Vol. 740 No. 1
8 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he intends to hold the next meeting of the north west forum Corrib gas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23845/11]
The North West Mayo Forum was established in 2008 with the dual objectives of providing an opportunity for dialogue between parties with an interest in the Corrib gas project and offering an opportunity for furthering the socio-economic development of the North West Mayo Region.
It was intended that membership of the Forum would include a broad representation from local community groups, however a number of groups opposed to the Corrib gas project declined to participate in the Forum.
Over the course of its first year, the Forum met on five occasions. The last meeting was held over a year ago on 8th May 2010. A decision has not been taken to convene a further meeting of the Forum at this time.
The decision to approve the application from the Corrib partners to construct a pipeline connecting the offshore and onshore facilities made specific provision for the establishment of a Consent Conditions Monitoring Committee, to monitor implementation of the conditions of the Section 40 gas pipeline consent.
This provides an opportunity for representatives of the local community to engage in a meaningful way in relation to the construction of the principal remaining element of the development.
I will continue to keep in mind the potential for a further meeting of the Forum.
9 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date on the Corrib gas project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23841/11]
Construction of the Corrib Gas Terminal at Bellanaboy is substantially completed, as are the subsea facilities at the Corrib Gas Field. The 83 km. offshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline has also been installed
Following the granting of a number of statutory consents earlier this year for the construction of the onshore section of the pipeline along a revised route, work on this final element of the development has now commenced.
It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline, including the construction of a 5 km. tunnel, will take in the region of two years.
The consent granted by the then Minister in February of this year for the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline required the Corrib Gas Partners to prepare an environmental management plan. The purpose of this plan is to ensure that the mitigation and monitoring controls identified in the developer's Environmental Impact Statement as approved, are appropriately managed and implemented by the developer in agreement with my Department.
In July of this year, following a detailed assessment, my Department approved the EMP submitted by Shell, which set out the proposed schedule of works for this year, together with the relevant environmental protection mitigations. These works relate to the construction of the Aghoose tunnelling compound and the conduct of offshore surveys.
Works at Aghoose are now ongoing and these works are the subject of independent monitoring being undertaken by international consultants ENVIRON on behalf of my Department. Shell's progress reports, together with ENVIRON's reports will be made available on my Department's website.
10 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any submission has been made regarding the McCarthy report recommendations on Bord na Móna. [23954/11]
The Report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities, chaired by Mr Colm McCarthy, was presented to Government and published in April this year. In respect of Bord na Móna the Review Group recommended that the Government should seek to dispose of Bord na Móna as a single entity, including peat extraction rights but not ownership of the peat lands. Following publication of the Report, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sought the considered views of relevant Departments in respect of the Review Group's recommendations. My Department consulted with Bord na Móna as part of the process of preparing its response. The Company made a submission on the Report in response to this request. My Department subsequently submitted its views to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the aspects in the Report which related to the work of the Department. As the Deputy is now aware the Government has considered the general issue of the sale of State Assets and these submissions will feed into the process that has been established.
11 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views that in view of modern technology, it is reasonable that €18 million of the licence fee was attributed to RTE Radio 1 in 2010; and if he has asked RTE, in view of the high salaries paid to broadcasters at the station, that the public service funding requirement be reduced. [23860/11]
RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 charges RTÉ with providing and operating a national sound broadcasting service which shall have the character of a public service, be a free-to-air service and be made available, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland.
Section 98 provides that the company shall be independent in the pursuance of this object, subject to the requirements of the Act, and as such I, as Minister, have no function in the management of RTÉ's day to day affairs, including matters relating to its budget for Radio One in 2010 and in relation to general staff remuneration and contracts. These are purely matters for RTÉ management who no doubt seek to manage their full cost base in a way that ensures the financial sustainability of the company.
That said, I would highlight to the Deputy that the €18.4 million of licence fee revenue attributed to RTÉ Radio One in 2010 represents a 21.7% reduction on the licence fee attributed to the station in 2009. It serves as an example of the widespread and significant cost reductions which RTÉ has undertaken and continues to undertake. I would also point out to the Deputy that RTÉ Radio One provides a very substantial quantum and quality of public service content, continues to attract the highest national share of listeners in the State, and, accordingly, fulfils an integral role as part of the public service broadcasting landscape in this country.
With regard to the public funding of RTÉ, it is the case that this has been reduced in recent times, both in the most recent Government Budget and with the onset of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The Act provided that the proportion of net television licence fee receipts to be paid to RTÉ was reduced from 95% to 93% having the affect of reducing RTÉ's annual budget by approximately €4 million. The Budget of last December resulted in the reduction of RTÉ's public funding by €10 million as a result of the decision to transfer that sum to assist in the funding of TG4. The Budget also capped the payment of free television licences issued by the Department of Social Protection at 2010 levels which is expected to further reduce the corporation's funding by €3 million in 2011.
This series of reductions in RTÉ's public funding is taking place in an economic climate where RTÉ's commercial revenue has reduced drastically when compared to 2008 levels. RTÉ is forecasting a significant end year deficit this year having already posted a €4.7 million deficit in 2010. I have met recently with RTÉ management and I have made my view clear that a continuing deficit position is not tenable. I believe that the management fully concur with this and will take the remedial action necessary to address the situation.
RTÉ has invested significantly in respect of the upgrading of infrastructure to facilitate the successful transition to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). In this context, Deputies should be aware that Capital Expenditure of up to €70 million will be incurred by RTÉ. It is important that the costs of DTT roll-out do not place an undue burden on the company.
Section 124(8) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires the BAI to carry out a review on the adequacy or otherwise of the funding of public service broadcasters not more than 3 years after the passing of the Broadcasting Act 2009. I look forward to receiving this review, which is due to be completed by the Authority by mid-2012 at the latest, as it will assist in informing any policy decisions I may take on the future public funding of public service broadcasters.
In conclusion, I am confident that the Board and management of RTÉ are taking the necessary action to ensure that the company is placed on a sustainable financial footing as soon as possible and that it continues to meet its legal obligations.
12 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the fees paid to the chairman (details supplied) of the north west forum in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23850/11]
The North West Mayo Forum was established in 2008 by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Forum was established with the dual objectives of providing an opportunity for dialogue between parties with an interest in the Corrib gas project and offering an opportunity for furthering the socio-economic development of the North West Mayo Region.
The forum is chaired by Mr. Joe Brosnan, who in addition to chairing Forum meetings helped initiate direct meetings between the developer and local groups opposed to the project, engaged in ongoing contacts with a broad range of interested parties, including community representatives, the developer and public bodies.
Membership of the Forum includes representatives of a range of local groups; elected public representatives; Government Departments, State bodies and Shell E&P Ireland Limited, along with representatives of its local workforce.
The Forum has, facilitated discussion and debate on a number of issues relevant to the project and the region including:
the consents processes relating to the project;
local community concerns about health and safety;
issues around policing including a presentation from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission;
the Private Security Authority's regulation of private security firms; and
renewable energy opportunities in the region.
The Forum last met in May 2010 and consequently no fees have been paid to the Chairman in 2011. Fees totalling €37,400 were paid up to 2010.
14 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the companies granted licences for onshore exploration of gas in the north west were required to indicate as part of their application for the licence their preferred method of extraction of gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23837/11]
Companies wishing to submit applications for licensing options in the competition run by my Department last year were not required to indicate as part of their application the method they would propose for the extraction of gas in the event of a commercial discovery being made in the future.
The licensing options on offer at the time specifically excluded exploration drilling of any kind. Accordingly, it would not be possible to make a commercial discovery under the licensing options that were on offer and as a consequence it would have been premature to focus on the technology that might be used to produce gas.
The purpose of the licensing options is to allow the companies assess the natural gas potential of the acreage largely based on desktop studies of existing data from previous petroleum exploration activity and shallow geological sampling. They also confer on the companies involved a first right of refusal for an exploration licence over the areas concerned.
Exploration activity under these authorisations is at a very early stage and there is no certainty that it will lead to applications for follow-on exploration licences that would be required before exploration wells could be drilled.
I have made clear that any future application proposing the use of hydraulic fracturing, will be the subject of an environmental impact assessment, including an appropriate public consultation phase before any decision is made.
15 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to ensure that the broadcast media here are not dominated by a small number of players; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23853/11]
The Advisory Group on Media Mergers Report points out that there are some indications of a trend towards the concentration of media ownership and that this may accelerate depending on economic circumstances.
Global trends also reveal a tendency by large media corporations to acquire other media organisations on a continuing basis.
The audiovisual media business in Ireland is subject to the same technological advances, growth of new media, globalisation and the convergence of what were formerly separate businesses.
These rapid advances in communication technologies, including, in particular, Internet based media offerings, provide both for freedom of expression and a plurality of voices but may also concentrate media in large conglomerates not subject to Irish jurisdiction.
I agree with the general view that, with increasing technological advances, growth of new media, and convergence of what were formerly separate businesses, new media is becoming inextricably interlinked. These fundamental changes mean that the traditional print media business is migrating to audiovisual media and the Internet in a rapidly globalising print and audiovisual media landscape.
On this basis, I see an increasing role for my Department and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in the media mergers area as desirable.
The public interest test in relation to media mergers currently rests with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Minister Bruton has recently brought legislative proposals to Government in this area and I understand that the proposed legislation, the Consumer and Competition Bill, is now being drafted. The issue of the future locus of the public interest test in relation to media mergers is being addressed in that context and I will be remaining very close to the issue during the drafting of legislation.
16 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a fuel poverty strategy; the timeframe for this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21424/11]
I am acutely aware of the difficulties that recent electricity and gas price rises by several utilities are having on householders and particularly those vulnerable customers who may already be struggling with arrears. The recent report from the Society of the St. Vincent de Paul is a sobering reminder that energy poverty and reduced income are a cause of deep anxiety among many older people in our society, especially as we head into the winter months. That is why the Government is determined to systematically tackle the causes and mitigate the effects of energy poverty across the country.
Energy Affordability is a cross-cutting policy issue and tackling the root causes of energy affordability or fuel poverty requires action on a number of fronts.
Energy poverty is caused by the interaction between energy prices, thermal inefficiency of the home and income. Action to mitigate energy poverty has traditionally focused on providing assistance through the schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection.
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 delivered through the Better Energy: Warmer Homes programme. By providing significant energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty, it brings benefits to recipients in terms of energy affordability, tangible health improvements and overall well being. The programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department.
Better Energy: Warmer Homes is primarily delivered by 28 community based organisations (CBOs). The CBOs work in partnership with their local network of poverty and community support organisations including public health nurses, MABS and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to identify and address vulnerable homes. Private contractors are also engaged to address areas or technologies not covered by CBOs.
Enhancing the energy efficiency of low-income homes through structural improvements remains the most effective means of reducing energy poverty. To date, energy efficiency improvements in over 71,000 homes have been made under Better Energy: Warmer Homes. My Department and SEAI have a target of an additional 20,000 homes this year of which 11,197 have been completed to the end of August.
In addition to Better Energy: Warmer Homes, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government operate a retrofit programme for social housing. Approximately 1,850 units were approved in 2010 with a similar number expected this year.
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, finalised its own deliberations over the summer months. Their analysis and recommendations formed the basis for a strategy to be agreed with my Ministerial colleagues. I would remind the Deputy that I informed the Oireachtas Committee last evening that I was in the process of bringing a Memo to Cabinet on this issue and it is my intention to publish an Affordable Energy Strategy within a few weeks.
17 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to address the ongoing difficulties that rural householders and businesses are experiencing accessing a sufficient level of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23881/11]
The telecommunications market in Ireland has been fully liberalised since 1999 and, since then, has seen the steady growth and development of vibrant well-regulated competition in the provision of the full range of telecommunications products and services.
The Government is not a player in this market and can only intervene in cases of market failure.
Between the significant private and public sector investments over recent years all areas of the country now have access to at least a basic broadband service.
The Rural Broadband Scheme, which recently closed for applications, aims to identify the remaining individual premises in rural Ireland, including county Tipperary, outside of the NBS areas that are unable to obtain a broadband service and to provide a basic broadband service to those premises, where requested.
The Verification Phase of the Scheme will now commence. Under this phase efforts will be made to obtain a service for those who have applied under the Scheme from commercial Internet Service Providers under existing market terms.
If internet service providers confirm that a particular applicant cannot be served at present, the Rural Broadband Scheme will seek to offer a service through whichever company is successful in bidding for the RBS procurement contract.
The procurement process is expected to commence toward the end of October and will aim to identify the preferred supplier. Pending contract negotiations a service provider will be appointed in early 2012.
Roll-out of the service under the Scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
The Government accepts that the widespread availability of next generation broadband is a key requirement in delivering future economic and social development.
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband customer access to every home and business in the State. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce has an important role, in this regard.
In June of this year I convened the Taskforce which I chair and which also comprises the Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA, Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies currently operating in the Irish market and the CEOs of some Internet Service Provider companies. The purpose of the Taskforce is to discuss the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.
The Taskforce, and four Working Groups reporting to it, are considering issues such as appropriate targets, private sector investment plans, and the role of Government in driving and facilitating investment. The Taskforce met earlier this week and will meet again in December. I expect that it will help to identify the optimal policy to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government.
18 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent that comparisons have been made with the quality, standard and speed of broadband and other IT telecommunications services here with those available in other EU member states; his plans and targets, if any, to bring the quality in this country up to the highest available and the period within which it is expected to do so; if any examination has been done as to the reason that efforts in this regard over the past ten years have been largely unsuccessful; if provision can now be made for the ongoing updating and upgrading of such services on an incremental basis in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23934/11]
The telecommunications market in Ireland has been fully liberalised since 1999 and, since then, has seen the steady growth and development of vibrant well-regulated competition in the provision of the full range of telecommunications products and services.
The Government is not a player in this market and can only intervene in cases of market failure.
Commercial operators have been investing steadily in rolling out critical communications infrastructure in Ireland over the last number of years. That investment has been of the order of €400 to €500m per annum. The State too has invested where it has identified market failure.
Between the significant private and public sector investments over recent years all areas of the country now have access to at least a basic broadband service. International comparisons of retail broadband services are conducted periodically. The ComReg statistical report for end 2010 noted the latest OECD broadband data up to June 2010 ranked Ireland 13th of 19 EU states surveyed for fixed line broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants and third of 18 EU states surveyed for wireless broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants. A wider report on broadband services in 72 countries published in 2010 by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain, concluded that the broadband services currently available in Ireland are capable of meeting the requirements of today's broadband applications and overall, in terms of broadband quality and penetration, ranks Ireland 13th of the 72 countries studied.
Significant improvements have been made in the quality and delivery of broadband in recent years. For example, broadband speeds of up to 100 megabits per second are already available to around 500,000 premises using coaxial cable. This will increase to over 700,000 premises by the end of next year. Telephone lines now provide digital subscriber line broadband (DSL) offering speeds of up to 24 mbps, depending on distance from exchanges. In addition to these improvements in fixed line services, developments in wireless technologies are also delivering higher speeds. WiMax products, which are increasingly available, offer speeds of up to 10 mbps, while mobile broadband speeds are also being increased. Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband to every home and business in the State.
The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, has an important role, in this regard. In June of this year I convened the Taskforce which I chair, and which also comprises the Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA, Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies currently operating in the Irish market and CEOs of some Internet Service Provider companies. The purpose of the Taskforce is to discuss the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.
The Taskforce, and four Working Groups reporting to it, are considering issues such as appropriate targets, private sector investment plans, and the role of Government in driving and facilitating investment. I expect that the Taskforce, which met earlier this week and will meet again in December, will help to identify the optimal policy to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government.
19 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to develop fourth generation broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23883/11]
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband customer access to every home and business in the State. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce has an important role, in this regard. In June of this year I convened the Taskforce which I chair and which also comprises the Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA, Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies currently operating in the Irish market as well at the CEOs of some Internet Service Provider companies. The purpose of the Taskforce is to consider and report on the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.
The Taskforce, and four Working Groups reporting to it, are considering issues such as appropriate targets, private sector investment plans, and the role of Government in driving and facilitating investment. The Taskforce met earlier this week and will meet again on 12 December. In the interim, the four Working Groups will continue their work. The objective is that the Taskforce will report before year end. I anticipate that it will identify the optimal policy to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government.
20 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce legislation to ensure net neutrality; if such legislation will ensure that access to all websites and services that are on the Internet can be accessed freely and without preference to websites and services favoured by a particular Internet service provider in view of the fact that a growing percentage of Internet access is provided by telecommunications operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23751/11]
The issue of net neutrality is currently being considered by the European Commission and the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). The Commission intend to publish the evidence emerging from BEREC's investigations by the end of 2011.
The essence of net neutrality and the issues underpinning the debate include how best to preserve the openness and quality of this platform allowing innovation to flourish, while ensuring respect for fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom to conduct business.
The EU will play an important role in this matter, guiding Member States on a common approach which could inform any future legislation. I will await the outcome of EU deliberations in this regard.
21 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to reform the regulation of the energy market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23882/11]
The Government's energy policy, including the regulatory framework, seeks to deliver a secure, sustainable and competitive energy supply. In achieving this objective, the regulatory framework must meet evolving energy policy challenges and also ensure compliance with the requirements of both EU and national legislation.
The regulation of the electricity and gas market is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The Electricity Regulation Act 1999 provided for the establishment of the CER as an independent statutory regulator. Since its establishment, there may have been a number of changes to the regulatory framework, and CER's functions, in line with the continually evolving energy policy landscape and partly as a result of EU obligations.
Initially, the Commission was responsible for the regulation and reform of the electricity market only. In 2002, under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, the Commission was additionally given statutory responsibility for the regulation of the natural gas market. Since then its remit has been further extended to include additional responsibilities, for example for security of supply, upstream petroleum and downstream gas safety and customer protection matters.
With a view to meeting policy objectives, the CER has played a pivotal role in the development of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) which has been operating in Ireland and Northern Ireland since November 2007. It represents one of the first markets of its kind in the world, a fact that was been recognised by the EU Energy Commissioner at the time of the launch of the SEM.
Building on the success of the SEM, the two regulators are currently working together to develop Common Arrangements for Gas (CAG) on the island, whereby all players in the gas market can buy, sell, transport and contribute to the development and planning of the natural gas market North and South on an all-island basis.
In the immediate future, the regulatory regime for the Irish electricity and gas market, including consumer protection issues, is being enhanced by the obligations on Ireland of the EU's Third Energy Package aimed at developing an integrated EU energy market and improving competition to the benefit of consumers.
The International Energy Agency will, in the coming weeks, be conducting its periodic in-depth review of Irish energy policy. The Agency reviews the energy policy of every member country every four to five years. On this occasion, the IEA review will include, as part of its overall review of Ireland's energy policy, an independent assessment of the efficiency of the Irish electricity and gas sectors, as required under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. In this assessment, the IEA will examine, inter alia, existing policy in relation to the regulatory framework and actions to ensure that the electricity and gas markets are competitive. The IEA may make proposals for further strengthening of the regulatory and market reform framework, among the range of energy policy recommendations it will make in its final report.
Based on the results of that assessment, I will consider what actions may require to be taken in relation in regard to strengthening the regulatory and market reform programme in consultation with European Commission Services, in line with the requirement in the updated EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland.
It is also my intention that a new energy policy framework will be published next year. The new framework will take account of developments over the past few years since the publication of the 2007 White Paper. The new energy policy framework will also be informed by the outcome of the IEA's review, including independent assessment of the efficiency of the Irish electricity and gas sectors referred to above.
22 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will guarantee that in the event of granting licences of any kind to a prospecting company for hydraulic fracturing, fracking or by unconventional means, that every single drilled bore hole will require an Environmental Protection Agency licence; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23932/11]
It is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency, which is an independent statutory body, to determine the activities that it is to licence.
From my own Department's perspective I can inform the Deputy that each proposal for the drilling of an exploration well gives rises to a detailed application and assessment, before permission to drill can be given. On the specific issue of possible future onshore exploration drilling using hydraulic fracturing, I have made clear that any such proposals would be subject to an environmental impact assessment before permission to drill could be granted by my Department. That process would include a public consultation phase.
Under the licensing options granted by my Department earlier this year, which run to 2013, exploration drilling is not allowed.
23 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to honour the commitment given by the previous Government to grow the overseas aid budget to 0.7% of the national income by 2015; the rationale for his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23264/11]
27 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will reach its 0.7% of GDP by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22924/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together.
Ireland's total contribution to Official Development Assistance (ODA) will amount to €659 million in 2011. €524 million of this funding will be planned and managed by Irish Aid, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Some €135 million is accounted for by contributions of other Government Departments and by Ireland's share of the EU development cooperation budget. On current projections, this level of allocation ensures that Ireland will provide approximately 0.52 per cent of GNP for development assistance in 2011.
The Government is strongly committed to Ireland's development programme, which is central to our foreign policy and to Ireland's role internationally in helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We are committed to the target of 0.7% of GNP and we are working to achieve it by 2015. This is in line with the long-standing UN target for ODA, and with the commitment of the European Union.
It is clear that, in current circumstances, this will be a challenging target to meet. However, the Government was elected to face up to the challenges of rebuilding our society and economy, and of restoring economic growth and our international reputation. I strongly believe that we can do this without undermining our work to improve the lives of some of the world's poorest people. Over the next few years, decisions on the annual allocations for the aid programme will have to be taken within the overall budgetary framework and fiscal constraints facing the Government. Nonetheless, I can assure you, as Minister with responsibility for trade and development, that I will make the strongest possible case for funding for development cooperation.
24 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the external public relations companies hired by his Department from 2006 to date in 2011; the departmental projects they were used for; the cost of each company’s services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22697/11]
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The information requested by the Deputy, together with a brief description of the services provided, is set out in the following tables. I am very conscious of the need to achieve value for money on such expenditure. My Department commissions external public relation companies only where specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department. The commissioning of these contracts is in full compliance with national and EU procurement regulations concerning tendering requirements.
|
Year |
Organisation |
Detail of project |
Amount € |
|
2008 |
e Communications Clinic |
Action Plan under the Communicating Europe Initiative |
€41,000 |
|
2009 |
e Communications Clinic |
Action Plan under the Communicating Europe Initiative |
€6,300 |
|
Year |
Organisation |
Detail of project |
Amount € |
|
2006 |
Drury Communications |
Advice on preparation of a public information strategy for the Government’s aid programme. |
€62,464 |
|
2007 |
Bannon & Bannon |
Communications and strategic advice on Hunger Task Force information promotion |
€5,082 |
|
2008 |
DHR Communications |
Planning/ Management/coordination of Africa Day events |
€34,485 |
|
2009 |
DHR Communications |
Planning/Management/coordination of Africa Day events |
€63,058 |
|
2010 |
DHR Communications |
Planning/Management/coordination of Africa Day events |
€56,023 |
|
2010 |
DHR Communications |
Management of Simon Cumbers Media Fund |
€31,363 |
|
2011 |
DHR Communications |
Planning/Management/coordination of Africa Day events |
€6,806 |
|
2011 |
DHR Communications |
Management of Simon Cumbers Media Fund |
€32,868 |
25 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the number used by staff members; the number used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22725/11]
31 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years [23299/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 31 together.
The amount expended by my Department on official taxi fares for Headquarters and Missions abroad from 1 January 2008 to date is outlined in the following table:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2008 |
454,878 |
|
2009 |
305,985 |
|
2010 |
263,202 |
|
2011 to date |
143,741 |
My Department's current taxi policy provides that taxis may be used for official business only in cases when public transport is not available or feasible or when officers are required, because of work or official travel commitments to travel early in the morning or late at night either to or from HQ or to airports or train stations. At other times, the use of taxis is not allowed. I believe that this provides a reasonable balance between requirements to safeguard the exchequer to the greatest extent possible and a recognition that there are situations where the use of taxis will be necessary.
