative and secretarial services to the CCMA; the number of staff employed in the Office for Local Authority Management and the specific duties they perform; the cost of financing this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14981/11]
The Office for Local Authority Management (OLAM), under the remit of the Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB), provides management support services for city and county managers including administrative and secretarial services to the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) and its committees. The LGMSB provides meeting room facilities to the CCMA. OLAM has a staff of five and the annual cost of financing the Office is €298,559.00. The main duties of OLAM staff members are as follows: liaison with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and Executive of the CCMA; liaison and support for CCMA committees; liaison with Government Departments and other agencies; management of staff and work priorities in OLAM; provision of advisory services to local authorities relating to management services; oversight of the provision of executive reports and management support to the CCMA and CCMA Executive; participation on the LGMSB Senior Management Team; oversight of the collection and collation of information and statistics; in consultation with the Chairman of the CCMA to act as spokesperson for the CCMA or arrange for suitable spokespersons as required; implementation of an evidence-based research work programme to provide qualitative / quantitative research to local authorities; responsibility for the Annual Service Indicators Report; management of OLAM website/extranet.
Planning Issues
Billy Timmins
Ceist:158 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the terms of reference for An Bord Pleanála; when adjudicating on planning appeals, the regulations, guidelines and policies, if any, to which An Bord Pleanála is obliged to adhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14983/11]
The Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2010 provide the legislative framework within which An Bord Pleanála determines planning appeals. Section 143 of the Act, states that the Board shall, in performing its functions, have regard to: policies and objectives of the Government, a State Authority, the Minister, planning authorities and any other public authority whose functions have, or may have, a bearing on the proper planning and sustainable development of cities, towns or other areas, whether urban or rural; the national interest and any effect the performance of the Board's functions may have on issues of strategic economic or social importance to the State, and; the National Spatial Strategy and any regional planning guidelines for the time being in force.
Under Section 37(1)(b) of the 2000 Act, as amended, in the determination of an appeal by the Board, subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of Section 34 relating to permission for development apply. Under subsection (1) the application must be made in accordance with the permission regulations and all requirements of the regulations must be complied with. Under subsection (2), a decision is made regard being had to: the provisions of the development plan; the provisions of any Special Amenity Area Order relating to the area; any European site or other area prescribed for the purposes of S10 (2)(c); where relevant, the policy of the Government, the Minister or any other Minister of Government; conditions which may be imposed; any other relevant provision or requirement of the Act, and any regulations made under the Act.
Under subsection (3) the Board must consider the information relating to the application and submissions and observations made. The Board is required, where applicable, to have regard to any guidelines issued to planning authorities by the Minister under Section 28 in the performance of its functions, and to comply with any policy directives issued by the Minister under Section 29 to planning authorities in the performance of its functions. Copies of the policy guidance issued by the Minister under Section 28 of the Planning Acts are available on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.
Garda Deployment
Kevin Humphreys
Ceist:159 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána who were scheduled to police each individual game of the Carling Nations Cup recently played at the Aviva Stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14807/11]
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. When this information is to hand I will contact the Deputy directly.
Garda Remuneration
Kevin Humphreys
Ceist:160 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost to the Exchequer for one hour of standard employment for each rank of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14808/11]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the cost to the Exchequer for one hour of standard pay (Basic Pay and Employers PRSI) for each rank of An Garda Síochána is outlined in the table below.
The table outlines the hourly standard rates for members on the "A" rate of PRSI and on the Modified PRSI rates.
|
Rank |
Average Hourly Standard Rate (Basic Pay and Employer’s PRSI) |
Average Hourly Standard Rate (Basic Pay and Employer’s PRSI) |
|
A Rate Employers PRSI |
Modified Employers PRSI |
|
|
Garda |
€21.83 |
€19.45 |
|
Sergeant |
€26.44 |
€23.56 |
|
Inspector |
€29.78 |
€26.53 |
|
Superintendent |
€40.18 |
€35.82 |
|
Chief Superintendent |
€49.54 |
€44.16 |
An attribution of additional ancillary costs, e.g accommodation, transport etc, in respect of each rank of An Garda Síochána is not readily available and the gathering and compilation of such information, as requested, would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.
Missing Persons
Patrick O'Donovan
Ceist:161 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to make the EU hotline number for missing children available within this jurisdiction. [14814/11]
I am informed that the telephone number to which the Deputy refers has been reserved by the European Commission as a common missing children telephone hotline for the entire EU. It is made available by national telecoms regulators to organisations capable of providing such a service. The allocation of the number in Ireland is therefore a matter in the first instance for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
I am informed that ComReg has published an information note on its website which makes all relevant information available to potential applicants who may wish to provide the 116000 service. It also issued corresponding national press advertisements inviting applications. To date no applications have been received.
Garda Complaints Procedures
Joan Collins
Ceist:162 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission processed in 2010; if he will provide a table of the results of these appeals; the highest rank of garda that had a finding against them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14821/11]
The 2010 Annual Report of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has been submitted to my Department in accordance with section 80 (1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Annual Report will be launched officially by the Ombudsman Commission today, Thursday 9 June 2011. Copies of the report will be available in the Oireachtas Library and on GSOC's website, www.gardaombudsman.ie.
