Seamus Kirk
Ceist:37 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the stamp duty exemption for farm consolidation is renewed by the end of June this year. [17636/11]
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 7, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 8 to 27, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 28 to 36, inclusive, answered orally.
Tax Reliefs
The relief from Stamp Duty for farm consolidation expired on 30 June. I understand the level of take up of the scheme was not particularly high: there were only 115 applications for the relief from its introduction in 2005 until the end of 2009; figures for 2010 and 2011 are not yet available. I have no plans at this time to renew this relief.
Corporation Tax Policy
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:38 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance his understanding of France’s position on Ireland’s corporation tax. [14629/11]
Taxation in the European Treaties is a sovereign issue for Member States and taxation matters at a European level can only be decided on the basis of unanimity. For this reason, Ireland is aware of the attitude of other Member States, including France, to our corporation tax rate. Corporation tax policy is critical to the Irish economic growth model. The foreign-owned sector is currently the main source of growth in the Irish economy. One recent report ranked Ireland as the top creator of employment, relative to population size, from foreign direct investment.
I have had discussions with the French Finance Minister and sought to explain the Irish perspective and to understand the French position on this issue.
Public Service Remuneration
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:39 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons currently employed by the State who are earning more than €100,000 per year; and the total cost to the State of all earnings in excess of €100,000 per year. [18587/11]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:43 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the total savings to the Exchequer in a full financial year arising from a cap of €100,000 on public sector pay. [18588/11]
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:45 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the legal obstacles that may exist to prevent placing a 45% levy on earnings of more than €100,000 per year for those working in the public service. [18586/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 43 and 45 together.
Data on earnings in the public sector is sourced from the Revenue Commissioners and similar data to that sought was supplied in response to Parliamentary Questions, Reference Nos. 2785/2786/2787 and 2788, of 18 January 2011. On the basis of the available tax-based data it is not possible to identify and exclude income from public sources to groups that would not normally be regarded as employed within the public service or to distinguish the earnings of employees associated with atypical work patterns. Accordingly, it is not possible from this data to estimate the total cost to the State of all earnings in excess of €100,000.
However, the total savings to the Exchequer in a full financial year arising from a cap of €100,000 on public sector salaries is estimated at €265m. The estimate takes account of the reductions in pay arising from the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, 2009, but does not take account of any offsetting reductions in taxes and levies. As the combined effect of the estimated marginal tax rate and the pension related reduction at a pay level for a public servant of €100,000 p.a. or higher is at least 62.5%, the estimated net savings would be reduced to less than €100m.
There are an estimated 7,000 persons currently employed by the State on pay rates in excess of €100,000 per year. The placing of a 45% levy on earnings above €100,000 per year for those working in the public service is not proposed nor will I speculate on any legal considerations that might arise in the event of such a proposal being brought forward.
The estimates do not include staff of commercial State-sponsored bodies since the Minister for Finance is not responsible for setting the rate of pay for employees (other than CEOs) in the commercial state sector.
Commercial Property Valuations
David Stanton
Ceist:40 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 97 and 98 of 28 June 2011, the number of staff employed in the Valuation Office; the reason for the slow progress of the revaluation process; the specific options under review by the commissioner to accelerate the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/11]
David Stanton
Ceist:41 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 97 and 98 of 28 June 2011, if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the delays in the revaluation programme on businesses across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18563/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.
There are currently 144 staff employed in the Valuation Office which is a statutory office headed by the Commissioner of Valuation. The Commissioner is responsible for all valuation matters under the Valuation Act 2001. I should point out that the Commissioner is independent under the Act and that I, as Minister for Finance, have no function in decisions in this regard.
As I explained in response to recent Questions, the revaluation programme began in November 2005 in the South Dublin County Council area where it was completed in 2007. It has since been completed in the Fingal County Council area in 2009 and in Dún Laoghaire — Rathdown in 2010. The revaluation of the Dublin City Council area was commenced in May this year having been postponed for well over a year because of the volatility and conditions in the property market. The Dublin City part of the programme will entail the valuation of approximately 25,000 properties and the new list will be published in 2013.
It is intended to roll out the revaluation programme to other local authority areas shortly and preparatory work has already taken place in relation to the Waterford local authority areas and Limerick City.
Following the completion of the Dublin City revaluation, approaching 50% of the national valuation base, in terms of monetary values, will have been completed. This represents some 26% of the national total in terms of the number of properties to be valued.
As you will appreciate, the revaluation programme is a major project in nature and scale, all the more so, given that such a nationwide exercise has not been undertaken since the mid-1800s and it has required new systems and processes to be developed and tested. However, notwithstanding the improvements that have been made, it is the case that the programme is taking considerably longer than expected. I understand from the Commissioner of Valuation that the specific options he is examining with a view to speeding up the work are outsourcing, introduction of a system of self-assessment or updating the values on existing lists through a system of indexation based on market analysis. All of these options raise issues that require detailed examination which is ongoing. No decision has yet been made.
I should point out also that the purpose of revaluation is to bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system. Revaluation will lead to a redistribution of the commercial rates burden between businesses depending on the relative shift of rental values between locations and categories of properties. Even though property values have fallen generally not every ratepayer will gain from revaluation — there will be losers as well as winners. It depends on how the rental value of each property changes relative to other property values and sectors.
As I mentioned previously, my Departmental officials are reviewing various provisions of the Valuation Act with a view to achieving greater efficiencies, including streamlining the appeals process.
Fiscal Policy
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:42 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if lowering personal income tax bands and credits will form part of the additional revenue raising measures currently being considered by him as part of the fifth quarter requirements of the EU-IMF programme. [18594/11]
The Programme for Government states that as part of the Government's fiscal strategy we will maintain the current rates of income tax together with bands and credits. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has initiated a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) to provide the Government with a set of decision options to meet the overall fiscal consolidation objectives and re-align spending with the Programme for Government priorities. The CRE is due to be completed by end September 2011.
When this review is complete, the Government will examine the findings and, based on these findings and consultation with the troika, will introduce fiscally neutral changes to the detail of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland while maintaining the overall commitment to fiscal consolidation.
Question No. 43 answered with Question No. 39.
Proposed Legislation
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:44 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance in view of his stated intention to impose losses on unsecured senior bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society subject to the agreement of the European Central Bank, if he intends to bring forward specific legislation to facilitate such a move. [18572/11]
I have indicated to the House that, consistent with Government policy, I will raise the issue of burden sharing which will allow for the imposition of loses on unguaranteed and unsecured senior bondholders in Anglo and INBS with the IMF and EU authorities in the autumn. The Government will not take any unilateral action in this area, but will work with our external partners to explain our perspective and hear their views. While legislation is in place to provide for burden sharing with subordinated debt holders under the Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 there are currently no provisions on the statute book to specifically provide for burden sharing with senior bondholders. If action is to be taken on this matter I will of course bring forward legislation to facilitate the imposition of losses on the senior bondholders of Anglo Irish Bank and INBS.
I would emphasise that Government policy remains that all senior bondholders in AIB/EBS, Bank of Ireland and Irish Life and Permanent will be repaid in full.
Question No. 45 answered with Question No. 39.
Eurozone Contingency Measures
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:46 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if there are contingency measures being put in place in the event of an Irish withdrawal from the euro or a break up of the eurozone; if such contingencies might include discussions with non-eurozone countries and the printing of Irish punt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18610/11]
The focus of Government is to work with our partners in the Euro Area and the broader EU to maintain and enhance the stability of the Euro. This is also the aim and intention of the wider international community including the IMF. Our actions support this. Financial support measures were put in place for Greece, and the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism, (the EFSM), and the European Financial Stability Facility, (the EFSF), were established. The permanent stability facility — the European Stability Mechanism — was agreed at the European Council. In addition to this, economic governance in the Euro Area has been enhanced with measures such as the Euro Plus pact. The European semester — for budgetary and economic policy monitoring and co-ordination is already in operation. A further significant step that all Member States are taking is to ensure and enhance fiscal sustainability. That is why difficult decisions are being taken right across Europe by responsible Governments. Restoring growth potential and improving the public finances is the way forward. Suggesting otherwise is misleading.
All these measures are concrete evidence of the determination of the Euro Area members to protect the currency, and also of their willingness and ability to do so. It is in the nature of modern economies and financial systems that difficulties will arise from time to time. The appropriate response to such difficulties is to take the measures necessary to defend an institution that has served its members — the Euro Area Member states, including Ireland — very well. This is the approach that all major economies take — they defend their currency — they do not abandon it at the first sign of difficulty.
The recent votes in the Greek Parliament, which were difficult for all concerned, are to be welcomed. We look forward to working with our European partners, including Greece to develop and safeguard the Euro.
Tax Code
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:47 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a progress report on the proposed reform of capital gains tax and acquisitions tax as outlined in the EU-IMF programme. [18598/11]
A number of possible changes to the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) provisions are under consideration. The Deputy may be aware that the CAT Group tax-free thresholds were reduced by approximately 20% in Budget 2011. The level and timeframe of any changes will be determined in the context of the Budget following the comprehensive expenditure review.
Mortgage Arrears
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:48 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has received any communications from the banking or lending sectors with a view to achieving a basis for addressing the ever increasing issue of mortgage arrears which has been exasperated by unemployment and negative equity; if any progress can be made towards the elimination of compound interest being applied which in turn reduces the capacity of the borrower to resolve a debt problem; if any progress has been or can be made towards putting in place a mechanism that will at least give a householder with mortgage arrears a reasonable chance of regaining control over mortgage debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18529/11]
The revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) was issued to all mortgage lenders in December 2010 and has been effective since 1 January 2011. The CCMA sets out how mortgage lenders must treat borrowers in or facing mortgage arrears. The CCMA requires that each lending branch must have at least one person with specific responsibility for dealing with arrears and pre-arrears cases. It also requires frontline staff to be made aware of the lender's policy for dealing with arrears and pre-arrears cases and the relevant contact person and process. The revised CCMA also introduced the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) framework for handling of arrears and pre- arrears cases.
Provision 9 of the revised CCMA states that "Lenders are restricted from imposing charges and or surcharge interest on arrears arising on a mortgage account in arrears to which this Code applies and in respect of which a borrower is co-operating reasonably and honestly with the lender in the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process. (Lenders will have been notified individually of the charges to which this applies) .”
The Central Bank issued Letters of Direction in December 2010 to mortgage lenders prohibiting them from imposing specific arrears charges or surcharge interest on mortgage accounts in arrears to which the revised CCMA applies and in respect of which a borrower is co-operating reasonably and honestly with the lender in the MARP from 1 January 2011.
With regard to monitoring compliance with the consumer protection codes, the Central Bank carries out themed inspections and mystery-shopping exercises. On 1st July 2011 the Central Bank published the findings of a themed inspection of mortgage lenders which examined compliance with Provision 9 of the revised CCMA and the Letters of Direction. This themed inspection was carried out across six mortgage lenders including credit institutions and retail credit firms. 655 customer mortgage account statements were reviewed during the course of the themed inspection. Further detail can be found at the following link: http://www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/Pages/CentralBankMonitorsLendersCompliancewiththeRevisedCode.aspx .
Tax Code
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:49 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to increase the top rate of VAT as indicated in the programme for Government commitment to limit the top rate of VAT to 23%. [18608/11]
The EU/IMF Programme provides for a 1% increase in the standard VAT rate to 22% with effect from January 2013, and a further 1% increase in the standard VAT rate to 23% with effect from January 2014. The Programme for Government continues this VAT policy by limiting the top rate of VAT to 23%, but does not specify the timeframe for this increase. The level and timeframe of any increases in the standard VAT rate will be determined in the context of the annual Budget cycle.
Banking Sector Remuneration
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:50 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the appointment of a new chief executive officer at Allied Irish Bank; if he will confirm if the bank has requested him to give an exemption to the salary cap of €500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18574/11]
As I stated in my reply to questions on the same subject on 29 June 2011 (Ref. Nos. 17942/11 and 17943/11) the search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Allied Irish Banks (AIB) is on-going. I am keen that a successful outcome is achieved shortly as AIB is a fundamental part of the announced Government strategy to restructure the banking sector and any proposed appointee would play a pivotal part in this process. Additionally, I am anxious that the situation whereby the Executive Chairman combines both positions of Chairman and CEO, as instituted by the previous Government, is resolved as it does not accord with good corporate governance practice.
The bank has indicated that, in their opinion, based on their search to date the salary cap applying to the post is causing difficulties in attracting suitably qualified candidates to the position and a higher figure may have to be contemplated. I am aware that this view is held by others who have an interest in this matter. However, it would be the intention of the Government that the cap of €500,000 would be honoured. No formal proposal from AIB to pay a particular amount or appoint a particular candidate is in front of the Government or Minister.
As has been stated publicly by the Taoiseach, a compelling case would have to be made for the Government to consider setting aside this cap taking account of the recent decision on the pay ceilings for CEOs of Semi States and Senior Public Sector posts and the need for social solidarity to be shown by all individuals and sectors for the good of the nation and its recovery from the present challenging circumstances
Tax Code
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:51 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance his plans for an increase in the carbon tax in Budget 2012 as required under the terms of the EU-IMF support programme. [18597/11]
The level and timeframe of any tax changes in the excise area, including in the carbon tax rate, will be determined in the context of the annual Budget cycle.
Mortgage Arrears
Denis Naughten
Ceist:52 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance his plans to assist families in mortgage difficulty; the discussions, he is planning with IFSRA on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18432/11]
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 5 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. 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.
I have been informed by the Central Bank that the following mortgage lenders have agreed to sign up for the DIS, but with varying dates for its availability around end June/beginning July:
AIB and AIB Mortgage Bank,
Bank of Ireland and ICS Building Society,
EBS and Haven Mortgages,
Permanent TSB,
Irish Nationwide Building Society,
Springboard Mortgages,
Start Mortgages hope to have a scheme in place by end 2011.
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 and, with effect from 30 June 2011, they must have in place the requisite systems and trained 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.
Finally, 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.
Tax Yield
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:53 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the revenue, if any, that is collected on works of art, many of which appear to be selling for record prices; his plans for revenue raising measures on such assets at the point of transaction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18530/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information furnished on tax returns does not generally require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of economic activity to be identified. In these circumstances the amount of tax revenues relating to works of art cannot be separately identified. There is, therefore, no statistical basis on which the information requested by the Deputy could be estimated. With regard to the VAT treatment of the supply of works of art, I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that different treatments for VAT purposes may apply. Works of art such as paintings, drawings, engravings and sculptures are normally liable at the 13.5% reduced rate. Other works such as tapestries, ceramics, enamels and some photographs are normally liable at the standard rate of 21%. However, the reduced rate may apply in certain circumstances (principally to imports from outside the EU and the supply by the original artist). This is part of the rates strategy in the EU VAT Directive designed to encourage the flow of works of art into the EU.
Where a work of art is sold under the margin scheme for taxable dealers or special auction scheme, the sale is liable at the standard VAT rate on the margin. The operation of these schemes is explained in Revenue's VAT Information Leaflets entitled "Margin Scheme — Second-Hand Goods" and "Auctioneering".
In relation to the capital gains tax treatment of works of art, works of art are assets for capital gains tax purposes and are thus within the charge to that tax if the person disposing of those assets is Irish-resident. There is, however, an exemption from capital gains tax for a disposal of a work of art that has been loaned to an approved gallery for a period of not less than 10 years and has been on display to the public in that gallery. In order to qualify for this exemption, a work of art must have a face value of at least €31,750 at the time it was loaned to the gallery. If the person disposing of works of art is trading in such goods, any profit on sale will be liable to income tax instead of capital gains tax.
I have no plans to change these taxation arrangements.
Tax Compliance
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:54 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his work with regard to the programme for Government commitment to ensure that tax exiles make a fair contribution to the Exchequer. [18593/11]
The level and timeframe of any taxation changes in this area will be determined in the context of Budgets over the lifetime of the Government.
Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 33.
National Asset Management Agency
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:56 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the National Assets Management Agency has a social good clause in its articles, the way citizens access information on which properties NAMA controls, via its loan portfolio as NAMA is not required under the Freedom of Information Act to answer to the public and the way persons may find information on which properties can be made available for social good when NAMA refuses to disclose the properties it manages. [18435/11]
NAMA has a commercial remit and a statutory objective to generate a return for the taxpayer. However, within the context of its commercial remit and consistent with section 2 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, NAMA is at all times open to considering proposals aimed at contributing to broader social and economic objectives. Thus NAMA is open to facilitating the work of public bodies in the creation of vibrant sustainable communities where this is possible. The NAMA Board has committed to giving first option to State bodies on the purchase of property which may be suitable for their purposes where these bodies have requirements such as schools, hospitals, parks, and so on. I understand that officials of NAMA have already had contact with officials of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Department of Education and Skills, the HSE, local authorities and other public bodies to explore the scope for such arrangements. Section 55 of the National Asset Management Agency Act makes extensive provision for quarterly reporting by NAMA on a wide range of matters, including details in relation to loans. For instance, the quarterly report includes, among other things, information on the number of loans being foreclosed or otherwise enforced and the amount of money recovered by NAMA through the sale of property. These reporting arrangements allow for transparent reporting to the extent that it does not breach the obligation placed on the agency to respect the confidentiality of customers. To date, four quarterly reports, the most recent of which was for the fourth quarter of 2010, have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Apart from the statutory reporting mechanisms that are designed to enhance the transparency of NAMA operations, the agency is aware of the need to enhance the availability of information with regard to properties. In that regard, under an initiative currently in preparation, NAMA will include on its website a database of properties which are under the control of receivers appointed to enforce against NAMA debtors. This will provide a single source of information on NAMA assets which are for sale and it will be updated on a very regular basis. NAMA expects to launch the site by the end of the month.
Banks Restructuring
Niall Collins
Ceist:57 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with the Irish Bank Officials Association regarding the ongoing job losses in the banking sector arising from the restructuring process and if he has given consideration to a specific employment action plan for employees in the sector who lose their jobs. [18567/11]
The Deputy will appreciate that it is an inevitable, but unfortunate, consequence of the necessary restructuring of the banking system that job losses will arise. Essentially the banks will be smaller operations than previously with the focus being on the creation of the two universal full-service pillar banks with a more domestic remit and a restructured Irish Life & Permanent. My officials have had a preliminary engagement with the Irish Bank Officials Association on the overall picture. I have emphasised the necessity to treat all stakeholders in the process with fairness and integrity mindful of the prevailing challenging economic circumstances facing the banks and the country.
I have set up a task force consisting of my Department and representatives of the directly involved covered institutions to progress the matter. Within the parameters of these discussions the issue of specific employment action plan for employees will be considered.
State Banking Sector
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:58 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he has had any consultations with the European Commission and the European Central Bank on the proposed establishment of a strategic investment bank and if they have given their views on the matter. [18569/11]
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:158 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he is actively considering the creation of a strategic investment bank with a capital allocation of €2 billion for the purpose of creating jobs. [14727/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 158 together.
As I said in a reply to a question from Deputy Flanagan on 21 June, ensuring that a strategic investment bank is operating in the domestic banking market, providing finance to large capital projects and acting as a conduit for venture capital as well as a lender to SMEs, is an objective in the programme for Government.
A comprehensive programme of bank recapitalisation and restructuring is currently underway following my statement on the future banking landscape in Ireland at the end of March last. The essential detailed assessment and planning work to meet this objective will be accelerated once the Government's key immediate objectives for the repair of the banking system have been completed. This phase of the Government's consideration of the issue will, as is the case in relation to all bank issues, be carried out in close consultation with our international partners including the European Commission and the European Central Bank.
Tax Code
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:59 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the development of a property tax to be included in Budget 2012 as required under the terms of the EU-IMF programme. [18596/11]
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. Decisions have yet to be taken on the precise legal mechanism to be used to introduce a property tax, what form that tax will take, and whether it will be introduced in tax legislation such as the Finance Bill or through other legislation which may fall within the ambit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Debt Crises
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:60 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance in view of his recent comments on the matter, if he will explain his views on the main differences between Ireland and Greece in terms of their respective debt crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18609/11]
While the underlying economic and fiscal situations in Ireland and Greece are very different, both countries clearly have to restore their economy to health and their public finances to a sustainable position. For example, the EU Commission Spring Forecasts project that Irish General Government Debt will be 112% of GDP at end-2011, while Greek General Government Debt will be some 158% of GDP. Despite the constant reporting of opposition to the necessary austerity measures in Greece, it is not widely recognised that the Greek Government has taken significant steps to date. I am confident that there is political will in Greece to proceed with implementing the Programme measures it has undertaken to complete and, in so doing, to bring its public sector debt under control.
In our case, Ireland is meeting its targets under the EU/IMF Programme and the troika teams have concluded that we have made a strong start. Nevertheless, yields on Ireland's sovereign bonds are remaining at elevated levels, although not as high as those of Greece, and it is clear that this position is being exacerbated by the ongoing uncertainties arising from the wider situation in Europe. Clearly, the current market view of Ireland as illustrated by our sovereign bond spreads is not what we would wish it to be. However, based on conservative projections of our funding needs and taking account of funding possibilities, there is no urgency about a return to the markets and Ireland has not issued bonds at these elevated yields. Indeed, the purpose of a programme such as the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland is to provide the space necessary for economic and fiscal adjustment to take place, while providing a secure source of funding which the State can avail of. Based on current projections and without going back to the markets in the meantime, Ireland has access to sufficient funds for its needs well into the second half of 2013. We are barely half a year into our Programme, so it is still very early in this process. However, as I have already said, we are meeting our targets and, as long as we continue to do so, we expect that the Programme will achieve its objectives.
Tax Code
Sandra McLellan
Ceist:61 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide any evidence currently held by him to support the conclusion that reducing VAT in the tourism sector will create jobs and the mechanisms in place to measure the impact of this VAT reduction on job creation and retention. [18617/11]
As provided for in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2011, a second reduced VAT rate of 9% came into effect on a temporary basis in respect of certain services and goods mainly related to tourism on 1 July 2011 for the period up to end 2013. Specifically the 9% rate will apply to restaurant and catering services; hotel and holiday accommodation; various entertainment services such as admissions to cinemas, theatres, certain musical performances, museums, art gallery exhibitions and fairgrounds/amusement parks, the use of sporting facilities; hairdressing services; and printed matter such as brochures, maps, programmes, leaflets, catalogues, newspapers and magazines. In reducing the VAT burden on activities related to the tourism industry, this measure is aimed at contributing towards boosting tourism and the creation of additional jobs in that sector.
While the programme for Government included a commitment to lower the reduced VAT rate to 12% for all goods and services at that rate, the Government decided to introduce a more focused reduction. In this context, where the VAT reduction is targeted to a more select range of economic activity, a greater reduction in the VAT rate can be applied and hence increase the potential boost to that economic activity.
The VAT change announced in the Jobs Initiative will be kept under review and evaluated before end 2012 in order to determine its effectiveness in aiding the industry. Statistics are published quarterly by the CSO as part of the Quarterly National Household Survey, in relation to the numbers of persons employed in the State by gender and employment sector. These statistics, inter alia, provide details of employment levels in the accommodation and food services sector.
If it is shown that the VAT reduction has little or no effect in aiding the industry then the measure is open to being reformed or abolished.
Mortgage Assistance
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:62 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce specific measures to assist mortgage holders in advance of budget 2012 and if the programme for Government commitment to increase the mortgage interest relief to those who bought between 2004 and 2008 still stands. [18570/11]
This Government is fully aware of the difficulties that many homeowners, through no fault of their own, are having in meeting their mortgage repayments in respect of their principal private residence. There are a number of existing measures in place to assist homeowners in difficulty. These measures include the Central Bank of Ireland's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, the services provided by the Money Advice Budgeting Services and the Mortgage Interest Supplement.
The Mortgage Interest Supplement is managed by the Department of Social Protection and provides assistance where the mortgage relates to a person's home. The Deputy will be aware of the important support provided by the Money Advice and Budgeting Services. MABS provides a national, free, confidential and independent service operating from 53 offices nationwide. I would encourage anyone who is in financial difficulty to contact their local MABS office.
The Central Bank of Ireland's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears has been substantially revised to implement the recommendations of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Expert Group which published its final Report in November 2010. The Code sets out how mortgage lenders must treat borrowers in or facing mortgage arrears with due regard to the fact that each case of mortgage arrears is unique and needs to be considered on its own merits. An important recommendation of the Expert Group was that lenders would make available a Deferred Interest Scheme (DIS) to borrowers who cannot afford to pay the full interest on their mortgages but can pay at least 66% of the amount due. The borrower would have to pay the deferred interest at some agreed future date. Lenders representing the majority of the market have already indicated their willingness to make available deferred interest schemes. These are Allied Irish Bank, AIB Mortgage Bank, Bank of Ireland, ICS Building Society, EBS, Haven Mortgages, Irish Nationwide Building Society, Permanent TSB, Springboard Mortgages and Start Mortgages. While the making available of Deferred Interest Schemes 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.
Another key recommendation of the Group relates to the requirement of all regulated lenders to introduce a standardized Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). Borrowers who are in arrears and who co-operate with the MARP will not be charge penalty interest charges. A lender must establish a centralised and dedicated Arrears Support Unit which must be adequately staffed to manage cases under the MARP. Under the MARP, lenders must agree appropriate forbearance with each borrower following as assessment of the full circumstances and characteristics of each borrower. It is important to point out that borrowers who are in financial difficulties, but not in arrears, are allowed to come under the MARP.
In addition to these existing measures, the Government is considering the further necessary actions required to alleviate the increasing problem of mortgage over-indebtedness. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to help homeowners who are facing difficulty with their mortgage repayments and the Government will examine a number of proposals in relation to this commitment. In this context, the Government Economic Management Council recently asked that further work be carried out to address the situation of over indebted mortgage holders with a view to identifying a range of responses appropriate to individual circumstances. The work concerned will be carried out by a group chaired by Mr. Declan Keane, an accountant seconded to the Department of Finance and will report by end September. The Group has yet to be decided but may include officials from the Department of Finance, the Central Bank of Ireland, officials from other Government Departments and may also use expertise from within the banking system. Any changes to mortgage interest relief will be considered in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process
Fiscal Policy
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:63 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the appointment of Christine Lagarde as head of the International Monetary Fund will be helpful to Ireland’s efforts to ensure debt sustainability and to impose losses on unsecured, unguaranteed senior bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society. [18573/11]
As the Deputy will be aware we are seeking a reduction in the interest rate being charged on EU funds and have already explained our position in this regard to Christine Lagarde in her previous role as French Finance Minister. I am confident she is aware of our position but the IMF has no direct role in the decision on the interest rate for EU funds. As the Deputy is aware Ireland supported the appointment of Christine Lagarde to the post of Managing Director of the Fund and I look forward to a fruitful working relationship with her in that role.
I have indicated to the House that, consistent with Government policy, I will raise the issue of burden sharing to allow for the imposition of loses on unguaranteed and unsecured senior bondholders in Anglo and INBS with the IMF and EU authorities in the autumn. The Government will not take any unilateral action in this area, but will work with our external partners to explain our perspective and hear their views.
Jobs Initiative
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:64 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance the mechanisms in place to monitor and review the impact of the jobs initiative. [18616/11]
The Jobs Initiative 2011 brought forward a number of sectoral measures and tax/PRSI changes. The purpose of these measures is to assist in employment generation, to provide opportunities for those who have lost their jobs and thus generate confidence in the economy. The Jobs Initiative should be viewed as one element of a wider strategy to support economic activity. The Finance (No. 2) Act 2011, which was passed by the Oireachtas in June, put into effect the changes to tax legislation necessary to implement the Jobs Initiative tax policy measures. As regards expenditure, the changes to departmental expenditure lines and profiles have been effected and will be published in a set of Revised Estimates in the coming days. The budgetary impact of the Jobs Initiative measures will be visible through the performance of Departments' expenditure issues against profile and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will monitor and review progress in this regard. My Department will in turn monitor the effect of the revenue measures which will begin to impact upon the Exchequer Returns in the coming months.
In relation to the sectoral measures which have been introduced, it will be a matter for the relevant Ministers and their Departments to monitor the delivery and effectiveness of the initiatives within their remit.
The Jobs Initiative is designed to support a return to economic growth and strengthen its foundations. It is of course extremely difficult to separate out the increase in economic activity that is attributable to specific initiatives. Nonetheless, the Jobs Initiative is an important part of the Government's overall strategy to establish the correct conditions to allow our economy to recover, while at the same time respecting the requirement to return our public finances to a sustainable position. Repairing the banking system is another part of the Government's strategy. If we deliver on these goals, the impact of the Jobs Initiative will be evident in the increased confidence, economic activity and, ultimately, employment levels, which we will enjoy.
State Visits
Joe Higgins
Ceist:65 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the total costs to the State of the visits of Queen Elizabeth II and the President of the USA. [18434/11]
There were no costs to my Department arising from the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama. I understand that the Office of Public Works and the Departments which incurred the major costs arising from these visits will respond to the Deputy on their own behalf.
Constitutional Amendments
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:66 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date on a wording for the referendum to protect whistleblowers; and if he intends to pursue a sectoral based or a central approach. [16789/11]
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to a referendum to protect the right of citizens to communicate in confidence with public representatives. In addition, there is a commitment that we will legislate and change Dáil standing orders to support the confidentiality of information entrusted to members of the Dáil by their constituents or informants. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is currently developing proposals to address these commitments. Separately, the Programme for Government also has a commitment that the Government will introduce legislation to protect whistle-blowers. In this regard, the Government has decided to introduce overarching legislation providing for good faith reporting and protected disclosure on a uniform basis for all sectors of the economy. The Government has also decided to expedite the preparation of this legislation and the necessary preparatory work on drafting the legislation has begun in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The draft legislation will be presented for enactment by the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.
Tax Code
Gerry Adams
Ceist:67 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance his views of the compatibility of the requirements on personal income tax bands and credits contained in the EU-IMF support programme with the commitments contained in the programme for Government to maintain the current rates of income tax together with bands and credits. [18600/11]
The Programme for Government states that as part of the Government's fiscal strategy we will maintain the current rates of income tax together with bands and credits. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has initiated a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) to provide the Government with a set of decision options to meet the overall fiscal consolidation objectives and re-align spending with the Programme for Government priorities. The CRE is due to be completed by end September 2011.
When this review is complete, the Government will examine the findings and, based on these findings and consultation with the Troika, will introduce fiscally neutral changes to the detail of the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland while maintaining the overall commitment to fiscal consolidation.
Departmental Funding
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:68 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail the funding provided by him to meet the programme for Government commitment to accelerate capital works that are shovel ready and labour intensive including schools and secondary roads. [18602/11]
As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced this Government's Jobs Initiative. The Initiative provided for a further €30 million for school works and associated works in 2011 over the existing allocation. Some €20 million of this is being reallocated by the Minister for Education and Skills from within his own Department's allocation. A further €10 million of Exchequer funding has been made available to the Department from the proceeds of the new pension levy also announced in the Initiative. This is to be allocated to immediately-ready projects to be delivered by schools. The Initiative also provided for an additional €60 million to be reallocated from within the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport's overall allocation to invest in our regional and local roads to carry out much-needed surface restoration and road reconstruction works. This important remedial work is overdue and the additional money invested will allow local authorities to bring forward important projects to 2011 that had previously been pushed back to 2012.
We are currently undertaking a major review across Government of our capital investment programme with a view to ensuring that allocations are prioritised towards those capital projects and programmes that will maximise economic benefits to the state, promote sustainable jobs growth in the medium term and address immediate and urgent social deficits.
Debt Crises
Niall Collins
Ceist:69 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on the impact on Ireland of the ongoing debt crisis in Greece and if he will provide details of any specific assurances he has received from our European partners that any contagion impact will not affect Ireland. [18568/11]
The main channel through which the Greek sovereign debt crisis is impacting on Ireland is through a widening of sovereign bond spreads. It must be remembered, however, that Ireland is not dependent upon market financing at the moment, so that higher yields are simply notional as opposed to actual costs. In the various discussions that I have had with our EU partners, I have stressed the importance of clear communication regarding the need to support countries that are implementing their programmes.
It is also worth pointing to the recent change to the ESM Treaty — agreed by Finance Ministers in June — to ensure that any bonds issued in the future by the ESM on behalf of programme countries will not enjoy preferred creditor status. In addition, the euro area Heads of State or Government have reiterated their commitment to do whatever is necessary to ensure the financial stability of the euro area as a whole, as evident from the Council Conclusions from the June European Council meeting.
These, I think, demonstrate the willingness of our EU partners to support programme countries that are delivering and will help these countries — including Ireland — return to market-based funding as soon as possible.
State Properties
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:70 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the revenue gained by the State from buildings leased by the State to either private sector or public sector tenants which are currently subject to upward only rent reviews. [18591/11]
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has 94 leases where non-OPW parties fund rent. As will be seen from the following tables, virtually all the parties to these leases are State bodies and agencies. Based on current indicative information, this lease stock involves:
76 leases that attach to rented buildings and the total rental revenue is €10,721,082 — see Table A below
18 leases that attach to owned buildings and the total rental revenue is €1,602,067 — see Table B below
The leases pertinent to the rented buildings (Table A) attract the upward rent review clause and the leases associated with owned buildings (Table B) are currently being reviewed in this regard.
|
COUNTY |
LOCATION |
BUILDING |
RENT PA € |
TENANT |
|
CARLOW |
CARLOW |
No 4 Court View Carlow |
8,894 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
CAVAN |
CAVAN |
Elm House Kinnypottle Cavan |
3,631 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
CORK |
CORK |
3/F Hibernian House Cork |
20,677 |
Family Support Agency |
|
CORK |
CORK |
4/F Hibernian House Cork |
18,284 |
Family Support Agency |
|
CORK |
CORK |
Heritage Business Park Mahon Co Cork |
4,992 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
CORK |
CORK |
Mahon Co Cork |
43,284 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
DONEGAL |
LETTERKENNY |
Letterkenny |
2,602 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
DONEGAL |
LETTERKENNY |
Pearse Rd Letterkenny |
4,185 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
DUBLIN |
BLACKROCK |
2/F Trident House Main St Blackrock Co Dublin |
26,190 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
DUBLIN |
BLACKROCK |
4/F Trident House Blackrock Co Dublin |
135,700 |
Rail Safety Commission |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 01 |
16 Parnell Sq Dublin 1 |
322,329 |
National Economic and Social Development Office |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 01 |
4th Floor 89/94 Capel Street Dublin 1 |
115,864 |
Crisis Pregnancy Agency |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 01 |
77 Upper Gardner Street Dublin 1 |
243,440 |
Health Service Executive |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 01 |
Findlater House 29/32 O Connell St Dublin |
417,450 |
Dept of Foreign Affairs |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 01 |
ILC Abbey St |
900,000 |
Commission for Communications Regulation |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 01 |
Millenium Hs 52/56 Great Strand St D1 |
265,675 |
Ombudsman for Children |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 01 |
Parnell Sq Dublin 1 |
19,865 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
1/Floor St Stephens Green House Dublin 2 |
171,661 |
Family Support Agency |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
17 Andrews Street Dublin 2 |
340,000 |
Unesco/Cultivate ECO |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
2/F St Stephens Green House Dublin 2 |
262,407 |
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
24 Merrion Sq Dublin 2 |
269,000 |
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
3 New St Killarney Co Kerry |
55,788 |
|
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
4th Floor St Stephens Green House Dublin 2 |
221,638 |
Family Support Agency |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Clonmel Place 2/3 Clonmel Street Dublin 2 |
201,125 |
Irish Youth Justice Service |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Clonmel Place 2/3 Clonmel Street Dublin 2 |
201,125 |
Equality Authority |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
D Olier House |
162,844 |
FÁS |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Dunsceine Harcourt Rd Dublin 2 |
500,000 |
National Transport Authority |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Frederick House Frederick St Dublin 2 |
188,050 |
Residential Institutional Redress Unit |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Harcourt Road Dublin 2 |
138,872 |
National Consumer Agency |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Harcourt Road Dublin 2 |
393,876 |
National Consumer Agency |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Joyce House Lombard Street Dublin |
135,128 |
Health Service Executive |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 03 |
Bond Road Extension East Wall Dublin 3 |
336,380 |
Dept of Agriculture,Fisheries and Food |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 03 |
Dublin Port Crosby Court Dublin 2 |
86,878 |
Dept of Agriculture,Fisheries and Food |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 04 |
1/F St Martins House Waterloo Road Dublin 4 |
570,000 |
Mental Health Commission |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 06 |
Canal House Canal Road Dublin 6 |
129,389 |
Health Insurance Authority |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 07 |
George Court Georges Lane Smithfield D 7 |
655,940 |
Health Information Quality Authority |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 07 |
Manor Street Business Park Dublin |
85,000 |
National Council for Professional Development of Nursing and Midwives |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 08 |
Directors House Kilmainham Dublin 8 |
7,200 |
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 08 |
Floor 3 Phoenix House Conyngham Rd Dublin 8 |
70,818 |
Health Service National Partnership Forum |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 11 |
Finglas Shopping Centre |
39,500 |
FÁS |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 14 |
1/F Aras Ui Dhalaigh Inns Quay |
208,572 |
Court Service |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 15 |
1/F Block 3 Grove Court Blanchardstown D 15 |
23,386 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 15 |
Blanchardstown |
38,119 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 15 |
Top Floor Block A Westend Office Park Blanchardstown D15 |
153,858 |
Irish Sports Council |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 15 |
Westend House Office Park Blanchardstown D15 |
28,524 |
Citizens Information Centre |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 15 |
Westend House Office Park Blanchardstown D15 |
71,476 |
FÁS |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 15 |
Westend Office Park Blanchardstown Dublin 15 |
18,075 |
Family Support Agency |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 24 |
Block 1 Floors 4/5 The Exchange Tallaght |
188,554 |
Personal Injury Assessment Board |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 24 |
County Hall Belgard Sq North Tallaght |
12,275 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 24 |
County Hall Belgard Sq North Tallaght |
24,095 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
DUBLIN |
SWORDS |
Ballyheary Road Swords Co Dublin |
1,000,000 |
National Museum |
|
DUBLIN |
SWORDS |
Unit A Swords Business Campus Swords Dublin |
231,444 |
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
|
DUBLIN |
SWORDS |
Unit C Swords Business Campus Swords Dublin |
173,227 |
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
|
GALWAY |
GALWAY |
The long Walk Galway |
41,722 |
Irish Water Safety |
|
GALWAY |
GALWAY |
Victoria Place Eyre Sq Galway |
9,540 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
GALWAY |
NEW INN |
Fenian Street carpark |
32,748 |
Foras na Gaeilge |
|
GALWAY |
SPIDDAL |
Technology Park An Spideal Co Galway |
55,867 |
Coimisiner Teanga |
|
KILDARE |
NAAS |
Block A Maudlins Hall Naas Co Kildare |
18,036 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
KILDARE |
NAAS |
Government Offices Maudlins Hall Naas |
13,794 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
KILDARE |
NAAS |
Willow House Millenium Park Naas Co Kildare |
119,163 |
Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority |
|
LAOIS |
PORTLAOISE |
Eircom Building Knockmay Portlaoise |
191,000 |
Dept of Agriculture,Fisheries and Food |
|
LAOIS |
PORTLAOISE |
Gratten House Portlaoise Co Laois |
3,641 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
LAOIS |
PORTLAOISE |
Gratten House Portlaoise Co Laois |
4,655 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
LAOIS |
PORTLAOISE |
Kilminchy Portlaoise Co Loais |
83,259 |
Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food |
|
LIMERICK |
LIMERICK |
Punches Cross Limerick |
23,129 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
LIMERICK |
LIMERICK |
Rosbrien Road Punches Cross Limerick |
12,725 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
LOUTH |
DROGHEDA |
CCO Hs Ind Estate Drogheda |
9,796 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
MEATH |
NAVAN |
Government Offices Kilcairn Navan Co Meath |
10,728 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
MEATH |
NAVAN |
Government Offices Kilcairn Navan Co Meath |
4,016 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
MEATH |
TRIM |
Mill St Trim Co Meath |
87,646 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
SLIGO |
SLIGO |
Beulah Buildings Sligo |
4,928 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
SLIGO |
SLIGO |
Sligo |
6,870 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
WATERFORD |
WATERFORD |
Johnstown Business Park Waterford |
11,360 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
WATERFORD |
WATERFORD |
Johnstown Ind Estate Waterford |
12,705 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
WESTMEATH |
MULLINGAR |
Friars Mill Road Mullingar Co Westmeath |
11,234 |
National Council for Special Education |
|
WESTMEATH |
MULLINGAR |
Government Offices Friars Mill Rd Mullingar |
5,235 |
National Education Welfare Board |
|
COUNTY |
LOCATION |
BUILDING |
RENT PA € |
TENANT |
|
CORK |
CORK |
Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg |
15,999 |
Health & Safety Authority |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Fitzwilliam Pl 31Advanced Stud |
58,090 |
Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Merrion Square 5 Inst/Advan Stud |
5,022 |
Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 02 |
Merrion Square 7 Bd na Gaelilge |
350,000 |
Foras Na Gaeilge |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 04 |
Burlington Road 10 |
50,167 |
Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 05 |
Coolock Civic Centre |
71,306 |
FAS |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 11 |
Dunsink Observatory |
330 |
Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 24 |
Tallaght SWO / FÁS / HSE |
29,598 |
FÁS |
|
DUBLIN |
DUBLIN 24 |
Tallaght SWO / FÁS / HSE |
54,102 |
HSE |
|
DUBLIN |
DUN LAOGHAIRE |
Dun Laoghaire BIM |
835,000 |
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
|
LEITRIM |
CARRICK ON SHANNON |
Carrick-on-Shannon Gov Office |
8,229 |
FÁS |
|
LIMERICK |
NEWCASTLEWEST |
Newcastlewest Government Offices |
5,714 |
FÁS |
|
MAYO |
CASTLEBAR |
Castlebar Government Offices |
40,378 |
Coillte |
|
SLIGO |
SLIGO |
Sligo Gov Off-Cranmore Road |
27,960 |
Coillte |
|
SLIGO |
SLIGO |
Sligo Gov Off-Cranmore Road |
33,836 |
FÁS |
|
TIPPERARY |
CLONMEL |
Clonmel Former SWO |
5,000 |
South Tipperary VEC |
|
WATERFORD |
WATERFORD |
Waterford Gov Off-The Glen |
3,719 |
Health & Safety Authority |
|
WICKLOW |
ARKLOW |
Arklow Government Offices |
7,618 |
FÁS |
Fiscal Policy
Seán Crowe
Ceist:71 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he expects to meet the €1,500 million additional revenue raising target for 2012 as set out in the EU-IMF support programme. [18589/11]
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:72 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a report on the additional revenue raising measures currently being considered by him as part of the fifth quarter requirements of the EU-IMF programme. [18592/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Specific Economic Policy Conditionality of the Joint EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland, actions for the fifth review or to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2011 include the presentation of a Budget for 2012 to include budgetary consolidation measures amounting to at least €3.6 billion.
The revised MOU noted that in relation to budgetary consolidation measures for 2012 the Joint EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland agreed in December 2010 provided for revenue measures to yield €1.5 billion in a full year along with a reduction in expenditure of €2.1 billion. As previously stated, the Government is committed to the overall level of budgetary adjustment. However, the precise nature of the measures to be implemented in 2012 will be decided upon in advance of Budget 2012 in light of more up-to-date economic and fiscal data and the outcome of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, which is currently underway.
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:73 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if reducing private pension tax reliefs will form part of the additional revenue raising measures currently being considered by him as part of the fifth quarter requirements of the EU-IMF programme. [18595/11]
The gradual reduction from marginal to standard rate tax relief on pension contributions commencing in 2012 forms part of the fiscal consolidation measures in the agreement with the EU, IMF and the ECB over the period 2011 to 2014. When introducing the temporary pension scheme levy to pay for the Jobs Initiative on 10 May last, I gave a commitment to examine the issue of reducing the tax relief on pension contributions to the standard rate.
The Government has initiated a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in order to provide it with a set of decision options to meet the overall fiscal consolidation objectives and re-align spending with the Programme for Government priorities. The Review is due to be completed by end September 2011. The Government will then examine the findings and, in consultation with the EU, IMF and ECB, will introduce fiscally neutral changes to the detail of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland while maintaining the overall commitment to fiscal consolidation. I will examine the scope for any change to the proposed standard rating of tax relief on pension contributions in that context.
Judicial Remuneration
Derek Keating
Ceist:74 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of judges who have voluntarily agreed to a contribution equivalent to the pension levy in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16622/11]
This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. Section 161 of the Finance Act 2010 provides for a voluntary scheme that enables members of the Judiciary to make a gift to the State of an equivalent amount to the pension related deduction imposed on State employees under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. Subsection (8) of that Section provides that, inter alia, the Revenue Commissioners shall publish for each year of assessment details of the number of donors who avail of this scheme in the year. I understand that the Revenue Commissioners published information in their Annual Report for 2010, in accordance with Subsection (8), which shows that 126 Judges participated in the Scheme in 2010.
National Asset Management Agency
Gerry Adams
Ceist:75 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a progress report on the programme for Government commitment to provide the highest standards of transparency in the operation of the National Asset Management Agency, on reduction in the costs associated with the operation of NAMA and that decision making in NAMA does not delay the restoration of the Irish property market. [18601/11]
As Minister for Finance I met with the NAMA Board on 13 April 2011 when I explained that I expect the agency to comply with the Government commitment to the highest standards of transparency to the maximum extent possible. This is an issue which I will be following closely. There are a range of statutory reporting requirements which ensure transparency of NAMA operations. Apart from the statutory reporting mechanisms, NAMA advises me that it is seeking to enhance the availability of information with regard to properties. In that regard, under an initiative currently in preparation, NAMA will include on its website a database of properties which are under the control of receivers. This will provide a single source of information on NAMA assets which are for sale and it will be updated on a monthly basis. NAMA expects to launch the site later this month.
Excluding €30m in due diligence costs which were borne by the participating institutions, NAMA costs in 2010 were €46m. €17m of this was expended on salary and other direct costs (including office rent and audit fees) associated with running the Agency. Another €15m was payment to about 500 staff in participating institutions that carry out the day-to-day administration of loans on behalf of NAMA. The residual costs of €14m are one-off payments associated with setting up the agency.
NAMA advises me that if one-off due diligence and other costs are excluded, core costs — €32m — are only 0.1% of the acquisition price paid for acquired loans. I have been assured by the Chairman and Chief Executive of NAMA that they are very conscious of the need to keep costs to the absolute minimum and to ensure that value for money is achieved.
As regards decision making in NAMA, the agency has directed all participating institutions to ensure that credit applications are forwarded to it within ten business days of being received from debtors. NAMA, in turn, aims to respond to applications within ten business days of receiving them from institutions. Accordingly, in normal circumstances, a debtor credit application should be processed within twenty business days of being submitted by the debtor to the institution and, in the case of letters of release, this process would be further expedited.
I have asked the NAMA Board to consider initiatives which would help to get the property market moving again in a sustainable manner. One such proposal is currently being considered by officials from my Department, in conjunction with officials from NAMA and from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Fiscal Policy
Michael McGrath
Ceist:76 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the statement by An Taoiseach that budget 2012 will contain no income tax increases. [18565/11]
The Programme for Government states that as part of the Government's fiscal strategy we will maintain the current rates of income tax together with bands and credits. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has initiated a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) to provide the Government with a set of decision options to meet the overall fiscal consolidation objectives and re-align spending with the Programme for Government priorities. The CRE is due to be completed by end September 2011.
When this review is complete, the Government will examine the findings and, based on these findings and consultation with the Troika, will introduce fiscally neutral changes to the detail of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland while maintaining the overall commitment to fiscal consolidation.
There is no difference between my position on taxation and that of the Taoiseach.
Office of the Ombudsman
Derek Keating
Ceist:77 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the powers of the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17164/11]
The Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008 was published in July 2008. The Bill completed all stages in the Dáil in June 2010 and is awaiting second stage in the Seanad. The primary purpose of the Bill is to extend the Ombudsman's remit. This Bill represents the most significant extension of the Ombudsman's remit in almost 30 years. The main areas being included are third level education institutions and VECs. A range of other agencies not previously subject to investigation by the Ombudsman are also being brought in, including the National Roads Authority, the National Treatment Purchase Fund, and the Courts Service.
The inclusion of additional bodies, beyond those already covered by the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008, will be reviewed in line with the Government Reform Agenda over the coming months.
Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 33.
Tax Code
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:79 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a progress report on proposals to reduce tax expenditures as required under the terms of the EU-IMF programme. [18599/11]
Budget and Finance Act 2011 introduced a range of measures which reduced tax expenditures. Principal amongst these were:
Reduction of Income Tax credits, bands and exemption limits;
Removal of various Stamp Duty reliefs and exemptions;
Abolition of a scheme of accelerated capital allowances for farmers.
I have initiated a public consultation as part of an economic impact assessment of the potential effects of amending, curtailing or abolishing the legacy property-based tax reliefs. The results of this assessment will be considered in the context of Budget 2012.
Further measures may be considered also for inclusion in the Budget and Finance Bill. While initial preparation for these has already commenced, the Deputy will be aware it is not the policy of the Minister to comment in advance on any such initiatives.
Fiscal Policy
Barry Cowen
Ceist:80 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if the explicit permission of the European Commission, the ECB and IMF has been received to allow the State to use any remaining balance of the €35 billion, originally earmarked for the banking system, to fund the Exchequer once the bank recapitalisation scheme has been completed. [18575/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the EU — IMF support programme provides for a total of €85 billion in financial support from both internal and external sources — with €17.5 billion of this being provided from our own resources. When the programme was announced €50 billion was identified as being available for the exchequer funding with the remaining €35 billion identified as being for the banking sector. Following the recent banking stress tests carried out by the Central Bank — the amount identified as being required for the banking sector was reduced to €24 billion including €3 billion of funds which take the form of contingent capital. However, it is anticipated that mitigating actions, such as burden sharing, will mean that up to €5 billion of this €24 billion will come from private sector sources.
The budgetary forecasts contained in the recently published Stability Programme Update (SPU) prudently assume that an additional €20 billion in State support to the banking sector will be required. On that basis, some €15 billion of the funding originally earmarked for the banking sector is available for use for sovereign purposes, bringing the potential total available under the Programme for exchequer funding purposes to €65 billion. The release and use of all externally provided funding is dependent on the continued satisfaction of the programme conditions — as verified by the quarterly review process.
During the course of the forthcoming quarterly review, the financing plan for the remainder of the Programme of Support will be discussed with the Troika and the question of how to use any remaining balance taking account of the lower banking recapitalisation cost will be addressed in that context.
Tax Code
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:81 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the high fuel prices which have a knock on affect on the cost of living and the cost of getting to work, he will consider adjusting excise rates downwards to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18531/11]
Ireland, as with other countries, has experienced an increase in the cost of petrol and auto-diesel. The increase in fuel prices is an international phenomenon. Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as geopolitical uncertainty in Northern Africa and the Middle East with potential supply disruptions. However, the price of oil has decreased somewhat recently. The excise rates (including the carbon charge) in Ireland on motor fuels are 57.6 cent on a litre of petrol and 46.6 cent on a litre of auto-diesel. Ireland's excise rates are the ninth and third highest in the EU27 for petrol and auto-diesel respectively. However, our rates remain lower than many of our main trading partners and significantly lower than our nearest neighbour the UK.
The Exchequer yield from excise, as excise is set at a nominal amount, does not increase as the price of fuels increase. On the other hand, the yield from VAT per litre of fuel, as VAT is set as a percentage of the price, increases as the price of fuels increase.
It is on this latter basis that there are often demands to reduce taxes on fuel. However, I would point-out that the Exchequer gain may be limited because:
1. the increase in petrol and diesel prices reduces the quantity of such fuels being purchased,
2. spending in the economy is likely to be re-allocated to petrol and other oil products, and away from other VAT liable spending, and
3. the overall level of economic activity is reduced by higher oil prices.
It should also be noted that businesses are of course entitled to reclaim VAT incurred on their business inputs, including VAT incurred on fuel. For example, VAT incurred on auto-diesel and marked gas oil (MGO or green diesel) used in the course of business is a deductible credit for business in the Irish VAT system. VAT on petrol cannot be deducted/reclaimed.
There are no plans for temporary taxation adjustments, as to do so could lead to significant costs to the Exchequer. The issue of rising fuel prices was recently briefly discussed by EU Finance Ministers at an ECOFIN meeting and they reconfirmed the approach taken in 2005 and again in 2008, when oil prices were very high, which endorsed a coordinated approach towards not making distortionary fiscal adjustments.
Census Staff
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:82 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the number of enumerators employed on short-term contracts for census 2011; the number of these who were in receipt of public service pensions; the number who were in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit or allowance immediately prior to their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18373/11]
A total of 4,854 census enumerators were recruited to assist with the field work on the 2011 census. All of the recruitment for the census field operation was carried out by the CSO under licence by the Commission for Public Service Appointments and complied with their strict recruitment principles regarding fairness, equality, openness and transparency.
It is important to note that all applicants for enumerator positions were assessed at interview on their availability for census work (given the need to make frequent calls to households at different times of the day). Availability was one but not the only criterion used in accessing candidates, but clearly those in full-time work would have been assessed as having low availability and therefore this would have had a negative effect on their candidature. It was not open to the CSO to exclude candidates on the basis of their employment status.
The following table indicates the employment situation and live register status of the 4,854 enumerators, prior to their employment on the census, detailed by the 44 census regions. Information on whether persons were previously self-employed, the sectors in which they previously worked and, if applicable, their pension arrangements is not collated as part of the recruitment process and so is unavailable. Information on the number of retired public servants employed as enumerators as requested by the Deputy is not available.
|
Region |
Previous Employment Situation of Census Enumerators |
Total No. of Enumerators |
Of which: On Live Register |
||
|
Employed |
Not employed |
||||
|
1 |
Dublin North (part) |
38 |
61 |
99 |
1 |
|
2 |
Dublin North (part) |
47 |
64 |
111 |
6 |
|
3 |
Dublin West (part) |
44 |
83 |
127 |
17 |
|
4 |
Dublin West (part) |
37 |
83 |
120 |
10 |
|
5 |
Dublin North (part) |
48 |
70 |
118 |
16 |
|
6 |
Dublin South(part) |
42 |
73 |
115 |
47 |
|
7 |
Dublin North Inner City |
35 |
64 |
99 |
15 |
|
8 |
Dublin South Inner City |
47 |
60 |
107 |
25 |
|
9 |
Dublin South |
46 |
72 |
118 |
3 |
|
10 |
Dublin South |
39 |
77 |
116 |
4 |
|
11 |
Dublin South |
33 |
80 |
113 |
13 |
|
12 |
Wicklow North |
47 |
76 |
123 |
3 |
|
13 |
Kildare South,Carlow North |
34 |
63 |
97 |
17 |
|
14 |
Wicklow South,Wexford North |
29 |
81 |
110 |
11 |
|
15 |
Kilkenny (part), Carlow (part) |
40 |
70 |
110 |
26 |
|
16 |
Wexford South |
37 |
73 |
110 |
1 |
|
17 |
Donegal North |
45 |
66 |
111 |
11 |
|
18 |
Donegal South, Leitrim (part) |
54 |
55 |
109 |
45 |
|
19 |
Mayo North, Sligo North |
44 |
66 |
110 |
24 |
|
20 |
Mayo South |
52 |
59 |
111 |
9 |
|
21 |
Longford (part),Roscommon (part), Leitrim (part) |
40 |
71 |
111 |
24 |
|
22 |
Galway North |
40 |
69 |
109 |
43 |
|
23 |
Galway City and Surrounds |
40 |
69 |
109 |
1 |
|
24 |
Cavan North, Monaghan (part) |
54 |
55 |
109 |
0 |
|
25 |
Longford (part),Westmeath (part), Meath (part) |
39 |
61 |
100 |
27 |
|
26 |
Louth (part), Cavan (part), Meath (part) |
53 |
58 |
111 |
40 |
|
27 |
Offaly (part), Westmeath (part) |
32 |
78 |
110 |
18 |
|
28 |
Meath (part), Kildare (part) |
38 |
75 |
113 |
28 |
|
29 |
Louth (south), Meath (part) |
31 |
69 |
100 |
15 |
|
30 |
Kildare (part) |
33 |
77 |
110 |
6 |
|
31 |
Galway (east), Offaly (part) |
51 |
58 |
109 |
9 |
|
32 |
West Clare |
40 |
65 |
105 |
8 |
|
33 |
Limerick City, Clare (east) |
29 |
70 |
99 |
23 |
|
34 |
Laois (part), Tipperary (part) |
32 |
77 |
109 |
0 |
|
35 |
Kerry North West |
39 |
72 |
111 |
48 |
|
36 |
Limerick South |
54 |
66 |
120 |
17 |
|
37 |
Kerry South,Cork (part) |
53 |
57 |
110 |
1 |
|
38 |
Tipperary (part) |
38 |
72 |
110 |
11 |
|
39 |
Cork County (North) |
29 |
80 |
109 |
14 |
|
40 |
Cork (east), Waterford (part) |
35 |
86 |
121 |
28 |
|
41 |
Waterford City and County (part) |
41 |
68 |
109 |
34 |
|
42 |
Cork (west) |
28 |
82 |
110 |
23 |
|
43 |
Cork City West |
34 |
73 |
107 |
3 |
|
44 |
Cork City and County East (part) |
36 |
73 |
109 |
15 |
|
Total |
1,777 |
3,077 |
4,854 |
740 |
Departmental Agencies
Seán Kyne
Ceist:83 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Taoiseach his views on the timeframe for decisions from the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and his further views that the office would benefit from participating in the jobs initiative such as job bridge which would provide great opportunities for law and FE 1 examination graduates while also helping to speed up decision-making. [18815/11]
It is not clear what type of decisions the Deputy is referring to. In general the Chief State Solicitor's Office acts on the decisions or instructions of its client Departments and Offices. The time-frame for such decisions is often dictated by court deadlines, rules of court or legislation.
The Office is already committed to making some appointments under the FÁS Work Placement Scheme and will consider the merits of availing of the recently announced Job Bridge Scheme.
Departmental Staff
Gerry Adams
Ceist:84 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when he plans to appoint a second Secretary General in his Department; the remit of the new post; the area of responsibility that will be under the new Secretary General; the recruitment process for the new position; and the level of remuneration for the post. [19072/11]
Gerry Adams
Ceist:89 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when he envisages the appointment of a second Secretary General to his Department; the salary for that position; if he will outline the recruitment procedure for the position; and the responsibilities of the second Secretary General within his Department. [18653/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 89 together.
The post of Second Secretary General in my Department will have responsibility for coordination of EU Affairs from a whole-of-Government perspective, reporting to the Tánaiste and myself as appropriate, and also for supporting the work of the Government Economic Management Council.
In addition to these central coordinating functions, the Second Secretary General will also support the Tánaiste in his engagement with whole-of-Government issues, including Cabinet Committees. The Second Secretary General will be a member of the Management Advisory Committee of my Department.
I expect to recommend an appointment to the Government in the very near future. The salary for the post will be €180,000 before imposition of the pension levy.
Census of Population
Sean Fleming
Ceist:85 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the contact he had with the Central Statistics Office in relation to the 2011 census and its assessment of its success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18301/11]
My functions in relation to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) were delegated to the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State Paul Kehoe T.D., on the 22 March 2011 under the Statistics (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2011, as per section 2(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977 (No. 28 of 1977).
It is my understanding that Minister Kehoe has met with the CSO twice in relation tocensus 2011.
The Census which took place on Sunday 10 April was a very successful operation. Enumerators were in the field for a period of 10 weeks from Friday 11 March to Friday 13 May. Forms were delivered to and collected from 1.7 million occupied dwellings. In addition enumerators accounted for the dwelling status of all dwellings in the state as to whether they were occupied, vacant, a vacant holiday home or temporarily absent on Census night.
The reception at the doorstep to the Census was generally very good due to the success of the Census Publicity campaign which focused on the community value of Census data.
All Census field staff had finished work by Friday 3rd June at which stage all forms, materials and equipment was back at base in CSO.
The field operation finished up on time and well within budget. The preliminary count of the Census based on a clerical summary prepared by Enumerators was published on 30th June which is very good by international standards.
Sean Fleming
Ceist:86 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach when he expects the Central Statistics Office to be in a position to publish the preliminary results of census 2011. [18302/11]
The Preliminary results of the census were published on Thursday 30 June. This was just 12 weeks after Census day, Sunday 10th April.
The results provided total population of males and females by County, Constituency and Electoral Division. The results also provided the housing stock, the number of vacant dwellings and the vacancy rate at County level.
Sean Fleming
Ceist:87 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of persons who have failed to return their census forms to the Central Statistics Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18303/11]
Approximately 6,400 households which were considered to have been occupied on Census Night failed to return a completed census form for a variety of reasons. The reasons included householders who moved or died before the enumerator returned to collect the Census Form.
There were a small number of householders who refused to complete a Census Form, a number of which are being examined with a view to prosecution under the Statistics Act 1993.
In all cases where the enumerator was sure a dwelling was occupied on Census Night but the enumerator failed to get a completed Census Form, enumerators were instructed to record the approximate age, sex and nationality of the occupants by making discrete enquiries locally. The estimated number of persons in these households which failed to make a return was 13,800 representing less than a third of one percent of the total population.
This number ranks very well by international standards and results from a very tight field operation with 440 field supervisors and 4,854 census enumerators on the ground for a period of five weeks both before and after Census day.
Sean Fleming
Ceist:88 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the penalties which can be incurred by persons who do not return their census forms to the Central Statistics Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18304/11]
The Statistics Act 1993 provides that any person who fails or refuses to provide the information in response to a direction from the Director General from the Central Statistics Office (which includes information on the census form) may be subject to a fine of up to €25,000.
The legislation provides for a fine not exceeding €1,250 on summary conviction and not exceeding €25,000 on conviction on indictment.
Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 84.
Consultancy Contracts
Robert Troy
Ceist:90 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the number of external consultants that have been engaged either on a short term or long term by the Government since March 2011. [18737/11]
My Department has engaged no external consultants since March 2011.
EU-IMF Programme
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:91 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach the reason he agreed a text at the conclusion of the most recent EU Council meeting which states that Ireland’s debts will be sustainable without an interest rate cut; if he will further indicate his acceptance of the fact that this represents a reversal of the position adopted by the last Government and by his Government during March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18848/11]
I reported to the House on 28 June on the meeting of the European Council that took place in Brussels on 23-24 June.
The European Council welcomed the progress made in Ireland in the implementation of our EU/IMF Programme, and confirmed that this is well on track. This is a welcome recognition of the efforts being made by the Irish Government and people.