In addition to the figure for taxi usage given above, HQ-based officers abroad travelling on official business may also find it necessary to use taxis and may be reimbursed for these costs. These costs are reimbursed with travelling expenses in the normal way.
The costs related to taxi use are monitored on a monthly basis and the taxi policy is kept under review. The cost of contract taxi services has declined each year since 2007.
The official taxi service is intended for staff of my Department only and is not made available to others.
26 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to hold a referendum on the changes to the Lisbon treaty that have been agreed at the European Council; his further plans to pass legislation in Dáil Éireann and the timeframe envisaged for same. [22913/11]
The 24-25 March European Council adopted the Decision amending Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in connection with the proposed new European Stability Mechanism. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2013 provided that all Member States have notified the completion of the procedures for the approval of the Decision in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.
Having considered the matter carefully, including the legal advice of the Attorney General, the Government is satisfied that the amendment to the Treaty is compatible with the Constitution. As no amendment of the Constitution arises, a referendum will not be required in order for Ireland to approve the amendment to Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. I propose to bring forward a Bill in the coming months to amend the European Communities Act 1972 to reflect the amendment of Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to allow for the establishment of the European Stability Mechanism.
It is envisaged that this Bill would also amend the European Communities Act 1972 to take account of the transitional provisions on the composition of the European Parliament until the end of the current parliamentary term (2009-2014). These are contained in a Protocol agreed at an Intergovernmental Conference on 9 June 2010, in order to allow for the inclusion in the current European Parliament the additional seats which are provided under the Lisbon Treaty, since the last European Parliament elections took place before the Lisbon Treaty entered into force.
28 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications issued during the 2010-11 period on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23049/11]
29 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff working in the passport office during 2010-11 on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23050/11]
30 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of days holidays taken by staff in the passport office during 2010-11 on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23051/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 to 30, inclusive, together.
The total number of passport applications received in the period 1 January to the end of August 2011 was 546,382. This contrasts with 540,110 for the same period in 2010 and 504,524 from 01 January to the end of August 2009. 2011 demand represents a 1.2% increase over 2010, a year in which very significant demand over this period arose during a time of industrial action in the Passport Service, and an 8% increase in demand over 2009.
|
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
January |
45,098 |
52,221 |
|
February |
57,215 |
59,424 |
|
March |
85,470 |
68,407 |
|
April |
84,575 |
70,735 |
|
May |
72,890 |
89,235 |
|
June |
78,293 |
83,556 |
|
July |
68,600 |
68,918 |
|
August |
47,969 |
53,886 |
|
September |
40,712 |
|
|
October |
36,291 |
|
|
November |
35,391 |
|
|
December |
22,820 |
The Passport Offices in Molesworth Street, Balbriggan, Cork and London are currently staffed approximately as follows: 1 Principal Officer; 2 Assistant Principal Officers; 12 Higher Executive Officers; 52 Executive Officers/Staff Officers; 251 Clerical Officers; 6 Services Officers and 4 cleaners. The number of sanctioned posts has remained static since an additional 127 permanent posts were sanctioned by the Department of Finance in July 2006. However, the actual number of staff varies considerably depending on the time of year with up to 85 temporary staff engaged during the period March-August 2011 compared with a figure of 52 for 2010. The total number of days annual leave taken up to the end of August 2011 was 5,504 which contrasts with 5,669 for the same period in 2010.
|
Month |
No. of days annual leave |
|
Jan-10 |
338 |
|
Feb-10 |
222 |
|
Mar-10 |
333.5 |
|
Apr-10 |
492.5 |
|
May-10 |
761.5 |
|
Jun-10 |
990.5 |
|
Jul-10 |
1,250 |
|
Aug-10 |
1,281 |
|
Sep-10 |
890.5 |
|
Oct-10 |
564.5 |
|
Nov-10 |
396 |
|
Dec-10 |
504.5 |
|
Jan-11 |
220.5 |
|
Feb-11 |
209.5 |
|
Mar-11 |
319.5 |
|
Apr-11 |
624.5 |
|
May-11 |
714 |
|
Jun-11 |
932 |
|
Jul-11 |
1,185 |
|
Aug-11 |
1,299 |
32 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23314/11]
My Department, which is responsible for Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation), operates a restrictive policy for the use of corporate credit cards for official expenditure. The use of official credit cards may be permitted for officials who, because of the nature of their work, need to make official payments by this method. Credit cards are typically used to make occasional flight and hotel bookings, for making on-line purchases where it represents better value and for making payments at short notice, where cash may not be acceptable or where invoicing arrangements cannot be put in place.
Their use is subject to the same authorisation and control procedures as other forms of payment and decisions to issue a card are made in response to identified business needs. There are currently 4 official credit cards in use by my Department in Ireland, two assigned to Vote 28 and two to Vote 29. There are 16 official credit cards in use by Missions abroad. Where credit limits apply, this is set at €5,000.
The details of total spending on departmental credit cards from 2007 to 2010 and to date in 2011, and the amount that related to representational expenditure, can be found in the table below.
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Total Spending per Departmental Credit Cards |
20,182 |
18,831 |
15,335 |
5,929 |
1,831 |
|
Representation charged to credit cards |
7,870 |
2,877 |
905 |
737 |
Nil |
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Total Spending per Departmental Credit Cards |
2,959 |
6,713 |
6,941 |
6,273 |
525 |
|
Representation charged to credit cards |
1,839 |
2,305 |
712 |
882 |
Nil |
33 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in relation to an application for an Irish passport, (details supplied), having regard to the fact that this applicant, being an Irish citizen, is unable to submit details of their birth certificate to support their passport application, the affidavit submitted in support of the information submitted with the application will facilitate the progression of matters, notwithstanding the fact that the submission of such affidavit is not intended to replace or substitute the submission of primary items of evidence, such as would be the case in respect of a birth certificate; if having regard to appropriate and exhaustive searches having been made to locate a birth certificate, he will accept the affidavit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23327/11]
The Passports Act, 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant and that the person is an Irish citizen. Documentary proof in respect of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required for all passport applications. These requirements are outlined in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form. Details are also available on the Department's website. Birth certificates are among the standard documents that are required for all applications that involve children and persons, aged 18 and over the age, who are first-time applicants. These certificates are critical to the passport process in the following ways:
(i) Each certificate confirms and verifies the applicant's personal details such as his/her date and place of birth which appear on that person's passport.
(ii) They help to demonstrate the person's entitlement to Irish citizenship which is a prerequisite for passport issue; and
(iii) Details of parents are stated on these certificates. This is important to the Passport Service in ensuring that the full parental consent to the issue of a passport to a minor is provided.
The Department is aware that some Irish citizens may have difficulty in locating a record of their birth and thus providing civil birth certificates. The Department will consider this on a case by case basis where it arises in a passport application. However, such consideration must be mindful of the Department's clear statutory obligation under the Passports Act, 2008 to satisfy itself as to the identity of each passport applicant.
The case of the person in question is currently the subject of legal proceedings and as such it would not be appropriate to make any comment on the matter.
34 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23344/11]
35 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23359/11]
36 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23374/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 to 36, inclusive, together.
The staffing arrangements for my private and constituency offices and those of Minister of State O'Sullivan and Minister of State Creighton in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are set out in the following table. These arrangements are in line with the Government's decision on 15 March 2011 to reduce maximum permitted constituency office staffing levels for Ministers of the Government and Ministers of State.
|
Office of the Tánaiste |
Constituency Office |
|
2 Special Advisers |
1 Personal Assistant |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
1 Personal Secretary |
|
1 Clerical Officer |
|
|
Private Office — Foreign Affairs and Trade |
|
|
1 Special Adviser |
|
|
1 Private Secretary (Third Secretary) |
|
|
1 Higher Executive Officer |
|
|
1 Executive Officer |
|
|
3 Clerical Officers |
|
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
1 Private Secretary (Third Secretary) |
1 Personal Assistant |
|
1 Executive Officer |
1 Personal Secretary |
|
2 Clerical Officers |
1 Clerical Officer |
|
2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Private Office* |
Constituency Office |
|
1 Executive Officer — part time |
1 Personal Secretary |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
2 Clerical Officers |
|
1 Clerical Officer |
|
|
2 Civilian Drivers |
The basic salary costs of each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 are outlined in the following table:
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 to date |
|
|
Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs * |
€725,452 |
€585,179 |
€301,983 |
|
Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs |
€688,473 |
€525,056 |
€277,063 |
|
Office of the Minister of State for Development ** |
€541,901 |
€253,492 |
€174,562 |
* From 10 March 2011 — Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
** From 10 March 2011 — Office of the Minister of State for Development and Trade
37 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23446/11]
The budget available to my Department for IT expenditure was €10,852,599 in 2010 and is €8,740,180 in 2011. IT equipment is purchased in line with national and EU procurement guidelines and regulations. My Department has a number of approaches to ensuring value for money and cost reductions:
The Department draws on the various framework agreements established by the Department of Finance for the supply of IT-related goods and services.
Where such frameworks are not available, the Department conducts regular procurements for appropriate goods and services to secure best value.
Procurement documents are drafted on the basis of purchasing goods and services at levels appropriate to meet the identified requirements of offices of my Department.
Procurement of goods is centralised across all offices, where appropriate, to achieve economies of scale where possible.
There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.
38 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review [23473/11]
My Department's submission to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure forms part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, its release cannot be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the reports submitted as part of the CRE process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
39 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he will appoint a new ambassador to Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23764/11]
Irish Ambassadors are appointed by the President based on nominations by the Government. I will be submitting proposals to the Government in the very near future about filling existing Ambassadorial vacancies and others that will arise over the next few months.
40 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take in response to reports of documents indicating that the CIA used privately owned aircraft to transport suspects or prisoners around the world and that at least ten of these flights passed through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23935/11]
41 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on response to calls by the Irish Human Rights Commission to ensure that necessary steps beyond mere diplomatic assurances are taken to ensure that Shannon Airport is not used by aircraft for the purpose of rendition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23936/11]
42 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that he has planned or has taken in respect of Council of Europe recommendations arising out of its reports on the use of airports in member states including Ireland for rendition flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23937/11]
43 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken in order to carry out the commitment in the programme for Government to enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law. [23938/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 to 43, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government states that the Government "will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law". I have already made clear, speaking in the Dáil on 22 March, 2011, that "Shannon will not be used as a means of rendition, facilitating torture, or any other activity which violates human rights".
None of the various investigations into allegations of extraordinary rendition, including those carried out by the Council of Europe, have revealed any evidence that rendition through Irish airports has occurred, nor is there any new information or allegation linking Irish airports to acts of extraordinary rendition.
Specific and unique assurances have been sought, and have been received, from the US authorities that no such prisoners had been transferred through Irish territory, nor would they be without our express permission. The Government has no reason to call into question the value of the assurances received at a high level from the US authorities in this matter.
44 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support a matter (details supplied) concerning a tax refund issue in Portugal from a person (details supplied); the agency that should be contacted; and the options available to resolve this issue. [24129/11]
The matter raised by the Deputy appears to concern a tax refund issue related to a property transaction in Portugal. The Deputy will be aware that the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade concerning private property transactions by Irish nationals abroad is limited and that redress in such cases, including on taxation issues, should be sought through the relevant legal system. The Embassy of Ireland in Lisbon can provide a list of English-speaking lawyers to the individuals concerned. However, I understand that they have already sought independent legal advice. The Embassy is happy to discuss any further concerns that the individuals may have.
45 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the potential savings to the Exchequer by reducing professional fees paid by the State by25%. [24283/11]
External professional services are procured by the Department only where specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department and, particularly in the case of Irish Aid (Ireland's official development assistance programme), where an independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. Given the overall scale of the Irish Aid Programme, this level of monitoring, review and evaluation is both prudent and proportionate. My Department does not use the services of professionals who operate on the basis of agreed fee scales or fees which are set by statute or regulation.
These services are procured on foot of competitive tendering which is designed to achieve the best value for money from the market. Services procured in this manner do not allow for post-hoc unilateral reduction of fees by my Department, as this could expose the State to the risk of litigation for breach of contract.
On the basis of 2010 expenditure, a further reduction in fees of 25%, if achieved through future tendering, would equate to savings of €350,000.
46 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the impact to business in the Border regions arising from the programme for Government commitment to increase the top rate of VAT to 23%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22820/11]
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. In recent years, the trend among EU Member States has been to increase VAT rates as a means of covering the budgetary shortfall generated by the economic downturn. Sixteen of the 27 EU Member States have increased their VAT rates over the last 3 years, so that the EU average standard VAT rate now stands at 20.7%. Nine Member States have a higher standard VAT rate than Ireland with 20 of the 27 EU Member States having a standard VAT rate of 20% or higher. VAT increases continue to be considered, as the recent announcement by the Italian parliament suggests. In this context, any increase in Ireland's standard VAT rate is not out of place.
A number of studies into cross-border shopping have been undertaken in the last few years to determine the level of cross-border shopping and how much this affects Exchequer revenue. The Report on the Implications of Cross Border Shopping, which was undertaken on behalf of the Minister for Finance by the Revenue Commissioners and the Central Statistics Office, was published in March 2009. This was followed on 4 December 2009 by the results of a survey of cross-border shopping as part of the CSO Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) Quarter 2, 2009. Finally, on 12 November 2010, the QNHS cross-border shopping survey for Quarter 2, 2010 was released.
The statistics in the QHNS Reports were broadly in line with the results of the March 2009 Report on the Implications of Cross Border Shopping, which noted that the main causes of price differentials between goods in Northern Ireland and the Republic were operating costs, profit margin (mark-up), taxes and a significant depreciation of Sterling against the Euro. While variations in the VAT rates widened some price differentials, their impact remained small compared to the size of the change in the exchange rate.
The differential between the standard VAT rates in both jurisdictions reduced from 6.5 percentage points in 2009 to just 1 percentage point since the start of this year. Any increase in this differential due to VAT increases in Ireland is however likely to be offset by the relative strengthening of Sterling against the Euro since 2009, providing less incentive for people to shop outside the State.
47 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if new alcoholic drink licences have been issued to the National Asset Management Agency controlled hotels and public houses; if so, the number of such licences issued; and if they were in a position to present tax clearance certificates as required with their renewal applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22900/11]
48 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the inspectorate responsible for inspecting and enforcing the licensing of public houses has the necessary resources to carry out that function; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 900 such licences have not been renewed this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22901/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
The Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the issue or renewal of public house licences. A licence may only be issued when the appropriate certificate has been issued by a District Court. The licensing year runs from the 1st October to the 30th September.
The most recent period for which statistics are available is 2009/2010 when 914 licences were not renewed. (By way of comparison, the equivalent figure for 2008/2009 was 893). The most common reasons for non-renewal include difficulties in obtaining tax clearance, cessation of trading, court procedures pending and change of entity (sale of licence to new premises and/or entity).
If a public house licence is not renewed, a range of targeted compliance interventions are initiated by Revenue, up to and including prosecution, to ensure that renewal of the licence takes place at the earliest opportunity.
The Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that they have the necessary resources to effectively carry out their role in relation to non-renewal of public house licences.
An Garda Síochána also have a key role in ensuring compliance by publicans with the licensing laws. The Minister for Justice and Equality is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána to enforce the legislation in question. The Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including the allocation of Garda resources. The current strength of the Force is 14,162 and all attested members of the Force have enforcement powers in relation to the licensing laws.
As regards to NAMA, the Revenue Commissioners do not distinguish between licensed premises that have been specifically brought under the control of NAMA and licensed premises that are under the control of any other persons for the purposes of deciding eligibility for the issue of a licence. Accordingly, where any NAMA-controlled entity applies for a licence, the same conditions apply as regards a valid tax clearance certificate as would be the case in any other instance where a licence is sought. The Revenue Commissioners do not hold specific information that would identify the number of NAMA-controlled entities, to whom they have issued licences.
49 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Finance his views on the possibility of lowering the VAT rate for the craft industry in order to allow the industry to grow business and generate employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23529/11]
The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive Member States may only apply the reduced VAT rate to those goods and services which are listed under Annex III of the VAT Directive. I understand that the major sectors within the Irish craft industry are pottery, glass, jewellery, textiles and furniture. Annex III does not provide for a reduced rate of VAT to be applied to these goods, which are consequentially subject to the standard VAT rate of 21%.
50 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of corporate tax that was paid by the company (details supplied) in County Waterford. [24244/11]
The tax affairs of a particular company are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and the company concerned. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their obligation to observe confidentiality in relation to the tax affairs of individual taxpayers or companies precludes them from providing the information requested by the Deputy.
51 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22724/11]
A total of €10,710 has been spent on taxi fares by my Department since the start of 2011. Taxis should only be used for official business purposes only. While it is not Departmental policy to pay taxi fares for outsiders, occasionally a journey, which begins from this Department, will include outsiders along with a Departmental official. This would be done as a means of reducing overall expenditure for the public service.
52 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Financial Regulator, with responsibility for credit unions, is making decisions on credit union reform before the commission has completed its review. [22806/11]
The Programme for Government sets out the Government's position with regard to the credit union sector. The Government recognises the importance of credit unions as a volunteer cooperative movement and the distinction between them and other financial institutions. The Government has established the Commission on Credit Unions to review the future of the movement and make recommendations in relation to the most effective regulatory structure for it. This will take into account its not-for-profit mandate, its volunteer ethos and community focus, while paying due regard to the need to fully protect depositors' savings and financial stability. The Commission has met on eight occasions since the end of June and will be providing me, as Minister for Finance, with its interim report by the end of September.
While the work of the Commission on Credit Unions is ongoing, and its interim and final reports will inform Government policy, it should not prevent or delay regulatory action where it is needed in the meantime. Under the Credit Union Act 1997, the Registrar of Credit Unions, as part of the Central Bank, has an independent role in the regulation of credit unions. From time to time, the Registrar is required to act to support the prudential soundness of individual credit unions, to maintain sector stability and to protect the savings of credit union members. Such actions are within the Registrar's independent statutory mandate and are a necessary part of an effective regulatory regime.
53 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the issuing of a commencement order in relation to section 13 of the Finance Act 2011 incorporating section 477A into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22816/11]
Section 13 of Finance Act 2011 provided for income tax relief at the standard rate for expenditure incurred by individuals on a range of works carried out to improve the energy efficiency of residential premises situated in the State. The underpinning legislation for the scheme was subject to Commencement Order. However, that legislation, on review, was found to have flaws and would have required amendment before it could be implemented.
As part of the announcement in the recent Jobs Initiative, the Government undertook to provide further funding for the grants available under the Better Energy Homes scheme operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Because of these circumstances, I decided to review the requirement for a co-existing tax incentive for similar works and, following this review, I have decided not to proceed with the introduction of the tax relief scheme.
54 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance the contact details of the person in the National Asset Management Agency who is responsible for the hotel sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22843/11]
I am informed by NAMA that the person concerned is Mr. John Mulcahy, Head of Portfolio Management, NAMA.
55 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the situation that life assurance companies are increasing the level of premiums payable by policy holders while also reducing the value of the policy and the amount due to be paid out to the beneficiary of the policy; if companies are entitled to do this without the expressed consent of the policy holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22856/11]
Consumer issues relating to insurance matters are covered by the Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code. The Central Bank has informed me that there are life assurance products for which the benefits and premiums can vary over the life of the product. These are called ‘Unit Linked Whole of Life Policies'. Each life protection policy is intended to pay out a sum of money to the beneficiary in the event of death of the insured person. Premiums are not guaranteed to remain constant throughout the life cover protection period. Premiums that are paid are used to purchase units in a unit-linked fund, which in turn pays for the life cover protection.
The performance of the fund is linked to fluctuations in the stock markets and, therefore, if the fund increases, the value of units held by the consumer increases. Conversely, if the fund underperforms, then the consumer's share of units in the fund decreases. As the consumer gets older the cost of the life cover protection will become more expensive and therefore more units will have to be used if the same level of life cover is to be maintained. To avoid the possibility of policy funds not having sufficient value to pay for the life cover, life companies are supposed to carry out periodic reviews of a policyholder's fund to ensure that sufficient units are maintained in the fund to pay for continued life cover protection. This is governed by the terms of the policy rather than by any statutory obligation. Generally, a periodic review will take place 10 years after the policy's inception and usually at intervals of 5 years thereafter.
At the periodic reviews, life companies usually offer the policyholder a choice of:
paying a greater premium in order to maintain the same level of life cover, or
reducing the life cover protection in order to maintain the static level of premium.
The Central Bank expects that entities, regulated by it, ensure that the key issues, specific to ‘Unit Linked Whole of Life Policies' such as the periodic review feature and the non-guaranteed nature of the premiums are highlighted by their sales staff at the point of sale.
56 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding mortgage interest relief in respect of a person (details supplied). [22880/11]
As the Deputy is aware, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to help homeowners in distress. The Government is examining a number of proposals in relation to this commitment. One of these proposals relates to increasing mortgage interest relief to 30% for First Time Buyers who bought between 2004 and 2008 and to finance this in part by abolishing mortgage interest relief for new buyers.
When these proposals have been examined and the findings presented to me, I will make any necessary decisions in the context of Budget 2012.
57 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding negative equity mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22882/11]
The Central Bank has advised me that they wrote to all mortgage lenders to ascertain whether they were offering, or intended to offer, a mortgage product that would allow home owners to sell their existing home and transfer the negative equity portion of the original loan to the new loan. The Central Bank was concerned as to whether such a product was in the long term interest of consumers as it could lead to indebtedness at a time when there was no certainty over the direction of future property values. In addition, consumers would be moving to a new product and, consequently, those on tracker mortgages would move to fixed or standard variable rates which were generally higher than existing tracker rates. The higher rates would impact on the continued affordability of such mortgages and there would also be an increase in the loan to value ratios of many mortgages.
In response to the Central Bank's letter, only a small number of mortgage lenders said that they would consider offering such a facility, but it would be on an exceptional basis, would only be considered following an approach from an existing customer and would be subject to strict criteria in relation to debt service ratio, net disposable income, loan to value ratios, income multiples, credit history, transparency and suitability.
A trial period commenced in mid-2011 and is due to be assessed by the Central Bank and the institutions involved before the end of the year. Any institution offering such a facility may only do so in accordance with criteria agreed in advance with the Central Bank and subject to a trial period. Consequently any arrangement that might be agreed with a customer would have to be in the context of the parameters set out above and not as a result of the introduction of a negative equity type product.
58 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the betting sector has changed radically since the time that the Betting Act 1931 was written; his views on allowing shops to remain open until 10 p.m. during the winter months, as they already do during the summer, which would be a modest reform that would help to boost employment within the sector and add to the Exchequer returns for betting activity; his further views on a simple amendment to the legislation governing betting to allow for betting shops to open when racing in Ireland, either horse or greyhound, is taking place which is all that is required to unlock this additional employment and revenue generating potential in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22893/11]
63 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the law which governs the opening of bookmakers at certain times of the year. [22938/11]
113 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the current legislation governing the opening hours of bookmakers. [23716/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 63 and 113 together.
The proposed Betting (Amendment) Bill, which is being drafted at present, will amend the 1931 Betting Act to inter alia establish the regulatory framework for the licensing of remote bookmakers and betting exchanges, including measures to enforce the regulatory framework. The extension of the opening hours of retail betting shops over the winter period is being considered in that context.
The drafting of the Bill, which is fairly complex, is well advanced. The Bill is likely to be published in the autumn.
59 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if tax loopholes used by senior executives will be closed off as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22909/11]
The Deputy will appreciate that the Revenue Commissioners cannot comment on any particular individual's tax affairs. However, I understand that the details supplied in connection with the Deputy's question, which appears to be based on a newspaper report of 25 February 2011, may not have taken account of a subsequent report concerning the same matter that was published on the following day by that same newspaper.