In accordance with the details set out in GSOC's Annual Report for 2010, I have been informed that the following details illustrate the complaints processed during the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010, inclusive.
|
Complaint Throughput |
Number |
|
On hands 31/12/2009 |
1,220 |
|
Received in 2010 |
2,258 |
|
Closed in 2010 |
2,412 |
|
On hands 31/12/2010 |
1,066 |
I have also been informed by GSOC that of the cases closed by the Commission during 2010, there were 106 findings where complaints against members of An Garda Síochána were substantiated as a result of investigation.
With regard to the information in relation to the highest rank of Garda that had a finding against them I have requested the information sought from GSOC and I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
Garda Equipment
Seán Kenny
Ceist:163 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he plans to extend the length of the Garda baton; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14840/11]
The provision of Garda equipment, including Garda batons, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational requirements.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are no proposals to change the batons currently in use.
Garda Car Pounds
Seán Kenny
Ceist:164 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the locations of the Garda car pounds; and the capacity of each pound. [14841/11]
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the information sought in the Deputy's Question. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information becomes available.
Garda Equipment
Seán Kenny
Ceist:165 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of marked and unmarked Garda vehicles that have the automatic number plate recognition system fitted; and his plans to increase the number. [14842/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that currently there are 134 Garda vehicles fitted with the Automatic Number Plate Recognition computer system (ANPR), 85 of which are marked patrol vehicles. The remaining 49 vehicles are unmarked.
I also understand from the Garda authorities that there are no plans at this stage to increase the number of vehicles fitted with ANPR. However, the situation is being closely monitored and it will be kept under ongoing review.
Garda Contracts
Seán Kenny
Ceist:166 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the contract for the recovery of vehicles seized by gardaí was last put out for tender; the name of the company that was awarded the contract; and the duration of the contract. [14843/11]
I am advised by the Garda authorities that no national towing contract has been entered into for the recovery of vehicles seized by An Garda Síochána. They have also indicated that a number of such contracts are in place on a Divisional basis which extend over varying timeframes.
Garda Deployment
Seán Kenny
Ceist:167 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda immigration officers by rank who are currently based outside Ireland; and the location of these officers. [14844/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no Garda Immigration Officers based outside the Country.
Crime Levels
Seán Kenny
Ceist:168 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons arrested and charged with theft on the Luas, on the DART or on Dublin Bus for each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the number of convictions secured to date; and the additional steps that gardaí will take to deal with these issues. [14845/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that liaison mechanisms are in place between An Garda Síochána and service providers, including Luas, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) at both senior management and local levels. Inspectors from the DMR Traffic Corps have been nominated to liaise with each of the service providers to address any policing issues which arise.
Policing measures, including high-visibility patrols and covert operations, are in place in Garda Districts and Divisions along the Luas and Iarnród Éireann lines and on Dublin buses to support security measures put in place by Luas, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus management. These include dedicated initiatives, particularly at night, during festivities and other occasions when there is a high volume of traffic. Crime trends relating to thefts, public disorder and other anti-social behaviour associated with public transportation are closely monitored by senior Garda management within the DMR, and appropriate action is undertaken as necessary.
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
Garda Equipment
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:169 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he plans to provide additional Garda mountain bikes; if so the number of additional bikes that will be purchased; if the contract has been signed to supply the bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14851/11]
The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including mountain bikes, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational requirements and priorities.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that the current mountain bike stock is sufficient and that optimum use is being made of the Garda Mountain Bike Unit. The situation will be kept under ongoing review.
Garda Operations
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:170 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on Garda Operation Safari; the number of persons arrested under this operation to date; the number of convictions secured to date; if this operation is still active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14852/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Safari is an intelligence-led inter-regional operation targeting an organised crime gang operating across the Southern, Eastern and Western Garda Regions. The Operation was established in October, 2010 following analysis of crime trends, which identified this crime gang as being responsible for a series of criminal activities across these Regions. The initiative is ongoing.
To date, twelve persons have been arrested, ten of whom were detained for offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. To date, two persons have been charged and convicted for offences contrary to the Road Traffic Acts and the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Act 2001. Others remain before the courts on similar charges.
Following completion of the investigation, which remains ongoing, a comprehensive investigation file will be prepared and submitted to the Law Officers for directions.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:171 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on Garda Operation High Viz; the number of persons arrested under this operation to date; the number of convictions secured to date; if this operation is still active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14853/11]
I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities and will contact the Deputy in relation to the matters he has raised.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:172 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on Garda Operation Anvil; the number of persons arrested under this operation to date; the number of convictions secured to date; if this operation is still active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14854/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Anvil commenced in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in May, 2005 to target serious and organised criminal activity. The Operation was extended nationwide during 2006, and a series of special operations, proposed by each Regional Assistant Commissioner and designed to focus on areas of high crime, has been initiated. These have, generally, a short time focus, with particular targets identified. A number of operations have been completed, while further operations are ongoing and will continue this year.
Crime trends nationally are monitored closely, and senior Garda management put in place appropriate initiatives in conjunction with resources made available under Operation Anvil. There is a particular emphasis on serious and large volume crime, with special, intelligence-led, operations to tackle serious and organised criminal activity. Indications at present are that these initiatives are proving effective.
Up to May 2011, there have been 90,548 arrests made in connection with Operation Anvil. Statistics on the number of convictions resulting from arrests under Operation Anvil are not readily available and would require the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.