The principle of an interest rate reduction to better take into account debt sustainability has already been agreed. Resolution of this issue is being taken forward by Finance Ministers.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:92 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Taoiseach the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18927/11]
It has not been the practice for formal meeings to take place in this Department between the Taoiseach and the Management Advisory Committee, having regard to the small size of the Department and the nature of its work. I have, however, met with all of the staff of the Department, both together and in the various sections and divisions of the Department. I discuss the work of the Department on a daily basis with the Secretary General, who advises me on issues considered by the MAC and I also meet frequently with the three Assistant Secretaries, who are the other members of the MAC. As a result, I am satisfied that the MAC is focused on adapting the Department to the role it will play in supporting the Government in implementing its Programme.
I envisage that I will meet the MAC on a formal basis, from time to time, to review progress in achieving our objectives in support of the working of Government, the operation of Cabinet Committees and the other responsibilities which the Department discharges in support of my role as Head of Government and member of the European Council.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:93 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Taoiseach with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18945/11]
The following tables set out the position in relation to the bodies listed for which my Department has responsibility.
|
Name |
Rent Paid |
Location of Office |
Landlord |
Length of Lease |
|
National Statistics Board |
None |
No premises * |
None |
n/a |
|
National, Economic and Social Development Office ** |
€588,295 |
16 Parnell Square East, Dublin 1. |
OPW |
Not subject to any duration of lease. |
|
Ireland Newfoundland Partnership Board |
None |
17-19 Lr. Hatch Street, Dublin 2. |
OPW |
n/a |
|
Law Reform Commission |
€317,816 **** |
35 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. |
Liddington Limited. Fitzwilliam House, 6, Lr. Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. |
31 December 2017 |
|
Ireland/America Economic Advisory Board # |
None |
No premises |
n/a |
n/a |
|
National Forum On Europe |
None |
Dublin Castle. |
OPW |
n/a |
|
Name |
Rent Paid |
Location of Office |
Landlord |
Length of Lease |
|
National Statistics Board |
None |
No premises * |
None |
n/a |
|
National, Economic and Social Development Office ** |
€588,295 |
16 Parnell Square East, Dublin 1. |
OPW |
Not subject to any duration of lease. |
|
Ireland Newfoundland Partnership Board |
None |
17-19 Lr. Hatch Street, Dublin 2. |
OPW |
n/a |
|
Law Reform Commission |
€450,000 |
35 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. |
Liddington Limited. Fitzwilliam House, 6, Lr. Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. |
31 December 2017 |
|
Ireland/America Economic Advisory Board # |
None |
No premises |
n/a |
n/a |
|
National Forum On Europe## |
None |
Dublin Castle. |
OPW |
n/a |
|
Name |
Rent Paid |
Location of Office |
Landlord |
Length of Lease |
|
National Statistics Board |
None |
No premises * |
None |
n/a |
|
National, Economic and Social Development Office ** |
€322,328 *** |
16 Parnell Square East, Dublin 1. |
OPW |
Not subject to any duration of lease. |
|
Ireland Newfoundland Partnership Board |
None |
Department of the Taoiseach. Government Buildings. |
OPW |
n/a |
|
Law Reform Commission |
€450,000 |
35 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. |
Liddington Limited. Fitzwilliam House, 6, Lr. Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. |
31 December 2017 |
|
Ireland/America Economic Advisory Board # |
None |
No premises |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Name |
Rent Paid |
Location of Office |
Landlord |
Length of Lease |
|
National Statistics Board |
None |
No premises * |
None |
n/a |
|
National, Economic and Social Development Office ** |
€161,164 (to end of 2nd quarter) |
16 Parnell Square East, Dublin 1. |
OPW |
Not subject to any duration of lease. |
|
Ireland Newfoundland Partnership Board |
None |
Department of the Taoiseach. Government Buildings. |
OPW |
n/a |
|
Law Reform Commission |
Due to be paid at a rate of €450,000 p/a |
35 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. |
Liddington Limited. Fitzwilliam House, 6, Lr. Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. |
31 December 2017 |
|
Ireland/America Economic Advisory Board # |
None |
No premises |
n/a |
n/a |
* The National Statistics Board have no paid staff and no office accommodation. The secretariat work of the Board is undertaken on a part-time basis by a Senior Statistician. The Board meets either in the Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings or Central Statistics Offices in Cork.
** NESDO [ includes the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). It also includes the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) and the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) which were discontinued in April, 2010].
*** Following the discontinuation of the NCPP and the NESF in April 2010, NESDO reduced its office area by 46% resulting in a rent savings of €265,967.
**** The rate of rent for the Law Reform Commission was fixed in 2004 and has not been increased since. In 2008, the Commission acquired additional floor space to accommodate extra staff. Hence, part of the rent for 2008 was at the rate of €450,000 per annum.
# The Ireland/America Economic Advisory Board was established in 1992 to provide a forum through which the thinking of the most senior and successful leaders of corporate Irish-America could be conveyed directly, and at the highest level, to the Government.
The Board normally meets at least once but sometimes twice a year, usually in the US. The Taoiseach is responsible for appointing the Board, and the members give voluntarily of their time. The Board does not have an office premises. The Department of Taoiseach maintains contact with the Board primarily through the embassy in Washington.
# #The National Forum On Europe ended in May 2009.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:94 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19500/11]
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only agency under the aegis of my Department. Together with the Secretary General in my Department, the following Secretaries General are members of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), which is a constituent body of NESDO: Secretary General, Department of Finance; Secretary General, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; and Secretary General, Department of Education and Skills. The Secretary General from my Department is also a member of the Board of the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO). Members do not receive any remuneration in relation to their roles on the Board of NESDO or the NESC.
Irish Language
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:95 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason it is difficult for Irish citizens to have their passport details in the Irish language in view of the fact that their PPS number and the birth certificate registration number would prevent any duplication in the English language. [18209/11]
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:96 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make it easier for Irish citizens to use the Irish language version of their name on their passport in view of the use of modern technology which would ensure that a check of PPS numbers and the birth certificate registration number would prevent any duplication in the English language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18210/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.
All Passport applications are processed under the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. This Act provides, inter alia, that the Department must be satisfied as to the identity of each individual from his/her witnessed application and photographs as well any submitted supporting documents. In the Department's ongoing efforts to combat passport and identity fraud, additional photo identity such as a driver's licence is now required for first-time adult applicants or those persons who have lost or had their passports stolen. This is in addition to the standard requirement of birth certificates.
The Act also makes provision for the name in which a passport is to issue. It is the Department's policy that a person's legal name is that by which he/she is commonly known as through use and repute. For the majority of people, names will be based on the registered details with the General Registrar's Office (GRO) which is evidenced by issued birth certificates. In cases where a name change has occurred as a result of marriage, such details will be recorded by the GRO and evidenced by marriage certificates.
In other situations where a name that is requested to appear on a passport is different, other than by marriage, from details on a birth certificate, the Department seeks documentary evidence under the Passports Act, 2008 of the use of that name over a two year period. As access to PPS numbers and birth certificate registration numbers are not available to international border control authorities, alternative measures must be put in place. In this context, therefore, those applicants, who supply documentary evidence as to the use of the Irish form of their name over two years, receive their passports in that name without difficulty.
It should also be noted that the Department may exercise discretion in regard to the application of the two year proof of usage requirement of a new name. These cases are considered on a case by case basis. However, such considerations must take into account that a passport is primarily an international travel identity document and that name change requests must therefore be balanced with the Department's obligations to uphold the integrity of the Irish passport among the international community and to protect against identity switching and identity fraud. In those cases where the Department accepts that there are exceptional reasons for a name change from English to Irish or the reverse, a passport will be produced in the new name without the two year proof of usage. However, an observation will be printed on page three of the passport stating the person's birth name or if appropriate his/her previous passport name.
It should also be noted that the majority of name change requests received relate to a request for a new English name. I should therefore stress that the procedure in operation must be applied in the same way for all name change requests, including from the English to the Irish form of the name.
I would like to re-assure the Deputy that the Department's policies and practices are intended to ensure that our citizens receive their passport in their known and established identities, thus ensuring their safe and unhindered travel abroad. I believe that these arrangements are fair and maintain an appropriate balance between the need to protect the reputation of the Irish passport and a citizen's wish to have an alternative name appear on their passport.
Human Rights Issues
John Halligan
Ceist:97 Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made or intends to make an official statement regarding the recent unlawful killing of 15 Syrian citizens who were peacefully protesting in the towns of Homs and Kiswa south of Damascus; and if he will ask the Syrian Government to enter into negotiations with Syrian pro-democracy groups whose main aim is to bring Syria to a democracy status. [18220/11]
I am deeply concerned about the current situation in Syria and the violent repression against large numbers of people in Syria who have been simply trying to exercise their right to freedom of expression, whether in the street or online. After Friday prayers on 24 June, Syrian armed forces once again opened fire on unarmed protestors in several cities, killing a further 15 people. The death toll now numbers more than 1400, with thousands more detained. I am appalled by the Syrian Government's shocking use of lethal force. Such actions are completely unacceptable and a violation of the Syrian Government's responsibility and international obligations to protect its citizens. The European Council discussed the situation in Syria at its meeting on 23-24 June and condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing repression. Heads of State and Government, including the Taoiseach, noted that by choosing a path of repression instead of fulfilling its own promises on broad reforms, the Syrian regime is calling its own legitimacy into question. The Council was also strongly supportive of diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring that the UN Security Council can assume its responsibility and give an adequate response to the situation in Syria. The EU has also adopted a third round of sanctions against leading instigators of the repression, including President Assad.
Furthermore, the EU has strongly and consistently called for the start of a genuine and inclusive dialogue, including with pro-democracy groups, and fundamental reforms in response to the demands of the Syrian people. I note the fact that President Assad has announced that a national dialogue will commence and that opposition figures met publicly for the first time in Damascus on 27 June. However, I also note that many opposition figures refuse to enter talks with the government while it continues to instruct its army to fire on unarmed protestors.
Ireland and the EU will continue to use all economic and political means to actively seek a change in policy in Syria until this cycle of appalling and ruinous violence ends.
Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:98 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála cén fáth nach bhfuil príosúnach atáá choinneáil i bpríosún Mhaigh gCabraí i Lios na gCearrbhach, Contae Aontroma clúdaithe faoi shocruithe Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh [18327/11]
Baineann forálacha Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta faoi scaoileadh saor príosúnaigh le daoine a ciontaíodh cheana i gcionta a déanadh roimh 1998. Ní bhaineann na forlálacha seo le daoine nach raibh fós ciontaíthe nó daoine a dhéan cionta tar éis an dáta sin.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:99 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála an bhfuil aon achainí déanta aige féin nó ag a Roinn go scaoilfí saor ar chúinsí daonnachta príosúnach atáá choinneáil i príosún Mhaigh gCabraí i dTuaisceart Éireann agus a bhfuil drochshláinte air, agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18328/11]
Tá eolas agam ar an gcás luaite ag an dTeachta. Tuigim go bhfuil an príosúnach atá i gceist tar éis imeachtaí dlí a thionscnamh chun scaoileadh níos luaithe a fháil. Toisc an t-ábhar a bheith os comhair na gcúirteanna, bheadh sé neamhfhóirsteanach dom níos mó a rá ach amháin go leanann oifigigh mo Roinne d'fhaireachán a dhéanamh ar an gcás.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:100 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 317 of 17 November 2009 and 145 of 20 May 2010, if a determination has been made regarding the entitlement of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18402/11]
The position in regard to passport entitlement in this case was outlined by my predecessor in his reply to your question 317 of 17 November, 2009, namely that the evidence of residence in Ireland in respect of the person in question, which was submitted in support of her daughter's passport application, was insufficient to demonstrate her child's entitlement to Irish citizenship under section 6B(2) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004 (the 2004 Act). I can confirm that in the interim no correspondence or evidence has been submitted to the Passport Service by the person in question to demonstrate her daughter's entitlement to Irish citizenship under section 6B(2) of the 2004 Act. However, as stated in the reply of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to your question 145 of 20 May, 2010, it remains open to this person to make an application for a certificate of naturalisation on behalf of her daughter under section 15 of the 1956 Act, when the child has 5 years reckonable residency in the State.
In the meantime as entitlement to Irish citizenship for this person's daughter has not been demonstrated to date, the Passport Service is unable to issue a passport to her under the Passports Act, 2008.
Overseas Development Aid
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:101 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of foreign aid given to Botswana in each year since 2001. [18442/11]
The Government's aid programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, is concentrated on the least developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Botswana is not one of the priority countries for the aid programme. However, since 2001, just over €680,000 has been provided in assistance for development work in the country by Non-Governmental Organisations and missionaries. The grants have included support for people living with HIV/AIDS, for primary health care and basic education and for the protection of human rights.
The following is a breakdown of funding provided annually since 2001. Funding details for 2011 are not yet finalised.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2010 |
€13,000 |
|
2009 |
€48,000 |
|
2008 |
€200,018 |
|
2007 |
€159,451 |
|
2006 |
€89,607 |
|
2005 |
€67,678 |
|
2004 |
€21,912 |
|
2003 |
€48,364 |
|
2002 |
€35,390 |
|
2001 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€683,420 |
Consular Services
Seán Kyne
Ceist:102 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the staffing levels in the Irish Embassy in Canberra, Australia; and the level of assistance it is permitted to provide to Irish citizens who appear before Australian courts. [18514/11]
Seán Kyne
Ceist:103 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consular assistance is available in all the major Australian cities; and if, in view of the numbers of Irish citizens presently in Australia, he is satisfied that there is ease of access to such assistance to Irish citizens. [18515/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.
My Department has two offices in Australia, the Embassy, which is located in Canberra and a Consulate General in Sydney. The Embassy in Canberra provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in all of the Australian states except New South Wales, which is catered for by the Consulate General in Sydney. The Embassy is also accredited to New Zealand and Fiji.
The staffing levels of the Embassy and Consulate General are as follows:
|
Embassy Canberra |
Consulate General Sydney |
|
Ambassador |
Consul General |
|
1 First Secretary |
1 Third Secretary |
|
1 Office Manager |
1 Clerk Secretary |
|
3 Clerk Secretaries |
2 Consular Officers |
|
2.5 Consular Officers |
|
|
1 Receptionist |
|
|
1 Driver/ Messenger |
If an Irish citizen is brought before the Australian courts, they may request assistance from the Embassy. The Embassy cannot provide legal advice, but can provide information, including regarding legal aid and how to locate a local lawyer. The role of the Embassy is to ensure that the citizen is not disadvantaged, but is able to avail of all protections which would apply to an Australian citizen in the same circumstances. The Consular Services Section in Dublin can liaise with family at home and can request the Embassy/Consulate to raise any issues of concern that they may have with the authorities.
The huge geographical reach of the mission means that, of necessity, much of its consular assistance is provided to Irish citizens over the phone and by e-mail. I am satisfied that there is ease of access to consular assistance, including outside regular office hours, where both the Embassy and the Consulate provide an out of hours telephone answering service.
In emergencies, the Embassy works closely with Irish citizens in distress in Australia and where necessary, the Consular Assistance Section in Dublin liaises with their families at home. The Embassy and Consulate assist in providing linkages with contacts in Federal, State and local authorities across Australia. The Embassy can also, on request, link citizens with Irish community organisations in their area.
On an ongoing basis, the Embassy provides Irish citizens in Australia with advice and direction to services available from the Australian authorities.
While we do not have a physical presence in the major cities, I am pleased to have the opportunity to acknowledge the excellent support work undertaken across Australia by the Irish Welfare Bureaus, Support Associations and Irish Clubs, many of whom are supported by my Department's Emigrant Support Programme. We have provided grants in this regard to groups in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Wollongong. These groups complement the work of the Embassy and Consulate and provide support and local advice to visiting Irish citizens and to those experiencing difficulty while in Australia.
Passport Applications
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:104 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); when the passport in question was printed; the reason for the delay in issuing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18636/11]
The passport in question was printed on 01 July and has been sent to the Passport Office in London for onward dispatch to the applicant. The applicant should receive her passport by the middle of this week. During the peak summer period, application processing times can lengthen for all passport services. I very much regret that the volume of applications received so far this year has given rise to increased delays, particularly in the case of applications submitted from overseas. Measures have been taken with the recruitment of temporary staff and the use of overtime to bring turnaround times back to normal levels at the earliest opportunity.
Trade Missions
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:105 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will be leading any trade missions to China in 2011; his plans to increase trade to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18645/11]
The Government attaches importance to developing our trade and bilateral links with China. The latest available data shows that Ireland has a modest trade surplus with China, a dramatic turnaround from the position as recently as in 2006, when we had a trade deficit of €2.9 billion. We will be building on the excellent bilateral relations that exist between our two countries to further enhance our trade, investment, education and tourism links with China.
The Taoiseach hopes to lead a Trade Mission to China later this year and contact is continuing, including through our Embassy in Beijing, to arrange mutually acceptable dates. The Taoiseach will, of course, be accompanied by other relevant Ministers on that Mission, in order to maximise its trade and other benefits for Ireland. The recently launched Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, entitled Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, has identified China as a key high-growth and high-potential market for Ireland, and the local market team set up under the Strategy and chaired by our Ambassador is already active. A local market plan for China has been prepared and its implementation will be reviewed by the Export Trade Council, which I will chair, and which will hold its inaugural meeting later this month.
In recognition of the importance of our partnership with China, we have in addition to our Embassy in Beijing, a Consulate General in Shanghai which is a key commercial centre. Enterprise Ireland is co-located with both the Embassy and the Consulate General.
China is also one of the small number of countries with which Ireland has a Joint Economic Commission. The last meeting of the JEC took place in Beijing last October and provided an opportunity for intensive bilateral discussions on a range of issues that have the potential to deepen our economic engagement.
Passport Applications
Derek Keating
Ceist:106 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new passports that are applied for per month; the number of renewal passports; the current waiting time from the date of application to the date of receipt by the applicant in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18778/11]
The number of applications received by the Passport Service in the first six months of 2011, (with comparisons to 2009 and 2010) are set out in the following table. The Passport Service does not maintain statistical data differentiating between first time and renewal applications. Accordingly, it is not possible to produce the data sought by the Deputy in this regard.
|
Month |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
January |
47,546 |
45,098 |
52,221 |
|
February |
49,648 |
57,215 |
59,424 |
|
March |
59,181 |
85,470 |
68,407 |
|
April |
65,207 |
84,575 |
70,735 |
|
May |
75,837 |
72,890 |
89,235 |
|
June |
81,602 |
78,293 |
83,556 |
|
Total |
379,021 |
423,541 |
423,578 |
In assessing the demand profile since 2009, it should be noted that industrial action in 2010 distorted to some degree the demand profile in the early part of that year. Therefore, it is reasonable to compare the first half annual demands in 2011 with 2009 to establish in real terms the growth of passport services. The details in the table above show a 12% increase over 2009. This has resulted in a temporary backlog of approximately 5 days in the processing of Passport Express applications and about 2 to 3 weeks delay in applications made by general mail. The Passport Service regrets the delay and any difficulties caused in this regard. Notice of the current extended turnaround time and its likely duration has been published on the Passport Service website www.passport.ie since 18 April 2011. It is regularly updated. The Passport Service has also informed An Post so that customers can be advised of the situation at the point of application
The exceptional peak season demand on all passport services is being tackled by the recruitment of 85 additional temporary staff and the use of overtime. The ongoing efforts in this regard will see the Passport Service bring processing times back to normal levels in the coming weeks.
Human Rights Issues
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:107 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on ongoing allegations of political repression and intimidation in Zimbabwe; his further views on whether early elections in Zimbabwe should be delayed until critical democratic reforms are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18818/11]
I share the Deputy's concern regarding continuing abuses of the rights of citizens in Zimbabwe. Violence, intimidation and ongoing arrests demonstrate a disregard of human rights. Lack of rule of law and accountable governance remain fundamental challenges. The hope of the Global Political Agreement, upon which the Government is based, was to permit Zimbabweans to live in peace and free from violence and to be empowered to elect their representatives in parliament and Government through democratic elections. On the positive side, the conclusions of the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of SADC countries held in Sandton on 12 June 2011 on Zimbabwe, were encouraging. Ireland and its EU partners commend SADC, and in particular President Zuma, the SADC facilitator on Zimbabwe, on the progress made in their facilitation efforts. The Sandton Summit is another step towards the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement, a new Constitution, and laying the foundations for democratic reforms and elections in Zimbabwe.
The question of when elections should be held is related to the progress which is made, under SADC facilitation, toward agreement on a roadmap to the achievement of a new Constitution and democratic reforms. Such reforms are necessary to provide a measure of trust and an environment which is as free from violence and intimidation as possible. We shall continue to support the efforts of SADC to achieve this agreement, and to urge the parties in Government in Zimbabwe to work in good faith to that end.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:108 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any initiatives have been taken at EU and UN level to address the reports of the alleged serious mistreatment of democracy activists in prisons in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18819/11]
The Government is deeply concerned about the continued high level and gravity of human rights violations in Iran, including the mistreatment of democracy activists and other detainees in prisons in Iran. Issues of particular concern in relation to detainees include widespread torture and other ill-treatment in detention, coerced confessions, the failure to uphold detainees' right to legal counsel and family visits, failure to observe proper procedure during the trial process and the frequent and arbitrary application of the death penalty. The EU has sought to raise human rights issues in Iran relating to detainees and the judicial process, as well as the application of the death penalty, with the Iranian authorities on several recent occasions. On 6 June, Hungary carried out a demarche on behalf of the EU to the head of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ali Bahreini, on a number of detainees. This follows an earlier demarche in April regarding detained human rights defenders (Javid Houtan Kian and 6 others).
In a further effort to increase the EU's impact on human rights in Iran, including the rights of detainees, the Foreign Affairs Council in April adopted a travel ban and asset freeze against a number of serious human rights offenders in Iran. This sends an important political signal to those in the judicial system and elsewhere in the Iranian regime who perpetrate human rights abuses.
At UN level, Ireland was active in ensuring the successful adoption at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March of a decision providing for appointment of a Special Rapporteur to examine Iran's human rights situation. We call upon the Government of Iran to extend the utmost cooperation to the Special Rapporteur.
At a bilateral level, my Department engages in ongoing dialogue with the Iranian Ambassador and his Embassy on these issues. My officials have already held a number of meetings with the Ambassador since the start of this year to convey our grave concerns at the human rights situation in Iran. Ireland will continue to raise human rights in Iran, including the rights of activists and other detainees, bilaterally and at the EU and UN, at all appropriate occasions.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:109 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the UN peace keeping mandate in the country; the action being taken at EU and UN level to address the ongoing extreme level of human rights abuses and sexual violence there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18820/11]
The international community is following closely the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the country recovers from the effects of the 1996-2003 civil war. Since the 2002 Sun City peace accords, progress has been made in establishing a democratic system of government in the DRC. However, while much of the country has achieved a degree of stability, several localised conflicts have continued, in particular in the east of the country. These conflicts have in many cases been characterised by an appalling degree of brutality, with large-scale attacks on the civilian population and widespread sexual violence. The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, where more than a million people have been forced to flee their homes due to the effects of ongoing conflict, remains a cause of deep concern. The United Nations has sought to enhance stability in the DRC through the work of MONUSCO, formerly MONUC, the UN's largest peacekeeping mission. MONUSCO's current strength is just under 20,000 troops, military observers and police, along with 3,767 international and local civilian staff and 616 UN volunteers. 49 countries, including Ireland, contribute military personnel to the mission. MONUSCO is a Chapter VII mission under the UN Charter, which means it is authorised to use all necessary means to carry out its protection mandate, including the effective protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence, as well as the protection of United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment. On 28 June, the mandate of the mission was extended until 30 June 2012.
The EU has also been active in supporting efforts to address ongoing instability in the DRC. Two missions are currently active in DRC as part of the European Security and Defence Policy: EUSEC, a Security Sector Reform mission supporting the Congolese authorities in the key task of providing advice and assistance for security sector reform, and EUPOL, a policing mission monitoring, mentoring and advising the Congolese police. These missions underline the EU's commitment to the Congolese people and the importance of consolidating the rule of law, security and stability in the DRC.
Successfully conducted elections are absolutely critical to the consolidation of peace and security in the DRC and in the Great Lakes Region as a whole. The current major focus of MONUSCO is to provide logistical support for the 28 November Presidential elections, with voter registration already completed in four of the eleven provinces and over 80% of registration completed in the remaining provinces. Ireland and its EU partners are investing heavily in ensuring that the forthcoming elections are successful, given the major organisational challenge they represent for a country the size of western Europe with extremely poor basic infrastructure and ongoing security problems. The EU recently confirmed that it will provide funding of €47.5 million for the elections and last month sent an EU exploratory mission to assess political and security conditions for the deployment of election observers, as was the case during the 2006 elections.
The issue of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict is of serious concern to Ireland and we have sought to address it in the context of our work on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. This Resolution, with its associated Resolution, 1820, recognises a direct relationship between the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as an instrument of conflict and the maintenance of international peace and security. It commits the Security Council to taking action to end such atrocities and to punishing their perpetrators. In 2010, Ireland co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1888 which led to the appointment of Margot Wallström as the United Nations Secretary General's first Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The Special Representative has played an important role in leading a stronger international response to this critical issue, and has taken an active interest in the situation in the DRC.
The DRC will continue to face considerable challenges in the post-election period and it will be important for the international community to remain engaged. The country ranks among the world's least developed countries, with a position of 176 out of 182 countries on the UN's 2010 Human Development Index. The EU is the largest humanitarian donor to the DRC and in 2010 gave almost €47 million through its humanitarian assistance office (ECHO) to address the needs of vulnerable populations there.
Since 2010, Ireland has disbursed more than €13 million in response to the needs of the population in the DRC. To date in 2011, Ireland has allocated a total of over €4.5 million in emergency funding to the DRC via the UN administered pooled fund and through our NGO partners. Of this €1 million has been allocated to NGO partners. With our partners in the EU and the wider international community, Ireland will continue to work to bring an end to the conflicts which persist in the DRC, to address immediate humanitarian needs, and to help develop the capacity of the Congolese state to govern and protect its people.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:110 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18922/11]
I chaired a formal meeting of the Management Committee of my Department on April 8th and I would intend to convene the next such meeting in September. In the meantime, I meet with the officials on the Management Committee, either individually or in groups, on an almost daily basis. The Management Committee also meets regularly under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General to deal with administrative issues.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:111 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18940/11]
There are no State Agencies or Sub-Agencies operating under the aegis of my Department. My Department did not make any rent related payments in respect of the advisory committees/bodies listed which operate under the aegis of my Department.
The Board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright Commission) enjoys autonomy of management and administration, in accordance with the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991.
The operation of InterTrade Ireland is a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
Ministerial Meetings
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:112 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the date, location and duration of all bilateral meetings he has personally held with Ministers of eurozone countries separate from meetings on the margins of meetings of the external relations Council. [18988/11]
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:113 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the date, location and duration of all bilateral meetings held by the Minister of State for European Affairs with Ministers of eurozone countries separate from meetings on the margins of EU ministerial meetings. [18989/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
The Government is determined to restore Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union. To this end the Government is engaging at senior levels with fellow EU Member States. We are making clear the economic and financial realities confronting us and the steps which we have taken to get the public finances in order, to repair the banking sector and to restore growth. We are emphasising our determination to see this process through to a successful conclusion. We count on the continuing solidarity of partners. We seek to inform and to persuade, pointing to the benefit for the euro area and EU as a whole of Irish success.
Members of the Government avail of every appropriate opportunity to meet their EU counterparts, including those who are members of the euro area.
The most time-efficient and cost-efficient way in which to meet EU Ministerial counterparts has proved to be in the margins of the European meetings that we attend and this is where the majority of such meetings have taken place — in the case of the Minister of State for European Affairs and myself, at the Foreign Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council.
However, both Minister Creighton and I have also met our counterparts from the euro area on other occasions. These meetings have taken place either as part of a wider programme during bilateral visits to the countries concerned or in the margins of other multilateral or international meetings. The following tables provide details of these meetings and include a visit that I will undertake later this week to Berlin, during which time I will meet the German Foreign Minister, Dr. Guido Westerwelle.
|
Date |
Meeting |
Location |
Duration |
|
24 May 2011 |
Mr. Alain Juppé, French Ministre d’État (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs |
Paris |
55 minutes |
|
8 July 2011 |
Dr. Guido Westerwelle, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs |
Berlin |
60 minutes |
|
Date |
Meeting |
Location |
Duration |
|
11 May 2011 |
Mr. Laurent Wauquiez, French Minister for European Affairs |
Paris |
45 minutes |
|
12 May 2011 |
Dr. Wolf-Ruthart Born, State Secretary, German Federal Foreign Ministry |
Berlin |
60 minutes |
|
13 May 2011 |
Mr Eckart von Klaeden, Minister of State in Chancellor’s Office |
Berlin |
45 minutes |
|
7 June 2011 |
Mr Wolfgang Waldner, Austrian Minister of State for European Affairs |
Gödöllö, Hungary (en marge of ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting) |
20 minutes |
|
20 June 2011 |
Dr Ralf Brauksiepe, Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs |
Dublin |
90 Minutes |
|
24 June 2011 |
Mr Ben Knappen, Netherlands Minister for European Affairs and Development, |
Brussels (en marge of European Council) |
30 minutes |
State Visits
Joe Higgins
Ceist:114 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the total costs to the State of the visits of the Queen of England and the President of the USA. [19486/11]
I refer to the Deputy to my reply of 16th June on this matter. The updated costs accruing to my Department from the State visit of Queen Elizabeth II is €220,895.02 and the visit by President Obama is €56,978.03. These costs relate to expenditure on transport, overnight accommodation costs for staff, official entertainment and catering, I.T. and administrative costs as well as overtime payments to some staff working on the visits. There still remains some further expenditure to cover residual costs which have not yet been finalised.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:115 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries Generals are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19495/11]
There are no State Agencies operating under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are four bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. These are: the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission); the Development Education Advisory Committee; the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; and the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee. There are no Secretary Generals from Government Departments sitting on these boards.
The Secretary General of my Department does not sit on the board of any government body.
Illicit Trade in Fuel
Gerald Nash
Ceist:116 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider establishing a multi agency task force involving Customs and Excise, Revenue Commissioners, Garda and local authorities to combat the illegal fuel laundering, sale and supply which affects Border counties in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18222/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of mineral oil tax and for tackling the illicit trade in fuel products, that they are very conscious of the ongoing threat to the Exchequer posed by the laundering of markers from mineral oil and the onward sale and supply of the laundered product as auto diesel. I wish to inform the Deputy that a multi-agency Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group (CBFFEG) was established in 2008 specifically to deal with the illicit trade in mineral oil in the border area. State representatives on this group include the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochana, Criminal Assets Bureau and the Department of the Environment. Our Northern Ireland colleagues include HM Revenue & Customs, UK Border Agency, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. A total of twelve meetings of the group have taken place to date with multiple meetings of subgroup members at regular intervals.
Since its inception, this combined force has successfully targeted a number of illegal operators in the border area. In one such cross-border operation on the Monaghan/Armagh border in April 2009, three oil laundering plants, oil laundering equipment, over 100,000 litres of fuel, cash and a number of vehicles were seized. These multi-agency operations are planned to supplement the normal ongoing level of Revenue detection and enforcement strategy.
The Revenue Commissioners also inform me that they employ a broad range of compliance and enforcement strategies and methods to monitor and detect illicit practices involving mineral oils. These include the monitoring and auditing of trade and retail activity, random physical sampling at road checkpoints and intelligence driven operations, using covert surveillance to identify oil laundry locations and their times of activity. The Commissioners are determined to apply all the resources required to counteract this threat to the Exchequer.
In 2010, Revenue Enforcement Officers detected four oil laundering plants and seized a total of 268,000 litres of laundered fuel. Also in 2010, nine retailers were found dealing in laundered oil and eight haulage companies were detected using laundered oil. There were four convictions for other laundering offences. Already in the period January to June of this year, five oil laundry operations have been detected and approximately 140,300 litres of laundered fuel have been seized. Seven retailers and three haulage companies have also been detected in respect of laundered oil offences. In all of these cases, criminal proceedings have been taken or are being considered against individuals where sufficient evidence of involvement has been established.
Moneylender Regulation
Barry Cowen
Ceist:117 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to regulate moneylenders. [18290/11]
Persons operating as unlicensed moneylenders are in breach of the law. Any evidence of their activities should be brought to the attention of An Garda Siochana. If legislation is required to deal with unlicensed moneylenders, that will be a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. I will consider any subsequent follow-up regulatory requirements, so as to implement, in the full, the commitment in the Programme for Government. The Deputy may wish to know that there is already a comprehensive regulatory licensing system in place for moneylenders. Moneylenders have to apply to the Central Bank annually to have their licences renewed. Section 93 of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995 (as amended) sets out the Central Bank's powers in relation to the grant or refusal of a moneylender's licence. The appropriate moneylending application form (new or renewal) must be completed and returned to the Central Bank with a number of items, for review and consideration.
In addition to the licensing system, the Central Bank has in place a Consumer Protection Code for Licensed Moneylenders (the Code). The Central Bank has power to impose sanctions on moneylenders for a contravention of the Code. The Code sets out General Principles with which a moneylender must comply. For example, a moneylender must act honestly and professionally, with due skill, care and diligence in the best interest of consumers. The Code also places requirements on moneylenders in relation to the provision of information to the consumer, preservation of a consumer’s rights, knowing the consumer, suitability, unsolicited contact (cold calling), disclosure, errors, handling complaints, consumer records, unsolicited credit facilities, arrears and guarantees, debt collection and the contents and presentation of advertisements.
On 18 February 2011, the Central Bank published the results of a themed inspection of licensed moneylenders. The inspection showed a high level of compliance with the requirements of the Code among firms. Inspections were conducted in 11 of the 46 licensed moneylenders currently operating in Ireland. The inspections focused on whether consumers were being charged in accordance with the moneylenders' authorised APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) and costs of credit as set out in the moneylenders' licences. It also examined whether firms had their licences on display and, if they indicated the high-cost nature of loans on loan documentation issued to consumers, as required by the Code. Overall the inspections found a high level of compliance with the requirements and that consumers were been charged in accordance with the moneylenders' authorised APRs and costs of credit. In addition, firms had their licences on display and indicated the high-cost nature of loans on loan documentation issued to consumers.
I would expect that, in future, the Annual Regulatory Performance Statement of the Central Bank will refer to the regulation of moneylenders
Tax Code
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:118 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance in the context of developing our own domestic renewable energy sector, particularly wood biomass and wind-generated electricity, as well as reducing our over-dependence on imported fossil fuels, when the sections of the Finance Act 2010 which apply the carbon tax to solid fuels will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18342/11]
The section in the Finance Act 2010 that provides for the application of the carbon tax to solid fuels (coal and commercial peat) is subject to a Ministerial Commencement Order. This approach was primarily adopted by the previous Government in order to allow time for a robust mechanism to be put in place to improve the control of high sulphur coal being sourced from Northern Ireland suppliers. As the Deputy may be aware, in that context the Department of the Environment in conjunction with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) proposed new regulations for coal which would effectively extend the existing voluntary agreement for low sulphur coal to the entire State on a regulatory basis. A stakeholder committee was established to provide an input into the proposed regulations. Under EU law dealing with technical barriers to trade, Member States are required to notify the European Commission of all draft technical regulations concerning products before they are adopted in national law. Formal notification of the proposed new standard for coal issued from NSAI to the EU Commission in November 2010.
Following acceptance of the proposal by the EU Commission, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has recently introduced a new specification for the sulphur content of coal placed on the market for residential use in Ireland. This has been given legal effect through the Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.
In light of these developments, the issue of coal with a high sulphur content potentially being sourced from Northern Ireland has been addressed. In those circumstances the timing of the application of the carbon tax to solid fuels, as had been planned, will be considered.
Question No. 119 withdrawn.
Tax Reliefs
James Bannon
Ceist:120 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding an application for revenue assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18730/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person (details supplied) must make an application for Revenue Job Assist on form RJA1to his Revenue Office, Government Offices, Pearse St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Part 1 of form RJA1 must be completed by the named person and Part 2 must be completed by the named person’s employer. The completed application will be processed as quickly as possible.
Form RJA1 is available for download on Revenue's website www.revenue.ie .
Constitutional Amendments
Alan Farrell
Ceist:121 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to introduce the constitutional referendum to bring about changes to reverse the effects of the Abbeylara judgment to enable Oireachtas committees to carry out full investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18768/11]
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to the holding of a referendum to amend the Constitution to reverse the effects of the Abbeylara judgement to enable Oireachtas committees to carry out full investigations. The Taoiseach said in this House on the 25th May that the Government believed that this Referendum should be held on the same day as the Presidential Election. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is working with the Attorney General to examine the complex legal issues involved, and to prepare legislative proposals to bring this forward as a priority.
Departmental Agencies
Alan Farrell
Ceist:122 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if he will investigate, reassess and alter the restrictively high turnover requirements for legal services for State and semi-State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18774/11]
The position is that whilst public bodies may use a prospective contractor's turnover to assess a company's financial capacity, there are no centrally imposed requirements for a minimum turnover. Such requirements would normally be developed on a case by case basis with reference to the specific needs of the contract. If the Deputy has examples of what he regards as inappropriately high turnover requirements, he should supply them to the procurement unit in my Department for monitoring purposes.
European Central Bank
Micheál Martin
Ceist:123 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of any texts relating to reform of the European Central Bank which he has circulated to other EU leaders at any point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18232/11]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:154 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he has tabled any measures at the European Council or eurogroup concerning the reform of the European Central Bank. [16290/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 154 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the ECB is independent and this independence is set out in Article 282(3) of the Treaty, which states that the European Central Bank "shall be independent in the exercise of its powers and in the management of its finances".
Currently there are no proposals on the table for reform of the European Central Bank and I have not tabled any such proposals.
Micheál Martin
Ceist:124 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the nature and duration of all discussions he held with Mr. Mario Draghi previous to agreeing to his appointment as president of the European Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18233/11]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:126 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the connections he has had with Mr. Mario Draghi prior to agreeing to his nomination as president of the European Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18389/11]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:128 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is proposing regarding the handling by EU Heads of state and government of appointments to the European Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18395/11]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:150 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the contacts he has had with other European leaders regarding the appointment of the next president of the European Central Bank. [15005/11]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:151 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he has tabled any proposals regarding the work of the European Central Bank as part of the discussions regarding the appointment of its next president. [15006/11]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:152 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the contacts he has had with persons who may be seeking the position of president of the European Central Bank. [15007/11]
Micheál Martin
Ceist:153 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail discussions which he held with nominees for the position of president of the European Central Bank prior to the European Council’s decision on this matter. [16289/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 126, 128 and 150 to 153, inclusive, together.
The ECB is independent and this independence is set out in Article 282(3) of the Treaty, which states that the European Central Bank "shall be independent in the exercise of its powers and in the management of its finances".
The Executive Board of the European Central Bank comprises the President, the Vice-President and four other members. This is set out in Article 283(2) of the Treaty and Article 11 of the Statute of the ECB. The members of the Board are appointed by the Heads of State or Government of the euro area Member States, acting by a qualified majority, "from among persons of recognised standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters". They must be a national of a euro area Member State. They are independent and their term of office is eight years and is not renewable.
The appointment procedure is as follows:
1) the Ecofin Council makes a recommendation (only euro area Member States voting) to the European Council, following agreement at the Eurogroup meeting;
2) the European Parliament and the ECB are consulted; and
3) the European Council (only euro area Member States voting) adopt the decision.
On the 17th May the Ecofin Council made a Recommendation to appoint Mr Mario Draghi as the President of the European Central Bank for a term of office of eight years, with effect from 1 November 2011.
On 9th June the European Central Bank stated that they had no objection to the Council's Recommendation to appointment Mr. Mario Draghi as the President of the ECB.
On 23rd June MEPs endorsed the nomination of Mr. Draghi as incoming President of the European Central Bank.
On the 24th June the European Council formally appointed Mr. Mario Draghi to be the next president of the European Central Bank.
I have had no discussions with nominees and have not tabled any proposals regarding the work of the European Central Bank as part of the discussions regarding the appointment of its next president. This issue was discussed during the Eurogroup meeting on 16th May, which I attended, with the European Council making the final decision at its meeting on the 24th June.
Departmental Representatives
Micheál Martin
Ceist:125 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the instructions he has given to the officers of his Department who represent him on the groups dealing with Ireland’s position on the next EU budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18387/11]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the recently published Commission proposals on the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework for the EU post 2013. The negotiation of the next Multi-annual Financial Framework will be one of the key engagements for the Government at EU level over the next few years. Engagement in the negotiations will be an ongoing process and we will work effectively with partners to ensure the best outcome for the EU and Ireland. Ireland's approach will be guided by the following principles:
The overall size of the EU Budget as a percent of EU Gross National Income (GNI) should reflect the agreed policy priorities of the Union, while keeping in mind the budgetary consolidation imperative faced by all Member States including Ireland;
There should be a gradual evolution of the EU Budget expenditure rather than radical changes;
The need for continued food security and safety would warrant only gradual changes to the Common Agriculture Policy; in this regard, Ireland is committed to maintaining a strong and effective CAP which will support a vigorous consumer-focused agricultural production base in Europe;
We will be working to identify all possibilities for benefitting from available EU funds, especially in the Europe 2020 areas including competitiveness, productivity enhancing actions/measures (including R&D etc), cohesion and employment, climate change and energy, etc.
In terms of financing, Ireland along with all other Member States will look carefully at the Commission proposals on alternative financing arrangements ("own resources"). Our view has always been that the GNI key provides the fairest and most effective base.
At this early stage, it must be acknowledged that the very detailed and comprehensive proposals set out by the Commission last week will be examined thoroughly by all over the months ahead. In this regard we will be studying these proposals very closely, listening to the views of all other parties concerned and seeking to achieve the best possible outcome for Ireland and the EU. In so doing we will work with all other Member States in a constructive manner on this important dossier.
Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 124.
Micheál Martin
Ceist:127 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach who sit on the tax strategy group. [18391/11]
The Department of Finance has recently been advised that the Department of the Taoiseach will be represented on the Tax Strategy Group by Mr. John Shaw, Mr. Mark Kennelly, Mr. Andrew McDowell and Mr. Martin Fraser.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 124.
State Agencies
Michael McGrath
Ceist:129 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he intends, in view of recent disclosures of salary and bonus information at the National Treasury Management Agency, to introduce greater transparency and ministerial control in relation to the remuneration, including bonus arrangements that apply at the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18893/11]
Michael McGrath
Ceist:176 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance in view of recent disclosures of salary and bonus information at the National Treasury Management Agency, his plans to introduce greater transparency and ministerial control in relation to the remuneration, including bonus arrangements that apply at the NTMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18847/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 176 together.
Performance-related pay has been an integral part of the NTMA approach to remuneration, reflecting the approach to remuneration in the private sector organisations with which the NTMA competes for staff. At the same time, public sector organisations must operate having due regard to the wider public policy context, which includes general economic circumstances. Accordingly, it is my intention to examine the approach to remuneration in the NTMA in more detail in the coming months following consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I will then see what changes, if any, might be appropriate in relation to the remuneration of all staff in the NTMA, having regard to the changing economic circumstances of the State and the need for transparency in public expenditure. The legislation which established the NTMA in 1990 deliberately positioned it outside of the wider public service structures with operational freedom to negotiate market-competitive salaries so that it would have, for example, the flexibility to recruit specialists in mid-career from the private sector. Under the NTMA business model, its remuneration structure is such that there are no general pay grades and no pay scales and all staff are on individually-negotiated contracts.
This business model has allowed the NTMA to staff itself with the necessary technical expertise to carry out the financial and risk management functions which have been assigned to it by Government since its initial establishment as a single-function agency managing the National Debt. These additional functions include the State Claims Agency, the National Pensions Reserve Fund, the National Development Finance Agency and the National Asset Management Agency.
The NTMA Advisory Committee, the members of which are appointed by the Minister for Finance, formally advises the NTMA on remuneration, including performance-related pay, on an ongoing basis. The remuneration of the Chief Executive, including any performance related payments, is determined by me after consultation with the Committee. The Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Chief Executive on the specific remuneration of the other members of the senior management team and on general remuneration policy in the NTMA.
It should be noted that the members of NTMA's senior management team waived their performance-related payments due for 2010 in view of the serious economic situation facing the country.
Turning to the point the Deputy raises regarding transparency, detailed information on salaries by salary band was furnished by the NTMA to my Department and included in my response to a parliamentary question from the Deputy last week. Similar information was previously provided to the Committee of Public Accounts. In addition, in line with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, full details of the remuneration of the Chief Executives of the NTMA, NAMA and NDFA will be published on an annual basis in the respective agencies' Annual Reports.
Bank Guarantee Scheme
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:130 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a month-by-month breakdown of bonds due to mature in Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, EBS and Permanent TSB broken down by bond type; their value; their date of maturity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18896/11]
The Deputy will be aware that on 1 April 2011, the Central Bank published the total senior and subordinated debt issuances by those banks covered by the Guarantee as at March 2011. This information is available on the Central Bank's website at www.centralbank.ie. The Central Bank published the individual figures on a once-off basis and they were disclosed with the consent of the financial institutions. The most up to date information available to the Central Bank for the total aggregated outstanding debt by bond type for Bank of Ireland, AIB, EBS and ILP is set out as follows:
|
€m |
Senior Bonds Guaranteed |
Senior Bonds Unguaranteed Secured |
Senior Bonds Unguaranteed Unsecured |
Subordinated Bonds |
|
Total |
17,775 |
19,944 |
12,491 |
6,082 |
I understand that the institutions referred to by the Deputy have in excess of 100 bonds outstanding which would be encompassed by this request. These are denominated in a number of different currencies, in addition to the euro, have various maturity dates extending in some cases beyond the next ten years and have both fixed and floating interest rates.
The Deputy may however wish to note that the Central Bank has advised me that the dates of maturity and the total aggregate amounts for secured, unsecured and subordinated debt due to be repaid by all of the covered institutions is as follows:
|
Year of Maturity |
Amounts €m |
|
2011 |
7,029 |
|
2012 |
13,062 |
|
2013 |
15,706 |
|
2014 |
3,721 |
|
2015 |
10,742 |
|
2016 |
438 |
|
2017 |
2,291 |
|
2018 |
458 |
|
2019 |
1,211 |
|
2020 |
1,197 |
|
2021 + |
5,769 |
|
Total |
61,625 |
Financial Services Sector
Frank Feighan
Ceist:131 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance the avenue open to a person (details supplied) who was refused a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18215/11]
I would like to inform the Deputy that I, as Minister for Finance, have no responsibility with regard to the provision or refusal of a mortgage to a particular individual. The Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code is a set of general principles combined with more detailed requirements in certain areas. It requires financial institutions to act in the best interests of their customers by selling them products that are suitable, explaining why the products offered are suitable and treating customers fairly if things go wrong. A financial institution must comply with the general principals of the Code in all its dealings with customers.
The ‘Knowing the Consumer Process', set out in the Code, involves, inter alia, gathering relevant information from consumers about their financial situation, their individual circumstances and needs. Based on this information the financial institution is required to complete a Suitability Process where only products suitable to that particular consumer are offered. While affordability is a prime component of suitability, a fuller consideration of a consumer's individual circumstances and needs would be required in order to comply with the ‘Suitability Process'. In this regard, when assessing suitability in relation to mortgage products, the Central Bank has informed me that it is of the opinion that factors such as, but not limited to employment, income and repayment capacity, purpose of borrowings, type and length of loan, plans for early redemption, attitude to fixed/variable interest, age, savings track record, loan to value ratio, should be considered. As suitability is specific to the circumstances and needs of each individual consumer, financial institutions should be satisfied that written statements reflect an assessment of each individual consumer's specific circumstances and needs, thereby the financial institution may meet the ‘Knowing the Consumer' process, i.e. requirements of the Code.
If a consumer feels that he or she has been improperly treated, or that he or she has grounds for complaint for some other reason, then a complaint may be made directly to the financial institution concerned. If the consumer is not satisfied with the response received from the institution, there may be grounds to forward the complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO), who has the statutory powers to investigate complaints against financial services providers. The FSO will only consider a case once the internal complaints procedure within the financial institution concerned has been followed. The Code outlines the complaints handling process up to and including the role of the FSO.
Flood Relief
Ceist:
132 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the drainage of the Dunkellin River, County Galway; the cost of same; the phases or stages involved; when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18223/11]
Galway County Council is undertaking a flood relief scheme for the Dunkellin River (from Craughwell to Kilcolgan) and the Aggard Stream with funding from the Office of Public Works. OPW personnel will carry out the construction works acting as agents of the Council.
The Council has appointed consultants to carry out an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the proposed works and to complete the detailed design of the scheme to enable the necessary statutory permissions to be obtained.
The Council is progressing the scheme through An Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure Act. OPW understands that An Bord Pleanála will formally consider the scheme on completion of the EIS, which the Council expects towards the end of 2011. Pending the completion of the scheme design and the decision of An Bord Pleanála, it is not possible to confirm the cost of the scheme or when works can be commenced. Progression of the scheme will also have to have regard to the Government's review of capital expenditure.
Property Valuations
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:133 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance if he will instruct the Valuation Office and local authorities not to apply commercial rates to sporting organisations that are not for profit such as GAA clubs and golf clubs; and if necessary, if he will introduce legislation to prevent this from happening. [18225/11]
The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act 2001 and the making of valuations for rating purposes is his sole prerogative. The statute does not accord me, as Minister for Finance, any function in this regard. The Valuation Act 2001 provides for the exemption from rates of land that is developed for sport such as playing pitches, land on golf courses, tennis courts, etc. The Act also provides that community halls such as sports clubhouses which are not licensed to sell alcohol and whose facilities are not used primarily for profit or gain are not rateable. However, the Act provides that where a club is licensed to sell alcohol and is registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904, it is no longer deemed to be a community hall and therefore the premises occupied by that club are rateable.
The sale of alcohol is a commercial activity and licensed club premises are competing with other licensed premises. The effect of removing any category of rateable property from the valuation base would be to increase the rates burden on other ratepayers.
I have no plans to provide for special treatment of licensed clubs under the Valuation Act 2001, which maintains the long-standing principle that all properties are valued in a fair and equitable manner.
Departmental Contracts
Clare Daly
Ceist:134 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the reason the typing of documents and transcription of digital dictation has been outsourced to the Philippines by the Revenue Commissioners and other public bodies. [18253/11]
I should point out that the question of awarding of individual contracts is a matter for each contracting authority. However, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have not outsourced the typing of documents and transcription of digital dictation to the Philippines.
Financial Services Sector
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:135 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Permanent TSB’s interest rate on variable rate mortgages is significantly above that of other banks covered by the blanket guarantee; the steps he will take to assist struggling mortgage holders who are at risk of falling into serious arrears as a result of this higher interest rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18318/11]
As Minister for Finance, I have no statutory role in the setting of interest rates charged or paid by regulated financial institutions, including the institution mentioned by the Deputy. The Central Bank of Ireland has responsibility for the regulation and supervision of financial institutions in terms of consumer protection and prudential requirements and for ensuring ongoing compliance with applicable statutory obligations. Each institution determines the rate it charges its customers, depending on a number of factors such as cost of funds and commercial considerations (such as competition, risk pricing and the impact on deposit rates).
In February 2011, the Central Bank advised mortgage lenders that it expects them to notify affected consumers, in writing, at least one month in advance of any increases in their standard variable rate. This notification must include:
a) the date from which the new rate will apply,
b) the details of the old and new rates,
c) the revised repayment amount, and
d) an invitation for the consumer to contact the lender if he/she anticipates difficulties meeting the higher repayments.
With regard to consumers in arrears or in danger of getting into financial difficulty and/or concerned about going into mortgage arrears, the revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) offers increased protections to these consumers. The revised CCMA was issued to mortgage lenders on 6 December 2010 and has been effective since 1 January 2011. It builds on the provisions of the previous version, but includes more detailed requirements, including the establishment of a formal Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). Other examples of significant changes are:
pre-arrears cases must be treated in accordance with the MARP,
arrears have been defined,
the primary residences which can be protected by the CCMA have been defined, and
an appeals process under the CCMA replaces the complaints process under the Consumer Protection Code. The Central Bank has also published a guide for consumers on mortgage arrears ‘Mortgage Arrears — A Consumer Guide to Dealing with your Lender' and this is available on the Central Bank website: http://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/processes/consumer-protection-code/Documents/Consumer%20Booklet%20-%20FINAL%20Feb%202011.pdf
With regard to monitoring compliance with the consumer protection codes, the Central Bank carries out themed inspections and mystery-shopping exercises. On 1st of July 2011, the Central Bank published the findings of a themed inspection of mortgage lenders which examined compliance with the requirement of the revised CCMA specifically relating to charges on mortgage accounts in arrears, and the related Letter of Direction (‘Direction') issued by the Bank. The Direction instructed mortgage lenders to refrain from imposing interest surcharge on arrears and other specific charges arising on a mortgage account in arrears to which the revised CCMA applies and in respect of which a borrower is co-operating reasonably and honestly with the lender in the MARP from 1 January 2011. Provision 9 of the CCMA refers to the restriction on imposing such charges. Lenders were individually notified of the charges to which this Provision applies in the Direction that issued in December 2010. This themed inspection was carried out across six mortgage lenders including credit institutions and retail credit firms. 655 customer mortgage account statements were reviewed during the course of the themed inspection. Further detail can be found at the following link: http://www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/Pages/CentralBankMonitorsLendersCompliancewiththeRevisedCode.aspx
State Bodies
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:136 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if the national economic advisory council has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17335/11]
I am aware that last November, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service published a report entitled Macroeconomic Policy and Fiscal and Economic Governance. As part of a number of recommendations, the report proposed the establishment of an independent Economic Advisory Council. However, as the Deputy may be aware, the Government is committed to significant reform of our Budgetary architecture including the introduction of an independent Fiscal Advisory Council, medium-term expenditure planning and performance management. The Programme for Government sets out our commitments in this regard.
In addition, the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support contains commitments to establish an independent Fiscal Advisory Council by mid-year and to introduce a Fiscal Responsibility Bill by the end of the year. The first of these commitments has been met and, in this regard, I will be making an announcement in the coming days. Work is already well advanced in relation to the Fiscal Responsibility Bill and it is intended that the commitment in relation to this will also be met before the end of the year.
Semi-State Bodies
Michael McCarthy
Ceist:137 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the number of semi-State companies here that paid bonus payments to their chief executive officer in 2009 and 2010 separately; the amount of each bonus payment; the corresponding company name; the name of the bonus recipient; the date the bonus was paid in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18332/11]
Michael McCarthy
Ceist:138 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the number of semi-State companies that paid bonuses to second-tier management staff in 2009, 2010 and 2011 separately; the amount of each bonus paid; the corresponding company; the name of bonus recipient; the date on which the bonus was paid in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18345/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
My Department does not hold this information. Information on performance related payments for chief executives and second tier management in Commercial State Companies is appropriate to the relevant Department. In relation to CEOs the information is published in the annual reports of such Companies.
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:139 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if the 15% voluntary cut in salary he is seeking from existing commercial semi-State chief executive officers includes previous pay cuts or is it 15% of current salaries. [18350/11]
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:185 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending his review of the current performance schemes for chief executives of commercial State companies to all levels of management who are awarded bonuses; and if he will extend his instruction that bonus payments to CEOs should not be paid to all commercial semi-State management. [18876/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 185 together.
It is my intention to seek a 15% voluntary pay adjustment from incumbent Chief Executive Officers in Commercial State Companies who are in receipt of salaries in excess of €250,000. Where an adjusted salary figure is less than or equal to the €250,000 salary cap that lesser sum would be sufficient.
The Government's decision is that I should review the current performance schemes for Chief Executive Officers of Commercial State Companies in conjunction with Ministers with such companies under their aegis. While the issue of such payments to management and staff below the level of CEO is not covered by the review, it is to be expected that the outcome of the review will inform the future structure of performance related award schemes in these companies.
Financial Services Sector
Joe Costello
Ceist:140 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance the number of home mortgages which were approved by the Irish banks in each of the past ten years; the average amount of money approved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18353/11]
According to statistics published by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on 1 June 2011, approximately 790,000 mortgages were approved by banks and building societies in Ireland between and including the years 2001 to 2010. This information relates to loans for the purpose of financing the purchase of a home (houses and apartments) including residential investment property (which must involve the transfer of ownership) or building of a new home. Loans approved for the purpose of refinancing existing loans whether with the same or a different lender, or loans involving a new increased mortgage or house improvements are not included in these figures. The Deputy should note that if a borrower was approved for a mortgage by 4 different lenders, these 4 mortgage approvals will be included in the figures. Further information is available on www.environ.ie. The average loan size:
In 2001 €126,000
In 2002 €154,000
In 2003 €178,000
In 2004 €202,000
In 2005 €231,000
In 2006 €274,000
In 2007 €271,000
In 2008 €271,000
In 2009 €230,000
In 2010 €208,000
The number of mortgage approvals:
In 2001 69,000
In 2002 93,000
In 2003 98,000
In 2004 104,000
In 2005 120,000
In 2006 114,000
In 2007 89,000
In 2008 56,000
In 2009 29,000
In 2010 20,000
The figures detailed are based on data supplied by the following banks and building societies: Bank of Ireland, Mortgage Bank, Allied Irish Banks, National Irish Bank, Ulster Bank, Bank of Scotland, Permanent TSB, KBC Bank, First Active, E.B.S. (Including Haven), Irish Civil Service and Irish Nationwide.
Since 2006, the Irish Banker's Federation has published a quarterly report on mortgage lending by its members which is available on its website (www.ibf.ie).
Joe Costello
Ceist:141 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish banks are not approving mortgages for applicants who are employed on contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18354/11]
Each mortgage provider is responsible for evaluating the capacity of the borrower to manage and repay the loan and it would be normal that the employment status of the applicant would be one factor taken into account. The mortgage provider must have regard to the Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code (the Code) which is a set of general principles combined with more detailed requirements in certain areas. It requires financial institutions to act in the best interests of their customers by selling them products that are suitable, explaining why the products offered are suitable and treating customers fairly if things go wrong. The lending institution must comply with the general principles of the Code in all its dealings with customers. When providing a product or service to the consumer, a financial institution must comply with the ‘Knowing the Consumer' and ‘Suitability Provisions' of the Code.
The Knowing the Consumer process involves, inter alia, gathering relevant information from the consumer about his/her financial situation, individual circumstances and needs. Based on this information the financial institution is required to complete a suitability assessment where only products suitable to that particular consumer are offered.
While affordability is a prime component of suitability, a fuller consideration of a consumer's individual circumstances and needs would be required in order to comply with the Suitability Provisions of the Code. In this regard, when assessing suitability in relation to mortgage products, the Central Bank is of the opinion that factors such as — but not limited to — employment, income and repayment capacity, purpose of borrowings, type and length of loan, plans for early redemption, attitude to fixed/variable interest, age, savings track record and loan to value ratio, should be considered. As suitability is specific to the circumstances and needs of each individual consumer, financial institutions should be satisfied that written statements reflect an assessment of each individual consumer's specific circumstances and needs, thereby meeting the Knowing the Consumer requirements of the Code.
It should be noted that the Code is currently being reviewed and a second consultation on the review of the Code is now underway.
Joe Costello
Ceist:142 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce an independent appeals mechanism for applicants who have been refused home mortgages by Irish banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18355/11]
I do not plan to introduce an independent appeals mechanism specifically for applicants who have been refused home mortgages by Irish banks. I believe that mortgage lending must be undertaken on a sustainable and prudential basis by financial institutions and conform fully with regulatory requirements both in relation to the financial institution itself and also the safeguarding of the consumer's interests.
The decision on whether or not to grant individual mortgages must remain a commercial decision for individual lending institutions. It is important that each lending institution is allowed to assess properly and independently the individual risks that it is considering accepting.
The Government must maintain a balance between the support provided for individual banks and financial service providers generally through the bank guarantee scheme, other financial support incentives and broader public policy provisions, while at the same time ensuring that the day to day running of these institutions has regard to competition, market conditions and the need to develop stable commercial enterprises to meet the long term credit needs of households and businesses in the Irish economy. Consequently outside pressure should not be put on mortgage lenders to accept or reject individual mortgage applications.
However, if a consumer feels that he or she has been improperly treated, or that he or she has grounds for complaint for some other reason, then a complaint may be made directly to the financial institution concerned. If the consumer is not satisfied with the response received from the institution, there may be grounds to forward the complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO), who has statutory powers to investigate complaints against financial service providers. The FSO will only consider a case once the internal complaints procedure within the financial institution concerned has been followed.
EU-IMF Programme
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:143 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the savings to the State arising from a 1% reduction, a 2% reduction and a 3% reduction in the interest rate on the EU portion of the EU and IMF support programme loan broken down by year and with a total for the lifetime of the loan on the assumption of a seven and a half year loan period as outlined in the memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18411/11]
The assessment of the impact of changes in the interest margin on our EU loans is based on a number of assumptions about the level of the reduction, the date on which it applies and the amount of the loan to which it applies. Each of these elements has been changing in the past number of months. Because of this, the figures provided for any interest rate reduction are qualified as being illustrative and the precise position will not be known until the actual arrangement is finally agreed. Also, a decision to grant a reduction in the interest margin is a political one at EU level and is decided on a case by case basis. No change has yet been agreed for Ireland. In mid-May, the Eurogroup decided on the margins for the EU financial assistance to Portugal which — if applied to Ireland's EU funding — would amount to a reduction of about 0.6%. This crystallised the level of reduction likely to be available to Ireland. My understanding at that time also was that the benefit of any reduction would not apply retrospectively. More recently, I have received clarification that, if we were to get the benefit of the arrangements that apply to Greece, retrospection would not apply to any interest payments made before the decision.
There is, therefore, a range of options in terms of the value of a reduction and this depends on the terms granted, which are decided on a case by case basis. The following estimates of the likely impact illustrate the extent of this range. If the same interest rate reduction as Portugal's is applied (i.e. the equivalent to about 0.6% off Ireland's margin) to the coupons on future disbursements from the EU funds only (i.e. all the funds available to us under the EFSF and the EFSM) then the savings would be approximately €150 million per annum. Similarly, if the same interest rate reduction as Portugal's (i.e. the equivalent to about 0.6% off Ireland's margin) was applied to all future coupons on those EU funds (EFSF and EFSM) then the saving could be up to €240 million per annum. The upper end of this range of options referred to earlier would be a 1% reduction applied to all future coupons for both the EU funds and the bilateral loans from EU partners, which would provide savings of the order of €450 million per year, assuming all the funds are drawn down and that Ireland would pay a lower interest rate than that applied for Portugal recently. Although no decision has yet been made on an interest rate reduction for Ireland, based on the latest information available as set out, any benefit is unlikely to be at the higher end of the range outlined.
In that context, for illustrative purposes, applying the saving for the middle range outlined for the 7.5 year average maturity envisaged for the overall programme funding, would give cumulative savings of approximately €1.8 billion. The prospective savings from any putative 2% or 3% reduction would be pro rata to the amounts outlined above. It must be noted, however, that a reduction of 3% would result in an interest rate below the cost of funds to the EFSF and the EFSM.