The High Wealth Individuals and Professionals Business Unit of the Revenue Commissioners initiated enquiries into approximately 300 directors and executive/management level employees in the six main financial institutions. Enquiries have been closed in approximately 291 of these cases and are ongoing in the balance. To date, €1.3 million in tax has been collected as a result of these enquiries.
The Deputy can be assured that where the Revenue Commissioners identify any artificial tax avoidance arrangements that may not be open to challenge within existing law, they will recommend appropriate legislative amendments to my Department and I will have no hesitation in closing off such loopholes to protect the Exchequer.
60 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding money owed to Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22916/11]
Anglo Irish Bank has filed proofs of claim in the US on 14 February 2011, which are a matter of public record, showing a debt owed to the bank by the person, to which the Parliamentary Question refers, of €8,454,779.27. As the Deputy is aware the individual filed for US bankruptcy on 14 October 2010 and since that time the bank has been engaged and participating in the US bankruptcy process as creditor. The jurisdiction of the US Bankruptcy Court in respect of the individual's bankruptcy estate has been recognized by the Irish Bankruptcy Court. The appointed US Bankruptcy Trustee's mandate is to realise the maximum assets of the estate and distribute to creditors, as appropriate.
The US Bankruptcy Trustee has lodged an objection to the discharge of the individual from bankruptcy seeking to bar him entirely. The bank has also lodged such an application and in addition an application to bar his discharge in respect of the bank's claims against the estate. The bank is advised that in the ordinary course there would be a trial in respect of the objections lodged subject to any directions by the US bankruptcy judge. Under the US bankruptcy code, where an objection to discharge is successful the debtor is denied the protection of the US bankruptcy court.
The bank's stated objective is to obtain maximum recovery in the interests of the taxpayer.
61 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money generated by the universal social charge on a year by year basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22932/11]
80 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the universal social charge. [23253/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 80 together.
The Universal Social Charge (USC) is a tax which replaces the income and health levies. It is intended to broaden the tax base in an equitable manner and applies to approximately 500,000 more income earners than the income and health levies. USC receipts are collected as part of income tax. The Budget 2011 projections for receipts are set out as follows.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
|
Universal Social Charge(€ billions) |
€3.3 |
€4.1 |
€4.3 |
€4.5 |
In addition to the projected USC receipts detailed above, the Exchequer benefits in 2011 from arrears collected in respect of the income and health levy. As with all new income tax measures, the first year yield is expected to be significantly below the full-year yield for a number of reasons including the fact that a portion of the tax collected in the year in which a measure is introduced relates to earnings in the previous year.
On the basis of the forecasts set out in the Budget the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the universal social charge would be of the order of 4 billion in terms of the 2012 projection.
In relation to USC receipts, approximately €1.7 billion was collected in the first eight months of 2011 and this broadly is in-line with expectations.
62 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the context for the forthcoming review of the universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22933/11]
108 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23574/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 108 together.
As I outlined in my reply of 30 June 2011, a review of the Universal Social Charge is a commitment in the Programme for Government. This review has commenced.
The Terms of Reference of the review are broad and wide-ranging and include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
Low paid income earners;
Persons over 65;
Medical Card Holders;
Widows/Widowers;
Self-employed;
Public Service Pensioners;
Employer contributions to PRSAs; and
Any other issues (including any operational issues that have arisen in the administration of the charge).
When the review is completed and the findings are presented to me, I will make any necessary decisions in the context of Budget 2012.
64 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to assist those whose pension funds have been frozen by Custom House Capital, in view of the fact that this was a Government approved financial organisation; the reason that steps were not taken to ensure that funds were adequately protected. [22949/11]
65 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the freezing of pension funds in the Government approved Custom House Capital, he will consider the establishment of a State fund in order to allow persons to invest safely for their retirement. [22950/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
Pensions policy falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. I have no role in relation to the regulation of pensions in Ireland, a role which is fulfilled by the Irish Pensions Board. Any proposals for a compensation fund for pensions would be a matter for that Minister and the Pensions Board. However, in the context of the questions tabled by the Deputy, I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to a number of issues.
This investment firm was originally granted its authorisation to operate by the Financial Regulator in 1998. As part of its supervisory function, the Central Bank has, since 2009, intensified its monitoring of the firm. Recently the Bank became increasingly concerned about the firm. The Bank successfully applied to the High Court for the appointment of inspectors to the firm and Custom House Capital consented to the appointment of the inspectors. The application arose from the Bank's continuing concerns about the firm's management of its client holdings as well as the financial position of the firm. A final report is expected to come before the High Court on 21st October 2011.
The specific inspection activity currently underway is mandated by Regulation 166 of the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007.
The steps taken by the Central Bank to closely monitor activities of the firm demonstrate the active and urgent efforts being made to ensure the orderly oversight of the firm and the protection of investors.
I understand the process of inspection necessitates temporary and urgent restrictions on the firm's activities while the Central Bank attempts to investigate the issues with the firm. Regrettably, this has resulted in the temporary freezing of funds. However, the restrictions are deemed necessary by the Central Bank, acting independently to ensure the protection of all clients' holdings in this firm.
66 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a matter (details supplied) regarding Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22976/11]
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 is carrying out 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 the end of this month. 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.
67 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23004/11]
As the Deputy is aware the Quinn Group and Quinn family are substantially indebted to Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Limited (‘the bank') and by direct extension to the Irish taxpayer. The bank is obliged to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the bank's Quinn-related assets/investments from a diminution of value and the bank's involvement in a joint venture to acquire the Quinn Insurance Company or in the appointment of a share receiver to the wider Quinn Group must be considered in this context. The position is that the Quinn Insurance company was placed in administration on 29 March 2010 after concerns were raised by the Central Bank of Ireland about the firm's ability to meet its liabilities to its policyholders. Further, and quite separately, the bank has been instrumental in the appointment of a share receiver to the wider Quinn Group but has no direct involvement in the day to day running of the various companies in the Group.
In relation to the Quinn Insurance company, the bank is involved in a joint venture with Liberty Mutual to acquire the company. This involvement does not require the Bank to provide cash towards the purchase price, instead it involves the bank procuring the release of legal guarantees held by the relevant banks and bondholders in return for a carried interest in the company. This partial ownership approach is considered to be the best way to maximise the repayment of debt owed to the taxpayer. The appointment of a share receiver to the wider Quinn Group does not involve the acquisition of those companies by the bank or indeed any additional funding of these operations. The process of appointing a share receiver pursuant to relevant security documents entered into by Quinn related entities and persons with the bank is simply to protect the bank's interests.
The bank is actively involved in a myriad of litigation with the Quinn family in five jurisdictions in order to stop attempts to dissipate valuable property assets pending resolution of the primary proceedings in Dublin early next year.
68 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a proposal (details supplied) regarding 75% interest restriction for residential investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23015/11]
As noted in the proposals, which the Deputy has submitted, the level of tax relief investors can claim on the interest for mortgages and loans on residential rental properties was reduced to 75% of the interest accrued from 7th April 2009 under Section 5 of the Finance Act 2009. The proposals submitted, will be examined in tandem with the normal process of reviewing and considering taxation measures and reliefs, in the context of the budgetary process. The proposals also note concerns relating to the possible withdrawal of the "legacy" property-related tax relief schemes, which are the subject of an impact assessment. The results of this impact assessment will be addressed in the context of the forthcoming Budget.
69 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter regarding the repayment of a bonus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23098/11]
The outgoing Board of Irish Nationwide Building Society made many efforts to recoup the bonus paid in 2008 to the individual to whom the Parliamentary Question refers. Now that INBS has merged with Anglo Irish Bank, I regard the commitment of the former CEO to return the bonus to the Society as one that remains outstanding to the new merged entity. Therefore, I have asked the Board of the new merged entity to continue to strongly press this matter and I fully encourage and support their efforts to recoup the payment in accordance with the commitment made by the former chief executive of INBS.
70 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the public inquiry into the failure the Irish Banking system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23099/11]
73 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on holding a public inquiry into the failure of the Irish banking system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23171/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 73 together.
The Deputy will recall that the previous Government in January 2010 set out a framework to the Oireachtas for investigation into the banking sector. This investigation consisted of two distinct stages. The preliminary reports published in June 2010 by the Governor of the Central Bank, Professor Patrick Honohan, on The Irish Banking Crisis — Regulatory and Financial Stability Policy 2003-2008 and the report by Messrs. Regling and Watson, Preliminary report on the sources of Ireland’s banking crisis, formed the first stage of this investigation.
The second stage consisted of a statutory Commission of Investigation. The establishment of a Commission of Investigation into the Banking Sector in Ireland was approved by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann on 8 July 2010 and an Order formally establishing the Commission was made by the previous Government on 21 September 2010. Mr Peter Nyberg was appointed as sole member of the Commission of Investigation on 22 September 2010.
The Commission's terms of reference which were for the period 2003 to 5 January 2009 were in summary to examine:
a) the main causes of the serious failure, within each of the covered institutions;
b) the main reasons why Anglo Irish Bank Corporation and Irish Nationwide Building Society adopted and implemented business models, strategies and lending practices, which resulted in those institutions experiencing severe financial distress;
c) whether external auditors of the covered institutions commented in their audit reports or other communications to the institutions concerned on the failures I referred to;
d) the main causes for the failures, in the performance of the statutory roles and responsibilities of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and the relevance in that regard of any advices or directions given by the Department of Finance.
The Commission submitted its report Misjudging Risk: Causes of the Systemic Banking Crisis in Ireland, Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Banking Sector in Ireland to me on 22 March 2011, in keeping with its remit to complete its Report within 6 months.
As I said in my statement to Dáil Éireann on 20 April 2011, following the publication of the Commission's report, the report has identified the main causes of the banking crisis. Together with the two preliminary reports they set out all the interlinked elements that, each in their own way, contributed to the financial crisis that we found ourselves in since 2007. I also set out a number of steps the government is taking to implement the report's recommendations.
71 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding middle earning families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23109/11]
93 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal a matter (details supplied) regarding support for middle income families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23385/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 93 together.
The Government acknowledges the continuing cost pressures on parents, particularly those with young children. Childcare is one of the biggest issues facing working parents today. For this reason a number of support measures have been introduced. These include, (i) the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which funds community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to qualifying parents, (ii) the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme, which provides free childcare places to qualifying FAS and VEC trainees and (iii) the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which provides for a free pre-school year for children in the year before commencing primary school. In addition, generous entitlements to paid and unpaid maternity leave are provided, as well as child benefit payments.
In order to assist with an increase in the supply of childcare places, an exemption from income tax for individuals who mind children in their own home is available. To avail of this scheme, the childminder concerned may not mind more than 3 children, excluding their own. The exemption is subject to a limit of €15,000 per annum.
I have no plans at present for any additional tax incentives in this area given the current fiscal position.
72 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce new ways of raising funds rather than applying the stamp duty levy on pension funds assets (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23170/11]
As I explained in my speech introducing the "Jobs Initiative" in May last, the decision to fund the Initiative by way of a levy on pension funds over the 4 year period was taken because the alternatives for increases in taxation elsewhere at this time would be more damaging to the economy. I do not have any plans for alternative sources of revenue to the fund the Jobs Initiative.
74 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to enter into negotiations with Switzerland with a view to regularising untaxed funds which Irish citizens hold in Swiss banks; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that following negotiations, the United Kingdom Government has now reached an agreement with Switzerland to tackle offshore tax evasion which is expected to secure billions of pounds of unpaid tax for the UK Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23203/11]
I am not privy to the full details of the agreement to which the Deputy has referred and accordingly it would be inappropriate for me to comment on it. Initial reports would suggest that any such agreement may provide for a one-off deduction from funds on deposit to settle past liabilities and a withholding tax from 2013 in place of the actual liability due in respect of investment income and capital gains. We have no plans at present to pursue a similar approach with the Swiss Authorities; however, we will keep the matter under review when the full details of the final ratified agreement are published.
The Deputy may be aware that the Office of the Revenue Commissioners obtained High Court orders in December 2009 requiring clearing banks in the State to provide information to Revenue on details of transfers to and from the State involving a number of offshore jurisdictions including Switzerland. The orders cover the 12 years to 31 December 2008 and include electronic transfers as well as cheques and drafts either drawn in the State and sent offshore or drawn offshore and sent to the State.
75 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider getting the building societies and the banks to sign up to the deferred interest scheme and moratorium for housing holders having difficulty with their mortgages. [23222/11]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Deferred Interest Scheme that was recommended by the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt which published its report late last year. Under this scheme, subject to certain criteria being satisfied, borrowers are allowed to pay at least 66% of their mortgage interest but less than 100%. Payment of the balance may be deferred for up to five years. The Central Bank has advised me that a number of lenders have notified the Bank of their decision/intention to implement a Deferred Interest Scheme but with varying dates for its availability. Since the publication of the Group's Report, the Central Bank has revised the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) to reflect many of the Group's recommendations, including recommendations relating to the introduction by all mortgage lenders, regulated by the Central Bank, of a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP).
Chapter 3 (33) of the CCMA provides that:
'A lender must explore all options for alternative repayment arrangements, when considering a MARP case, in order to determine which options are viable for each particular case. Such alternative repayment arrangements must include :
a) an interest-only arrangement for a specified period;
b) an arrangement to pay interest and part of the normal capital element for a specified period;
c) deferring payment of all or part of the instalment repayment for a period;
d) extending the term of the mortgage;
e) changing the type of the mortgage, except in the case of tracker mortgages;
f) capitalising the arrears and interest; and
g) any voluntary scheme to which the lender has signed up e.g. Deferred Interest Scheme.'
In addition, Chapter 3 (47) of the CCMA provides that:
'Where a borrower co-operates with the lender, the lender must wait at least twelve months from the date the borrower is classified as a MARP case (i.e. day 31), before applying to the courts to commence legal action for repossession of a borrower's primary residence. The twelve month period commences on day 31 but does not include:
any time period during which the borrower is complying with the terms of any alternative repayment arrangement agreed with the lender;
any time period during which an appeal by the borrower is being processed by the lender's Appeals Board;
any time period during which the borrower can consider whether or not they wish to make an appeal on the decision of the Mortgage Lender's Appeals Support Unit;
any time period during which a complaint against the lender regarding any aspect of this Code, is being processed by the Financial Services Ombudsman's office; and
for pre-arrears cases, the time period between the first contact by the borrower in relation to a pre-arrears situation and an alternative repayment arrangement being put in place.
A copy of the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears is available on the Central Bank's website: www.centralbank.ie
The Government would urge all lenders to make available a Deferred Interest Scheme (DIS). I have been informed by the Central Bank that the lenders which have implemented a scheme are Bank of Ireland, ICS Building Society, EBS, Haven Mortgages, Permanent TSB and Springboard Mortgages. The following have indicated their willingness to implement a scheme later this year — AIB, AIB Mortgage Bank, Irish Nationwide Building Society and Start Mortgages.
76 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 24 May 2011, the current tax expenditure valued at €400 million which allows the exemption of income arising from the provision of child care services. [23249/11]
The Deputy refers to a reply given to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 2011, in which a figure was supplied in error. The correct figures are below:
|
2007 |
2008 |
|||
|
€m |
Numbers |
€m |
Numbers |
|
|
Exemption of Income arising from the Provision of Childcare Services |
0.7 |
400 |
0.8 |
440 |
Section 216C of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 provides for an exemption from income tax for individuals who mind children in their own home. The individual may not mind more than 3 children, excluding their own. The exemption is subject to a limit of €15,000 per annum.
The Revenue Commissioners are currently engaged in updating figures of the cost of tax reliefs for the tax year 2009 for inclusion in their next statistical report. This work is ongoing and not yet complete, but a tentative estimate of the cost in 2009 of the tax exemption for income arising from the provision of child-care services is of the order of €0.8 million in respect of approximately 470 claimants.
77 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the effective rate of corporation tax paid here. [23250/11]
There are different ways of measuring the effective rate of corporation tax depending on the variables that are used and it is difficult to determine a general or single reliable comparative measure of an effective tax rate. In responding to questions in the House during the Summer, I mentioned that our effective rate of corporation tax was 11.9%. This figure comes from a recent Paying Taxes study produced by the World Bank and PriceWaterhouseCoopers as part of an annual Doing Business report and includes a measurement of effective tax rates across 183 countries. The effective tax rate is based on the tax obligations of a standardised company operating in each country of the study and using standard assumptions regarding exemptions, deductions and allowances.
Another recent study by the European Commission also indicates that Ireland has an effective corporate tax rate which is close to, or indeed higher than, the statutory 12.5% rate (because of the higher 25% tax rate that applies, generally, to non-trading profits).
These general findings are to be expected as Ireland's 12.5% corporation tax regime is transparent, does not discriminate based on company size or ownership and applies across a broad base.
The effective rate of corporation tax paid will vary from company to company, of course, depending on the circumstances in each individual case.
78 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the savings made to the Exchequer if incorporated bodies were no longer allowed to claim losses against profits made in previous years. [23251/11]
The availability of relief for losses incurred in a business is a well-established feature of corporation tax, which is in recognition of the fact that a business cycle runs over several years and that it would be unbalanced to tax profits in one year and not allow losses in another. Under Irish tax legislation, a company incurring a trading loss in an accounting year can carry that loss back for offset against profits in the immediately preceding year. The carry back of a trading loss is limited to one accounting year back and there must be profits in that year for the provision to be of use to a company. A trading loss in an accounting year may also be carried forward for offset against trading profits of the same trade in subsequent years. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the potential saving to the Exchequer if future claims by incorporated bodies for losses to be offset against previous year's profits were to be disallowed would depend on the amounts of losses incurred by companies and the extent to which there are profits in the preceding accounting year against which such losses would otherwise be available for set-off. It is not possible to anticipate what these would be.
By way of illustrating this latter point, data from corporation tax returns for 2008 and 2009 (the latest years available) show that for 2008 the amount of trading losses carried back for offset against profits earned in a previous year was €1,573m while the comparable figure for 2009 was a much lower figure of €868m. The actual saving to the Exchequer in respect of those years under the Deputy's proposal would depend on the tax rate applicable to the profits of the companies concerned but assuming that this was the standard 12.5% rate, the savings under the proposal would have amounted to about €200m in 2008 and about €100m in 2009. The Deputy should note, however, that the estimated savings for 2008 and 2009 are not necessarily indicative of what the savings might be for future years. Also, since under the proposal companies could continue to carry forward losses for offset against future profits, the estimated Exchequer savings outlined would be temporary in nature.
79 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised for the Exchequer by decreasing the capital acquisitions tax thresholds by 10% across the board and by increasing CAT by 10% on these new thresholds. [23252/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer from increasing the Capital Acquisitions Tax rate by 10%, based on the expected outturn in 2011, could be in the region of €110 million, assuming no change in the existing thresholds. The additional full year yield from existing taxpayers from reducing the existing thresholds by 10% and applying the proposed rate of 35% to the additional amounts thus brought into charge is estimated at €20 million. Revenue do not receive information on gifts and inheritances which currently do not have to be declared so it is not possible to estimate the potential yield if such benefits were brought into the tax net. These estimates are based on transactions recorded in 2010, the latest year for which the necessary detailed information is available.
It should be noted that these estimates are based upon an assumption that there would be no behavioural impact from these changes, which could lead to a less than expected impact on Exchequer yield. In addition, the realization of any estimated yield from an increase in taxation on assets relating to property is subject to movements in the value of such assets, which are currently occurring in the economy.
81 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of the remaining tax expenditures to be paid as a legacy resulting from property reliefs issued up to 2008. [23256/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information provided in tax returns on the annual amounts of claims for property based tax reliefs is not sufficiently detailed to provide a basis for deriving an estimate of the remaining legacy cost to the Exchequer. I am not therefore in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy. The estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of all "legacy" property-related tax schemes in 2009 was €341.8m.
82 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the potential savings to the Exchequer of reducing professional fees paid by the State by 25%. [23257/11]
The total amount of professional fees paid by my Department in 2010 was €5,393,503. If a reduction of 25% was applied across the board then potential savings of €1,348,376 could have been achieved. In relation to expenditure on professional fees by agencies under the aegis of my Department the following outlines the position of each:—
Revenue
The total amount of professional fees paid in 2010 was €11,195,000. Accordingly, a 25% reduction would save €2,798,750 (this figure is net of VAT.)
Appeals Commissioners
In 2010 the Appeals Commissioners did not incur any professional fees.
National Treasury Management Agency
Based on the 2010 legal and consultancy expenditure for the NTMA the potential savings of a 25% reduction would be €570,000.
Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General spent €461,000 on professional fees in 2010, including legal fees, contract audit services, internal audit and external audit. A 25% reduction in expenditure on professional fees would have led to savings of €115,250 in the year.
The Deputy should be aware that the figures include fees some of which are determined by legislation, regulation, contract etc and a reduction of these fees may require agreement of the parties concerned. The Deputy should also note that included in the figures supplied by my Department, are payments for professional fees which from 2011 have transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
83 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised for the Exchequer if the individual incomes in excess of €100,000 were taxed at 49%. [23258/11]
It is assumed that the threshold for the proposed new tax band mentioned by the Deputy would not alter the existing standard rate band structure applying to single and widowed persons, to lone parents and married couples. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2012 incomes, of the introduction of a new 49% rate would be of the order of €436 million.
However, given the current band structures, major issues would need to be resolved as to how in practice such a new rate could be integrated into the current system and how this would affect the relative position of different types of income earners.
This figure is an estimate from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2009, adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends for the year 2012. It is therefore provisional.
The current basis of cost also reflects a revision of the cost basis that was used to underpin my reply of 19 July last to a question about a 48% rate which was tabled by the Deputy under Parliamentary Question reference 21030/11.
The impact of this would be to raise the top marginal rate for people with income in excess of €100,000 to 60% or over.
84 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the savings to the Exchequer if mortgage interest relief for landlords was abolished. [23259/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that based on personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers for 2009, the latest year available, the amount of tax foregone by allowing a deduction for interest on borrowings to be offset against all rental income assessable under Case V, Schedule D for both residential and commercial property is estimated at €745 million. This is an update of an estimate of €730 million provided on 21 July last in my reply to Parliamentary Question number 22016/11.
On this basis, the full year yield to the Exchequer from abolishing this relief would be of the same order. The estimated 2009 cost is based on assuming that tax relief was allowed at the top income tax rate of 41% and the figure provided could therefore be regarded as the maximum Exchequer cost in respect of those taxpayers. This figure is subject to adjustment in the event of late returns being filed or where returns already filed are subsequently amended.
It should be noted that any corresponding data returned by PAYE taxpayers in the income tax return form 12 is not captured in the Revenue computer system. However, any PAYE taxpayer with non-PAYE income greater than €3,174 is required to complete an income tax return form 11. This return is the source of the figure provided in this reply.
A basis for providing an estimate of the current yield to the Exchequer from such an abolition is not available.
85 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on abolishing group relief for incorporated bodies, which cost the Exchequer €450.3 million in 2008; the position regarding holding companies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23260/11]
In recognition of the fact that groups of companies generally comprise a single economic entity, the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the allowance of trading losses of a group company in an accounting period against profits of another group company in the corresponding accounting period. Essentially, two companies are members of a group of companies if one company is a 75% subsidiary of the other or both are 75% subsidiaries of a third company— and in many instances there will be more than 75% common ownership throughout the group. It is important to note that only current year trading losses may be surrendered between companies under the group relief provisions. As regards holding companies, the position generally is that such companies hold shares in subsidiaries, do not carry on a trade and do not, therefore, incur trading losses. In many instances, for commercial reasons, group borrowings may be controlled by the holding company. Where this is the case, similar to the treatment of losses, under the group relief provisions the interest paid by the holding company may be surrendered to subsidiaries for deduction against their profits.
Group relief is a standard feature of corporation tax codes and similar relief is available in most other countries. The availability of such relief is an important facility for Irish and multinational enterprises which conduct their business operations within a group of companies. The absence of a group relief provision would put Ireland at a significant competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis other jurisdictions.