Naturalisation Certificates
John Lyons
Ceist:173 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 2 June 2011, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the English version of a naturalisation certificate has no legal standing in view of the fact that it is not a certified translation of the document and this can lead to difficulties for new Irish citizens in their dealings with various organisations. [14899/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 2 June 2011. The Irish language is the first official language of the State and it is the long-standing practice of the Citizenship Division of my Department to issue certificates of naturalisation in Irish.
This certificate of naturalisation as provided is the only official certificate provided to an applicant should they be granted naturalisation. An English version of the certificate of naturalisation is not available. However, as previously stated a translation of the certificate of naturalisation is available on request. This is a general translation of the contents of a certificate of naturalisation and has no legal standing.
Registration of Title
John Browne
Ceist:174 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a land transfer for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be approved by the Land Registry. [14915/11]
I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.
The Deputy will be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost-effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round.
I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.
Visa Applications
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:175 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the business visa scheme came into force; the number who have availed of this scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14966/11]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the administrative scheme operated by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department known as Business Permission.
Non-EEA nationals who wish to pursue a business activity (in a capacity other than as an employed person for whom an employer would have to obtain a work permit) must first obtain Business Permission. Information outlining the requirements of the Business Permission scheme which are very specific can be obtained from the INIS website "www.inis.gov.ie” listed under Business Permission.
The Business Permission scheme has been in existence for well in excess of 10 years. From the statistics readily available, I can inform the Deputy that in the period of 2008 to 30 April 2011, some 411 applications for Business Permission were received by INIS. In the same period, 218 applications were approved, 172 refused and 80 deemed abandoned.
The Deputy may also be interested in my recent reply to Parliamentary Question No. 107 (Ref. 1443/11) of 2 June 2011 confirming that my Department is working on a new immigration scheme in the area of entrepreneurship and investment.
Garda Remuneration
Billy Timmins
Ceist:176 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who is on sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14984/11]
The management of sick leave in An Garda Síochána, including payments to members, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I have no role in this regard.
Ministerial Transport
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:177 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the number of times each Government Minister has requested usage of the ministerial air transport service for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the location of each trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14856/11]
The Ministerial Air Transport Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose.
The CASA maritime patrol aircraft have been used infrequently for Ministerial Air Transport missions where no MATS aircraft has been available for operational or technical reasons. The Beechcraft was also used as a backup aircraft for short and medium haul flights until the aircraft was taken out of service in early 2009.
Helicopters have been used on occasion for ministerial air transport in situations where, for operational reasons, fixed wing aircraft may not have been available or suitable for a particular mission.
Details of usage of the Ministerial Air Transport Service for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 are set out in the following tabular statement, and include details of the requesting Minister(s), dates of travel and mission route.
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
14/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Helsinki — Baldonnel |
Health & Children |
|
19/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
22/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Derry — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
23/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Derry — Baldonnel — Cork — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) /Foreign Affairs/Education & Science/Transport/Finance/Health & Children/Social & Family Affairs/Agriculture, Fisheries & Food/Arts, Sports & Tourism |
|
29/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Zurich — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
01/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Damascus — Beirut — Abu Dhabi — Dubai — Brussels — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
09/02/2009 |
Dublin — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
15/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Washington — Mexico City — Havana (Cuba) — St Johns Newfoundland (Canada) — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
24/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Shannon — N’Djamena — Abeche — N’Djamena — Shannon — Baldonnel |
Defence |
|
01/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
14/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Teterboro — White Plains — Teterboro — Washington — Shannon |
An Taoiseach/Foreign Affairs |
|
19/03/2009 |
Shannon — Brussels — Baldonnel — Cork — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/Foreign Affairs |
|
22/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Prague — Baldonnel |
Education & Science |
|
21/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cardiff — Baldonnel |
President/An Taoiseach |
|
05/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Prague — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/Foreign Affairs |
|
26/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Knock — Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) — Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) — Doha (Qatar) — Knock — Baldonnel |
Tánaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
07/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Prague — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
11/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Education & Science |
|
14/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Paris (Le Bourget) — Northolt — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
18/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
18/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Frankfurt — Milan — Amsterdam — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
27/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Knock — Baldonnel |
Tánaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
08/06/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Finance/Health & Children |
|
09/06/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Health & Children |
|
13/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Vaxjo(Sweden) — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
21/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Teterboro — White Plains — Teterboro — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
17/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
21/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
30/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Landvetter (Sweden) — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
29/10/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/Foreign Affairs |
|
19/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
30/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Athens (Greece) — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
30/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/Foreign Affairs |
|
10/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/MOS Taoiseach |
|
07/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Shannon — Brussels — Shannon — Baldonnel |
MOS Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
14/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Derry — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/ Transport & Marine/Social & Family Affairs/ Finance/ Foreign Affairs/ Education & Science / Tánaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment)/ Agriculture, Fisheries & Food. |
|
17/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Copenhagen — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
18/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Copenhagen — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
14/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Prague — Baldonnel |
Justice Equality & Law Reform |
|
22/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Shannon — Baldonnel |
Health |
|
18/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
20/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
25/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
21/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
29/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Knock — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
19/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cardiff — Baldonnel |
Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
20/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cardiff — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
23/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
26/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Justice Equality & Law Reform |
|
27/02/2009 |
Baldonnel — Shannon — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
01/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Bari — Sharm El Sheikh — Rome — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