The value of any interest rate reduction granted to Ireland will be known if and when a decision is taken on granting such a reduction, and on the terms and conditions on which it is to be granted. We will continue to press our case for such reduction. We will also continue to press the case for a larger reduction in the interest rate for all programme countries.
Pension Provisions
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:144 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Finance the reason correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not been dealt with. [18430/11]
As the Deputy is aware, the case which he raises has been the subject of lengthy correspondence with my officials. The retiree concerned was informed in replies of 29th December 2010 and 4th January 2011 from my Department that there were no grounds for his retirement to be cancelled and for him to be reinstated, and the basis for the introduction of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) was explained to him. The essential point in these replies was that the application of the reduction to the person's pension is in accordance with the provisions of Oireachtas legislation which was enacted to deal with the financial emergency prevailing. Replies have now issued to both the Deputy and the person in question. Correspondence since then has asked for an elaboration of previous replies which I am happy to give as follows. As you know, the PSPR is in place since 1 January 2011, and was legislated for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010. Section 2 of that Act provides that the public service pension of a pensioner (as defined) is reduced. Section 2(2) specifically provides, among other things, that the reduction “has effect notwithstanding . . . any circular or instrument or other document, any written agreement or contractual arrangement . . .”.
The PSPR applies to public service pensions generally, including those of retired Ministers, Judges and other senior public servants. Any reduction in pension payments is, of course, a serious step. However, the grave state of the public finances and the threat to Ireland's economic well-being provide the context for exceptional measures such as the PSPR. In this connection, you will be aware that Ireland is availing of financial assistance programmes provided by the IMF and the EU and has undertaken to meet fiscal targets in that regard.
It should also be noted that the first €12,000 of pension is exempt from the reduction, and that the bands and rates of the reduction are progressively structured so that persons on lower pensions are proportionately less affected than those on higher pensions.
Section 6 of the Act gives the Minister power to exempt a class or group of pensioners from the imposition of some or all of the reduction, if he is satisfied that they are materially distinguished by some particular aspect of their pension position from others who are subject to the reduction and the Minister considers it just and equitable to do so.
The person in question may wish to make a formal application for exemption under Section 6, and the matter will be given consideration. The delay in replying to the later letters is regretted and I have asked my Department to convey these regrets to the correspondent.
State Agencies
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:145 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the chairman of the National Asset Management Agency shall be remunerated pursuant to the terms or conditions of his contract with NAMA; the sum of remuneration in the event of the chairman resigning of his own volition, by way of mutual agreement or in the event of him dismissing the chairman from his position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18482/11]
The terms and conditions governing the appointment of the Chairperson of the National Asset Management Agency are as determined by the Minister in accordance with the relevant provisions of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009. The terms attaching to the present incumbent to the position are that his appointment is for a period of five years from 22 December 2009 at an annual fee of €150,000 (which was reviewed downwards in March 2011 from its previous setting of €170,000).
Public Service Remuneration
Joan Collins
Ceist:146 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if the expenses paid to persons from the public purse should be known in addition to the pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18516/11]
The pay rates and expense allowances in respect of civil service grades, for which my Department is responsible, are publicly available for consultation on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website (at www.per.gov.ie/pay-and-other-circulars) and the civil service personnel code website (www.personnelcode.gov.ie).
Social Welfare Fraud
Gerald Nash
Ceist:147 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details in relation to the resources available to the Revenue Commissioners dedicated to the area of fraud detection with particular reference to social welfare fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18519/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have over 2,000 staff engaged in activities that are dedicated to target and confront non-compliance. These activities include audit assurance checks, anti-smuggling, investigations, prosecutions and anti avoidance. Revenue has close working relationships with other agencies, especially the Department of Social Protection, to support a joined up approach to fraud and evasion. Sharing of information between Revenue and the Department of Social Protection is important. In addition to co-operation across all Revenue's activities, 32 Revenue officers are assigned to Joint Investigation Units who work closely with the Department of Social Protection on joint operations.
EU-IMF Programme
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:148 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of projected future draw down of moneys from the EU/IMF programme for the remainder of 2011; the date on which such draw downs are expected to take place; the amount of these draw downs; the source of the moneys and the interest rate charged on each portion of these draw downs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18543/11]
Future disbursements are kept under constant review and are the subject of discussion in the quarterly reviews. Disbursements in each quarter can only take place after the IMF Executive Board, the Eurogroup and ECOFIN have approved the compliance reports prepared, respectively, by IMF Staff and the European Commission Services. The actual disbursements take place in the period following the respective meetings. Disbursements from the EFSF and EFSM are somewhat dictated by the timing of their market interventions and discussions around this are held with the NTMA as appropriate.
Under the combined 1st and 2nd Reviews, which took place in April 2011, the disbursement profile was agreed as set out in the following table:
|
Source |
Q3 — 2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
Totals |
|
|
EU (incl. Bilaterals)* |
€3.0 bn |
€7.7 bn |
€12.7 bn |
€6.6 bn |
€30.0 bn |
|
IMF |
€1.5 bn |
€3.9 bn |
€6.3 bn |
€3.4 bn |
€15.1 bn |
|
Total |
€4.5 bn |
€11.6 bn |
€19.0 bn |
€10.0 bn |
€45.1 bn |
* These are net disbursement figures. Gross borrowing will be higher due to the credit enhancement measures required under EFSF arrangements.
The funds to be sourced from the EU include an estimated €4.8 billion of bilateral loans from the UK, Sweden and Denmark. Under the bilateral agreement with the UK, which provides funding amounting to Stg£3.2 billion (€3.8 billion, based on the conversion rates prevailing in November 2010, is the assumed value in the table above), the funds should be disbursed in eight equal tranches starting in the third quarter of 2011.
The bilateral loan agreements, including the disbursement profiles, with Sweden and Denmark are being finalized. The current expectation is that the combined €1 billion from these sources will be split equally over 2012 and 2013.
The interest cost of future loan tranches from the EFSM and EFSF will be set on the disbursement date for each particular tranche but will be fixed for the term of the loan. All IMF monies have the same floating interest rate and margin adjustments. However, IMF monies drawn down to date have been hedged by the NTMA into fixed rate euro. The pricing structure for the EFSM, EFSF, the IMF and the bilateral loans is set out below:
EFSM: Loans are priced on the basis of the issuance yield on the bonds sold by the European Commission to fund the loan plus a margin of 292.5 basis points. The total interest cost will also include issuance costs incurred by the Commission.
EFSF: The basic interest cost of EFSF loans is calculated as the issuance yield payable by the EFSF on the bonds it has sold to fund the loan, plus a margin of 247 basis points. However, in its current form, the EFSF is required to undertake a number of credit enhancement measures to ensure it maintains the highest possible rating from the credit rating agencies. These measures include a Loan Specific Cash Buffer and the prepayment of the margin due on the loan. Under the Loan Specific Cash Buffer measure, the EFSF retains and invests a portion of monies it raises from the bonds it has issued to fund a specific loan. The borrower has to pay the difference between the yield on the bond issued and the return earned by the EFSF from its investment of this money. The prepayment of the margin of 247 basis points is done on a net present value basis. Accordingly, the coupons payable by the borrower over the term of the loan only relate to the cost of funds borne by the EFSF. This structure is unwieldy and agreement has been reached to amend it, including the pricing mechanism, and this will end the requirement for a Loan Specific Cash Buffer and the prepayment of the entire margin. Legislation is being prepared for the Oireachtas to ratify these amendments.
IMF: Interest is paid quarterly at the IMF's standard interest rate for drawings under its Extended Fund Facility. This rate is set by reference to the IMF's basic rate of charge plus surcharges which are based on the size of the outstanding loans relative to the country's IMF quota.
For borrowings up to three times quota the interest rate is the weekly SDR rate (latest is 0.55%) plus 1% surcharge, i.e. 1.55%.
Borrowings above the threshold of three times quota are charged an additional 2% i.e. 3.55%
From 18 January 2014, the third anniversary of the availability of the 1st disbursement of the IMF funds to Ireland, an additional 1% is charged on borrowings over 3 times quota i.e. 4.55%
In addition to the interest charge there is a once off up front handling fee of 0.5% for all draw downs. This equates to about 0.07% per annum over the weighted average life of the loans of 7.5 years. The SDR interest rate is reset weekly and is based on a weighted average of the three-month Eurepo rate, three-month Japanese Treasury Discount bills, three-month UK Treasury bills, and three-month US Treasury bills. It should be noted that the NTMA has converted the floating rate cost of IMF borrowing into fixed rate euro.
Bilateral Loans: To date there have been no draw downs from the bilateral partners. The UK loan agreement, which has been finalised for some time, stipulates that the interest rate on the amounts drawn down will be based on the Sterling Pound mid-market semi-annual swap rate at the time of drawdown plus a margin of 2.29%. The Danish and Swedish loan facilities have not yet been signed but are near completion. It is proposed that the interest rate on each will be based on the 3-month Euribor interest rate, a market reference rate of good standing, plus a margin yet to be agreed.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:149 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [18621/11]
In response to the Deputy's question, the Secretary General of the Department of Finance is a member of the Advisory Committee of the National Asset Management Agency but does not accept remuneration in respect of the position. In addition, the Secretary General was appointed to the Central Bank Commission in an ex-officio capacity and he also receives no fees in respect of this role. Both of these Bodies come under the aegis of my Department. The Secretary General is also a member of the National Economic and Social Council which comes under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach. There is no remuneration for this role. The Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sits on the Commission for Public Service Appointments for which he receives no fees.
Questions Nos. 150 to 153, inclusive, answered with Question No. 124
Question No. 154 answered with Question No. 123
Ministerial Responsibilities
Micheál Martin
Ceist:155 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements he has made for fulfilling the role proposed for him in the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 in resolving issues of relative competencies between the him and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. [17285/11]
Section 24 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011, as passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas, provides for a situation where any doubt, question or dispute arises as to the Minister of the Government in whom any particular function is vested by virtue of this Act. The Ministers in this instance are the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Bill allows for such a question to be determined by the Taoiseach.
EU-IMF Programme
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:156 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will meet with the EU-IMF delegation during its forthcoming visit to Ireland for the next quarterly review of the EU-IMF deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17336/11]
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:157 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the input he will have in the preparations for the forthcoming quarterly review of the EU-IMF deal and visit of the EU-IMF delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17337/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.
The position is the third quarterly review of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland will take place from the 6th to the 15th July 2011.
It is my intention to meet with the troika delegation during the programme review. The review will comprise of a series of meetings to evaluate all the elements of the programme including fiscal developments, the macroeconomic outlook, progress on commitments in the restructuring of the financial sector and structural reform. The meetings will range from technical to policy discussions and will be conducted, under my direction and that of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Governor of the Central Bank as appropriate, by senior officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator, the National Treasury Management Agency and the Office of the Attorney General.
Question No. 158 answered with Question No. 58
Banking Sector Regulation
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:159 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance his plans to change lending practices within banks towards giving credit to businesses on the basis of their health and potential rather than on the assets that they have. [14721/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the banking system restructuring plan creates capacity for the two Pillar Banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB, to provide lending in excess of €30 billion in the next three years. SME and new mortgage lending for these banks is expected to be in the range of €16-20bn over this period. In each bank, a team of senior managers will be dedicated to the task of ensuring lending continues to grow to support economic growth. This lending capacity is incorporated into the banks' deleveraging plans which allow for repayment of Central Bank funding through asset run-off and disposals over the period to 2013.
Both pillar banks provide my Department with monthly figures on balance sheet volumes, sanctioned facilities and geographic and industrial breakdowns of their SME lending. The Deputy may also be aware that under the terms of the government recapitalisation, both banks also produce a quarterly report which incorporates figures for sanctions and drawdowns by SMEs. The data contained in these reports will continue to be reviewed and analysed by my Department and the Credit Review Office to ensure that the banks are compliant with the terms of the Government recapitalisation as it relates to the provision of credit for SMEs.
As I have said before, the Credit Review Office will, on application from the borrower, carry out an independent and impartial review of a bank's decision to refuse or reduce credit. This is another means of ensuring that the money is lent to the productive sector. I would strongly advise anyone who has unsuccessfully appealed through the bank's own internal appeals process to seek a review by the Credit Review Office. In addition, Enterprise Ireland is working with both banks to develop staff who are well versed in the issues facing exporters especially in the emerging sectors and are capable of cashflow based lending.
Job Creation
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:160 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance his estimate of both the rate and number of unemployed by the end of 2011; his estimate of the rate of emigration in the State by end of 2011; the number of additional jobs that the jobs initiative will deliver by the end of 2011; and the cost of each of these jobs. [14718/11]
The latest Quarterly National Household Survey data revealed that in seasonally adjusted terms there were 296,000 people unemployed in the first quarter of 2011, resulting in an unemployment rate of 14 per cent. The data also highlighted the volatile nature of quarterly Irish economic data. Reflecting this, my Department's labour market forecasts are based on annual averages rather than quarterly figures. On this basis, my Department currently anticipates that the unemployment rate will average 14.4 per cent in 2011, while the number of unemployed will average 305,000. Underpinning this forecast is an assumption that there will be net outward migration of around 45,000 during the year. These forecasts were set out in the Irish Stability Programme Update which was published at the end of April. Subsequently, the Central Statistics Office has revised down unemployment rates at the start of the year, and as a result the risks to the above forecasts are on the downside. My Department will continue to analyse the situation in light of later data and will produce revised economic forecasts prior to the Budget in the Pre-Budget Outlook.
There is no doubt that the labour market remains weak. This was highlighted once again by last week's live register data which revealed that there were almost 460,000 people signing on in June. As is widely recognised, there is a significant difference between those signing on the live register and those classified as unemployed under the Quarterly National Household Survey. The Central Statistics Office note that the former is not designed to measure unemployment, however, as it includes part time workers, seasonal and casual workers. Recovery in the labour market typically lags recovery in economic growth, as firms adopt a wait and see approach and achieve higher levels of output by using existing resources more productively. As a result, net employment is expected to decline once again this year — albeit at a much slower pace than in previous years — before starting to expand once again in 2012.
The measures announced in the Jobs Initiative represent the government's first steps to increase competitiveness in important sectors of the economy and improve the functioning of our labour market. In the high value added tourism sector, for example, the introduction of a new temporary second reduced rate of VAT and reduction of the air travel tax to zero will have a positive effect on both costs and sentiment. Accordingly, while it is very difficult to quantify the exact number of jobs that the Initiative will deliver by the end of the year, the measures will play a role in sustaining and generating employment throughout the economy.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:161 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if he will give an assurance that the proceeds from the sale of State assets will be used to fund job creation measures. [14635/11]
The Programme for Government provides for the sale of non-strategic assets up to a value of €2 billion to fund investment in key networks of the economy. This will occur when market conditions are right and when adequate regulatory structures have been established to protect consumer interests. Following publication of the Report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities in April, my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform asked Departments to give their considered views on the Review Group's recommendations. I understand that Minister Howlin's Department is considering these views and will bring proposals to Government shortly on the matter. Under the EU/IMF Programme, the Government has agreed to discuss its plans with the European Commission, the IMF and the ECB when it has finalised its response to the Review. This is to take place by the end of the year.
Tax Code
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:162 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to proposals emanating from the EU that the duty conditions associated with agri-diesel are to be changed; and if he will veto any changes emanating therefrom. [17614/11]
The taxation of energy products is to a certain extent harmonized at EU level. Directive 2003/96/EC known as the Energy Tax Directive (ETD) refers. The current ETD provides for minimum excise rates of taxation for energy products based on the volume of a product released for consumption. Member States must respect the minimum rates and not tax products below those rates, but are free to set higher rates for individual fuels as they see fit. The current Irish national rates are generally well above the EU minimum rates. The aim of the Commission's proposal is to revise the ETD to bring it in line with wider EU climate change and energy policy to which all Members States have signed up. Ireland broadly supports the principle of the proposal and welcomes the introduction of the carbon tax into the EU minimum rates; it will serve to lessen competitiveness concerns arising from Ireland being a lead country in the area of carbon taxes.
The Commission's proposal essentially involves a provision for energy taxation to consist of two components, CO2-related taxation and general energy related taxation. The EU minimum rates would no longer be based on the volume of the product, but instead be a combination of the CO2 and energy contents of the product. In relation to fuel for uses covered by Article 8 of the ETD (which includes the use for agriculture), as with other fuels covered by the ETD, there would under the proposal be a change to how the minimum rate is calculated i.e. the split in CO2 and energy content. It is also proposed to increase the EU minimum rate from 2013. However, the revised minimum rate would remain below our current national rate. It should be noted that discussions on the Commission’s proposal are at a very early stage. Ireland, as well as a significant number of other countries, has reservations with some of the specific technical and administrative provisions the Commission has included in its proposal.
Legislative Programme
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:163 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on his proposals for whistleblowers legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16719/11]
The Government has decided to introduce overarching legislation providing for good faith reporting and protected disclosure on a uniform basis for all sectors of the economy. The Government has also decided to expedite the preparation of this legislation and the necessary preparatory work on drafting the legislation has begun in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The draft legislation will be presented for enactment by the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.
Mortgage Arrears
Jack Wall
Ceist:164 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied); if there is any mechanism available to the person to deal with the matter using the method the person proposed or is there any appeal mechanism or review mechanism available to them to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18626/11]
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on individual cases.
The Deputy will be aware of the work of the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt which published its final Report last November. Since the publication of the Group's Report, the Central Bank has revised its Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears to reflect many of the Expert Group's recommendations including key recommendations relating to the introduction by all regulated lenders of a standardized Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). It is important to point out that borrowers who are in financial difficulties, but not in arrears, are allowed to come under the MARP.
I also refer the Deputy to the Expert Group's comments on the potential to improve the position of some mortgage holders who are in negative equity where households would be willing to trade-down. Trading down would produce a reduction in mortgage debt and more affordable monthly payments. The Group noted that “for some mortgage holders who are in negative equity, trading down would produce a reduction in mortgage debt and more affordable monthly payments. The Group recommends that further consideration should be given by lenders to facilitating trading down by borrowers in this situation. Such options would have to meet relevant prudential standards, with appropriate controls in place, and be in the customers’ best interest.”
Trading down involves selling a current property and buying a cheaper one. Trading down may be an option to reduce the level of mortgage repayments, resulting in more affordable monthly repayments. The Group's recommendation was aimed at helping mortgage holders remain as home owners while reducing their level of repayments. There will also be situations where mortgage holders in negative equity may wish to move home, for example, to take up new employment opportunities. There is merit in facilitating house moves by those in negative equity in certain situations and subject to certain criteria set down by the Central Bank. Ultimately, these are matters for lenders and the Central Bank to decide upon. Any lender planning to provide a negative equity type product must notify the Central Bank in advance to ensure that appropriate measures and controls are taken, as the Central Bank must be satisfied that such a product meets relevant prudential standards and does not lead to consumers being over exposed.
Departmental Programmes
Sean Fleming
Ceist:165 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the introduction of cloud computing and other emerging information technology systems for use in Government services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18655/11]
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently engaged in research and conducting trials with a number of major international ICT companies to determine Cloud Computing approaches appropriate for public service data and applications. That research is also examining commercial models to ensure that any adoption of Cloud Computing by public bodies provides compelling value-for-money. The Department also intends to work on the Implementation Group recently announced by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
Departmental Staff
Sean Fleming
Ceist:166 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the current arrangement in place regarding established civil servants wishing to take career break in 2011; the periods of which these career breaks can be taken; his plans to amend this scheme or introduce an incentivised career break scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18658/11]
The current arrangements in place regarding established civil servants wishing to take a career break in 2011 are set out in civil service circular no. 18/98 — Special leave without pay for career breaks and were amended in letter to Personnel Officers of 3 March 2008 — available on www.personnelcode.gov.ie. This scheme allows for established civil servants, who have satisfactorily completed two years’ continuous service to apply for special leave without pay for a career break, provided they have not reached retirement age and the duration of a career break may not extend beyond retirement age. (Periods of special leave without pay which have been taken in accordance with Maternity Protection Legislation, Adoptive and Carer’s Leave and Parental Leave are not considered to break continuity of service for this purpose).
A career break consists of special leave without pay for a period of not less than six months and not more than five years. A career break may be extended by periods of six months or more up to a period of five years. Eligible staff may, in general, avail of three career breaks in the Civil Service. A second and third career break may not normally be taken until the officer has been back at work for a period equal to the duration of the initial or second career break. The total period of the career breaks should not exceed ten years in all and no one period of absence should exceed five years. There is no plan to amend this scheme.
In relation to the Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme, this scheme was introduced as a once-off measure in the Supplementary Budget on 7 April 2009. The measure was extended to staff in different areas of the public service, including the local government sector and the HSE. The closing date for participation in this scheme has expired and there is no current proposal to extend the scheme.
Tax Reliefs
Sean Fleming
Ceist:167 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance in his consideration of extending tax breaks to the Eircom Employee Share Ownership Trust scheduled to end in 2014, if he has considered the contingent/potential cost to the tax payer for any shortfall in the pension fund over and above that provided by the company at the time of privatisation in respect of members of staff of the former Department of the Post and Telegraph; the cost in relation to this pension issue and the cost of extending the tax breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18659/11]
I assume the Deputy is referring to my conditional undertaking to bring forward legislative changes to provide for an extension in the time period in which ex-employees can benefit from the tax treatment available for shares allocated via an Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT). If this change is implemented, it would apply to all ESOTs. The introduction of the extension would effectively have little or no cost. This is because, in the absence of the extension, the ESOTs would merely allocate the shares they already hold in advance of the existing deadline. Thus, the measure, if implemented, would defer the cost to the Exchequer of the scheme rather than impose an additional cost. In relation to the pension fund at Eircom, I would not necessarily see any significant link between the two issues. The Eircom No. 2 Pension Fund is to provide for the pension liabilities arising from the pre-vesting day service of former civil servants who were employees of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, many of whom are not members of the Eircom ESOT. As regards the Fund, my Department maintains contact with the trustees and would be cognisant of the potential cost to the Exchequer in the event of a shortfall in the fund over and above what was provided following the privatisation of the company in 1999. No shortfall is anticipated to arise in the medium term. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will keep the matter under review in consultation with the trustees of the scheme.
Tax Code
Tom Hayes
Ceist:168 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the reason the laundry and dry cleaning industry as a main service provider to the tourism industry, has not been included in the reduced VAT rate of 9%; if there are plans to reverse same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18681/11]
VAT is charged on the supply of goods and services. The rate applying is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. While many tourist-related services were made subject to a new temporary lower reduced VAT rate of 9% from 1 July, it is not possible to extend this treatment to the goods and services that remain subject to the 13.5% rate. This arises from the fact that many of the goods and services to which Ireland applies a reduced rate of VAT, including dry cleaning and laundry services, have their basis under an EU derogation that provides that as we applied a reduced rate to these items on 1 January 1991, we are entitled to continue applying that reduced rate to those items. However, this continuation of reduced rate application is conditional on the rate being no less than 12%. These are known as ‘parked' items, and are provided for under Article 118 of the EU VAT Directive. As laundry and dry cleaning services are such parked items, it is not possible for Ireland to apply the rate of 9% to them. It is for this reason that the Jobs Initiative introduced a 9% VAT rate in respect of tourist activities such as restaurant and hotel accommodation services, while other tourist activities such as tour guide services and the short-term hire of cars, boats, caravans and mobile homes remain liable to VAT at the 13.5%. However, it should be noted that in the majority of EU Member States dry cleaning and laundry services apply at their standard VAT rate of up to 25% in some cases, compared to 13.5% in Ireland.
Banking Sector Regulation
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:169 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide figures for the way AIB, BOI, EBS and IL&P are spending on advisers including lawyers, investment advisers and underwriters as part of their efforts to raise the €24 billion committed by him following the latest stress tests; and the measures taken to ensure value for money with respect to this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18683/11]
The financial institutions referred to in the Deputy's question have advised me of the following summary information:
Bank of Ireland
On 18 June 2011, Bank of Ireland published a Prospectus which outlined that the estimated expenses to generate the €4.2 billion Core Tier 1 capital and €1 billion of contingent capital required to meet regulatory requirements by 31 July 2011 would amount to circa €150 million. Details of fees payable under the Transaction Agreement (where the NPRFC/Minister for Finance has agreed to underwrite the Rights issue and to subscribe for the potential State Placing and the Contingent Capital instrument) are set out in the Prospectus. BOI has agreed to pay the following fees to the NPRFC and/or the Minister in consideration for the NPRFC and the Minister's obligation under the Transaction Agreement, including the underwriting of the Rights Issue, the State Placing and the subscription for the Contingent Capital instrument:
An underwriting fee of 4% of the gross proceeds of the Rights Issue (including in respect of those securities that the NPRFC is entitled to take up pursuant to its proportionate entitlement);
A placing fee of 1.5% of the gross proceeds of the State Placing;
A corporate finance fee of €3 million; and
A fee of 1.5% of the amount of the Contingent Capital Instrument, i.e. €15 million.
BOI has also agreed to pay all costs and expenses of the State, or in connection with the Debt for Equity Offers, the Rights Issue, the State Placing, the EGC, the entry into the Transaction Agreement, the issue of the New Ordinary Stock and the issue of the Contingent Capital Instrument in the amount of €4 million. In addition, BOI has agreed to pay the Joint Sponsors and the Joint Bookrunners the following fees in consideration of their services under the Transaction Agreement, including in respect or procuring places under the Rump Placing:
A fixed fee of 0.4% of the gross proceeds of the Rights Issue (excluding in respect ofthose securities that the NPRFC is entitled to take up pursuant to its proportionate entitlement);
An incentive fee of 1% of the gross proceeds of the New Ordinary Stock taken up in the Rights Issue or to the Rump Placing by 31 July 2011, but excluding any New Ordinary Stock subscribed for by the NPRFC pursuant to the Rights Issue, its underwriting commitments or taken up pursuant to the State Placing;
A transaction co-ordinator / financial adviser fee of €4 million; and
A sponsor fee of €1 million.
Bank of Ireland has agreed to pay the Joint Sponsors and Joint Bookrunners' costs and expenses of, or in connection with, the Rump Placing. As in normal procurement matters, Bank of Ireland applied value for money principles in determining the expenses of the capital raising. When it is negotiating fees or expenses, Bank of Ireland takes into account market precedent, benchmarking and includes appropriate incentivisation.
Allied Irish Banks
Allied Irish Banks have informed me that, to date, their capital raising fees total circa €6.25 million which includes fees for the bank's Liability Management Exercise. AIB's capital raising is not complete so further unquantified fees will be incurred. The bank has advised that it has and continues to maintain the cost of professional fees in line with market norms.
EBS
The EBS has advised that to date, that in the context of its capital raising measures, the company has spent c. €270,000 on legal fees, c. €6,000 on accountancy fees, c. €6,000 on Investment bank and c. €150.000 on trustees/tender agents. EBS advised that the company received fee quotes from a number of investment banks and therefore ensured that fees paid were competitive, indeed the fees charged by the investment bank chosen were lower than all other quotes. Regarding the other advisers, it was more cost efficient to use the previous legal advisors on the transaction as they were familiar with the structure. If other firms had been used it would have cost considerably more.
Irish Life and Permanent
Irish Life and Permanent has advised me that to date, it has spent €2 million on lawyers, investment advisors and underwriters as part of the institution's efforts to raise capital. There will be further significant amounts due in relation to the IPO and the disposal of the Life Assurance company and other banking businesses. I am advised by ILP that the institution effectively tendered the business to reputable firms and in some instances set a fixed price on the contacts to ensure value for money and to guard against a potential ‘drift' in variable fees.
National Treasury Management Agency
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:170 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide figures for the amount the National Treasury Management Agency is spending on advisers including lawyers, investment advisers and underwriters as part of the oversight of AIB, BOI, EBS and IL&P’s capital raising efforts as agreed by him following the latest stress tests; the measures taken to ensure value for money with respect to this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18684/11]
I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) that it expects to recoup the external advisory fees associated with the NTMA Banking Unit's involvement in the oversight of the capital-raising exercise from the four financial institutions referred to in the question. These fees include costs associated with achieving burden-sharing with holders of subordinated debt together with costs in relation to the raising of additional capital. The NTMA appointed corporate finance advisors (Goldman Sachs) following a competitive tender evaluation process involving a number of corporate finance firms. Fees of up to €7.8 million may be payable to Goldman Sachs depending on the completion of transactions and performance. In addition, following a competitive tender evaluation process, the NTMA has in place a legal panel comprising A&L Goodbody, Arthur Cox and Matheson Ormsby Prentice from which to draw general legal services, at significantly discounted fees, required by the NTMA Banking Unit. These general legal services include the provision of legal services required as part of the oversight of the banks' capital-raising exercises.
Tax Reliefs
James Bannon
Ceist:171 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding an application for a 2008-09 PAYE refund in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18704/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of receiving an application for a PAYE refund for the tax years 2008 or 2009 in respect of the person in question. Furthermore, according to Revenue records, no tax was deducted from the named person's salary in those years, in which case no refund could arise.
Credit Availability
Jim Daly
Ceist:172 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Finance the options available to a non-business or farming person to appeal a decision of an Irish guaranteed bank to approve facilities for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18736/11]
Any decision on whether to grant credit facilities is a commercial decision for an individual lending institution. It is important that each lending institution is allowed to assess properly and independently the individual risks it is considering accepting. However, if a consumer feels he or she has been improperly treated, or has grounds for complaint for some other reason, a complaint may be made directly to the financial institution concerned. If the consumer is not satisfied with the response received from the institution, there may be grounds to forward the complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman, which has statutory powers to investigate complaints against financial service providers. The Financial Services Ombudsman will only consider a case once the internal complaints procedure within the financial institution concerned has been followed. The Credit Review Office was established in March 2010 by my predecessor. The purpose of the office is to ensure the credit system is operating effectively for small and medium sized enterprises, including sole traders and farm enterprises. The office will, on application from a borrower who is a farmer or a small or medium sized enterprise, carry out an independent review of a NAMA participating bank's decision to refuse or reduce credit. The office will not hear appeals from those not engaged in business.
Pension Provisions
Robert Dowds
Ceist:173 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his recent discussions with the pensions industry regarding the industry’s ability to absorb the cost of the pension levy, and if he will report on the outcome. [18752/11]
Robert Dowds
Ceist:174 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance his plans to mount a public awareness campaign in the media to advise pensioners of the levy and its implications; and if so, if he will give details of that campaign. [18753/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.
In late May, I met a number of bodies representing the pension fund industry to discuss the 0.6% levy on pension scheme assets introduced to pay for the Jobs Initiative. I outlined my contention at those meetings that the cost of the levy be absorbed by a reduction in the fees and charges made by their members. In June, I wrote to the same representative bodies reiterating my contention and asking for their comments. I have received a response from one of the representative bodies concerned. The response indicates that the question of the absorption of the cost of the levy into existing fees and charges is a matter for individual companies in respect of the pension schemes and personal pension plans to which they provide services. The letter went on to say that the scope for those companies to absorb the levy is extremely limited. I will await developments in the coming months to see if the pension fund administrators and providers have absorbed any of the pension fund levy this year. In the light of those developments, I intend to pursue the matter further with them in the Autumn. As regards a public awareness campaign, the recently enacted Bill giving effect to the levy was substantially debated in this House and in the Seanad as well as being widely reported on in the media. I see no need for a media campaign and I have no plans for such.
Mortgage Assistance
Gerald Nash
Ceist:175 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans, to address and control the issue of rising mortgage rates in lending institutions such as EBS which are effectively owned by the State; his plans to assist mortgage holders who are in arrears with such institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18784/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the Government is conscious of the difficulties many homeowners are having in meeting their mortgage repayments in respect of their principal private residence. There are a number of existing measures in place to support those homeowners struggling with their repayments. These measures include the Mortgage Interest Supplement, the Money Advice Budgeting Services and the Central Bank of Ireland's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears. The Mortgage Interest Supplement is managed by the Department of Social Protection and provides assistance where the mortgage relates to a person's home. The Deputy will be aware of the important support provided by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). MABS provides a national, free, confidential and independent service operating from 53 offices nationwide. I encourage anyone who is in financial difficulty to contact their local MABS office.
The Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears has been substantially revised to implement the recommendations of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Expert Group which published its final report in November 2010. The code sets out how mortgage lenders must treat borrowers in or facing mortgage arrears with due regard to the fact that each case of mortgage arrears is unique and needs to be considered on its own merits. An important recommendation of the Expert Group was that lenders would make available a Deferred Interest Scheme to borrowers who cannot afford to pay the full interest on their mortgages but can pay at least 66% of the amount due. The borrower would have to pay the deferred interest at an agreed future date. Lenders representing the majority of the market have indicated their willingness to make available deferred interest schemes. These are Allied Irish Bank, AIB Mortgage Bank, Bank of Ireland, ICS Building Society, EBS, Haven Mortgages, Irish Nationwide Building Society, Permanent TSB, Springboard Mortgages and Start Mortgages. While the making available of Deferred Interest Schemes 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.
Another key recommendation of the Group relates to the requirement of all regulated lenders to introduce a standardised Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). Borrowers who are in arrears and who co-operate with the MARP will not be charge penalty interest charges. A lender must establish a centralised and dedicated Arrears Support Unit which must be adequately staffed to manage cases under the MARP. Under the MARP, lenders must agree appropriate forbearance with each borrower following as assessment of the full circumstances and characteristics of each borrower. It is important to point out that borrowers who are in financial difficulties, but not in arrears, are allowed to come under the MARP. In addition to these existing measures, the Government is considering the further necessary actions required to alleviate the increasing problem of mortgage over-indebtedness.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to help homeowners who are facing difficulty with their mortgage repayments. The Government will examine a number of proposals in relation to this commitment. In this context, the Government Economic Management Council recently asked that further work be carried out to address the situation of over-indebted mortgage holders with a view to identifying a range of responses appropriate to individual circumstances. The work concerned will be carried out by a group chaired by Mr. Declan Keane, an accountant seconded to the Department of Finance. The group will produce a report by the end of September. The composition of the group has yet to be decided but may include officials from the Department of Finance, the Central Bank and other Government Departments. It may also use expertise from within the banking system. As part of the restructuring and recapitalisation of the banks, the banks are engaging in ambitious cost reduction plans which are well under way. The effect of these cost reductions will be to improve operating margins and permit the banks to better absorb funding costs. The Government remains in consultation with the banks in connection with the more significant parts of these plans including a significant reduction of employee numbers.
Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 129.
Estate Administration
Pat Breen
Ceist:177 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18852/11]
I understand from the Chief State Solicitor that, following the issue of Letters of Administration, a claim has come forward on behalf of possible next of kin of the deceased as a result of advertisements placed in national newspapers. The Chief State Solicitor's Office is currently investigating this claim and has informed the applicant's solicitor.
Irish Government Bonds
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:178 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance his plans to issue sovereign bonds to the pension industry from the National Treasury Management Agency along the lines provided for in the social welfare legislation in December 2010; if not, the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18857/11]
The NTMA has had detailed discussions with the pensions and insurance industries and with other stakeholders regarding the details of the bonds to be issued and the optimum timing for such issuance so as to best meet the needs of the pensions industry as a whole and the interest of the Exchequer. The NTMA will issue the bonds when it is satisfied from its discussions with the market participants that there is a demand for them. This will depend in part on conditions in the overall market for Irish Government bonds and on the detailed guidelines and decisions of the Pensions Board. The NTMA will continue to monitor the position very closely with a view to finalising its issuance plans as soon as conditions are appropriate.
Consultancy Contracts
Michael McGrath
Ceist:179 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide full details, including a breakdown by unit with the agency, of professional and consultancy fees incurred by the National Treasury Management Agency for each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18866/11]
Professional, legal and consultancy fees incurred each year by the National Treasury Management Agency, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission and the National Asset Management Agency are published in the Annual Reports of each body. Fees and expenses incurred by the National Development Finance Agency in the performing of its financing and advisory functions in relation to specific public investment projects are reimbursed by the relevant State Authority.
|
2008€m |
2009€m |
2010€m |
2011 (to end May)€m |
|
|
Banking |
2.44 |
5.60 |
7.92* |
2.41 |
|
NAMA |
- |
1.63 |
- |
- |
|
State Claims Agency |
0.07 |
0.29 |
0.18 |
0.04 |
|
Funding and Debt Management |
0.15 |
0.09 |
0.04 |
0.01 |
|
Legal (excluding banking issues) |
0.14 |
0.15 |
0.03 |
- |
|
Finance, Technology and Risk |
0.20 |
0.32 |
0.44 |
0.07 |
|
Audit |
0.10 |
0.10 |
0.10 |
- |
|
HR, Corporate and Communications |
0.17 |
0.52 |
0.63 |
0.35 |
|
Total |
3.27 |
8.70 |
9.34 |
2.88 |
*€2.9m of the banking costs incurred in 2010 are recoverable from the covered credit institutions .
The banking costs incurred in 2008 relate to fees paid to Merrill Lynch following a request from the Minister for Finance to engage advisers to provide advice on structural issues in financial markets.
The banking costs incurred in 2009 relate to a further €4.9 million payment to Merrill Lynch and a €0.7 million payment to Rothschild in respect of the provision of banking advisory services to the Minister for Finance acting through the NTMA.
The NAMA-related expenses incurred in 2009 relate to legal and consultancy expenses associated with the establishment of NAMA.
€6.2 million of the banking costs incurred in 2010 relate to further payments to Rothschild in respect of the provision of banking advisory services to the Minister for Finance acting through the NTMA.
Banking fees discharged to date in 2011 include costs associated with achieving burden-sharing with holders of subordinated debt.
|
2008€m |
2009€m |
2010€m |
2011 (to end May)€m |
|
|
Legal and Tax* |
0.83 |
0.20 |
0.44 |
0.08 |
|
Consultancy |
0.33 |
0.10 |
0.19 |
0.01 |
|
Audit |
0.14 |
0.15 |
0.14 |
0.06 |
|
Directed Investments |
- |
3.65 |
0.47 |
- |
|
Total |
1.30 |
4.10 |
1.24 |
0.15 |
*Legal and tax fees relate primarily to the costs of due diligence on alternative asset investments.
The fees and expenses incurred by the NPRF Commission are charged to the National Pensions Reserve Fund.
The directed investment costs incurred in 2009 relate to the due diligence exercise which the Commission had conducted on Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks at the request of the Minister for Finance prior to the €3.5 billion investment in each of these institutions by the Fund at the direction of the Minister. The Fund received €30 million in arrangement fees in respect of each of these transactions.
The directed investment costs incurred in 2010 relate to legal advice in respect of Bank of Ireland's capital raising and other ongoing legal advice in respect of the directed investments.
|
2010€m |
2011 (to 31 March 2011)€m |
|
|
Financial Adviser and Consultancy Fees |
5.01 |
0.17 |
|
Portfolio Management |
5.09 |
0.57 |
|
Legal and Tax Fees |
3.78 |
0.88 |
|
Consultancy incurred by NTMA in set up |
0.83 |
- |
|
Audit |
0.70 |
0.54 |
|
IT Costs |
- |
0.29 |
|
Treasury |
- |
0.18 |
|
Total |
15.41 |
2.63 |
Legal and consultancy fees incurred in 2009 in setting up NAMA are included with the information on the NTMA above.
The fees and expenses incurred by NAMA are not borne by the Exchequer but are recovered through the operating activities of the agency. NAMA fees and expenses are published in NAMA's quarterly reports to the Minister for Finance.
The financial advisor and consultancy fees incurred in 2010 include fees paid for accounting, financial and business process advice over the period from the incorporation of NAMA to the end of 2010. NAMA seconded staff from external consultancy firms and financial advisers to assist in the initial set-up of business units (until NAMA officers were recruited by the NTMA) and the development and implementation of processes and policies.
The portfolio management fees incurred in 2010 relate to the review of debtor business plans.
The legal and tax costs incurred in 2010 relate to fees paid to professional service firms in respect of legal and tax advice and the secondment of staff for legal due diligence.
It is expected that the level of professional and consultancy costs in future will not be as significant as the costs incurred during 2010 which include costs associated with the establishment of NAMA, particularly relating to the secondment of staff prior to the recruitment of NAMA's own staff.
In addition to the above figures, NAMA incurs due diligence costs as part of the process of acquiring loans and related derivatives from the Participating Institutions (PIs). These costs include legal, valuation and property due diligence fees together with the fees of the audit co-ordinator. NAMA incurred due diligence costs of €29.6 million in 2010 and €9.0 million for the first quarter of 2011. However, NAMA factored these costs into the acquisition price of the assets so that they were recovered from the PIs in the form of a reduced payment for the assets.
Tax Reliefs
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:180 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax generated by the Exchequer from stallion fees for each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. [18871/11]
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:181 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he can reconcile the intent of the Finance Act 2006 to close tax shelters and loopholes in order to ensure that the wealthy paid their fair share of tax with the measure in the 2007 Finance Act which enables stallion owners to shelter profits by applying a valuation on their stallions irrespective of the investment made. [18872/11]
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:182 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the amounts of tax revenue foregone to date due to the transition mechanism in the 2007 Finance Act in each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. [18873/11]
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:183 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that stallion owners have the right to apply a market value on their stallions as of 1 August 2008 irrespective of the money they spent acquiring the stallion and that this market value enables owners to shelter profits and pay little or no tax as a result. [18874/11]
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:184 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that the transitional measure in the 2007 Finance Act has become a significant tax shelter for stallion owners in which large numbers of breeders will not have paid or not be paying tax on stallion fees for at least four years, 2008 to 2012, if he will justify this exceptionally favourable tax treatment in view of the fact that the country has been gripped in an economic crisis since 2008; if he will move to close this loophole in the 2007 Finance Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18875/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 184, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as statistics on income tax and corporation tax receipts do not generally distinguish between the yields from different sources of income, the figures of tax yields from stallion stud profits are not separately identifiable. Figures of the profits earned from the provision of stallion stud services were required to be returned in income tax and corporation tax returns for the year 2009. The figures thus entered were €0.5 million for Income Tax and €4.0 million for Corporation Tax. However, it is not possible to infer from these figures the amount of tax that would be generated as they would be subject to deductions for allowable expenses and other costs.
The current scheme for the taxation of stallion profits and gains was introduced with effect from 1 August 2008 and replaced the exemption for stallion stud fees which terminated on 31 July 2008.
Under the exemption scheme, profits or gains arising to an owner or part owner of a stallion from the sale of services of mares within the State by the stallion or from the sale of rights to such services were exempt from income and corporation tax.
Under the current scheme, stallions are treated as stock in trade which means that income from stud fees and profits or gains on the sale of the stallions are fully taxable in the hands of both corporate and individual owners.
When the current scheme was introduced, it was suggested by the then Minister for Finance that the horse racing and bloodstock industry was (and continues to be) of enormous benefit to this country, not just economically but also from the social and sporting point of view as well.
In computing profits, a write-off over 4 years of the "initial value" of the stallion is allowed as a deduction for tax purposes. It is not the case that this provision is a loophole. It reflects the fact that some stallions have a short nomination life and also takes into account that the majority of stallions are unsuccessful at stud. The impact of the deduction on taxable profits during the write-off period is directly related to the success, or otherwise, of the stallion. Without this provision the cost of a stallion would, under normal rules, be allowed as a deduction upon its disposal or death.
The "initial value" of a stallion is its market value on the later of 1 August 2008 (i.e. the date the new scheme commenced) or when it is purchased for, or appropriated to, stud activities. For this purpose, "market value" is the price the stallion would fetch on the open market or, where the purchaser and vendor are not connected and the transaction is at arm's length, the price actually paid.
The "initial value" of a stallion standing at stud before 1 August 2008 was set at the market value of the animal as of that date on the basis that any alternative arrangement could have resulted in the sale overseas of top quality stallions and a freeze in the acquisition of new stallions in the period prior to the termination of the exemption scheme. As the value of many stallions purchased before 1 August 2008 would have declined by that date, the use of market value at 1 August 2008 would have reflected that reduction. On this basis I do not accept that this measure constitutes a significant tax shelter for many stallion owners.
As regards whether I will close off this provision, I would advise Deputy Ó Ríordáin that, like all proposals for new tax or expenditure measures, this will fall to be considered in the context of the ongoing development of budgetary and economic policy. However, as advised above, if this provision was discontinued, the cost of a stallion would be allowed as a deduction upon its disposal or death under normal rules. As the benefit of the 4 year write-off is largely one of timing, its abolition would not be expected to give rise to gains to the Exchequer in the long run, as any resultant annual gains would be offset by increased tax deductions in the year of disposal or death of the stallion.
In relation to the amounts of tax revenue foregone in each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, I wish to reiterate the advice to me from the Revenue Commissioners that the figures of tax yields from stallion stud profits are not separately identifiable as statistics on income tax and corporation tax receipts do not generally differentiate between the yields from different sources of income. Figures of the profits earned from the provision of stallion stud services for the year 2009 are as set out earlier. However, as they would be subject to deductions for allowable expenses and other costs, it is not possible to deduce from these figures the amount of tax that may have been foregone.
Question No. 185 answered with Question No. 139.
Tax Code
John McGuinness
Ceist:186 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance on the commitment in the programme for Government to direct the Revenue Commissioners to examine the feasibility of introducing on a revenue neutral basis a single business tax for micro enterprises with a turnover of less than €75,000 per annum to replace all the existing taxes on sole traders and small businesses, if such a direction has been given to the Revenue Commissioners; if so, when is it expected that the results of such an examination will be given to him; if not, when will such instruction be given; the taxes and charges it is envisaged will be included in such a single business tax; if he will make available to the House the results of such an examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18886/11]
The position is that I have not, as yet, directed the Revenue Commissioners to examine the feasibility of a single business tax as outlined in the Programme for Government. The Deputy will appreciate that the Programme for Government is a comprehensive document containing many proposals and commitments to be fulfilled over the lifetime of the Government. Among the first commitments in the Programme which we promised to deliver within the first 100 days of Government was the Jobs Initiative. This has been delivered on time in the past few weeks. I intend, over the coming weeks and months, to turn my attention to the other aspects of Programme for Government that are within my area of responsibility. This will include the proposal to examine the feasibility of a single business tax.
State Banking Sector
John McGuinness
Ceist:187 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made to date on the commitment in the programme for Government to establish a strategic investment bank; the preliminary work, if any, that has commenced on this matter; the envisaged time line for the establishment of the strategic investment bank; if this bank will be a new bank wholly separate from the two pillar banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18888/11]
As I said in a reply to a question from Deputy Flanagan on 21 June, ensuring that a strategic investment bank is operating in the domestic banking market, providing finance to large capital projects and acting as a conduit for venture capital as well as a lender to SMEs, is an objective in the Programme for Government.
A comprehensive programme of bank recapitalisation and restructuring is currently underway following my statement on the future banking landscape in Ireland at the end of March last. The essential detailed assessment and planning work to meet this objective will be accelerated once the Government's key immediate objectives for the repair of the banking system have been completed. This assessment will include the bank's relationship with the two pillar banks and the time line for its establishment.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:188 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18921/11]
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:206 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18998/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 206 together.
Since my appointment as Minister for Finance, I have engaged fully with all members of the senior management of the Department, who comprise its Management Advisory Committee, on a very regular basis and as the need arises on a wide range of strategic and policy issues.
I am satisfied that these arrangements are working well but, as with all matters in my Department, they are kept under ongoing review to ensure their appropriateness and effectiveness in dealing with emerging developments.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:189 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Finance with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rent paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18939/11]
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:205 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Finance with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rent paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case. [18997/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 205 together.
Details in respect of office rental paid by bodies under the aegis of my Department are contained in the following tables.
|
Year |
Premises |
Landlord |
Annual Rent |
Rent in years 2008 -2010 |
Length of Lease |
|
2008 |
Le Pole House Ship St Great Dublin 8 |
Luxor Investments |
€306,759 |
€230,069* vacated in Oct 2008. |
2 years from 2006 |
|
2009 |
0 |
||||
|
2010 |
0 |
||||
|
2011 |
0 |
|
Year |
Premises |
Landlord |
Annual Rent |
Rent in years 2008 -2010 |
Length of Lease |
|
2008 |
Ormond House Dublin 7. |
New Ireland Assurance Co Ltd |
€167,614 |
€167,614 |
35 Years from 1977 |
|
2009 |
€167,614 |
||||
|
2010 |
€167,614 |
||||
|
2011 |
€167,614 |
|
Year |
Premises |
Landlord |
Annual Rent |
Length of Lease |
|
2008 |
6 Cormac Place, Gasworks, Belfast |
Venture International Limited |
€107,883 |
5 years extended to 30/09/09 |
|
1/01/2009-31/12/2009 |
6 Cromac Place, Gasworks, Belfast |
Venture International Limited |
€86,860 |
5 years extended to 31/12/09 |
|
01/10/2009-31/12/2009 |
7th Floor, 2 Clarence Street West, Belfast |
Ovolo Limited |
Rent Free Period |
Lease commenced 1/10-/09 |
|
01/01/10-31/03/10 |
7th Floor, 2 Clarence Street West, Belfast |
Ovolo Limited |
Rent Free Period |
Lease commenced 1/10/09 |
|
01/04/10-31/12/10 |
7th Floor, 2 Clarence Street West, Belfast |
Ovolo Limited |
€173,595 |
15 years to 30/09/24 |
|
2011 to date |
7th Floor, 2 Clarence Street West, Belfast |
Ovolo Limited |
€58,248 |
15 years to 30/09/24 |
|
2008 |
11 Kevlin Road, Omagh |
Patrick Fox & Kathleen Fox |
€53,470 |
5 years to 30/10/10 |
|
2009 |
11 Kevlin Road, Omagh |
Patrick Fox & Kathleen Fox |
€45,481 |
5 years to 30/10/10 |
|
01/01/2010-30/10/2010 |
11 Kevlin Road, Omagh |
Patrick Fox & Kathleen Fox |
€35,198 |
5 years (ending 30/10/10) |
|
01/11/2010-31/12/2010 |
11 Kevlin Road, Omagh |
Patrick Fox & Kathleen Fox |
€11,926 |
5 years (new lease) |
|
2011 to date |
11 Kevlin Road, Omagh |
Patrick Fox & Kathleen Fox |
€24,613 |
5 years to 30/10/15 |
|
01/01/2008 — 30/04/2008 |
European Union House ,Castlemeadow Court, Monaghan |
Frank Kierans |
€15,760.80 |
5 years (ending 30/04/08) |
|
1/05/2008 — 31/12/2008 |
M-TEK II Building, Armagh Rd. Monaghan |
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund Limited |
€28,744.96 |
9 yrs 11 months to 31/03/18 |
|
Nt2009 |
M-TEK II Building, Armagh Rd. Monaghan |
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund Limited |
€43,295.64 |
9 yrs 11 months to 31/03/18 |
|
2010 |
M-TEK II Building, Armagh Rd. Monaghan |
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund Limited |
€43,176.84 |
9 yrs 11 months to 31/03/18 |
|
2011 to date |
M-TEK II Building, Armagh Rd. Monaghan |
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund Limited |
€21,647.82 |
9 yrs 11 months to 31/03/18 |
*Please note that the Omagh and Belfast office rents were supplied in sterling, these figures have been provided in the table using the exchange rates in use for each year i.e. 2008/2009/2010/2011.
|
Year |
Premises |
Landlord |
Annual Rent1 |
Length of Lease |
|
2008 |
No. 3 Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 |
Anglo Irish Assurance |
€1.1m |
25 Years from July 2008 |
|
2009 |
No. 3 Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 |
Anglo Irish Assurance |
€2.3m (Full year) |
25 Years from July 2008 |
|
2010 |
No. 3 Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 |
Anglo Irish Assurance |
€2.3m (Full year) |
25 Years from July 2008 |
|
2010* |
Block D, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2 |
Sean Reilly |
€0.3m |
4 Years from November 2010 |
|
2011 |
No. 3 Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 |
Anglo Irish Assurance |
€2.3m (Full year) |
25 Years from July 2008 |
|
2011 |
Block D, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2 |
Sean Reilly |
€1.3m (full year) |
4 Years from November 2010 |
1 This figure includes the effect of spreading the benefit of rent-free periods over the lease term or, if shorter than the full lease term, the periods prior to the first lease review date, in accordance with SSAP 21 ‘Accounting for leases and hire purchase contracts’.
*Initially sub-let for a number of months from State Street Bank (formerly Investor's Trust).
§ No further leases are held by the Central Bank of Ireland in the name of Financial Services Consultative Consumer Panel and the Financial Services Consultative Industry Panel.
§ Leases relating to IFSRA are included within the above details for the Central Bank of Ireland as a whole
National Treasury Management Agency
The National Treasury Management Advisory Committee, the National Pension Reserve Fund Commission, the State Claims Agency Policy Committee and the National Development Finance Agency Board all perform functions in respect of activities which have been delegated to the National Treasury Management Agency by the Government or in respect of which the National Treasury Management Agency acts as the executive.
The National Treasury Management Agency operates from Treasury Buildings, Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2. It has a lease of 35 years on the 5th floor of its premises from 1991 and a 22 year 7 month lease on accommodation on the 1st floor of its premises from 2004. In 2007 NTMA took over a 35 year lease (from 1990) on the ground floor of its premises. This lease expires in 2025.
The landlord is Ambiorix Limited. Rent paid for each of the years 2008 to 2010 inclusive was €1,757,500 per annum. The same rent will apply for 2011.
My Department is not involved in the day to day issues with regard to the running of the Financial Service Ombudsman and the Irish Financial Service Appeals Tribunal as these are independent bodies and are not funded by the Exchequer.
Commission on Credit Unions
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:190 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance in keeping with the commitment in the programme for Government to establish a commission to review the future of the credit union movement, if he will confirm the time frame for establishing the commission; the persons who will be appointed to the commission; the stakeholders that will be represented; if the terms of reference for the Commission will provide for consultation; and to whom the commission will report and the time frame within which the commission shall report. [18948/11]
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:191 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance his plans to retain an independent credit union regulator; if the regulator will have an obligation to report to him; if he will enable such an independent regulator to restrict the value of loans which may be granted by credit unions; if the guidelines set down by such a regulator will be negotiated with the various stakeholders; and if there will be an appeal procedure to any decisions of the regulator. [18949/11]
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:192 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance in recognition of the community based and focused philosophy and ethos of credit unions, if a different regulatory structure will apply to credit unions than will apply to banks; if the regulatory structure for credit unions will be provided for in one stand alone credit union Act; if the regulatory guidelines will be negotiable; and if they will incorporate industry changes. [18950/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 192, inclusive, together.
The functions of the Registrar of Credit Unions under the Credit Union Act 1997 are to regulate credit unions with a view to the protection by each credit union of the funds of its members and the maintenance of the financial stability and well being of credit unions generally. While the terms of reference of the Commission on Credit Unions allow for an examination of the governance and regulatory framework for credit unions, I have no intention of altering the current independent position of the Registrar as part of the independent Central Bank structure.
When making recommendations on, inter alia, the governance, regulatory and legislative framework for credit unions, the Commission is required to take into account the philosophy and ethos of the credit unions.
Under the Central Bank Reform Act 2010, the Central Bank of Ireland is required to prepare a statement relating to its performance in regulating financial services, including credit unions. This performance statement is provided to me, as Minister for Finance, each year before 30 April and I am required to lay this statement before each House of the Oireachtas within one month of its receipt. The report received this April deals with credit unions on pages 20 and 21 and was laid before this House on 27 May 2011.
The Commission on Credit Unions was established by Government on 31 May 2011 and has begun its programme of work. It met for the first time on 20 June 2011 and had a subsequent meeting on 24 June 2011. The Commission may decide on its own consultation arrangements.
The Commission will make initial recommendations on the strengthening of the regulatory framework by 30 September 2011 and will submit a final report to me, as Minister for Finance, by 31 March 2012.
Membership of the Commission is as follows:
Chairman
Professor Donal McKillop (Professor of Financial Services, School of Management, Queens University, Belfast) and Member of the Credit Union Advisory Committee.
Ordinary members of the Commission on Credit Unions:
Mr. Kieron Brennan (Chief Executive Officer, Irish League of Credit Unions)
Ms. Fiona Cullen (Head of Legal Department, Irish League of Credit Unions)
Mr. Billy Doyle (Management Committee, Credit Union Development Association)
Ms. Eileen Fitzgerald (Senior Manager in the Citizen's Information Board, with responsibility for MABS)
Mr. Eamonn Kearns (Financial Services Division, Department of Finance),
Mr. Tom McCarthy (Chief Executive Officer, Irish Management Institute)
Mr. Tim Molan (National Secretary, Credit Union Managers Association)
Mr. Robert Moynihan (Qualified Chartered Accountant and Regulatory Consultant)
Mr. James O'Brien (Registrar of Credit Unions)
Mr. Dan O'Gorman (Solicitor)
Mr. Joe O Toole (Former Senator), and
Prof. John Wilson (Professor of Banking, St. Andrew's University, Scotland)
The Government agreed the terms of reference of the Commission on Credit Unions and these are as follows:
Having regard to the commitments
in the Programme for National Government 2011-2016 to review the future of the credit union movement and to make recommendations in relation to the most effective regulatory structure for credit unions, and
under the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland to design a strategy for the future evolution of the credit union sector, to assist credit unions with a strengthened regulatory framework including more effective governance and regulatory requirements and to make recommendations to the Minister on legislation to be submitted to the Oireachtas by end-2011; and
taking into account
the not-for-profit mandate of credit unions, their volunteer ethos and community focus, paying due regard to the need to fully protect depositors' savings and financial stability,
the comprehensive strategy to enhance the viability of the credit union sector prepared under the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland;
international best practice in the structure, organisation and regulation of credit unions or analogous entities; and
the strengths and weaknesses of the sector as set out in work done in the Strategic Review of the Credit Union Sector in Ireland;
the Commission on Credit Unions is invited to:
1. Define the role of credit unions in the context of a restructured financial services sector. This will focus on the credit union as a cooperative, owned and run by its members and providing its members with the financial services that they require. Consideration will also be given to the role of the credit union in relation to the community in general. In particular, the objects of a credit union as set out under section 6 of the Credit Union Act 1997 will be examined including the function of the common bond in the context of modern financial services systems. The Commission should also consider the question of the prudential supervision of loan societies and credit cooperatives registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1896 and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 that engage in taking deposits from and providing loans to their members and make recommendations in this regard.
2. Propose a model for modern credit unions and define the structure/parameters within which financially viable credit unions will operate. At the same time, the Commission will examine how credit unions may continue to provide the services required by their members while meeting regulatory requirements sufficient to protect the savings of depositors and the financial stability of the credit union sector as a whole. This should examine how the size of a credit union, the variety and complexity of the services it provides and the competencies of its management and staff influence its viability. The question of credit unions competing with the larger financial institutions should be studied.
3. Options for restructuring. The Commission will make recommendations on the possibility of voluntary consolidation or restructuring of the credit union sector over time, recognising the need to maintain local presence and taking into account the not for-profit mandate, the volunteer ethos and community focus of credit unions. In this consideration, due regard must be given to the need to protect depositors savings and financial stability. Central Bank of Ireland proposals in relation to possible restructuring of some credit unions should be examined and recommendations made to the Minister for Finance as these may arise over the term of the Commission. The Commission is required to engage with the Department of Finance, make recommendations and exchange information on legislative proposals during the course of its deliberations.
4. Shared services. The Commission will examine the options for groups of credit unions to share services on a formal basis and the extent to which this model is appropriate. The Commission should consider which services are most suitable for delivery by a separate entity, e.g. purchasing, auditing, compliance, credit control, legal, marketing, human resource management, administration and training. Progress in relation to the introduction of modern information technology and management information systems for and in credit unions will be examined and recommendations made in this regard.
5. Determine and set out the basic governance and regulatory requirements that must be met. The Commission will focus on a set of benchmarks that credit unions should meet if they are to be registered to operate in the State. These benchmarks should include capital requirements, sizes of loan books and of loans, competencies of directors and staff, investments policy, fitness and probity and governance standards. Recommendations will be made in relation to management reporting arrangements both internally and with the Registry of Credit Unions.
6. Make recommendations for legislative change. The Commission will examine the existing legislation and in particular the Credit Union Act 1997 and make recommendations on changes required to implement their findings. The Commission should make initial recommendations required to strengthen the regulatory framework of credit unions by 30 September 2011. A final report should be submitted to the Minister for Finance by 31 March 2012.
Deposit Guarantee Scheme
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:193 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance his plans to put in place a scheme of guarantees for credit union stakeholders. [18951/11]
Credit union members are covered by the Deposit Guarantee Scheme for up to €100,000 per saver per credit union. I have no plans to introduce a further guarantee scheme.
Mortgage Arrears
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:194 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the steps that can be taken to encourage the mortgage lending sector to address the issue of the multiplication of mortgage arrears through the medium of compound interest; if the lending sector would take a realistic position whereby the missing of a monthly instalment would not result in the application of penalties such as compound interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18975/11]
The revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, (CCMA) was issued to all mortgage lenders and came into effect on 1 January 2011.
The CCMA sets out how mortgage lenders must treat borrowers in or facing mortgage arrears. The CCMA requires that each lending branch must have at least one person with specific responsibility for dealing with arrears and pre-arrears cases. It also requires frontline staff to be made aware of the lender's policy for dealing with arrears and pre-arrears cases and the relevant contact person and process. The revised CCMA also introduced the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) framework for the handling of arrears and pre-arrears cases. Provision 9 of the revised CCMA states that "Lenders are restricted from imposing charges and or surcharge interest on arrears arising on a mortgage account in arrears to which this Code applies and in respect of which a borrower is co-operating reasonably and honestly with the lender in the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process. (Lenders will have been notified individually of the charges to which this applies)."
The Central Bank issued Letters of Direction in December 2010 to mortgage lenders prohibiting them from imposing specific arrears charges or surcharge interest on mortgage accounts in arrears to which the revised CCMA applies and in respect of which a borrower is co-operating reasonably and honestly with the lender in the MARP from 1 January 2011. With regard to monitoring compliance with the consumer protection codes, the Central Bank carries out themed inspections and mystery-shopping exercises. On 1st July 2011 the Central Bank published the findings of a themed inspection of mortgage lenders which examined compliance with Provision 9 of the revised CCMA and the Letters of Direction. This themed inspection was carried out across six mortgage lenders including credit institutions and retail credit firms. 655 customer mortgage account statements were reviewed during the course of the themed inspection. Further detail can be found at the following link: http://www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/Pages/CentralBankMonitorsLendersCompliancewiththeRevisedCode.aspx
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:195 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the estimate of the number of persons currently showing arrears in respect of mortgage repayments; the extent to which this is likely to fluctuate in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18976/11]
I would like to inform the Deputy that figures published by the Central Bank on 19 May 2011 show that, at the end of March 2011, there were 782,429 private residential mortgage accounts held in the Republic of Ireland to a value of almost €116 billion. Of these, 49,609 accounts, or 6.3%, were in arrears for more than 90 days. For further information, please see the relevant press release on the Central Bank's website: www.centralbank.ie.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:196 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the lending institutions, if known, most amenable to accommodating those with arrears of mortgage; the nature of any such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18977/11]
Neither I, as Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank comment on individual lending institutions in the manner referred to in the Deputy's question.