86 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the return of the Exchequer arising from an increase in tax charge to companies licensed to avail of Ireland’s natural resources to 25% to 75%. [23261/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information furnished on corporation 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 collected in respect of the activities specified in the question cannot be readily identified from the overall corporation tax yield. There is, therefore, no statistical basis on which the Exchequer impact of the changes mentioned in the question could be estimated. I am further informed by Revenue that even if the basic information was available the obligation on the Revenue Commissioners to observe confidentiality for taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers might preclude them from disclosing it.
Section 45 Finance Act 2008 introduced new tax provisions in relation to profits derived from petroleum exploration and production activities. A new tax called a "profit resource rent tax" will apply at rates of 5%, 10% or 15% in addition to the corporation tax rate of 25% that currently applies to profits from petroleum activities. It will apply when profits exceed certain defined levels. This will be worked out by a formula that relates the profits from a petroleum field to the capital investment in the field. The new tax provisions give effect to the Government Decision of 30 July 2007 that a new regime would apply in relation to petroleum profits from discoveries made from 2007 onwards.
87 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23298/11]
The information requested by the Deputy will be forwarded directly to him within the next few days.
88 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit cards. [23313/11]
The expenditure on credit cards by my Department over the past four years is as follows:
|
Year |
Spend |
|
2007 |
€8,310 (Sept to Dec) |
|
2008 |
€44,697 |
|
2009 |
€35,566 |
|
2010 |
€31,694 |
|
2011 |
€15,075 (year to date) |
The expenditure on entertainment by credit cards by my Department over the past four years is as follows:
|
Year |
Spend |
|
2007 |
€999.74 (Sept to Dec) |
|
2008 |
€5,412 |
|
2009 |
€6,937 |
|
2010 |
€455.75 |
|
2011 |
Nil (year to date) |
The number of credit cards held by my Department at the end of each of the last four years is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2007 |
9 |
|
2008 |
14 |
|
2009 |
6 |
|
2010 |
5 |
|
2011 |
5 (present total) |
The credit card limit is €5,000 euros.
89 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23343/11]
Since his appointment as Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Department of Finance, Mr Brian Hayes, TD has appointed the following staff member to his office:
|
Grade |
Salary Scale (per annum) |
|
Staff Officer |
€33,070 — €43,906 |
90 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23358/11]
Since my appointment as Minister for Finance on 9 March 2011 the relevant details are as follows:
|
Name |
Title |
Salary (per annum) |
Duties |
|
Mary Kenny |
Special Adviser |
€83,337 |
Any duties which may be assigned to her from time to time as appropriate to the position of Special Adviser as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. |
91 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23373/11]
Since my appointment as Minister for Finance on 9 March 2011, the following staff have been appointed to my private office:
|
Grade |
Salary Scale (per annum) |
|
1 Private Secretary |
€33,247 — €58,294 |
|
2 Executive Officers (EO) |
€29,024 — €47,379 |
|
1 Clerical Officer (CO) |
€23,177 — €37,341 |
|
2 Clerical Officers (CO) |
€23,042 — €36,267 |
The following staff are assigned to work on constituency matters.
|
Grade |
Salary Scale (per annum) |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
€43,715 — €56,060 |
|
1 Executive Officer (EO) |
€30,516 — €47,975 |
|
1 Clerical Officer (CO) |
€23,177 — €37,341 |
|
1 Clerical Officer (CO) |
€23,042 — €36,267 |
92 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the new arrangements in place to qualify for the vehicle registration tax exemption for disabled passengers in view of the fact there has been some confusion resulting in genuine cases being unable to avail of this exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23381/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there have been no changes in the qualifying criteria for the Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) exemption for disabled passengers. The scheme is governed by the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 353 of 1994). The Scheme is open to persons who meet the specified medical criteria and have obtained a Primary Medical Certificate to that effect.
A disabled person can apply for relief either as a driver or a passenger. The vehicle must be suitably adapted for the transportation of the disabled person and must be used for that purpose. In the case of passengers, VRT relief is restricted to a vehicle which has an engine size up to 4,000 cc and the net cost of the adaptations must be not less than 10% of the tax exclusive cost of the vehicle. The vehicle must be purchased outright by the applicant (this includes vehicles purchased on hire-purchase, but excludes vehicles which have been purchased by way of a leasing arrangement). The vehicle must not be destined/used for any commercial purpose following the granting of relief, e.g. taxi/hackney, courier service.
A family member of a person with a disability who purchases a vehicle for the transport of that person as a passenger qualifies, provided the person resides with and is responsible for the transport of the disabled passenger. In exceptional circumstances, the condition concerning residency may be waived. In this regard, evidence is sought that the qualifying vehicle is used on a regular basis for the transport of the disabled person. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis and, where the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that a qualifying disabled person is transported on a regular basis, the relief is granted.
94 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider the current regulations restricting access to pension funds (details supplied). [23387/11]
I would consider the Deputy's question to be principally a matter for the Minister for Social Protection but tax legislation and rules are also relevant to the issue. Generally speaking, once an occupational pension scheme member has at least two years qualifying service for pension purposes, that member is entitled under the Pensions Acts to preserved pension benefits on leaving employment and does not get a refund of contributions made to the scheme. The rationale for giving various tax reliefs to pension savings schemes in the first place is to encourage and promote savings over the long term in order that individuals will have an adequate replacement income in old age. Emerging demographic indicators point to increasing numbers of people living longer and healthier lives with more of their lives spent in retirement than previously. I am conscious of the case being made for pre-retirement access to pension funds but there is also a strong case for maintaining the ring-fencing of pension savings to ensure that individuals have an adequate post-retirement income. This is not a simple matter and while I am open to examining it further, in conjunction with the Minister for Social Protection, it would require very careful consideration before any changes could be made to the current arrangements.
95 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that was raised by the new levy imposed on tax exiles by the previous Government; and if that figure is not yet available, when same will be available. [23392/11]
I assume that the measure to which the Deputy refers is the Domicile Levy which was announced in Budget 2010 and introduced in Finance Act 2010. The Domicile Levy of €200,000 is charged on an individual who is Irish-domiciled and an Irish citizen whose world-wide income exceeds €1m, whose Irish-located property is greater than €5m, and whose liability to Irish income tax was less than €200,000.
The Levy will be charged for 2010 and subsequent years, but the payment for each year can be made at any time up to 31 October in the year following the valuation date, which is 31 December of each year. The first valuation date for the Domicile Levy will be 31 December 2010 and the tax return and payment of the Levy for 2010 will not be due until 31 October 2011. The figure will, therefore, not be available until after that date.
96 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Revenue Commissioners are charging a 14% interest rate on small companies in arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23397/11]
The Revenue Commissioners are charged with responsibility for the timely collection and recovery of taxes and duties due to the Exchequer. Revenue has a clear focus on making sure that every person and business complies with his or her responsibilities by paying the right amount and on time. That is an appropriate and correct focus for Revenue, which I fully endorse. In that context, where businesses or individuals fail to meet their tax payment obligations on time, then they are liable to interest, as provided for by the Oireachtas in the Taxes Acts. Interest on late payment of tax operates not only as a compensation for the Exchequer for the late payment of monies due to it but also as an essential support for timely voluntary compliance by ensuring a level playing field between those who meet their obligations on time and those who pay late or who may attempt not to pay at all. The Finance Act 2009 provided for a reduction from 1 July 2009 of the rate of interest applied to late payment of tax. In the case of Income Tax, Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Capital Acquisition Tax, and Stamp Duty, the daily rate of interest was reduced from 0.0273% to 0.0219%, in effect an annual equivalent drop from 10 % to 8%. In the case of other taxes and duties i.e. Value Added Tax, PAYE/PRSI the daily rate was reduced from 0.0322 to 0.0274%, in effect an annual equivalent drop from 12% to 10%.
97 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his plans for section 23 properties; his views on recent submission that were recently made on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23400/11]
136 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance his views on section 23 tax relief; the progress made with regard to changes to section 23 tax reliefs following the public consultation process in July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24193/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 136 together.
The public consultation on "legacy" property-based tax reliefs, including Section 23-type reliefs, undertaken by my Department concluded at the end of July. Over 500 submissions were made during the consultation, which forms part of an impact assessment process to assess the potential effects of amending, curtailing and/or abolishing such reliefs.
These submissions are being examined and with the results of the impact assessment process will be considered in the context of the budgetary process. As is customary, I do not propose to comment in advance of the Budget on any matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
98 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the levels of reductions in rents achieved by the Office of Public Works in 2011 in view of the current economic circumstances; the locations at which this related to rents with an upwardly only rent review clause and properties that did not have such a review clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23417/11]
So far this year, the Office of Public Works has achieved rent reductions to the value of €1,494,346.87 in relation to the leased properties listed below.
|
Location |
Building Name |
Old Rent |
New Rent |
Savings Per Annum |
Upward Rent Clause Y/N |
|
CAVAN |
Cavan Gov Office Elm House |
€29,920.00 |
€24,684.00 |
€5,236.00 |
N |
|
DOWRA |
Dowra Garda Station Shannon Bridge |
€13,000.00 |
€11,440.00 |
€1,560.00 |
N |
|
ENNIS |
Ennis Education Office |
€100,000.00 |
€70,000.00 |
€30,000.00 |
N |
|
MALLOW |
Mallow Farm Development Service |
€11,000.00 |
€8,250.00 |
€2,750.00 |
N |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Molesworth Bldg Setanta Centre |
€2,267,000.00 |
€1,145,000.00 |
€1,122,000.00 |
Y |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Statoil Building |
€373,500.00 |
€215,000.00 |
€158,500.00 |
N |
|
DUBLIN 22 |
Clondalkin Education Office |
€86,000.00 |
€50,000.00 |
€36,000.00 |
N |
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT |
Dublin Airport Pier B |
€5,212.00 |
€1,904.45 |
€3,307.55 |
N |
|
GALWAY |
Galway Education Office |
€180,000.00 |
€90,000.00 |
€90,000.00 |
N |
|
GALWAY |
Galway Probation & Welfare Service |
€31,144.00 |
€27,068.28 |
€4,075.72 |
Y |
|
GALWAY |
Galway Probation & Welfare Service |
€42,334.50 |
€34,274.04 |
€8,060.46 |
Y |
|
PORTLAOISE |
Portlaoise Furniture Store |
€2,031.58 |
€1,800.00 |
€231.58 |
N |
|
CLAREMORRIS |
Claremorris SWO |
€8,913.56 |
€5,000.00 |
€3,913.56 |
N |
|
CLAREMORRIS |
Claremorris Temporary Decentralisation Office |
€68,712.00 |
€40,000.00 |
€28,712.00 |
N |
|
Total Saving |
€1,494,346.87 |
99 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding the rising cost of everyday living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23424/11]
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 the HICP falling by 1.7% and 1.6% respectively. In the latter months of 2010 and to date in 2011, the main drivers of inflation have been insurance premium hikes and increases in the price of commodities. The CPI has also been affected by increases in mortgage rates.
In August 2011, the annual rate of increase in the CPI was 2.2% and 1.0% in the HICP. This rate of inflation is the lowest in Europe meaning prices in general here are growing at a slower rate than in any other European country.
Specifically, I would like to address Mr. Gibson's (Mr. Gibson of Dublin 13 was in touch with Deputy Flanagan on this matter) concerns regarding Government policy to improve the cost of living and escalating food and petrol prices.
The Government is keenly aware that people are under financial pressure in the current economic environment. To counter that, the Government is encouraging increased competition in the domestic areas of the economy. For example, the reduced VAT rate was introduced to lower prices for a range of services connected to the hospitality and tourism sectors.
In relation to food prices, the latest CSO information for the grouping ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages' shows that prices are equivalent here to mid-2007 levels and are over 7% lower than the peak seen in 2008.
Petrol prices have increased substantially in recent months mainly related to increased oil prices on international markets so Government policy is limited in what it can do to alleviate price pressures in this regard.
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.
100 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23445/11]
The information technology purchasing policy of my Department and agencies under its remit is to ensure that all procurements comply with procurement law, provide value for money, are fit for purpose, and comply with all applicable standards. All ICT expenditure is tendered in accordance with Circulars 2/09, 10/10 and 2/11 to ensure best VFM. Additionally my Department and all agencies procure, where appropriate, from centrally-negotiated Public Service-wide framework contracts for a wide-range of IT and telecoms products and services. The budgets available for each were:
|
Dept/Agency |
2010 |
2011 |
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
|
|
Finance |
793 |
6261 |
|
Revenue (incl. Appeals Commissioners) |
50,029 |
45,925 |
|
Office of Public Works |
2,729 |
2,447 |
|
Comptroller & Auditor General |
503 |
461 |
Footnotes:
1. This budget covers IT expenditure for both the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as IT is now provided on shared service basis between them.
101 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a matter regarding Home Payments Limited that went into liquidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23463/11]
Following the collapse of Home Payments Ltd (HPL) last month, the Central Bank commenced an investigation into the matter. This investigation is on-going and I await the final report from the Bank. However, I can confirm that the Central Bank has informed me that, as HPL was not authorised or licensed by the Bank, clients are not eligible for a compensation scheme/deposit protection scheme and, in addition, clients of HPL do not have recourse to the Financial Services Ombudsman. Since the collapse, the Central Bank has worked with the National Consumer Agency and with regulatory and industry bodies to provide assistance to customers of HPL who are at a financial loss. The Bank has also informed me that it is undertaking a review of all firms in the State which appear to offer customers debt advice and/or debt management type services.
The Government is committed to having in place an effective regulatory/supervisory system for those firms providing a household budgeting and bill payment service, a debt management service and/or a debt advice service. The findings of the investigations by the Central Bank into HPL and into the other firms will inform what regulatory/supervisory system should be put in place for firms providing these services — whether provided separately or bundled together — or, alternatively, what amendments to the current regulatory/supervisory framework may be required.
102 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23472/11]
Departmental submissions to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the Reports submitted as part of the CRE process following the finalization of the budgetary process.
103 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the position regarding stamp duty in situations in which, for example, two siblings jointly own a house and there is a mortgage of approximately €200,000 on the property but the value of the house is now €100,000 and one sibling wishes to take over the entire ownership of the house and the transfer value of 50% is deemed to be €50,000 but stamp duty of €500 is payable; his views on this situation in view of the negative equity in these cases; his plans to change the legislation to ensure that no stamp duty is payable in these types of cases in negative equity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23481/11]
The Stamp Duty rate on residential property transfers was reduced in Budget 2011 while some reliefs and exemptions were abolished. This broadened the tax base while lowering the rate of Stamp Duty for most purchasers. All purchases of residential property valued under €1 million in value are now only liable for stamp duty at 1%, with any balance over €1 million liable at 2%. Even where a transfer was previously relieved or exempted from Stamp Duty the overall transaction cost is now lower than in recent years. Stamp Duty on property transfers is calculable by reference to the value of the property on the date of transfer, regardless of any mortgage or loan outstanding. No account is taken of whether the property was previously transferred at a higher or lower value — to do so could lead to complications. I have no plans at this time to make further changes to the residential Stamp Duty regime.
104 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding a mortgage application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23505/11]
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. 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. 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.
105 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will investigate the possibility of a tax of 0.05% of every euro spent on business-related transaction levied on those in the transaction. [23507/11]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to a type of Financial Transaction Tax (FTT). The EU Commission stated in a Communication in October 2010 that it supported the idea of an FTT to help fund international challenges such as development at climate change. However, the Commission has recently proposed the introduction of an FTT in Europe for the purpose of an "own resource" tax imposed centrally to fund the EU. Ireland has traditionally opposed the concept of an EU-wide tax and believes that the financing of the EU Budget should continue to be mainly based on GNI. While we will examine any proposal, we would have serious concerns about its economic, budgetary and political impact.
There is no consensus as yet among European member states on this issue, and most Member States are awaiting the EU Commission's impact assessment of the various measures before deciding what stance to take. There is a strong emerging view that the EU and other international groupings such as the IMF and G20 should move in tandem in a global manner to avoid the danger of financial sector business gravitating to areas where taxes are not levied on financial transactions.
106 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take regarding controlled banks and institutions increasing mortgage interest rates thereby increasing pressure on customers who are already struggling with mortgage repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23542/11]
As Minister for Finance, I have no statutory role in the setting of interest rates charged or paid by financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank. The Central Bank 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, competition in the market, risk pricing and the impact on deposit rates.
In the case of a customer experiencing financial difficulties in meeting his/her mortgage commitments or one who is concerned that he/she is in danger of getting into financial difficulties, mortgage lenders must comply with the requirements of the Central Bank's revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) which came into effect on 1 January 2011. The CCMA applies to the mortgage loan of a borrower which is secured by his or her primary residence. Primary Residence means a property which is:
the residential property which the borrower occupies as his/her primary residence in this State, or
a residential property in this State which is the only residential property owned by the borrower.
Under the CCMA a lender must have a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process in place incorporating communication with borrowers, financial information, assessment, resolution and appeals. In exploring all options for alternative repayment arrangements lenders must consider, inter alia, deferred payment, term extension, interest and partial capital payments and interest only arrangements.
107 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the terms of the phased withdrawal of rent relief; in the context of section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, if he will clarify if a person is entitled to continue receiving rent relief when that individual has been continuously renting over the past number of years but has moved property and signed a new lease since the 7 December 2010 cut-off point while at no point ceasing to be a tenant.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23567/11]
Section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 provides tax relief at the standard rate to individuals who pay for private rented accommodation that is used as their sole or main residence. The level of rent qualifying for rent relief depends on an individual's marital status and age. In Budget 2011, it was announced that rent relief was being withdrawn on a phased basis. No new claimants were allowed from 7 December 2010 but existing claimants will continue to receive the relief, on a reducing basis, with a complete cessation of the relief from 2018.
Any person who was paying rent under a tenancy on 7 December 2010 qualifies for rent relief. A subsequent change from one property to another or from one lease to another does not affect their entitlement to rent credit on a reducing basis.
The following table sets out the withdrawal plan:
|
Tax Year |
Reduction on current amounts |
Single Under 55 |
Single Over 55 |
Widowed/ Married under 55 |
Widowed/ Married over 55 |
|
Maximum Amounts of Rent Relievable |
|||||
|
2010 |
— |
2,000 |
4,000 |
4,000 |
8,000 |
|
2011 |
20% |
1,600 |
3,200 |
3,200 |
6,400 |
|
2012 |
20% |
1,200 |
2,400 |
2,400 |
4,800 |
|
2013 |
10% |
1,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
3,600 |
|
2014 |
10% |
800 |
1,600 |
1,600 |
3,200 |
|
2015 |
10% |
600 |
1,200 |
1,200 |
2,400 |
|
2016 |
10% |
400 |
800 |
800 |
1,600 |
|
2017 |
10% |
200 |
400 |
400 |
800 |
|
2018 |
10% to 0% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
109 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Finance the guarantees available to a depositor of an Irish bank on deposits of up to €100,000; if this is guaranteed in the event of a default of any bank to bondholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23589/11]
The legal basis for the Deposit Guarantee Scheme in Ireland is set out in the European Communities (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 168 of 1995) as amended. These Regulations implement the European Union Directive on Deposit Guarantee Schemes (Directive 94/19/EC) as amended. Under the Regulations, a depositor with a deposit of up to €100,000 will be covered by the Deposit Guarantee Scheme where a compensation event occurs in a credit institution. A compensation event occurs if-
(a) the Central Bank of Ireland has determined that, for the time being, the credit institution appears to be unable, for reasons directly related to its financial circumstances, to repay a deposit or deposits and to have no current prospect of being able to do so,
(b) a court has appointed a liquidator or examiner of the credit institution, or
(c) a judicial authority has made, for reasons directly related to the credit institution's financial circumstances, any other ruling that has the effect of suspending depositors' ability to make claims against it.
The Scheme covers 100% of deposits held in any credit institution authorised in Ireland (including credit unions) up to a maximum of €100,000 per qualifying depositor per institution and is administered by the Central Bank of Ireland. Generally, the Scheme covers deposits held in current accounts, demand deposit accounts and term deposit accounts with credit institutions.
The basic intention behind such a scheme is to reassure depositors that there is a safety net that will enable them to recover all, or at least most, of their savings in the event of a failure of a credit institution. This reassurance, in turn, helps to contribute to the stability of the financial system. For more information on the various guarantees available to depositors for amounts above €100,000, please see: http://www.itsyourmoney.ie/index.jsp?n=757&p=125
110 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the cost of fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23609/11]
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 relative to highs earlier in the year. 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 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 can not 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.
111 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed report on funds remaining in the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Central Bank reserves following the recapitalisation of the banks in July 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23619/11]
The most recent figures for the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) published by the NPRF Commission are for the second quarter of 2011. These showed that the Fund was valued at €20.8 billion at end-June 2011, made up of €15.5 billion in the Directed Portfolio (the part of the Fund which is managed by the Commission on foot of directions from the Minister for Finance) and €5.3 billion in the Discretionary Portfolio, the investment of which remains the Commission's responsibility.
The €15.5 billion in the Directed Portfolio comprised €5.5 billion in bank investments — the value of investments in Bank of Ireland and AIB made at the direction of the Minister in 2009 and 2010 — and a further €10 billion set aside at the direction of the Minister as part of Ireland's contribution to the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland. The €10 billion was subsequently used in July 2011 to recapitalise Bank of Ireland and AIB.
The value of the Discretionary Portfolio at end-June 2011 was €5.3 billion, which can be broken down as set out in the table below (figures may not add due to rounding). The Discretionary Portfolio has not been affected since that date by bank recapitalisation investments.
|
Asset Class |
€ million |
% of Discretionary Portfolio |
|
Large cap equity |
1,161 |
22.0% |
|
Small cap equity |
134 |
2.6% |
|
Emerging markets equity |
406 |
7.7% |
|
Quoted Equity |
1,701 |
32.3% |
|
Eurozone government bonds |
0 |
0.0% |
|
Eurozone inflation linked bonds |
73 |
1.4% |
|
Eurozone corporate bonds |
474 |
9.0% |
|
Cash |
767 |
14.5% |
|
Financial Assets |
1,314 |
24.9% |
|
Private Equity |
918 |
17.4% |
|
Property |
484 |
9.2% |
|
Commodities |
223 |
4.2% |
|
Forestry |
30 |
0.6% |
|
Infrastructure |
270 |
5.1% |
|
Absolute return funds |
180 |
3.4% |
|
Alternative Assets |
2,105 |
39.9% |
|
Value of €1.3bn equity market protection (put options) |
154 |
2.9% |
|
Total Discretionary Portfolio |
5,274 |
100.0% |
Central Bank:
Information on the Central Bank Reserves is published monthly on the Central Bank website www.centralbank.ie. At end-August 2011 the Central Bank held €1,522 million in Reserve Assets as follows:
|
€ million |
|
|
Monetary Gold |
202 |
|
Special Drawing Rights |
695 |
|
Reserve Position in IMF |
286 |
|
Foreign Exchange |
339 |
112 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the remaining cash reserves held by the National Treasury Management Agency; the portion of this money that was borrowed prior to 2009 and whether moneys currently held by the NTMA was drawn down from EU-IMF support programme funds; if so, if he will indicate from what portion of the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/11]
This figure of €9 billion does not include the assets in the discretionary portfolio of the National Pensions Reserve Fund which amounted to €5.2 billion at end-August (of which, €422 million was held in cash at the Central Bank).
114 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce national car test VAT rate to 13% to bring it in line with the VAT rate for other services. [23717/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the repairing or maintaining of movable goods, including motor vehicles, is liable to VAT at the reduced rate of 13.5% in accordance with paragraph 20(1), Schedule 3 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010. The service of vehicle testing, that entails an inspection of a vehicle rather than its repair or maintenance, is liable to VAT at the standard rate of 21% in accordance with section 46(1)(a) of the VAT Consolidation Act. There is no provision under the EU VAT Directive that would allow for a reduced VAT rate to apply to testing services.