04/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Knock — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
09/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
11/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
03/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Belfast (Aldergrove) — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
10/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Belfast (Aldergrove) — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs/Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
23/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
19/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance/MOS Taoiseach |
|
27/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Prague — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
30/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Transport |
|
26/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Belfast (Aldergrove) — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
02/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Prague — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
09/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Knock — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
05/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
22/04/2209 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Heathrow — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
23/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
27/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
30/04/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Health & Children |
|
04/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
12/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Madrid — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
05/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
13/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Prague — Shannon — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
15/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Knock — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
25/05/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
12/06/2009 |
Baldonnel — Bydgoszcz (Poland) — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
11/06/2009 |
Baldonnel — Heathrow — Belfast(Aldergrove) — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
08/06/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Northolt — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
14/06/2009 |
Baldonnel – Cork – Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
24/06/2009 |
Baldonnel – Knock — Paris(Le Bourget) — Derry — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
18/06/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel — Cork — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/Foreign Affairs |
|
21/06/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
26/06/2009 |
Baldonnel – Corfu – Thessaloniki – Corfu — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
05/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Jonkoping(Sweden) — Baldonnel |
Health & Children |
|
06/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
07/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Jonkoping (Sweden) — Baldonnel |
Social & Family Affairs/Health & Children/MOS Enterprise Trade & Employment |
|
08/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Paris (Le Bourget) — Baldonnel |
Education & Science |
|
10/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Farranfore — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
15/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Stockholm — Cork — Baldonnel |
Justice Equality & Law Reform |
|
23/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Basel Mulhouse — Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
27/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
27/08/2009 |
Baldonnel — London (Heathrow) — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
01/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
04/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Stockholm — Sofia — Cairo — Khartoum — Cairo — Rome — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
14/09/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
05/10/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
07/10/2009 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
19/10/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Finance/Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
26/10/2009 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs/MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
02/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Derry — Cork — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
09/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Berlin — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
05/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Heathrow — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
12/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Jersey — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/ Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
16/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
25/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Belfast City — Baldonnel |
Health & Children |
|
30/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
30/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Health & Children/Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
01/12/2009 |
Dublin — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance / Health & Children |
|
02/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
07/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
15/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
14/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Baldonnel |
Health & Children |
|
17/12/2009 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
29/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Belfast City — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
12/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Shannon — Baldonnel |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
30/01/2009 |
Baldonnel — Dundalk Barracks — Clanree Hotel (Letterkenny) — Dundalk Barracks — Baldonnel |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
|
29/01/2009 |
Belfast City — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
06/02/2009 |
Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim — Shannon — Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim |
Transport |
|
02/03/2009 |
Baldonnel — Waterford Airport — Racecourse, Killarney — Farranfore Airport — Baldonnel |
Arts, Sports & Tourism |
|
23/3/2009 |
Shannon Airport – Trim GAA Pitch |
Transport |
|
30/03/2009 |
Donegal GAA Pitch — Phoenix Park |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
13/04/2009 |
Cork Airport — Raphoe(Co Donegal) |
Education & Science |
|
14/04/2009 |
Raphoe (Co Donegal) — Farranfore |
Education & Science |
|
20/04/2009 |
Phoenix Park — GAA Pitch Rathkeale — Phoenix Park |
Finance |
|
17/07/2009 |
Baldonnel — Ballingeary — Bere Island — Cape Clear Island — Corkaguiny — Baldonnel |
Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
16/07/2009 |
Phoenix Park — Cork Airport — Phoenix Park |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
23/09/2009 |
Phoenix Park — Cork Airport — Phoenix Park |
Tanaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
20/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Cork Airport |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
|
21/11/2009 |
Cork Airport — Ennis — Ballinasloe — Baldonnel |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
|
23/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Tullamore (Harriers) — Collins Barracks — Cork Airport — Collins Barracks — Ennis — Galway Airport |
An Taoiseach |
|
26/11/2009 |
Baldonnel — Gort — Sarsfield Barracks — Phoenix Park |
Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
18/01/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food / MOS Agriculture, Fisheries & Food / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
14/01/2010 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / Foreign Affairs |
|
20/01/2010 |
Baldonnel — Madrid — Baldonnel |
Justice, Equality & Law Reform /Social & Family Affairs |
|
25/01/2010 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Belfast City — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / Foreign Affairs |
|
27/01/2010 |
Baldonnel — Belfast City — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
11/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
05/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Belfast City — Cork — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach/ Foreign Affairs |
|
23/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cairo — El Arish — Cairo — El Arish — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
22/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs/Agriculture, Fisheries & Food/MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
05/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Madrid — Seville — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
12/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Chicago — Moffett Field (California) — Washington — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / Foreign Affairs |
|
07/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
09/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
17/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Madrid — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
21/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
28/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Paris — Cork — Baldonnel |
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation |
|
14/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs/ MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
17/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach |
|
23/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
21/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Baldonnel |
Justice & Law Reform |
|
27/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Valletta — Kampala — Addis Ababa — Valletta — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
06/07/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Health & Children |
|
11/07/2010 |
Baldonnel — Teteboro — White Plains — Teteboro — Atlanta — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