However, all mortgage lenders are obliged to adhere to the requirements of the revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) which is effective from 1 January 2011. The Code sets out specific requirements mortgage lenders must adhere to when dealing with customers in arrears and those at risk of falling into arrears. The CCMA requires that each branch must have at least one person with specific responsibility for dealing with arrears and pre-arrears cases. It also requires frontline staff to be made aware of the lender's policy for dealing with arrears and pre-arrears cases and the relevant contact person and process involved. The revised CCMA also introduced the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process framework for the handling of arrears and pre-arrears cases.
Full details of the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and on the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process may be found on the Central Bank's website: www.centralbank.ie.
House Repossessions
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:197 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance to indicate the number of private houses repossessed by the various lending institutions in each of the past five years to date in 2011; the future prospects given any trend emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18978/11]
I have been informed by the Central Bank of Ireland that this information has only been collated since September 2009. Since that date, the Central Bank has published quarterly data on arrears and repossessions on its website: www.centralbank.ie. The number of repossessions of private houses for each quarter is as follows:
|
Date |
Repossessions |
|
To quarter end September 2009 |
110 repossessions |
|
To quarter end December 2009 |
101 repossessions |
|
To quarter end March 2010 |
91 repossessions |
|
To quarter end June 2010 |
86 repossessions |
|
To quarter end September 2010 |
81 repossessions |
|
To quarter end December 2010 |
106 repossessions |
|
To quarter end March 2011 |
140 repossessions |
I do not consider it productive to speculate on the future trend with regard to such repossessions.
Banks Restructuring
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:198 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the full position in regard to projected or anticipated mergers, takeovers or other restructuring measures in the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18979/11]
The Deputy will be aware from my Statement on Banking on 31 March 2011 that the future of Ireland's banking landscape will be built around the two pillar banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB. Each of these banks has already begun to reorganise their operations into core and non-core functions and to implement a carefully managed programme of deleveraging. Both Bank of Ireland and AIB have submitted revised deleveraging plans for consideration by the Central Bank of Ireland. In my Statement on Banking, I said that the Irish banking system needs to be reduced to a size appropriate to our economy. Our banks will become smaller, more focused on core operations, better funded and better capitalised. In that context I announced that the operations of AIB and EBS would be combined to build a second pillar bank from the strengths of both institutions. The Deputy will be aware that I signed the acquisition agreement on 26 May 2011 and the acquisition was completed on 1 July 2011. The Deputy will be aware that the Memorandum of Understanding between the Irish Government and the EU-IMF requires that the legal merger procedure be completed not later than end September 2011.
In addition, also on 1 July 2011 the High Court granted a Transfer Order under the Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 to transfer with immediate effect the assets and liabilities of Irish Nationwide Building Society to Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Limited. The granting of the Transfer Order combined with the EU Commission's approval of the Joint Restructuring and Work Out Plan for Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society on 29 June 2011 are significant milestones in removing these banks from the Irish banking system. The removal of these banks from the system is a key element of the Government's restructuring of the Irish banking system. The purpose of the merger is to ensure a concentrated and vigorous work out of the existing loans.
Irish Life and Permanent is being radically restructured by selling its life insurance subsidiary and deleveraging its banking activities with a continuous assessment of sales opportunities in the market over time. A Direction Order was granted by the High Court on 9 June 2011, to allow ILP take the necessary steps to prepare its life insurance business for disposal by way of initial public offering or private sale. Irish Life and Permanent are required to submit their restructuring plan to the European Commission for approval by 31 July 2011.
A fundamental element of Government strategy has been to restore a functioning banking system and the Government has made particular commitments to recapitalising the banks and restructuring the banking sector as part of its programme for Government. This radical restructuring of the banking system is designed to put our banking system on a firm footing which is essential to Ireland's economic recovery.
Banking Sector Regulation
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:199 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which, in his view, the stress test carried out in the banking sector here and throughout Europe has been sufficiently robust to safeguard the durability of the sector in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18981/11]
As I said in my Statement on Banking in March, the PCAR bank stress tests carried out by the Central Bank are certainly among the most thorough and demanding such tests ever performed in Ireland and or indeed anywhere. The detailed results methodology and assumptions underlying these stress tests have been published, emphasising Ireland's firm commitment for this critical exercise to be fully open and transparent. In specific terms I am satisfied on the basis of the results of the PCAR assessment carried out by the Central Bank which have been endorsed by the external authorities that the loan loss assumptions made reflects a high degree of conservatism and underpin the robustness and credibility of the exercise overall.
The Central Bank of Ireland has advised me that the EU-wide bank stress test process is still underway and is expected to be completed shortly. As regards the robustness of the stress test, the European Banking Authority is working with national banking supervisors and other European stakeholders, such as the European Commission, European Central Bank, and European Systemic Risk Board, to ensure there is consistent and conservative application of the stress test to all participating banks.
Price Inflation
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree or extent to which it has been possible to identify any inflationary factors in the economy in each of the past three years to date in 2011; the issues now emerging as acquiring attention in this regard; the means by which it is likely to become possible to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18982/11]
The Deputy will be aware that through 2009 and 2010, there were few inflationary pressures. Indeed, price levels fell, with the CPI declining by 4.5% in 2009 and 1% in 2010, and HICP falling by 1.7% and 1.6% respectively. In the latter months of 2010 and to date in 2011, the drivers of inflation have been insurance premium hikes and increases in the price of commodities on the back of rising global demand and supply side issues, namely the political instability in the Middle East and North Africa. The CPI has also been affected by increases in mortgage rates. In May 2011, the annual rate of increase in the CPI was 2.7% and 1.2% in the HICP.
Looking further out the horizon, the main inflationary risks are likely to come from the external side in the form of further commodity price increases, ECB policy rate increases and domestically from administered prices. In terms of limiting the impact of inflationary pressures, the Deputy will be aware of the Government's recent initiative to reduce the rate of VAT for a range of services connected to the hospitality and tourism sectors. The overall picture remains one where muted domestic demand and considerable spare capacity in the economy are expected to keep underlying Irish inflation in check for some time to come. Therefore, modest price rises will assist in restoring our relative competitive position globally.
Tax Code
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has become aware of taxation incentives in other eurozone states which might be deemed to influence investment in such jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18983/11]
It is customary for jurisdictions to continually update and amend their tax regimes to reflect changes and developments in both the structure of companies and current practices in domestic and international trade and commerce. The tax offering of any jurisdiction is critical to its attractiveness to international business and all jurisdictions compete on the tax front for foreign direct investment. Such tax competition is quite legitimate and there are mechanisms and controls in place at both EU and OECD level to ensure that such competition does not migrate into the sphere of unfair tax competition. In that respect my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners keep a watching brief on all significant developments in competing jurisdictions which could feed into our own policy considerations.
Foreign Direct Investment
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:202 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which his European Union colleagues are conscious of issues most likely to affect foreign direct investment and economic progress with particular reference to direct access to major markets, geographic location, the future of the smaller economies within the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18984/11]
My fellow European Finance Ministers and I regularly discuss at our meetings the economic situation in the EU, eurozone and in individual Member States. This includes matters of common interest with regard to foreign markets and any items which have the potential to negatively impact or delay economic recovery. In this regard, making Europe attractive for global foreign direct investment is important and forms part of the emphasis behind the EU2020 process. I will remain in regular contact with EU colleagues to continue our ongoing work in pursuing the EU's, eurozone's and individual Member States' economic recoveries, including Europe's attractiveness for foreign direct investment.
Croke Park Agreement
Sean Fleming
Ceist:203 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance in view of the savings of €289 million in the sustainable pay bill under the Public Service Agreement 2010 to 2014, if he will provide an estimate of the costs of the severance payments and additional annual pension costs that will accrue to the taxpayer in respect of those persons who have left the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18990/11]
The Implementation Body for the Public Service Agreement 2010 — 2014 published its first progress report on 15th June last. The body found that, over the 12 months to end March 2011, sustainable Exchequer pay bill savings in the order of €289 million had been achieved, driven primarily by a reduction in public service staff numbers of 5,349 over the period. Public service pension costs have increased over the period. However, this is not a direct function of or causally linked to the Croke Park agreement but, rather, represents costs which would arise in any event. The cost increase is not due to the Croke Park agreement but is essentially caused by increased longevity (i.e. fewer pensioners dying) and more people retiring normally.
The body's report, correctly, foot-noted the pension increase over the period but, equally correctly, did not seek to relate it to the Croke Park reform process. The body's report also footnotes the costs associated with the voluntary early retirement and redundancy schemes which were offered in the HSE last year. It should be noted that any voluntary early retirement scheme incurs up-front once-off costs while the savings remain sustainable into the future.
As regards the payments to those who left under the most recent exit mechanisms, i.e. the HSE scheme and the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER), the total amounts paid out in terms of lump sum and severance, including statutory redundancy, was of the order of €106 million. The associated ongoing annual pension cost is of the order of €46 million. Increased pension costs associated with the schemes decline over time as early retirees reach the age at which they would have retired in any event. In addition, some of those who retired under these schemes did so outside the relevant period within which the Croke Park agreement was in operation, i.e. before March 2010.
Industrial Relations
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:204 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he has received documentation regarding a sports complex (details supplied) in County Limerick with regard to being awarded payment by the Labour Court on 19 May, 2011; if he will sanction this payment and, if so, the date of same. [18993/11]
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has recently received documentation from the Department of Education and Skills regarding the Labour Court recommendation in relation to the sports complex referred to by the Deputy. This issue is currently under examination by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and a response will issue to the Department of Education and Skills when the matter has been fully examined.
Question No. 205 answered with Question No. 189.
Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 188.
Employment Support Services
Alan Farrell
Ceist:207 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the improvement of the qualifying criteria for the Springboard schemes to include recently unemployed persons who would not normally qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18771/11]
Springboard is a specific initiative targeted at unemployed people who have lost jobs in sectors where employment levels will not return and who will need new qualifications and skills to re-enter employment as the economy recovers. To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course an applicant must have been unemployed for a minimum of six months when the course starts. At the time of starting a Springboard course an applicant also must be in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit or One Parent Family Payment or be signing for contribution credits and be available and actively seeking employment. The rationale for applying a six months waiting criteria to the initiative is to ensure that the limited resources available for Springboard are directed at unemployed people, who may be most in need of upskilling or reskilling in order to get back into employment. In calculating the qualifying period of six months unemployed, time in receipt of any of the following allowances will also be taken into account: — Disability Allowance — Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) — Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) — VTOS training allowance — FÁS Training Allowance.
Religious Congregations Indemnity Agreement
John McGuinness
Ceist:208 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money given over by the religious orders to fund services or supports for individual victims of abuse as part of the agreement with the State; the names of the organisations administering these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18885/11]
The following table sets out the position in relation to the realisation of the €128 million contribution due from the eighteen congregations under the 2002 indemnity agreement. The completion of the legal arrangements in the case of 24 properties, valued at €23.34 million, remain outstanding, although the physical transfers of these properties have taken place. The Chief State Solicitor's Office continues to pursue the legal requirements issue under the indemnity agreement. In addition, a potential shortfall of €160,000 has been projected between the value of properties to be transferred and the total amounts due under the agreement. However, this is subject to change if good and marketable title cannot be realised on certain properties and the final shortfall or surplus will not be known until all properties are completed under the terms of the indemnity agreement. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, €12.7m of the fund was used to provide an educational grants scheme for former residents and their families. This fund continues to be administered by the Education Finance Board who, at the end of 2010, still had a balance of approximately €3.64 million remaining in the fund. The remaining cash balance was lodged in the special account and used to offset the cost of the payment of redress awards.
Section 7(iv) of the indemnity agreement provides that part of the contribution of the congregations shall comprise "counselling and other support services for former residents of institutions and their families already provided or to be provided to the extent that the value of the same amounts to €10 million". My Department received confirmation from Faoiseamh, an organisation providing counselling and psychotherapy referral service for people abused by priests or religious, that it received contributions amounting to €13.9m from the contributing congregations between 11th May 1999 and December 2009. This represents compliance with their obligations in terms of this aspect of the indemnity agreement.
As the Deputy will be aware, the question of further contributions from the congregations towards meeting the costs of the response to residential institutional abuse is also being pursued.
|
Sums Pledged |
Sums Realised |
Sums Outstanding |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Cash — original |
28.44 |
28.44 |
|
|
Cash — adjustment |
13.28 |
13.28 |
|
|
Property — original |
76.86 |
40.08 |
23.50 |
|
Property — adjustment |
(13.28) |
||
|
Cash for Education Fund |
12.7 |
12.7 |
|
|
Counselling and Support Services |
10 |
10 |
|
|
Total |
128 |
104.5 |
23.50 |
School Transport
Micheál Martin
Ceist:209 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated savings that will be achieved from the abolition of the closed rule agreement in respect of the school transport scheme; and his plans to reverse this decision which is due to be implemented at the beginning of the next school term. [18254/11]
Changes to school transport services, including the cessation of the Closed School Rule, 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.
Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and these measures, including the ceasing of the closed school rule, are an integral part of this. Given the major financial constraints facing the country, I regret that I cannot reverse the changes to school transport as announced by the previous Government. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last Government gave to the country.
Micheál Martin
Ceist:210 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet with a representation of parents from a school (details supplied) in County Cork to discuss the proposed changes in the school transport scheme for their children, 70% of whom avail of the scheme. [18255/11]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this meeting has taken place.
Micheál Martin
Ceist:211 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he could lay before Dáil Éireann all documents pertaining to the closed school rule agreement together with the actual agreement. [18256/11]
Changes to school transport services relating to the Closed School Rule 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. 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 1960's. 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. 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.
School Staffing
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:212 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a replacement teacher will be provided to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that in the absence of a replacement some of the subjects could not be taught; if there is a general policy on such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18259/11]
Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff, the range of subject offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the Board of Management of the schools. In accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support, that is, curricular concessions. No such application was received from this school during the application process that was done earlier this year. Now that the redeployment process is completed post-primary schools have been notified that they can fill their remaining teaching vacancies in the normal manner.
Special Educational Needs
Pat Breen
Ceist:213 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 30 March 2011, if the person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18260/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts. 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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
In relation to applications for Resource teaching support, 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. The main elements of the arrangements outlined in the Circular are that for the coming 2011-12 school year, an allocation of 90% of valid identified resource teaching allocations will be made to schools, in the first instance, to provide schools with the majority of their allocation, while also preserving enough capacity to deal with late applications and ensure that the Department of Education and Skills can remain within Employment Control Framework obligations. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have now notified schools of their allocations for the coming school year. Schools have also been asked to forward as soon as possible any outstanding applications, or additional outstanding materials to support incomplete applications, to the NCSE for consideration, but in any event by no later than 16th September 2011. Following consideration of all of the applications received, if the level of demand permits, the initial 90% allocation may be revisited and increased.
John O'Mahony
Ceist:214 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review SP ED 02/05 in order that Down’s syndrome qualifies for special needs assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18269/11]
I wish to clarify for the Deputy that pupils with Down's syndrome may receive additional teaching support in primary schools, either under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, if the pupil's educational psychological assessment places the pupil in the mild general learning disability/high incidence disability category, or through an allocation of individual additional resource teaching hours if the child is assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need, as defined by my Department's Circular Sp Ed 02/05.
Pupils with Down's syndrome who have care needs may also receive access to Special Needs Assistant support. A review of the General Allocation Model has been undertaken and completed by my Department. The issue of whether Down's syndrome should be classified as a low incidence disability in all instances was considered as part of this review. The recommendations of the review will be considered in the context of the Departments Employment Control Framework obligations and competing demands on teacher numbers and educational resources.
Robert Dowds
Ceist:215 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will use the schools inspectorate at both primary and secondary levels to ensure that special needs assistants are best placed in terms of pupil or student needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18273/11]
The Deputy will be aware that Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to enable them to support the care needs of pupils with disabilities who also have a significant medical need or a significant impairment of physical or sensory impairment. Students with an assessed special educational need who present with significantly challenging behaviour may also qualify for some SNA support.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which was established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 (EPSEN Act) has responsibility for processing resource applications, including applications for SNA support, for children with disabilities who have special educational needs through its regional Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). The NCSE also has responsibility for planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services for students with special educational needs, in accordance with my Department's policy.
The NCSE may seek the advice of my Departments inspectorate division, if required, on educational matters concerning children with special educational needs. However it is the responsibility of the NCSE to allocate SNA posts to schools and to ensure that SNAs are best placed to meet the care needs of eligible pupils.
The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating supports which now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts. 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 SNA support to eligible schools. The NCSE asked schools to submit all applications for SNA support to them by 18th March 2011 and are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
School Staffing
Robert Dowds
Ceist:216 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified primary teachers who will emerge in 2011 from the State teacher training colleges. [18275/11]
Robert Dowds
Ceist:217 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified primary teachers who will emerge in 2011 from the privately run colleges which provide primary teaching qualifications. [18276/11]
Robert Dowds
Ceist:218 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of jobs that are available this year for those emerging with primary teaching qualifications. [18277/11]
Robert Dowds
Ceist:219 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has powers to limit or increase the numbers undertaking courses which lead to primary teacher qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18278/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216, to 219, inclusive, together.
The level of student intake to the state funded Colleges of Education is determined annually by my Department and it takes account of the supply of, and demand for, primary teachers. The level of intake to these Colleges has decreased in recent years in light of available resources and factors impacting on demand. Approximately 1,350 students will graduate from the State-funded Colleges in 2011.
The Graduate Diploma in Primary Education offered by Hibernia College has been recognised for the purpose of qualification as a primary teacher for almost ten years. As Hibernia College is a privately-owned institution providing a privately run course, neither my Department, nor any other State body, has a role in regulating the number of students enrolled. It is estimated that over 650 students will graduate in 2011.
The process of allocating teaching resources to schools for 2011/2012 and the arrangements for filling vacant or new teaching posts, including temporary posts, takes place in the context of the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland and the Public Service Agreement 2010/2014. It is necessary for my Department to exercise additional control and reporting measures this year to ensure that the numbers of teachers employed in schools is consistent with the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland. This requires that all permanent and fixed term positions are in the first instance made available to those surplus teachers with either permanent contracts or contracts of indefinite duration.
It is the intention of the Department to restore recruitment from fixed-term teachers on the main panels, supplementary panels or public advertisement at the earliest possible opportunity, after all the surplus permanent teachers have been redeployed.
My Department has recently advised schools that they can proceed to fill fixed-term vacancies subject to a contingency being held for possible future redeployment of any remaining surplus permanent teachers. These fixed-term vacancies and remaining permanent vacancies that are not required for the redeployment of surplus permanent teachers will create opportunities for fixed-term teachers and newly qualified teaching graduates.
Schools Building Projects
Anthony Lawlor
Ceist:220 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the building project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when funding for the commencement of building works at the school will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18325/11]
The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school. 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. All large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase are being progressed in the context of my Department’s multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme and the available financial resources. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
School Staffing
Gerald Nash
Ceist:221 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers who have been re-engaged on teaching duties in schools for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18326/11]
The following table sets out the numbers of retired teachers that were engaged in teaching duties in substitute and part time capacities for the school years 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10.
|
School year |
Primary |
Post Primary |
|
2007/08 |
1,506 |
392 |
|
2008/09 |
1,453 |
368 |
|
2009/10 |
1,421 |
389 |
School Accommodation
Michael McCarthy
Ceist:222 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of renting prefabs in primary and secondary schools in 2009, 2010 and 2011 separately; the exact number of school prefab contracts to which the State is tied in 2011 and when each individual contract will expire in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18330/11]
The amount spent on renting temporary accommodation at primary and post-primary level, including — but not limited to — prefabricated accommodation in since 2009 is as follows:
2009: €39m (Primary €36m/Post-Primary €3m);
2010: €29m (Primary €27m/Post-Primary €2.3m);
2011 (to date): €13m (Primary €12m/Post-Primary €1m).
Generally, where schools require temporary accommodation, the Board of Management is responsible for acquiring this accommodation and the rental contract is between the Board of Management and the supplying contractor. As the rental grant-aid is devolved to schools, my Department does not hold records of all contracts held by boards of management for rental of temporary accommodation. Prefab rental contracts range from six months to three years with an option to renew at the end of each contract period.
Schools Building Projects
James Bannon
Ceist:223 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills when payment will be made to a company (details supplied) in County Longford for State works, in view of the fact that the non-payment of same is threatening the viability of the company, subcontracted to carry out the works, but now facing the loss of at least 20 jobs due to delayed payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18334/11]
There is no contractual relationship between the sub-contractor to which the Deputy refers and my Department.
In general all sub-contractors employed on school building projects are employed directly by the Main Contractor or indirectly by the Main Contractor through other sub-contractors. It is a matter for all sub-contractors to agree terms and conditions and a schedule of payments with the Main Contractor as their direct employer.
I can confirm that all monies due to be paid under the terms of the main contract have been paid to the main contractor. My Department is liaising with the schools involved and their Design Teams in relation to next steps.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:224 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a request for an extension will be assessed in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18347/11]
I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for large scale capital funding for an extension and refurbishment. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.2 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. However, in light of competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this project at this time.
School Staffing
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:225 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the large number of unemployed young teachers seeking work, he will inform schools that his Department will not be willing to pay salaries to substitute and temporary teachers in our schools from 1 September 2011 when those teachers are already in receipt of a pension from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18357/11]
I issued a Circular in May of this year which requires schools, in making appointments on or after 1 September 2011, to prioritise teachers over unregistered persons, appropriately qualified teachers over teachers qualified for different sectors and unemployed teachers over teachers in receipt of a public sector pension.
Schools are also required to hold a list of appropriately qualified registered teachers who have notified the school that they are available for substitute work. This list must not include the names of registered teachers in receipt of a pension. Where it is not possible to source a registered teacher from a national service such as TextaSub or SubSearch or from the school's list of registered teachers then there is an obligation on the principal of the school to record in writing that a registered teacher who is not in receipt of a pension could not be employed and the reasons for this. The principal is also required to report to the Board of Management on a regular basis where it has been necessary to employ a retired teacher or an unregistered person in place of a teacher.
Higher Education Grants
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:226 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide special support for independent mature students, who have dependent children, and who from the beginning of the academic year 2011-12 will only receive the adjacent rate grant rather than the non-adjacent rate grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18358/11]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:227 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of independent mature students who will lose the higher rate non-adjacent rate grant from the beginning of the academic year 2011-12; the number of these with dependent children; the saving in total from this change of rules this year; the cost that will be involved if those with dependent children, who lost out due to this rule change, were to be given a special cost of child care allowance of €1,000 per annum for the academic year 2011-12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18359/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.
The change to the student grants scheme to which the Deputy refers — the removal of the automatic entitlement of mature students to the non-adjacent rate of grant — was introduced by his Fianna Fáil — Green Party Government under Budget 2011. It is estimated that some 6,900 mature students qualifying for grant support live 45 kilometres or less from their institution. From September 2011, students qualifying for the maintenance element of the student grant in this cohort will receive the adjacent rate of grant together with payment of their fees or student contribution as appropriate. A full year saving of €13m has been estimated from this measure.
A statistical breakdown for independent mature students with dependent children is not available. The economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse or vary any of these changes. A costing is not, therefore, available for a child-care allowance for independent mature students.
However, all students, including independent mature students, on particularly low incomes will continue to receive a "top-up" in the special rate of maintenance grant and the Student Assistance Fund at some €5m continues to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need. In such circumstances, child care costs can be supported under this fund.
State Examinations
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:228 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of invigilators or supervisors employed on short-term contracts for the State examinations in 2011; the number who were in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit or allowance when offered a position; the number in receipt of a public service pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/11]
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including organising the holding of examinations, determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted including the supervision of examinations and making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
Third Level Examinations
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:229 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of invigilators or supervisors employed on short-term contracts for the third level examinations in 2011; the number who were in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit or allowance when offered a position; the number in receipt of a public service pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/11]
Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous academically independent institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act, 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Act, 2006. Under the terms of these Acts the operational management of the institutions, including the recruitment and appointment of staff, is the responsibility of their management authorities. Accordingly, as details of the appointments referred to are not required to be reported the information requested by the Deputy is not available to me.
Special Educational Needs
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:230 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a mild general disabilities class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18396/11]
Niall Collins
Ceist:260 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a request from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18654/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 260 together.
I wish to advise the Deputies that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. This includes the allocation of resource teaching hours to schools as well as the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required and the discontinuation of such classes where the need no longer exists.
The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such supports. In respect of special classes, schools are required to observe Department policy in enrolling children to these classes. This includes having a professional assessment confirming that the child's attainment levels meet the Department's criteria and a recommendation for special class placement. Schools are eligible for resources for special classes when the pupils enrolled meet the Department's criteria and where there are enough eligible pupils to retain a class.
In respect of pupils with mild general learning disability enrolled in the class being suppressed due to reduced pupil numbers, these pupils will have access to additional teaching support through the teaching resources allocated to the school under the General Allocation Model (GAM). Schools in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme with Band 1 status, including the school in question, receive beneficial GAM allocations in addition to enhanced pupil-teacher ratios.
There may be instances where children who are enrolled in a MGLD class fall within the low incidence disability category. These children may qualify for individual resource teaching support through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and it is open to schools to liaise with the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) in this regard.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:231 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the strategy he is adopting to ensure that children on the autistic spectrum and other children with special needs currently being educated in mainstream primary schools can continue their education at post-primary level while retaining all essential supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18413/11]
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:257 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he proposes to approach the situation in which some post-primary schools refused to admit children with special needs or refused to develop ASD units to meet the specific demands of students in their catchment areas who progressed from such units at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18631/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 257 together.
The Deputy will be aware of my Department's commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with special needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs. The expansion in the network of autism-specific special classes in schools is reflective of the recent commitment to educational provision for children with special educational needs and this commitment remains a key Government priority. The Deputy will be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in providing supports for pupils with special needs in recent years, with over €1 billion being spent this year in supporting special educational provision.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for co-ordinating special needs education provision at local level and arranging for the delivery of special educational services. The SENOs act as single points of contact for parents of students with special educational needs. Another specific function of the SENO is to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs. Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs. SENOs are a valuable resource to parents and in particular at times of transition for children including for example to post primary level where an element of forward planning may be required. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact SENOs directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
The Deputy will be aware that enrolment issues are a matter in the first instance for the parents of children and the Boards of Management of schools where they wish to have their children enrolled. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which assists parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB will try to help parents to find an alternative school placement if their child has been unable to secure a placement to date.
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:232 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the reduction in special needs assistant provision in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18418/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
It should be noted that SNA allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
The qualifying criteria for the allocation of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support is outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02. The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
School Transport
Billy Timmins
Ceist:233 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school transport (details supplied) in view of changes to the scheme that will come into effect from September 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18424/11]
Billy Timmins
Ceist:234 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a matter (details supplied) in relation to the closed school rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18425/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.
Changes to school transport services relating to the Closed School Rule 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. It is important to stress that there are a number of dimensions to the cessation of the Closed School Rule (CSR). The first of these, which will be implemented from September 2011, involves the uniform application of the distance criterion to all pupils travelling under the primary transport scheme, including those travelling under the CSR. This means that children residing less than 3.2 kilometres from their school of amalgamation will be deemed ineligible for school transport. In such cases, these children may apply for concessionary transport.
The second element of the change is scheduled to take effect in September 2012 and will apply only in the case of pupils commencing their primary education from that date. This second element will restrict school transport eligibility for those pupils entering in September 2012, to pupils who meet the distance eligibility criterion and are travelling to their nearest school. Available statistics, based on sampling undertaken as part of the Value for Money Review, indicate that the impact of this change will be limited as the majority of pupils categorised under the CSR are in fact attending their nearest school and will not be affected by this change. Before implementing this second main change which is proposed for 2012, my Department has requested Bus Éireann to conduct a detailed analysis of the "on the ground" impact for individual schools and the rural communities they serve. This analysis will be based on the most up to date information available on current school transport usage patterns and I expect to have this information available to me this summer. I will then have ample opportunity to carefully examine the likely affects of this change and act on it, if necessary, well in advance of the 2012 implementation date.
Schools Building Projects
Peter Mathews
Ceist:235 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to his announcement that a new primary school will be built in the catchment area of Stepaside, south Dublin, if he will ensure that a school (details supplied) will be upgraded from prefab accommodation to a permanent school building; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the capacity of the current prefabs is only 161 children whereas the 2006 census shows there are 2,705 children in the catchment area of the school; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact this means the school is only able to cater for one out of every 17 children in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18443/11]
A building project to deliver a new 24 classroom building for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at architectural planning stage. The Board of Management was informed last week that the project may proceed to stage 2b, to secure planning permission, fire certificate and disability access certificate.
When the relevant statutory approvals have been obtained and stage 2b completed, and assuming no issues arise, my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management with regard to progressing the project to the tender and construction stages.
Special Educational Needs
Martin Ferris
Ceist:236 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Meath will be given full special needs assistant care when they commence their first class in September. [18445/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs.
The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
Bullying in Schools
Martin Ferris
Ceist:237 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school teachers who have received training in anti-bullying procedures under the professional development support for teachers programme since September 2010; the number of teachers who received training in the stay safe programme in the three years from 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18448/11]
Martin Ferris
Ceist:238 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied there are adequate anti-bullying supports in place at primary school level under the professional development support for teachers programme; if he is satisfied that PDST has the resources to deal with bullying at primary level; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers of personnel from the PDST that are specifically dedicated to anti-bullying at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18449/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
Since September 2010 a total of 535 primary school teachers in 70 primary schools have received school-based support in the following areas:
Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE)
Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)
Child Protection Guidelines
School policy planning including Code of Behaviour & Anti-Bullying Policy formation.
School-based support is given by PDST in response to schools' requests for support and may include support in relation to bullying depending on the needs identified. Usually the issue of anti-bullying is treated in a more in-depth manner in support for school policy planning including Code of Behaviour & Anti-Bullying Policy formation, although this depends of the circumstances of individual schools. It is worth noting that supports in these areas have been available to schools for a number of years prior to 2010.
In addition to this support, the Child Abuse Prevention Programme (CAPP) provided training in the Staysafe programme, which has an element related to anti-bullying, to almost 2,400 teachers in the last school year. Since 2007, CAPP have provided training to almost 20,000 teachers. PDST provides a wide range of continuing professional development supports to primary and post primary school teachers. The approach of the PDST is to work on a cross-sectoral basis and steps have been taken to achieve this aim, while also addressing the individual needs of each sector. Planning for the next school year is currently underway.
In relation to experience in anti-bullying, there are ten full time people on the PDST team who have particular expertise and training in the areas where anti-bullying content is likely to arise such as Social Personal and Health Education, Relationships and Sexuality Education, Child Protection and Policy Development including Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying.
It is acknowledged that the level of resources available to support services have been reduced in recent years in line with the changed economic situation. Accordingly, schools may experience some delay in accessing supports. Needs identified by schools are responded to as quickly as possible.
I consider these supports to be adequate, particularly given the overall range of priorities that the teacher support services aim to address on an ongoing basis.
Teacher Training
Martin Ferris
Ceist:239 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give a full breakdown of the number of personnel employed on the professional development support for teachers programme; the number who have primary level background and skills; the number who have post-primary background and skills; the number with primary backgrounds who have experience in anti-bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18450/11]
In the 2010/2011 the breakdown of staff in the PDST between those with primary and post-primary backgrounds was 48 primary teachers and 27 post primary teachers. The skill sets of the team members range from subject and programme specific to generic support across a range of areas.
The approach of the PDST is to work on a cross-sectoral basis and steps have been taken to achieve this aim, while also addressing the individual needs of each sector. Planning for the next school year is currently underway.
In relation to experience in anti-bullying, there are ten full time people on the PDST team who have particular expertise and training in the areas where anti-bullying content is likely to arise such as Social Personal and Health Education, Relationships and Sexuality Education, Child Protection and Policy Development including Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying.
It is acknowledged that the level of resources available to support services have been reduced in recent years in line with the changed economic situation. Accordingly, schools may experience some delay in accessing supports and needs identified are responded to as quickly as possible.
I consider these supports to be adequate, particularly given the overall range of priorities that the teacher support services aim to address on an ongoing basis.
Special Educational Needs
John Lyons
Ceist:240 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No 138 of 19 April 2011, if he has now considered in full a proposal from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18455/11]
Alan Farrell
Ceist:279 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will be meeting or has met with representatives of the proposed ABA academy for children with Autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18764/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 279 together.
I have asked that my officials arrange a meeting with representatives of the centre in question, which I hope will take place later this week.
My Department has taken a decision not to provide funding to support the centre referred to by the Deputies as the proposal submitted was not in line with my Department's policy on educational provision for children with autism.
As the Deputies are aware my Department's policy is focused on ensuring that all children, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who may draw from a range of autism-specific interventions, including ABA, special needs assistants, and the appropriate school curriculum with the option where possible of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils.
As each child with autism is unique it is important that children have access to a range of interventions so their broader needs can be met. My Department's policy is to provide for children with special educational needs, including autism, to be included in mainstream schools unless such a placement would not be in their best interests or the interests of the children with whom they are to be educated. Some children may be supported in a special class attached to a mainstream school. These students have the option, where appropriate, of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils. Other children may have such complex needs that they are best placed in a special school. Students with special educational needs have access to a range of support services including additional teaching and/or care supports. In special schools and special classes, students are supported through lower pupil teacher ratios. Special needs assistants may also be recruited specifically where pupils with disabilities and significant care needs are enrolled.
School Curriculum
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:241 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the National Council for Curriculum Assessment recommendations for second level junior cycle reform to be published; if he can give any assurances that geography will be protected as a core single subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18462/11]
The NCCA has been asked to review the junior certificate and advise on the scope for reform designed to strengthen literacy and numeracy, embed key skills, promote active learning and enhanced creativity and innovation, and ensure appropriate ways of generating evidence of learning. Concerns have also been raised about curriculum overload, and rote learning.
The Council has completed a public consultation process and has published a report of the consultation findings on its website www.ncca.ie. The Council is currently finalising its advice to me on the direction of reform, in consultation with the partners in education. I expect the Council’s advice in the Autumn.
I am aware that teachers of history and geography have raised concerns that their subjects will no longer be compulsory. The requirement to study history and geography in a secondary school but to have different options in vocational schools is a historical anomaly which is no longer appropriate. I believe that students should have as wide a choice as is feasible in their schools given the overall level of student demand and interest, the teaching resources available, and the qualifications profile of staff. They should also acquire a range of knowledge, essential skills and values which will contribute to lifelong learning, and effective social and economic participation. The importance of history and geography in promoting critical analysis skills, interculturalism, an understanding of human development, democracy, past and current world issues, and the skills for an environmentally sustainable life are fully appreciated. I will be guided by the NCCA's advice in this matter.
Higher Education Grants
Michael Creed
Ceist:242 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No 129 of 21 June 2011 if he will confirm that he received an appeal on a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18464/11]
I confirmed in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 21 June 2011 that my Department received an appeal from the student in question on 24/02/2011. I also informed the Deputy in my response that the outcome was that my Department asked the grant awarding body to re-assess the grant application. My Department informed the student of this on 7/3/11.
The Deputy will also be aware form my reply that the grant awarding body subsequently re-assessed the grant application and a decision issued to the student, in writing, on 30 March 2011. There is no change in this position.
School Transport
Michael McNamara
Ceist:243 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 in relation to the new arrangement for school bus transportation of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18465/11]
Changes to school transport services relating to the Closed School Rule 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.
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 1960's. 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 forty two 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.
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.
School Patronage
Peter Mathews
Ceist:244 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to establish an Irish language secondary school in the Dundrum/Ballinteer area of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18478/11]
I recently announced that 20 new primary and 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Of the 40 new schools, one new post-primary school will be located in the general Ballinteer/Stepaside area of South Dublin. I also announced the introduction of new arrangements for the recognition of both primary and post-primary schools that will provide an opportunity for all patrons to seek to apply for patronage of these schools. My Department will shortly inform patron bodies of the details of the first schools that are to be established. Applications for patronage of the new schools will then be sought.
Teaching Qualifications
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:245 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the qualification system for primary teachers is changing in 2012; his plans to assist teaching graduates who have not been able to get full-time positions and complete their diplomas under the current system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18481/11]
I understand the question to relate to the probationary process for primary teachers.
The Teaching Council has been informed that the relevant sections of the Teaching Council Act 2001 will be commenced no later than 1 September 2012. The Council has begun to consider the procedures and criteria for the induction and probation of primary and post-primary teachers that the Council would wish to implement.
Transitional arrangements for probation of primary teachers were put in place by my Department last year. These are set out in Circular 58/2010. I hope that these arrangements will make it easier for newly qualified teachers to complete probation.
If a registered teacher is unable to complete the requirements of a registration condition within the specified period, the teacher may apply to the Council for an extension to that period in the year in which it is due to expire. Information on this process is available on the Teaching Council website.
Schools Building Projects
Sean Fleming
Ceist:246 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will supply details regarding projects (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18501/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that all information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works together with details of schools approved funding under the Summer Works, Jobs Initiative, Emergency Works and Additional Accommodation Schemes is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
For the Deputy's convenience, I have listed details of those schools in County Laois who have been allocated funds under the various schemes.
|
Schools approved under 2011 Summer Works Scheme |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Roll No |
School |
Category |
|
07636K |
St Fintan’s National School |
Mechanical |
|
13741Q |
Rath Mixed National School |
Mechanical |
|
18150S |
Fraoch Mor National School |
Mechanical |
|
19791P |
Scoil Tígearnach Naofa Cullohill |
Mechanical |
|
19750B |
Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix |
Mechanical |
|
Roll No |
School |
Category |
|
13343E |
Scoil Bhride, Still Brook, Mountrath |
Roofs |
|
Roll No |
School |
Type |
|
13741Q |
Rath Mixed National School |
Permanent Accommodation |
|
17883K |
Castlecuffe NS, Clonaslee |
Permanent Accommodation |
|
20353V |
St Colmans NS Stradbally |
Permanent Accommodation |
|
Roll No |
School |
Project |
Details |
|
18547W |
Faolan Naofa NS, Ballyroan |
Extension/Refurb |
Brief to be formulated in 2011 |
|
20100P |
Kolbe Special School |
New School |
Brief to be formulated in 2011 |
|
20081O |
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise |
New School |
Brief to be formulated in 2011 |
|
20347D |
Portlaoise Educate Together NS |
New School |
Brief to be formulated in 2011 |
|
15556I |
Presentation Primary School, Portarlington |
Extension/Refurb |
Brief to be formulated in 2011 |
|
07442U |
Convent of Mercy NS |
New School |
Commenced Construction |
|
17617M |
Scoil Chomhgain Naofa, Killeshin |
New School |
Commenced Construction |
|
14260F |
Abbeyleix Sth National School |
New School |
Commenced Construction |
|
20071L |
Scoil Bhríde, Rathdowney |
Extension/Refurb |
Commenced Construction |
|
Roll No |
School |
|
01556F |
Scoil Bhride, Ballyroan |
|
07183W |
St Joseph’s Girls NS, Mountmellick |
|
07636K |
St Fintan’s Primary School |
|
12231L |
Pike of Rushall NS |
|
12692B |
Killadooley Mixed NS |
|
13741Q |
Rath Mixed NS |
|
14260F |
Abbeyleix South NS |
|
14838N |
Maryborough NS |
|
15446B |
GS Thromaire |
|
15556I |
Presentation Convent |
|
17064U |
St Patricks NS, Ballylinan |
|
17557U |
St Abbans NS |
|
17617M |
Killeshin NS |
|
18150S |
The Heath NS |
|
18547W |
Ballyroan Boys NS |
|
18828H |
St Paul’s Primary, Portlaoise |
|
19747M |
Scoil Bhride, Knockmay |
|
20224K |
GS an tSli Dala |
|
20347D |
Portlaoise Educate Together NS |
Maureen O'Sullivan
Ceist:247 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will grant permanent recognition to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9, a special unit for children with autistic spectrum disorder who are still in unsuitable premises; and the position regarding a site at a former Enterprise Ireland location for their school. [18504/11]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for permanent recognition. The application is currently being assessed and my Department expects to be in a position to convey a decision to the school authority shortly.
The Deputy will be aware that in the context of making provision for the long term accommodation needs of the school, my Department has conducted technical inspections of two properties at the request of the school authority. A proposal has been forwarded to the land owner for consideration. My Department is currently awaiting a response to this proposal.
In the meantime, my Department has approved funding under the Emergency Works Scheme for works to the school's water main, roof and sewerage system.
Departmental Staff
Patrick Deering
Ceist:248 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of architects, architectural technicians and quantity surveyors employed by him; and his views on the level of expertise available when his officials decide on building works applications. [18507/11]
The following are the numbers of Technical and Professional staff employed in the Department of Education and Skills Planning and Building Unit : Technical and Professional Managers, 3; Senior Architects, 5; Architects, 5; Architectural Technicians, 10; Quantity Surveyors, 4; Senior Engineers, 3.
All applications for capital funding are assessed in the Planning and Building unit of the Department. The assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting based on the demographics of an area, condition of buildings, site capacity etc., leading to an appropriate accommodation solution.
Input from Technical and Professional staff is requested for this process where required. The level of expertise available from the technical and professional staff is of a very high standard, based on their experience over many years of assessing and monitoring school building projects.
Schools Building Projects
Noel Harrington
Ceist:249 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report progress made on the replacement of prefab accommodation at a national school (details supplied) in County Cork; the timetable for this work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18524/11]
My Department has no record of receiving an application for capital funding from the school referred to by the Deputy for the works in question.
It is open to the school authority to submit an application for such funding, details of which can be found on the Department's website www.education.ie.
Special Educational Needs
John McGuinness
Ceist:250 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Kilkenny Vocational Educational Committee has refused to establish a special class to cater for eight autistic children, a project supported by him with a grant of €80,000; the information that was available to the VEC when members considered the matter at their June meeting which led them to the decision not to approve the class; if he will insist on the decision being reversed in view of the demand for such places in Kilkenny city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18537/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including the approval of special classes for autism. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the information requested by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply.
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:251 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position for school year 2011/2012 regarding the allocation of special needs assistants in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [18581/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
School Transport
Brendan Smith
Ceist:252 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to co-ordinate transport services between school transport, rural transport and Health Service Executive transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18583/11]
My Department is co-operating fully in the development of practical initiatives, led by the Department of Transport, to promote coordination of State supported transport services such as school transport, rural transport and the Health Service Executive transport services. Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of this Department is involved in this process. My priority is not only to ensure optimum efficency and effectiveness between all programmes which receive State support including school transport which, with a budget of €180 million is a significant area of expenditure, but also to establish how this work can assist in meeting the €17 million savings target in respect of the school transport budget by 2014.
Brendan Smith
Ceist:253 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the savings that will accrue this year from the implementation of ten as the eligible number of children to retain or establish a school transport service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18584/11]
Brendan Smith
Ceist:254 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the savings that will accrue this year from the application of the distance criteria for all pupils attending primary schools and availing of the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18585/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together.
The changes relating to the Primary School Transport Scheme derive from decisions of the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government to implement recommendations in the School Transport Value for Money review and the need to obtain savings under the four year national recovery plan.
The decisions announced cover the uniform application of the distance requirement, cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule (CSR), the minimum number of eligible children required to establish and retain services and the introduction of charges for eligible primary pupils.
It is essential to stress that the wider context within which all these changes are taking place, is a situation of the most serious financial difficulties. Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and these measures are an integral part of this.
Special Educational Needs
Jack Wall
Ceist:255 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for a scheme and the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18618/11]
The scheme to which the Deputy refers is the July Provision Scheme. Participation in the scheme is an option for all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism or severe to profound general learning disability that choose to extend their education services through the month of July. Home based tuition of 10 hours per week for the four weeks in question is provided to children who attend schools which choose not to participate in the scheme. For home based provision my Department's preference is that the tuition be undertaken by a fully qualified teacher. However where parents have difficulties in sourcing fully qualified teachers my Department accepts some tutors with alternative qualifications and modifies the rate of payment accordingly.
Officials in my Department have contacted the parent to whom the Deputy refers and have advised her with regard to her application for home based provision.
Michael McCarthy
Ceist:256 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the number of special needs assistants in County Cork who will lose their jobs as a result of the decision to cap numbers of whole-time equivalent SNAs to 10,575; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18624/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that 10,575 whole time equivalent (WTE) posts are being provided for SNA support for the coming school year. This is a significant number of posts and unlike other areas of the public sector vacancies are being filled up to this number.
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.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year. As this process is ongoing, it is not possible to provide details of the level of allocation of SNAs in any given area
Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 231.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:258 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of special needs assistants employed at each school in County Monaghan for the school year beginning September 2010 in tabular form; the corresponding figure for each of the years 2009, 2008 and 2007; the expected figures for 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18632/11]
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of special needs assistants employed in County Monaghan is not readily available.
The number of Special Needs Assistants employed nationally from 2007 to 2010 is set out as follows. The details for each year are the December figures for the year in question. The primary schools information is inclusive of the special schools details.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special needs resources to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE will continue to support schools, parents, children and teachers and special needs assistants will continue to be deployed to schools to meet children's needs in line with my Department's policy.
|
Year |
Number of Special Needs Assistants in Primary schools |
Number of Special Needs Assistants in Post Primary Schools, including VECs. |
|
2007 |
8038 |
1786 |
|
2008 |
8440 |
2002 |
|
2009 |
8392 |
1950 |
|
2010 |
8401 |
2142 |
School Accommodation
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:259 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will make a decision on the devolution grant application submitted in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork [18652/11]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question has been allocated a devolved grant under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The school authority has been informed of this decision.
Question No. 260 answered with Question No. 230.
School Staffing
Gerald Nash
Ceist:261 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered an application from a school (details supplied) in County Meath for a full-time learning support post; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18663/11]
I wish to confirm that an application form has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy for a residual balance of resource teaching hours for 2011/12 that it could not obtain from any surplus capacity in neighbouring schools. The application form will be processed in due course and the school will be advised accordingly.
Schools Amalgamation
Michael McCarthy
Ceist:262 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the planned amalgamation of three post primary schools (details supplied) in County Cork; if funding is still available for this project; the expected timescale for the commencement of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18672/11]
In September 2005, my Department announced the allocation of funding of €300 million for an Education PPP Programme comprising of 23 new post primary schools and 4 new primary schools under a major expansion of the Government's Public Private Partnership Programme. The provision of the proposed new secondary school in Skibbereen was included in that announcement. A site has been acquired for the new amalgamated school.
As part of the Jobs Initiative announcement I confirmed that I am developing two further bundles of PPP schools. The provision of the school in Skibbereen will be considered for inclusion in this context. The make up and timing of school bundles in my Department's PPP school building programme will be determined by in consultation with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). The issues to be considered in the timing and bundling of these schools include site availability for each school, geographical spread and the estimated total cost of the proposed school bundle. The normal time scale for the provision of the accommodation from the time of the announcement of a bundle of schools, is 4 years approximately.
School Enrolments
Finian McGrath
Ceist:263 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a matter in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 regarding entry to a school. [18674/11]
The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. 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 right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of a Vocational Education Committee (VEC) school to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
A Section 29 appeal recently took place in respect of a refusal to enrol this child to the school in question. This appeal was not upheld. Following the receipt of the Appeal Committee's determination, the Secretary General wrote to both parties advising them of the outcome of the appeal.
This letter was copied to the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). The NEWB is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB has indicated that it will treat children for whom an appeal under Section 29 has been unsuccessful as priority cases in offering such assistance. The contact details for the NEWB in the area in question is NEWB, Block 3, Floor 1, Grove Court, Blanchardstown Dublin 15, Tel: 01 8103261.
Schools Building Projects
Tom Fleming
Ceist:264 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the new primary schools in County Kerry that will be included in the new school building programme over the next six years. [18687/11]
Tom Fleming
Ceist:265 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the new second level schools in County Kerry that will be included in the new schools building programme over the next six years. [18688/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.
Based on my Department's most recent statistics, it is expected that enrolments will increase nationally from a current enrolment at primary level of circa 509,652 pupils to circa 552,800 pupils by 2017 and at post-primary level from a current enrolment of circa 317,432 pupils to circa 342,300 pupils by 2017. My Department is currently examining all areas of the country to determine where additional provision will be required at both primary and post-primary level up to 2017.
It is within this context that I recently announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established within the next six years, comprising of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. Of the 40 new schools, 17 will be in the Dublin area with a further twelve in the commuter belt of Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth. Six new schools will be established in Cork, three in Galway and one each in Wexford and Cavan.
In addition, it will be necessary to extend the capacity of many existing schools to meet the demand for increased pupil places. Should the demand for increased pupil places emerge in County Kerry, it may be necessary to increase the capacity of schools in the area.
The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including those in County Kerry, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year.
Special Educational Needs
Gerry Adams
Ceist:266 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure that additional special needs assistants are granted to a school (details supplied) in County Louth which has seen a surge in pupils with special needs for the incoming school year. [18692/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
Departmental Bodies
Gerry Adams
Ceist:267 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total running cost of the National Council for Special Education; if he will provide a breakdown as to the way in which this money is spent; the amount that covers administrative costs and the amount that covers service provision. [18693/11]
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was established as a result of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004. The Act provides a comprehensive legislative framework to govern the delivery of services while the establishment of the NCSE is intended to improve and speed up the delivery of services to pupils with special educational needs, their parents and schools. The Act sets out a range of services which must be provided, including assessments, education plans and support services.
The functions of the Council include:
carrying out research and providing expert advice to the Minister for Education and Skills on the educational needs of children with disabilities and the provision of related services;
providing for a range of services at local and national level in order that the educational needs of children with disabilities are identified and provided for, and;
co-ordinating with HSE, schools and other relevant bodies, the provision of education and related support services to children with disabilities.
Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) allocate additional teaching and other resources available to support the special educational needs of children with disabilities and makes recommendations in relation to the provision of specialist equipment and school transport.
The number of staff employed by the Council at year end 2010 was 109, made up of 12 Senior Special Educational Needs Organisers (SSENOs), 75 SENOs and 22 Head Office staff. In 2010 expenditure on salaries for SSENOs and SENOs amounted to €4,788,605 and Head Office staff salaries to €1,367,548 giving a total of €6,156,153. Superannuation contributions of €301,955 were deducted from staff salaries and remitted to the Department of Finance. In addition, pension levy deductions of €426,056 were made from staff salaries and remitted to the Department of Education & Skills.
The NCSE budget allocation for 2011 is €9.015m which is subdivided into pay and non-pay at €6.93m and €2.085m respectively.
Special Educational Needs
Gerry Adams
Ceist:268 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to the State of each additional special needs assistant that is provided. [18694/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that there are a number of factors in determining rates of pay of Special Needs Assistants such as length of working day and number of years service, for example. The applicable payscales for Special Needs Assistants are available on my Department's website, www.education.ie.
Jim Daly
Ceist:269 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the allocation of special needs assistants that will be allocated to a school (details suppplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
School Books
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:270 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the publication of unnecessary new school book editions; and his plans to reform the grant made available to schools to assist in purchase of school books. [18715/11]
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:271 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce at primary and post primary level a national book rental scheme. [18716/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
I am aware of the concern expressed by many parents and organisations in relation to the high cost of school books and the frequent rate of revisions made by book publishers. I previously indicated to the House that I would meet with book publishers and representatives of parents to discuss this important issue in greater detail. I can confirm to the Deputy that I met recently with these groups, including representatives of the St. Vincent de Paul. I emphasised to book publishers the need to minimise the amount of changes they make in textbooks and the avoidance of new editions, where only minor changes are involved. I also urged them to consider closely the cost of books they supply to the market.
I also raised concerns from sections of the visually impaired community about the level of co-operation between book publishers and the National Braille Production Centre. The educational publishers have agreed to reflect on the concerns I raised with them and I am currently awaiting a formal response from them in response to our recent meeting. I sympathise with parents who are experiencing difficulty in paying for school books. The harsh economic reality in Ireland means money is tight for many parents. It is precisely for that reason that I will continue to encourage schools to establish book rental schemes as the most effective means of lowering the cost of books for all students.
Many schools are already using the funding for books provided by my Department to operate successful rental schemes, however there remains room for improvement across the wider education system. I am currently examining how best to encourage schools to establish book rental schemes and I have asked the National Parents Councils to provide me with examples of best practice that they have encountered in this area and I will disseminate these to schools.
School Accommodation
Dara Calleary
Ceist:272 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will issue a revised schedule of residual accommodation and suggested future use of existing accommodation in respect of a college (details supplied); and when a design team will be appointed. [18724/11]
A major project for the school referred to by the Deputy was included on the list of projects on the work programme for 2011, which was announced on 24 January last. A technical assessment of the school has been completed and my Department has agreed the Overall Schedule of Accommodation with the school authority. The material referred to by the Deputy is currently being prepared and will be forwarded to the school when finalised. Thereafter, the process for the appointment of a Design Team will commence. All large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase are being progressed in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme and the available financial resources.
Schools Building Projects
Peter Mathews
Ceist:273 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding payments in respect of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18725/11]
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at architectural planning stage. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Stage 2a submission for the school's major building project was approved by my Department on 30 June 2011. In relation to the major building project, my Department releases funds for payments of outstanding invoices on confirmation that the work involved has been completed to the requisite standard.
With regard to payments associated with rental of temporary accommodation, grant aid issues from my Department when the school authority submits the relevant invoices.
Special Educational Needs
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:274 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a whole time equivalent special needs assistant will be provide to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the severe issues involved in their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18732/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts. 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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
School Staffing
Finian McGrath
Ceist:275 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding panel rights in respect of a person (details supplied). [18741/11]
The primary redeployment panel rules agreed between the relevant education partners and my Department provide supplementary panel rights to eligible fixed-term teachers with between three and five years reckonable teaching service. The teacher referred to by the Deputy was offered these rights in 2010 in respect of the 2010-2011 school year but failed to respond at the time. Under the agreed rules which are published on my Department's website, teachers who do not respond to an offer of panel rights within a specified time forfeit their panel rights.
Schools Building Projects
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:276 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish a list of outstanding capital works on all primary and secondary schools in County Clare particularly a school (details supplied); the timeline for their completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18744/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that all information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
A project at the school to which he refers is at an advanced stage of the architectural planning process. The school authority has advised my Department that Stage 2(b) — Detailed Design, including planning permission and tender documents, will be submitted to my Department shortly.
When the relevant statutory approvals have been obtained and Stage 2b completed, and assuming no issues arise, my Department will subsequently be in contact with the school authority with regard to progressing the project to tender and construction stages. It is not possible at this stage of the project to give an indication of the timeframe for completion of the subsequent tender and construction stages.
Applications have been received from 34 primary and 7 post primary schools in County Clare for funding for major capital projects. For the Deputy's convenience, I have set out details of these applications together with the current status of each application.
|
Projects at Tender Stage |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roll No |
School |
Project |
Band Rating |
Status |
|
15042A |
Ennis National School |
New School |
1.1 |
To complete Tender documents and expected to tender in 2011 |
|
Roll No |
School |
Project |
Band Rating |
Status |
|
16908S |
St Fiannachtas NS Sixmilebridge |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Design Team to be appointed |
|
62020F |
St Joseph’s SS, Tulla |
New School |
Band 2 |
Brief to be competed |
|
Roll No |
School |
Project |
Band Rating |
Status |
|
04919H |
Cratloe National School |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Design Team to be appointed |
|
08241P |
Scropul NS Mullagh |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
10568N |
SN Cuibhreann Cill Chaoi |
New School |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
13870E |
Kilkishen NS SN Muire Na D Chomhairl |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
14468G |
Kilmaley NS Ennis |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
14757N |
SN Mhainistir Chuinche Quin |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
15981A |
Lakyle NS Whitegate Via Limerick |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
16186G |
Inch NS Ennis |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
16870T |
Scoil Na Mbraithre Ennistymon |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
16930L |
Scoil an Sraith SN Tulach Crach |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
16946D |
SN An Phairtin Mixed Parteen |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
17563P |
Ballybrohan NS Ogonnelloe |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 1 |
Application Stage |
|
17583V |
SN Cnoc an Ein Inis |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
18032M |
SN Cluain Muinge, Newmarket-on-Fergus |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
18109V |
SN Inis Cealtrach Mountshannon |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
18225A |
SN Mhuire Miliuc Luimneach |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
18227E |
Scoil Mhuire Naisiunta Cora Finne |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
18339P |
SN Iosef Naofa an Mhaigh |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
18555V |
Lissycasey NS Ennis |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
18639E |
SN Baile Na Cailli Ennis |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
18846J |
An Daingin |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
19043W |
New Quay NS Burren |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
19338S |
Flagmount Central NS |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
19551S |
Inchicronan Central NS Crusheen |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
19559L |
Chriost Ri Cloughleigh |
New School |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
19700J |
Lisdoonvarna NS |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
19838P |
Gael Sc Mhichil Chiosog Inis |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
19849U |
Gaelscoil Donncha Rua Sionna |
New School |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
19999Q |
Gaelscoil Ui Choimin An T-Ionad Oige |
New School |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
20041C |
St Senan’s Primary School, Convent of Mercy, Kilrush |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 1 |
Design Team to be appointed |
|
20075T |
St Mochullas NS Ennis Road |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
20086B |
Ennis Educate Together NS Gort Road |
New School |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
62000W |
Mary Immaculate Secondary School Lisdoonvarna |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
62010C |
St Josephs Secondary School Spanish Point |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
70830N |
Ennis Community College |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 3 |
Application Stage |
|
70860W |
St Michaels Community College Kilmihill |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
|
70880F |
St Josephs Community College Carrigholt Td |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 4 |
Application Stage |
|
70901K |
St Annes Community College |
Extension/Refurb |
Band 2 |
Application Stage |
Vocational Education Committees
James Bannon
Ceist:277 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will designate Longford as the headquarters of the newly amalgamated Longford and Westmeath Vocational Education Committees, in view of the fact that the site has been extended by the recent acquisition of 4.5 acres from Connolly Barracks and would provide an ideal location for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18760/11]
At this point the only firm and absolute decisions taken by the Government are the decision to reduce the overall number of VECs from 33 to 16, the decision on the merger of particular counties (i.e. the revised configuration) and the decision to approve in principal the consolidation of the existing VEC legislation.
I am currently giving consideration to the question of where the headquarters of the new entities will be located. The outcome of these deliberations will be announced in the coming period.
Schools Building Projects
Alan Farrell
Ceist:278 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school building programme in respect of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18763/11]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. A stage 1 submission was recently received from the design team and is currently being reviewed by my Department. When that review is complete my Department will revert to the VEC regarding the further progression of the project.
Question No. 279 answered with Question No. 240.
Alan Farrell
Ceist:280 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the accumulated number of jobs created through the planning, construction and operation of the 40 schools due to be built within the next 6 years. [18765/11]
The estimated capital cost of the 40 new schools to be established in the next 6 years is in the region of €380m, of which the estimated building cost is approximately €272m. On this basis, the estimated funding will create in the region of 2,720 direct and 544 indirect construction related jobs in the economy. In relation to the operation of the schools, the staffing requirements will be determined on the basis of pupil enrolments in individual schools.
Higher Education Grants
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:281 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria that is to be used in calculating the distance from a students residence and the third level institution that they are attending for the purposes of determining if they may avail of the non-adjacent maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18780/11]
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:282 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a grant for a student residing in Fallcarragh, County Donegal and attending Letterkenny Institute of Technology will be calculated on the basis of travelling via the N56 or via the R251, for the purposes of determining if they may avail of the non-adjacent maintenance grant. [18781/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.
The measurement of the distances in question is a matter for grant awarding bodies. It is not possible, therefore, for me to say what the distance calculation for an individual student will or should be. However, the shortest most direct route to college is measured. I understand that a range of mechanisms can be used, for example, online mapping such as AA route planner and Google maps. If there is a dispute it may be necessary to carry out a physical measurement.
Special Educational Needs
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:283 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a special needs assistant in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18785/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
Site Acquisitions
Gerald Nash
Ceist:284 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills the purchase price of a series of sites for new schools (details supplied) in Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18793/11]
The Deputy will understand that due to the commercial sensitivities pertaining to site acquisitions generally, it is not my Department's policy to provide information in respect of recent site acquisition transactions, as this information could prejudice ongoing negotiations for school sites.
However, I am in a position to confirm to the Deputy that the first school site to which he refers was acquired by my Department in 2006 at a price of €1,000,000.
The second site to which he refers was not acquired by my Department as the site for the schools in question is being provided by the Patron of the schools.
The third site to which he refers was acquired in 2010 and, as outlined above, due to the commercial sensitivities pertaining to site acquisitions generally, it is not possible for me to provide the information sought by the Deputy at this time.
School Transport
Barry Cowen
Ceist:285 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post primary school students who have availed of the school transport scheme in County Offaly from 2008 to date in 2011 inclusive; and if he will outline the total cost of the school transport scheme in County Offaly in each of these years. [18860/11]
Bus Éireann which operates the school transport schemes, on behalf of my Department, has provided the following figures in relation to your query:- In the 2008/09 school year 1,719 primary and 1,863 post primary pupils availed of school transport services in County Offaly. In 2009/10 the figures were 1,679 primary and 1,658 post primary and in 2010/11 the numbers were 1,566 primary and 1,624 post primary.
The breakdown of school transport costs on an individual County basis is not readily available; however the cost of school transport services in the Midlands region which includes Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath is approximately €13/14m per annum.
Special Educational Needs
John McGuinness
Ceist:286 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of the school community (details supplied) in Dublin 24 which is set to lose 50% of their special needs assistants in September; if he will appreciate the difficulties this will present for a school already under pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18864/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
It should be noted that SNA allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
The qualifying criteria for the allocation of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support is outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02. The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Brendan Smith
Ceist:287 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will supply details of all the pre-school, primary and post-primary autism-specific provision in the following areas Dublin 5, Dublin 13, Dublin 17, Howth, Portmarnock and Malahide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18867/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports including the approval of special classes for autism. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the information requested by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:288 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the reduction of the National Council Special Education allocation for special needs assistants for 2011-12 from 2 to 1 in the case of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18869/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
It should be noted that SNA allocations are not permanent, as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. They are also decreased where a child's care needs may have diminished over time.
The qualifying criteria for the allocation of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support is outlined in my Department's Circular 07/02. The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:289 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to equip teachers in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6. [18870/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department, either directly or through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), provides for a range of supports in schools to enable them cater for students with special educational needs including additional teachers, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and specialist equipment. The precise model of provision made will depend on the pupil's assessed disability.