115 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if existing legislation allows for regulation of debt management and debt advice services companies. [23718/11]
116 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to regulate debt-management and debt-advice services companies. [23719/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.
The Government is committed to having in place an effective regulatory system for debt-management and debt-advice companies. To that end, my officials are in consultation with the Central Bank in examining what legislative proposals would be appropriate in this area.
117 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to protect those who had their finances managed by a company (details supplied). [23720/11]
Following the collapse of Home Payments Ltd (HPL) last month, the Central Bank commenced an investigation into the matter. This investigation is on-going and I await the final report from the Bank. However, I can confirm that the Central Bank has informed me that, as HPL was not authorised or licensed by the Bank, clients are not eligible for a compensation scheme/deposit protection scheme and, in addition, clients of HPL do not have recourse to the Financial Services Ombudsman. Since the collapse, the Central Bank has worked with the National Consumer Agency and with regulatory and industry bodies to provide assistance to customers of HPL who are at a financial loss. The Bank has also informed me that it is undertaking a review of all firms in the State which appear to offer customers debt advice and/or debt management type services.
The Government is committed to having in place an effective regulatory/supervisory system for those firms providing a household budgeting and bill payment service, a debt management service and/or a debt advice service. The findings of the investigations by the Central Bank into HPL and into the other firms will inform what regulatory/supervisory system should be put in place for firms providing these services — whether provided separately or bundled together — or, alternatively, what amendments to the current regulatory/supervisory framework may be required.
118 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if any adjustment will be made in the future to take into account those who paid their pension levy out of their personal pension. [23722/11]
I assume the Deputy is proposing that the amount of the pension levy passed on to individuals over the period of the levy should be available to them as a credit against their future tax liabilities. The moneys raised from the pension fund levy will be used to pay for the reductions in VAT, PRSI and the air travel tax as well as for the additional expenditure measures announced in the Jobs Initiative in May last. These and the other various measures in the Initiative represent the first steps by this Government towards improving the competitiveness of important sectors of the economy and facilitating the return to work of people currently unemployed.
Given our commitments under the Joint EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support and the current difficulties in the public finances, the Jobs Initiative must be funded on a cost neutral basis. Since the proceeds of the levy are already committed in the manner I've described, a commitment to allow the levy to also be used as a tax credit against future tax liabilities would mean that the Jobs Initiative would not be cost neutral. I cannot therefore agree to the proposal.
119 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering alternative courses of action for lenders other than the current moratorium on the enforcement of repossessions. [23724/11]
The Deputy may wish to note that a Working Group has been established under the Economic Management Council to consider the state of implementation of the main recommendations of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Group which published its final report in November 2010. This Group has also been asked to consider and develop further necessary actions to alleviate the increasing mortgage over-indebtedness problem. I expect that the Group will have its work completed shortly.
120 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance further to Questions Nos. 89 and 93 of 10 May 2011 regarding employment contracts of all the senior management in financial institutions covered by the State guarantee, the stage the review has reached; when it will be completed; and if he will give details of any preliminary details. [23725/11]
As the Deputy is aware, in April of this year, the NTMA requested a review of remuneration policies and practices by each of the covered institutions. In that regard, the institutions were asked to consider measures that could be taken to realign staff expectations with regard to remuneration and benefits in the current economic environment and financial circumstances of the banks. The review exercise is ongoing. I fully recognise that there is a real public interest in the levels of remuneration at the covered institutions and I will endeavour to have this completed in the shortest timeframe possible with a view to putting the information into the public domain.
121 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that holders of investment tracker mortgages are being aggressively pursued to give up their trackers by banks such as Permanent TSB; if he will intervene to prevent State controlled banks from indulging in such activities against mortgagors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23789/11]
The Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code requires entities regulated by the Central Bank to act honestly, fairly and professionally in the best interests of their customers. Regulated entities must not recklessly, negligently or deliberately mislead a customer as to the real or perceived advantages or disadvantages of any product or service. In accordance with common rule 12 of the Consumer Protection Code, regulated entities have to ensure that all relevant information, and in particular key information, is provided to a consumer in a clear manner. The operation of any agreement between a regulated entity and a consumer must be in accordance with the terms and conditions applying to that agreement. The Central Bank does not investigate individual complaints but if a consumer is not satisfied with the service he or she has received, he or she is entitled to make a complaint by writing directly to the firm concerned. If he or she is not happy with the response received from the regulated entity he or she is entitled to refer the complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman who has statutory powers to investigate complaints against financial service providers.
In the case of a customer experiencing financial difficulties in meeting mortgage commitments or one who is concerned that he/she is in danger of getting into financial difficulties, mortgage lenders must comply with the requirements of the Central Bank's revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) which came into effect on 1 January 2011. The CCMA applies to the mortgage loan of a borrower which is secured by his or her primary residence, which is defined as a property which is the residential property which the borrower occupies as his or her primary residence in this State, or a residential property in this State which is the only residential property owned by the borrower. Under the CCMA, a lender must have a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process in place incorporating communication with borrowers, financial information, assessment, resolution and appeals. In exploring all options for alternative repayment arrangements lenders must consider, inter alia, deferred payment, term extension, interest and partial capital payments and interest only arrangements. The CCMA states that lenders “must not require the borrower to change from an existing tracker mortgage to another mortgage type, as part of any alternative arrangement offered to the borrower”.
122 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance the total household debt as a percentage of GNP; the total corporate debt as a percentage of GNP; the total Government general debt as a percentage of GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23793/11]
The Central Bank's Quarterly Financial Accounts data show that households had outstanding loans amounting to €184.9 billion in the first quarter of the year, representing 147 per cent of forecast GNP for 2011. The stock of household loans has declined by €18 billion or 9 per cent since peaking in the final quarter of 2008. The same data source reveals that non financial corporations had outstanding loans of €264 billion in the first quarter of the year, or 210 per cent of forecast GNP. The stock of such loans has contracted by €62.5 billion or 19 per cent since peaking in the final months of 2009.
Of course the data also show that households and non financial corporations have significant assets as well as liabilities. In the case of households, for example, net financial wealth — the difference between assets and liabilities — was a positive €105 billion (this figure does not include housing assets). This figure has increased by 80 per cent since the first quarter of 2009.
Finally, my Department has forecast General government debt of €173 billion in 2011, which would represent 111 per cent of forecast GDP (137 per cent of GNP). This is up from debt of €148.1 billion in 2010. General government debt as a percentage of GDP is forecast to peak at 118 per cent in 2013 before moderating in the following years.
123 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal with a matter regarding expenditure of public money (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23797/11]
As the Deputy is aware, under the previous Government, some €43.6 billion was injected into the Irish banks by the end of 2010. The Prudential Capital Assessment Review (PCAR), which was carried out by the Central Bank and reported in March 2011, identified an additional capital requirement of €24 billion. This means that the expected total capital needs in March 2011 amounted to €70.3 billion. While the Government is committed to ensuring that the banks would be fully capitalised up that level, the Government has instigated processes which have reduced and will further reduce the cost to the State. Direct contributions were sought from subordinated debt holders through burden sharing/liability management exercises (LME) and where possible, by seeking private sector investors.
Prior to the PCAR, burden sharing with subordinated bondholders raised c. €9.7 billion of core tier 1 capital. Since the PCAR announcement, burden sharing with bondholders has realised an additional c. €5 billion. AIB/EBS completed their LME in July resulting in a total capital gain of €2.15 billion. Bank of Ireland announced on 8 July that it generated circa. €2 billion from LME. Further burden sharing with outstanding subordinated bondholders is expected to raise additional equity capital. Irish Life and Permanent completed their LME on 24 August with a €1bn gain from €1.2bn of subordinated debt. Burden sharing with outstanding subordinated bondholders is expected to raise additional equity capital. Irish Life and Permanent completed their LME on 24 August with a €1bn gain from €1.2bn of subordinated debt.
Under the PCAR, Bank of Ireland required an additional €5.2bn of capital. In July 2011, private investors agreed to an investment of up to €1.123 billion in Bank of Ireland's Tier 1 capital. This transaction, in addition to other equity participation from existing shareholders/bondholders of some €600m, ensured that the State's commitment was significantly reduced while retaining a significant equity shareholding in the banks.
The commitment from the Irish State is lower than initially expected as a result of the LME exercises with subordinated bondholders conducted since 31st March 2011 and private sector investment in Bank of Ireland. Out of the total identified capital of €70.3 billion, at the end of July actual capital investment was circa €63 billion. There will be further stress tests in 2012 by the Central Bank of Ireland through a PCAR and also by the European Banking Authority. I believe that the Irish banks will have sufficient capital to meet those stress tests.
Through the processes I have referred to above, the Government has ensured that the recapitalisation burden has not fallen exclusively on the Irish taxpayer.
I have forwarded for the Deputy's attention a copy of my presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on 1st September 2011 on progress made in restructuring of the banking sector.
124 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will investigate any financial irregularities at Temple Bar Cultural Trust to ascertain if this asset is being managed appropriately and in the public interest with adherence to best possible practice. [23906/11]
The Temple Bar Cultural Trust is a private limited company whose shares are held by Dublin City Council and the Council is responsible for appointing its Board of Directors. Any issues specific to the Trust should therefore be raised with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the first instance.
125 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if new legislation was put in place or will be required in order to ratify and implement the agreement on the European financial stability facility. [23907/11]
With the approval of the Government and subject to confirmation by the Oireachtas, I signed the Amendment to the EFSF Framework Agreement on behalf of Ireland on 8th September 2011. The Amendment agreement provides for the implementation of the measures announced by the Heads of State or Government on 21 July last. These include increasing the flexibility of the EFSF in the euro area, to allow it to act on a precautionary basis, to finance the recapitalization of banks through loans to Governments and to intervene in primary and secondary markets on the basis of ECB analysis. The Amendment agreement will facilitate the reduction in the interest rate charged on loans to Ireland but the actual reduction will be given effect in the EFSF Loan Agreement with Ireland. It should also be noted that the Amendment I signed on 8 September 2011 incorporates an earlier Amendment agreement of 30 June 2011 which had not yet been ratified by most euro area Member States, including Ireland. The primary purpose of the earlier amendment was to increase the effective lending capacity of the EFSF to €440 billion. This is being accomplished by an increase in the level of over-guarantee to 165% for each of the guarantor Member States. Although Ireland's guarantee ceiling increases, it is notional in our case because we have stepped out and this is noted in the Amendment agreement.
Legislation to ratify the Amendment to the EFSF Framework Agreement is being prepared for the consideration of the Oireachtas. The Bill will also provide for the amendment of the Euro Area Loan Facility Act 2010 to provide for the amendment of the (Greek) Loan Facility Agreement dated 14 June 2011. It is proposed that the Bill be published later this week and brought before the Dáil for debate next week.
126 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made in establishing a strategic investment bank from the two pillar banks as promised in the programme for Government; the persons who will oversee the operations of this bank; the remit of this bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23911/11]
As I said in a reply to questions from Deputies Tóibín and Conway on 21 July last, 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 objectives for the renewal of the banking system, which are ahead of schedule, have been completed. This assessment will include the strategic investment bank's relationship with the two pillar banks and the timeline for its establishment.
127 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons working at the National Asset Management Agency for each year since it was set up. [23951/11]
NAMA was established on 21 December 2009 and, by the end of that year, seven staff had been assigned to it by the NTMA. By the end of 2010, the NTMA had recruited for NAMA 104 staff with experience and expertise in the areas of lending, property, accountancy, law, banking and credit.
Its current staff complement stands at 190 and it plans to recruit an additional ten staff before the end of 2011.
128 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if funding will be made available to the National Archives to properly preserve the records of psychiatric hospitals as highlighted in a recent television programme (details supplied); if these archives will receive statutory protection; if all archives for each hospital have been investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23960/11]
The allocation of funding for the National Archives is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. However, issues concerning the statutory protection of medical records and investigation into hospital archives are a matter for the Minister for Health in the first instance.
129 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the contact he has had with mobile phone operators with a view to finding a workable mechanism for implementing a text message levy in view of the fact that a 2 cent levy would gross €240 million per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24016/11]
I am informed by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) that no projections are made for mobile telephone usage, whether calls or texts. The only basis for estimating the yield from a tax on text messages is the figures for mobile telephone usage per quarter supplied by the companies to ComReg. In the 12 months to end March 2011, the last 12 month period for which figures are available, over 12 billion SMS messages and over 43 million MMS messages were sent in Ireland, a total of over 12.192 billion messages. At those usage rates, a levy of 2 cent on such messages could raise c. €242 million per annum, which is in line with the figure indicated in the Deputy's question. However, this potential yield does not take account of any behavioural impact if a levy was directly imposed on customers or imposed on the mobile phone companies and passed on to customers. Text messages are already subject to VAT at 21%. While any additional revenue would be welcome in the current circumstances, the wider social and economic factors which militate against the introduction of a further levy on text messages must also be taken into account. I am not aware of a similar tax anywhere else in the world. Although there are no plans to introduce such a tax at this time, and I have had no contact with the mobile telephone companies on the matter, all potential taxation measures are kept under review.
130 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a tax on considerable winnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24024/11]
It was announced in last years Budget that the necessary arrangements are being made to ensure that bets placed on the internet by domestic punters are subject to the same level of betting duty as applies to high street betting shops. This will serve to broaden the tax base and increase betting duty receipts. The Finance Act 2011 provides for the taxation of bets that remote bookmakers enter into with persons in the State. This means, for example, that a business which engages in online bookmaking and which accepts bets from people in this country will be liable for betting duty on those bets, irrespective of where that business is based. The existing betting duty (1%) will be applied to such bets. The Finance Act also provides for the taxation of Betting Exchanges under the new arrangements; however the calculation of the tax will take account of their particular business model. In addition, excise duties are being applied to the granting and renewal of remote bookmakers' and remote betting intermediaries' licences.
The proposed Betting (Amendment) Bill, which is being drafted at present, will establish the regulatory framework for these licences. The tax changes provided for in the Finance Act can only be implemented once the Betting (Amendment) Bill is enacted. This Bill is well advanced and it is hoped that it will be published in the autumn.
I am hopeful that by including the high-growth area of the betting sector the tax base from betting will be boosted significantly.
In addition, this measure conveys a positive signal to international betting operations that have expressed an interest in or have already invested in Ireland. A location with an appropriate licensing regime coupled with relatively low taxes provides real investment and employment opportunities in this sector, which ultimately can potentially be beneficial to all concerned.
There are currently no plans to introduce a tax on winning bets which would represent a fundamental change to the taxation of betting to date.
131 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a fees and charges reimbursement facility for recent Irish emigrants returning home to visit from overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24025/11]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to airport passenger charges that apply at Irish airports. Such charges, which are regulated at Dublin Airport by the independent Commission for Aviation Regulation but otherwise set by individual airport authorities on a competitive commercial basis, are normal fees applied by airports the world over for the use of facilities. They are what pay for the development and maintenance of airport infrastructure. I have no plans to consider a rebate system suggested by the Deputy.
132 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding taxation of social protection payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24034/11]
The position is that most social welfare allowances, pensions and benefits, including the carer's allowance, awarded by the Department of Social Protection are taxable. The extent of tax due depends on the level of an individual's tax credits.
The following Department of Social Protection payments are taxable:
State Pension (Contributory);
State Pension (Non-Contributory);
State Pension (Transition);
**Illness Benefit;
Invalidity Pension;
**Occupational Injury Benefit;
**Interim Disability Benefit;
*Disablement Benefit;
Death Benefit Pension;
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension;
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension;
Deserted Wife's Benefit;
Deserted Wife's Allowance;
Prisoner's Wife's Allowance;
One-Parent Family Payment (Unmarried parent, Separated Spouse, Prisoner's Spouse);
Guardian's Payment (Contributory);
Guardian's Payment ( Non-Contributory);
Carer's Allowance;
Carer's Benefit;
+ Jobseeker's Benefit and Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (first €13 per week excluded);
Unemployability Supplement (payable with Disablement Pension);
Blind Pension;
Constant Attendance Allowance (payable with Disablement Pension).
When payable in the form of a pension rather than a once-off payment.
+ Jobseeker's Benefit paid to systematic short-term workers is exempt.
** Illness/Interim/Injury Benefit payable for the first 6 weeks of each year and any child dependent element of benefit is exempt from tax.
133 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the Upper Yard, Dublin Castle, the display of flags with county colours includes 26 and not 32 counties; if he will ask the Office of Public Works to rectify this and to ensure that all 32 flags are included. [24052/11]
The number of flags displayed at any one time in the Upper Courtyard of Dublin Castle is dictated by the number of flagpoles available. At present 28 flagpoles are available representing the members of the EU and the EU flag which are flown during the EU Presidency. The flags of the 32 counties are currently flown in rotation. It is not planned to erect any further flagpoles at present.
134 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to complete housing estates and other developments under National Asset Management Agency control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24137/11]
NAMA participated in the Working Group set up by the Government to examine the issue and extent of unfinished estates in Ireland. The Group's report was published by the Minister for Housing in June 2011.That report identified 2,800 unfinished estates that were categorised by reference to the extent to which they required remediation work. The report identified about 225 Category 4 estates which were considered to require immediate remedial attention. NAMA debtors have loans with an exposure to 31 of those Category 4 estates. I am informed by NAMA that is has committed, through its debtors, the cost of essential urgent works on these sites. It instructed a surveyor to carry out an initial assessment of the required works to meet the public safety initiative, and then each debtor/site owner was requested to liaise with the Local Authority to assess what works needed to be carried out urgently and the estimated cost of such works. Based on this assessment, it was estimated that funding of €3m was required for urgent remedial work. Site resolution plans are currently being prepared and consultation is taking place with various local authorities in relation to sites within their areas. NAMA is considering proposals and 15 site resolution plans are under review.
135 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent on legal fees by the State Claims Agency in each of the past five years. [24186/11]
I am informed by the State Claims Agency that the amount spent on legal fees by the Agency in each of the past five years is as follows:
|
Legal Costs |
2006 (€m) |
2007 (€m) |
2008 (€m) |
2009 (€m) |
2010 (€m) |
|
Defence Legal Costs |
3.9 |
4.7 |
8.2 |
8.6 |
12.0 |
|
Plaintiff Legal Costs |
5.0 |
3.3 |
10.4 |
12.8 |
18.1 |
|
Total |
8.9 |
8.0 |
18.6 |
21.4 |
30.1 |
The legal cost of the clinical claims portfolio has been increasing since 2008 due in particular to the resolution of high settlement value claims associated with cerebral palsy and other serious birth-related events. The legal costs associated with the Employers' Liability, Public Liability and Property Damage Claims portfolio have remained at €4 million — €5 million per annum since 2008.
137 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the procedures and practices used by officers of the Revenue Commissioners to take fuel samples from motor vehicles under section 134(1)(b) of the Finances Act, 2001 relating to the enforcement of mineral oil tax legislation, do not risk causing damage to the operation of vehicles; if he will consider the introduction of a statutory alternative manufacturer approved sampling regime (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24194/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of mineral oil tax and for tackling the illicit trade in mineral oil products, that their officers are empowered under section 134 and 135 of the Finance Act 2001 to stop vehicles for the purpose of examining and taking fuel samples. The Revenue Commissioners office continually review the sampling procedures and practices employed by Revenue's officers in the course of Revenue as well as multi-agency road checkpoints. Such sampling is carried out in accordance with Revenue's Health and Safety guidelines and international best practice. Revenue officers are all fully trained in oil sampling techniques.
Revenue monitors developments in the motor industry and in the road haulage sector on an ongoing basis and provide appropriately updated sampling equipment for its officers. Where particular technical difficulties are identified with regard to the sampling of newer model vehicles, Revenue's enforcement service procures compatible sampling equipment from the vehicle distributors in question. There are no plans at this time for the introduction of a statutory alternative manufacturer approved sampling regime.
138 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff and respective budget of each regulator under his responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24234/11]
The following is the list of replies that we have received to date. The complete list will be forwarded to the Deputy within the next few days.
|
Budget for 2011 |
Staff Numbers |
|
€5,820,000 |
34 |
|
Budget for 2011 |
Staff Numbers |
|
Nil |
Nil |
|
Budget for 2011 |
Staff Numbers |
|
€382,863 |
None |
139 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will extend the time line beyond the current 12 month period to allow special needs assistants who have had their working hours changed to apply for part redundancy. [22691/11]
There are no plans to extend the current time limit allowed to apply for payments under the Redundancy Scheme for Special Needs Assistants.
140 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to assist a person (details supplied) to complete their apprenticeship. [22874/11]
My Department has been in contact with FÁS about the case in question. I understand that FÁS will be introducing shortly a Competency Determination Mechanism to enable eligible redundant apprentices in the trade of Brick & Stonelaying to complete their apprenticeship. This will provide redundant apprentices with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge against the occupational standard for the specified trade.
Those who successfully pass the Competency Determination Mechanism will be progressed for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate — Craft.
To be eligible for the Competency Determination Mechanism redundant apprentices must meet the following criteria: be redundant as an apprentice as notified by their employer and be registered with FÁS Employment Services; have successfully completed all Phases 1-7 inclusive, reaching the minimum standard; and have not completed 4 years in employment as an apprentices in the trade
I also understand that FÁS intend to invite eligible redundant apprentices to register their intent to participate in the Competency Determination Mechanism in the near future.
141 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will assure the public that all the funding provided to his Department for transporting school children to schools is used for that purpose only and not redistributed to other sectors of our public transport service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22895/11]
The school transport scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf, facilitates the transportation of some 120,000 children to primary and post-primary schools each day including approximately 8,000 children with special educational needs. School transport is a very significant national operation involving about 42 million journeys and over 82 million kilometres on 6,000 routes every school year. This service is delivered using a mix of Bus Éireann, both school transport and road passenger vehicles, private contractor vehicles including private operator scheduled services, and Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART and LUAS where practical. The 2011 allocation to my Department for the provision of School Transport is almost €180m. I can assure the Deputy that expenditure from this allocation is used solely for the provision of school transport in accordance with the terms of the school transport schemes.
142 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will comment on a matter (details supplied) regarding FÁS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22973/11]
A pre-retirement leave policy was introduced by FÁS a number of years ago. The Board of FÁS cancelled this policy in March 2010. However, the Union referred the matter to the Labour Court, and the Labour Court recommended that the arrangement be re-instated to allow for due process. It further recommended that discussions on the future of the pre-retirement leave policy begin immediately with a view to bringing the pre-retirement arrangements in FAS into line with arrangements in comparable agencies within the Public Sector. I understand that as no agreement has been reached between FÁS and the unions, the matter has been referred back to the Labour Court, which will hold a hearing on the matter on 23 September.
143 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the rebranding of FÁS to SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23057/11]
In July 2011, the Government decided that a new further education and training authority, to be called SOLAS, should be established. SOLAS will operate under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, and will co-ordinate and fund the wide range of further education and training programmes around the country. The establishment of SOLAS, the disbanding of FAS and making VECs responsible for the delivery of Further Education and Training programmes to learners is the most significant change in Further Education and Training in decades. It does not merely involve rebranding. The branding of SOLAS is a small but necessary part of the significant change management process that is involved. This will be one of the issues for consideration by the SOLAS Implementation Group which has been set up to oversee the process. Particular care will be exercised to ensure that the costs associated with the rebranding will not be excessive.
There are currently no plans for compulsory redundancies in FÁS, nor are there any plans to recruit additional staff.
144 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the 20,900 additional training places announced in the jobs initiative will encompass those in the tourism and hospitality industry. [23138/11]
The Jobs Initiative which was announced in May 2011, does encompass a level of training provision for those in the tourism and hospitality industry.
145 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused a higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23195/11]
181 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused a higher education grant; if he will confirm this person’s residency status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23196/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 181 together.