16/07/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Justice & Law Reform |
|
19/07/2010 |
Baldonnel — Derry — Gatwick — Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
27/07/2010 |
Baldonnel — Warsaw — Budapest — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
16/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / Foreign Affairs / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
27/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Knock — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Finance |
|
04/10/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
07/10/2010 |
Baldonnel — Washington — Teteboro — White Plains — Teteboro — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
28/10/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Shannon — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach |
|
25/10/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
16/11/2010 |
Baldonnel — Ronneby — Stockholm — Baldonnel |
Defence |
|
14/11/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Officials Only (Mission requested by Dept of Finance) |
|
22/11/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
25/01/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Shannon — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
06/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Bilbao — Baldonnel |
Tánaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
01/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Belfast City — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
12/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Coruna — Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
03/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Belfast City — Heathrow — Belfast Aldergrove — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
18/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Bern — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
14/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
21/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
28/02/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Tánaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
02/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Geneva — Northolt — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
13/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Derry — Munich — Baldonnel |
Tánaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
15/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
16/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Dusseldorf — Derry — Baldonnel |
Tánaiste (Enterprise, Trade & Employment) |
|
25/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach |
|
22/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
29/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
23/03/2010 |
Baldonnel — Heathrow — Baldonnel |
MOS Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
|
25/04/2010 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Defence / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
28/04/2010 |
Baldonnel — Berlin — Munich — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
10/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Strasbourg — Baldonnel |
MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
27/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Leipzig — Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
17/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Knock — Brussels — Baldonnel |
MOS Finance |
|
24/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation |
|
30/05/2010 |
Baldonnel — Badajoz (Spain) — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
04/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Justice & Law Reform |
|
07/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
24/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
25/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Guernsey — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / Communications, Energy & Natural Resources |
|
22/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Transport |
|
21/06/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
06/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance / Communications, Energy & Natural Resources |
|
07/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Vienna — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
10/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Brussels — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
23/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Defence |
|
26/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Pristina — Sarajevo — Baldonnel |
Defence |
|
22/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
29/09/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Knock — Baldonnel |
MOS Finance |
|
06/10/2010 |
Baldonnel — Sofia — Bucharest — Cork — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
11/10/2010 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation |
|
08/11/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Justice & Law Reform |
|
16/11/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
28/11/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
13/12/2010 |
Baldonnel — Douglas (Isle of Man) — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / Communications, Energy & Natural resources |
|
14/12/2010 |
Baldonnel — Heathrow — Baldonnel |
Foreign Affairs |
|
16/12/2010 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
16/04/2010 |
Phoenix Park — Cork Airport — Curragh |
Taoiseach/ Foreign Affairs |
|
01/09/2010 |
Phoenix Park — Galway Airport |
Enterprise, Trade & Innovation |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
04/02/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
10/03/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Knock — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
15/03/2011 |
Baldonnel — Washington — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach / Tánaiste Foreign Affairs |
|
24/03/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
12/04/2011 |
Baldonnel — Luxembourg — Baldonnel |
Tánaiste Foreign Affairs / Justice & Equality / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
17/04/2011 |
Baldonnel — Northolt — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
04/05/2011 |
Baldonnel — Teteboro — White Plains — Teteboro — Knock — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
16/05/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance / MOS Taoiseach |
|
20/05/2011 |
Baldonnel — Cork — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
17/01/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
14/02/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
01/03/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Agriculture, Fisheries & Food |
|
13/03/2011 |
Baldonnel — Shannon — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance / Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
|
21/03/2011 |
Baldonnel — Brussels — Baldonnel |
Finance / MOS Foreign Affairs |
|
07/04/2011 |
Baldonnel — Budapest — Baldonnel |
Finance |
|
Date |
Route |
Minister |
|
10/02/2011 |
Baldonnel — Tullamore — Cork Airport — Baldonnel |
An Taoiseach |
Grant Payments
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:178 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the additional sheep payment of €10 euro per ewe was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14783/11]
As processing of the application under the Grassland Sheep Scheme received from the person named on the 7 May 2010, has now been finalised, the payment due will issue shortly.
Departmental Bodies
Tom Fleming
Ceist:179 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take over the running of the ice plant in Dingle, County Kerry, from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which is due to close on 30 June 2011. [14822/11]
BIM is an independent statutory body with operational responsibility for the ice plant network. In 2009 Bord Iascaigh Mhara undertook a review of the ice plant network operated by the Bord. The review concluded that due to the continued decline in sales and the fact that the network was operating at a significant loss there was no realistic alternative to closure of the plants.
This decision reflects the recommendation of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (Volume II: Detailed Papers- Programme A — Agriculture Food & Fisheries policy trade and development), where as part of a range of cost cutting measures, the Report proposed that the ice plant network, which includes the Dingle ice plant, should be closed in favour of a more market based approach.
I am informed that, in the interim, Bord Iascaigh Mhara has been working on an orderly withdrawal from ice manufacture to help both minimize disruption to the seafood industry and allow the industry to prepare for the change.
Agricultural Colleges
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:180 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to increase the number of places available in agricultural colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14921/11]
Under the Agriculture, (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research and advisory services to the Agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc and its Board to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. Accordingly, delivery of the Teagasc education and training programme is an operational matter for Teagasc and its Board. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and is not concerned with the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.
I understand the Teagasc education programme is delivered through a network of 8 agricultural colleges, 10 Regional education centres and 80 local centres. The provision of additional student places in the agricultural colleges is a matter for Teagasc management.
Departmental Advertising
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:181 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to hold a media campaign, as was done previously, highlighting the dangers to the national sheep flock of dog attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14926/11]
Sheep, particularly around lambing time can be vulnerable to attack by dogs that are allowed to run free. It is my intention to alert dog owners to the importance of ensuring that their dogs are kept on a lead and under control at all times when near farm animals. I will be issuing press notices to this effect early next Spring.