The SNA scheme provides additional supports to schools to enable them to support pupils with significant care needs. SNAs are allocated to schools by the NCSE through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising them 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 are currently in the process of informing schools of their annual SNA allocation for the coming school year.
I understand that the pupil referred to by the Deputy has been included as eligible for SNA support provision for the coming school year. All mainstream Primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model (GAM), introduced in September 2005 to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs. In addition, schools can apply to the NCSE for additional resource teaching supports for pupils with assessed low incidence special educational needs.
In relation to applications for individual resource teaching support, Circular 37/2011 provides information to schools regarding the arrangements which are being put in place for the 2011/12 school year.
The main elements of the arrangements outlined in the Circular are that for the coming 2011/12 school year, an allocation of 90% of valid identified resource teaching allocations will be made to schools, in the first instance, to provide schools with the majority of their allocation, while also preserving enough capacity to deal with late applications and ensure that the Department of Education and Skills can remain within Employment Control Framework obligations.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have now notified schools of their allocations for the coming school year. Schools have also been asked to forward as soon as possible any outstanding applications, or additional outstanding materials to support incomplete applications, to the NCSE for consideration, but in any event by no later than 16th September 2011. Following consideration of all of the applications received, if the level of demand permits, the initial 90% allocation may be revisited and increased.
My Department also provides for special class and special school placements for students who have special educational needs such that they may need aspecial school/class placement. Health and Therapy support services are also provided for students in schools in some instances, by the Health Service Executive.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:290 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18919/11]
I meet with individual members of my Management Advisory Committee (MAC) on a regular basis to discuss various policy and strategic issues. I am also regularly briefed by members of the MAC as necessary by phone and through written submissions.
There are also occasions when I need to meet with the collective MAC to discuss issues that affect the Department as a whole. Since my arrival in the Department I have held two such meetings with the MAC. The dates of these meetings were 19th April and 13th June 2011.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:291 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18936/11]
The detailed information requested by the Deputy is an administrative matter for each agency and is not readily available in my Department.
My Department recently undertook to collate information regarding rent paid by agencies in respect of 2010 and this information is set out below. The Deputy may also wish to note that the location details for the offices of the agencies under the aegis of my Department are available through the relevant agency websites.
For the Deputy's information the following agencies are not under the aegis of my Department:
The President's Award — Gaisce — National Youth Work advisory Board — Teachers Arbitration Board — National Education Welfare Board In addition responsibility for the National Education Welfare Board has recently transferred to the Department of Children The following agencies have ceased operations.
Advisory Council for English Language Schools — Integrated Ireland Language and Training Ltd — International Education Board Ireland
|
Body Name |
Amount |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta |
€38,000 |
|
Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse |
€297,636.28 |
|
FÁS |
€9.6m |
|
Further Education and Training Awards Council |
€405,000 |
|
Further Education and Training Awards Council |
€346,000 |
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
€840,567 |
|
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology |
Under HEA |
|
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences |
Under HEA |
|
Léargas — The exchange Bureau |
€154,992 |
|
National Centre for technology in Education |
€156,972.82 |
|
National Centre for Guidance in Education |
€46,192 |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment |
€340,585 |
|
National Council for Special Education |
€390,000 |
|
National Education Welfare Board |
€712,671 |
|
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland |
€220,000 |
|
Residential Institutions Review Committee |
€188,050 |
|
Skillnets Ltd |
€289,315 |
|
State Examinations Commission |
€30,460 |
|
The Teaching Council(Note: Self-financing) |
€178,190 |
Departmental Estimates
Ceist:
292 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Education and Skills the statistical breakdown of the Estimates of his Department for each year from 2007 to 2011 inclusive, in particular the budgets for salaries, school buildings and transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18970/11]
The following table contains comparable expenditure figures for my Vote for the years 2007-2011.
You will note that it also includes a breakdown of expenditure on the Skills Development and Nurses Education Programmes in 2010 and 2011 as a result of:
(a) the transfer in 2010 of certain functions in relation to Skills Development from the former Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to my Department (€144m in 2010 and €164 million in 2011) and;
(b) the transfer of responsibility for Nursing Education from the Department of Health to my Department in 2011 (€56 million in 2010 and 2011).
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
Outturn |
Outturn |
Outturn |
Outturn |
Estimate |
|
|
Pay |
5,198 |
5,664 |
5,717 |
5,336 |
5,356 |
|
Pensions |
751 |
818 |
1,004 |
1,001 |
1,057 |
|
School Transport |
172 |
186 |
176 |
181 |
180 |
|
Other Non-Pay Expenditure |
1,713 |
1,745 |
1,691 |
1,599 |
1,611 |
|
Capital |
813 |
830 |
767 |
697 |
486 |
|
Sub-Total |
8,647 |
9,243 |
9,355 |
8,814 |
8,690 |
|
Skills Development |
144 |
164 |
|||
|
Nurses Education |
56 |
56 |
|||
|
Overall Total |
8,647 |
9,243 |
9,355 |
9,014 |
8,910 |
Vocational Education Committees
Brendan Smith
Ceist:293 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of second level pupils, second level schools, further education students, further education facilities and other significant activities for each of the current vocational education committees and the position following the proposed reorganisation of the committees. [18971/11]
Following are two tables for the information of the Deputy.
Table No. 1. sets out details in relation to numbers of second level pupils, places funded by my Department in Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), Youthreach, Senior Traveller Training Centres and participants in Back to Education Initiative, Adult Literacy and Community Education in each VEC.
Table No. 2 sets out details in relation to numbers of Second level schools and further education centres. Details of the number of facilities where literacy, community education and Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) programmes are operated are not available. While VTOS is offered in PLC centres, in core groups in schools and in stand alone core centres, the tables only show the number of stand alone core centres to avoid double counting.
The Government decision to reconfigure the VEC sector will not impact on schools and other educational centres managed and operated by the VECs and will not affect teaching or other posts outside of head office functions in the merging VECs.
|
Places per VEC (2010/11) |
Participants (2010) |
||||||||
|
VEC |
Number of recognised PP schools (including PLC) 2010/11 |
2nd Level Enrolments 2010/11 |
Post Leaving Certificate |
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme |
Youthreach |
Senior Traveller Training Centres |
Back to Education |
Adult Literacy |
Community Education |
|
City of Cork |
6 |
897 |
4,000 |
450 |
120 |
14 |
730 |
1,579 |
4,378 |
|
City of Dublin |
22 |
3,210 |
7,718 |
1,350 |
589 |
19 |
1518 |
6,737 |
6,048 |
|
City of Galway |
3 |
672 |
1,160 |
220 |
44 |
40 |
322 |
2,525 |
1,869 |
|
City of Limerick |
3 |
624 |
920 |
210 |
125 |
- |
996 |
2,115 |
1,550 |
|
City of Waterford |
2 |
448 |
770 |
200 |
75 |
- |
214 |
980 |
904 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
3 |
0 |
2,151 |
150 |
25 |
- |
242 |
909 |
1,530 |
|
Co. Carlow |
5 |
1,391 |
820 |
75 |
25 |
22 |
507 |
1,077 |
1,707 |
|
Co. Cavan |
5 |
1,588 |
1,210 |
40 |
105 |
- |
274 |
1,464 |
387 |
|
Co. Clare |
7 |
2,053 |
128 |
160 |
85 |
37 |
1046 |
2,128 |
733 |
|
Co. Cork |
21 |
8,671 |
1,334 |
100 |
282 |
29 |
1862 |
2,643 |
4,877 |
|
Co. Donegal |
15 |
4,576 |
185 |
180 |
160 |
24 |
436 |
2,747 |
5,342 |
|
Co. Dublin |
26 |
10,788 |
916 |
360 |
367 |
73 |
2701 |
3,674 |
3,302 |
|
Co. Galway |
11 |
2,001 |
180 |
100 |
145 |
70 |
942 |
1,573 |
931 |
|
Co. Kerry |
8 |
2,210 |
530 |
175 |
120 |
51 |
1078 |
2,314 |
3,720 |
|
Co. Kildare |
10 |
4,242 |
357 |
270 |
85 |
- |
930 |
1,703 |
679 |
|
Co. Kilkenny |
8 |
2,016 |
480 |
120 |
25 |
- |
558 |
1,109 |
1,245 |
|
Co. Laois |
3 |
851 |
370 |
100 |
50 |
18 |
825 |
714 |
497 |
|
Co. Leitrim |
5 |
959 |
92 |
48 |
- |
15 |
266 |
497 |
605 |
|
Co. Limerick |
9 |
4,286 |
310 |
65 |
65 |
26 |
521 |
1,080 |
1,032 |
|
Co. Longford |
4 |
612 |
350 |
40 |
55 |
18 |
683 |
1,201 |
967 |
|
Co. Louth |
5 |
2,425 |
1,100 |
110 |
90 |
18 |
693 |
1,884 |
1,221 |
|
Co. Mayo |
8 |
1,870 |
404 |
160 |
110 |
46 |
1003 |
1,435 |
1,198 |
|
Co. Meath |
9 |
4,605 |
306 |
70 |
185 |
30 |
746 |
1,545 |
432 |
|
Co. Monaghan |
6 |
2,165 |
278 |
40 |
70 |
- |
498 |
1,587 |
810 |
|
Co. Offaly |
5 |
1,773 |
50 |
80 |
70 |
41 |
853 |
1,179 |
636 |
|
Co. Roscommon |
3 |
660 |
63 |
90 |
70 |
17 |
341 |
621 |
1,989 |
|
Co. Sligo |
6 |
868 |
440 |
60 |
40 |
- |
483 |
1,529 |
1,431 |
|
Co. Tipperary NR |
6 |
1,669 |
615 |
90 |
60 |
15 |
647 |
297 |
575 |
|
Co. Tipperary SR |
5 |
1,715 |
280 |
100 |
35 |
- |
674 |
971 |
1,930 |
|
Co. Waterford |
3 |
990 |
223 |
100 |
45 |
- |
460 |
1,104 |
607 |
|
Co. Westmeath |
4 |
1,469 |
135 |
100 |
50 |
22 |
285 |
907 |
998 |
|
Co. Wexford |
7 |
1,955 |
760 |
220 |
125 |
18 |
929 |
1,044 |
484 |
|
Co. Wicklow |
11 |
4,118 |
980 |
300 |
175 |
21 |
550 |
1,869 |
1,339 |
|
Total |
254 |
78,377 |
29,615 |
5,933 |
3,672 |
684 |
24,813 |
54,741 |
55,953 |
|
VEC |
Number of recognised PP schools (including PLC) 2010/11 |
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme |
Youthreach |
Senior Traveller Training Centres |
|
City of Cork |
6 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
|
City of Dublin |
22 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
|
City of Galway |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
City of Limerick |
3 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
|
City of Waterford |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Co. Carlow |
5 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Co. Cavan |
5 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Co. Clare |
7 |
2 |
7 |
1 |
|
Co. Cork |
21 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
|
Co. Donegal |
15 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Co. Dublin |
26 |
9 |
9 |
4 |
|
Co. Galway |
11 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
|
Co. Kerry |
8 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
|
Co. Kildare |
10 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Co. Kilkenny |
8 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Co. Laois |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Co. Leitrim |
5 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Co. Limerick |
9 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Co. Longford |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Co. Louth |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Co. Mayo |
8 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Co. Meath |
9 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
|
Co. Monaghan |
6 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Co. Offaly |
5 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
Co. Roscommon |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Co. Sligo |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Co. Tipperary NR |
6 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Co. Tipperary SR |
5 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Co. Waterford |
3 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Co. Westmeath |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Co. Wexford |
7 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
|
Co. Wicklow |
11 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
|
Total |
254 |
71 |
105 |
33 |
Brendan Smith
Ceist:294 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail the specific financial savings he has projected for his planned vocational education committee rationalisation; and the way this differs from previous plans. [18972/11]
The new VEC structure fits with the Government's policy of reducing the number of agencies and is consistent with the strategic objectives of the transforming public service agenda through service delivery by a smaller number of agencies, each benefiting from efficiencies of greater scale. This change will better position the sector for future development and will facilitate the required reductions, under the public service Employment Control Framework, of administrative staff employed in VECs, while protecting the services provided by VECs.
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes considered that the number of VECs could be reduced from 33 to 22 and suggested that savings of €3 million could be realised.
Some of the likely savings from the restructuring of the VECs will come from the sale of existing VEC buildings. The potential revenue to be raised from the sale of these assets, however, is closely linked to the current state of the property market and it may not be possible to dispose of such properties satisfactorily in the short term. Savings in administrative staffing costs are linked to natural wastage, the operating of the moratorium on recruitment and redeployment of surplus staff.
The reconfiguration can, over time, yield savings in the recurrent cost of the headquarter functions of VECs which, at present, is of the order of €40 million in total. The Government's decision to keep the number of new entities at 16 will assist in meeting the savings projected by the Special Group.
It is important to note that this decision impacts on the administrative HQ costs of the VECs. The range of programmes delivered by VECs are not impacted by this decision.
On entering office, I invited the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) to submit alternative rationalisation proposals following their expression of concerns regarding the configuration of the revised entities decided by the previous government. The IVEA subsequently submitted a proposal that involved a reduction to 20 in the number of VECs. While I am satisfied that having regard to cost and critical mass considerations, a reduction to 16 new entities is appropriate, the new configuration takes account of the IVEA submission to the greatest extent possible.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:295 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19492/11]
My Department's Secretary General is not a member of any State Agency Board.
Departmental Agencies
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:296 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will contact the Industrial Development Agency regarding the staffing position in Dundalk; if he will ensure that all vacancies are filled and that there is sufficient level of staff to deal with industrial development in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18208/11]
The staffing levels in the IDA's various offices is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. In the context of scarce resources and a reduction in staff numbers the IDA has maximized efficiency and increased the organisation's focus on business generation and client facing activities.
IDA has said that the overall staff number available to it in 2011 is sufficient to allow it to implement its current strategy in the period to 2014.
I have every confidence in the abilities of the IDA's Board and senior management team to manage the resources available to it so as to enable the Agency to continue to win FDI for this country even in the face of the most difficult economic circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Robert Dowds
Ceist:297 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the outsourcing of administrative tasks by State bodies and agencies to other countries; his further views that this is a counter-productive practice in terms of job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18243/11]
Outsourcing — or the contracting out of services to an external provider — is a well established business model for the streamlining of functions and services within an organisation. As the Deputy knows, under this model, those processes that can be performed better or with less cost by an external service provider are identified and competitive tenders are sought for delivering the required services. This principle applies both to the public and the private sector. The internal market for goods and services within the EU — and the wider globalised economy — of course holds open the possibility of goods and services being provided from outside the jurisdiction. Equally, this presents opportunities for Irish-based companies to provide goods and services to customers abroad, e.g. the Irish Financial Services Centre.
Within the public sector at present, there are a number of expenditure and strategic reviews under way which are aimed at identifying the core services that each organisation should be delivering and at optimising resources to ensure that these services are delivered with greater efficiency and effectiveness and with a more focused customer orientation. These are designed, in the context of the Croke Park Agreement, to result in a public sector that is optimised for delivery of outcomes and value for money.
There is no predetermined or ideological position within the Government on outsourcing of functions currently undertaken within the public service. I would expect that any decision to outsource Government administrative functions would take account of the best economic return to the Exchequer, taking account of a wide range of factors, including the nature of the work being outsourced and the value to be obtained from the competitive tendering competitions for those services.
Job Losses
Joanna Tuffy
Ceist:298 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps that have been taken to persuade a company (details supplied) to reverse a recent decision to cut 130 of its Irish workforce and to move the jobs to off-shore locations in Egypt and India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18257/11]
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.
My officials and Minister of State Sean Sherlock recently 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. I have also this week met with the Communications Workers Union to discuss their concerns.
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.
Departmental Funding
Finian McGrath
Ceist:299 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of Industrial Development Agency funding given to a company (details supplied) since its opening. [18262/11]
Vodafone Ireland is neither an IDA nor Enterprise Ireland client company and has therefore not received any funding from the State development agencies
Departmental Expenditure
Peter Mathews
Ceist:300 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, further to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 23 June 2011, if this Deputy is correct in calculating that approximately 49,000 invoices must be paid by all Government Departments each quarter and that approximately 195,000 invoices must be paid by all Government Departments per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18416/11]
Since 2009, Central Government Departments have been obliged to pay their suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. This 15 day prompt payment rule was introduced to Government Departments on an administrative basis only and does not alter the current legal position on late payments as covered by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 388 of 2002). These 2002 Regulations transposed EU Directive 2000/35/EC on Late Payment in Commercial Transactions into Irish law.
Details in relation to the payment performance of Central Departments in respect of suppliers are collated by my Department on the basis of individual quarterly returns submitted by the Departments. This information is published on my Department's website and is available at http://www.djei.ie/enterprise/smes/publications.htm.
To date, returns have been received and published in respect of the last two quarters of 2009, the full year 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. The following table gives a summary of the details in respect of each quarter. Based on these returns, the average number of quarterly payments was 64,060 in 2009, 57,193 in 2010 and 48,587 in 2011 to date. The only full year for which details have been collected was 2010 and the total number of payments for this year was 228,773.
|
Year |
No of Payments Within 15 days |
No of Payments 16-30 days |
No of Payments Beyond 30 Days |
Total No Of Payments |
|
2011 Q1 |
41,527 |
5,700 |
1,360 |
48,587 |
|
2010 Q4 |
54,066 |
6,600 |
1,475 |
62,141 |
|
2010 Q3 |
46,949 |
7,150 |
2,327 |
56,426 |
|
2010 Q2 |
47,269 |
7,380 |
2,902 |
57,551 |
|
2010 Q1 |
42,284 |
6,535 |
3,836 |
52,655 |
|
2009 Q4 |
56,542 |
8,682 |
3.304 |
68,528 |
|
2009 Q3 |
46,962 |
10,598 |
2,031 |
59,591 |
Job Losses
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:301 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to encourage a company (details supplied) to postpone or overturn its decision to move 130 customer service jobs from Ireland to off-shore locations in Egypt and India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/11]
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.
My officials and Minister of State Sean Sherlock recently 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. I have also this week met with the Communications Workers Union to discuss their concerns.
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.
Departmental Agencies
Eamonn Maloney
Ceist:302 Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will give serious consideration to the relocation of an Industrial Development Agency office (details supplied) in Tallaght, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18513/11]
The location of IDA's regional offices throughout the country is a day-to-day operational matter for the IDA and I have no function in this matter.
I am informed by the IDA that its offices around the country operate on a regional rather than a local basis. I understand that Tallaght is part of IDA Ireland's East Region and the regional office is located in Wilton Place, Dublin where Tallaght and its environs are actively marketed as a location for FDI. IDA Ireland has no plans to open an office in Tallaght.
County Enterprise Boards
Jack Wall
Ceist:303 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of allocated grants to date this year by agencies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18726/11]
An annual Exchequer allocation is provided each year for the operation of the CEBs. The Exchequer allocation is made in the context of the overall public finances and in 2011 amounts to €27.242m, of which €15m in Capital is available for direct grants and training, mentoring and advice services to micro-enterprise clients. The bulk of the non-capital allocation to each CEB pays the salaries of the Business Advisors and other staff who provide direct advice and mentoring to client companies. This represents a strong investment in the micro-enterprise sector, notwithstanding the additional level of demand on CEB services generated in the current difficult economic climate.
The CEB Central Coordination Unit (within Enterprise Ireland) works closely with the CEBs throughout the year reviewing individual expenditures to ensure that the funding allocated to the CEBs is utilised to the maximum extent possible. It is a matter in the first instance for individual CEBs to determine how they will use allocated funds. Some Boards may choose to commit all of their available funding as projects present themselves, even if this means that their funding is committed relatively early in the year, while others may choose to reserve some funding until later in the year so that they are in a position to support other high quality projects that emerge at that time. Should it arise during the year that some Boards are not in a position to spend all of their annual allocation, for example where an approved grant is decommitted late in the year if the project has not started, it is reallocated to any Boards that are in a position to spend additional funds within the year.
There is undoubtedly a high level of demand on CEBs resources at present and the matter will continue to be monitored by the CEB Central Coordination Unit. While there are no current plans to provide additional funding to the CEBs this year, the majority are still in a position to approve further grants between now and the end of the year. In addition, while a high percentage of the total funding has been committed at this stage, approved commitments are not always drawn down by enterprises, for a variety of reasons. Experience shows that grant decommittals in the second half of a given year usually result in some additional funding, within the overall annual allocation, being made available for further grant allocations.
|
County Enterprise Board |
No. of Grants Paid Out To Date |
No. of Employees (WTE) |
No. of Grant Applications Received |
|
Carlow |
13 |
4 |
32 |
|
Cavan |
5 |
5 |
20 |
|
Clare |
31 |
3 |
34 |
|
Cork City |
13 |
4 |
34 |
|
Cork North |
8 |
2 |
5 |
|
Cork South |
13 |
4 |
55 |
|
Cork West |
7 |
4 |
12 |
|
Donegal |
10 |
5 |
18 |
|
Dublin City |
8 |
5 |
57 |
|
Dublin South |
17 |
4 |
28 |
|
DunLaoghaire/Rathdown |
33 |
3.8 |
34 |
|
Fingal |
25 |
5 |
35 |
|
Galway |
22 |
3 |
151 |
|
Kerry |
29 |
4.3 |
58 |
|
Kildare |
18 |
4 |
15 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
4 |
18 |
|
Laois |
3 |
3 |
20 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
4 |
16 |
|
Limerick City |
16 |
4 |
25 |
|
Limerick County |
9 |
3.8 |
25 |
|
Longford |
10 |
4 |
27 |
|
Louth |
13 |
4.2 |
32 |
|
Mayo |
6 |
2 |
21 |
|
Meath |
18 |
4.4 |
37 |
|
Monaghan |
8 |
4 |
20 |
|
Offaly |
20 |
4 |
11 |
|
Roscommon |
6 |
2 |
9 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
4 |
12 |
|
Tipperary North |
10 |
3.6 |
23 |
|
Tipperary South |
7 |
3 |
13 |
|
Waterford City |
13 |
2 |
23 |
|
Waterford County |
17 |
2 |
45 |
|
Westmeath |
23 |
4 |
30 |
|
Wexford |
14 |
4 |
29 |
|
Wicklow |
16 |
4.8 |
20 |
|
Total |
492 |
130.9 |
1,044 |
Industrial Development
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:304 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the Industrial Development Agency or Enterprise Ireland is considering grants to a company (details supplied) in Dublin 17; if any conditions are imposed in relation to such grants regarding the employment of workers from the greater Coolock and northside area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18748/11]
Neither IDA Ireland nor Enterprise Ireland is currently in discussion with Diamond Innovation in relation to grant assistance.
Trade Missions
Seán Kenny
Ceist:305 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to have a trade mission to the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18826/11]
In relation to future trade missions for later this year, the destination and composition of such missions are still being finalised. Given the fact that the United States is our biggest single Merchandise export market, it is very important that regular engagement with that country is maintained to build on this successful position and maintain the momentum there for Irish companies. Accordingly, it is hoped that a Ministerial-led trade mission to the USA will be organised for early Autumn — this time to some of the South Eastern States, which would include events in Atlanta, Charlotte and New Orleans.
A final decision on Ministerial representation for that Mission will be made in due course.
Credit Availability
Robert Troy
Ceist:306 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made over the past 100 days on the partial loan guarantee scheme. [18880/11]
The Deputy will be aware that a commitment was given under the Programme for Government to implement a temporary, partial credit guarantee scheme.
As part of the Jobs Initiative announced in this House on 10 May 2011, 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. A call for competition for the design of a scheme was published on e-tenders on 15 June 2011 with a closing date of 7 July 2011.
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 limited 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 into 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 any commitment to a roll-over of the scheme for subsequent years.
It is intended that the Scheme will be in place in the autumn.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:307 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the Management Advisory Committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18923/11]
I have had 7 meetings with the Management Board of my Department to date as listed as follows. These meetings are scheduled regularly to facilitate information sharing and discussion between myself, my Ministers of State and the Board on progress in delivering the Department's commitments under the Programme for Government and in relation to other key issues affecting the Department.
|
March 2011 |
April 2011 |
May 2011 |
June 2011 |
|
11th and 25th |
8th and 27th |
12th and 25th |
10th |
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:308 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18937/11]
In the time available since this Question was tabled my Department has not been able to collect information in relation to all the organisations listed by the Deputy.
Once the available information is collated I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:309 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19496/11]
Forfás is the only State Agency on which the Secretary General of my Department is a Board Member. He does not receive any remuneration for his duties in this regard.
Social Welfare Benefits
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:310 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the back to education allowance is only for those who want to upgrade their skills and not for those who want to retrain for a new industry, currently the allowance is curtailed to those who want to do training at a level higher than what they already have, that is persons with diplomas who want to do a degree; if the scheme will be made available to those who already have a higher qualification in one area but want to train in a different area at a lower level, considering that certain industries such as construction have been extremely badly hit by the recession it makes sense that construction engineers, architects and so on should be allowed to retrain for completely new industries albeit starting at a lower qualification level. [18306/11]
The back to education allowance (BTEA) 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 employment, work experience, education and training. The focus of BTEA is to assist those who are most marginalised and distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system. The BTEA scheme can offer participation in second and third level education by enabling eligible people on social welfare to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held.
A person wishing to pursue BTEA will have to satisfy a number of conditions such as being a certain age, in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the national framework of qualifications among others.
Progression has always been a fundamental condition of BTEA. State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one. This is necessary to ensure displacement does not occur, in that courses could be offered to students who are not progressing at the cost of students progressing from a lower education level.
On May 10th, as part of the Government's Jobs Initiative, 20,900 new and additional places were announced in training, education and work experience programmes. As part of this Initiative a new fund, entitled Springboard, which is being managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), will provide education and training opportunities to support unemployed people. The primary objective of Springboard is to help unemployed people to remain as close as possible to the labour market by accessing part-time flexible higher education and training opportunities to upskill or reskill in areas where sustainable employment opportunities may arise as the economy recovers. The target group for this programme include unemployed people, including those in circumstances outlined in the question, with a previous history of employment who already hold a higher level qualification at NFQ Levels 6 to 9, who may also require additional upskilling or reskilling in order to re-enter employment. Included in this initiative will be part-time Masters courses and, via the part-time education option, unemployed people on jobseekers' payments will be facilitated in retaining these, subject to continuing entitlement, within the broader back-to-education framework.
The BTEA, in conjunction with other employment support schemes, was considered under the Programme for Government 2011-2016 and will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:311 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the back to school clothing and footwear allowance application form; if she is now dealing with the applications; from whence these application forms can be acquired; the closing date for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18331/11]
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of back to school clothing and footwear allowance entitlements were fully automated by my Department with no application form required from customers.
Persons who do not receive an automated payment are required to complete an application form that is available for download from www.welfare.ie or by texting “Form BTSCFA”, followed by their name and address to 51909. The application form was available from 30 June 2011.
Completed application forms should be returned to Department of Social Protection, PO Box 131, Letterkenny, Co Donegal before 30 September 2011.
James Bannon
Ceist:312 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the assistance she is giving to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18703/11]
The person concerned was awarded Jobseeker's Allowance from 19th April, 2011.
The first payment issued to Longford Post Office on 7th June, 2011.
Money Advice and Budgeting Service
Alan Farrell
Ceist:313 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the Money Advice and Budgeting Service to alleviate the waiting period which is currently ten weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18773/11]
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) assists people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. The role of money advisors is to help clients to assess their financial situation, make a budget plan and deal with creditors.
There are 52 independent MABS companies operating the local MABS services from 65 locations throughout the country, with national support provided by the MABS NDL. In addition, the MABS National Telephone Helpline is available from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and the MABS website can be accessed 24 hours a day at www.mabs.ie. Some 90% of clients presenting to MABS are assisted through the telephone helpline, which provides assisted self-help to ensure clients take steps to assess and address their situation.
The Citizens Information Board (CIB), who has responsibility for MABS, compiles information on the waiting times in each MABS office on a quarterly basis and posts it to the www.mabs.ie website. The most recent statistics available record that the average waiting time from first point of contact to first appointment with a money advisor is some 6 weeks. This is the average nationally and there are fluctuations between offices.
The focus of MABS is in ensuring clients get the level of support they need and as such client assessments and effective case management are important components of the overall approach. During the waiting period, clients are assessed and those in need of immediate assistance are given a priority appointment, others are provided with assisted self-help to ensure that they have taken steps to assess their situation and if appropriate they are supported to take holding action with their creditors.
Since April, the CIB have put a new organisational structure in place, which enables CIB regional managers to get a greater insight into the nature of supports required by MABS companies on the ground to deliver an effective service. In addition the CIB is currently looking at the processes being used by MABS companies with a view to a consistent approach being taken to managing waiting times, taking account of service capacity across the network of companies.
There are no plans to expand MABS to deal with wating times. I am satisfied that the changes being implemented by CIB will ensure that customers requiring assistance will receive the supports they require in a timely and effective manner.
Employment Support Services
Paschal Donohoe
Ceist:314 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision not to grant funding for a security licence course following a FÁS course to enable the person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 to seek employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18776/11]
From 1st January, 2011 policy and funding responsibility for FÁS functions in relation to employment and community services, including the FÁS Employment Services, has been transferred to the Department of Social Protection in accordance with the provisions of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010. The administration of individual cases in regard to such functions is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act, 1987, as amended by Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010.
Further enquiries in regard to this individual's future options should be directed to the Cabra LES at 27/28 Annamoe Terrace, Cabra, Dublin, 7 (telephone 01- 8683806).
Social Welfare Benefits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:315 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, or when back to school allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who has high mortgage commitments and whose family is affected by unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18803/11]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:375 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, or when back to school allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who has high mortgage commitments and whose family is affected by unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18802/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 375 together.
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of back to school clothing and footwear allowance entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers.
As the person in question was not one of the customers who received an automated payment they are required to complete an application form which is available for download from www.welfare.ie or by texting “Form BTSCFA”, followed by their name and address to 51909.
The completed application form should be returned to Department of Social Protection, PO Box 131, Letterkenny, Co Donegal where a decision will be made in relation to their entitlement.
Social Welfare Appeals
Jack Wall
Ceist:316 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision to refuse an application for a clothing allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18991/11]
The Health Service Executive has advised that an appeal by the person concerned against the decision to refuse an application for an exceptional needs payment for clothing was refused on 29 June 2011 and that a letter issued to this effect to the person concerned on that day.
Social Welfare Code
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:317 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare payments for which the universal social charge is deductible for the means test; if the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill has made changes to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18203/11]
The recently enacted Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 provides for the disregard of the universal social charge when determining entitlement for family income supplement (FIS). This is in line with the long-standing arrangements whereby FIS entitlement is based on net earnings after all statutory deductions including income taxes and charges.
The charge is not disregarded for means testing purposes for all other social welfare payments. This continues the current position whereby income taxes and similar type charges are not disregarded.
Departmental Staff
Ciara Conway
Ceist:318 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will grant a one year extension of the retirement age to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18221/11]
The provision to remain in employment beyond the maximum retirement age was one of the new superannuation and retirement provisions introduced under the Public Service Superannuation Act 2004, and applies only to new civil servants appointed on or after 1st April 2004. This does not apply to staff appointed prior to 1st April 2004. The officer in question was appointed to the Civil Service on 1st March 2004.
The only basis on which this officer could be retained beyond age 65 is on hardship grounds. Under the Department of Finance Circular 13/75 "Retention of Civil Servants beyond the normal retirement age", hardship is deemed to exist where the officer's potential income from all sources at retirement age falls below the limits as set out under the terms of the Department of Finance Circular 2/2008.
The officer's potential income was examined (civil service occupational pension, State pension (transition) and spouse's income) and it was found that his income including the spouse's income does not fall below the specified limits. Therefore, the officer does not qualify for an extension of service beyond the maximum retirement age of 65.
Social Welfare Appeals
John O'Mahony
Ceist:319 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in arranging a date for an appeal for one parent family claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18224/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
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.
Social Insurance
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:320 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to re-introduce some or all of the former dental entitlements formerly covered by the PRSI scheme; if health related aspects will form any part of this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18258/11]
There are no plans, given the current economic financial climate, to re-introduce earlier benefits.
While the treatments available under the Scheme will be kept under periodic review, the consideration of any changes to the Scheme will have to reflect the economic realities of available funding and competing priorities.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:321 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18266/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 June 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
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.
Tax and Social Welfare Codes
Barry Cowen
Ceist:322 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to establish a commission on taxation and social welfare. [18284/11]
Alan Farrell
Ceist:368 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to appoint a commission to report on changes that should be made to the tax and social welfare system to ensure greater protection for those who are self-employed. [18772/11]
John McGuinness
Ceist:380 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the commitment in the programme for Government to establish a Tax and Social Welfare Commission to examine entitlements of self-employed and the elimination of disincentives to employment, if such a commission will be established; if so, when this will occur; the remit that will be given to such a commission; if specific priority will be given to ensuring that means by which self-employed people can be insured against unemployment and sickness are considered as per the programme for Government; the timeframe in which the commission will report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18887/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 322, 368 and 380 together.
Creating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that we face. It is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these issues and ensure that work is worthwhile. To this end, I recently set up an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare. The first meeting of the Group, which is chaired by Ita Mangan, Barrister, took place on 30 June. While the Programme for Government proposes to establish a commission on taxation and social welfare, it was considered that the term ‘advisory group' better reflects the purpose and working methods of the group than the term ‘commission'. Given that the Advisory Group is not a statutory body, no legislation was required to establish it.
The main rationale for setting up the group is to harness expert opinion and experience to address a number of specific issues around the operation and interaction of the tax and social protection systems. The Group will also be tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes, and with identifying the specific practical institutional and administrative improvements to their operation. While the terms of reference include a number of specific issues, including social insurance cover for self-employed persons, the Group will initially prioritise the area of family and child income supports.
It is envisaged that the Group's work programme will be based, where possible, on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified above in line with a timetable agreed by myself, in consultation with the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget/estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support.
In early 2012, the Group will put forward a programme of rolling reviews in order to address the remaining priority items.
Social Welfare Code
Barry Cowen
Ceist:323 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to amend the 30 hour rule for rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement for persons moving from welfare to work. [18287/11]
Barry Cowen
Ceist:327 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to make changes to the rent supplement scheme. [18292/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 327 together.
As the Deputy is aware there are several commitments contained in the Programme for Government in relation to the rent supplement scheme including removing barriers to employment.
The most appropriate way for this to happen is for local authorities to take over responsibility for meeting the accommodation needs of these individuals. In this regard the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Housing & Planning on the 16th June 2011 announced a new housing policy framework statement reflecting the content of the Programme for Government (Government for National Recovery 2011 — 2016) and setting out the principles to underpin the development of housing policy into the medium term. This policy framework statement contained an announcement in relation to the transfer of responsibility for providing for the housing needs of long term rent supplement recipients to housing authorities on a phased basis.
This transfer of tenants from rent supplement to the local authorities will help achieve a key Government commitment of removing barriers to employment and return rent supplement to its original intention of a short—term income support payment. Officials are currently considering what legislative changes, if any, will be needed to bring about this change.
Removing the 30 hour rule for the rent and mortgage interest supplement schemes would require a change to legislation.
Barry Cowen
Ceist:324 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to activate persons on a reduced week who refuse extra days employment. [18288/11]
The programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the social protection system with a view to identifying and eliminating poverty traps including activating people on a reduced week who refuse extra day(s) employment.
A fundamental qualifying condition for both the jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance is that a person must be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work.
To satisfy this condition, it is necessary for the person to demonstrate that he or she has taken some positive action and is making genuine efforts to secure employment. If a person fails to satisfy this condition his/her claim will be disallowed. In addition, an unreasonable refusal to accept an offer of suitable employment may also lead to a disallowance.
A key objective of the Government is to offer a high level of appropriate employment support and prioritise the provision of more intensive support for those on the live register who are identified as being most at risk of long-term unemployment. This will be achieved through the use of proactive activation approaches and modern case management systems. As one pillar of this overall approach, reduced rates for failure to co-operate with the activation process were provided for in the Social Welfare Act 2010. Such measures will encourage jobseekers to improve their skills, in order to avoid the risk of becoming long-term unemployed, and help them to progress into sustainable employment on a long-term basis. The intent of the reduced rates, commenced in April, is to ensure compliance with the activation processes.
In accordance with the programme for Government I recently set up an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare. The first meeting of the Group, which is chaired by Ita Mangan, Barrister, took place on 30 June. While the programme for Government proposes to establish a commission on taxation and social welfare, it was considered that the term ‘advisory group' better reflects the purpose and working methods of the group than the term ‘commission'. Given that the Advisory Group is not a statutory body; no legislation was required to establish it.
The main rationale for setting up the group is to harness expert opinion and experience to address a number of specific issues around the operation and interaction of the tax and social protection systems. The Group will also be tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes, and with identifying the specific practical institutional and administrative improvements to their operation. While the terms of reference include a number of specific issues, including social insurance cover for self-employed persons, the Group will initially prioritise the area of family and child income supports.
It is envisaged that the Group's work programme will be based, where possible, on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified above in line with a timetable agreed by myself, in consultation with the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget/estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support.
In early 2012, the Group will put forward a programme of rolling reviews in order to address the remaining priority items.
Barry Cowen
Ceist:325 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to replace the one parent family payment with a parental allowance. [18289/11]
Any such change would require legislation. The proposal for ending the contingency of lone parenthood and introducing a parental allowance to replace the OFP was contained in the Government Discussion Paper, “Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents”, which was published in 2006. It was envisaged that this allowance would be made to all parents (living alone or with a partner) with young children on a low income. It was proposed that payments would be individualised, with no limitation — therefore, the family would receive two full payments where the household means test was met. This would reduce but not eliminate the disincentive to forming relationships or declaring same. The recommendation to replace the OFP with a parental allowance has not been implemented due, in part, to the current economic climate. Such a move would have involved significant costs as the rate of payment for a couple would have been equivalent to two single rates of payment.
Employment and Entitlements Service
Barry Cowen
Ceist:326 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce an anti-fraud enforcement drive, namely, establishing an integrated employment and entitlements service for those of working age, using the latest technology and sharing data across Departments and Government agencies. [18291/11]
Barry Cowen
Ceist:331 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to replace FÁS with a new national employment and entitlements service. [18296/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 331 together.
The Department is establishing a new National Employment and Entitlements Service, as provided for in the programme for Government, which will integrate employment and benefit payment services within the Department.
From 1 January 2011 policy and funding responsibility for FÁS functions in relation to employment and community services was transferred to the Department in accordance with the provisions of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010. This is a transitional arrangement only. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 provides for the transfer of all employment and community services including staff and other resources from FÁS to the Department. The relevant provisions will be subject to a Commencement Order as it is envisaged that any further legislation will be required, however the details of the service model for the National Employment and Entitlements Service are being developed, any further necessary legislative provisions relating to its establishment will be put in place.
Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 323.
Departmental Staff
Barry Cowen
Ceist:328 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to divert staff from elsewhere in the public service to clear the social welfare appeals backlog; and introduce a consolidated appeals process. [18293/11]
Since the commitment to which the Deputy refers was made, the Department has made 9 additional appointments to the Social Welfare Appeals Office from within its own resources. These assignments augment the 3 appointments made to the Office in 2010, bringing the total number of Appeals Officers serving in the office to 29. In addition, since July 2010, 8 retired Appeals Officers, equating to 3 further full-time officers, have been assisting on a strictly part-time basis with the backlogs of appeals and it is intended that they will be employed until the end of the year.
The need for further resources, if any, will be kept under continuous review in the light of the extent to which the backlog is reduced over the coming months.
Later this year the Community Welfare Service will be merging with the Department of Social Protection. In that regard, the Community Welfare Service appeals system and the Social Welfare Appeals Office will be consolidated into a single appeals service once the formal transfer takes place. Enabling legislation to provide for this is contained in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2008.
EU Regulations
Barry Cowen
Ceist:329 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to address the issue of payment of child benefit in respect of non-resident children. [18294/11]
As part of its agreed programme, the Government is committed to raising the issue of payment of Child Benefit in respect of non-resident children at EU level, and to seek to have the entitlement modified to reflect the cost of living where a child is resident.
The provisions relating to the payment of child benefit for non-resident children are not part of Irish domestic legislation but are a feature of EU regulations governing the co-ordination of social security systems. Accordingly, any change to the system will require a change in EU regulations. Only the EU Commission, and not individual Member States, can propose new legislation. At Council level, the Regulation would require a qualified majority of Member States and it would also require the agreement of the European Parliament.
I raised the possibility of a change to the EU regulations informally with EU Commissioner Andor on his recent visit to Dublin, and it is clear from that meeting that it will be difficult to persuade the Commission to propose the necessary legislation. However, I am continuing to raise the issue with appropriate Ministers from other EU countries.
Departmental Expenditure
Barry Cowen
Ceist:330 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to put the household benefits package out to tender. [18295/11]
The current programme for Government contains a commitment that: "The household benefits packages will be put out to tender, so that the Exchequer benefits from reduced prices."
The Chief State Solicitor's Office has advised that the Department of Social Protection does not have the right to approach the market to procure this energy from a single supplier because the Department is not actually procuring the electricity, gas or telephone service in the first instance.
This legal opinion is endorsed by both the Commission on Energy Regulation (CER) and the Competition Authority.
The Department is in ongoing negotiations with utility companies to achieve savings for the Department and to facilitate customers in taking advantage of the availability of reduced rates.
Question No. 331 answered with Question No. 326.
Social Welfare Benefits
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:332 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the current time taken to process applications for family income supplement; her views whether this is acceptable given that the excessive waiting times are adding to the financial hardship that applicants are experiencing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18323/11]
The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.
The average waiting time for new family income supplement (FIS) claims at the end of May is 14 weeks. At the end of May, there were approximately 8,011 new FIS applications and approximately 6,289 renewal applications awaiting approval.
The volume of FIS claims on hands and the delays in processing are a consequence of continued strong claim intake.
The Department has introduced a number of measures to address the efficiency of claim processing for FIS in light of the current waiting times:
Existing processes and procedures are reviewed on an ongoing basis with the explicit objective of reducing delays in claim processing;
Priority is being given to claims where a claim is being renewed to ensure continuity of payment;
The ongoing staffing requirement is being kept under review in light of the increased volumes of claims;
Additional temporary staff are being recruited to help reduce the backlog;
Overtime working is being judiciously applied;
These measures will, over time, lead to more efficient processing and reduce the number of claims on hand. The position is being closely monitored and kept under review by the Department.
Joe Costello
Ceist:333 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who has been deemed by the local authority to have a housing need but who cannot be placed on the housing list is eligible for rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18356/11]
Entitlement to rent supplement is subject to a number of qualifying conditions, one of which is that at the time of application for a rent supplement, the claimant must:
have been residing in private rented accommodation (where at the commencement of the tenancy the person could have reasonably afforded the rent and has experienced a substantial change in his or her circumstances where they are now unable to pay the rent) or accommodation for homeless persons or in an institution (or any combination of these) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement,
or
have had an assessment of housing need carried out within the 12 months preceding the date of claim and have been deemed by the relevant local authority to be eligible for and in need of social housing support.
When a person has been assessed as being eligible for and in need of social housing support, the person then becomes eligible for consideration for rent supplement.
Flood Relief
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:334 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue regarding relocation for persons (details supplied) in County Galway whose houses were flooded in 2009 and where the Office of Public Works has stated that no cost effective work can be carried out to avoid further flooding in the future and where no flood insurance is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18364/11]
As the Deputy is aware the Government has provided various types of support to people affected by the November 2009 flooding. Humanitarian Aid payments were made, both in the immediate aftermath of the flooding and subsequently to enable eligible households to resume living at their home. Flood relief works were also undertaken in some of the affected areas and other works are at an advanced state of preparation. Discussions took place with representatives of the insurance industry regarding giving households access to appropriate house insurance at a reasonable cost.
Subject to certain conditions the Government also decided to provide support to a small number of families who are continuing to experience significant housing problems as a result of the November 2009 flooding and are considering the possibility of relocating rather than resuming living at their original home.
The households in question and all of the other households have been visited by officials from the Department and reports of their individual circumstances have been completed. The Department is also in discussions with the Office of Public Works in relation to any remedial works it is undertaking in the areas in question and the impact these works will have in the event of any future flooding. The Department expects to be in a position to make a decision on these cases in the coming weeks.
Social Welfare Appeals
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:335 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal was lodged with the social welfare appeals office in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the date of the proposed oral hearing; her views whether it is acceptable that it is taking so long for decisions to be made in such cases; the steps she has taken to remedy the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18365/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
The overall average waiting time for an appeal dealt with by way of a summary decision in 2010 was 27.4 weeks, while the average time to process an oral hearing was 45.6 weeks. These processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation and include all activities during this period including time spent in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department's Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary. A considerable period of time is added to the process when an oral hearing is required because of the logistics involved in this process.
In an effort to reduce these processing times, the Department has made 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks. These assignments will augment the 3 appointments made to the Office in 2010, bringing the total number of Appeals Officers serving in the office to 29. In addition, since July 2010, 8 retired Appeals Officers, equating to a further 3 full-time officers, have been assisting on a strictly part-time basis with the backlogs of appeals and it is intended that they will be employed until the end of the year.
I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that some 3,000 cases, registered prior to 31/12/10, have been ring fenced and a team of 10 of the Office's most experienced Appeals Officers have been freed from all other work in the Office and will concentrate on clearing this backlog. This project commenced on July 1st.
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.
Freedom of Information
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:336 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when information (details supplied) will be provided to this Deputy under the Freedom of Information Act; the reason for the delay in providing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18367/11]
My Department received a Freedom of Information request from the Deputy on the 26 May last. However, the relevant Freedom of Information fee was not received until 15 June 2011. My Department is obliged under the relevant Act to process the request within 20 working days of receipt of the application and the fee. I understand that the Department will provide the Deputy with the requested information shortly and this will be done within the stipulated 20 days.
Employment Support Services
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:337 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Tús scheme will be rolled out in south Mayo and if applications for workers to work a location (details supplied) can proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18368/11]
Tús is a community work placement initiative which will provide up to 5,000 short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. Some €30 million has been provided in the Department's Estimates in 2011 to fund the roll-out of the initiative. This initiative is being delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas.
South West Mayo Development Company has been allocated 60 participant and three supervisory positions. The recruitment to two supervisory positions has been completed and staff members are currently in place. The random selection of eligible participants is currently underway and the first 40 participants are expected to begin work within the next three weeks. With respect to work placements, South West Mayo Development has conducted an extensive programme of advertising and community information. The company is currently identifying and profiling suitable work opportunities for Tús participants. Applications for work at the sites detailed by the Deputy are being considered by the company and the heritage services of Mayo County Council. The Deputy may wish to note that both sites are currently in receipt of services from the Rural Social Scheme.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:338 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants, broken down with reference to each integrated company and Údarás na Gaeltachta, employed on the Tús scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18369/11]
Tús is a community work placement initiative which will provide up to 5,000 short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. Some €30 million has been provided in the Department's Estimates in 2011 to fund the roll-out of the initiative. This initiative is being delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas.
The first participants are due to join the payroll this week and reach the initial target of 1,000 during July. At the end of June, of those invited to participate by the Department, just over 1,000 persons had agreed to participate. Profiling, interviewing and placement of these prospective participants has commenced with a view to filling the majority of the 1,800 work placements identified so far by local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta by the not-for-profit, community and voluntary sectors across the country as soon as possible.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:339 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for the grant of disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18381/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a disability allowance appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 26 January 2011. 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 21 March 2011 and the appeal will, in due course, be referred to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
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.
Flood Relief
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:340 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will release funding from the home relocation scheme regarding flooding to allow a person (details supplied) in County Galway to build a new house. [18409/11]
As the Deputy is aware the Government has provided various types of support to people affected by the November 2009 flooding. Humanitarian Aid payments were made, both in the immediate aftermath of the flooding and subsequently to enable eligible households to resume living at their home. Flood relief works were also undertaken in some of the affected areas and other works are at an advanced state of preparation. Discussions took place with representatives of the insurance industry regarding giving households access to appropriate house insurance at a reasonable cost.
Subject to certain conditions the Government also decided to provide support to a small number of families who are continuing to experience significant housing problems as a result of the November 2009 flooding and are considering the possibility of relocating rather than resuming living at their original home.
The household in question and all of the other households have been visited by officials from the Department and reports of their individual circumstances have been completed. The Department is also in discussions with the Office of Public Works in relation to any remedial works it is undertaking in the areas in question and the impact these works will have in the event of any future flooding. The Department expects to be in a position to make a decision on these cases in the coming weeks.
Social Welfare Appeals
Dan Neville
Ceist:341 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [18414/11]
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. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officers decision.
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.
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.
Flood Relief
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:342 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding available for families who had to leave their homes due to flooding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18422/11]
The Government provided various types of financial support to families in the aftermath of the November 2009 floods. Assistance was provided towards:
immediate needs such as clothing, food, bedding and emergency accommodation.
essential household items such as carpets, flooring, furniture and white goods,
essential repairs and
meeting individual's ongoing accommodation needs.
Subject to certain conditions the Government decided that support may also be available to a small number of households who are continuing to experience significant housing problems as a result of the November 2009 flooding who are considering the possibility of relocating rather than resuming living at their original home.
Social Welfare Benefits
Paschal Donohoe
Ceist:343 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18428/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) advised that it has received a claim for rent supplement from the person concerned. A decision in relation to entitlement will be made on receipt of a local authority housing needs assessment.
Social Welfare Appeals
Dan Neville
Ceist:344 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if an oral hearing will be provided. [18429/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
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.
Social Welfare Benefits
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:345 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the back to school clothing and footwear grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [18436/11]
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 Scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of back to school clothing and footwear allowance entitlements (BSCFA) were fully automated with no application form required from customers.
In order to be considered for an automated payment the customer had to be in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department that contained an increase in respect of a qualified child. The person in question is in receipt of an illness benefit payment with an increase in respect of one qualified child for which an automated back to school clothing and footwear allowance payment was made.
The person concerned has been issued with a BSCFA application form in respect of her second child. The application form should be completed and returned to the Department of Social Protection at PO Box 131, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. It is also open to the person concerned to apply to the Department for an increase on her illness benefit claim in respect of her second child.
Social Welfare Appeals
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:346 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18438/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
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.
Social Welfare Code
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:347 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who works on a community employment scheme, is not entitled to claim an adult dependency allowance for their unemployed spouse and an allowance for her two children, aged eight and ten. [18461/11]
From 1st January, 2011 policy and funding responsibility for FÁS functions in relation to employment and community services, including the FÁS Community Employment scheme, has been transferred to the Department of Social Protection in accordance with the provisions of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010. The administration of individual cases in regard to such functions is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act, 1987, as amended by Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010.
In general, payment of an increase for a qualified adult will be reflected in the value of the payment made in respect of community employment. The circumstances of the individual, their spouse/civil partner/co-habitant and children will be taken into account in determining eligibility. The local or branch office of the Department of Social Protection can provide detailed advice in this regard.
Social Welfare Benefits
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:348 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in receipt of rent supplement as of June 2011; and the number of households who were in receipt of rent supplement in June 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. [18470/11]
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:349 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in receipt of rent supplement as of June 2011 who were in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or longer. [18471/11]
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:350 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in receipt of mortgage interest supplement as of June 2011; and the number of households who were in receipt of rent supplement in June 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. [18473/11]
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:351 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for rent supplement who have been refused so far in 2011 and in 2010; and the number of these applications that were subsequently accepted on appeal. [18475/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 to 351, inclusive, together.
Following is a tabular statement showing the number of recipients of rent and mortgage interest supplement at the end of June 2008, June 2009, June 2010 and June 2011. There are currently 51,244 individuals in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or more.
The following tabular statement shows the number of rent supplement claims registered and awarded in 2010 and to date in 2011. Statistics are not available on the total number of individuals who applied for and were refused a rent supplement payment and subsequently appealed the decision.
|
Recipients of Rent Supplement and Mortgage Interest Supplement June 2008, June 2009, June 2010 and June 2011 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rent Supplement |
Mortgage Interest Supplement |
|
|
June 2008 |
63,658 |
5,212 |
|
June 2009 |
89,710 |
13,140 |
|
June 2010 |
95,516 |
16,934 |
|
June 2011 |
96,809 |
18,564 |
|
Year |
Claims Registered |
Claims Awarded |
|
2010 |
81,180 |
71,674 |
|
2011* |
36,127 |
31,214 |
* To 24th June 2011
Notes
Claims registered include
Claims not pursued by the applicant and
Re-application where a rent supplement recipient moves to new accommodation.
Claim details are recorded electronically where it is established that rent supplement is payable. Where an appeal has been lodged, claim details are also recorded electronically.
Given the pressure on the community welfare service, claim details are not always recorded on the system where no entitlement has been established to rent supplement.
The difference between claims registered and claims awarded is not necessarily a refusal rate, for the reasons outlined above.
In these circumstances, fully reliable statistics are not available on the total number of people who applied for and were refused rent supplement.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:352 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against a decision to refuse social welfare payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18492/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
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.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:353 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for refusal of one parent family allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18494/11]
The claim for one parent family payment, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that she did not satisfy the habitual residence conditions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the appeal, from the person concerned, has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing on 12 July 2011. The person concerned has been notified of the arrangements.
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.
Civil Registration Service
Sean Fleming
Ceist:354 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the proposals in place regarding publishing online all details of births, marriages and deaths in all of Ireland by the Office of the General Registrar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18500/11]
Access to civil registration records is governed by section 61 of the Civil Registration Act 2004. Section 61 provides that a person, following an application in writing to an tArd Chláraitheoir (Registrar General), a Superintendent Registrar, a registrar or an authorised officer, and on payment of the prescribed fee, may search an index to a register of births, marriages and deaths, and on payment of the prescribed fee obtain a certified copy, a certified extract or a photocopy of a specified entry. The General Register Office maintains a dedicated research facility in central Dublin where members of the public may search manual indexes to the registers and obtain copies of entries in the registers.
Options are being considered as to how the service might be developed in the future, but it is too early at this stage to say what measures might eventually be taken. Any proposed measures which are outside the scope of the Civil Registration Act 2004 will require legislative change. In addition, developments will be dependent on the availability of staffing, ICT and financial resources. It is important to bear in mind that any proposals to extend access to registration data to members of the public will involve data protection and privacy considerations, as a large number of records contain sensitive information where, for example, register entries have been amended.
Social Welfare Benefits
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:355 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for rent supplement will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, in view of their health and family circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18505/11]
Rent supplement is payable to people who are unable to meet the cost of renting private accommodation and is intended as a short-term support. Rent supplement is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable eligible households to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that prevail in various parts of the state.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement as an exceptional measure until 31 August 2011 in respect of accommodation which is in excess of the rent limit for his family size. The HSE further advised that the person concerned has been requested to use this period to secure accommodation that is more appropriate to his needs and where the rent charged is not more than €550 per month.
Joe Costello
Ceist:356 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision of the community welfare officer to refuse assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18511/11]
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) can be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the HSE based on the particular circumstances of the case. Neither I nor my Department have any function in relation to deciding an individual's entitlement.
The HSE has advised that an application for an exceptional needs payment was made in June 2011 by the person concerned and that this was refused. A letter is due to issue to the person concerned confirming this decision and advising the person of their right of appeal.
Social Welfare Fraud
Gerald Nash
Ceist:357 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has met with the Revenue Commissioners and other relevant State agencies to underline the commitment to combat fraud in the social welfare system; the actions agreed at such meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18518/11]
I am committed to combating fraud and abuse of the social welfare system, and in this regard, I attended the meeting of the joint high level group of the Department and the Revenue Commissioners in May last. The purpose of the group is to ensure and enhance ongoing collaboration and interaction between the organisations, including in relation to social welfare fraud and tax non-compliance.
Both organisations have highlighted the importance of a focused multi-agency approach to dealing with the hidden economy. In this context, the risk inherent in hidden economy activity has been identified by both the Department and Revenue as being a key corporate priority to be tackled in 2011 and plans have been devised to combat both tax non-compliance and social welfare fraud.
Both organisations work together to combat fraud by using a combination of risk analysis, intelligence collation, assurance checks and outdoor operations including audit and investigation. For certain types of businesses, specific sectoral approaches have been devised.
The Department's Special Investigation Unit conducts a wide range of control activities and projects to investigate social welfare fraud and abuse, some of which are carried out jointly with the Revenue Commissioner and with the National Employment and Rights Authority. This Unit also participates in multi-agency vehicle checkpoints with other agencies, including the Gardaí, Traffic Corps and the Taxi Regulator. This year, the Unit's focus will include the hidden economy, cases of concurrent working and claiming, multiple claiming and personation cases.
I am committed to putting in place a strategic fraud and control plan to ensure a targeted response to high risk sectors and to ensure an integrated approach to the prevention, deterrence and detection of social welfare abuse across the Department's services.
Social Welfare Appeals
John McGuinness
Ceist:358 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [18534/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 March 2011. 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 18 May 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.
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.
John McGuinness
Ceist:359 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if disability allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the appeal for supplementary welfare allowance will be considered as a matter of urgency as they are experiencing extreme financial hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18535/11]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the disability allowance appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officers decision.
Supplementary welfare allowance is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare Services Division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Appeals against decisions on individual entitlements are made in the first instance to the HSE's designated Appeals Officer.
The HSE has advised that a decision on the appeal against the decision to refuse payment of weekly supplementary welfare allowance to the person concerned will be made in due course.
Social Welfare Benefits
Áine Collins
Ceist:360 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [18545/11]
The application for carer's allowance from the person concerned was received on the 12 April 2011. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to her claim a decision will be made and she will be notified directly of the outcome.
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:361 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing a claim for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18547/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement on the grounds that she had accommodation available to her and that her means were sufficient to meet her housing needs. The HSE has further advised that the HSE Appeals Office has upheld this decision on 27th May 2011.
Social Welfare Appeals
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:362 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18634/11]
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 a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the decision.
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. If there is any new evidence or new facts pertinent to this case that was not brought to the attention of the Appeals Officer during the determination of this appeal, they may be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for further consideration.
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.
Social Insurance
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:363 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons seeking refunds of health or PRSI contributions are waiting up to 12 months for a refund; her plans to deal with this backlog which is primarily affecting persons on low incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18650/11]
The volume of applications for refunds of PRSI has increased significantly in recent years rising from 9,000 applications in 2007 to 23,000 applications in 2010. This has inevitably given rise to delays in processing applications.
In order to speed up the processing of claims for PRSI refunds, the Department has reviewed the relevant processes and procedures and appropriate changes have been implemented. In addition work is currently underway to develop a technical solution to enable the automated processing of refund claims. Since the end of March 2011 the automated processing facility is being used to process the "under the ceiling" category of PRSI refund and it is hoped to have all such refund applications cleared by the end of August 2011.
Development work is ongoing to extend the capacity of the new system to deal with more complicated refund applications. It is expected that when all development work has been completed the automated system will significantly improve processing capacity and provide an acceptable level of customer service in this area.
Social Welfare Appeals
Tom Fleming
Ceist:364 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the appeal of disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [18690/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 19th April 2011. 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 June 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.
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.
Social Welfare Benefits
Simon Harris
Ceist:365 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow is entitled to rent allowance in view of their current employment situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18700/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned made an application for rent supplement on 30th May 2011. The HSE has requested further information from the person concerned in order to process her application. The HSE will make a decision on her application when the requested information has been provided.
James Bannon
Ceist:366 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18761/11]
On 27th April 2010 the person concerned was refused Carer's Allowance on the grounds that the Department's Medical Assessor expressed the opinion that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in social welfare legislation. She was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her 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 appeal hearing of the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The appeals officer considered 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 the 25th March 2011 the person concerned was notified of the appeals officer's decision.
Employment Support Services
Alan Farrell
Ceist:367 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the improvement of the qualifying criteria for Tús to include recently unemployed persons who would not normally qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18771/11]
Matters relating to Tús are proper to the Department of Social Protection. The purpose of Tús is to focus on those people who are long-term unemployed. For this reason, eligibility is at present confined to those on the live register for 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently affected by long-term unemployment. Persons already in employment or engaged in community employment are not eligible for these positions. Participants will, in the first instance, be identified by the Department of Social Protection by applying the following conditions:
A person must be unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months, and
Currently be in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, and
Be fully unemployed.
The operation of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, will be kept under review and will inform the evaluation process in due course.
Question No. 368 answered with Question No. 322.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:369 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which jobseeker’s allowance was refused and again refused on appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the decision was based on assets, bank deposits or interest accruing arising from the letting of property or estimated value of interest therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18795/11]
Jobseeker's allowance in respect of the person concerned was disallowed as his means were in excess of the statutory limit. The assessment of his means was based on capital valuation which was derived from land, property, bank deposits and a pension. The deciding officer's decision was upheld on appeal.
Social Welfare Benefits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:370 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when mortgage interest relief can or will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose spouse is employed on a three day week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18796/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the spouse of the person concerned was refused mortgage interest supplement on the grounds that the household income was sufficient to meet the mortgage interest costs of the persons concerned. The HSE has further advised that this decision has been upheld by the designated HSE Appeals Officer.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:371 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if back to school allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18797/11]
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of back to school clothing and footwear allowance entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers.
As the person in question was not one of the customers who received an automated payment they are required to complete an application form which is available for download from www.welfare.ie or by texting “Form BTSCFA”, followed by their name and address to 51909.
The completed application form should be returned to Department of Social Protection, PO Box 131, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, where a decision will be made in relation to their entitlement.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:372 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of a rent support application will be concluded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18798/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that they have reviewed the rent supplement claim and are satisfied that the person concerned is in receipt of her full entitlement to rent supplement based on her household circumstances.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:373 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when the decision taken by the Health Service Executive to refuse supplementary allowance pending a decision on an application for jobseeker’s allowance will be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18799/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused basic supplementary welfare allowance as he was deemed to be not habitually resident in the State.
The HSE has also advised that it has no record of an appeal of this decision from the person concerned.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:374 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason one parent family allowance has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, currently attending a FÁS course on child care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18801/11]
The person concerned applied for a one parent family payment on 7 April 2011. Her claim was disallowed as she was not parenting alone for the minimum period of 3 months. She re-applied for a one parent family payment on 8 June 2011. Her claim is being processed at present and she will be informed of the outcome in due course.