I understand that in the case referred to by the Deputy, an application for a grant made to the student's local authority was unsuccessful and that in a subsequent appeal made to the local authority the original decision was upheld. I also understand that a further appeal was made to the Department and the decision of the awarding authority was upheld on the grounds that the candidate in question did not meet the nationality requirements of the grant scheme.
The specific clause relating to nationality in the 2010/11 student grant schemes stipulates that candidates must be a national of (i) an EU Member State, (ii) a state which is a contracting state to the EEA Agreement, (iii) the Swiss Confederation, or a refugee or other person entitled for the time being to the rights and privileges specified in section 3 of the Refugee Act 1996; or be a person, pursuant to the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006), (i) who the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has determined is eligible for the time being for subsidiary protection pursuant to Regulation 4 of those Regulations, or (ii) to whom the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has granted permission for the time being in writing to enter and reside in the State pursuant to Regulation 16 of those Regulations; or have permission to remain in the State as a family member of a Union citizen under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008 and Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council; or have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to an Irish national residing in the State, or be the dependent child of such person, not having EU nationality; or have been granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain in the State (prior to the Immigration Act 1999); or be a person in respect of whom the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has granted permission to remain following a determination not to make a deportation order under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999.
146 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding the current policy on gaelscoileanna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23539/11]
The standardisation of the staffing schedule for Gaelscoileanna so that it is the same as that which applies to primary schools generally was one of a number of measures introduced in Budget 2011 by the previous government to control and reduce teacher numbers. These changes came into effect from September 2011. Given the financial constraints in which this country now finds itself, it is not possible to reverse these changes.
147 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding the raising of the school age to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23752/11]
The compulsory school starting age is 6 years of age and a child must be at least 4 years of age before she/he may be enrolled in a primary school. A proposal to raise the school starting age to 5 years was one of a range of budgetary savings options that were put forward to the previous government as a means of reducing teacher payroll costs. This measure was not implemented.
148 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide new school accommodation in the Tallaght region of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23878/11]
In June this year, I announced that 20 new primary and 20 new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years across a number of locations. This announcement included a proposal to establish new primary schools in the Tallaght region. My Department has recently informed patron bodies of these new schools to be established and has invited appliactions for patronage of same. Arrangements for the delivery of accommodation for these schools is currently underway. In addition to these new schools a number of extension projects may be required to existing schools to meet the demand for increasing pupil numbers.
149 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that Dell European flobal adjustment fund programme is now concluded, if he will indicate the percentage of the allocated funds that will be returned unused to the European Commission. [23908/11]
My Department has to date paid €5,550,306 in funding in respect of EGF co-financed measures relating to the support of redundant workers under the Dell EGF programme. The programme has approved EU co-financing under the EGF of €14.8m and another €8m allocated from national sources.
The Dell EGF programme concluded on 28 June 2011. A number of payment claims from various service providers are currently either being processed or are still awaited by the Department, including a claim from FAS for the entirety of its activities under the EGF programme since 2009. A number of these claims are or will be for expenditure of significant amounts.
As final claims have not all yet been received and as a final statement of eligible expenditure is not required by the European Commission along with a Final Report on the Dell EGF programme until 29 December 20011, I am not currently in a position to indicate the percentage of funds that will ultimately be returned to the EU. However, a significant portion of the EU funding is likely to be returned under this programme.
150 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that have been put in place to ensure that the total funding approved under the construction industry application for the European global adjustment fund will be spent, in particular the measures that he has taken to front load the spending to the individual workers who have lost their jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23909/11]
The EU budgetary authorities, in the first instance the European Commission, has not to date approved the three applications submitted by my Department for EGF co-financing, which contain various active labour market measures in support of certain identified workers made redundant between 1 July 2009 and 31 March 2010 in the construction sector.
However, in anticipation of EU approval in due course, a number of measures, for which EGF co-financing is being sought, are already being provided by the relevant service providers and funded from national sources. These measures include guidance, training, apprenticeship progression, further and higher education and enterprise supports. Subject to EU approval of the EGF applications, further measures will be provided or intensified as necessary and relevant.
My Department has put in place co-ordination mechanisms to ensure that all relevant issues are addressed, including spend, in order to maximise the impact of the EGF in this area.
151 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the 2011/2012 school bus transport arrangements for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [22686/11]
159 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the 2011/2012 school bus transport arrangements for a school (details supplied) in County Cork [22709/11]
196 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the 2011/2012 school bus arrangements in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork [23410/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 159 and 196 together.
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that three school transport services are continuing to operate to the school in question for the current school year.
152 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the decision to reduce the number of special needs assistants at a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [22689/11]
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 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.
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.
The NCSE issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme is to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools.
The NCSE has now advised all mainstream schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy in County Cork, of their SNA allocation for the current school year, taking into account the care needs of qualifying pupils attending the school.
I wish to clarify for the Deputy 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.
I also wish to clarify that 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.
The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of any review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
153 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to set up a panel system similar to that currently being used by national school teachers for special needs assistants. [22690/11]
It is important to note that Special Needs Assistant (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 recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. The Board is the SNA's employer and the terms of employment are subject to the conditions of the contract of employment. There are therefore presently no plans to introduce a panel system for SNAs.
However, the Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently published a Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Analysis review of the Special Needs Assistant scheme. This review is available on my Departments website: www.education.ie.
The Value for Money review recommended that the Department of Education and Skills should consider conducting a cost benefit analysis, to establish if the introduction of a regional redeployment scheme for SNAs would lead to greater economic efficiency. It also recommended that alternative employment models for SNAs that could achieve greater administrative efficiencies and provide greater employment certainty for SNAs should be considered by the DES.
My Department is currently establishing a working group which will consider and implement the recommendations of the SNA Value for Money report.
In the interim, a Special Needs Assistant whose post is surplus to the approved allocation to the school may be entitled to a redundancy payment under the terms of circular 58/2006 — titled Redundancy Arrangements for Special Need Assistants. Support to SNAs who may have been made redundant is provided for within the terms of this scheme.
154 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will not cut resource hours for a pupil (details supplied) in Dublin 24 [22694/11]
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 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.
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.
In relation to the allocation of individual Resource Teaching hours, the position is that for the coming 2011/12 school year, an allocation of 90% of valid identified resource teaching allocations has been made by the NCSE to schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy in Ballyboden, 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.
Schools have now 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 the receipt of all such applications, consideration will be given as to whether there is potential to revise the 90% allocation previously given to schools, and also the extent to which new Resource Teaching allocations can be made, taking into account the number of valid new applications received and in the context of my Departments Employment Control Framework obligations.
155 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be included on the supplementary panel for primary school teachers, in view of the fact that this applicant has been a full-time primary school teacher for a period of seven years prior to their transferring to a temporary position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22699/11]
The primary redeployment procedures are published on my Department's website. Under these procedures, my Department provides supplementary panel rights for eligible fixed-term teachers who are currently employed in a primary school with between three and five years temporary service. The teacher referred to by the Deputy, does not meet these requirements and has been advised accordingly.
156 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school placement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22703/11]
The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. In this regard a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. 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.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
157 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that will be put in place to educate a person (details supplied) who has been refused a place at their local primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22705/11]
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 Educational 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, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. 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.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the NEWB in Longford is National Educational Welfare Board, Unit 19 Sandyfort Business Centre, Grealishtown, Bohermore Galway, phone number 091-385302.
My officials understand from the NEWB that the child in question has secured a school place.
158 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford did not qualify under the HEAR scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/11]
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions under this programme are regulated by the institutions themselves. The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association, which operates the HEAR scheme on behalf of participating institutions. Further details are available at www.accesscollege.ie
160 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person will be facilitated (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22710/11]
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy has been rerouted. As a result, the bus pick up and set down points have been revised to accommodate the pupils in question.
161 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times at which taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22721/11]
183 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23296/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 183 together.
The following table shows the total cost of taxi hire met by my Department in the past four years (2007- 2010).
|
Year |
€ |
|
2007 |
71,999.07 |
|
2008 |
71,762.02 |
|
2009 |
50,777.69 |
|
2010 |
43,055.91 |
Taxis used by my Department's officials are strictly for business purposes and staff members are required to ensure that every effort is made to minimise the use of taxis. The costs of taxi hire as indicated above are met through departmental accounts with taxi hire firms in Dublin and through reimbursements of vouched domestic and foreign travel claims from staff travelling on official business. Taxi hire for official travel is only permitted where: the number of officers travelling make taxi hire cheaper than other forms of public transport; no suitable public transport alternative is available or; using other forms of public transport is not possible/practical. Receipts must be furnished for all official travel, including taxi hire, undertaken by staff.
While it is not possible to accurately predict the potential future costs of taxi hire for official purposes, it is not anticipated that the expenditure for 2011 will exceed expenditure for the previous year. My Department regularly monitors the costs of taxi hire for official business purposes, whether on account or arising from personal hire for which a refund is subsequently claimed. My Department does not meet the cost of taxi hire by individuals or staff of external agencies or bodies visiting my Department.
162 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide figures on a matter (details supplied) regarding special needs assistants. [22804/11]
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 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 intends to publish details of all of the Special Needs Assistant allocations which they have made to schools to date, for the 2011/12 school year. This will be available on the NCSE website shortly at www.ncse.ie.
163 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce any measures to alleviate the financial pressures on mature students who will suffer the combined effect of the removal of the non-adjacent grant and the extension of the non-adjacent area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22815/11]
The economic circumstances of the country are such that I am not in a position to reverse or vary any of the changes to the student grant schemes introduced by the last Government and funding is not available to me for any new student support measures. However, students on particularly low incomes will continue to receive a "top-up" in the special rate of grant under the student grant scheme and students in exceptional financial circumstances can apply for assistance under the Student Assistance Fund. Information on the Fund is available through the access offices of third-level institutions. The access offices themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies.
164 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he plans to use primary and secondary level schools to increase participation in the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21797/11]
Arts education (visual arts, music and drama) is one of the seven curriculum areas that comprise the primary curriculum, which was revised in 1999. Therefore all primary school children have access to an arts programme.
At second level there are approved syllabuses for Junior Certificate in Music and Art, Craft and Design. In the senior cycle there are syllabuses in Music and Art. Modules in the Arts are also available as part of the Leaving Certificate Applied. In the Transition Year programme, schools offer a variety of modules which stimulate pupils' interest in the Arts in general and which, in many cases, give them the opportunity to interact with practising artists in their own classrooms and in other contexts.
In addition to supporting curricular provision for the arts at primary and second level, my Department aids the arts through the provision of some 68,000 teaching hours to a number of schools of music operated by VECs and through co-operation (teaching) hours to VECs which support work with other institutions. In addition, two Music Education Partnerships are funded in Donegal and Dublin City VECs.
A further initiative in Music for young people of school age has been launched by Music Generation, a subsidiary company of Music Network, supported by donations from U2 and the Ireland Funds. The programme is aimed at providing access to vocal and instrumental music education for children and young people.
The Artists in School Guidelines, developed jointly by the Arts Council and my Department, and issued to all schools in 2006, are an important resource in informing schools of how best to plan, implement and evaluate partnerships with local artists and organisations which will provide stimulating and interesting learning experiences for children. This type of initiative could be further strengthened through work experience programmes in schools for arts graduates.
165 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an itemised breakdown on all costs covered in the 13% fee that Bus Éireann charges his Department relating to school transport, which amounted to more than €18 million in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22887/11]
The factual position is that the school transport scheme administration heading, within the Bus Éireann school transport independently audited annual accounts, has in fact reduced from €18.7 million in 2009 to €16.7 million in 2011 (-10.7%). This categorisation is a legacy from the original 1970's agreement and originally it was a charge of 13% on certain defined costs. This figure covers some indirect costs, indirect support costs, indirect regional costs, property and a contribution. A more detailed breakdown of the administration heading is available on my Department's website and as set out below. I should add that the full school transport accounts for the 1999-2010 period are also available on the Department website.
Bus Éireann has committed to finding further cost reductions over the next three years.
School Transport Scheme "Admin Heading"
This categorisation and treatment is a legacy from the original 1970's agreement. Originally it was a charge of 13% on certain defined Direct Costs. More recently this charge has reduced following negotiations between the Department of Education and Skills and Bus Éireann.
In reality this covers
1) Some Direct costs
2) Indirect support costs
3) Indirect regional costs
4) Property
5) Contribution It should in fact be described as a Transport Management Charge and Indirect Costs. This charge has been reduced from €18.7m in 2009 to €16.7m (10.7%) in 2011 and Bus Éireann has committed to finding further cost reductions over the next three years. An apportionment of the overall company total of these costs is allocated to the School Transport Scheme.
A detailed breakdown of 2010 costs is set out in the following table:
|
No. |
Actual 2010 €m |
|
|
1. |
Direct Element |
3.8 |
|
2. |
Indirect Support |
2.8 |
|
3. |
Indirect Regional |
4.5 |
|
4. |
Property |
2.5 |
|
5. |
Bus Éireann Contribution |
4.6 |
|
Total |
18.2 |
1. Direct Element
This includes direct costs not included in the School Transport Account , a significant amount of which is for pension costs but it also includes other direct costs such as insurance and support, security and development of Information Technology and Telecoms services. An apportionment of the company total is allocated to the School Transport Scheme.
2. Indirect Support
This includes indirect support costs such as Finance, Human Resources, non payroll costs of School Transport Head Office, PR support and communications, advertising and community sponsorship measures, internal and external audit, corporate governance, legal and regulatory affairs, vetting, training, planning, implementation of plans and review, development of cost saving measures, central industrial relations, disciplinary and grievance procedures, complaints handling, treasury planning, safety and risk planning / monitoring, accident investigation and follow up, strategic direction, severe weather planning and liaison, Irish language, data protection, Gardaí and emergency service liaison, quality of standards setting, ensuring implementation of International best practice, regional co-ordination, etc. An apportionment of the total charge to the company of these costs is allocated to the School Transport Scheme.
3. Indirect Regional
This includes indirect regional costs incurred at the eleven local offices throughout Ireland, which provide services for both road passenger and school transport services and administration which include costs as described above at a regional level and costs such as payroll and procurement, building maintenance, cleaning and security, rates, utilities, clothing, regional training, cash security, health and safety, postage, stationery and printing, telephone costs, Accident and Incident investigation and follow up, industrial relations, disciplinary and grievance procedures, complaints handling, fuel monitoring, severe weather planning and liaison, community liaison, local authority, Gardaí and emergency service liaison. An apportionment of the total charge to the company of these costs is allocated to the School Transport Scheme.
4. Property
Property is required throughout the country in order to deliver the service required for the operation and management of the School Transport Scheme. A significant amount of CIÉ property is placed at the disposal of Bus Éireann for this purpose. An apportionment of these costs is allocated to the School Transport Scheme. Properties used in the School Transport Scheme are in most cases shared locations used for both the School Transport services and administration and Road Passenger activities. In some locations the properties are also used by both Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail.
In total there are 16 operational / administrative properties and 15 maintenance facilities throughout the country. School Transport is such a significant proportion of the activities of Bus Éireann that in the event that the company no longer operated the scheme, it is likely that all the company's property used for these purposes would have to be reviewed.
5. Bus Éireann Contribution
This provides funds for:
Specific capital investment in School Transport services and administration for example IT to deliver future cost savings.
Portion of general capital investment for example garage equipment that serves all three businesses — Commercial, PSO and School Transport.
Reduction of cost base through voluntary severance for schools staff (direct and support).
Return to risk associated with School Transport business.
Depreciation and Interest
This is the charge for Depreciation and interest on vehicles funded by the company. As at 31 December 2010 there were 578 vehicles in the School Transport fleet.
166 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on educating children with autism; if this Deputy will be furnished with a copy of same; the research underpinning same; and the date it was originally published. [22919/11]
The Deputy will be aware that policy can be expressed and manifested through a variety of forms. Explicitly, it is communicated via legislation, regulations, rulings, orders, plans, strategies, policy statements, and other forms — or through a combination of these. Therefore the Deputy will appreciate that specific policies and objectives are not always articulated in just one document.
In response to a previous request from the Deputy regarding my Department's policy on autism I outlined how my Department strives to ensure that a continuum of special education provision is available as required for children with special educational needs. In line with this approach the policy is to promote a child-centred approach to education of all children with special educational needs including those with autism. As each child with autism is unique they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs.
Children with autism present with a wide range of needs. Some children are capable of being fully integrated into mainstream schools without additional teaching or care supports. Others are able to attend mainstream schools but need additional teaching and/or care assistance. Many are best enrolled in autism-specific classes where more intensive and supportive interventions are required. Some may move from one setting to another as they get older and differing needs/strengths/abilities emerge.
The preferred policy of my Department is that children with autism are educated in school settings where children may have access to individualised education programmes (IEPs), fully-qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants, the appropriate school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with other pupils. Autism classes are established with a staffing ratio of 1 teacher and a minimum of 2 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) for every 6 children. Other SNAs may be allocated if required to meet the care needs of the children. Start-up grants are provided to the schools to enable special equipment to be purchased. Enhanced capitation is paid in respect of each child and assistive technology is funded where this is recommended. This approach promotes the maximum level of inclusion which accords with the intent of the EPSEN Act.
While some children may be able to attend a mainstream class, for others the most appropriate provision may be in a special class or unit in the school or in a special school. My Department supports provision in mainstream schools, some 430 special classes for autism attached to mainstream and special schools and 18 special schools for children with autism throughout the State which cater for the educational needs of some 5,000 children with autism, all of which operate within the policy parameters. This policy is based on advice received from international experts on autism, NEPS, the Inspectorate and the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism.
My Department is satisfied that research does not support the exclusive usage of any one approach as a basis for national educational provision for children with autism. It is for this reason that my Department's preferred policy is for a child centred approach where the approach to be taken is based on the individual child's needs. In arriving at the preferred policy which is currently in place, my Department has considered published research, including the Report of the Task Force on Autism (2001) and the Evaluation of Educational Provision for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (2006), both of which are available on my Department's website has also informed the policy. My Department was also mindful of contributions of many others experts at international conferences/visits have also informed the development views.
167 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all fees collected by FÁS for FETAC certification of the construction skills certification scheme have been paid in full to FETAC; when they were paid in full and the sum that payment amounts to since the scheme began in 2002. [22931/11]
In November 2010, FÁS and FETAC agreed the scope, waivers and payment of certification fees from April to December 2009, for 2010 and thereafter. Prior to April 2009, FÁS was not required to pay certification fees to FETAC. In March 2011 FÁS paid the full amount of monies due to FETAC for all FETAC Construction Skills Certification Scheme and Quarry Skills Certification Scheme awards, for 2009 and 2010. This amounted to €382,580.
To date for 2011, 4,033 CSCS/QSCS Awards have been issued and certificate fees amount to €80,660. Payment of these fees will be made in the final quarter of 2011.
168 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding for the Irish Centre for Talented Youth; and if he will reverse the discontinuation of this funding. [22963/11]
In view of the serious financial situation I regret that I do not have the resources to restore funding for the Irish Centre for Talented Youth. Given the current challenging economic climate, difficult choices will have to be made in order to further reduce public sector spending in line with the EU/IMF arrangements.
169 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a permanent funding stream from his Department for a law centre (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22978/11]
There is no funding available from my Department towards the costs of the law centre referred to by the Deputy. My Department does provide supports to eligible students attending specific courses in law at the Law Society of Ireland or the Honourable Society of King's Inns under the maintenance grant schemes. However, no funding is provided to these institutions towards the cost of their operations.
170 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to provide school transport for persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23016/11]
Changes in the School Transport Scheme were announced by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme. One of the changes announced included the increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to establish or retain a school transport service.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that in this case, the number of applications from eligible pupils has fallen below the minimum number requirement and consequently the service will not operate for the 2011/12 school year. As is currently the position, families of eligible pupils, for whom there is no school transport service available, may apply for a remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
It is essential to stress that the wider context within which 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.
171 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed in third level educational institutions who are paid in excess of €150,000, €200,000 and €250,000; the names of the institutions employing them; the numbers in each institution earning above that figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23072/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is listed in the following table and is based on information supplied by each of the Institutions concerned.
|
Institution |
€150,000—€199,000 |
€200,000—€249,000 |
€250,000+ |
|
Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
UCD |
13 |
17 |
1 |
|
UCC |
12 |
34 |
0 |
|
NUIG |
10 |
21 |
0 |
|
NUIM |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
TCD |
13 |
20 |
2 |
|
University of Limerick |
8 |
5 |
0 |
|
Dublin City University |
11 |
0 |
0 |
|
NCAD |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Athlone IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Blanchardstown IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Carlow IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork IT |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
DIT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dundalk IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Duacute;n Laoghaire IADT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway Mayo IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Letterkenny IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tallaght IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tralee IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford IT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
91 |
97 |
3 |
172 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an extra special needs assistant in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23077/11]
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 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.
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.
The NCSE issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme is to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE has now advised all mainstream schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy in Baldoyle, of their SNA allocation for the current school year, taking into account the care needs of qualifying pupils attending the school.
I wish to clarify that 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.
The Deputy will also be aware that SNA allocations are provided, in accordance with the terms of my Departments Circular 07/02, to provide for the care needs of qualifying pupils with special educational needs. The SNA role does not provide for teaching of a child, which is the role of the class teacher, or which may be supported by an additional resource teaching allocation.
The NCSE will advise schools early in the new school year of any review process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism. It will be expected that schools, before requesting a review, will be in a position to demonstrate that they have made every effort to manage their allocation of SNA posts to best effect.
173 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Donegal has a range of class sizes of 30 or more pupils; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that these are some of the largest class sizes in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23087/11]
175 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason class sizes are increasing in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23125/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 175 together.
Class size data for all primary schools is compiled by my Department on an annual basis and is available on the Department's website. The most recently published data relates to the 2010/11 school year. The staffing schedule is the mechanism used for allocating mainstream teaching posts to all schools. It currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils. Schools have autonomy on how these posts are deployed to individual classes.
School authorities are advised in the staffing schedule to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). In particular, they should ensure, as far as possible, that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and the differential between the largest and the smallest classes is kept to a minimum. With over 20,000 individual classes spread across all schools throughout the country there will always be differences in individual class sizes.
174 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the fact that parents with dyslexic children must present a report of a three-hour assessment carried out by an educational psychologist at a cost of almost €500 to get support for junior certificate examinations (details supplied). [23110/11]
The State Examinations Commission's (SEC) scheme of Reasonable Accommodations is designed to assist candidates with special needs at the certificate examinations. The term special needs applies to candidates who have physical/medical and or specific learning difficulties. Applications for reasonable accommodations are considered within a published framework of principles. Reasonable Accommodations are designed to remove as far as possible the impact of a disability on a candidate's performance, so as he or she can demonstrate in the examination his or her level of achievement — they are not designed to compensate for a possible lack of achievement arising from a disability.
Accommodations are granted under the scheme to students who fall within specific criteria. The existence of a specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) does not automatically entitle an examination candidate to such special arrangements. Even though candidates may have a specific difficulty with reading, writing or spelling, they may not require the provision of any special facilities provided that they can read the question papers of the required level and write legibly. Decisions are made on foot of the evidence supporting a candidate's application, including educational psychological assessments, as to whether his or her special needs fall within the parameters set for the granting of an accommodation.
Some information on how the scheme operates may be of help in understanding the process. There is no obligation on schools or parents to provide a private psychological assessment in support of their application for reasonable accommodations. However, many parents choose to provide such report in support of their application. There is a fundamental difference in how the scheme operates between Junior and Leaving Certificate level. At Junior Certificate level the application process was changed in 2001 to expedite decisions and allow schools a larger degree of autonomy.