Grant Payments
Tom Fleming
Ceist:182 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their REP scheme payment. [14977/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and has received full payment in respect year 1.
Following an inspection, my officials wrote to the person named requesting an amended plan to rectify deficiencies discovered during the course of this inspection.
An amended plan was submitted on 25 May 2011. My officials are reviewing this plan and will be in touch with the person named shortly.
Tom Fleming
Ceist:183 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding area aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [14978/11]
An application was received on 9 January 2009 requesting the transfer of one Single Payment entitlement to the person named from another farmer by way of lease. As the other farmer had not established any entitlements, it was not possible to process a transfer and consequently the application was rejected on 24 August 2009.
A 2010 Single Farm Payment Application was received from the above named person on 16 April 2010. The application was subject to a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection, which revealed an over-declaration in excess of 50% on the land declared by the applicant. In accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, cases where the over-declaration is found to be greater than 20% are not payable in the relevant scheme year.
However, I am arranging for a field officer to review the results of the Remote Sensing inspection. The person named will be informed in writing of the outcome.
Child Care Services
Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:184 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered any potential benefit to small businesses in the child care industry of an increase in ratios per child care staff (details supplied). [14972/11]
Pre-School services are regulated under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006. Regulation 12, together with the Explanatory Guide thereto, provides for the maximum adult to child ratios which are recommended depending on the age range and type of pre-school service in question.
The Child Care Regulations 2006 were introduced following wide-ranging consultations with the pre-school sector. The adult to child ratios were last examined as part of this process and, as a result, the adult to child ratio for children aged 1 to 2 years was reduced from that of 1 adult to 6 children to 1 adult to 5 children. My Department will continue to keep the regulatory environment for pre-school services under review with a view to ensuring the safety and well-being of children as well as practical considerations for service providers.
I am aware that, along with other areas of the economy, early childhood care and education services have experienced a reduced demand from parents. I believe it is important to support the sector through these times for a number of reasons. Clearly, the State has made a very significant capital investment in the sector which should be protected into the future. More importantly, quality early childhood care and education services are of vital importance to ensuring young children's well-being during this key developmental stage of their lives.
For this reason, I am committed to maintaining my Department's work in funding some 4,500 pre-school services across the country, in effect almost every pre-school in the State, through the three major early childhood care and education programmes which I am responsible for. These programmes, which include the free Pre-School Year, support some 100,000 children and the jobs of up to 20,000 personnel, at a cost of €240 million per annum.
National Lottery Funding
Sean Fleming
Ceist:185 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead G, grant-in-aid for general expenses of youth organisations and other expenditure in relation to youth activities, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14895/11]
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people including those from disadvantaged communities through grants in aid. Funding is made available to national youth organisations under the Youth Service Grant Scheme and to projects/organisations under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, Local Youth Clubs Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, collaborative programmes on Youth Health and Youth Arts, Gaisce — The President's Award and Léargas, the body established to administer international exchange programmes.
Funding of €35.8m has been allocated in 2011 through resources made available under Subhead G of Vote 41, which is part funded by the National Lottery. The overall funding provision does not differentiate between the Exchequer and National lottery element of the allocation.
Departmental Funding
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:186 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the full amounts of State funding for a centre (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in each of the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 under the different relevant headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14920/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Rural Transport Scheme
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:187 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will review the introduction of charges of €3 daily return and changeover to rural transport scheme to those who relied on free transport to day centres, day hospitals and other services. [14864/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:188 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not been called for treatment to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the reason they were removed from the admissions list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14772/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Michael McGrath
Ceist:189 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14773/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Jack Wall
Ceist:190 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14781/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Cancer Screening Programme
Anne Ferris
Ceist:191 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health when the BreastCheck programme will be extended to 65-69 year old women as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14788/11]
The Programme for Government provides for the extension of the BreastCheck programme to women aged 65-69 years. In addition, the extension of the BreastCheck programme has been listed as a priority in the HSE's 3 year Corporate Plan. At present BreastCheck is available nationwide to women in the 50-64 age group. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme is examining how it can extend the programme to 65-69 year olds. Women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated specialist cancer centres.
Medical Cards
Niall Collins
Ceist:192 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the applications for medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick. [14790/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Michael McGrath
Ceist:193 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14794/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Áine Collins
Ceist:194 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) will receive appointments for dental treatment. [14799/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Cards
John O'Mahony
Ceist:195 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the over 70s medical card section is not informing over 70s medical card holders that their card is due for renewal but yet issues a warning letter that the card will be withdrawn if forms are not returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14806/11]
I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Billy Timmins
Ceist:196 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14809/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services
Sean Fleming
Ceist:197 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive treatment in respect of a medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14815/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Official Engagements
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:198 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of times he has visited Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 and each of the major Dublin hospitals since he was appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14857/11]
Since my appointment as Minister for Health I have visited the Mater Hospital and I have also accepted an invitation to visit Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. I have received invitations to visit a number of other Dublin hospitals and these invitations are being examined and will be responded to in due course.
Health Service Allowances
Billy Timmins
Ceist:199 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14859/11]
I understand that the Health Service Executive responded to the Deputy's previous question in a reply dated 30th May 2011.