Question No. 375 answered with Question No. 315.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:376 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for back to work, back to education or family income supplement in view of the fact that their partner is involved in a three year retail course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18804/11]
In the absence of completed application forms it is not possible to say if the person concerned will qualify for the schemes in question. Application forms have been posted to her and the forms include information on the qualifying conditions.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:377 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 21 June 2011, if new evidence submitted following an original refusal was examined sufficiently having particular regard to the fact that clear evidence exists as to ongoing incapacity in respect of which the person is awaiting surgery; if the evidence will therefore be re-examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18805/11]
The person concerned was awarded an invalidity pension from 24th January 2008. Following a review of the customer's medical eligibility, it was decided that she no longer satisfied the medical criteria for invalidity pension. Accordingly, her invalidity pension payment was terminated from the 5th November 2009.
The claimant appealed this decision and was referred for a second examination, which was carried out by a different medical assessor. The opinion of the second medical assessor also was that the claimant did not satisfy the medical criteria.
Following this medical examination and having considered all the evidence, the appeals officer disallowed the appeal for the person concerned. The customer was notified of this decision and the reason for it in writing on the 26th October 2010. The decision of an appeals officer is final and conclusive in the absence of fresh facts or evidence.
The person concerned subsequently submitted further medical evidence which was referred to a medical assessor. The opinion of this medical assessor was also that the further medical evidence provided did not satisfy the medical criteria for Invalidity Pension. All medical evidence submitted by the person concerned has been referred to a medical assessor for their opinion and has been examined sufficiently.
Social Welfare Benefits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:378 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision to refuse one parent family allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was based on actual factual evidence and verified or if the decision was based on allegations made by a person or persons with an ulterior motive; in the event of the latter will payment be restored forthwith or failing that will supplementary welfare payment be made while an appeal is pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18811/11]
The decision to disallow one parent family payment was based on a report of a social welfare inspector, following an investigation which included a home visit to the person concerned. Her claim was disallowed because she failed to submit documentation requested by an inspector and because she is co-habiting with her partner.
No appeal has been lodged to date.
Departmental Reviews
Seán Kyne
Ceist:379 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress of the mortgage interest supplement review as recommended by the expert group on mortgage arrears and personal debt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18812/11]
The Department's review of the administrative, policy and legal aspects of the mortgage interest supplement scheme was published in July 2010 in conjunction with the interim report of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group. The final review of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group was published in November 2010.
These recommendations are currently being considered in my Department. I would however point out that some of the recommendations and commitments contained in these reports, particularly the change to the 30 hour rule, would have financial implications that would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
Question No. 380 answered with Question No. 322.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:381 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Social Protection the number and dates of formal meetings that she has had with the management advisory committee in her Department since her appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18926/11]
To date, I have had four formal meetings with the Department's Management Board since my appointment. These meetings took place on March 24th, May 5th, May 26th and June 23rd. My aim is to meet the Board on a monthly basis, other commitments permitting.
In addition, I have a formal weekly meeting with the Secretary General of the Department to discuss ongoing business and priorities.
In undertaking my ministerial role, I meet with officials of my Department on an ongoing basis to discuss issues relating to their areas of responsibility.
I am satisfied both with the advice and support received from the Department and the arrangements in place through which I consult with officials at the top and senior levels and that these are effective in supporting me to discharge fully and effectively my ministerial responsibilities.
Social Welfare Appeals
Michael Creed
Ceist:382 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their appeal for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18952/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a disability allowance appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 26 January 2011. 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 22 March 2011 and the appeal will, in due course, be referred to an Appeals Officer who will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.
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.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:383 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General represent; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19499/11]
The Secretary General of my Department is not on the board of any State agency.
Planning Issues
Shane Ross
Ceist:384 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the architectural section in his Department was consulted regarding the South Dublin County Council Part 8 proposal for Taylor’s Lane in view of the fact that it involves a protected structure; if his AHPF for planning authorities has been set aside for just this proposal or for all proposals concerning protected structures; the reason he did not wait for the Ombudsman to conclude her investigation before granting financial approval to the Part 8 proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18410/11]
Under Article 82(3)(c) of the Planning and Develoment Regulations 2001, where it appears to a local authority that a proposed development under Part 8 of the same Regulations might detract from the appearance of a protected structure that authority must give notice to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht of the proposed development. South Dublin County Council has confirmed to my Department that it decided not to give such notice to the Minister as regards the Part 8 proposed development for a site adjacent to a protected structure at Taylor's Lane.
Architectural Heritage
Sean Fleming
Ceist:385 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a grant scheme is available for the renovation of historic old churches either directly through his Department or agencies or through the local authorities; when applications for such funding can be made; the maximum amount payable under these schemes; if funding will be paid to a project (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18656/11]
My Department has provided funding under the local authority conservation grants scheme to provide assistance for the conservation of buildings protected under the provisions of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. This scheme has been administered by the local authorities. My Department has also administered a Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme to assist with the conservation of structures in civic or public ownership and, generally, open to the public. Due to the significant reduction for 2011 in the budgetary allocation to the built heritage within the Vote of my Department, the operation of both grant schemes has been suspended.
Limited funding of €650,000 is being provided through a "Structures at Risk Fund" in 2011 to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010. Details of the operation of the fund issued to each local authority and the closing date for the receipt of applications under this scheme has passed. 23 local authorities have accepted grant offers for a total of 31 projects under the fund. The average grant offered was €21,386. No application was received in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy for funding under the Structures at Risk Fund.
My Department also provides funding to support the work of the Heritage Council, including for a number of conservation grants schemes, such as the Significant Places of Public Worship Grants Scheme, the Heritage Management Grants Scheme and Conservation Plan Led Projects Grants Scheme. No maximum grant level is set by the Council under these schemes. The closing dates for the receipt of applications for funding under these schemes in 2011 have now passed. My understanding is that no application was received in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy for funding under any of these schemes in 2011.
I also understand that a call for applications for funding in 2012 under some of these schemes may be made later this year.
Commemorative Events
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:386 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the planned meeting of the Famine Commemoration Committee took place in May; if he will provide a report from this meeting; if a date, location, venue and time have been agreed for the 2011 commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18644/11]
A meeting of the National Famine Commemoration Committee took place on Wednesday, 8th June 2011 and at that meeting it was agreed that Clones, County Monaghan would be the site of this year's National Famine Commemoration. The great support in the local communities in Monaghan for this event is very welcome, which is evidence of the deep respect still held today for all those who perished, suffered and emigrated during the famine. Discussions have already commenced between my Department and the relevant stakeholders to make the necessary arrangements and I hope to announce the date of this year's commemoration very shortly.
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:387 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans on a national and local basis to commemorate the centenary of 1916; if he has requested the local authority to appoint a 2016 commemoration policy or post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18714/11]
Arrangements for the development of the national commemorative framework will be announced shortly. The Government are committed to an inclusive approach and would welcome recommendations and proposals with regard to commemorations from Oireachtas members, local authorities, community groups and individuals in Ireland and abroad.
Audiovisual Sector
Robert Troy
Ceist:388 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he will publish the inter-agency strategy to develop the film, television and audio visual sectors here. [18787/11]
As I have mentioned in this House previously, I am finalizing a five-year strategy for the audiovisual sector that, among other matters, will address issues regarding talent development, convergence, sectoral growth, education and the digital opportunities for Ireland, as well as reporting on industry leadership, State agency roles and innovation. It will seek to provide a road map for the next few years and assist in enabling the domestic audiovisual content production sector to develop into an internationally traded sector for product and services over the period to 2015.
I hope to bring this strategy to Government for consideration in the coming weeks and, following that, a decision will be made regarding its publication.
Commemorative Events
Robert Troy
Ceist:389 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has developed a programme of events to mark European City of Science 2012. [18788/11]
Dublin's successful bid to host the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) conference in 2012, and the designation as Dublin City of Science for next year, represents an exceptional opportunity to showcase Dublin and Ireland as a centre not only of scientific research but of creative innovation and cutting-edge cultural achievement. The international acclaim for institutions such as the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin demonstrates Ireland's potential as a leader in the field of art, science and technology convergence. A range of players, including my Department and the Arts Council, have been coordinating with the organisers of the event, including the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, the Royal Irish Academy and others, to develop plans for cultural events to tie in specifically with the week of the ESOF conference, and more generally through the year. A call for proposals for public engagement projects, including cultural projects, has just been completed by Dublin City of Science, and the relevant cultural projects to be selected as part of this scheme will also form an important part of the artistic and cultural programme to mark the year.
Local Authority Staff
Robert Troy
Ceist:390 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the system he has put in place to ensure greater co-operation between arts officers in various local authorities. [18789/11]
I wish to point out that Arts officers are employed by each local authority throughout the State. The activities of these officials, as is the case of all local authority employees, fall, in the first instance, within the statutory remit of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. While being Minister with responsibility for the Arts, my statutory authority does not extend to local authority arts officers. However, I am currently in the process of meeting Arts officers collectively in the context of integrated Arts and Culture promotional strategies at local level.
Cultural Events
Robert Troy
Ceist:391 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when culture night will become a twice yearly event. [18790/11]
Plans for the 2011 culture night are well under way and discussions are also ongoing as to the most appropriate way to build on its success and popularity for the future. These discussions include the feasibility of making Culture Night a twice yearly event as proposed in the Programme for Government. The Deputy will appreciate that these discussions must have regard to the resources available to my Department and to the many competing demands on these resources. St. Patrick's Festival is currently the primary cultural festival during the Spring and there may be scope for the development of an audience-focused cultural initiative as part of these festivities.
Caiteachas Ranna
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:392 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén méid airgid atá ar fáil ag a Roinn in 2011 do scéimeanna-caiteachas caipitiúil, arna bhriseadh síos de réir gach fomhíre de na meastacháin, agus an caiteachas go dáta, arna bhriseadh síos ar an gcaoi chéanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18834/11]
Tá liosta des na liúntais caipitil fé gach fo-mhír do Vóta mo Roinne le fáil sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe la haghaidh Seirbhisí Poiblí 2011.
Is mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil na liúntaisí fé fo-mhíreanna don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht agus fén fo-mhír do Chomhoibriú Thuaidh-Theas bainteach leis an tréimhse ó 1 Bealtaine go dtí 31 Nollaig 2011.
Baineann caiteachas don tréimhse ó 1 Eanair go dtí 30 Aibreán 2011 leis na meastacháin do Vóta 27, An Roinn Ghnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta.
Is é an soláthar caipitil do Vóta mo Roinne ná €54.567m. Tá sonraí an chaiteachais fé na fo-mhíreanna éagsúla agus faoin chaiteachas go dáta le fáil sa tábla thíos.
Ar mhaithe le cruinneas, leiríonn an tábla chomh maith an soláthar caipitil don bhliain iomlán i gcóir na bhfo-mhíreanna a bhaineann leis An Ghaeilge agus An Ghaeltacht agus le Comhoibriú Thuaidh-Theas, i dteannta leis an solathar fé Vóta 27 agus an caiteachas faoin dá Vóta ó 1 Eanair go dtí deireadh mhí an Mheithimh 2011.
|
Fo-Mhírcheann |
Leithdháileadh Caipitil |
Caiteachas go dtí deireadh Mheithimh |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
A.5 |
Trealamh Oifige agus Seirbhísí Seachtracha TF |
404 |
88 |
|
Na hEalaíona agus Cultúr |
|||
|
B.2 |
An Chartlann Náisiúnta |
400 |
0 |
|
B.3 |
Áras Nua-Ealaíne na hÉireann, Leabharlann Chester Beatty, An Ceoláras Náisiúnta agus Dánlann Crawford |
1,500 |
751 |
|
B.5 |
Bonneagar Cultúrtha agus Forbairt |
7,800 |
3,762 |
|
B.7 |
An Chomhairle Ealaíon |
850 |
300 |
|
B.8 |
Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann |
2,000 |
658 |
|
B.9 |
Leabharlann Náisiúntana hÉireann |
1,000 |
0 |
|
B.10 |
Bord Scannán na hÉireann |
16,000 |
5,000 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
29,550 |
10,471 |
|
|
Oidhreacht |
|||
|
C.1 |
An Chomhairle Oidhreachta |
3,000 |
927 |
|
C.2 |
Oidhreacht Thógtha |
2,005 |
211 |
|
C.3 |
Oidhreacht Nádúrtha (An tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra) |
5,534 |
1,335 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
10,539 |
2,473 |
|
Fo-Mhírcheann |
Leithdháileadh Caipitil — Vóta 35 |
Caiteachas go dtí deireadh Meitheamh — Vóta 35 |
Leithdháileadh Caipitil don bhliain iomlán-Vóta 35 agus Vóta 27 |
Iomlán Caiteachas go dtí deireadh Meitheamh Vóta 35 agus Vóta 27 |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
An Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht |
|||||
|
D.1 |
Scéimeanna Tacaíochta na Gaeltachta |
1,961 |
274 |
2,500 |
813 |
|
D.2 |
Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge |
84 |
0 |
100 |
16 |
|
D.7 |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
5,500 |
0 |
6,000 |
500 |
|
D.8 |
Na hOileáin |
2,778 |
762 |
3,700 |
1,684 |
|
Fo-Iomlán |
10,323 |
1,036 |
12,300 |
3,013 |
|
|
Comhoibriú Thuaidh-Theas |
|||||
|
E.2 |
Uiscebhealaí Éireann |
3,751 |
0 |
6,000 |
2,249 |
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:393 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18915/11]
The Deputy will appreciate that the formal transfer to me, as Minister, of the full range of functions for the new Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht did not take full effect until 1 June 2011. I met formally with my Department's new Management Advisory Committee on 30 June 2011 and arrangements have been put in place for regular meetings in the future. Needless to say, since my appointment as Minister in March 2011, I have been meeting on a regular basis with officials in senior management across my Department to discuss a wide range of issues concerning my brief.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:394 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18934/11]
The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to provide the information requested within the confines of a ‘details supplied' question. I am however arranging for the available information to be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:395 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19488/11]
The Secretary General of my Department does not sit on the board of any State agency.
Fuel Poverty
Barry Cowen
Ceist:396 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to produce a strategy to tackle fuel poverty. [18285/11]
In line with the Programme for Government, I am working with my colleagues the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to bring forward an Energy Affordability Strategy which I intend to bring to Government in the coming months.
Considerable preparatory work has already been undertaken by the Inter-Departmental Agency Group on Affordable Energy, which is chaired by my Department and which represents all key Departments, Agencies and energy suppliers as well as the Energy Regulator and NGOs. This work will inform the proposed strategy which I intend to bring to Government in the coming months. The necessity, in that context, for legislative action, will be kept under review.
The affordable energy strategy will be the framework for building upon the many measures already in place to protect households at risk from the effects of energy poverty, which include the thermal efficiency-based measures such as the low income strand of Better Energy Homes, which provides significant energy efficiency improvements in low-income homes. It brings benefits to recipients in terms of energy affordability, tangible health improvements and overall well being.
Fishing Licences
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:397 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, following the 30 day consultation period recently concluded, when he will make a decision on the granting of salmon fishing (draft net) licences in Castlemaine Harbour, County Kerry; what the decision will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18252/11]
Following the public consultation, and having considered the submissions made, commercial fishing is being permitted in part of Castlemaine Harbour from 5 to 31 July 2011. The operation and management of the fishery will be subject to a number of controls which are set out in detail on my Department's website: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Inland+Fisheries+Division/Castlemaine.htm .
Decisions in relation to the operation of the commercial fishery in future years will continue to be guided by the scientific and management advice.
NewERA Project
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:398 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress on the NewERA proposal; and when material will be provided to the Oireachtas to begin assessing the matter. [18315/11]
The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA). I have been given special responsibility for the NewERA project. NewERA will be established as a dedicated entity to oversee investment as referred to below. It is proposed that streamlined and restructured semi-States will make significant additional investments, over and above current plans, over the next four years in "next generation" infrastructures in energy, broadband, forestry and water.
Proposals are being developed for the Government's consideration on the formal establishment of the NewERA. Intensive cross-Departmental engagement is under way on developing the optimum structure for the Authority. An initial presentation in the matter has been made to the Taoiseach and to Ministers, and urgent follow-up of work on the structure and scope of the entity is being processed.
I am committed to ensuring that speedy progress is made in establishing the NewERA Authority. As stated above, one of the key objectives of NewERA is the leveraging of additional investment and employment from streamlined and restructured Commercial State Bodies.
The Government has made clear its intention to ensure that State Companies play a full role in Ireland's economic recovery. The Energy State Companies are already engaged in significant programmes of infrastructure investment. We must ensure that all the investment programmes of the State Companies are cost effective, strategic and subject to rigorous shareholder scrutiny and where appropriate regulatory oversight. NewERA will have a key role to play in this regard on behalf of the Government's shareholder interests in the State Companies.
NewERA also commits the Government to co-invest with the Private Sector in the rollout of high speed broadband throughout the country. The first meeting of the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, attended by myself and Minister Rabbitte, and by all the CEOs of the leading telecommunications companies in Ireland was held on Monday 13th June last. This forum will intensively consider all elements that impact on the rollout of high speed broadband and will assist in informing the strategy to implement the NewERA commitment on broadband.
I am confident that concrete progress will emerge over the coming weeks, which will allow for the formal establishment shortly of a core NewERA structure with all the necessary expertise to progress the NewERA objectives and with the flexibility to develop and deepen the role over time.
Energy Efficiency
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:399 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grant supports provided by him or any other statutory agencies to persons wishing to install solar panels at their home or second dwelling; if these supports are available for second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18646/11]
I announced the launch of ‘Better Energy: The National Upgrade Programme' on Wednesday, 11 May 2011 on foot of the Jobs Initiative. Better Energy will replace the three existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes: the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES), the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS).
The scheme is available to homeowners of dwellings built before 2006 who want to improve the energy savings potential of their home. The measures grant-aided under Better Energy Homes include solar thermal, roof and wall insulation, high efficiency boilers, and heating control upgrades. Grant support of €800 is available in respect of solar thermal technologies.
Semi-State Bodies
Gerry Adams
Ceist:400 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if bonus payments were made to senior management in Bord na Móna and An Post in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the number of persons to whom bonus payments were made; and the total cost of such payments. [18783/11]
I wrote to the Chairpersons of each of the commercial Semi State bodies under my aegis on 13th May stating my view that payments of Performance Related Bonuses to CEOs should cease immediately. The Chief Executive of Bord na Móna has written to the Chairman of Bord na Móna, voluntarily waiving any performance related pay for the year 2010/2011. The CEO of Bord na Móna received a Performance Related Award of €70,000 in 2009.
The Chairman of An Post has confirmed that the Chief Executive of An Post has voluntarily waived his right to payment under the Performance Related Incentive Payment Scheme since 2008.
The payment of salaries and performance bonuses to senior management below the level of Chief Executive at Bord na Móna and An Post is an operational matter for the respective Board and Management of the company.
Inland Fisheries
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:401 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons fishermen who use a traditional method of fishing that is unique to the area are being denied the right to fish the inner section of Inver Bay, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18821/11]
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:402 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the person who holds the title of ownership for the Inver Bay, Eaney Fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18822/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.
The operation of the fishery in question is governed by the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations (No. 2) of 2010 and the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Draft Nets and Snap Nets) Bye Law No. 882, 2011. I understand that the only licensed fishing engine for commercial salmon fishing for the Ballyshannon District (the River Eany/Inver Bay) is a draft net.
The fishery in Inver Bay harvests fish stocks from the River Eany. According to the scientific advice, its Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is limited to 194 fish in 2011, reflecting the deteriorating performance of the river's stock since 2007 when the TAC was 950 fish.
I am advised that ownership of the fishery is vested in Inland Fisheries Ireland, under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, which manages the fishery in accordance with the above mentioned statutory instruments.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:403 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18916/11]
Since my appointment on 9th March 2011, I have held seven formal meetings with the Management Advisory Committee of my Department. These took place on the following dates:
15th of April
29th of April
6th of May
13th of May
30th of May
10th of June
1st of July
In addition, I continuously meet with senior officials in my Department on an ongoing basis.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:404 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18933/11]
The matter of office rental paid, the location of offices and their landlords is a day-to-day operational issue for the agencies and sub-agencies concerned.
I will have contact made with the Agencies concerned to establish if the information sought by the Deputy can be compiled after which I will be in touch with him again.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:405 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19489/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources does not sit on any State agency boards.
Energy Efficiency
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:406 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of developing our own domestic renewable energy sector, particularly wood biomass and wind-generated electricity, as well as reducing our over-dependence on imported fossil fuels, the progress made in relation to amendments to the regulatory regime for smoky and smokeless fuels to prepare for the application of the carbon tax to solid fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18341/11]
The Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 require that with effect from 7 June 2011 all bituminous coal placed on the market for residential use must have a sulphur content of no more than 0.7%. This has the effect of placing the main provision of the existing Voluntary Agreement between my Department and the Solid Fuel Trade Group (SFTG), representing the majority of major coal importers, on a statutory footing. The new Regulations will consolidate the environmental benefits achieved by the Voluntary Agreement, which has been in place since 2002.
To support local authority enforcement, the Regulations also require coal bagging operators and suppliers to register with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Persons or bodies placing coal on the market are required to hold records which certify that their product complies with the 0.7% sulphur standard. All bags of coal placed on sale must be sealed.
Compliance with the 0.7% sulphur standard will be demonstrated through an auditing and certification system, which was developed in consultation with key stakeholders and which will be overseen by the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement.
It is my intention that the enforcement of the Regulations will be further supported by increases in penalties under the Air Pollution Act 1987 that are being introduced by the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which has passed Second Stage in the Dáil.
The primary environmental objective of the new Regulations is to maintain good air quality standards in order to protect human health from noxious emissions to air which result from the use of bituminous coal in residential dwellings. The Regulations were also developed to facilitate the application of the carbon tax to coal used in residential dwellings. This is subject to a commencement order by the Minister for Finance to allow for the development of a robust mechanism to counter the large scale sourcing of more polluting high sulphur coal from Northern Ireland. This robust mechanism is now in place.
The development of the renewable energy sector is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Foreshore Licences
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:407 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he proposes to bring forward legislation to overhaul the Foreshore Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18343/11]
Ceist:
431 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the delays in approving sewerage schemes because of difficulties in sanctioning pre-shore licences; his plans to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18745/11]
Jim Daly
Ceist:443 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of foreshore licence applications that were granted from January to December of 2010 and from January to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18879/11]
Jim Daly
Ceist:444 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of foreshore licence applications received by his Department from January to December of 2010 and January to June of 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18881/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 407, 431, 443 and 444 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 264 of 10 May 2011 in which I outlined the work that has been undertaken to improve the throughput of foreshore applications in my Department and to modernise the consent process involved. Work on the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill to further improve the foreshore consent process is also progressing. It is intended that the Bill will, inter alia, integrate the foreshore consent process for major infrastructure projects within the strategic consent process operated by An Bord Pleanála, while the foreshore consent process for non-strategic infrastructure projects will be integrated within the wider planning consent process operated by the local authorities.
31 foreshores leases/licence applications were approved in 2010 following the transfer of functions into my Department with a further 31 applications decided to date in 2011; 30 leases/ licences have been executed.
27 foreshore lease/licence applications were received by my Department in 2010 with a further 31 received to date in 2011.
In accordance with the scheme of priorities for foreshore applications developed by my Department, all applications for a foreshore licence for sewerage schemes have been given a priority 1 status and are being progressed through the foreshore consent process on this basis.
Planning Issues
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:408 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he proposes to bring forward amendments to the Planning and Development Regulations to address the ruling of the European Court of Justice in respect of Ireland’s failure to properly implement the EIA directive in relation to on-farm developments (C-66/06); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18344/11]
My Department submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas on 23 June draft Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011, which propose a number of amendments to the Planning and Development Regulations to address the findings of the European Court of Justice in Case C66-06, which relate to the implementation of the EIA Directive for certain categories of agriculture and aquaculture related projects.
I understand that the draft regulations have been referred to the Select Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht for its consideration and I would anticipate that the Oireachtas will approve the draft regulations later this month to enable the regulations to be signed into law as soon as possible thereafter.
Pension Provisions
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:409 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18648/11]
My Department has a central policy and oversight function in relation to the Local Government Superannuation Scheme. The day-to-day administration of the Scheme is a matter for individual local authorities.
Cork City Council is the trustee of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme in respect of the individual referred to in the question. In order to process this superannuation case the Council requires certain information regarding previous employment. I understand that the Council requested the relevant information in April 2011 and that a response is awaited.
Local Authority Staff
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:410 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail any bonuses paid to local Government staff in 2010, including the amounts paid and the grades of the staff involved; if his attention has been drawn to any local authorities planning to pay such bonuses in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18974/11]
The scheme for Performance Related Awards for the Local Government Sector was suspended in 2009. No performance awards have been made since 2007.
Urban Renewal Schemes
Joan Collins
Ceist:411 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that of the total €8,900,437 allocation notified to Sligo Borough Council under the various measures contained in his Department’s social housing investment programme for 2011, a sum of €500,000 is to be used for the enhancement of Sligo’s main street, O’Connell Street; if funding from the Department’s social housing investment programme has been used in the past for the purpose of enhancing city and town centre streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18241/11]
Under my Department's National Regeneration Programme, funding is provided in respect of a range of measures to facilitate the physical, social and economic regeneration of certain disadvantaged urban communities. Regeneration programmes take a holistic and strategic approach to creating sustainable communities and address issues such as infrastructure deficit generally, accessibility, tenure mix, streetscape and the public realm and including social exclusion resulting from unemployment and economic disadvantage.
In terms of the improvement in the physical environment, beyond just improving housing, this can take many forms ranging from improvements in the landscaping of an area to the provision of new social infrastructure like community centres and the realignment of roads to improve permeability. It is in this context, as part of this year's €2 million allocation for the regeneration of the Eastern Quadrant of Sligo, that my Department is supporting a suite of improvement works to Sligo's O'Connell Street. These works will facilitate the pedestrianisation of the main street, support the overall objectives of the regeneration programme and are in line with similar improvement works in respect of other regeneration schemes.
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:412 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the regeneration projects for O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street in Dublin will proceed beyond the relocating-of-households stage over the next 12 months. [18249/11]
My Department continues to work closely with Dublin City Council in progressing ambitious regeneration proposals for the two former PPP regeneration projects at O'Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street. The plans for these regeneration projects are currently going through the statutory planning process, following which the City Council will prepare detailed designs and implementation plans for both projects. My Department is supporting the City Council's tenant relocation programme with the objective of facilitating progress once the detailed plans are completed. Demolition works have already been undertaken at Dominick Street and are currently under way at O'Devaney Gardens.
Community Development
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:413 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the inability of the Leader programme to fund food related labour intensive projects under the Axes 3 criteria, if he will take the necessary steps to resolve the matter in order that these projects can be funded as soon as possible thereby ensuring that the jobs potential is harnessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18265/11]
John McGuinness
Ceist:425 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made in resolving the EU-Government decision not to fund rural food enterprise projects under Leader Axes I; if a fund of €25 million will be set aside for such projects in view of the level of demand countrywide; if the rate of funding will be increased up to at least 50% for such projects; if he will detail all action taken to date by him to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18541/11]
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:428 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the current situation in which Leader companies here are being informed that they cannot fund any food projects through Leader Programmes Axes 3 and 4; the way Leader or alternative sources can be utilised to fund food projects in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18696/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 425 and 428 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 41 of 16 June 2011. My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to seek a solution, and I am not in a position to make any decisions regarding additional funds for the types of project referred to at this time. Any funding decision would fall to be made in the context of the overall budgetary situation later in the year.
The maximum rate of funding that may be made available under Axis 1 to the types of project referred to is 40% as set by EU Regulation.
Private Rented Accommodation
Joanna Tuffy
Ceist:414 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to address the incorrect retention of tenants’ deposits by landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18279/11]
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 with a specific emphasis on whether the Act best supports the PRTB's key functions and on whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector. The outcomes of the review were announced by my predecessor as Minister of State and, in April 2010, the Government approved the preparation of the Heads of a Bill to deliver on the review's recommendations.
The incorrect retention of deposits by landlords was identified in that review process as one of a range of issues that merited specific attention. I am at present evaluating the review recommendations and associated legislative proposals and I intend to submit proposals in that regard to Government in the near future.
I have already met with the PRTB which has engaged in some research as to the viability of a separate deposit retention scheme pursuant to its function, under section 151(1) of the Act, to provide advice to the Minister concerning policy in relation to the private rented sector. On foot of that meeting, I have asked the PRTB to carry out further research on how best to address the issue of deposit retention and this research will further inform my thinking on this matter.
Water Charges
Michael McGrath
Ceist:415 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding plans to roll out domestic water meters around the country. [18307/11]
The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The objective is to install water meters in households connected to public water supplies and move to a charging system based on usage above a free allowance. My Department is currently preparing a strategy to implement these proposals, including the approach to be taken to the procurement of the water meters and their installation. Further details will be announced following the Government's consideration of the proposals.
Urban Renewal Schemes
Gerald Nash
Ceist:416 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will be proceeding with a comprehensive regeneration scheme for estates (details supplied) in County Louth. [18311/11]
My Department continues to work closely with Dundalk Town Council in progressing a number of improvement works and regeneration projects across the town council area. My Department made the following allocations in respect of these projects this year:
Cox's Demesne Regeneration — €500,000
Muirhevnamor Remedial and Energy Efficiency Works — €600,000
In the case of Cox's Demesne, the funding will be used to support the completion of the master-planning process and to provide continued support for social inclusion and environmental works, e.g. provision of a community warden, and improvements to public lighting among others. It will also provide for the commencement of works on an energy efficiency pilot project in the Aisling Park area. This pilot project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the ESB, will see energy efficiency improvement works delivered to 126 houses in the area this year. The master plan, once completed, will set out a roadmap for subsequent phases of the regeneration, detailing the actions needed to achieve the social, economic, and physical regeneration of the area. It is expected that this plan will be completed later this year.
In the case of Muirhevnamor, my Department is currently working with the Council on two separate projects, an energy efficiency improvement works project and a remedial works project. The energy efficiency project, which commenced last year, has resulted in the improvement of some 150 houses in the estate with works to a further 30 houses under way. A revised submission in respect of the planning stage of the remedial works project was received in my Department in May and is currently being assessed.
Community Development
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:417 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to make it a condition of funding for a company (details supplied) in County Galway that it amalgamate and share a manager with similar companies in another county; if it is intended that the Island Community Development Projects will be amalgamated with Comhar na nOileán Teo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18362/11]
A revised alternative integration model for the delivery of the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) was submitted to my Department on 1 April 2011 on behalf of the five Island Community Development Projects (CDPs).
My Department indicated that alternatives to the full integration of CDPs with their respective Local Development Companies under the LCDP would be considered if such alternatives met a range of criteria, including reduced structures, better integrated delivery of services, and achievement of administrative efficiencies.
In this context, my Department has agreed two new LCDP delivery models for the offshore Islands; one for the Galway/Mayo Islands and another for the Islands off the coast of Cork. I understand that the relevant CDPs are in the process of merging to form two new companies (in place of the former five separate companies), which will deliver LCDP activities on the basis of Service Level Agreements with Comhar na nOileán Teo.
The Programme provides funding for a range of eligible LCDP activities and a contribution towards the running costs of implementing bodies. My Department has no role in relation to staffing issues in these companies — such matters are solely the responsibility of the Boards of the relevant companies.
Departmental Funding
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:418 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the grant allocated to Caring for Carers Ireland Limited under the funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector; the way this grant compares with the funding provided annually under the previous scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18370/11]
Caring for Carers was awarded €75,000 per annum under the 2011-2013 Funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. This is subject to the outcome of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, the annual estimates process, and submission and approval of annual work plans. Under the previous scheme this organisation received €80,352 in 2010.
Funding under the scheme has been allocated following an objective and merit-based competitive process.
Local Authority Housing
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:419 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the funding allocated for the regeneration and development of Canon Mooney Gardens, city council flats, in Ringsend, Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18415/11]
As part of the Housing Management Initiative, from 1 January 2007 local authorities were given delegated sanction for the delivery of their annual improvement works programmes subject to specific conditions and overall programme approval from my Department. Funding for these programmes was provided from the authority's own internal capital receipts from the sale of local authority dwellings.
It is a matter for Dublin City Council, within their capital allocation, to determine their improvements works programme. However, the decrease in the level of internal capital receipts available to the local authorities in recent years resulted in improvement works projects being funded directly by my Department where a lack of internal capital receipts in the authority could be demonstrated and a clear need for such works identified.
With regard to the proposed Canon Mooney Gardens precinct improvement project, my Department is awaiting the submission to it from Dublin City Council of a cost benefit analysis as well as a full capital appraisal, which when submitted will enable my Department to make a full assessment of the proposal.
Fire Stations
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:420 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will be made available to purchase land to enable the building of a new fire station in Ferbane, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18420/11]
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
A proposal by Offaly County Council to construct a replacement station in Ferbane was approved in principle by the Department in 2008 and the site purchase proposal in respect of the replacement station is currently under consideration in my Department.
Further support from my Department under the fire services capital programme in the period ahead will have regard to Offaly County Council's priorities, the extent of previous investment, the value for money offered by proposals, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands from fire authorities countrywide.
Urban Renewal Schemes
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:421 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Buttercup Regeneration Project in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18423/11]
Following recent discussions with Dublin City Council, a detailed submission was received by my Department in May 2011 with regard to the proposed project at Buttercup Park. This submission is currently under consideration by my Department with a view to early progression of the project as a remedial works scheme.
Public Procurement
Paschal Donohoe
Ceist:422 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who will have responsibility for the provision of furniture to the count centres for the Presidential election and referenda planned for later in 2011; if they will be a source of competitive tender; the way in which companies may tender for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18444/11]
Under electoral law, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the conduct of Presidential elections and referenda in the constituencies for which they are responsible. The detailed arrangements in relation to the conduct of elections, including the provision of furniture, are set out in the Electoral Act 1992. The Office of Public Works provides procurement services for returning officers in respect of election equipment required by them.
Fire Stations
Sean Fleming
Ceist:423 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding proposals for a project (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18499/11]
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations.
A proposal by Laois County Council to construct a replacement fire station in Rathdowney was approved in principle in 2006. The Council submitted a detailed design and cost plan to the Department and is seeking approval to proceed to tender stage.
Given the tight constraints on public finances, it will not be possible to provide financial support this year in relation to this project. Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority measure and, in that context, I recently approved a new programme of joint procurement of 17 fire appliances.
Further support from my Department under the fire services capital programme in the period ahead will have regard to the Council's priorities, the extent of previous investment, the value for money offered by proposals, the spread of existing facilities and the totality of demands from fire authorities countrywide.
Departmental Bodies
Joan Collins
Ceist:424 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it has been brought to his attention that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform informed Dáil Éireann that the pay rates of persons in the public purse should be known, the pay rate of the Chief Executive Officer and the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government Management Services Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18517/11]
The salary of the Chief Executive Officer is €153,885.
The salary scale for Assistant Chief Executives, from 1 January 2010, is €90,453 increasing by annual increments to €106,900.
Question No. 425 answered with Question No. 413.
Enforcement of Contracts
Peter Mathews
Ceist:426 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation in place to compel HomeBond, under its guarantee scheme, to undertake repair works on an apartment building when an independent engineering report concludes that there are structural cracks on the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18622/11]
HomeBond is a private limited company providing structural guarantees for new houses. I understand that since November 2008, the HomeBond Insurance Scheme is underwritten by Allianz and covers dwellings registered after that time. As in the case of any private company its operations are a matter for its management and Board of Directors.
The resolution of any problems arising between home owners and their builders is ultimately a matter for the parties concerned — the homeowner, the relevant developer and the builder's insurer.
Any dispute in relation to the enforcement of contracts is a civil matter and I have no function in such matters.
Social and Affordable Housing
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:427 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will continue to maintain an option for tenant purchase of their own homes for existing tenants of local authorities without time limitations or restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18662/11]
As announced in June 2010 it remains the intention that the existing tenant purchase arrangements will be wound down in 2012 to be replaced by a new scheme for existing local authority housing. It is not possible at this stage to specify the terms of the new scheme but the intention is that it will be modelled on the incremental purchase scheme introduced in June 2010 for newly-built social housing. That scheme allows social housing tenants and households qualified for social housing support to avail of attractive discounts, from 40% to 60% of the total cost of the house depending on income, to purchase a new social housing unit.
It was never intended that the option for existing local authority tenants to buy their own homes be discontinued, but that it would be replaced instead with a more up-to-date and equitable purchase model.
Question No. 428 answered with Question No. 413.
Grant Payments
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:429 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the amount of funding given by area partnership and Leader groups under axes 3 and 4 of the rural development programme to the sport horse sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18699/11]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 272 of 21 June 2011, which acknowledged that the information sought is not readily available, and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.
Urban Renewal Schemes
Joan Collins
Ceist:430 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for the tenancy support worker, the youth project and the community warden scheme in an estate (details supplied) in County Sligo was provided by him through the sustaining communities fund, in view of the fact that the sustaining communities fund has been discontinued; if he will approve funding for the projects directly from regeneration funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/11]
The Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF) provides revenue funding to local authorities for initiatives focused on estate renewal and regeneration, as well as for initiatives that contribute to the development and support of sustainable communities. Funding for a 3-year period was approved for the projects in question under the first call for proposals under the SCF in 2007, and was recouped to Sligo Borough Council over the period 2008 to 2010. In February 2011, local authorities were invited to submit project proposals for improvements to their social housing stock and for a further tranche of funding under the SCF. No application was received from the Borough Council for additional SCF funding for these projects. However, my Department understands that these projects are currently being considered for funding in the context of the wider regeneration programme for the Eastern Quadrant of Sligo, which includes the Cranmore Estate.
Question No. 431 answered with Question No. 407.
Building Regulations
Ceist:
432 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation relating to fire safety in apartment buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18746/11]
Those involved in the design and construction of buildings, including apartments, have a duty to comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations 1997-2010. These Regulations include a range of provisions for fire safety in the design and construction of buildings (including apartments). Part B of the Building Regulations sets out the fire safety requirements to be observed in the design and construction of certain buildings including apartment buildings.
Section 18 of the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 places a duty on persons having control over premises, such as apartment buildings, to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire. The Section also places a duty on people on such premises to conduct themselves in such as way as to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, other people on the premises are not exposed to danger from fire as a consequence of any act or omission of theirs. Section 22 of the Act empowers fire authorities to inspect any land or building, including apartment buildings, for the purpose of the Act, including enforcement of fire safety matters.
Earlier this year, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform introduced the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011. Under Section 3 of the Act, it is a condition of sale of an apartment in a Multi-Unit Development that a certificate be furnished from a suitably qualified person confirming that the relevant parts of the multi-unit development have been constructed in compliance with the fire safety certificate issued pursuant to Building Control legislation.
I do not have plans to introduce additional legislation in relation to fire safety in apartment buildings.
Social and Affordable Housing
Robert Dowds
Ceist:433 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to assist single persons, mainly men, on housing lists to access housing units in which they can reside on their own. [18754/11]
It is open to any person or household to apply to a housing authority for an assessment of their housing need. It is a matter solely for the housing authority concerned to determine whether an applicant for social housing support is eligible for and in need of that support in accordance with the provisions of section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, regulations made under that section, and having regard to the particular circumstances of the case.
The allocation of social housing support is a matter for the housing authority concerned in accordance with an allocation scheme made by the authority under section 22 of the 2009 Act. Section 22 allows a housing authority to include in its allocation scheme a provision to set aside a proportion of dwellings for allocation to particular groups based on a particular identified housing need in the authority's functional area. It is a matter for the housing authority, however, to determine whether such a provision is required and which household groups e.g. persons with a disability, older persons, single adult households, should be targeted.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:434 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has addressed the legal difficulty for householders with an affordable home who wish to re-mortgage but cannot do so because the affordable home clawback payment provision is then triggered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18757/11]
Provision was made in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 to allow purchasers under the new Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements to re-mortgage or top-up their mortgage without triggering the clawback. However, the Act does not provide this facility for purchasers under existing affordable housing or shared ownership arrangements. I have asked my Department to arrange to have the provisions necessary to address this matter included in the first appropriate legislative vehicle that becomes available.
Private Rented Accommodation
Seán Kyne
Ceist:435 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the mechanisms available to the Private Residential Tenancies Board for enforcing determination orders; and if the PRTB is obliged and or has the authority to enforce such orders. [18791/11]
Sections 124 and 126 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 make provision for the enforcement of determination orders made by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).
Under section 124 of the Act the Board or a party mentioned in a determination order, if satisfied that another party has failed to comply with one or more terms of that order, may make an application to the Circuit Court for an order directing the party concerned to comply with the term or terms concerned.
Under section 126 of the Act the Board may take criminal proceedings against a person who fails to comply with one or more terms of a determination order.
The Act does not oblige the PRTB to enforce determination orders. Instead, the enforcement of orders is an operational matter for the Board as an independent statutory body.
Seán Kyne
Ceist:436 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a review of the Residential Tenancies Act is taking place; and his views on the progress of same. [18792/11]
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 with a specific emphasis on whether the Act best supports the PRTB's key functions and on whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector. The outcomes of the review were announced by my predecessor as Minister of State and, in April 2010, the Government approved the preparation of the Heads of a Bill to deliver on the review's recommendations.
I am at present evaluating the review recommendations, details of which are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie, and associated legislative proposals and I intend to submit proposals in that regard to Government in the near future.
Seán Kyne
Ceist:437 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if additional resources can be administered to the Private Residential Tenancies Board; if its functions will be reviewed in view of the delays experienced by a person (details supplied) in Galway, who is in dispute with a tenant, has received no rent for their property since May 2010, was prevented from taking court action until the PRTB had examined the matter and is now being advised, some 12 months later, by the PRTB to initiate the legal action the person wished to proceed with in the first place. [18794/11]
I have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2004, and cannot therefore comment on the specifics of any individual case.
The Act regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 with a specific emphasis on whether the Act best supports the PRTB's key functions and on whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies by the PRTB in the delivery of those functions or the broader good working of the private rented sector. The outcomes of the review were announced by my predecessor as Minister of State and, in April 2010, the Government approved the preparation of the Heads of a Bill to deliver on the review's recommendations.
The over-holding of property and the non-payment of rent by tenants were identified in that review process among a range of issues that merited specific attention. I am at present evaluating the review recommendations and associated legislative proposals and I intend to submit proposals in that regard to Government in the near future.
The Board currently operates on a self-financing basis and does not receive direct Exchequer support. Instead, by way of Ministerial direction under section 137 of the Act, it is allocated a portion of the overall fee income received by the Board.
Waste Management
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:438 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to provide grant aid to those persons who upgrade or provide new effluent treatments systems in compliance with European water directives in view of the fact that urban waste water systems have been heavily subsidised by the State in terms of capital grants to local authorities and in the interest of equality of treatment of both urban and rural dwellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18854/11]
In October 2009, the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland failed to adopt the necessary legislation to comply with Articles 4 and 8 of Council Directive 75/442/EEC, known as the Waste Directive, regarding domestic waste waters disposed of in the countryside through septic tanks and other individual waste water treatment systems. The Government recently approved the urgent drafting of a Bill to provide for the establishment of a new system for inspecting and monitoring of the performance of septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems. The Bill will be published as soon as possible and my intention will be to pursue its early enactment.
In so far as support for the upgrading of septic tanks is concerned, the introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary constraints. The matter is being considered by my Department in the context of developing the overall response to the ECJ judgment.
Departmental Funding
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:439 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the list of organisations that applied for the scheme of support for national and voluntary organisations; the list of successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18855/11]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:440 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the names of organisations in receipt of funding under the last scheme of funding for networks and federations; if he will list those not awarded funding under the present round; the new organisations awarded funding under this round and in each case the amount of State funding available to each organisation from other schemes and sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18856/11]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:451 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria used to award funding under the scheme of support for national and voluntary organisations; if availability of funding from other State sources was taken into account in making decisions on applications; the basis of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18995/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 439, 440 and 451 together.
The following Table lists the 63 successful applicants under the 2011-2013 Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector . Also listed are the organisations funded under the 2008-2010 scheme. As can be seen from the table, 46 of the successful applicants were also funded under the 2008-2010 scheme. In total, 149 organisations applied for funding under the 2011-2013 scheme and I will arrange to furnish the Deputy separately with the full list of applicants.
Funding under the scheme has been allocated following an objective and merit-based competitive process. The criteria used to assess applications are as follows:
Extent to which proposal focuses on disadvantage;
Deliverables and impact of the Funding;
Level of added value within sector;
Viability, value for money and governance;
Level of co-operation/integration/consolidation with similar organisations.
In the assessment process, account was taken of funding awarded from other State sources in terms of assessing the organisation's viability and level of cooperation with other groups.
|
Organisations funded 2011-2013 |
Organisations funded 2008-2010 |
|
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (Trading as the Peter Bradley Foundation) |
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service |
|
Active Retirement Network Ireland |
Active Retirement Ireland |
|
Age Action Ireland |
Age Action Ireland Ltd. |
|
Alzheimer Society of Ireland |
AkiDwA (Akina Dada wa Africa — The African Women’s Network (Ireland) |
|
Arthritis Ireland |
Arthritis Ireland |
|
Aspire |
Barnardos |
|
Barnardos |
Breaking Through Ltd. |
|
Breaking Through |
BRI — The Acquired Brain Injury Association |
|
Brí — The Acquired Brain Injury Advocacy Association |
Business in the Community |
|
Business in the Community Ireland |
Camphill Communities of Ireland Ltd |
|
Care Alliance Ireland |
Care Alliance Ireland |
|
Caring for Carers Ireland Ltd |
Caring for Carers Ireland |
|
Carmichael Centre for Vol Groups |
Carmichael Centre |
|
Centre for Independent Living |
Cheshire Ireland |
|
Children in Hospital Ireland |
Children in Hospital Ireland |
|
Children’s Rights Alliance |
Children’s Rights Alliance |
|
Chronic Pain Ireland |
Community Workers’ Co-operative |
|
Disability Federation of Ireland |
Disability Federation of Ireland |
|
Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) |
Dyslexia Association of Ireland |
|
European Anti-Poverty Network |
European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland |
|
Football Association of Ireland |
Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) |
|
Foróige (NFTE) |
Huntingtons Disease Association of Ireland |
|
Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) |
IASE (Irish Association of Supported Employment) |
|
Genetic and Rare Disorders Organisation |
Inclusion Ireland — National Association for People with an Intellectual Disability |
|
GROW in Ireland |
Irish Autism Action |
|
Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland Ltd |
Irish Chronic Pain Association |
|
IASE (Irish Association for Supported Employment) |
Irish Council for Social Housing |
|
INCADDS Irish National Council of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Support Groups |
Irish Countrywomen’s Association |
|
Inclusion Ireland - |
Irish Deaf Society |
|
INOU |
Irish Mountain Rescue Association (IMRA) |
|
Irish Autism Action |
Irish National Council of AD/HD Support Groups (INCADDS) |
|
Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) |
Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
|
Irish Deaf Society |
Irish Rural Link |
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament |
|
Irish Motor Neurone Disease Assoc (IMNDA) |
Irish Stammering Association |
|
Irish Mountain Rescue |
Irish Traveller Movement |
|
Irish National Community & Voluntary Forum (NCVF) |
Medical Research Charities Group |
|
Irish Stammering Association |
Migraine Association of Ireland |
|
Migraine Association of Ireland |
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) |
|
MOVE Ireland |
MOVE (Men overcoming Violence)Ireland Ltd |
|
Muintir na Tire |
Muintir na Tire |
|
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland |
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland |
|
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland |
National Association of Building Co-operatives Society Ltd. (NABCo) |
|
National Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Irl |
National Association of Traveller Centres |
|
National Association for Youth Drama |
National Collective of Community based Women’s Networks |
|
National Association of Building Co-operatives (Nabco) |
National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Providing Services to People with Intellectual Disability |
|
National Collective of Community-based Womens Networks |
National Traveller Women’s Forum |
|
National Traveller Womens’ Forum |
National Voluntary Drug Sector |
|
National Youth Council of Ireland |
National Women’s Council of Ireland |
|
Neurological Alliance of Ireland |
Neurological Alliance of Ireland |
|
New Communities Partnership |
New Communities Partnership |
|
One Family |
One Family |
|
OPEN |
OPEN (One Parent Exchange Network) |
|
Open Heart House |
Post Polio Support Group |
|
Post Polio Support Group |
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) |
Simon Communities of Ireland |
|
Safe Ireland |
Special Olympics Ireland Ltd |
|
Show Racism the Red Card |
Suas Educational Development |
|
Simon Communities of Ireland |
The Alzheimers Society of Ireland |
|
The Asthma Society of Ireland |
The National Network of Women’s Refuges and Support Services (NNWRSS) |
|
The Carers Association |
The Older Women’s Network (OWN Ireland) |
|
The Irish Traveller Movement |
Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland |
|
The Wheel |
The Wheel |
Water and Sewerage Schemes
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:441 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when approval will be given to Galway County Council to proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the Oughterard sewerage scheme; if he has received the design review report requested from Galway County Council two months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18858/11]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 333 of 17 May, 2011. The position in relation to the Oughterard Sewerage Scheme is unchanged.
Local Authority Housing
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:442 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to roll out replacement of senior citizen complexes, specifically Ballygall Road East and Mellowes Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, which are bedsit only, in view of the fact that these do not meet international best practice for social housing. [18868/11]
My Department has allocated some €78 million in 2011 to local authorities for the maintenance and improvement of their stock, and these improvement works programmes include remedial action necessary to convert bed-sits. It is a matter for Dublin City Council and other authorities, within their own improvement works allocation, to determine their improvements works programme including any remedial works to convert bed-sits.
My Department received a proposal under the Capital Assistance Scheme in October 2008 with regard to a proposed development at Ballygall Road East, for which the Department had a number of design and cost queries, and approval was not provided to proceed with this proposal at that time. In the current economic climate Dublin City Council decided that alternative means to upgrade the development be explored, and it is my understanding that Dublin City Council is currently in discussions with a voluntary housing body with a view to refurbishing the complex, and will submit details to my Department shortly.
I understand that proposals for a project at Mellowes Court are at a very early stage in Dublin City Council, and my Department has yet to receive any proposal for such works from the Council.
Questions Nos. 443 and 444 answered with Question No. 407.
Foreshore Licences
Jim Daly
Ceist:445 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 19 April 2011 the reason a foreshore licence (details supplied) is still in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in view of the fact that the challenge to the State’s ownership has been withdrawn and the relevant authority informed of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18882/11]
This application was referred to the Chief State Solicitor's Office for legal advice following a challenge to the State's ownership of the foreshore concerned. On foot of a request for further information from that office, my Department has compiled the necessary response which is expected to issue in the coming days.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:446 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18920/11]
I have met the Management Advisory Committee of my Department five times: on 11 March, 14 April, 5 May, 9 June and 15 June 2011.
Local Authority Housing
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:447 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a decision will issue in relation to the revised scheme of lettings submitted for his attention by Dublin City Council; the reason for this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18930/11]
There has been no delay in the putting in place of a new allocation scheme for Dublin City Council. The new allocation scheme was adopted by the Council on 9 May 2011.
Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which provides for the allocation of dwellings by a housing authority, was commenced in June 2010 and replaces the previous requirements which had governed the making of local authority allocation schemes (or schemes of letting priorities). Allocation schemes made by housing authorities under section 22 do not require Ministerial approval. The housing authority must submit a draft of the scheme to the Minister, who retains the power to direct the authority to change the scheme if it contains anything contrary to Government policy, but assuming no such direction issues, the authority can proceed to have the scheme adopted by the Council.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:448 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18938/11]
The provision of accommodation for agencies, or other bodies under the auspices of, or funded by, my Department is a matter for the bodies concerned.
Met Éireann is an integral part of my Department.
Social and Affordable Housing
Ceist:
449 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for social housing; if he will amend the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18973/11]
On 16 June I launched the Government's new housing policy statement which will serve as a framework for a sequence of legislative and policy initiatives in the short to medium term. Based on a number of fundamental principles and goals that will form the foundation of a substantial reform programme, the new framework for housing policy responds to current and emerging conditions in the housing sector, taking account of the dramatic cycle of rapid growth and sudden collapse in the residential property market.
In terms of the delivery of social housing, the policy statement clearly identifies that the main focus in terms of supports provided by Government will be on meeting the most acute needs — the housing support needs of those unable to provide for their accommodation from own resources.
The financial parameters which will apply over the coming years rule out a return to very large capital funded construction programmes by local authorities. Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as RAS and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition.
As part of the process of improving the regulatory framework within which approved housing bodies operate, thereby facilitating such bodies' access to loan financing options, I am considering making amendments to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992. Such amendments would relate to the methodology by which bodies are designated as approved housing bodies and to the process by which guidelines might be issued to such bodies.
Unfinished Housing Developments
Ceist:
450 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to resolve the situation associated with ghost estates; the role of the National Asset Management Agency in developing this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18987/11]
On 9 June 2011, I published the Final Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, entitled Resolving Ireland's Unfinished Housing Developments, together with my Department's response to the recommendations. Both reports are available on my Department's website —www.environ.ie.
The main recommendations of the Advisory Group were in respect of:
driving a more co-ordinated and partnership approach between stakeholders;
tackling public safety as an immediate priority;
strengthening the legislative and policy framework to incentivise real engagement by developers, site owners and funders in working with local authorities and residents in resolving unfinished housing developments; and
building confidence in the housing sector.
In my Department's policy response, I have outlined a range of actions to address these objectives, including the urgent resolution of public safety and other critical issues seriously impacting on the living conditions and quality of life for residents of unfinished developments; the development of formal liaison protocols between the various stakeholders — developers, financial institutions, residents, local authorities, approved housing bodies and my Department — to facilitate the sharing of information; and the prioritisation by local authorities of a number of unfinished developments to act as lead projects to demonstrate what can be achieved, building on the best practice Guidance Manual on Managing and Resolving Unfinished Housing Developments, which will be published shortly.
On 28 June, I chaired the first meeting of the National Co-ordination Committee which I have established to oversee implementation of the Advisory Group Report and the Government's response. The National Asset Management Agency is among the key stakeholders participating on the Committee which also includes representatives from my Department, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, financial institutions and the construction sector. The Committee will be meeting on an ongoing regular basis to oversee implementation with the aim of publishing a report on progress achieved within the next 12 months.
I am pleased to note that progress is already being made with regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates. To date, I have made allocations totalling some €1.3 million to fifteen local authorities from the €5 million funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues. The reduction in drawdown from this fund from previous provisional allocations reflects the fact that planning authorities are already making progress in securing the co-operation of developers, financial institutions and/or bond holders, thereby obviating the need to use Exchequer resources to fund such work. The types of works that have been approved to date include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting, and other works to secure sites. I will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed by my Department.
Question No. 451 answered with Question No. 439.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:452 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19493/11]
The Secretary General of my Department was appointed to the National Economic & Social Council (NESC) by the Government, and does not receive any remuneration for board membership. There are no Secretaries General appointed to the boards of any agencies under my Department's aegis.
Legislative Programme
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:453 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to bring forward reform legislation regarding mental capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17906/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 114 of 6 April 2011 which indicated the following:
"The Government Legislation Programme announced on 5 April 2011 indicates that the Mental Capacity Bill is expected to be published in late 2011.
The Bill will reform the law on mental capacity taking into account the Law Reform Commission's Report on Vulnerable Adults and the Law. The Bill will replace the Wards of Court system with a modern statutory framework governing decision-making on behalf of adults who lack capacity."
Citizenship Applications
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:454 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average time taken to process application for naturalisation lodged in 2010; the steps he will take to ensure that these applications are dealt with expeditiously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18372/11]
As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced a series of measures within my Department to provide for speedier processing of citizenship applications to bring about a substantial reduction in the processing timescale. The new arrangements include improved application forms that came into force on Friday, 24th June 2011, and are currently available online with an associated online residence checker, streamlined and accelerated procedures for certain types of application and plans to recruit interns under the new Internship Programme. These measures are targeted at clearing the backlog of applications awaiting a decision in excess of six months by spring of next year and from that time on the aim is, save in exceptional circumstances, that persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:455 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/11]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:471 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for refusal of naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18489/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 471 together.
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division in May 2007 and my predecessor decided in his absolute discretion to refuse the application on 8 December, 2009. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to him on 15 December, 2009.
It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when he is in a position to meet the statutory requirements.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:456 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent of progress made in the determination of naturalisation or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18398/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2010.
The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
In that context, I can inform the Deputy that I recently announced a series of measures within my Department to provide for speedier processing of citizenship applications to bring about a substantial reduction in the processing timescale. The new arrangements include improved application forms that came into force on Friday, 24th June 2011, and are currently available online with an associated online residence checker, streamlined and accelerated procedures for certain types of application and plans to recruit interns under the new Internship Programme. These measures are targeted at clearing the backlog of applications awaiting a decision in excess of six months by spring of next year and from that time on the aim is, save in exceptional circumstances, that persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:457 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date and outcome anticipation in the application for citizenship or residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18399/11]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that there is no current record of an application for residency from the person referred to in the Deputy's question. The person concerned was granted a Stamp 2 permission (student) on the 23rd December, 2010 which expires on the 5th December, 2011.
Officials in the Citizenship Division (INIS) of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:458 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 16 June 2011, wherein it was indicated that a letter requesting further documentation had been sent to the applicant on 21 December 2010, to date no reply has been received, in view of the fact that the applicant received no such letter and if it might be possible to have the relevant letter re-issued to the current address of the person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18400/11]
Further to Parliamentary Question No 163 of 16 June 2011, a letter has been issued to the person concerned at her current address requesting the outstanding documentation and once this material is received the application will be finalised.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:459 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 317 of 17 November 2009 and 145 of 20 May 2010, if a determination has been made regarding the entitlement of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18403/11]
I refer to previous replies in respect of the matter raised by the Deputy. The position is as set out in those replies, the most recent of which I have appended below for ease of reference. The requirements for obtaining Irish citizenship are clearly set out in that reply and as the Deputy will appreciate, in the absence of an application for naturalisation to my Department, it would not be possible to determine if the person in question meets the criteria for the granting of citizenship.
Reply to Parliamentary Question 145 of 20 May 2010
Section 6A of the Act, as inserted by section 4 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004 provides that a person born in the island of Ireland shall not be entitled to be an Irish citizen unless a parent of that person has, during the period of 4 years immediately preceding the person's birth, been resident in the island of Ireland for a period of not less than 3 years or periods the aggregate of which is not less than 3 years. The section does not apply to certain persons including those born to parents one of whom is at the time of the persons birth an Irish citizen, British citizen or a person entitled to reside without restriction. For the purpose of calculating reckonable residence under section 6A certain residence is excluded from consideration including unlawful residence, residence covered by a permission granted under Section 4 of the Immigration Act, 2004 for the purpose of study and residence covered by a provisional permission granted pending determination of an asylum application. Upon application for a passport, the Passport Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs assesses the child's entitlement to citizenship based upon the parent's reckonable residency. If the parents do not have sufficient residency the child does not have an entitlement to citizenship. It remains open to the parent of the child to make an application for a certificate of naturalisation on their behalf under section 15 of the 1956 Act, when the child has 5 years reckonable residency in the State.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:460 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for citizenship or residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18404/11]
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 13th August, 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:461 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18405/11]
Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 17th July, 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:462 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if travel documents submitted with previous documentation will be returned to the applicant in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18406/11]
The person concerned was granted leave to remain in the State for a one year period, valid to 2nd July, 2010. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 2nd July, 2009.
The person concerned is required to apply in writing for the renewal of this permission. As my Department's records show no evidence of such a renewal application having been made to date, it is recommended that the person concerned should do so without further delay.
You might wish to note that my Department has no record of the person concerned having submitted travel documents with his previous applications, nor are there any travel documents on his case file.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:463 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will indicate the position regarding residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18407/11]
The asylum applications made by the first, second, third and fourth persons concerned were refused. Arising from these asylum refusal decisions, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), they were each notified that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of them. They were each given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against them. In addition, they were notified of their respective entitlements to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The first, second, third and fourth persons concerned submitted individual applications for Subsidiary Protection and, following consideration of these applications, it was determined that the persons concerned were not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. The persons concerned were notified of these decisions by individual letters dated 22nd June, 2011.
The position in the State of the first, second, third and fourth persons concerned now fall to be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the files are passed to me for decision. Once decisions have been made, these decisions and the consequences of the decisions will be conveyed in writing to the first, second, third and fourth persons concerned.
An asylum application was lodged on behalf of the fifth person concerned in July, 2010. This application is the subject of Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court and, as such, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on that application at this time.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:464 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the determination of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/11]
Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 4th February, 2011, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Garda Stations
Noel Grealish
Ceist:465 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that all stages of planning have been completed for the provision of a new divisional and regional headquarters for Galway, if funding will be allocated for the construction of this Garda station; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18417/11]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is progressed in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
It is also the position that Garda capital building projects, including that referred to by the Deputy, are financed from the Vote of the OPW. In this context, I have been informed that the provision of the new Divisional Headquarters in Galway will be progressed in the light of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and the resources available to the OPW.
Citizenship Applications
Nicky McFadden
Ceist:466 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the application process for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be completed; and when a decision will issue. [18454/11]
The Deputy has not provided sufficient information in regard to the persons in question to enable me to give a detailed response.
If the Deputy wishes to furnish further particulars, officials in the citizenship section of my Department will advise her of the position.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:467 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18457/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in August 2009.
The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
In that context, I can inform the Deputy that I recently announced a series of measures within my Department to provide for speedier processing of citizenship applications to bring about a substantial reduction in the processing timescale. The new arrangements include improved application forms that came into force on Friday, 24th June 2011, and are currently available online with an associated online residence checker, streamlined and accelerated procedures for certain types of application and plans to recruit interns under the new Internship Programme. These measures are targeted at clearing the backlog of applications awaiting a decision in excess of six months by spring of next year and from that time on the aim is, save in exceptional circumstances, that persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Refugee Status
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:468 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected status in respect of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18486/11]
The person referred to claimed asylum in the State on 2 July 2001 and had her claim examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that she did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The person in question appealed this decision to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and following consideration of the appeal the Tribunal recommended that she be recognised as a refugee. Based on this recommendation, she was issued with a formal declaration of refugee status on 8 July 2009 and she continues to hold the status of refugee in the State.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:469 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [18487/11]
There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied.
If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.
Deportation Orders
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:470 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in regard to entitlement to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18488/11]
As the person referred to by the Deputy has instituted Judicial Review proceedings challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the Deportation Order made in respect of her, the matter is sub judice and I do not propose to comment further.
Question No. 471 answered with Question No. 455.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:472 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if medical information might be sought in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; if he will review this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18490/11]
As the Deputy is aware, it is not the practice to comment on individual asylum applications. Generally speaking, it is open to any applicant to submit pertinent information or evidence in support of their asylum application to the relevant statutory authority. In this regard, it should be noted that Section 11 C (2) of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) provides that an applicant shall furnish to the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, as may be appropriate, as soon as reasonably practicable, all information in his or her possession, control or procurement, relevant to his or her application.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:473 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine the circumstances in the case of an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18491/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply below to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 16 June, 2011. The position is unchanged since then.