The key features of the SEC's approach on the Junior Certificate are: A series of tailored application forms that match the more common special needs that give rise to applications
Elimination of the requirement for supporting medical evidence in most cases
Elimination of the requirement for submission to the SEC of psychological assessments or samples of course work in the case of students with specific learning difficulties
Provision for the application to be signed by a school representative other than the principal
Essentially the SEC accepts a school's confirmation on the application form as sufficient evidence to enable the arrangement. Put simply, if the candidate's special need has been established by the school, there is no need to provide documentary evidence to the SEC.
To guide the school in its determination, the SEC provides a set of guidelines to schools to help them determine the eligibility of a candidate for accommodations. This procedure is designed to reduce the administrative burden on schools and essentially empowers the school itself to put reasonable accommodations in place. This approach reduces the amount of preparatory work and documentation collation for schools in preparing applications. However, a key feature of the Junior Certificate model is that, where an accommodation is approved for Junior Certificate, it does not automatically follow that approval will be granted for Leaving Certificate. A fresh application is required in respect of the Leaving Certificate and each will be considered on its own merits. This position is clearly outlined in the documentation that issues to schools annually in relation to the operation of the Scheme.
At Leaving Certificate decisions in relation to applications for reasonable accommodations are taken having regard to the circumstances of each individual case. Applications on the grounds of a specific learning difficulty are referred the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) for consideration in the first instance.
In cases where a school/parent or student is dissatisfied with any aspect of SEC's decision, at either Junior or Leaving Certificate level, they have access to an Independent Appeals Committee. All members of the Appeals Committee are drawn from outside the SEC. The remit of the Appeals Committee covers appeals against all elements of a decision taken by the SEC. All appeals are considered within a published framework of principles.
176 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason college registration fees have increased from €1,500 to €2,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23126/11]
217 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a family with two or three children in third level college; and if there is a reduction in fees. [24005/11]
228 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the cost of registration fees for those undertaking third level undergraduate courses; the subsequent cost to families if a number of children in the family are undertaking higher level education at the same time; and the reason costs must be paid up-front to educational institutions and the only method of reimbursement is through tax relief. [24199/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 217 and 228 together.
The economic circumstances of the country are such that the previous Fianna Fail-Green Party Government introduced a new Student Contribution Charge of €2,000 from this September. The Programme for Government commits the Government to implementing the decisions of the 2011 Budget, which was passed by the last Dáil. The new student contribution will replace the previous Student Services Charge and will apply to students who qualify for ‘free fees'. The contribution will be paid by the Exchequer on behalf of student grant-holders who last year amounted to some 46% of students in receipt of free fees.
Conscious of financial pressures on families tax relief provisions have been put in place so that second and subsequent siblings will not have to bear the full cost increase. Based on current rates of relief, the effective cost of the student contribution, net of tax relief, for second and subsequent siblings will be €1,600 each. An additional category of "50% Student Contribution" has been also been included in the student grants scheme. Institutions have also been asked to allow students to pay the contribution in two moieties.
177 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will cease the educational cuts to the primary education system. [23148/11]
My Department's expenditure on the primary education system is determined within the context of the parameters of the EU/IMF Programme of Support for Ireland. It is not possible to reverse budgetary measures that have already been put in place or give commitments about any future measures that may be required.
The Government will endeavour to protect frontline education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. All areas of Government will have to manage on a reduced level of resources. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.
178 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason persons from Gaeltacht areas require fewer points for teaching than persons in other areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23161/11]
The Colleges of Education operate a number of reduced points and direct entry schemes including streams for mature students, students from disadvantaged areas and students eligible under the Gaeltacht scheme. Provision is made for up to ten per cent of the teacher training places in the Colleges of Education to be reserved for applicants who reside in the officially designated Gaeltacht, and the normal language of whose home is Irish. The special entry competition is in accordance with Government policy for the support and promotion of the Gaeltachtaí and of the use of the Irish language as a community language. In order to achieve these objectives, it is essential to ensure an adequate supply of teachers for the schools in the Gaeltacht. It is also considered highly desirable that children from Gaeltacht areas would be taught by teachers who are native speakers of the dialect spoken by the children in order to maintain and develop children's fluency in the local dialect.
The scheme requires the reservation of up to 10% of places on teacher training courses for Gaeltacht applicants with any places not being taken up distributed to mainstream candidates. The scheme does not provide for a difference in entry points depending on candidate; rather this is dictated by market forces of supply and demand and is within the remit of the Central Applications Office. Given the fewer numbers of Gaeltacht applicants, points required for admission as a Gaeltacht applicant may be lower than otherwise required. However it is important to note that Gaeltacht applicants who secure places do not necessarily have lower points than other mainstream applicants.
The Teaching Council now has a remit to advise the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the minimum standards of educational qualifications required for entry into programmes of teacher education and has been asked, when formulating its advice on entry standards, to provide specific advice on the Gaeltacht entry scheme.
179 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the Finnish education system (details supplied); his plans to adopt some of the main themes of this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23168/11]
The results of the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), undertaken in 65 countries in 2009, were published on 7 December 2010. Finland scored above the OECD average in reading literacy, mathematics and science, and is often cited as an example of excellence in educational practice. Whilst there are no plans to specifically adopt the Finnish education system, educational policies are informed by many factors including international research and experiences of educational practices. The two principles of the Finnish education system referred to in this question: an egalitarian system and regular systemic student assessment are, I believe, vitally important.
An objective of Finnish education policy is to achieve as high a level of education and competence as possible for the whole population. I am also committed to ensuring that all students reach their potential and providing additional supports for those students who require them. There are a range of existing provisions in place to achieve this. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion was introduced in 2005, and provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and an integrated School Support Programme (SSP). As a result of the identification and review processes, 876 schools were included in the School Support Programme (SSP) under DEIS. These comprise 676 primary schools (urban and rural) and 200 second-level schools. DEIS provides various supports for both primary and post primary schools including a reduced pupil teacher ratio in primary schools in urban areas with most disadvantage.
An evaluation of DEIS has been undertaken by the Educational Research Centre on behalf of my Department and a report of this evaluation is expected shortly. The outcomes of the ERC evaluation will inform any future changes to the current programme. In July of this year I launched the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People, "Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life", which aims to ensure that no child leaves school without having mastered literacy and numeracy skills. The Strategy contains 6 key areas which include helping students with additional learning needs to achieve their potential and improving assessment and evaluation to support better learning.
In relation to a policy of regular student assessment, I agree that when used properly this can provide useful information about the progress of individual students and also inform schools in their self-evaluation processes. The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy emphasises the importance of assessment for learning which gives an indication of the progress that students have made in achieving the learning outcomes that are set out in the curriculum. Standardised test are identified by the Strategy as one important tool which can be used to monitor student progress. The Strategy provides for standardised tests for students in second, fourth and sixth classes in primary school and for students in second-year at post-primary school.
180 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school place for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23169/11]
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 Educational 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, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. 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.
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.
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The document,"Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment" contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling in schools more open, equitable and consistent and I am inviting education partners and interested parties to submit their views to my Department by the 28th of October.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the NEWB in Portmarnock is National Educational Welfare Board, Block 3, Floor 1, Grove Court, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, phone number 01-8103261.
182 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the results being achieved in State examinations in mathematics, he will review the use of calculators in the primary curriculum and the subsequent effect this has on future performance in State examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23217/11]
In line with international best practice, the Primary School Curriculum (1999) advocates the use of resources to develop mathematics concepts. This includes the use of calculators from Fourth Class onwards. In Irish primary schools, calculators are primarily used to check answers and perform routine calculations and best practice includes their use to enhance mathematics reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Whilst some people believe that calculators can harm rather than enhance a pupil's mathematical skills, this is not supported by research evidence. A recent study in Ireland (Close et al, 2008) reports that, correctly used, calculators can improve performance on more complex mathematical concepts and skills, and on problem-solving. This is also reflected in international research.
The reforms that I have announced as part of the national literacy and numeracy strategy include increased provision for teacher education at the pre-service stage, during the induction phase in the early stages of a teacher's career and as part of every teacher's continuing professional development. As a result of enhanced professional development, I am confident that teachers will have a better understanding of the effective use of calculators to support better teaching and learning in Mathematics.
184 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of spending using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit cards. [23311/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. For the Deputy's information, details to date for 2011 are also included.
|
Expense Account Credit Card Holder |
Credit Limit |
Year |
Expenditure |
|
Minister*—Batt O’Keeffe |
€10,000 |
2008 |
€1,760.48 |
|
2009 |
€61.00 |
||
|
Private Secretary to The Minister |
€10,000 |
2007 |
€1,056.35 |
|
2008 |
€2,806.45 |
||
|
2009 |
€3,901.65 |
||
|
7,500 |
2010 |
€816.53 |
|
|
2011 |
€1,049.76 |
||
|
Private Secretary to The Minister of State |
€8,000 |
2007 |
€4,716.00 |
|
2008 |
€1,878.00 |
||
|
2009 |
€732.33 |
||
|
2010 |
€395.00 |
||
|
2011 |
€30.00 |
||
|
Principal Officer — IT Unit** |
Debit Card — No Limit |
2007 |
€590.90 |
|
2008 |
€1,013.90 |
||
|
2009 |
€663.51 |
* This Credit Card not in use post-2009.
**This Credit Card not in use post-2009.
|
Date of Purchase |
Item Purchased |
Location of Purchase |
Cost |
Reason for Purchase |
|
19/10/2008 |
Air France |
95 Roissy CH D |
€556.34 |
Official Business — Travel for official delegation to China |
|
19/10/2008 |
Air France |
96 Roissy CH D |
€556.34 |
Official Business — Travel for official delegation to China |
|
19/10/2008 |
Air France |
97 Roissy CH D |
€556.34 |
Official Business — Travel for official delegation to China |
|
25/10/2008 |
The St Regis Beijing |
Beijing |
€60.46 |
Official Delegation to China *(this charge was discharged to Department by Minister O’Keeffe) |
|
2008 |
Annual Fee |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
Total 2008 |
€1,760.48 |
|||
|
2009 |
Annual Fee |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
Government Stamp Duty |
€30.00 |
Government Stamp Duty |
||
|
Total 2009 |
€61.00 |
|
Date of Purchase |
Item Purchased |
Location of Purchase |
Cost |
Reason for Purchase |
|
28/11/2007 |
Radisson SAS |
Dublin |
€310.00 |
Official Business — Room hire for meeting |
|
16/11/2007 |
Brussels Marriott |
Brussels |
€287.00 |
Official Business — Accommodation for PSM only. |
|
09/04/2007 |
Imperial Hotel |
€185.00 |
Official Business — Meeting & dinner for delegation at the INTO annual conference -Dinner for 5 Officials |
|
|
03/02/2007 |
MacNamaras Pharmacy |
Dublin |
€63.85 |
Official Business — Medication for Official Trip to Zambia |
|
22/01/2007 |
Grafton Street Medical Centre |
Dublin |
€110.50 |
Official Business- Travel vaccinations for Official Trip to Zambia |
|
2007 |
American Express Annual Fee |
€100.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
Total for 2007 |
€1,056.35 |
|||
|
01/12/2008 |
The Italian Connection |
Dublin |
€62.65 |
Official Business Lunch |
|
01/12/2008 |
Clerys |
Dublin |
€18.95 |
Official Expense — Electrical Equipment, Minister’s Office |
|
17/11/2008 |
McDermott’s Bar and restaurant |
CastleBaldwin |
€96.90 |
Dinner after school visits *(this charge was discharged to Department by Minister O’Keeffe) |
|
14/11/2008 |
City North Hotel |
Gormanstown |
€29.45 |
Breakfast meeting pre Gaelscoileanna Conference *(this charge was discharged to Department by Minister O’Keeffe) |
|
14/11/2008 |
AerLingus Flight Sales |
Dublin |
€10.00 |
Official Travel — Ministerial Seminar of the Ministers of Education of the Council of Europe-Inflight Refreshment |
|
13/11/2008 |
Aer Lingus Inflight sales |
Dublin |
€12.00 |
Official Travel — Ministerial Seminar of the Ministers of Education of the Council of Europe- Inflight Refreshment |
|
06/11/2008 |
Sheraton Carlton |
Nuremburg |
€338.00 |
Official Business Accommodation — Ministerial Seminar of the Minister of Education of the Council of Europe |
|
06/11/2008 |
O’Shea’s Pub |
Nuremburg |
€48.30 |
Dinner *(this charge was discharged to Department by Minister O’Keeffe) |
|
06/11/2008 |
ICP International Cash PR |
Schwalbach |
€6.00 |
Official Expense — Cash charge |
|
06/11/2008 |
Allresto |
Munich |
€13.80 |
Official Business — Munich Airport-Refreshment |
|
06/11/2008 |
Allresto |
Munich |
€2.00 |
Official Business — Munich Airport-Refreshment |
|
05/11/2008 |
Taxi |
Hamburg |
€5.80 |
Official Business — Travel Expense Ministerial Seminar of the Minister of Education of the Council of Europe |
|
27/10/2008 |
Airsavings |
Boulogne |
€9.00 |
Official Expense |
|
27/10/2008 |
Aer Arann |
Dublin |
€49.73 |
Official Business — Travel Expense Dublin to Cork |
|
27/10/2008 |
Aer Arann |
Dublin |
€57.37 |
Official Business — Travel Expense Cork to Dublin |
|
22/05/2008 |
Brussels Marriott Hotel |
Brussels |
612.00 |
Official Business — Accommodation for Minister and Private secretary |
|
02/05/2008 |
Mount Falcon Castle |
Ballina |
145.00 |
Official Business — Accommodation for Minister Hanafin |
|
26/02/2008 |
Stillorgan Park Hotel |
Dublin |
132.50 |
Official Business — Room hire for meeting including refreshments |
|
24/01/2008 |
Ritz-carlton hotel Berlin |
Berlin |
996.00 |
Official Business — Accommodation for World Seminar organised by Microsoft (Minister & PSM) |
|
2008 |
Annual Fee |
Not on file. |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
2008 |
American Express Annual Fee |
€100.00 |
American Express Annual Fee |
|
|
28/04/2008 |
Govt. Stamp Duty — American Express |
€30.00 |
Govt. Stamp Duty — American Express |
|
|
Total for 2008 |
€2,806.45 |
|||
|
09/12/2009 |
Dublin Airport Authority |
Dublin |
95.00 |
Entry fee for 4 to Anna Livia suite in Dublin Airport before Brussels trip-Discount for 1 member |
|
26/11/2009 |
Sofitel Brussels Euro |
Brussels |
470.00 |
Official Business Accommodation — Education Council Meeting (Minister & PSM) |
|
17/11/2009 |
Westin Hotel |
Dublin |
305.50 |
Official Business — Deposit for lunch for Minister meeting with Delegates from Saudi Arabia |
|
24/09/2009 |
Radisson SAS Hotel |
Dublin |
55.40 |
Official Business — Minister meeting with Microsoft International-Refreshments |
|
17/09/2009 |
Radisson — Royal Hotel |
Dublin |
13.40 |
Official Business Meeting — Minister launching event to publicise the referencing of National Qualifications Framework to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning-Refreshments |
|
09/07/2009 |
Novotel |
Paris |
€408.60 |
Official Business Accommodation — UNESCO/Microsoft Education Leaders Forum |
|
12/05/2009 |
Sofitel |
Brussels |
€600.00 |
Official Business Accommodation — Education Council Meeting |
|
14/05/2009 |
Ryanair |
Dublin |
€180.36 |
Official Business — Travel Expense Minister Cork to Dublin |
|
29/03/2009 |
Ryanair |
Dublin |
€49.21 |
Cabinet Meeting — Travel Expense Minister Dublin to Cork |
|
14/04/2009 |
Silver Tassie |
Letterkenny |
€70.00 |
Official Business Accommodation — Minister attending INTO annual conference |
|
14/04/2009 |
Silver Tassie |
Letterkenny |
€30.00 |
Official Expense — Printing Service |
|
16/03/2009 |
Begyhofcongress Hotel |
Leuven |
€960.00 |
Official Business — Accommodation prepaid — Bologne Conference 27-29 April 2009 |
|
18/02/2009 |
City North Hotel |
Gormanstown |
€17.90 |
Official Business — North/South meeting— Refreshments |
|
16/02/2009 |
Sofitel Brussels Euro |
Brussels |
€477.00 |
Official Business Accommodation — Education Council Meeting |
|
04/02/2009 |
Ritz Carlton Hotel |
Manama |
€26.70 |
Official Business -Minister accompanying President McAleese to the Kingdom of Bahrain -Refreshments |
|
04/02/2009 |
Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel |
Seef District |
€111.58 |
Official Business -Minister accompanying President McAleese to the Kingdom of Bahrain -Dining |
|
2009 |
Annual Fee |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
Total for 2009: |
€3,901.65 |
|||
|
28/12/2010 |
Raheen Woods Hotel |
€89.00 |
Raheen Woods Hotel (Official Business) — Accommodation for Tánaiste |
|
|
28/12/2010 |
Meadow Court Hotel |
€82.80 |
Meadow Court Hotel — Business Lunch Meeting |
|
|
28/11/2010 |
Annual Fee |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
28/09/2010 |
Government Fee/Membership Credit |
€27.12 |
Government Fee/Membership Credit |
|
|
28/09/2010 |
Government Fee/Membership Credit |
€27.12 |
Government Fee/Membership Credit |
|
|
28/07/2010 |
Purchase Interest |
0.44 |
Purchase Interest |
|
|
28/07/2010 |
Purchase Interest |
€1.12 |
Purchase Interest |
|
|
28/06/2010 |
Purchase Interest |
€0.45 |
Purchase Interest |
|
|
28/06/2010 |
AerArann flights |
€78.17 |
AerArann flights |
|
|
28/04/2010 |
The Clayton Hotel Official Business |
Galway |
€378.50 |
Teacher conferences (Accommodation for Tánaiste & Private Secretary for 2 nights, photocopying & refreshments. |
|
01/04/2010 |
Government Stamp Duty |
n/a |
€30.00 |
Government Stamp Duty |
|
28/03/2010 |
Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel |
€69.41 |
Business Meeting with Korean Ambassador-Refreshments |
|
|
28/01/2010 |
n/a |
n/a |
€1.40 |
interest charged |
|
Total for 2010 |
€816.53 |
|||
|
28/05/2011 |
Anatolia Restaurant |
€641.50 |
Working Dinner Senior Management Meeting |
|
|
28/05/2011 |
Tullamore Court Hotel |
€67.07 |
(Official Business) — Accommodation for Minister |
|
|
28/05/2011 |
City North Hotel |
€18.65 |
Business Lunch |
|
|
28/05/2011 |
Brussels Schuman |
€145.00 |
(Official Business) -Accommodation for Minister |
|
|
28/05/2011 |
Brussels Schuman |
€145.00 |
(Official Business) -Accommodation for Private Sec |
|
|
01/04/2011 |
Government Stamp Duty |
€30.00 |
Government Stamp Duty |
|
|
28/01/2011 |
Purchase Interest |
€2.54 |
Purchase Interest |
|
|
Total for 2011 |
€1,049.76 |
|
Date of Purchase |
Item Purchased |
Location of Purchase |
Cost |
Reason for Purchase |
|
20/10/2007 |
Hotel St Honore |
Paris |
€4,000.00 |
Attendance of Minister, Private secretary and Department official at UNESCO meeting |
|
15/10/2007 |
Hotel St Honore |
Paris |
€168.00 |
Official Business- Attendance of Minister, Private secretary and Department official at UNESCO meeting |
|
16/02/2007 |
Brussels Marriott Hotel |
Brussels |
€289.00 |
Official Business- Accommodation in Brussels for Minister and Private secretary re Education, Youth and Culture Council of Ministers |
|
16/02/2007 |
Brussels Marriott Hotel |
Brussels |
€194.00 |
Official Business- Accommodation in Brussels for Minister and Private secretary re Education, Youth and Culture Council of Ministers |
|
2007 |
Annual Fee |
€25.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
2007 |
Government Stamp Duty |
€40.00 |
Government Stamp Duty |
|
|
Total |
€4,716.00 |
|||
|
21/11/2008 |
Sofitel Brussels Euro |
Brussels |
€585.00 |
Official Business- Accommodation in Brussels for Minister and Private secretary re Education, Youth and Culture Council of Ministers |
|
26/02/2008 |
P&J O Callaghan |
Killarney |
€300.00 |
Official Business- Transport for Minister when he officially opened National Association of Youthreach Co-ordinators Annual Conference in Killarney |
|
14/02/2008 |
Brussels Marriott Hotel |
Brussels |
€542.00 |
Official Business- Accommodation in Brussels for Minister and Private secretary re Education, Youth and Culture Council of Ministers |
|
06/02/2008 |
Dromoland Castle |
Clare |
€390.00 |
Official Business- Accommodation for Minister and Private Secretary — Minister officially addressed IVEA Annual Conference in Mayo and opened Adult Education Centres in Shannon and Ennis |
|
2008 |
Annual Fee |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
01/04/2008 |
Government Stamp Duty |
€30.00 |
Government Stamp Duty |
|
|
Total |
€1,878.00 |
|||
|
01/04/2009 |
Government Stamp Duty |
€30.00 |
||
|
28/10/2009 |
Pullman Eiffel — Paris |
Paris |
€661.57 |
OECD Meeting in Paris |
|
28/11/2009 |
Interest |
€9.76 |
Interest Charged |
|
|
27/11/2009 |
Annual Fee |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
Total |
€732.33 |
|||
|
01/04/2010 |
Government Stamp Duty |
€30.00 |
||
|
19/11/2010 |
Carlton Hotel, Brussels |
€334.00 |
Official Business — Carlton Hotel Brussels — Attendance at Education Council Meeting in Brussels |
|
|
26/11/2010 |
Annual Fee |
€31.00 |
Annual Fee |
|
|
Total |
€395.00 |
|||
|
01/04/2011 |
Government Stamp Duty |
€30.00 |
||
|
Total |
€30.00 |
185 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23341/11]
186 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/11]
187 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23371/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together.
At a Government meeting held on the 15th March, 2011, it was decided to reduce the number of staff permitted in Minister's Private Offices from 10 to 8 and Minister of State's Private Offices from 7 to 5. The number of staff permitted in Minister's Constituency Offices has been reduced from 6 to 4 and Ministers of State's Constituency Offices from 5 to 3. The staffing of these offices at my Department is in accordance with these reduced parameters.
Since I have taken office I have appointed 2 Special Advisers. It should be noted that there were 3 Special Advisers, as allowed under Department of Finance guidelines, appointed by the then Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills from March 2010 to March 2011 to allow for additional duties in respect of her role as Tánaiste. Salary costs in respect of these Advisers are set out in the following table. There are currently 4 officers in my Constituency Office and 8 officers in my Private Office. Salary details in respect of each office are set out in the following table.
There are currently 3(2.8 fte*) officers in the Constituency Office and 5 officers in the Private Office of Minister of State Ciarán Cannon, T.D. Salary details in respect of each office are set out in the following table. There is also 1 Private Secretary appointed to Mr Seán Sherlock, T.D., and Minister of State for Research & Innovation in my Department. Their salary to date in 2011 is set out in the following table. The salaries paid to the civil servants are in accordance with the Department of Finance salary scales for the relevant grades. The salaries paid to the non-civil servant staff are in accordance with the Department of Finance Instructions relating to the Appointment of Ministerial Private Office Staff.