Health Services
Michael McNamara
Ceist:200 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in detail the diabetes paediatric services that are available for children in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14876/11]
Michael McNamara
Ceist:213 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the diabetes paediatric services that are available for children in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14960/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 213 together.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Áine Collins
Ceist:201 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health the new cost of providing transport for dialysis patients on routes (details supplied); and the way this compares to the cost being paid for many years up to the end of April 2011. [14878/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
National Lottery Funding
Sean Fleming
Ceist:202 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead B2, grants to health agencies and other similar organisations, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14892/11]
Sean Fleming
Ceist:203 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead B7, grants to health agencies and other similar organisations, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14893/11]
Sean Fleming
Ceist:204 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead C2, building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14894/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 204, inclusive, together.
As published in the Revised Estimates Volume 2011, Subhead B2 in Vote 39 and Subheads B7 and C2 in Vote 40 are part funded by the National Lottery. The relevant subhead provisions are as follows:
Vote 39 — Subhead B2 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations. €3.786m
Vote 40 — Subhead B7 — Grants to Health Agencies and other similar organisations. €7.513m
Vote 40 — Subhead C2 — Building, equipping and furnishing of health facilities. €2.539m
The breakdown between National Lottery funding and Exchequer funding is not available on a subhead, or even a Vote basis. As set out in Appendix 1 to the REV, the estimated total expenditure of €349.260m across all Votes in receipt of National Lottery funding, will be financed by €230m from the National Lottery with the balance being financed by the Exchequer.
Nursing Home Services
James Bannon
Ceist:205 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will facilitate a person (details supplied) in County Longford with nursing home accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14896/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Derek Nolan
Ceist:206 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will as a matter of urgency restore the mammography services to Sligo General Hospital in order to alleviate the stress on patients travelling to University Hospital Galway and to alleviate the stress on services at UHG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14900/11]
Women in the Sligo area with breast cancer currently access diagnostic and surgical services, including mammography, in Galway. Some 96% of women who attend the Galway breast unit do not have cancer, and only one visit is normally necessary. For the small number diagnosed with breast cancer, some 85% will require radiotherapy as well as surgery, which would involve treatment in Galway in any event. The Minister intends to keep the current arrangements for cancer treatment at Sligo General under review, particularly in relation to follow-up mammography services which are currently provided at Galway.
Health Services
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:207 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14907/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products
Tom Fleming
Ceist:208 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will make available a drug (details supplied). [14908/11]
The medication mentioned by the Deputy is a cannabis-based medicinal product. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis-based medicinal products is unlawful except for the purposes of research.
I am aware that claims have been made in respect of the possible health benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products for patients suffering from certain conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. I am also aware that cannabis-based medicinal products may be legally prescribed in other countries. However, as the law currently stands, it is not possible for cannabis-based medicinal products to be prescribed by a medical practitioner in Ireland. However, my Department is examining the issues associated with applying controls, similar to those that apply to other controlled drugs that can be misused, such as morphine and methadone, to cannabis-based medicinal products to permit them to be prescribed and dispensed in Ireland.
Health Service Staff
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:209 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will ask the Health Service Executive to provide additional physiotherapy staff in the south-east region in view of the fact that currently orthopaedic and joint replacement patients have no services as the physiotherapist is out on sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14918/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:210 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is now looking to a pilot project for dealing with addiction issues for adolescents and teenagers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14922/11]
The HSE allocated additional funding of €2.46m late in 2010 for the ongoing development of additional front-line addiction services for under 18 year olds in partnership with the voluntary sector. The additional services include psychology, counselling and family therapy services.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:211 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health his plans for diabetes sufferers and their current difficult care circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14944/11]
Frank Feighan
Ceist:212 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health his plans for diabetes sufferers and their current difficult care circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14945/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.
The HSE established a National Clinical Programme for Diabetes within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. A clinical lead is in charge of the programme and a multidisciplinary working group, representing a number of nursing and allied health professionals, podiatrists and GPs, as well as the Diabetes Federation of Ireland are working through a number of key projects. The key deliverables for the 2011 programme are the implementation of projects such as Diabetes Retinopathy Screening and a multidisciplinary footcare package for patients with Diabetes.
The HSE has also established a National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics, which will examine in detail the whole area of improved services for children and adolescents and develop solutions to address the issues identified. As the remainder of the Deputy's latter question relates to services — particularly in the HSE West, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 200.
Human Rights Issues
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:214 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he has had, or will have, discussions with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland regarding any influence it might have regarding the detention of Irish-trained doctors in Bahrain, following recent human rights protests there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14985/11]
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade made clear the position of the Government in relation to recent events in Bahrain in his reply to questions 17, 23 and 33 on 2 June 2011. We condemn all repressive actions by the Bahrain authorities during and after the recent protests, including those taken against medical staff following their professional obligations.
We wish to see all reported serious violations of human rights credibly investigated, the immediate release, unless charged, of detained peaceful protestors and medical professionals who assisted the injured, access for independent observers to the ongoing legal proceedings, and a process of inclusive dialogue aimed at agreeing necessary political and economic reforms. In relation to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, its provision of overseas educational services on a commercial basis, including in Bahrain, is primarily an operational issue for the RCSI. In this regard, the relationship between the RCSI and the Government of Bahrain is a matter for those parties themselves and it would not be appropriate that I, as Minister for Health, should become involved.