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 10 September 2009, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim, and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). He has been evading his deportation since 6 October 2009 and should he come to the notice of the Garda authorities, he would be liable to arrest and detention. He should, therefore, present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau without any further delay.
In relation to the Deputy's assertion that the applicant ‘ . . . has never been served with a deportation order and is not aware of its existence’, the Deportation Order was sent on 16 September, 2009 by registered post to the applicant’s last notified address and copied to his legal representatives. In representations submitted by the applicant under cover of a letter from his legal representatives dated 4 August 2009, the applicant provided the address which the Deportation Order was sent to just over one month later on 16 September 2009 and is the same address referred to by the Deputy in his question.
The registered post was returned to the Department. The reason for non delivery was that ‘the applicant was unknown at the address'. It is the responsibility of the individual concerned to notify me of any change of address. The Deportation Order was sent by registered post to the applicant at the address which he had notified my Department of just over one month previously and copied to his legal representative and therefore the Deportation Order was served on him. It requires him to remove himself from the State or else present himself without further delay to the Garda National Immigration Bureau to arrange for his deportation.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Visa Applications
James Bannon
Ceist:474 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for a visa to remain here in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18496/11]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application for a visa to remain in the state, as no such visa exists. The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on the 8 March, 2011, notified to him by registered post on 16 March 2011 and copied to his legal representative on the same date. As a result of this, he is not eligible to apply for any type of Irish visa and is instead required to remove himself from the State and remain thereafter outside the State. If he fails to remove himself from the State, he should contact the Garda National Immigration Bureau without further delay to arrange his deportation.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:475 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 whose passports were confiscated on 24 January 2011, who has been in this jurisdiction since 2003; if he will re-examine this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18550/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State on 17 November, 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January, 2005, known as the IBC/05 Scheme. The permission to remain was renewed for a further three years in 2007 until 17 November 2010. However, I have been informed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) that the person concerned (and his spouse) attended on 24 January, 2011, for the purpose of complying with the obligation to register as a non-national.
The person (and his spouse) presented documentation during this process, which, on examination, was discovered not to contain certain security features which should be affixed to appropriately issued documentation. Consequently, possession was taken of the said documentation for the purpose of being subjected to more detailed examination and it has transpired that the documents, while genuine, had been altered since they were issued. Accordingly, GNIB cannot register the person concerned (and his spouse) with the permission to remain granted under the IBC/05 Scheme. The case files of the person concerned (and his spouse) will now be considered by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service with a view to deciding on their future status in the State, which will be conveyed in writing to them in due course.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:476 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected position regarding family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who is an Irish citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18551/11]
I am advised by my officials that the application in question was granted on 26 February 2008 and that the decision was conveyed in writing to the applicant's solicitors on that date. The Deputy previously received this information in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 841 of 17 June, 2008.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:477 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status including naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has lived here for six and a half years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18552/11]
As the name of the person referred to by the Deputy does not match the reference number supplied, it is not possible to provide the information sought at this time. However, if the Deputy wishes to provide the correct name and reference number a substantive reply will issue.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:478 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status including naturalisation in the case of a person (detail supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18553/11]
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 4th December, 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and, following the consideration of this application, it was determined that the person concerned was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 27th June, 2011. The case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will now be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned will be passed to me for decision. In advance of a final decision being made, the case of the person concerned will be examined to determine what, if any, impact the recent European Court of Justice Judgment in the Zambrano case may have on his case.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:479 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-examine an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18554/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2009. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
In that context, I can inform the Deputy that I recently announced a series of measures within my Department to provide for speedier processing of citizenship applications to bring about a substantial reduction in the processing timescale. The new arrangements include improved application forms that came into force on Friday, 24th June 2011, and are currently available online with an associated online residence checker, streamlined and accelerated procedures for certain types of application and plans to recruit interns under the new Internship Programme. These measures are targeted at clearing the backlog of applications awaiting a decision in excess of six months by spring of next year and from that time on the aim is, save in exceptional circumstances, that persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:480 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18555/11]
The person concerned arrived in the State in January, 2008 but failed to register with her local Registration Office as required under the Immigration Act 2004 and is therefore illegally resident in the State. She gave birth to a child in the State in 2008. Consequently, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 12th March, 2009, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her child. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of Deportation Orders or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why Deportation Orders should not be made against her and her child.
The position in the State of the person concerned, and that of her child, will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:481 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; if full consideration has been given on humanitarian grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18556/11]
The person concerned was admitted into the State on 20 January 2005 on foot of a student visa, valid until 6 June 2007. She has remained in the State since that date without the permission of the Minister. Consequently, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 12th March, 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:482 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date and the outcome anticipated in the application for citizenship and family unification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18557/11]
The immigration status of the person concerned is that of a failed asylum seeker who has no current right of residency in the State. As a result, he is not in a position to lodge applications for citizenship or family reunification at this time.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:483 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date and outcome anticipated in the application for citizenship and family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18558/11]
The immigration status of the person concerned is that of a failed asylum seeker who has no current right of residency in the State. As a result, she is not in a position to lodge applications for citizenship or family reunification at this time.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:484 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who wishes to apply for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18559/11]
There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied. If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.
Garda Vetting of Personnel
Jack Wall
Ceist:485 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding a submission in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18582/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application for vetting in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers was processed by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) and a response was returned to the registered organisation in March 2010.
In the vetting process, in response to a written request from a registered organisation, the Garda authorities will release criminal history information in respect of the person who is the subject of the vetting application. A vetting application may only be made with the written consent of the subject of the vetting application authorising the Garda authorities to furnish a statement that there are no convictions recorded against the subject in the State or elsewhere or a statement of any convictions recorded against the subject as the case may be or a statement of all prosecutions, successful or unsuccessful, pending or completed in the State or elsewhere as the case may be.
Garda vetting is only one element which feeds into the overall recruitment and selection process. There is a range of other factors which a recruiting/selecting body or organisation may take into account when coming to a decision on a person's suitability. The Garda authorities do not decide on the suitability or otherwise of person for recruitment or selection. These decisions rest, as they rightly should, with the recruiting/selecting body or organisation.
Security Dogs
Dara Murphy
Ceist:486 Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding dog training for the Garda, Prison Service and Customs Service; if there is an international standard or a national compliance standard; the costs involved in the purchase and/or training of these security dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18627/11]
I am awaiting information in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy and I will contact him when it becomes available.
Citizenship Applications
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:487 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will indicate the targeted timeframe within which naturalisation applications lodged under the new application system and the old application system will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18638/11]
It is my intention that the backlog of citizenship applications awaiting a decision in excess of six months will be dealt with by spring of next year and from that time on, save in exceptional circumstances, persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months. In the processing of applications no distinction is made between applications lodged under the new arrangements and those made under the old application system.
The new arrangements include improved application forms that came into force on Friday, 24th June 2011, and are currently available online with an associated online residence checker, streamlined and accelerated procedures for certain types of application and plans to recruit interns under the new Internship Programme. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Asylum Support Services
Sean Fleming
Ceist:488 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to close a centre (details supplied) in County Laois; the date of the closure; the contractual arrangements with the company currently running this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18657/11]
The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their protection applications are being processed. By way of background to this question, as of today RIA has 45 asylum seeker accommodation centres across 18 counties accommodating almost 5,800 residents. The system is a constantly evolving one, taking account of the ebb and flow of residents and of the financial resources available to RIA. The numbers needing to be accommodated by RIA have declined by 7% in the past year and this trend is continuing downwards. The 2011 estimates provision for RIA is €67.5 million, down €10 million (13%) from last year. Added to this is the requirement by RIA — as recommended in last year's Value for Money (VFM) Report — to maintain an overall operational ‘spare capacity' of less than 10%. Accordingly, because of a decline in demand, the number of asylum accommodation centres is necessarily falling. Five centres closed in 2008, six in 2009, eight in 2010 and more will be closed or downsized later this year.
The centre referred to in this question is operated by a commercial firm with whom RIA has a contract to provide accommodation services for 55 persons. Its current contract ends on 18 July, 2011. The contract is not being renewed by RIA, not because of any unhappiness with the running of the centre but rather because of the falling numbers of asylum seekers and the need to keep costs to a minimum. The centre had originally been contracted to RIA from 2 July, 2001 to 22 December, 2005. It closed but re-opened again on 24 July, 2007 and, as stated, its current contract ends on 18 July, 2011.
Garda Vetting of Personnel
Jack Wall
Ceist:489 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for Garda clearance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18676/11]
I have sought information from the Garda authorities with regard to the individual to whom the Deputy refers and any application that may have been made. I will communicate with the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
Legal Aid Service
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:490 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there was a failure to provide legal representation to a person (details supplied) despite numerous requests from a solicitor in private practice and also from solicitors for the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18677/11]
I can inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board does not provide information to third parties regarding any individual who may or may not be a client of the Board. The solicitor/client relationship is protected by privilege in accordance with the terms of Section 32 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995.
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:491 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 15 June 2011, if he will supply a copy of the letter the Legal Aid Board wrote recently to the prison governors outlining the process for applying for legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18678/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not have a copy of the letter to which she refers. However, to be of assistance I have forwarded your request to the Legal Aid Board for attention and direct reply.
Garda Vetting of Personnel
Áine Collins
Ceist:492 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding Garda clearance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork and when same will issue. [18728/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. The application has been processed and a response was returned to the registered organisation involved.
Garda Stations
Joe Costello
Ceist:493 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the work on Mountjoy Garda Station, Dublin 1, has been completed; the number of gardaí stationed at Fitzgibbon Street Station; the number remaining in Fitzgibbon Street; when the work on Fitzgibbon Street Station will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/11]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is progressed in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that work on the refurbishment of Mountjoy Garda station is currently underway. It is anticipated that this work will be completed in the near future and that the refurbished building will accommodate the station party from Fitzgibbon Street while refurbishment works are carried out at that station.
I have also been advised that the number of personnel attached to Fitzgibbon Street station as of 31 May 2011 was 114 and that plans to provide for a Garda presence at Fitzgibbon Street during the period the relevant members are stationed at Mountjoy are currently being developed.
The refurbishment of Fitzgibbon Street station will be progressed in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources.
Ministerial Transport
Robert Dowds
Ceist:494 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to employ persons who are not members of An Garda Síochána as drivers of ministerial cars in the near future. [18751/11]
Earlier this year the Government approved the introduction of new arrangements for the provision of cars for Ministers and other Office Holders.
Since then, and with the exception of certain office holders, responsibility for employing civilian drivers rests with each Minister or Minster for State through established procedures.
Citizenship Applications
Joe Costello
Ceist:495 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applicants for naturalisation in each of the past ten years; the number of applications granted in each of the past ten years; the average length of time awaiting decision in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18756/11]
I can inform the Deputy that in the period 2001 to 2010 some 96,536 applications for naturalisation were received by my Department and in the same period 23,728 certificates of naturalisation were issued. I should make the point that over 50,000 applications have been lodged in the past two years many of which are currently being processed.
The compilation of data relating to the average processing time for applications for each of the past ten years would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where all available resources are being directed towards dealing with the existing backlog of naturalisation applications.
In that context, I can inform the Deputy that I recently announced a series of measures within my Department to provide for speedier processing of citizenship applications to bring about a substantial reduction in the processing timescale. The new arrangements include improved application forms that came into force on Friday, 24th June 2011, and are currently available online with an associated online residence checker, streamlined and accelerated procedures for certain types of application and plans to recruit interns under the new Internship Programme. These measures are targeted at clearing the backlog of applications awaiting a decision in excess of six months by spring of next year and from that time on the aim is, save in exceptional circumstances, that persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Extradition Requests
Joe Costello
Ceist:496 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason no extradition proceedings were taken to bring a person (details supplied) back to Ireland to face proceedings here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18758/11]
Extradition arrangements between the Member States of the European Union (EU) are governed by the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, as amended, and, insofar as arrangements between Ireland and other states are concerned, by the Extradition Act 1965, as amended. In each instance, the decision in relation to seeking extradition rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Under the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, a court may, upon application made by or on behalf of the DPP, issue a European Arrest Warrant in respect of a person where it is satisfied, inter alia, that a domestic warrant has been issued for the arrest of that person but has not been executed and the person may not be in the State. In relation to a person outside the EU, a request for extradition can only arise where the DPP has decided that an individual should be prosecuted in the first instance. As the Deputy will appreciate, the DPP is completely independent in the exercise of his functions.
Legal Aid Service
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:497 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the various legal aid offices in Dublin have found it possible to discharge the number of cases referred to them; the number of cases pending; the number concluded; the average length of time taken to conclude a case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18806/11]
I can inform the Deputy that the following table provides the number of applications awaiting a first appointment as of the 1 June 2011 and the number of applications received in each of the Dublin law centres in the 12 month period to the 1 June 2011. It is not possible to give a ‘point in time' figure for the number of cases concluded. However, the Legal Aid Board includes information in relation to the number of cases concluded in a calendar year in its Annual Reports.
|
Law Centre |
Number of applications in 12 months to 1 June 2011 |
Number of persons waiting a first appointment on 1 June 2011 |
|
Blanchardstown |
258 |
78 |
|
N Brunswick St |
413 |
166 |
|
Clondalkin |
339 |
155 |
|
Finglas |
349 |
97 |
|
Gardiner St |
632 |
103 |
|
Tallaght |
369 |
211 |
The Deputy might also wish to note that in 2010, 2,195 persons applied for legal services for a District Court family law remedy to the Board's office in Dolphin House. All of these persons were granted legal aid, the vast majority of them by way of the Board's private practitioner service. In the first five months of this year 1,285 persons were granted legal aid in similar circumstances. It is difficult to give an average length of time to conclude a case. The duration of cases differs depending on a number of factors including, inter alia, the nature of the case, the willingness of the parties to negotiate and whether court proceedings are involved.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:498 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected position in regard to the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if updated Stamp 4 has issued in view of the fact that same is required for employment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18807/11]
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 114 of 19 May 2011. The current position is that a response is awaited from the person concerned to correspondence issued from my Department on 22 June last. On receipt of same, the case file of the person will be considered further and a decision made regarding his future status in the State.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:499 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which investigations into the application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin have progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18808/11]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply (set out beneath) to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of Tuesday, 22nd March, 2011 in this matter. The position is unchanged since then.
Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 10th July, 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should not have a Deportation Order made against her. She was also notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and, following consideration of this application, it was determined that she was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 25th April, 2008.
The position in the State of the person concerned now falls to be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:500 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18809/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2008.
I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question 138 on 18 June, 2009 in which he was advised that on examination of the application submitted it was determined that the application form had not been fully completed. It was returned to the person in question for further attention on 18 April, 2008. The person in question returned the application form to the Citizenship Division but the application form was returned again to the applicant on 1 July, 2008 as the application form was still incomplete. The Citizenship Division of my Department wrote to the person in question on 16 October, 2008 requesting she return her completed application form and supporting documentation in order for her application to be processed further. A further letter issued on 22 January, 2009, however, to date the Citizenship Division of my Department has not received the requested documentation and the application has been deemed ineligible.
It is open to the person in question to lodge a new application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when she is in a position to meet the statutory requirements.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:501 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18810/11]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply (set out beneath) to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of Wednesday, 20th April, 2011 in this matter. The position is unchanged since then.
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 27th March, 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. He has also submitted written representations for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
The person concerned has also sought to have his case to remain in the State considered in line with the principles set out in the recent European Court of Justice Judgment in the Zambrano case. My Department will be examining all such cases in the coming weeks to see where the Zambrano criteria might apply. Where the Zambrano criteria is met, all other things being equal, permission to remain in the State will be granted, for a specified period, of a nature as will enable such persons to work in the State without an Employment Permit or to set up in any legitimate business or profession without seeking the permission of the Minister. When the case of the person concerned has been examined in this context, he will be advised of the outcome.
In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, and if the person concerned is not found to meet the Zambrano criteria, his position in the State will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once such a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
Legal Aid Service
Seán Kyne
Ceist:502 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to reduce the waiting lists for civil legal aid in view of how crucial early access to assistance and advice is in legal matters. [18814/11]
I wish to refer the Deputy to the detailed information provided in Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1 and 15 of 23 June, 2011 in which I explained the background to the increased waiting times and the measures that the Legal Aid Board has taken to try to alleviate the problem. I would specifically like to draw the Deputy's attention to the following extract from my reply to Question No. 1 of 23 June, 2011:
"Like all public service organisations, the Board has also been subject to the public service recruitment embargo and the employee control framework. While the Board had a full staff sanction of 384, the current staffing is in the region of 350. The Board has sought to maintain its front line staffing to the greatest extent possible.
The Board has taken a range of measures with a view to addressing the increasing demand for services in a resource constrained environment. These include:
Increasing the number of cases referred to private solicitors for the purpose of providing a service.
An advice-only service which facilitates an earlier, brief, meeting with a solicitor where applicants are likely to have to wait in excess of four months for a substantive appointment.
An integration of the delivery of all services with a view to ensuring the most effective deployment of resources.
The recent introduction of a pilot integrated mediation initiative in Dublin involving the Board co-locating and cooperating with the Family Mediation Service and the Courts Service. The purpose of the initiative is to offer applicants for legal services alternatives to litigation in the Courts as a better (and from the State's point of view) a more cost-effective means of resolving family law disputes.
The creation of specialist units for medical negligence and childcare services.
The current development of a new legal case management system that is likely to improve the efficiency of service delivery, the management of risk in the organisation and provide for on-line applications.
The Board has also made use of a very limited exemption from the moratorium in relation to a small number of temporary front-line service delivery positions.
The Board has been operating a work placement scheme in co-operation with FÁS over the past two years and has also utilised a small number of solicitors who have sought experience on a voluntary basis. Under the Work Placement Scheme the Board has engaged up to 10 solicitors at any one time. The placements are for a maximum of 9 months and consist of a commitment to a 30 hours per week. The Board is very prepared to utilise all avenues available in addressing the huge surge in demand for services including the intern scheme referred to.
I intend to have a conversation with the Chairperson of the Legal Aid Board regarding the utilisation of the new National Internship Scheme which is due to commence on 1 July 2011, to temporarily assist in reducing the backlog currently affecting the law centres."
Departmental Expenditure
Seán Kenny
Ceist:503 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on refurbishment of Garda headquarters and the Garda training centre for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the works that were carried out at each location for each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18831/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand and has been sought from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Garda Training
Seán Kenny
Ceist:504 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps gardaí take to deal with a violent or aggressive prisoner when in Garda custody; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18832/11]
I am awaiting information in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy and I will contact him when it becomes available.
Garda Transport
Seán Kenny
Ceist:505 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional vehicles purchased for the Garda emergency response and regional support units in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the process by which this contract is tendered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18833/11]
The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements and priorities. I am informed by the Garda authorities that 35 vehicles were allocated to the Emergency Response Unit and the Regional Response Units in the period 2008 to May 2011. Of these, 4 were allocated to the Emergency Response Unit in 2008 and 1 in 2011. Additionally, 30 vehicles were allocated to the Regional Response Units in 2008.
Garda Operations
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:506 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if cutbacks in the medical service have had any effect on the ability of An Garda Síochána to detain, arrest or charge persons suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol of drugs; if his attention has been drawn to any cases in which the absence of a medical professional to test a suspect has meant that a suspect had to be released without charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18849/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are not aware of any difficulties in the processing of persons arrested on suspicion of drink driving offences. I am further informed that there have been no incidents where, due to the absence of a medical professional to test an individual, a suspect had to be released without charge.
Garda Strength
Dara Calleary
Ceist:507 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacant superintendent positions in An Garda Síochána; the station and district concerned in each case; the dates at which each vacancy arose; the details he has been made aware of to date regarding pending departures at superintendent rank as a result of retirement or other reasons; when he intends to fill the positions currently vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18865/11]
Discussions are currently under way with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to establish the approved number of staff in each of the senior Garda ranks in the context of the current and anticipated strength of the Garda Síochána. The outcome of these discussions will determine the number of fillable vacancies in the senior ranks, and the extent to which exceptions will be made to the public service moratorium on promotions which applies to the Garda Síochána.
In this context I should say that already, earlier this year, I received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the filling of six senior Garda posts which resulted in the Government appointing one Deputy Commissioner, one Assistant Commissioner, one Chief Superintendent and three Superintendents. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the current personnel strength of Garda Superintendents is 164 and that three more Superintendents have notified the Commissioner of their intention to retire before the end of 2011. More recently I received sanction from the Minister to hold competitions to establish panels from which future promotions may be made, subject to the conclusion of the discussions I have mentioned.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:508 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18925/11]
As well as meeting with members of the Management Advisory Committee (MAC) of my Department, since my appointment I have endeavoured to meet as many as possible of the staff at all levels working in my Department. My interactions with members of the MAC, in various formats, are a daily occurrence.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:509 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18943/11]
In the time available for answering Parliamentary Questions it has not been possible to compile the information sought by the Deputy. I am arranging to have the information compiled and will correspond with the Deputy in due course.
State Visits
Joe Higgins
Ceist:510 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the total costs to the State of the visits of the Queen of England and the President of the USA. [19487/11]
The position is that the processing of payments in respect of the Garda expenditure arising from the visits referred to by the Deputy is nearing completion and a final figure for the policing and security costs involved should be available shortly.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:511 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19498/11]
The Secretary General of my Department was appointed to the Board of the Institute of Public Administration in June 2010 and this appointment will end on his retirement from Office at the end of this month. He has received not any remuneration arising from the appointment.
Defence Forces Reserve
Robert Dowds
Ceist:512 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide figures on the total public expenditure on the Reserve Defence Force for the past year for which financial accounts are available. [18271/11]
Subhead D of the Defence Vote includes payments for Reserve Defence Force (RDF), training, gratuities, allowances and also includes grants paid into unit funds. The cost of the RDF as charged to Subhead D for 2010 was €4,014,369 and the provision for 2011 is €4,386,000. The following table shows costs relating to the RDF as charged to the Defence Vote for 2009 and 2010. The table shows, under Subheads B, C and P, the cost of Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel, known as the Cadre, who provide training and administrative support to the RDF. The table also shows the rental cost of property used by the RDF as charged to Subhead R.
|
Subhead |
2009 € |
2010 € |
|
B — PDF Cadre Pay and Employers PRSI |
19,615,142 |
16,594,000* |
|
C — Allowances paid to PDF Cadre |
1,463,849 |
1,304,247 |
|
P — Car Allowance and Car Mileage paid to PDF Cadre |
423,012 |
376,645 |
|
R — Rent of RDF Property |
92,501 |
157,835 |
*Estimated
Cadre pay costs are charged to PDF cost centres in the financial records. The amount shown for Cadre pay and employers PRSI for 2009 was compiled for the VFM review of the Reserve, which is examining the period 2006 to 2009.
The figure shown for 2010 is the estimated cost of Cadre pay and employers PRSI for that year. It reflects reductions in pay in line with Budget 2010 and has been calculated based on the average cost per Cadre member for 2009 and the numbers in place for 2010.
As the RDF is an integral part of the Defence Force, a range of costs, other than those outlined above, are spread across other Subheads of the Defence Vote. These costs, which include Petrol, Transport, Rations etc, are not currently disaggregated for the RDF.
Robert Dowds
Ceist:513 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of all non-training exercises and activities undertaken by the Reserve Defence Force for the past year for which financial accounts are available. [18272/11]
The Reserve Defence Force's primary role is to support the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in its contingency defence roles in an emergency situation. In peacetime, the main function of the Reserve centres on training and preparing for these contingency roles. Over the past number of years, the Defence Forces have met operational requirements from within the capacity and resources of the Permanent Defence Force without the need to call up the Reserve Defence Force. Consequently the primary focus of the Reserve has been on training and preparation. Apart from training activities, members of the Reserve Defence Force participate in a range of ceremonial events such as the 1916 commemoration.
In addition, the military authorities have informed me that there are a range of other activities that members of Reserve Units voluntarily undertake in support of their local communities such as charity collections and stewarding.
Overseas Missions
Maureen O'Sullivan
Ceist:514 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the point of a token military presence in Afghanistan regardless of UN approval; the work being done by this group; and the extent of our financial output on same to date. [18525/11]
The Defence Forces are primarily deployed on overseas missions in support of international peace and security under UN mandates. On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Ireland has participated in the NATO—led UN mandated mission since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July 2002, authorising the provision of seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the force. Since 2002, the Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis, the continued participation by seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF. On 28 June 2011, the Government agreed to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with ISAF for a further period from July 2011, subject to ongoing review by the Minister for Defence. Throughout the years, Ireland has and continues to contribute highly qualified Defence Forces personnel to UN mandated missions in small numbers or for short durations. This is a tangible and visible expression of Ireland's continued support for organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Examples of such contributions include the Defence Forces contribution to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and to the United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast (UNOCI), with three (3) and two (2) personnel respectively. Also, five personnel were deployed last year to EUTM Somalia, the EU mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces.
In the case of the seven Defence Forces personnel currently participating in ISAF, I am satisfied that the work carried out by these personnel at ISAF headquarters, particularly by those in the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) cell, represents an important contribution to this UN mandated mission.
The annual additional cost to the Defence Vote arising from participation by the Defence Forces in ISAF is approximately €320,000.
National Emergency Plan
Alan Farrell
Ceist:515 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Defence his plans to update the public on the existence and content of the national emergency response plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18769/11]
Alan Farrell
Ceist:516 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline any inter agency co-operation occurring in the national emergency response plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18770/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.
Emergency Planning in this country is structured around the ‘Lead Department' principle, which means that the Department that is responsible for an activity in normal conditions will maintain that responsibility in an emergency. It is a model that is followed in many countries and it means that the lead Department is responsible for assessing risks, making plans and leading the emergency response. In 2008 the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning agreed a ‘Roles and Responsibilities' document that identifies the Lead Department and the supporting Departments and Agencies in over 40 emergency scenarios.
While there is no one national emergency response plan, there are robust processes in place for inter-agency cooperation at the national, regional and local levels. At the national-level, the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning provides strategic direction and coordination of emergency planning. The Task Force (which I chair) was established after the 9/11 attacks and is comprised of Ministers and/or senior officials from all Government Departments and key public bodies. The Task Force provides a means for keeping emergency planning high on the agenda of all Government Departments and it examines crosscutting issues that impact across Government. It is a forum for sharing of information and, from time to time, receiving expert advice on any emerging emergency planning issues.
Also, the Framework for Major Emergency Management is the document that sets out a structure enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to prepare for, and make a coordinated response to, major emergencies resulting from events such as fires, transport accidents, hazardous substance incidents and severe weather. There are arrangements in place for raising the response from the local or regional level to the national level and for activating the National Emergency Coordination Centre when a ‘Whole of Government' response is required. In addition, there are specific plans in place to deal with specific types of emergencies such as a nuclear accident or an influenza pandemic.
Every Department is responsible for keeping the public up-to-date and informed of its emergency planning and response arrangements and this is done through its website or through other means, as appropriate. The Office of Emergency Planning's website emergencyplanning.ie outlines the structures that are in place and the key emergency planning contact points across the relevant Government Departments and Agencies. In 2008, as part of a national public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning, the Office of Emergency Planning distributed a handbook ‘Preparing for Major Emergencies’ to every household in the country. A copy of the handbook is available on the website.
Defence Forces Personnel
Gerald Nash
Ceist:517 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Defence if he will give consideration to pardoning the ex-Irish Defence Forces servicemen who deserted during World War II in order to fight fascism and who were dismissed en masse under the Emergency Powers Order (No. 362) in 1945; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18238/11]
The Emergency Powers (No. 362) Order, 1945 provided for members of the Defence Forces who had deserted or absented themselves without leave during the Emergency period commencing on 3 September 1939, for a period of not less than 180 days, to stand dismissed from the Defence Forces for desertion in a time of national emergency.
In common with armies throughout the world, desertion from the Irish Defence Forces is regarded as a very serious offence. This was especially the case at a time when the world was at war and our troops were on standby to defend our country from invasion. In any consideration of the matter, we must also bear in mind the principle that such decisions cannot be left to the individual discretion of individual soldiers on active service and all soldiers must accept that there are consequences for desertion.
Members of the Defence Forces who served during the "Emergency" were engaged in important service for their country and it is crucial that no decisions are made that would in any way diminish or undervalue their loyalty to the State and the service given by them to the State. However, I accept that many of those who deserted, went on to fight against fascism in World War II and did so out of a sense of idealism and with a commitment to protect democracies from tyranny and totalitarianism. Had there been a different outcome to World War II there is no reason to believe that this State would have been immune to invasion.
I am giving active consideration to the matter raised by the Deputy.
Army Barracks
Seán Kenny
Ceist:518 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Defence the number and type of refurbishment works carried out at each military barracks in the Eastern Brigade for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the cost of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/11]
The Department is engaged in ongoing capital building and maintenance programmes designed to modernise and enhance the living, training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces.
The capital building programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings. The ongoing maintenance programme ensures that necessary repairs are carried out at all military installations.
Under both programmes there has been considerable investment in the military installations in the Eastern Brigade over the over the last number of years with in excess of €16m having been spent on various projects. Details of the main projects undertaken in the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are set out in the tabular statement below. Numerous other smaller projects have also been undertaken during that time.
I am satisfied that there has been adequate investment in infrastructure and maintenance in the Eastern Brigade in recent years and that there is sufficient funding available to allow a continuation of the programmes outlined above to ensure that members of the Defence Forces have the best possible facilities available to meet their needs.
|
Location |
€ |
|
2007 |
|
|
McKee Barracks, Dublin — Gymnasium |
2,749,835 |
|
Aiken Barracks, Dundalk — E Block upgrade as Battalion HQ and Stores |
2,010,335 |
|
Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow — D Block upgrade |
363,077 |
|
McKee Barracks, Dublin — old Medical Aid Post — refurb/convert for security duty room |
196,684 |
|
Gormanston Camp, Co. Meath — upgrade Section Room |
141,308 |
|
McKee Barracks, Dublin — memorial area on Square |
116,321 |
|
Merrion Square — National Memorial |
251,938 |
|
2008 |
|
|
McKee Barracks, Dublin — CIS Building |
2,104,877 |
|
McKee Barracks, Dublin — Military Justice Centre |
506,456 |
|
Aiken Barracks, Dundalk — billets — fire compartmentation & redecoration |
288,559 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — Officer’s Mess kitchen upgrade |
218,155 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — L & M Blocks — re-point & clean |
208,580 |
|
Aiken Barracks, Dundalk — indoor riding school roof upgrade |
167,992 |
|
Gormanston Camp, Co. Meath — glazing upgrade |
158,900 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — Q & Ordnance Blocks — re-point |
156,456 |
|
Aiken Barracks, Dundalk — roads and squares |
134,349 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin- Cavalry Lecture Room & facilities — upgrade |
121,102 |
|
Kells, Co. Meath — Reserve Defence Force building — roof upgrade |
112,228 |
|
McKee Barracks, Dublin — roads and squares |
108,029 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — roads and squares |
105,724 |
|
2009 |
|
|
Aiken Barracks, Dundalk — Gym |
1,748,834 |
|
Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow — 25m ‘no danger area’ range |
233,286 |
|
Gormanston Camp, Co. Meath- 2 storey (B) block — fire & heating upgrade |
206,570 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — Transport Offices refurbishment |
160,091 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — upgrade Ordnance Workshop & ancillary accommodation |
139,663 |
|
2010 |
|
|
Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow — upgrade kitchen/dining hall |
931,046 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin- roads and squares |
244,224 |
|
Gormanston Camp, Co. Meath — Billet Block upgrade |
233,591 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — 2 Battalion locker room — upgrade toilet/ablutions, re-roof |
193,824 |
|
McKee Barracks, Dublin- Pte’s Mess — upgrade, to include disabled toilet |
180,457 |
|
Prefabricated units — for Brigades / Formations — Extra Space |
170,000 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — Cavalry Offices — re-roof & replace ceilings |
143,655 |
|
Prefabricated units — for Brigades / Formations — General Cabins |
142,258 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — roof and chimney remedial work |
140,417 |
|
Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow — replace canteen building — prefab |
111,031 |
|
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin — Gymnasium re-roof & roof-light windows |
108,631 |
|
2011 |
|
|
Cathal Brugha — E&F house refurb |
320,161 |
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:519 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Defence the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18918/11]
The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) meets on a weekly basis in the Department of Defence and is chaired by the Secretary General. I have had two formal meetings with the MAC in my Department on 20 May and 27 June. I will continue to chair meetings with the MAC on a monthly basis. I liaise with the Secretary General and other members of the MAC on a daily basis, or as necessary.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:520 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Defence with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18935/11]
The Department of Defence does not pay rent or hold leases in respect of the office accommodation occupied by the agencies under its aegis. The Army Pensions Board is located in St. Bricin's Hospital. The Defence Forces Canteen Board is located in McKee Barracks. Both locations form part of the Defence property portfolio and the question of rent does not arise.
In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. The company has been inactive since that decision. Prior to the discontinuation of the national sail training scheme, the offices of Coiste an Asgard were located with the Department of Defence in Coláiste Caoimhín, Glasnevin.
The Irish Red Cross Society is an independent statute based charitable organisation which manages and administers its affairs through its governing body, the Central Council. My Department has no function in the day to day administration of the Society, including accommodation matters.
The Commissioner of Public Works is the leaseholder in respect of the office accommodation occupied by the Civil Defence Board headquarters in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:521 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19491/11]
The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. There are no Secretaries General sitting on the above boards.
Leader Programmes
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:522 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the inability of the Leader programme to fund food-related labour intensive projects under the Axis 3 criteria, if he will take the necessary steps to resolve the matter by transferring the appropriate funding to the Axis 1 programme to facilitate the funding of these projects and ensure the jobs potential is harnessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18264/11]
Exchequer funding for Ireland's Rural Development Programme [RDP] is provided by my Department and by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Responsibility for funding the Leader programme rests with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I understand there is a legal difficulty in transferring funding, however, for Leader projects under Axis 3 and 4 to Axis 1.
My Department continues to work closely with their colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to resolve this issue bearing in mind the funding constraints.
Proposed Legislation
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:523 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is drafting legislation that will result in the banning of raw milk; if there has been a public consultation on this issue; if not, the reason therefor; if he has reviewed the potential impact of a ban on raw milk on cheesemongers and other producers and businesses; if he is considering any other regulations for this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18270/11]
The reason for maintaining a ban on the sale of raw milk for human consumption is to protect public health. This is based on strong advice from both food safety and public health professionals. There have been very serious health issues associated with the drinking of raw milk in Ireland and in a number of other countries.
The introduction of S.I. No. 910 of 2005 to implement the EU Food and Feed Hygiene Regulations in 2006 had the effect of removing the existing legal basis for the prohibition of the sale of raw cows milk for direct human consumption under S.I. No. 9 of 1996. Consideration was then given to extending the ban to cover goats and sheep milk. A consultation process was held during 2008 to determine public views on the proposal to extend the ban to include goats and sheep milk. Seventeen responses were received. Neither my Department nor the Food Safety Authority of Ireland were convinced that the submissions received provided any justification to oppose the expert advice that the extended ban should be supported in legislation.
While public health is the overriding consideration, it is also worth noting that legislation required to allow the sale of raw milk on a restricted basis would be much more complicated and would impose very significant extra cost on my Department in relation to oversight and enforcement. Failure to adequately oversee such high-risk business operations could result in serious national and international reputational risk, for instance in the event of an outbreak of TB being linked to the consumption of raw milk purchased from an establishment approved by the competent authority. It should be noted that the prevalence of TB in herds in Ireland puts us in a different position to most other Member States in the EU where the disease has been eradicated. It is inappropriate that Ireland should adopt the same approach to the consumption of raw milk as countries that do not have the same difficulty with TB and therefore have no associated risk.
In all the circumstances I am satisfied that a ban on the sale of raw milk for human consumption is fully justified. I do not propose to ban the sale of cheese or other products manufactured from raw milk, as the same risk to public health does not arise.
Article 10 (8) of EU Regulation 853 of 2004 provides that a Member State may, of its own initiative and subject to the general provisions of the Treaty, maintain or establish national rules prohibiting or restricting the placing on the market within its territory of raw milk or raw cream intended for direct human consumption. Section 54 of the Health Act of 1947 (as amended by Section 25 of the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006) has been identified as the appropriate primary legislation for this purpose and the Department of Health has agreed to promote a Statutory Instrument under that Act on behalf of my Department. The latest indicative timeframe for the introduction of the S.I. is end 2011, which includes allowance for a 3-month EU notification period.
Departmental Responsibilities
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:524 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the timescale for the amalgamation of the various marine related Departments under one Department of the Marine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18308/11]
This matter is currently the subject of discussions between the relevant Departments. It is not possible at present to give the timescale for its completion.
Food Safety
Joe Costello
Ceist:525 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans regarding the sale of raw milk; his plans to regulate the sale of this product and provide warnings for the public on containers; if he will engage with the producers and vendors of raw milk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18352/11]
The reason for maintaining a ban on the sale of raw milk for human consumption is to protect public health. This is based on strong advice from both food safety and public health professionals. There have been very serious health issues associated with the drinking of raw milk in Ireland and in a number of other countries.
The introduction of S.I. No. 910 of 2005 to implement the EU Food and Feed Hygiene Regulations in 2006 had the effect of removing the existing legal basis for the prohibition of the sale of raw cows milk for direct human consumption under S.I. No. 9 of 1996. Consideration was then given to extending the ban to cover goats and sheep milk. A consultation process was held during 2008 to determine public views on the proposal to extend the ban to include goats and sheep milk. Seventeen responses were received. Neither my Department nor the Food Safety Authority of Ireland were convinced that the submissions received provided any justification to oppose the expert advice that the extended ban should be supported in legislation.
While public health is the overriding consideration, it is also worth noting that legislation required to allow the sale of raw milk on a restricted basis would be much more complicated and would impose very significant extra cost on my Department in relation to oversight and enforcement. Failure to adequately oversee such high-risk business operations could result in serious national and international reputational risk, for instance in the event of an outbreak of TB being linked to the consumption of raw milk purchased from an establishment approved by the competent authority. It should be noted that the prevalence of TB in herds in Ireland puts us in a different position to most other Member States in the EU where the disease has been eradicated. It is inappropriate that Ireland should adopt the same approach to the consumption of raw milk as countries that do not have the same difficulty with TB and therefore have no associated risk.
In all the circumstances I am satisfied that a ban on the sale of raw milk for human consumption is fully justified. I do not propose to ban the sale of cheese or other products manufactured from raw milk, as the same risk to public health does not arise.
Article 10(8) of EU Regulation 853 of 2004 provides that a Member State may, of its own initiative and subject to the general provisions of the Treaty, maintain or establish national rules prohibiting or restricting the placing on the market within its territory of raw milk or raw cream intended for direct human consumption. Section 54 of the Health Act of 1947 (as amended by Section 25 of the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006) has been identified as the appropriate primary legislation for this purpose and the Department of Health has agreed to promote a Statutory Instrument under that Act on behalf of my Department. The latest indicative timeframe for the introduction of the S.I. is end 2011, which includes allowance for a 3-month EU notification period.
Grant Payments
Ceist:
526 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid farm equipment grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18378/11]
The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Payment of the grant will take place when it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with. The checks concerned should be completed in the near future.
Animal Welfare Bodies
David Stanton
Ceist:527 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of funding allocated by him to animal welfare organisations and charities for each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18419/11]
Since 1995, my Department has made ex-gratia payments to a number of organisations directly involved in the delivery of animal care and welfare services. The funding is intended only as a contribution to the overall costs of an organisation. The following payments have been made in recent years:
|
Year |
Total Amount |
|
2008 |
€1.250 million |
|
2009 |
€ 1.185 million |
|
2010 |
€ 1.210 million |
An announcement on the arrangements for 2011 will issue shortly.
Grant Payments
John O'Mahony
Ceist:528 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment for REP scheme 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18446/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in February 2009 and has received full payment in respect of year 1.
My officials are currently examining this file in relation to a nitrates issue. The outstanding payment for 2010 cannot be processed until this examination is complete. My officials will be in touch with the person named as soon as possible.
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:529 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a suckler cow appeal submitted in November 2010 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [18458/11]
The person named registered thirty one beef breed animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, the calves must be weaned in at least two groups for herds of more than ten suckler cows. This person named provided information that he had weaned all of the animals on the same day. Therefore, these animals were not eligible for payment under the requirements of the Scheme.
The applicant sought a review of this decision and submitted revised weaning dates. However, the new dates conflicted with previous information submitted to my Department and, therefore could not be accepted. A letter confirming this decision was issued by my Department on the 1st of July 2011. The person named has the right of appeal against this decision to the Agricultural Appeals Office.
Proposed Legislation
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:530 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason we need legislation on the sale of raw milk; the purpose of this Bill; if this legislation is being introduced to limit the retail of milk by small producers; his views on whether it is not more appropriate to have raw milk labelled as such and let consumers make up their own minds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18485/11]
The reason for maintaining a ban on the sale of raw milk for human consumption is to protect public health. This is based on strong advice from both food safety and public health professionals. There have been very serious health issues associated with the drinking of raw milk in Ireland and in a number of other countries.
The introduction of S.I. No. 910 of 2005 to implement the EU Food and Feed Hygiene Regulations in 2006 had the effect of removing the existing legal basis for the prohibition of the sale of raw cows milk for direct human consumption under S.I. No. 9 of 1996. Consideration was then given to extending the ban to cover goats and sheep milk. A consultation process was held during 2008 to determine public views on the proposal to extend the ban to include goats and sheep milk. Seventeen responses were received. Neither my Department nor the Food Safety Authority of Ireland were convinced that the submissions received provided any justification to oppose the expert advice that the extended ban should be supported in legislation.
While public health is the overriding consideration, it is also worth noting that legislation required to allow the sale of raw milk on a restricted basis would be much more complicated and would impose very significant extra cost on my Department in relation to oversight and enforcement. Failure to adequately oversee such high-risk business operations could result in serious national and international reputational risk, for instance in the event of an outbreak of TB being linked to the consumption of raw milk purchased from an establishment approved by the competent authority. It should be noted that the prevalence of TB in herds in Ireland puts us in a different position to most other Member States in the EU where the disease has been eradicated. It is inappropriate that Ireland should adopt the same approach to the consumption of raw milk as countries that do not have the same difficulty with TB and therefore have no associated risk.
In all the circumstances I am satisfied that a ban on the sale of raw milk for human consumption is fully justified. I do not propose to ban the sale of cheese or other products manufactured from raw milk, as the same risk to public health does not arise.
Article 10(8) of EU Regulation 853 of 2004 provides that a Member State may, of its own initiative and subject to the general provisions of the Treaty, maintain or establish national rules prohibiting or restricting the placing on the market within its territory of raw milk or raw cream intended for direct human consumption. Section 54 of the Health Act of 1947 (as amended by Section 25 of the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006) has been identified as the appropriate primary legislation for this purpose and the Department of Health has agreed to promote a Statutory Instrument under that Act on behalf of my Department. The latest indicative timeframe for the introduction of the S.I. is end 2011, which includes allowance for a 3-month EU notification period.
Fishery Harbour Centres
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:531 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the changes being planned particularly in relation to departmental and fishery harbour centres personnel and processes to address and overcome the weaknesses identified in a report (details supplied); and if he will ensure the future operation of FHCs contribute to the fullest extent possible to the vision of fully functioning, vibrant FHCs that contribute significantly to employment creation in the areas. [18527/11]
The Business Plan for the development of the Fishery Harbour Centres was published in 2009 and has identified opportunities for the continued development of the Fishery Harbour Centres and the enhancement of the services provided. The business plan suggests a five year time-frame for the full implementation of its recommendations and I can confirm that my Department has and continues to be active in the implementation of its recommendations.
One of the areas highlighted by the report was in relation to my Departments property portfolio at the Fishery Harbour Centres. My Departments staff have considered carefully the various actions recommended in the report and I can confirm that all the recommendations in this regard are being actively progressed.
In the broader context, I am of course fully aware of the valuable contribution that the Fishery Harbour Centres make to the local and national economies. This contribution is due in no small way to the effort and commitment of my staff who continue to provide the benefit of their experience and indeed retrain where necessary so as to maximise the valuable resource provided by the Fishery Harbour Centres.
Grant Payments
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:532 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a dairy hygiene grant will be paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/11]
The person concerned is an applicant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and submitted an application for grant-aid prior to the temporary suspension of the scheme for new applications on 8 June 2011. These applications are currently being processed by my Department.
The Deputy will be aware that it is a standard condition of all on-farm investment schemes that work must not have commenced prior to the issue of written approval by my Department.
Tom Fleming
Ceist:533 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will examine the delay in the REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [18689/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2009 and has received full payment in respect of years 1 and 2.
75% of the year 2 payment totalling €6,274.43 issued on 27 June while the balance of 25% totalling €2091.47 issued on 30 June.
Tax Reliefs
James Bannon
Ceist:534 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a farm consolidation certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18762/11]
Section 104 of the Finance Act 2007 amended the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 to grant stamp duty relief where a farmer sells qualifying land and purchases qualifying land in order to consolidate his or her holding. To be eligible to claim the stamp duty relief, the sale and purchase of qualifying land(s) must occur within 18 months of each other and before 30 June 2011. Land sold and purchased as part of a Farm Consolidation must comply with the following conditions:
the land must be in the State;
the land must be agricultural land or afforested land — it cannot include bog land; and
the land must not contain residential buildings.
Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, issues Farm Consolidation Certificates to qualifying farmers in respect of applications that comply with the conditions of farm consolidation. Administration of the Farm Consolidation Certificate is an operational matter for Teagasc and accordingly the Minister has no role in determining eligibility.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:535 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18914/11]
The Ministerial Management Advisory Committee provides me and Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee the opportunity to discuss with senior management the broad strategic and cross-cutting matters that affect my Department and the sectors for which we have responsibility. It is additional to the normal day to day direct contact with the Secretary General, senior management and other officials in relation to particular aspects of the Department's functions. I chaired the Ministerial Management Advisory Committee meeting on the 10th May and have scheduled a further meeting in that format to take place on 20th July.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:536 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the leases in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18931/11]
A number of the Agencies listed by the Deputy do not fall under my Department's remit. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Food Safety Promotion Board and the Food Safety Consultative Council all fall under the remit of the Department of Health, while the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is the responsibility of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
As to the rest, the Animal Remedies Consultative Committee is provided for under the Animal Remedies Act 1993 to advise and assist the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine in the making of regulations under the Act. In view of the nature of its remit, the Committee meets infrequently at an office of this Department.
The Consumer Liaison Panel is not an agency of my Department but was a consultative committee which met occasionally in the Department.
The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council is not an agency either and meetings have been held either within my Department or in suitable hotels around the country to reduce the level of travel for members of the Council.
The Irish National Stud, Tully, County Kildare was transferred to the State on 1 January, 1944. The National Stud Act, 1945 vested the lands in the Minister for Agriculture and provided for the setting up of a limited company to carry on the business of Stud farming at Tully and on any other land held by the company.
The National Stud (Amendment) Act, 2000 (Vesting) Order 2004 vested the lands which had until then been vested in the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Irish National Stud Company Ltd with effect from 1 October 2004.
RELAY is not an agency but is a food research dissemination project funded under the FIRM programme working out of the Teagasc Office in Moorepark.
The Aquaculture Licenses Appeals Board was based on 3rd floor of Holbrook House, Holles St., Dublin 2, which is owned by the OPW from 2008 to 2010. However, they did not pay rent on the accommodation for that period and no lease was involved. They are now based in the Department's Portlaoise Office.
COFORD was subsumed into my Department in August 2009. Prior to that it had offices in Arena House, Sandyford, Dublin 18. The rental arrangement was by way of six month Licence (not a Lease), with Premier Business Centres as the landlord until September 2009 when Emile Investment Holdings took over. The details of Rental payments for the relevant years are as follows:
|
€ |
|
|
2008 |
124,661.19 |
|
2009 |
88,166.02 |
|
2010 |
10,483.04 |
National Milk Agency is a Self financing Agency. It is located at IPC House, 35-39 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The landlords are Brendan Merry & Partners, IPC House, 35-39 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The rent paid over the period 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 was €45,853 annually. The three year lease is up at end of December 2011 and in 2012 the NMA intend to relocate to a cheaper premises.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland is located at 53 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. It is a self-financing body and is the owner of the property.
Child Poverty
Barry Cowen
Ceist:537 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if legislation will be required to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to adopt a new area based approach to child poverty. [18286/11]
Tackling child poverty is a priority for the Government and is a key goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007- 2016 which is co-ordinated by the Department of Social Protection. Children are more likely to be poor if they live in unemployed households or households where there is a low level of paid employment. The Departments of Social Protection, Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation, and Education and Skills, are working to deliver a range of measures aimed at getting people back to work.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, improving children's outcomes is a priority concern. Early childhood care and education programmes, in particular those that are aimed at low income families, are important priorities in my Department to enhance children's opportunities for social and educational development and to support parents. The network of 107 family resource centres and other services that are funded by the Family Support Agency, under the remit of my Department, also have an important role in this regard.
These programmes and the results of pilot projects to enhance children's development in Tallaght, Northside and Ballymun, which are jointly funded by my Department with a philanthropic organisation, will inform the Government's plans to develop a new area based approach to child poverty. Any requirements for legislation to underpin the approach will be considered in the deliberative process by Government.
My priority, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is to enhance the role of early intervention and support programmes for the most vulnerable children and their families in the context of the plans and legislative proposals for the new Children and Families Support Services Agency.
Child Care Services
Frank Feighan
Ceist:538 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to commercial rates on child care facilities if she will seek a review with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the policy and level of charge which has direct consequences for the cost of child care because of its inequitable application 20% of those providing the service are hit with rates; her plans to alleviate this burden which impacts on families and those working within child-care; if a waiver scheme is possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18383/11]
The issue of local authority commercial rates comes within the remit of the Department of Finance, which has responsibility for fiscal policy, and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has responsibility for the local authorities. Local authorities are obliged to collect rates on any property that is entered on the valuation lists and which is used for commercial purposes. Valuation lists are prepared by the independent Valuation Office in accordance with the Valuation Act 2001.
In July of last year the Valuation Office clarified that certain services participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme will be considered exempt from commercial rates. The exemption applies to services which are solely and exclusively used for the provision of educational services which are available to the general public, and where the expenses incurred in providing these services are defrayed wholly by the State. With the exception of community not for profit child care services which may, on a case by case basis be exempted from commercial rates, child care services which do not meet the conditions of the exemption continue to be liable to commercial rates.
I recently raised the issue of commercial rates on child care facilities with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. He has informed my Department that in line with the existing legislative framework local authorities have no discretion in the collection of commercial rates and are required to levy rates on any property on the Valuation List.
Departmental Reports
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:539 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has any plans to establish an independent review into the commercialisation and sexualisation of children similar to the review, Letting Children be Children, which was commissioned by British Prime Minister David Cameron (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18697/11]
I understand that the Review referred to by the Deputy was commissioned following commitments made by both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties in their 2010 Election Manifestos to deal with the issue of commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood. This commitment was subsequently reflected in the Coalition Agreement. The resulting Report of the Review "Letting Children be Children" was published in June 2011.
At present there are no plans to conduct a similar review in Ireland. However, I have asked my Department to examine any key findings in the Report which could help inform policy approach in respect of this area.
Guardianship of Children
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:540 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to develop a policy of the management and funding of the Guardian ad litem as recommended in the Children Acts Advisory Board in 2009 and the Ryan Report Implementation Plan 2008. [18747/11]
Under the Child Care Act 1991, Guardian ad litem provide a service to the Courts, where a judge may request that a Guardian ad litem is appointed to a child who is the subject of care proceedings. They are always appointed where a child is subject to Special Care proceedings. There is a commitment in the Ryan Report Implementation Plan, to engage with my colleagues to agree a future policy management and funding of the service. My Department has had preliminary discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:541 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and dates of formal meetings that she has had with the management advisory committee in her Department since her appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18917/11]
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was formally established on the 3rd of June and the Secretary General of the Department was announced last week. Until then, the only person at Management Advisory Committee level in the Department was the Deputy Secretary General, with whom I have had regular meetings since my appointment. I have also attended Department of Health Management Advisory Committee meetings since my appointment.
Now that a Secretary General is in place, and when a new Assistant Secretary has been appointed, a formal structure of MAC meetings and meetings of the MAC with myself will be put in place.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:542 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18942/11]
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was formally established on the 3rd of June. Staff are currently in the process of moving from their current location in Hawkins House, as part of the then Department of Health and Children, to new premises at 43 Mespil Road, Dublin 4. The lease for the Mespil Road offices is held by the OPW.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland (formerly the Adoption Board) is located in Shelbourne House, Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The Authority occupy two floors of the building. The OPW is the contract holder for the lease.
The Children Acts Advisory Board offices were located at Phoenix House, Block 2, 28 Conyngham Road, Dublin 8 during 2008 and 2009. The OPW was the lease holder for the premises. At the end of January 2010 CAAB moved to Hawkins House pending the passage of the Child Care Amendment Bill, 2009 which will dissolve the Children Acts Advisory Board.
Neither the National Children's Advisory Council nor the National Childcare Coordinating Committee have offices.
Missing Persons
Jack Wall
Ceist:543 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the position of the provision of a missing child hotline number EU 116000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18999/11]
The purpose of the 116000 phone number is to provide a contact number to families if children go missing. My Department is involved in ongoing discussions with other Government Departments in relation to the development of a hotline. The issue of missing children is a matter for the Garda Síochána.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:544 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General represent; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19490/11]
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was formally established on the 3rd of June. The Secretary General for the Department was announced last week and he does not currently sit on State agency boards.
Medical Cards
Jim Daly
Ceist:545 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18738/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Billy Timmins
Ceist:546 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the dental service for Carnew, County Wicklow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18213/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
National Drugs Strategy
John Halligan
Ceist:547 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has bean drawn to the fact that many of the products which were being previously sold in head shops are now widely available to anybody online and are being purchased openly; the action being taken to curtail the availability of these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18219/11]
I am very aware of the threat of psychoactive substances being sold via the internet. In May 2010 the Government made an Order declaring over 200 psychoactive substances that had been on sale in ‘head shops' to be controlled drugs for the purposes of the Misuse of Drugs Acts. Under these regulations it is an offence to manufacture, produce, import, export, sell, supply, or possess these substances.
In addition, under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 which came into force in August 2010, it is a criminal offence to sell or supply substances which may not be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts but which have psychoactive effects on humans.
These regulations apply to the supply and purchase of products through the internet in the same way as they apply generally. The sale of psychoactive substances over the internet is a global problem that poses serious ongoing risks. The enforcement of the legal provisions applying is carried out by Revenue's Customs Service and An Garda Síochána, both of whom work closely together and with their international counterparts to address the problem. The Customs Service and An Garda Síochána also liaise closely with the Irish Medicines Board in this area. Furthermore, as new products come on the market, my Department will control further products under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and, indeed, arrangements to schedule additional psychoactive substances are currently being finalised.
Disabled Drivers
Joe McHugh
Ceist:548 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity on the motorised transport grant, with specific reference to the application process in 2011 for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/11]
Joe McHugh
Ceist:555 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity on the motorised transport grant, with specific reference to the application process in 2011 for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18310/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 555 together.
The applicant must be severely disabled and the HSE undertake an assessment of his/her means to determine the amount of the grant payable up to a maximum of €5,020.50.
Nursing Education
Anne Ferris
Ceist:549 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the review of the decision to abolish payments to student nurses during their fourth year pre-registration rostered placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18246/11]
Last Autumn the previous Government decided to implement a range of budgetary measures including the phased abolition of pay to student nurses when undertaking the rostered placement. Following my appointment, I requested a review of this decision and invited the nursing unions to become involved in the process. I also advised that a more general review of the degree programme for nurses would follow.
Officials from my Department met with the INMO on 22 June concerning the review of the decision on student nurses pay. The issues raised by the INMO at that meeting are now under consideration. It is my view that student nurses should receive appropriate remuneration during the rostered placement.
Medical Cards
Joe Costello
Ceist:550 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 3 May 2011, if he has received the information sought from the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18250/11]
My Department has been in contact with the Health Service Executive again concerning the information requested by the Deputy. The following table sets out the number of Medical Cards/G.P. Visit Cards granted on appeal from 2006 to 2010.
|
Year |
Cards granted on appeal |
|
2006 |
1,514 |
|
2007 |
2,096 |
|
2008 |
1,952 |
|
2009 |
2,207 |
|
2010 |
2,514 |
The Health Service Executive does not hold data centrally on the number of refusals for the entire country. However, since the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) began to take over responsibility for the processing of medical cards and GP visit cards in January 2009, there have been 11,780 unsuccessful applications and reviews out of a total number of 331,945 applications and reviews processed by that office.
Hospitals Building Programme
Finian McGrath
Ceist:551 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the construction of the new cystic fibrosis wing at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin; and the completion date of same. [18261/11]
I have been informed by the HSE that the construction contract for the new ward block at St Vincent's University Hospital, which will include accommodation for patients with Cystic Fibrosis, is proceeding according to plan, within budget and on time. Completion of building works is scheduled for April 2012, after which the building can be brought into use for service delivery.
Medical Cards
Robert Dowds
Ceist:552 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the length of time it takes to respond to persons in need of medical cards, especially persons in urgent and special circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18274/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Frank Feighan
Ceist:553 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health when funding will be made available to facilitate the outstanding 1,300 applications for fair deal nursing home places which have been fully processed in local offices and await funding in order that they can enter a nursing home; and the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied). [18280/11]
The processing of approvals for financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme re-commenced on the 13th June. Approvals are being issued to those applicants processed to final stage in the chronological order in which they were received in the Central Office in Tullamore. The first 497 of these applicants have been dealt with. Funding is being assigned on a daily basis. There are approximately 600 further applications in progress and now awaiting approval in July.
With regard to an individual's application under the scheme, this is a service matter and has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services
Finian McGrath
Ceist:554 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the advice and support available in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [18309/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Question No. 555 answered with Question No. 548.
Hospital Staff
Anthony Lawlor
Ceist:556 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the number of agency nurses currently employed by the Health Service Executive; and the cost of their employment to the State. [18322/11]
The Health Service Executive has advised that it is not possible to put a figure on the number of agency nurses working within the system at any one time. Owing to the various lengths of shifts and direct booking by hospitals, the number changes on a daily basis. However, the Executive has provided data on the number of ‘agency nurse hours' bought by the HSE since the 14th March 2011. This information is as follows: Total Number of Agency Hours 14th March — 5th June — 231,284; Total Cost — €7.2m. On the basis of a 37.5 hour working week this equates to approximately 530 full-time nurses.
Redundancy Payments
Billy Timmins
Ceist:557 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a redundancy package in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18329/11]
The Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) was announced by the Minister for Finance in his Supplementary Budget Statement of 7 April 2009. This replaced all existing early retirement schemes, and no others were available after the closing date of the ISER, until the introduction of the Voluntary Early Retirement and Voluntary Redundancy schemes which were announced on 1 November 2010.
The Government decided in November 2010 that in view of the need to achieve a permanent reduction in the number employed in the public health sector from 2011 onwards, and to facilitate public health reform, that targeted voluntary early retirement and voluntary redundancy schemes should be introduced for certain grades in the health sector. As these schemes post dated the retirement date of the person in question, the terms were not, unfortunately, available to him. As the Deputy will be aware, these two schemes have now been completed, access is no longer available and persons availing have left the system.
The ISER was a voluntary scheme and the individual concerned made a decision to avail of the scheme, based on the terms of that scheme, which included the immediate payment of pension without actuarial reduction, and the payment of 10% lump sum at time of retirement, with the balance of 90% payable when the retiree reaches normal preserved pension age.
Each applicant signed an undertaking to abide by the terms of the ISER and, therefore, I regret it is not possible to alter the terms which have already been accepted.
Medical Cards
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:558 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the ongoing problems that parents who hold valid medical cards are experiencing with adding their new born children to their medical card or a card in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18351/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. I understand that my colleague Minister Reilly has had discussions with the HSE recently on this issue and the HSE will address the issue.
Health Services
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:559 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) will be placed in a cheaper and more appropriate setting thus saving money for the Health Service Executive and ensuring that an inappropriate placement does not further damage the health of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18360/11]
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.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:560 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to maintain 24 hour nurse cover on Inis Meáin and Inisbofin islands in view of their location and in view of the fact that there is no resident doctor on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18363/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Home Services
Noel Grealish
Ceist:561 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health his plans in respect of a nursing home (details supplied) in County Galway, in view of the fact that the future of the fair deal scheme is uncertain; his plans to continue providing funding to enable this nursing home to remain open and to accept new patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:562 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will detail precisely the budget made available via the Health Service Executive to Beechpark Services; the total number of staff employed by Beechpark Services; the number of children receiving services at each location; the way he or the HSE evaluate the services provided by Beechpark Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18412/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Ambulance Service
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:563 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the number of call centres recommended for closure in the Mason report 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18421/11]
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has undergone significant change in order to ensure quality, safety and value for money. In line with other clinical areas, this process is ongoing as clinical needs and standards develop. I believe that these developments are in the best interests of patients, and that they are a key part of the Government's work to ensure high quality emergency care.
In 2003, the Health Board Executive established a project group to oversee implementation of recommendations on the command and control function of the ambulance services within the health board structure. In September 2004, the project steering group appointed Mason Communications to undertake a technical review of the existing command and control infrastructure for ambulance services in the Republic of Ireland.
The recommendations from this report guided a reduction in the number of control centres from 22 in 1993 to 14 by 2005. Supported by my Department and by HIQA, the NAS is working to improve the management and integration of its services. This includes a reduction to two ambulance control centres nationally, with appropriate technology, a clinical lead for pre-hospital care, development and implementation of new performance indicators for pre-hospital care and development of standard national criteria in relation to non-emergency patient transport.
All current control rooms are now equipped with the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS), which allows the most appropriate deployment of pre-hospital services — in particular of advanced paramedics — and it has been used nationwide since late 2010.
Diabetes Services
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:564 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he, or the Health Service Executive’s national clinical programme for diabetes, has considered the proposed reorganisation of paediatric diabetes services suggested by the advocacy group Diabetes Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18439/11]
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:565 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to the hospitals or other medical centres at which paediatric and adolescent diabetes care is provided, the measures he and the Health Service Executive’s national clinical programme for diabetes are planning to make insulin pump therapy available to children and adolescents with diabetes in hospitals outside of County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18440/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 565 together.
The HSE's National Clinical Programme for Diabetes — which includes the care of children and adolescents with diabetes, has estimated that there are between 3,000 and 4,000 children and young adults with diabetes in this country. It was established by the HSE in 2010 with the express aim of defining the way diabetic clinical services should be delivered, resourced and measured. One of the key priorities is to facilitate future organised care and screening for diabetes related complications.
Type 1 diabetes is a particularly complex condition in children and young adults and so it is recommended that their care be delivered in a multidisciplinary setting with access to a consultant paediatric endocrinologist and other diabetes healthcare specialists. One proposed national model of diabetes care is based on 8-10 regional networks, with the 3 existing Dublin centres acting as a tertiary hub of excellence and continuing to see one third of the national paediatric/adolescent diabetes population. This model has been proposed by the Diabetes Federation of Ireland. The second model came from the Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Dr Colm Costigan, Paediatric Endocrinologist in Crumlin Hospital. This proposes that care be centralised for each region in a dedicated paediatric/adolescent diabetes centre looking after at least 150 children/adolescents. Ideally the centre should be in a regional hospital that has an adult diabetes centre to facilitate transition to adulthood.
The national clinical leads for diabetes and paediatrics are to meet in the next couple of weeks to assess current services across the country; to agree a model of care; and to standardise these across the country. They will also develop criteria for use of CSII therapy (insulin infusion) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and work on policy to prevent and aid the early detection of diabetes in young children and adolescents.
Ultimately, the function of the HSE National Programme for diabetes, among others, is to consider which model is most appropriate and it is working to this end. In parallel, my Department and the HSE will be meeting the Diabetes Federation of Ireland with a view to progressing the issues around the appropriate model of care for children and adolescents with diabetes.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to note the following important developments in this area:
1. The National Diabetes Programme is continuing the development of a national diabetic retinopathy screening programme. While retinopathy screening is continuing in the Northwest region, the intention is that services be rolled-out nationally — probably during 2012. This programme is significant because Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness and serious visual impairment in Ireland. 90% of people with diabetes will develop retinopathy while 10% will be sight threatening if undetected and not treated;
2. A national foot care model has been agreed. The aim for 2011 is to establish 16 specialist multidisciplinary foot care teams across the country in line with indicative National Hospital Reconfiguration will have different levels of care for patients depending on their risk of diabetic foot disease.
Health Services
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:566 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed closure of the dispensary at Doneraile, County Cork. [18441/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Nuclear Power Plants
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:567 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to ensure that he is notified by the World Health Organisation of any health risks associated with radioactivity from nuclear plants around the world; if he has been notified of any health risks associated with the recent leaks from the Fukushima plant in Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18447/11]
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:595 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has requested that the World Health Organisation share with member states and the general public the information on air contamination from the Fukushima accident that it is receiving from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18628/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 595 together.
Public health risks of potential international concern, including radionuclear risks, are notified by the WHO to all Member States. In addition, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) has been receiving information on the situation at the Fukushima site and the consequences of the accident since its occurrence on 11 March from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and the EC through the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange (ECURIE) system. Regular situation updates and meetings of the Nuclear National Co-ordinating Group which is chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government have also taken place.
The RPII's monitoring systems are designed to detect radioactivity at levels far below those that could have health impacts and the RPII has detected trace amounts of radioactivity in air, rainwater and milk samples. The levels measures were very low and far below those which would cause concern for public health. They were comparable to levels found in other European countries, including at those observed from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CBTO) European monitoring stations. The RPII issued a series of statements on their monitoring results after Fukushima and also provides access to their environmental data on their website (www.rpii.ie), including live data from their national radiation monitoring network. Data from the CTBTO monitoring stations in Germany, Japan and elsewhere are publicly available via the German radiation protection authority’s website at http://www.bfs.de/de/ion/imis/ctbto_aktivitaetskonzentrationen_jod.gif.
Health Services
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:568 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when orthodontic services in Kenmare, County Kerry, will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18451/11]
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:570 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when orthodontic assessment will resume in Kenmare, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18467/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 570 together.
Assessments to determine eligibility and requirement for orthodontic treatment for patients in Co. Kerry are carried out by consultant orthodontists in the Moyderwell clinic in Tralee, where the highest possible standards can be met and the best outcomes for patients can be ensured. The HSE has not provided an orthodontic service in Kenmare and has no plans to initiate such a service. The HSE must ensure the most efficient and effective use of staff and resources and the highest level of patient safety. In providing orthodontic services to patients the HSE is obliged to take into account external standards to maximise patient safety, for example HIQA standards for infection control.
Diabetes Services
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:569 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, by county, treated for foot ulcerations who did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2010; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18466/11]
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:571 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients under the age of 65 years, by county, treated for foot ulcerations who did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2010; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/11]
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:572 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out on persons in 2010, by county of residence; the number of these patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18469/11]
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:573 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out on persons under 65, by county of residence, in 2010; the number of these patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18472/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 and 571 to 573, inclusive, together.
The information requested will be supplied separately to the Deputy.
Question No. 570 answered with Question No. 568.
Questions Nos. 571 to 573, inclusive, answered with Question No. 569.
International Summits
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:574 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive will be sending a delegation to the United Nations High-Level Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases in New York this September; how he will direct them to participate and contribute to the summit in respect of the diabetes element of the summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18474/11]
The issue of attendance at the United Nations High-Level Summit on Non-Communicable Disease in New York this September is under active consideration. A final decision has not been made; however, I will communicate this to the Deputy in due course.
Health Policy
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:575 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health how he intends to support plans by the Danish authorities to make diabetes, as a model for chronic illness, a key priority during the Danish EU Presidency in the first half of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18476/11]
I welcome the fact that Denmark has selected chronic disease, with a particular focus on diabetes, as a priority for their Presidency. In Ireland, it is estimated that approximately 5% of the population have diabetes. The Danish Presidency wishes to consider the prevention, detection and treatment of chronic diseases, which is already part of the generic framework in Ireland for dealing with this category of diseases; and so, the wishes of the Presidency would appear to be wholly consistent with my Department's policy direction in this area.
Board Membership
Seán Crowe
Ceist:576 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the membership of the various hospitals, health-related statutory boards and institutions, including those set out in statutory instruments; and the governance criteria for persons sitting on these boards. [18479/11]
Agencies established under the remit of my Department are required to comply with my Department's Frameworks for Corporate and Financial Governance. The two Frameworks (one for regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department and one for the agencies funded by my Department) are supplementary to statutory requirements and to Government approved guidelines including the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
All Agencies meet their legal and financial obligations with regard to control, compliance and internal risk processes linked to their requirements to publish Audited Accounts. Broader agency best practice relating to non-statutory governance provisions are in place to varying but increasingly improved standards. Officials of my Department ensure that the Frameworks for health sector agencies is adhered to by monitoring progress on an ongoing basis.
The current membership of Boards is as follows:
|
Board |
Appointee |
Membership Commenced |
Membership Expires |
Position |
|
Advisory Committee for Human Medicines (IMB) |
Andrew Murphy |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
Brendan Buckley |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Chairperson |
|
|
David Kerins |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Desmond Corrigan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Kevin Connolly |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Marita Kinsella |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Horgan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Patrick Murray |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Patrick Sullivan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Paul Browne |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Peter Weedle |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Ronan Quirke |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (IMB) |
Ciaran Mellet |
|||
|
Desmond Leadon |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Eugenie Canavan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Helena Kelly |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
John Moriarty |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
John Underhill |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Martin Danaher |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Clancy |
08/03/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Nola Leonard |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Patrick M Brangan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Rhodri Evans |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Ruaidhri Breathnach |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
An Board Altranais |
Aine Enright |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
Aine McHugh |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Ann Sheehan |
22/07/2008 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Anne Carrigy |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Eamon Breatnach |
13/10/2010 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Catheryn M Lee |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Cathriona Molloy |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Chris Fitzgerald |
15/02/2011 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Deirdre Duffy |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Eimear McAuliffe |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Gerard Maguire |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Jacqueline Burke |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
John McArdle |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
John Murray |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Louise Gallagher |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Marie Gilligan |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Godfrey |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Kenneally |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Orla O’Reilly |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Pauline Treanor |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Peter McKenna |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Richard Dooley |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Robert Burns |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Virginia Pye |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Derek Greene |
13/10/2010 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Siobhan Quirke |
04/10/2007 |
03/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Beaumont Hospital Board |
Maurice Ahern |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
Gerard Barry |
14/06/2009 |
15/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Jennifer Cullinane |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Catherine Duffy |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Alan Eustace |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Horgan |
14/06/2009 |
15/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Raphaela Kane |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Patricia McCann |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Patrick Mercer |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Sean O’Brien |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Ursula O’Brien |
15/06/2009 |
14/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Donal O’Shea |
01/01/2009 |
31/12/2011 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
Gordon Linney |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
Lyndon MacCann |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Alan Gillis |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Joan Bruton |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Trevor Matthews |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Ian Graham |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Fergus O’Ferrall |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Kevin Conlon |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Joe Barry |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
John Barragry |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Gerry Hurley |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Colm O’Morain |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Mairead Sheilds |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Estelle Feldman |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
David Pierpoint |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Roisin Boland |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Stephen Lane |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Cyril Kelly |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
David Coughlan |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Gillian Rufli |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
David Moore |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Dermot Kelleher |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Opticians Board |
Peter Davison |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
Ian Tighe |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Patrick J Brady |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Triona Culliton |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Derville Pitcher |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
John Elliot |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Kevin Tempany |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Abdul Bulbulia |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Amanda Collum |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Mairead Sheilds |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Conor Murphy |
01/01/2010 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Consultative Council on Hepatitis C |
John Murphy |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
Ian Carter |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Kate Frazer |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Margaret Scarry |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Michele Tait |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Mike Kelly |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Madigan |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Noeleen White |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Gary Courtney |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Antoinette Fitzgerald |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Anne Duffy |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Elizabeth Kenny |
09/10/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Shay Keating |
13/11/2009 |
01/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Laura O’Brien |
05/08/2010 |
31/08/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Dental Council |
Dympna Kavanagh |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
Bridget Murphy |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Margaret Sweeney |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Eamon Croke |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
President |
|
|
Barney Murphy |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Vice-President |
|
|
Terry Farrelly |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Gerard McCarthy |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Paul O’Reilly |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Roger Ryan |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Leo Stassen |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Frances Burke |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Patricia McDermott |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
June Nunn |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Jacinta McLoughlin |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Marielle Blake |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Katherine Bulbulia |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Gilbride |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Gerry Horkan |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Maurice Petherick |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Rhona Butterfield |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Carmen Sheridan |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Caitriona Craddock |
12/01/2011 |
11/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Drug Treatment Centre Board |
Daniel McGing |
15/04/2008 |
14/04/2013 |
Chairperson |
|
Ciaran Taaffe |
15/04/2008 |
14/04/2013 |
Member |
|
|
John O’Connor |
15/04/2008 |
14/04/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Liam O’Brien |
15/04/2008 |
14/04/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Ide Delargy |
15/04/2008 |
14/04/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Joe Barry |
15/04/2008 |
14/04/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Siobhan Rooney |
15/04/2008 |
14/04/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
Gabriel Burke |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
Veronica Campbell |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Stephen McGovern |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Emer Daly |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Philip Hardy |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
June Nunn |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Colm O’Morain |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Terry McWade |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Marielle Blake |
15/02/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Dermot Fitzpatrick |
15/02/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Alex Creavin |
15/02/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Brian O’Connell |
15/02/2011 |
31/12/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Food Safety Authority of Ireland |
John Daniel Collins |
26/02/2009 |
23/02/2012 |
Member |
|
Anne Nolan |
28/05/2009 |
09/07/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Eamonn Ryan |
14/03/2007 |
13/03/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Tom Collins |
08/12/2008 |
31/10/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Eimear Killian |
20/04/2009 |
20/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Pat O’Mahony |
03/02/2010 |
02/02/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Eamon Corcoran |
03/02/2010 |
26/11/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Miriam Cashell |
19/11/2010 |
18/11/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Albert Flynn |
28/02/2011 |
27/02/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Charlie Daly |
26/02/2009 |
03/02/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
Tom Jordan |
17/07/2009 |
16/07/2013 |
Chairperson |
|
Jackie Reed |
17/07/2009 |
16/07/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Ann Taylor |
17/07/2009 |
16/07/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Stephen McMahon |
28/09/2009 |
27/09/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Sharon Foley |
28/09/2009 |
27/09/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Julie Ling |
15/10/2009 |
14/10/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Dorothy Donovan |
27/10/2010 |
16/07/2013 |
Member |
|
|
HIQA |
Pat McGrath |
15/05/2007 |
14/05/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
Dolores Quinn |
15/05/2007 |
15/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Geraldine McCarthy |
15/05/2007 |
15/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Angela Kerins |
15/05/2007 |
15/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Sheila O’Connor |
15/05/2007 |
15/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Bryan Barry |
15/05/2007 |
15/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Richard Hannaford |
15/05/2010 |
14/05/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Grainne Tuke |
15/05/2010 |
14/05/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Philip Caffrey |
15/05/2010 |
14/05/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Cillian Twomey |
15/05/2010 |
14/05/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Samuel J McConkey |
15/05/2010 |
14/05/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Damien McLoughlin |
15/05/2010 |
14/05/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Health Insurance Authority |
Jimmy Joyce |
01/02/2011 |
31/01/2016 |
Chairperson |
|
Sheelagh Malin |
01/02/2011 |
31/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Donaill Curtin |
01/02/2011 |
31/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Paul Turpin |
01/02/2011 |
31/01/2016 |
Member |
|
|
Health Research Board |
Reg Shaw |
12/06/2007 |
11/06/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
Michael Kerin |
12/06/2007 |
11/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Brian Sweeney |
12/06/2007 |
11/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Frances Ruane |
12/06/2007 |
11/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Catherine Godson |
12/06/2007 |
11/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Marion Rowland |
12/06/2010 |
11/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Conor Burke |
12/06/2010 |
11/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
John McCormack |
12/06/2010 |
11/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Prem Puri |
12/06/2010 |
11/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Colin Doherty |
12/06/2010 |
11/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Health Service Executive |
Frank Dolphin |
15/08/2010 |
14/08/2015 |
Chairperson |
|
Brian Gilroy |
20/05/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Laverne McGuinness |
20/05/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Philip Crowley |
20/05/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Barry White |
20/05/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Bairbre Nic Aongusa |
20/05/2011 |
07/02/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Paul Barron |
20/05/2011 |
07/02/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Tony Holohan |
20/05/2011 |
07/02/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Scanlan |
20/05/2011 |
07/02/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Cathal Magee |
01/08/2010 |
01/08/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Martin Connor |
06/06/2011 |
07/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal |
Mark O’Connell |
01/08/2008 |
31/07/2011 |
Member |
|
Una McGurk B.L |
09/09/2009 |
31/07/2012 |
Member |
|
|
David Martin |
09/09/2009 |
31/07/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Anne O’Neill |
09/09/2009 |
31/07/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Bridget Barry B.L |
09/09/2009 |
31/07/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Cantrell |
11/10/2009 |
10/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
James Devlin B.L |
11/10/2009 |
10/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Rachel Murphy |
11/10/2009 |
10/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Deirdre Hegarty |
09/09/2009 |
31/07/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Karen Fergus B.L |
11/10/2009 |
21/11/2015 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Dara Hayes B.L |
11/10/2009 |
10/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Anne Rowland |
11/10/2009 |
10/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Diane Duggan |
18/02/2010 |
10/10/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
Mark Moran |
01/10/2008 |
30/09/2011 |
Member |
|
Marie Keane |
22/06/2009 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
David Keenan |
09/10/2009 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Sinead Ni Mhaille |
09/09/2009 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
David Lowe |
10/12/2009 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Paolo Rebulla |
03/06/2010 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Jane O’Brien |
01/11/2010 |
31/10/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Hilary O’Leary |
06/12/2010 |
05/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Katharine Bulbulia |
27/10/2009 |
31/05/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Ann Horan |
18/12/2009 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Sean Wyse |
07/01/2010 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Paul Browne |
09/09/2009 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Irish Medicines Board |
Wilf Higgins |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
Maureen Windle |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Patrick M Brangan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Brendan McLaughlin |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Brendan Buckley |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Catriona O’Driscoll |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Hayes |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Noel O’Donoghue |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Ann Horan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
Jane Smith |
05/09/2010 |
04/09/2015 |
Member |
|
Dermot Magan |
13/03/2009 |
12/03/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Elizabeth Cogan |
05/09/2010 |
04/09/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Frank Turvey |
05/09/2010 |
04/09/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Christine Long |
05/09/2010 |
04/09/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Eugene Magee |
05/09/2010 |
04/09/2015 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Diane Duggan |
05/09/2010 |
04/09/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Medical Council |
Diarmuid O’Donoghue |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
Frank McManus |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Richard Brennan |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Kieran Murphy |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
John Monaghan |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Anthony Cunningham |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Anna Clarke |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Eamann Breathnach |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Pauline Kane |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Gerard Bury |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Brendan Broderick |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Anne Carrigy |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
John O’Mullane |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Jon Billings |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Daniel O’Hare |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Marie Murray |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Deirdre Madden |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Katharine Bulbulia |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Margaret Murphy |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Regina Connolly |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Damien McLoughlin |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
William Powderly |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
James Slevin |
03/07/2008 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
John McAdoo |
18/01/2011 |
31/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Mental Health Commission |
Mary Keys |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
Marie Devine |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Martin Rogan |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
John Redican |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Vicki Somers |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Martina Kelly |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Brendan Doody |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Eamonn Moloney |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Emile Daly |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Brendan Byrne |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Edmond O’Dea |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
|
John Saunders |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Padraig Heverin |
05/04/2007 |
04/04/2012 |
Member |
|
|
National Haemophilia Council |
John Bonnar |
22/07/2010 |
21/07/2013 |
Chairperson |
|
Brian O’Mahony |
22/07/2010 |
21/07/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Eilish Hardiman |
22/07/2010 |
21/07/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Barry White |
22/07/2010 |
21/07/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Beatrice Nolan |
20/01/2009 |
19/01/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Susan O’Shea |
22/07/2010 |
21/07/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Ann Grogan |
23/05/2011 |
09/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Jackson |
23/05/2011 |
09/12/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Deborah Greene |
23/05/2011 |
21/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
Harry Crosbie |
07/06/2007 |
04/06/2012 |
Interim Chairperson |
|
Owen Hensey |
07/06/2007 |
04/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Linda Dillon |
07/06/2007 |
04/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Norah Casey |
07/06/2007 |
04/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Alan Finan |
07/06/2007 |
04/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Edna Roche |
24/08/2009 |
26/08/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Pat Doherty |
26/11/2009 |
25/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Lorcan Birthistle |
26/11/2009 |
06/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Adrian Turner |
20/01/2011 |
04/06/2012 |
Memer |
|
|
Brendan Drumm |
16/08/2010 |
04/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund |
Sean McCarthy |
26/11/2010 |
25/11/2013 |
Member |
|
Corah Caples |
26/11/2010 |
25/11/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Tom Murphy |
03/06/2010 |
02/06/2013 |
Member |
|
|
John Horan |
03/06/2010 |
02/06/2013 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Rita Hayes |
09/11/2010 |
08/11/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Dermot Mullane |
09/11/2010 |
08/11/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Brazil |
09/11/2010 |
08/11/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Joan Ryan |
17/01/2011 |
16/01/2014 |
Member |
|
|
National Council for Development of Nursing/Midwifery |
Maureen Kington |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
Marie Tighe |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Gary Brown |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Bernie Quillinan |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Sheila O’Malley |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Anne Carrigy |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
M Pearl Treacy |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Laraine Joyce |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Siobhan O’Halloran |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Marie Keane |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Brendan Byrne |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Antoinette Doocey |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Mary Brosnan |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Jacqueline Burke |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Valerie Small |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Aveen Murray |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Paddy Hume |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Maura Nash |
30/11/2009 |
29/11/2014 |
Member |
|
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland |
Paul Fahey |
05/05/2009 |
21/05/2013 |
Member |
|
Rita Purcell |
20/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Michelle Ni Longain |
05/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Ita Kelleher |
05/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Deirdre Larkin |
05/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Margaret Doherty |
22/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
John Collins |
22/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Eoghan Hanly |
22/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Georgina Frankish |
22/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Aidan Horan |
22/05/2009 |
22/05/2013 |
Member |
|
|
Catriona O’Driscoll |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Barry |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Leonie Clarke |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Jean Holohan |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Ciaran O’Boyle |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Fionan O Cuinneagain |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Kenneth McDonald |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Keith O’Hourihane |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
John Corr |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Ignatius Stenson |
15/06/2011 |
14/06/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Poisons Council |
Tom McGuinn |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Chairperson |
|
Joseph Tracey |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Yvonne O’Meara |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
John Feely |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Noleen Harvey |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Leonie Clarke |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Brendan Hayes |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Catriona O’Driscoll |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Julie O’Neill |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Bernard McCartan |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Anne Bruzzi |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Ingrid Hook |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Gerry Leckey |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Patrick Brangan |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Gabriel Beechinor |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Dan O’Sullivan |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Rory Kiely |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
Paddy Hever |
13/07/2008 |
12/07/2011 |
Member |
|
|
PHECC |
Frank O’Malley |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
Michael Garry |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Macartan Hughes |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Dineen |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Tom Tinnelly |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Gerry Touhy |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Patricia Fitzpatrick |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Barry O’Brien |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Conor Egleston |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Cathal O’Donnell |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Zelie Gaffney |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Valerie Small |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Michael Brennan |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Mary McClelland |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Tom Mooney |
30/06/2008 |
29/06/2012 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Robert Morton |
15/02/2011 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Maureen Cronin |
20/04/2011 |
29/06/2012 |
Member |
|
|
Scientific Committee FSAI |
John Collins |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
Michael O’Keeffe |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Iona Pratt |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Albert Flynn |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Chairperson |
|
|
Paula Walsh |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Brian McKenna |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Colette Bonner |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Paul McKeown |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Ray Parle |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Dan O’Sullivan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Martin Cormican |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Ita Saul |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Peter Jones |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Margaret O’Sullivan |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Geraldine Duffy |
01/01/2011 |
31/12/2015 |
Member |
|
|
Social Workers Registration Board |
Fiona Geraghty |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2012 |
Member |
|
Val Collier |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2014 |
Member |
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Valentine O’Kelly |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2014 |
Member |
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Pat Dunne |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2014 |
Member |
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Monica Egan |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2012 |
Member |
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Damien Courtney |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2012 |
Member |
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Ned Kelly |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2014 |
Member |
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Denis Gallagher |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2012 |
Member |
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Chris Curtin |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2012 |
Member |
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Suzanne Quin |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2014 |
Chairperson |
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Cormac Quinlan |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2014 |
Member |
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Mary Hargaden |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2012 |
Member |
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Ursula Fernee |
05/08/2010 |
04/08/2014 |
Member |
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St James’s Hospital Board |
Diarmuid Shanley |
02/03/2011 |
02/03/2017 |
Chairperson |
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Fergus O’Kelly |
19/07/2005 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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Charles Normand |
13/02/2009 |
01/02/2012 |
Member |
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Julia Carmichael |
14/09/2009 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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Paul McAuliffe |
14/09/2009 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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Margaret MacGuinness |
28/07/2008 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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Jack Kelly |
28/07/2008 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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Jeanne Moriarty |
28/07/2008 |
31/05/2012 |
Member |
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Louise Barnes |
28/07/2008 |
10/09/2012 |
Member |
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Carmel Naughton |
01/06/2009 |
16/11/2012 |
Member |
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Kitty O’Neill |
11/09/2009 |
20/09/2011 |
Member |
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Patrick O’Reilly |
17/11/2009 |
16/11/2012 |
Member |
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Maureen Lynott |
01/09/2010 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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Patrick O’Reilly |
17/11/2009 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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John Scott |
19/07/2005 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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Ruth Byrne |
19/07/2005 |
11/07/2011 |
Member |
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VHI |
Gillian Bowler |
27/07/2006 |
26/07/2011 |
Member |
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Liam Twohig |
27/07/2006 |
26/07/2011 |
Member |
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Humphrey Murphy |
27/07/2006 |
26/07/2011 |
Member |
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Karen Dwyer |
27/07/2006 |
26/07/2011 |
Member |
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Bernard Collins |
24/09/2008 |
23/09/2013 |
Chairpersons |
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Declan Moran |
01/05/2008 |
30/04/2013 |
Member |
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Jimmy Tolan |
01/05/2008 |
30/04/2013 |
Member |
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Christopher Cooney |
24/02/2009 |
23/02/2014 |
Member |
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Celine Fitzgerald |
22/02/2010 |
21/02/2015 |
Member |
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Seamus Creedon |
22/02/2010 |
21/02/2015 |
Member |
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Liam Downey |
13/10/2010 |
12/10/2015 |
Member |
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Cathriona Hallahan |
23/11/2010 |
21/11/2015 |
Member |
Seán Crowe
Ceist:577 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there is a credibility deficit due to the fact that some former senior banking officials are sitting on health-related boards, institutions and hospitals in an oversight role; and the governance criteria needed for persons sitting on these boards. [18480/11]
Agencies established under the remit of my Department are required to comply with my Department's Frameworks for Corporate and Financial Governance. The two Frameworks (one for regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department and one for the agencies funded by my Department) are supplementary to statutory requirements and to Government approved guidelines including the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
All Agencies meet their legal and financial obligations with regard to control, compliance and internal risk processes linked to their requirements to publish Audited Accounts. Broader agency best practice relating to non-statutory governance provisions are in place to varying but increasingly improved standards. Officials of my Department ensure that the Frameworks for health sector agencies is adhered to by monitoring progress on an ongoing basis.
Tissue Preservation
James Bannon
Ceist:578 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding blood stem cell collection in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18495/11]
EU Directive 2004/23/EC on the Quality and Safety of Tissues and Cells and the Regulations made under the Directive (S.I. No.158 of 2006) set standards of quality and safety for human tissues and cells which are intended for human applications. These Regulations apply to the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells when intended for human applications. They also apply to manufactured products derived from human tissues and cells intended for human applications.
The Irish Medicines Board is the competent authority under the Regulations. All tissue establishments, including companies which procure stem cells for human applications, must be authorised to carry out their activities and are subject to regular inspections. The organisation to which the Deputy refers is authorised by the Irish Medicines Board as a tissue establishment and may therefore collect cord blood once it complies with any governance arrangements which may be in place in any particular hospital.
Health Services
James Bannon
Ceist:579 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Longford will receive an appointment with the Health Service Executive hearing service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18497/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Nursing Home Services
James Bannon
Ceist:580 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be allowed by the Health Service Executive to take up the bed in Thomand Lodge, Ballymahon, County Longford, which was approved under the Fair Deal scheme a number of weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18498/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Accommodation
Seán Crowe
Ceist:581 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health when the children’s Beech Ward in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, was closed; the reason it was closed; and when it will re-open. [18509/11]
Seán Crowe
Ceist:582 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the closure of the Beech Ward in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; if he will provide a report outlining the effect this closure will have on children awaiting medical procedures in the hospital; and how this closure will impact on potential surgeries. [18510/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 582 together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
HIQA Inquiries
Seán Crowe
Ceist:583 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there is a Health Information and Quality Authority inquiry into the accident and emergency ward in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; the terms of reference; the timescale of the inquiry; and if he intends to make the outcomes and recommendations public. [18512/11]
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), in accordance with Section (9) of the Health Act 2007, announced that it will undertake an investigation into the quality, safety and governance of the care provided for patients who require acute admission to the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children's Hospital (AMNCH), Tallaght, in particular those patients admitted through the Emergency Department.
In setting out the Terms of Reference for the investigation, the Authority advised that it will seek to identify and quantify any serious risks to patients and to ascertain the safety and quality of the system of care and the effectiveness of the Board of the hospital in assuring that risks are being properly managed. Following this process, the Authority will make recommendations with a view to eliminating or reducing any identified risks to patients.
The investigation team will prepare a report which will be submitted to the Board of the Authority for approval and will be published subsequently.
Health Service Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:584 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if an outside agency will be retained to supplement public service staffing levels at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in Finglas, Dublin 11, following the centralisation of the processing of all medical card and general practitioner visit card applications and renewals on 1 July; the number of agency staff that will be retained; and the length of time they will be retained. [18520/11]
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:585 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of Health Service Executive staff currently working in the Primary Care Reimbursement Service outside of Dublin that have been redeployed to the PCRS in Finglas, Dublin 11. [18521/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 585 together.
The Health Service Executive has centralised the processing of all new medical card applications and renewals at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Finglas, Dublin with effect from 1st July.
About 90 staff have moved to the PCRS to cope with the increased workload and the HSE is seeking redeployment, under the terms of the Public Service Agreement, to increase this number to 150. I have raised this issue directly with the PCRS and I am advised that they hope to have the full complement of staff in place within the next six to eight weeks. The previous system of locally based processing required some 400 staff and the balance will be freed up for redeployment to key front-line services around the country.
Pending the completion of the ongoing redeployment process, the HSE intends to re-assign staff from other duties within the PCRS as required in order to deal with medical card applications and renewals. If these internal arrangements prove inadequate, the HSE has an arrangement in place to avail of the services of a company with which it has a contract to provide customer support services. The number of outside staff required will become clear as the project progresses over the coming weeks, with the ability to expand and reduce the number as necessary to ensure continuity of service delivery.
During and after this changeover period, every effort will be made to ensure that the system is responsive to queries from the public and public representatives.
Health Services
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:586 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he intends to hand over responsibility for adding babies to medical and general practitioner cards and other such changes to doctors’ secretaries; and the way he intends to deliver this change in the medical and GP card process. [18522/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. I understand that my colleague Minister Reilly has had discussions with the HSE recently on this issue and the HSE will address the issue.
Hospital Services
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:587 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the numbers and details of hospitals that have been subject to the removal of acute services such as accident and emergency in 2010 and 2011; the increased resource provision that has been or is proposed to be provided to the surrounding hospitals that continue to provide such services in view of the fact that they will be responsible to cater to the needs of persons who would otherwise have utilised these services in the former; the impact his projects of the scaling back of services provided by the former institutions will have on the latter institutions; if and when there will be a review of the impact such a scaling back of services has on all hospitals either subject to or not subject to these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18523/11]
I am committed to ensuring that acute hospital services at national, regional and local level are provided in a clinically appropriate and efficient manner. In particular I want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals. I have also made it clear that patient safety must be the overriding priority. I want patients to be treated at the lowest level of complexity that is safe, timely, and efficient and as near to home as possible.
The configuration of services is constantly reviewed and from time to time re-arranged to improve access and quality of service and minimise risk to patients. This programme of realignment of services has received recent impetus from HIQA in relation to the need to implement the recommendations from the Ennis and Mallow reports. The reports deal in particular with the type of services that can safely be provided in smaller hospitals and the structures required for good governance and accountability. The HSE must ensure that this happens and I will be monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with HIQA
The HSE has now put an implementation team in place to ensure that the recommendations of both the Ennis and Mallow reports are implemented in a speedy, systematic and consistent manner and I have asked for regular progress reports on this important initiative.
This Government is strongly committed to developing the role of smaller hospitals in Ireland so that they play a key part in the services provided to local communities. Patients should only have to travel to the larger hospitals for more complex services. The HIQA reports are entirely in keeping with this approach. I can assure the public that no hospitals will close, regardless of the difficult economic situation we find ourselves in. However, ongoing reform of the system will require some changes in how care is delivered in some locations across our health system.
Health Services
Michael McCarthy
Ceist:588 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the number of registered agencies which administer treatment and funding for drugs-related purposes; if he will provide a breakdown of each agency’s name, location, total number of staff and the amount of funding it received in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18526/11]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospitals Building Programme
John McGuinness
Ceist:589 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the breakdown of the €13 million allocated for the development of St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny; the amount allotted to each phase of the development; when work is likely to commence on phase 1; the timeline for the completion of the overall project; the date on which he or the Health Service Executive approved the decision to allocate the €13 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18532/11]
The management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. I will revert to you with a detailed reply when I have received the facts from the Health Service Executive.
Health Services
John McGuinness
Ceist:590 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an extensive plan of home help or a full home care package will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the matter will be expedited. [18536/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Joe Costello
Ceist:591 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm which primary care team is responsible for persons (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if some access to respite can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18544/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Cards
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:592 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Waste Disposal
Liam Twomey
Ceist:593 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health the cost of the disposal of medical waste; where this cost is incurred; the amount of this bill that is spent outside the jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/11]
The disposal of medical waste is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Therefore your question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Michael McCarthy
Ceist:594 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the outpatient waiting list at Cork University Hospital awaiting an appointment for a future date; if he will specify in tabular form the numbers of patients who have been awaiting an appointment for less than three months, for three to six months, for six to 12 months, and for 12 months and more; if he will provide a breakdown of the number on the waiting list per each hospital department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18620/11]
The management of outpatient waiting lists is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply.
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs.
Question No. 595 answered with Question No. 567.
Michael Creed
Ceist:596 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the progress made in the area of waiting lists in the area of paediatric orthopaedic surgery arising from his recent meeting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18639/11]
The HSE and the paediatric hospitals are looking at a number of initiatives to deal with Orthopaedic waiting lists and are actively engaged in ensuring the optimum service delivery for those paediatric patients in need of spinal surgery. The feasibility of carrying out two spinal surgeries on Friday's is currently under consideration in light of possible knock-on impacts on other areas of orthopaedic service delivery. In addition the NTPF has provided additional capacity to have three spinal surgeries carried out in Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital. On a national level the HSE are engaging in a procurement exercise to look at orthopaedic consumables on a national level.
Liam Twomey
Ceist:597 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has been on an ear, nose and throat waiting list for the past three years will be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18642/11]
While the management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned, the Special Delivery Unit will have a major role in addressing this issue. I have, therefore in the interim, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for reply.
The scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved.
Health Services
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:598 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive drug service in the mid west received any additional funding over the past two years; and the way this funding has been spent. [18651/11]
This matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
Sean Fleming
Ceist:599 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the role of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Council; the cost of this organisation; the staffing levels and his arrangements for this council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18661/11]
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is a statutory agency established in 2000. Its primary role is to develop appropriate standards in pre-hospital emergency care, in particular professional and performance standards for the ambulance services and for emergency care practitioners. It also registers practitioners and accredits training institutions. Membership of the PHECC Council includes the National Ambulance Service, training schools, the HSE, clinicians, nurses, the private sector and the public interest.
PHECC currently has 14 staff members. Its 2011 allocation is €3.003m, a reduction of 5% on the previous years allocation. (€3.161m).
The Deputy can find further details of the Council's activities and publications on its website, www.phecc.ie.
Medical Cards
Niall Collins
Ceist:600 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [18685/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Alex White
Ceist:601 Deputy Alex White asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need for an arrangement to be made between the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, and one or other nearby Dublin hospital for the provision of a dedicated intensive care bed due to the lack of such a facility at this particular hospital; if he will facilitate this arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18686/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
James Bannon
Ceist:602 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment with a consultant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18702/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
James Bannon
Ceist:603 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not been called for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18705/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:604 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out a review of the benefits and risks of using mercury in silver dental fillings. [18713/11]
Consideration of mercury in dental amalgams formed part of the EU ‘Community Strategy Concerning Mercury' which was reviewed in December 2010 and was the subject of Council Conclusions in March 2011. In this context, the European Commission is carrying out a further investigation of the issue of dental amalgam in 2011.
Hospital Services
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:605 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the nature of consultations, feasibility studies and discussions that took place between the Health Service Executive South, his Department and other relevant stakeholders in the relocation transfer of orthopaedic surgery from the existing orthopaedic hospital, Gurranabraher to South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital. [18721/11]
Since becoming the Minister for Health, I have met with the HSE on over thirty separate occasions to discuss various aspects of the health services, including the relocation of orthopaedic services in Cork. I have instructed the HSE not to withdraw any services from acute hospitals unless and until I receive a full briefing on the details of what is proposed, the alternative arrangements to be put in place, and the overall implications for patients.
I can confirm that a number of meetings with the HSE, including senior clinicians, as well as discussions with local representatives, focused on the relocation. I am satisfied that the implementation of the initiatives planned by the HSE South will greatly improve the quality and quantity of orthopaedic services for patients in the region, including the recommencement of paediatric orthopaedic services in Cork and an increased level of elective surgery.
Full engagement with the staff of St. Mary's in relation to their relocation is essential, to address any clinical or other concerns that they have. I have asked the HSE South to begin this process immediately.
Health Services
John McGuinness
Ceist:606 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a respite bed will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny [18722/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Tom Fleming
Ceist:607 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the appeal for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [18727/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:608 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed primary care facility for Balbriggan, County Dublin; if the Health Service Executive is close to finding a preferred provider for this facility; if it is being treated as a priority by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18739/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Jack Wall
Ceist:609 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a dental appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18775/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:610 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of transport for hospital visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18779/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Billy Timmins
Ceist:611 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding outsourcing of typing to the Philippines and other places by the Health Service Executive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18786/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Commercial Rates
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:612 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the rent and rates charged to coffee chains operating in St. James’s, the Mater and St. Vincent’s Hospitals in Dublin. [18816/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services
Brendan Ryan
Ceist:613 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider transferring ownership of the old dispensary in Carrigart, County Donegal, to the local community to be used for the benefit of the local population through voluntary groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18817/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff
Seán Kenny
Ceist:614 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant dermatologists currently attached to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the number of persons on the waiting list; the average waiting time to see the consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18827/11]
Seán Kenny
Ceist:615 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant respiratory physicians currently at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the number of persons on the waiting list; the average waiting times to see the consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18828/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 and 615 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Seán Kenny
Ceist:616 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres in each of the three paediatric hospitals in Dublin at present; if all theatres are currently in use in each of the hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18829/11]
Detail on theatres in three paediatric hospitals are as follows:
Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin has 7 theatres and all are operational at present.
Children's University Hospital, Temple Street has 4 theatres and all are operational at present.
AMNCH has 1 paediatric theatre and it is operational at present.
In order to ensure the best use of theatre time the three paediatric hospitals are currently participating in a theatre utilisation project at present aimed at maximising their theatre usage.
Health Service Staff
Seán Kenny
Ceist:617 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of Health Service Executive staff by grade that were provided with mobile phones as part of their work duties; the reason staff are provided with mobile phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18830/11]
The provision of mobile phones to the staff of the Health Service Executive (HSE) is a matter for the HSE. My Department has requested the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.
General Practitioner Services
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:618 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if curtailments in the doctor on call service has had any effect on the availability of doctors to attend in order to test drivers who are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18850/11]
GP out-of-hours co-operatives are now in place in all HSE areas, providing coverage in all or in part of all counties. In 2010, there were over 924,000 contacts with GP out-of-hours co-operatives and the total cost of funding the service was over €89 million. Over 2000 GPs provide services in the co-ops. The fees and allowances paid by the HSE to GPs were reduced in 2009 and 2010 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. "Distance from the GP's surgery" was removed as a factor in calculating out-of-hours fees as part of the 2010 reductions. Neither the Department of Justice and Equality or the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has indicated to me or my officials any difficulty concerning the availability of doctors, to attend to test drivers who are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as a result of these reductions.
Hospital Services
Barry Cowen
Ceist:619 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that all services at Tullamore and Portlaoise hospitals will be maintained in view of the junior doctor shortage, noting that 16 junior doctor posts remain vacant in these hospitals; and his plans to fill these vacant posts in the Laois /Offaly constituency [18859/11]
I am committed to ensuring that acute hospital services at national, regional and local level are provided in a clinically appropriate and efficient manner. In particular I want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals. I have also made it clear that patient safety must be the overriding priority. I want patients to be treated at the lowest level of complexity that is safe, timely, and efficient and as near to home as possible. However, ongoing reform of the system will require some changes in how care is delivered in some locations across our health system.
I am conscious of the Deputy's concern in relation to the retention of services at Tullamore and Portlaoise in advance of the next rotation of Non-Consultant Hospitals Doctors (NCHDs). The position is, however, that the shortage of suitable NCHDs is an issue in many European countries. In this context I am working with the HSE and other stakeholders to ensure the filling of as many as possible of some 475 NCHD posts which are due to be filled from 11th July 2011. The HSE conducted an extensive recruitment drive in India and Pakistan in recent months and succeeded in identifying 439 potential candidates for NCHD positions in Ireland. I have held meetings involving my Department, the Medical Council, medical training bodies and the HSE with a view to identifying measures to facilitate the appointment of suitably-qualified doctors from abroad. Drafting of a Bill to amend the Medical Practitioners Act, 2007, to enable the Medical Council to register doctors in supervised posts for a defined period, is being finalised.
The HSE is focusing on addressing particular staffing issues in a number of hospitals including the Midlands Regional Hospitals at Mullingar, Tullamore and Portlaoise. Notwithstanding this, it is unlikely that all NCHD vacancies can be filled by 11th July. Hospital management are working with Clinical Directors in a planned way to devise contingency arrangements which can be implemented, if required, to ensure that any resulting impact on services is minimised and that safe delivery of hospital services is assured. There is currently no plan to reduce services in these hospitals on foot of any NCHD shortage.
Health Services
Barry Cowen
Ceist:620 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available for the 23 persons seeking day places in a centre (details supplied) in County Offaly this coming September in view of the fact that no funding has been allocated to date for 2011. [18861/11]
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.
Official Engagements
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:621 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the number and dates of formal meetings that he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18924/11]
These meetings were held on 10th March, 7th April, 14th April, 12th May and 15th June. I will be meeting with the Committee again on 7th July. It should be noted, however, that I meet with the Secretary General of the Department and individual members of the MAC on a daily basis, as work requirements dictate.
Cancer Screening Programme
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:622 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical practices are defrauding the State by obliging patients to pay the registered postage required to send smear test samples to the National Cancer Screening Service (details supplied); if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that medical practices are delegating the actual procedure of taking the smear sample to persons within their practices who are not on the register of qualified smear takers with the CervicalCheck programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18929/11]
CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, provides free smear tests to women aged 25-60. The HSE has contractual agreements in place with 2,055 contract-holders for the provision of smeartaking services as part of CervicalCheck. They include doctors (clinically responsible doctors) and clinics.
Within each practice or clinic, there are a number of smeartakers who are registered by the clinically responsible doctor as qualified persons to take smear tests. In total there are 4,979 smeartakers registered as part of the programme, including both doctors and practice nurses. Under the terms of the contract with the HSE, the clinically responsible doctor is responsible for ensuring those he or she has registered as "qualified persons" are adequately qualified to take smear tests. To support smeartakers in practice, CervicalCheck offers regular free training and clinical updates to smeartakers registered with the programme. In so doing, it partners with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). In the academic year 2010-2011, training and education was provided for over 1,000 health professionals.
Under the contract between the HSE and the clinically responsible doctor, the practice or clinic where a CervicalCheck smear test is taken is solely responsible for ensuring delivery of the smear test sample to the designated cytology laboratory for analysis. No woman who has a smear test as part of the CervicalCheck programme should pay for postage. I am advised by the HSE that, since the introduction of CervicalCheck in September 2008, a small number of instances have come to their attention of a woman being asked to post her own smear test sample for analysis. Any complaint received by the programme, including that referred to by the Deputy, is thoroughly reviewed and followed-up.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:623 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008 to 2011, inclusive; the length of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18941/11]
The information requested is not currently held by my Department. The agencies concerned have been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Health Services
Arthur Spring
Ceist:624 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the starting date for the planned residential centre for autism to be built at Dromavalla, Ballyseedy, Tralee, County Kerry; and if special needs assistants will be hired to work at the centre. [18953/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Services
Sean Fleming
Ceist:625 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his policy in respect of the issue of cord blood stem cell collection; if this is facilitated in hospitals here for the personal use of persons to assist them in terms of treatment in later years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18986/11]
Cord blood is a source of stem cells, which have proven therapeutic benefit for a number of conditions, principally the treatment of blood conditions. Stem cells may also be obtained from bone marrow. It is important to note that many potential benefits of stem cells are at very early investigative stages and will require substantiation through clinical trials.
Ireland does not currently have a public cord blood bank. At present, when clinically indicated by a consultant overseeing care, collection of cord blood for donation to an identified family member in high risk families is facilitated by HSE hospitals in collaboration with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. In addition, where an identified clinical need arises, Ireland has access to cord blood stem cells through international stem cell banks and registries and this is also arranged by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.
Collection of cord blood for private use in low risk families is not provided publicly in Ireland. While recognising that science in this area is evolving, the HSE sought and considered expert professional clinical opinion as well as legal advice in relation to this matter. As a result, it has determined that staff at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE should not undertake the procurement of cord blood for commercial entities. The HSE must ensure that evidence-based, safe, effective and high quality care is provided to patients and their families. In addition, the contracting of staff employed at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE, to undertake the collection of cord blood on behalf of commercial companies, was outside the cover provided under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme.
Any hospital wishing to accommodate staff directly employed by third party commercial entities to undertake the procurement of cord blood at hospitals operated or funded by the HSE must therefore ensure that all appropriate arrangements are in place within the context of a robust clinical governance framework to control risks associated with the service. A contract, or service level agreement, should be in place between the third party commercial entity and the hospital concerned. Policies, procedures and guidelines are required to govern how the service is provided. Hospitals and their maternity service teams face significant challenges in ensuring a robust clinical governance framework to support a safe and high quality maternity care system. My Department will keep the emergence of clinical benefits of cord blood banking under constant review. I am satisfied that the HSE's primary objective is to ensure that there is a safe and high quality maternity service and that it is correct in requiring that appropriate governance arrangements are in place where an individual wishes to collect cord blood in cases where there is no identified clinical need.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:626 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of Secretaries General that sit on State agency boards; the Departments that these Secretaries General represent; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19497/11]
The Secretary General of the Department of Health is a member of the interim Health Service Executive Board which was recently established by the Minister. As a serving public servant the ‘one person, one salary' principle applies and accordingly the Secretary General does not receive additional remuneration for his membership of the Board.
Road Network
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:627 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the bridge over narrow water project between County Louth and County Down; the timescale for completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18207/11]
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
Louth County Council submitted an economic appraisal and the completed Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project to the National Roads Authority (NRA). These reports were reviewed by NRA on behalf of my Department and the NRA recently submitted their report with recommendations in relation to this project. I have examined this report and recommendations and based on the economic appraisal, the current financial circumstances, competing demands from other local authorities for strategic schemes which have a better benefit/cost ratio, this Department is not in a position to proceed any further with the Narrow Water Bridge project, and beyond 2011 no further funding will be made available for it.
Road Traffic Offences
Robert Dowds
Ceist:628 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason persons who appeal the imposition of penalty points on their licence receive an automatic doubling of the number of penalty points imposed on them in the event that they fail in their appeal. [18251/11]
The penalty points system has been designed and structured to ensure that any person who is accused of the commission of a penalty point offence is afforded a significant time period to choose whether or not to allow the matter to proceed to court. One of the main purposes of introducing the system was to relieve the administrative burden on the courts. Persons accused of committing certain road traffic offences were offered the incentive of paying a fixed charge and accepting a reduced number of penalty points rather than a court appearance.
For 61 of the 69 offences determined to be penalty points offences in the Road Traffic Act 2002, the accused person is given the option of the payment of a fixed charge together with accepting a reduced number of penalty points. A person presented with a fixed charge notice is given a period of 56 days in which to make such a payment and accept the reduced number of penalty points. Once a fixed charge notice has been paid, the offence cannot be subsequently contested in the Courts. Where a fixed charge notice is not paid, the matter will be dealt with by the Courts and the full number of points, as prescribed by the 2002 Act, will be applied upon conviction.
Grant Payments
Michael McGrath
Ceist:629 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any funding streams or grant supports available for a purpose (details supplied). [18212/11]
The matter raised is an operational one for the Irish Sports Council. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Taxi Industry Reform
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:630 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria used to select each member of the steering group on taxi industry reform; and the way each appointee met those criteria. [18297/11]
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:631 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail any relevant business interests of taxi review steering group appointees (details supplied); and any taxi licenses that they hold. [18298/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 631 together.
In my announcements of 8 and 24 June respectively I have clarified the terms of reference and the membership of the Taxi Regulation Review Group, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. The review will enable the necessary further reforms of the sector to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while also ensuring that legitimate and competent operators and drivers can be rewarded fairly by operating under a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced. It will address a wide range of issues relating to the taxi sector including the current regulatory policy and practices, licensing systems, enforcement and future dialogue with the taxi sector.
In my view, the wide ranging membership of the Review Steering Group will allow an appropriate contribution from stakeholders, including dispatch operators, drivers, consumers as well as the regulatory and enforcement agencies. I should add that the consultation on the review extends to all interested parties and stakeholders through an invitation for written submission to be made before the end of July.
Tourism Promotion
Dara Murphy
Ceist:632 Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the golfing successes enjoyed in recent years by Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington if he will consider using these persons to front a campaign marketing Ireland abroad as a tourist destination for golfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18305/11]
Tourism Ireland has recently launched a campaign, Visit Ireland: Home of Champions which features the three golfers mentioned. I have asked Tourism Ireland to provide further details to the Deputy, and if you have not received an answer within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Departmental Equipment
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:633 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of specialist storage for equipment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18312/11]
There are currently no additional costs involved for the storage of the ICS equipment bought for MRSC Malin Head. The equipment is currently in storage at IRCG Stores in Ballycoolin.
Irish Coast Guard
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:634 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of an inspection at a station (details supplied); the outcome of the inspection; the timescale for the next inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18314/11]
An Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) was carried out in the Coast Guards Marine Rescue Sub co-ordination Centre at Malin Head on 10 November 2010. The Centre passed the inspection to the satisfaction of the Irish Coast Guard. The timescale for the next inspection will be July/August 2011.
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:635 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff required to safely operate a station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18320/11]
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:636 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the staffing numbers for a station (details supplied) for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18321/11]
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:637 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an exemption to the recruitment embargo to allow staff to be appointed at a station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18324/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 635 to 637, inclusive, together.
The number of staff required to operate the Marine Rescue Sub co-ordination Centre (MRSC) at Malin Head is 14 Watch Officers, 1 Engineer, 1 Deputy Divisional Controller and 1 Divisional Controller. The number of watch officers can reduce to twelve for periods but this will entail overtime requirements to cover leave and training.
My Department is, as part of the Croke Park Agreement, carrying out a strategic review of the Irish Coast Guard, including the watch manning system which accounts for the majority of the Coast Guard's staff.
Search and Rescue Services
Ciara Conway
Ceist:638 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding support for Mountain Rescue Ireland in view of the cut in grants sustained over the past two years; the implications that this will have for the safety of hillwalkers, persons cut off by bad weather and for tourism; if further cuts to funding may be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18335/11]
My Department is responsible for administering payment of grants to the Mountain and Cave Rescue Teams in Ireland. Responsibility for the co-ordination of mountain rescue rests with An Garda Síochána under the Framework for Major Emergency Management. Notwithstanding the current difficult economic climate, the mountain and cave rescue teams will receive current funding grants of the order of €209,600 in 2011. The Irish Mountain Rescue Association is an all-Ireland body and further support is availed of in Northern Ireland. There are no further plans for cuts in this area at this stage. It is important to also point out that, in addition to the mountain rescue teams, the assistance of An Garda Síochána, the Civil Defence and the Irish Coast Guard helicopters and Coast Guard rescue teams is also available to those who get into difficulty on our highlands, mountains and remote areas.
Regional Airports
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:639 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to carry out a cost benefit analysis comparing the cost of providing €1.3m operation expenditure funding to Galway Airport in 2012 with the loss of revenue to the Exchequer in the form of taxation arising from the loss of direct employment at Galway Airport and the general economic loss to the region due to the closure of the Airport if OPEX funding is not provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18361/11]
I fully recognise the value of Galway Airport in terms of the numbers employed directly and indirectly at the Airport and the role it has played in the economic development of the region. However, I do not accept the argument that compares the cost of Exchequer support to the airport with the loss of revenue to the Exchequer in the form of taxation arising from the loss of direct employment at Galway Airport, etc. were it to close. There are other factors at play here, particularly having regard to the overlapping catchment areas of the airports on the western seaboard.
A Value for Money (VFM) Review on Exchequer Support for the Regional Airports Programme has already been completed and was published by the previous Government last January. Its purpose was to evaluate past Exchequer expenditure against the Regional Airports Programme objectives and to examine the scope for achieving those objectives more efficiently and effectively in the future. The Review assessed all the regional airports throughout the country. It recommended that funding for the PSO air services between Dublin and the regional airports at Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Galway, Kerry and Derry be discontinued when current contracts end in July 2011 and that operational and capital expenditure funding be discontinued for Sligo and Galway airports. In the case of Galway Airport, this means that much of the potential air travel would divert to Shannon and Ireland West international airports instead. Others would travel by road or rail instead.
These recommendations took into account changes in EU legislation, airport performances, the substantial investment in surface transport, overlapping catchment areas, the requirement to make best use of scarce Exchequer resources, and the implications for the regional tourism and business sectors.
In the circumstances, I have no plans to have further cost benefit assessments carried out on Galway Airport or any of the other regional airports. Moreover, the recent decision taken by this Government on funding for the regional airports is broadly in line with the Review's recommendations.
In that regard, I have secured Government approval for additional funding to be made available to all six regional airports in 2011, including Galway and Sligo, reversing the cut in funding made by the last Government. However, I will not be able to provide operational or capital funding to Galway or Sligo airports from 2012 onwards.
This decision is necessary to make best use of scarce Exchequer resources and to ensure the efficient use of taxpayers' money. The Government is aware of the implications for both Galway and Sligo Airports in making this decision. Clearly, in the current economic difficulties, it is not business as usual and unpopular decisions must be made. I believe that in continuing to support the other four regional airports beyond 2011, we will ensure that Ireland has a sufficient network of regional airports, while taking into account significant improvement in the road network, short journey times by road and rail and the reduction in passengers flying domestically.
I would encourage Galway and Sligo Airports, as privately owned entities, to use the opportunity provided by the additional funding in 2011 to engage with various parties, including business interests, investors and local authorities, to secure their ongoing viability in some form. My Department will work with those airports over the coming months to ensure the close out of Exchequer support in an orderly way.
Road Network
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:640 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is legal for county councils to seek bonds from forestry companies for the use of the public road and to charge forestry companies for wear and tear on these roads thus imposing significant costs on forestry companies for public infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18371/11]
The maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. A total of €439.676 million is being provided in regional and local road grants in 2011. This allocation includes the additional €60 million being provided by the Government under the jobs initiative. Under Sections 48 and 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, local authorities may, subject to certain conditions, require the payment of developmental contributions or supplementary development contributions in respect of public infrastructure which benefits a proposed development.
Heavy trucks, particularly fully laden forestry trucks can cause great damage to road pavements (especially to weak pavements on legacy roads). Under the Planning and Development Act it is open to local authorities to seek to recoup the cost of certain road strengthening works in appropriate circumstances.
Tendering Procedures
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:641 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received correspondence from a company (details supplied) in County Offaly; if an investigation in relation to the complaints will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/11]
I can confirm that the correspondence referred to has not been received in my office. The Deputy should be aware that the matter concerned relates to the tendering procedures of a local authority in which I have no function or responsibility.
Traffic Regulations
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:642 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has any plans to add a 40 kph speed limit for our roads in view of the fact that local authorities do not have this option at the present time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18477/11]
Section 86 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 amends section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 to provide for a 40 kph speed limit for use by road authorities in accordance with guidelines previously issued by me. The section will be commenced as soon as the new 40 kph sign has been prescribed in amending Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, which are currently being prepared in my Department.
Simon Harris
Ceist:643 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the national requirements and standards set down by him for the erection and maintenance of speed limit signs on primary, national and secondary roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18647/11]
The current requirements relating to speed limit signs are set out in Section 5.16 of the Traffic Signs Manual 2010, which is available for purchase from the National Roads Authority or which may be downloaded from my Department's website, www.dttas.ie .
The Manual constitutes a Ministerial Direction to Road Authorities under Section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as it relates to the provision of traffic signs.
State Visits
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:644 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the fund from which the recent State visits were paid; if the National Roads Authority were allocated additional funds; if so, the amount of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14108/11]
Any costs incurred by the Department's agencies arising from the recent State visits were funded by the agencies from their own budgets and, to date, no additional Exchequer funds have been made available to the NRA or any other departmental agency for that purpose.
Moreover, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the significant positive international media coverage that this State received from these recent visits. According to research carried out on behalf of Fáilte Ireland, the combined visits generated — in media advertising equivalent terms — €298 million of coverage through 37,795 separate print and broadcast pieces. This media coverage was predominately in two of our most important tourist markets, Great Britain and the USA.
Departmental Schemes
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:645 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand the Dublin bicycle scheme into other local authorities. [18718/11]
I have sought the views of the National Transport Authority on potential mechanisms to expand the current Dublin Bikes scheme and to facilitate the introduction of similar public bike schemes to other cities. I look forward to considering the Authority's views as an input to formulating my approach to this matter.
EU Directives
Jerry Buttimer
Ceist:646 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the negotiations he has had with the hauliers’ association and the negotiations he has had with the EU in view of the EU plan to charge road hauliers for pollution and noise. [18720/11]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to proposals to amend the Eurovignette Directives. The Directives set a common framework to be implemented where Member States apply tolls and time based road use charges on certain motorways for particular heavy goods vehicles (HGVs); and proposals to amend the Directives provide, among other matters, for an optional additional surcharge on tolls (known as the external cost charge and relating to environmental impacts such as air and noise pollution) are nearing finalisation. Neither the Directive nor the proposed amendments oblige Member States to apply tolls or charges
My Department has been involved in EU negotiations on the proposed amending Directive over the past three years, and has had various contacts on the matter with haulage interests. Road tolls and charges are important for investment in infrastructure in Ireland as in other Member States, and the reality of external costs has to be provided for. The decision to apply charges is a matter for each Member State, but Eurovignette is about ensuring a common and transparent framework for charges, including how they are calculated and maximum amounts.
Semi-State Bodies
Alan Farrell
Ceist:647 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has the authority to terminate the contracts of board members within the Dublin Airport Authority; if so, the basis of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18766/11]
The Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Airport Authority is an ex officio member of the board of the Authority. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I appoint the Chairman and other members of the board, under the provisions of Section 13 of the State Airports Act 2004 in accordance with Section 22 of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998, as amended by paragraph 9 of the Schedule to the Act of 2004.
Section 22(3)(e) of the Act of 1998 provides that each such director may be removed from office by me with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
Driving Tests
Derek Keating
Ceist:648 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons who currently hold a provisional driving licence for more than one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18777/11]
Analysis of the records on my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) indicate that 103,575 drivers currently hold a learner permit (formerly provisional licence) for more than one year.
Semi-State Bodies
Gerry Adams
Ceist:649 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of bonus payments paid to senior management in the Dublin Airport Authority, CIE and the Irish Aviation Authority in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [18782/11]
The Government has made it very clear to all State Agencies that performance related bonuses are not appropriate and should not be paid in the current economic circumstances. I reiterated this point to the Chairpersons and Chief Executives of the agencies under my aegis when I met them in April of this year.
The full details of each Chief Executive Officer's remuneration is available in the relevant agency's annual report. I can confirm that no bonuses have been paid to the Chief Executive Officer of any of the agencies mentioned in 2011.
According to their published 2010 Report and Accounts, DAA and IAA made payments in 2010 of €21,925 and €60,000 respectively. These relate to performance achievements in 2009. CIE made no performance related payments to Chief Executive Officers in any of the years mentioned.
The payment of performance related pay to other senior management is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to DAA, IAA and CIE. If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
Public Transport
Seán Kenny
Ceist:650 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers carried by Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18824/11]
The information requested is available from the public transport companies concerned. I have referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
Tourism Industry
Seán Kenny
Ceist:651 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to increase the number of tourists coming here during the winter season; the budget allocated for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18825/11]
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agencies for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
Rail Fares
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:652 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Íarnród Éireann plans to reduce rail fares on the Kerry to Dublin line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18853/11]
The issue raised is an operational matter for Íarnród Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
Ministerial Meetings
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:653 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and dates of formal meetings he has had with the management advisory committee in his Department since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18928/11]
I have had meetings with the Secretary General of my Department and members of my Department's Management Board every week since my appointment as Minister. I also have discussions with senior management on a regular basis on a wide range of issues that come under my remit as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Departmental Agencies
Paudie Coffey
Ceist:654 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to agencies (details supplied) and their sub-agencies, the levels of office rental paid; the location of offices and their landlords for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the length of the leases in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18932/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is an operational matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to those agencies listed that are under the aegis of my Department. If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
I would like to bring to the Deputy's attention that the Dublin Transport Office and the Commission for Taxi Regulation have been subsumed into the National Transport Authority. The Integrated Ticketing Project Board is also now under the responsibility of that Authority. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for its response. The Public Transport Partnership Forum is not a legal entity and held its meetings in my Department. Accordingly, the issue of rent did not arise.
Responsibility for the Irish Greyhound Board and Horse Racing Ireland rests with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
National Car Test
Derek Keating
Ceist:655 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport one month on from the RTE television exposé on the National Car Testing Service, the progress that has been made in the investigations of standards operated by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18946/11]
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January 2010, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA. The award of the contract and the criteria applying thereto is a matter for the RSA.
There is regular and ongoing contact between the RSA and my Department on matters pertaining to the National Car Testing Service.
Following the Prime Time Investigates programme Applus+ has undertaken an internal investigation and the seven vehicle inspectors who were identified as a result of the programme and internal analysis were suspended. Three have now been dismissed. Applus+ has submitted a number of requests to RTE for information under the Freedom of Information Act. Primetime has refused to provide the information on the grounds that it is outside Freedom of Information.
A Garda investigation is currently under way and Applus+ is providing all information and assistance required. Applus+ is implementing a number of measures to address the issues raised. While details of many of these must necessarily be kept confidential, they include preventative measures and fraud detection measures based on following up on specific risk areas identified.
Under its contract with the RSA, Applus+ was already in the process of fitting cameras on every test lane and these are expected to be in place in July. Some longer term measures are also being considered by Applus+.
Notwithstanding these recent issues, the NCTS testing system is computer-controlled and highly automated and provides test security, consistency and accuracy. Uniform standards are set for what is tested, how the test is carried out and the reasons for failure.
Public Transport
Derek Keating
Ceist:656 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Luas service ceased to operate on 19 June 2011 when 80,000 persons attended an event in Croke Park and when the event was over 10,000 people lined the Luas line from Middle Abbey Street to Capel Street for longer than 40 minutes only then to be told by loudspeaker that the Luas service had ceased; his views that this is an unacceptable practice of a public utility; if he will have investigations made into the persons responsible for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18668/11]
Operational matters relating to Luas services are a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the RPA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Rail Services
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:657 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is possible to develop an early morning commuter service from Longford to Sligo; if he is in favour of developing this and other opportunities for commuter rail services around the country; and if so, the action he has taken to promote same. [18667/11]
The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Departmental Staff
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:658 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Secretaries General who sit on State agency boards; the Departments that the Secretaries General are representing; the corresponding agency boards they are appointed to by the Government; and the remuneration they receive for board membership. [19501/11]
There are no Secretary Generals sitting on any agency boards under the aegis of my Department.