Parking Regulations
Nicky McFadden
Ceist:215 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a provision to make it unlawful in built-up areas to park against the traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14996/11]
The issue of contra-flow parking on public roads was examined as part of the last review of the road traffic legislation dealing with traffic and parking in 2005. I am advised by my department that it is believed that the introduction of a restriction on such parking would not address the matter of vehicles crossing the roadway to use a parking space and may further disrupt the flow of traffic due to three point turns being executed by drivers. The current obligation on drivers to cross a roadway only when it is safe to do so addresses any road safety concerns that may arise as a result of the existing policy on parking.
Departmental Estimates
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:216 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a full breakdown of the transport budget under current and capital spending categories for the year 2011; if he has begun discussions on the Estimates for 2012; his plans to present the broad Estimates to the Dáil select committee on transport before the summer recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14789/11]
The Revised Estimate Volume, which is currently being prepared by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, will incorporate the changes arising from the transfer of functions for Tourism and Sport into my Department's Vote. It is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to publish the Revised Estimates Volume, after which my Department will be advised of the date that its Vote is to be presented by me before the Dáil Select Committee.
Departmental Staff
Seán Kenny
Ceist:217 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons employed by his Department by grade; and the pay scale of each grade. [14846/11]
The number of staff employed in my Department was 518.29 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) at 31st May 2011. This includes the transfer of tourism and sport functions into the Department, which increased staff numbers. The number per grade is set out in Table 1. The salary scale applicable to civil servants serving at 1st January 2010 are set out in Department of Finance Circular 28/2009, available at www.finance.gov.ie. The pay rates outlined have been reduced further by 10% for new entrants with effect from 1 January 2011. The salary scales for staff appointed to Ministerial offices are also in accordance with rates sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
|
General Service Grade |
Number (Full time equivalent) |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
6 |
|
Principal Officers |
17.9 |
|
Assistant Principal Higher Duties Allowance |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officers |
42.23 |
|
Higher Executive Officer Higher Duties Allowance |
1 |
|
Administrative Officers |
7 |
|
Higher Executive Officers |
76.76 |
|
Executive Officers |
79.81 |
|
Staff Officers |
17.1 |
|
Clerical Officers |
135.16 |
|
Head Services Officer |
1 |
|
Services Officers / Attendants / Storekeeper |
12.3 |
|
Telephonists |
2.03 |
|
Ministerial Staff |
|
|
Civilian Drivers |
6 |
|
Personal Secretaries |
3 |
|
Personal Assistants |
3 |
|
Special Advisors |
2 |
|
Professional/Technical Grade |
|
|
Chief Aeronautical Officer |
1 |
|
Aeronautical Officer Grade I |
4 |
|
Aeronautical Officer Grade II |
1 |
|
Principal Adviser — Engineer |
1 |
|
Senior Adviser |
1 |
|
Inspector |
1 |
|
Accountant Grade 2 |
1 |
|
Legal Advisor |
1 |
|
Statistician |
1 |
|
Sustainability Adviser |
1 |
|
Transport Planner |
1 |
|
Staff Engineer |
1 |
|
Director Irish Coast Guard |
1 |
|
Assistant Director ICG |
1 |
|
Chief Engineer |
1 |
|
Regional Controller ICG |
3 |
|
Divisional Controller |
2 |
|
Deputy Divisional Controller |
2 |
|
Electronics Officer |
3 |
|
Engineering & Operations Officer |
1 |
|
Radio Officer Grade III |
24 |
|
Station Officer |
16 |
|
Training & Operations Officer |
3 |
|
Coastal Unit Sector Manager |
3 |
|
Chief Surveyor |
1 |
|
Deputy Chief Surveyor |
1 |
|
Marine Radio Surveyor |
1 |
|
Surveyor (Officer in Charge) |
1 |
|
Surveyor |
25 |
|
TOTAL STAFF NUMBER |
518.29 |
Taxi Regulations
Seán Kenny
Ceist:218 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to strictly enforce the prominent display of photo identification cards and details by taxi drivers. [14847/11]
The enforcement of driver identification regulations is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in cooperation with An Garda Síochána. However the future of the rules governing this area is something the review of the taxi industry (the terms of which I announced yesterday) will examine further. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Sporting Events
Seán Kenny
Ceist:219 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to meet the Irish Amateur Boxing Association to discuss attracting the World Amateur Boxing Championship in Dublin in either 2013 or 2015 [14848/11]
I have had no such approach from the IABA but will be available to meet them if so requested.
Sports Funding
Sean Fleming
Ceist:220 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead C1, grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services in 2011. [14889/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the distribution of the proceeds of the National Lottery is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. Grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports facilities and recreational facilities are part funded by the National Lottery, but the annual Estimates do not include a breakdown of the source of funding between National Lottery and Exchequer funding.
Sean Fleming
Ceist:221 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of national lottery funding included in subhead C3, Irish Sports Council grant-in-aid, in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011. [14890/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the distribution of the proceeds of the National Lottery is solely the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. The Irish Sports Council grant-in-aid is part funded by the National Lottery, but the annual Estimates do not include a breakdown of the source of funding between National Lottery and Exchequer funding.
Rail Network
Joe Costello
Ceist:222 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nature of the work which is being carried out on the railway line at Jones’s Road, Dublin 1; when the work started and when it will finish; if the noise from the generator can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14994/11]
Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) come under the remit of the NTA. The legislative basis for this is Section 11 (1) (e) of the DTA Act 2008 "Principal Functions of Authority — The principal functions of the Authority are to secure the — provision of public transport infrastructure". Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.