* Full time equivalent
|
Year |
Gross Salary Cost |
|
1st January to date 2011 |
€161,752 |
|
2010 |
€246,637 |
|
2009 |
€192,269 |
|
2011 — 1st January to date 2011 |
Gross Annual Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
€181,107 |
|
Constituency Office |
€128,912 |
|
2010 |
Gross Annual Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
€238,671 |
|
Constituency Office |
€238,465 |
|
2009 |
Annual Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
€245,667 |
|
Constituency Office |
€256,031 |
|
2011 — 1st January to date 2011 |
Gross Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
€152,595 |
|
Constituency Office |
€76,666 |
|
2010 |
Gross Annual Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
€159,460 |
|
Constituency Office |
€195,586 |
|
2009 |
Gross Annual Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
€192,425 |
|
Constituency Office |
€198,346 |
Private Secretary appointed to Mr Seán Sherlock, T.D., Minister of State for Research and Innovation in the Department of Education and Skills
|
Year |
Gross Salary Costs of Private Secretary |
|
2 June to date in 2011 |
€15,655.58 |
188 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review school transport catchment boundaries in a location (details supplied) in County Kerry due to exceptional circumstances in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23386/11]
Under the current terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils are eligible for transport if they reside 4.8 kilometres or more from their local post primary education centre, that is the centre serving the catchment area in which they reside.
The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who choose to send their children to a post-primary centre outside of the catchment area in which they reside. However, children who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These children can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their ‘own' post-primary centre have been catered for. Such children have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area.
Changes in the School Transport Scheme were announced by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme. One of these changes includes the cessation of the use of the above catchment boundary system. Eligibility for school transport for all new pupils entering post-primary from the 2012/13 school year will be determined by the distance they reside from their nearest post-primary centre or school. Existing eligible post primary pupils will retain their eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle provided they continue to meet the terms of the current scheme.
189 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make Irish a subject of choice in the leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23389/11]
This Government is committed to supporting the overall thrust of 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, and to the delivery of the goals and targets proposed. As part of this, a thorough reform of the Irish curriculum and the way Irish is taught at primary and second level will be undertaken. The priority is to take steps to improve the quality and effectiveness of the teaching of Irish. Only when these steps have been implemented, the question of whether Irish should be optional at Leaving Certificate will be considered.
A revised Leaving Certificate curriculum in Irish began in all schools in September 2010 for first examination in 2012. The revised programme provides for an increase in the proportion of marks available for oral assessment to 40%, and is aimed at promoting a significant shift in emphasis towards Irish as a spoken language, where students can communicate and interact in a spontaneous way, and where Irish is spoken every day in schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has been asked to review this syllabus in the light of the experiences of students in the first examination.
190 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers with maths degrees who will be recruited by schools ahead of the new academic year. [23401/11]
191 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the breakdown of qualified maths teachers by age; and the number of teachers who are nearing retirement. [23402/11]
192 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of leaving certificate students being taught by a teacher who does not hold a qualification. [23403/11]
193 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of unqualified maths teachers who are teaching the subject; the breakdown of the number of unqualified maths teachers in public versus private schools, or by geographical area, or by gender. [23404/11]
194 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified maths teachers teaching here; and if he will contact each secondary school to find out whether it has enough qualified maths teachers. [23405/11]
195 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if any study has been completed on the relationship between maths grades and the qualification of teachers. [23406/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 195, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Teaching Council that there are almost 4,100 qualified Maths teachers currently on the register of teachers. Of these, just over 500 teachers are aged between 55 and 59 (nearing retirement), while less than 230 are aged 60 and over.
In relation to the qualifications of those currently teaching mathematics in post-primary schools, the Teaching Council has carried out a survey on this subject. The results of the survey shows that out of a total of 2,045 teachers teaching maths in 258 schools, 1,400 teachers are fully qualified to do so, 596 teachers have undergone some studies in maths and only 49 have no third level qualifications/studies in maths. The survey helps us to get a clearer picture of what is actually happening on the ground in these schools and the data allows us to plan to meet the training needs of teachers over the coming years. The Council has not advised on the breakdown of maths teachers in different categories of schools, by gender, or location, nor is this information currently available to the Department.
Recruitment of teachers is a matter for individual schools and therefore it is not possible for me to say how many teachers with maths degrees will be recruited for this academic year. However, schools have been directed by my Department, as far as practicable, to appoint only appropriately qualified and registered teachers. The appointment and deployment of teachers within schools is also a matter for schools themselves.
197 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on a school bus run (details supplied) in County Mayo. [23434/11]
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that they are awaiting payment from a number of eligible pupils who applied for transport. A service will be established and tickets will be issued when payment is received from a minimum number of 10 eligible pupils.
198 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23443/11]
The expenditure incurred by my Department's IT Unit in 2010 was €1.334m on capital and €1.783m on current. There is provision of €2m for capital and €2.395m for current expenditure in 2011.
The purchase of IT equipment by my Department is on the basis of a competitive tendering process, conducted in compliance with national and EU rules. There are framework arrangements in place, managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and used by my Department, for the purchase of personal computers (including notebooks) and printers. These frameworks maximise volume discounts and allow government departments and agencies to operate much simpler procurement processes for such equipment. The method used to procure IT equipment not covered by the framework arrangements, is determined by the estimated value of the contract. It is recommended that three quotes be obtained for purchases less than €5,000. A minimum of three written quotes must be obtained in respect of purchases between €5,000 and €10,000. Contracts in excess of €10,000 are advertised on the eTenders website. In addition, contracts in excess of €125,000 must also be advertised on the Official Journal of the European Union website.
Bodies under the aegis of my Department have budgets for the purchase of IT equipment and are obliged to comply with national and EU procurement rules. In accordance with the 2009 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Chairperson of each state body must furnish to the relevant Minister in conjunction with the annual report and accounts of the body a comprehensive report to include an affirmation that ‘all appropriate procedures for financial reporting, internal audit, travel, procurement and asset disposal are being carried out'.
199 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23470/11]
Departmental submissions to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the Reports submitted as part of the CRE process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
200 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal by a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23534/11]
I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has made an application to my Department for funding towards the provision of additional accommodation at the school. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application has been approved and the school authorities have been informed in writing.
201 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost per square foot of constructing school extensions and new school buildings in rural locations; the comparative cost to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23547/11]
A fundamental element of the building cost limits for all school building projects is the Basic Building Cost (BBC). The Basic Building Cost is expressed as a cost per square metre of the new build floor area. My Department keeps the Basic Building Cost under review in line with cost developments in the construction industry generally and the cost of school building projects in particular.
The current Basic Building Cost, effective from January 2011, is €930 per square metre, which equates to approximately €86 per square foot. This compares with the Basic Building Cost which applied in 2008 which was €1,230 per square metre (approximately €114 per square foot).
The Basic Building Cost extant at any particular time applies to both urban and rural areas and applies equally to new build areas in extensions and new schools alike.
Other elements which can affect the overall cost of a school building project include External Works, Abnormal Costs and site acquisition costs. These elements can vary from site to site and from project to project.
202 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding is available to a person with children who has been accepted to attend a post leaving certificate course to help with the cost of child care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23593/11]
My Department funds a provision for student support for learners attending PLC courses. Under the terms of the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to learners who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The person should contact their local Vocational Education Committee (VEC) to establish their eligibility.
In addition, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs subsidises the childcare and preschool fees of disadvantaged and lower income families under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme. Parents are charged the cost price of their childcare, less any subvention they qualify for. Subventions under the scheme depend on the level of service, and the level of disadvantage of the parents. The person can contact their local County Childcare Committee for more information.
203 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person whose responsibility it is to inform parents that a school bus route has been withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23597/11]
Changes in the School Transport Scheme were announced by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme.
One of the changes announced included an increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to establish or retain a school transport service.
In June, School Transport Section of my Department wrote to the Boards of Management of schools where the number of applications from eligible pupils had fallen below this minimum number requirement.
In addition, a list of the schools likely to be affected by this change was posted on my Department's website.
The situation in relation to the establishment, withdrawal or retention of school transport services changed frequently throughout the summer months as late applications and payments were received from eligible pupils. Some services that were identified for withdrawal were subsequently reinstated.
In light of this, it was not practical to communicate directly with individual families.
204 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of oral examinations at both junior and leaving certificate level; if proposals are in place to change the process of conducting oral examinations to lower the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23615/11]
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.
205 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of funding teacher upskilling courses run by the National Centre for Technology in Education; the breakdown for funding each of these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23783/11]
In 2010, the NCTE provided teacher Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to 11,353 teachers via the education centre network and on-line. The cost of delivery of this CPD in 2010 was € 958,751.22. A wide range of courses is provided by NCTE consisting of standard, NCTE-designed courses, courses tailored to the needs of the school (known as Whole School Training), more informal support groups and on-line courses.
Course delivery costs are based on standard rates for all face to face courses in respect of tutor fees, venues, travel and subsistence, administration etc. Course costs therefore vary based on the course duration and the number of participants rather than on the course title.
206 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of funding from his Department for the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation run courses under the National Centre for Technology in Education; if he will provide a breakdown of these costs for each course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23784/11]
In 2010, the NCTE funded the INTO to provide 2 courses to 597 teachers in total. The total cost was €52,966.20 (including the cost of course updates, tutor training, administration and related fees). Courses for which the delivery was part-funded in 2010 were:
Supporting and Developing ICT as a Teaching and Learning Resource
Beyond 2020: Using Technology in the Primary School.
The funding is not currently broken down by course. A breakdown of the funding is as follows:
|
€ |
|
|
Course Development Costs: |
1,200.00 |
|
Tutor Training Costs: |
8,849.02 |
|
Face to Face Delivery Costs: |
24,670.32 |
|
On-line Course Delivery Costs: |
8,753.33 |
|
Administration, Auditing & Accounting fee: |
9,493.53 |
|
Total |
52,966.20 |
207 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of teacher training upskilling courses run by the National Centre for Technology in Education which are not alternatively provided by private sector education providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23785/11]
NCTE courses are unique in that they are designed and delivered by qualified teachers based on nationally and locally identified need and government priorities, such as literacy and numeracy. They are available throughout the year and are fully funded by NCTE, so that teachers do not have to pay course fees. Most courses are delivered face to face to ensure that teachers gain adequate hands-on practical skills combined with the knowledge of how to use ICT as an integral part of the curriculum. The "whole-school" orientation of many courses is also unique to NCTE/NCTE funded courses, allowing teachers to learn based on their specific needs and using the equipment in their own school.
Courses developed by the NCTE are run either by the NCTE, by the network of education centres or by non-profit educational partners.
In 2010, NCTE courses included the following:
Computer Maintenance & Useful Applications for Creating Teaching Resources (NCTE/T4)
Creating your School's Website using Scoilnet Blogs
Developing e-Learning in your School, ICT & Language in the Primary Classroom (NCTE/MLPSI)
Incorporating Computer Control into student work using a PIC Microcontroller (NCTE/T4)
ICT & Maths (NCTE/Project Maths)
Scoilnet & On-line Encyclopaedias
Scoilnet Maps
Supporting and Developing ICT as a Teaching and Learning Resource (NCTE/INTO)
TFC agus an Ghaeilge (NCTE/STDL Gaeilge)
Using the Interactive Whiteboard
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208 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in County Mayo that have lost school transport services as a result of the changes introduced by him at the start of this term; and if he will provide a list for each school. [23811/11]
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that four primary school transport services in Co. Mayo were withdrawn at the start of the current school year.
The list of services withdrawn and the schools involved are listed on my Department's website.
209 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding a submission (details supplied); the actions, if any, that are to be taken to address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23863/11]
Officials in my Department have been in contact with Co Carlow VEC in relation to person referred to by the Deputy and I understand that the matter has been resolved.
210 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a special needs assistant (details supplied) in Dublin 7, who was made redundant on 11 January 2011 after six years service, will be paid their full redundancy entitlements. [23904/11]
The redundancy application made by the person referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed and will be paid to her shortly.
211 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have graduated as a post-primary school teacher in each of the teacher training colleges in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and the number of students who have entered each of the colleges in each of these years. [23913/11]
212 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have graduated as a primary school teacher from each of the teacher training colleges in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and to date in 2011; and the number of students who have entered each of the colleges in each of these years. [23914/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.
The five state funded Colleges of Education offer the Bachelor of Education for primary teaching and four of the Colleges offer an 18 month post graduate primary education course. Hibernia College, a private provider, also offers a postgraduate course. There are 15 providers of Post Primary initial teacher education courses. Students follow one of two models of initial teacher education: a concurrent (three or four year degree course) or a consecutive model (a Bachelor degree and a one-year Higher Diploma in Education). Students following the concurrent route enter through the CAO and students following the consecutive model enter under the Post Graduate Applications Centre or apply directly to the provider.
My Department does not hold the detailed data for post primary entrants which the Deputy has requested. The following table sets out the data on entrants and graduates for the primary initial teacher education providers and graduates registered with the Teaching Council for post primary from 2007-2010 as well as estimated graduates for 2011.
|
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|||||
|
Estimated Entrants |
Estimated Graduates |
Entrants |
Graduates |
Entrants |
Graduates |
Entrants |
Graduates |
Entrants |
Graduates |
|
469 |
522 |
516 |
589 |
598 |
577 |
650 |
562 |
552 |
502 |
|
32 |
29 |
33 |
30 |
32 |
33 |
33 |
30 |
32 |
29 |
|
468 |
505 |
511 |
577 |
546 |
566 |
604 |
498 |
532 |
478 |
|
94 |
96 |
99 |
141 |
131 |
135 |
132 |
119 |
115 |
93 |
|
164 |
165 |
176 |
215 |
213 |
202 |
211 |
149 |
160 |
152 |
|
n/a |
676 |
n/a |
647 |
n/a |
532 |
n/a |
494 |
n/a |
483 |
|
1,227 |
1,993 |
1,335 |
2,199 |
1,520 |
2,045 |
1,630 |
1,852 |
1,391 |
1,737 |
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Graduates Registered |
Graduates Registered |
Graduates Registered |
Graduates Registered |
Estimated Graduates |
|
199 |
200 |
237 |
224 |
204 |
|
9 |
16 |
11 |
14 |
9 |
|
10 |
19 |
17 |
35 |
43 |
|
0 |
34 |
31 |
32 |
35 |
|
70 |
58 |
56 |
65 |
54 |
|
28 |
42 |
39 |
40 |
49 |
|
0 |
0 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
14 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
46 |
|
90 |
87 |
128 |
74 |
88 |
|
117 |
136 |
106 |
223 |
205 |
|
212 |
165 |
208 |
201 |
195 |
|
0 |
43 |
34 |
41 |
27 |
|
138 |
130 |
159 |
142 |
133 |
|
16 |
20 |
20 |
18 |
18 |
|
131 |
149 |
120 |
131 |
117 |
|
0 |
64 |
35 |
39 |
42 |
|
195 |
205 |
215 |
190 |
231 |
|
0 |
27 |
25 |
29 |
28 |
|
26 |
28 |
30 |
30 |
28 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
— |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
1,241 |
1,423 |
1,480 |
1,608 |
1,576 |
213 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in the need for appropriate numbers of special needs assistants to meet the needs of pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23939/11]
231 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional special needs assistant posts will be approved in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24202/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 231 together.
The Deputy will be aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating 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, which now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
As set out in my Department's Circular 0042/2011, in order for the NCSE to complete the processing of applications for mainstream schools in the first instance, the existing 2010/11 level of SNA supports have been maintained in special schools for the coming school year, other than for schools with declining enrolments, with a review to take place in Autumn of the 11/12 school year. This review will also take into account the Policy Analysis and Value for Money Review of the SNA scheme and policy advice received from the NCSE on the Future of Special Schools and Classes.
Therefore, the existing level of SNAs in special schools, other than those whose enrolments have declined significantly, has been maintained in order to assist and protect the most vulnerable children in the education system.
The special school in Kildare, referred to by the Deputy, has therefore not experienced a reduction in SNA support over the level of SNA support provided at the end of the 2011 school year, but has maintained its existing high levels of SNA support.
The overall level of SNA support in this school is presently being reviewed by the NCSE. Notwithstanding the outcome of this review, it is the position of both my Department and the NCSE that given the exceptionally high levels of teaching and support staff which have been allocated to the school, that the school has sufficient support within its overall allocation to provide for the teaching and care requirements of all of the children enrolled to the school, pending the outcome of this review.
214 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the need for appropriate numbers of special needs assistants to meet the needs of pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23940/11]
216 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding staffing levels at a school. (details supplied). [24001/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 216 together.
The Deputy will be aware the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating teaching staff and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to special schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Departments criteria in allocating such support, which now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
As set out in my Departments Circular 0042/2011, in order for the NCSE to complete the processing of applications for mainstream schools in the first instance, the existing 2010/11 level of SNA supports have been maintained in special schools for the coming school year, other than for schools with declining enrolments, with a review to take place in Autumn of the 11/12 school year. This review will also take into account the Policy Analysis and Value for Money Review of the SNA scheme and policy advice received from the NCSE on the Future of Special Schools and Classes.
In relation to teaching posts, Circular 0042/11 states that there are a small number of special schools which have significant excess teacher posts and that the NCSE may therefore contact such schools to review the individual circumstances in these schools. The Circular indicates that the NCSE may suppress a post in schools which have excess teaching posts in order to create a post in a school which does not have excess posts and which has growing pupil numbers.
The overall levels of teaching and SNA support in the school referred to by the Deputy in County Cork, is currently being reviewed by the NCSE.
The school caters for pupils with severe/profound disability and ASD. The correct teacher allocation ratio for schools catering for children with severe and profound disability is 6:1. In 2010/11 the school had 7 approved class teaching posts and 3 supernumerary posts and 28 SNAs. The enrolment is 38 pupils, including the 9 new children enrolled for September 2011. One of the surplus teachers retired at the end of the last school year and the school is not eligible for a replacement. A further supernumerary post has been withdrawn leaving the school with 1 supernumerary post above its staffing allocation.
Notwithstanding the outcome of this review, it is the position of both my Department and the NCSE that given the exceptionally high levels of teaching and support staff which have been allocated to the school, that the school has sufficient support within its overall allocation to enable it provide for the teaching and care support requirements of all of the children enrolled to the school, pending the outcome of this review.
215 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Education and Skills the competitive process that was undertaken in order for the Irish National Teachers Organisation to be given partial funding for teacher training courses given by the National Centre for Technology in Education; if other organisations or private sector education providers can apply to receive funding for courses given by the National Centre for Technology in Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23993/11]
The NCTE does not seek applications for funding in relation to the provision of courses as it is fully engaged in delivering its own training programme. However, if an application is received from an Education Partner body, it is considered in accordance with Department guidelines and in particular if the proposal will advance the ICT programme in schools. Approval is also subject to the availability of resources both financial and human to process the application and manage any resulting partnership.
In the instance mentioned the INTO applied for funding and was considered in accordance with the above guidelines.
218 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [24007/11]
The person referred to by the Deputy can contact the Adult Education Guidance service of his local Vocational Education Committee (VEC) in relation to options in further education. The person could also contact his local FÁS office in relation to training options. There are also a range of free part-time options available in Higher Education under the Springboard initiative — the person can check www.bluebrick.ie for more information.
Unemployed people who wish to undertake a course of education, including the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme referred to by the person, may be eligible to receive the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). The BTEA is administered by the Department of Social Protection and its terms and conditions are a matter for that Department and the Minister for Social Protection. The person should contact his local welfare office to determine his eligibility or otherwise for the BTEA.
The PLC programme operates on an academic year basis and is open to school leavers and adults returning to education, including those in receipt of welfare payments. My Department funds a student maintenance grant for learners attending PLC courses. Under the terms of the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to learners who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. The local VEC can advise the person on his eligibility or otherwise for the scheme. Budget 2011 provided for the introduction of a €200 annual PLC programme participant contribution for all PLC participants. The following categories of participants are exempt from paying the contribution:
Full medical card holders in their own right and their dependent children;
Those who are eligible under the student grant scheme;
Those in receipt of the BTEA or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances.
PLC participants may also be asked to pay for the following:
Books, uniforms/clothing or other equipment which becomes the personal property of the learner
Student Services
Registration charges by professional bodies
Examination fees
219 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills when payment for minor works grants in 2011 will be made. [24119/11]
No decisions have yet been taken regarding the payment of the primary school minor works grant in the current school year. Schools have been informed that they should not enter into any capital commitment in anticipation of the minor works grant being paid this year.
220 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allow roll book entries be made in English in view of the diverse culture of the children attending schools here. [24120/11]
It is a longstanding custom and practice in some schools at primary level that the roll books are completed through Irish and for schools to translate the names of pupils and in some cases the addresses, to Irish for this purpose. However, it is open to schools to use the English version if they wish.
221 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give an update on the educational provision in respect of eight persons (details supplied), left without a school place suitable to their requirements, due to the lack of funding for Achieve ABA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24125/11]
The Deputy's question refers to a proposal for an academy for children with autism which was submitted to my Department for consideration by Achieve ABA. The Deputy will be aware that my Department had no direct funding arrangements with the group in question.
Consideration of this proposal took account of my Department's policy in this regard, which 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.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. In particular, its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges 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. SENOs are a valuable source of support to parents who are actively sourcing a placement for their children. The NCSE have been fully engaged in securing placements for the children in question. The NCSE has advised my Department that, irrespective of the assessed levels of ability of the children, there are placements available for these children. I also understand from my officials that the parents of the children have been advised of their placement options by the NCSE at the start of this week.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved additional home tuition for the children which will facilitate transitional arrangements when the school based placements have been accepted by the parents.
222 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give an update in relation to the commitment in the programme for Government for a technological university for the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24133/11]
229 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals he has to develop a technological university in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24200/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 229 together.
The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, otherwise known as the Hunt report, lays out a clear possible development pathway for amalgamated institutes of technology, which meet specified performance criteria, to seek re-designation as technological universities. A small number of new technological universities, with their own legislative framework and a distinct mission that is faithful to the ethos of the technological sector, working with existing universities, institutes of technology and other education providers, can enrich the diversity and quality of the Irish higher education landscape.
I have asked the Higher Education Authority for its formal advice on performance criteria to be used in an independent assessment process for any future applications for designation as technological universities. A consultation process on draft criteria is being undertaken by the Higher Education Authority and will be completed early next month. It is understood that the Higher Education Authority hopes to sign off its formal advice to my Department at its November meeting of the Authority. I will expedite consideration of the advice with a view to publishing the criteria before the end of December.
All applications will be considered under an independent assessment process. Once a process is in place it will be open to institutes of technology to come together to make applications for consideration for re-designation, including those in the south east.
223 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if financial assistance is available for a person (details supplied) in County Longford to enable them to complete the second part of a legal course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24140/11]
I understand that in the case referred to by the Deputy, an application for a grant made to the student's local authority was unsuccessful and that in a subsequent appeal made to the local authority the original decision was upheld. I also understand that a further appeal has now been made to the Student Grants Appeal Board. The board is independent in the exercise of its functions and is due to issue a determination within 60 days of receipt of the appeal.
224 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a bilateral agreement with New Zealand in regard to the mutual recognition of qualifications (details supplied). [24153/11]
In 2010, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) completed a project on the compatibility of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications. As part of this project, compatibility statements in relation to higher education major awards at NFQ levels 7-10 were made. The full report is available on the NQAI's website.
Compatibility statements in relation to awards on national frameworks provide a guide for individual education and training institutions and employers in considering foreign awards. In the absence of such statements, institutions and employers must consider the learning outcomes associated with the individual award concerned against their requirements. In general, this should not depend on the provider or type of provider which provided the programme of education and training which leads to that award.
225 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allow a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 to attend school and to complete their leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24160/11]
Based on the information provided by the Deputy, it would appear that the person in question has fully completed second level education and is therefore in the same position as any other person who finds that they need to take subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination in order to pursue a particular course.
The State Examinations Commission facilitates people to take the Leaving Certificate as external candidates.
In general, people preparing for the Leaving Certificate examination would avail of any provision being made by VECs, as part of their adult education programmes.
226 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a contract, currently held by Bus Éireann, for the rural school transport scheme terminates; if this contract was subject to public tendering process; if not, if he will advise if this is in contravention of European Union law and if future contracts will be subject to public tendering processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24190/11]
Administrative arrangements exist between Bus Éireann (formerly CIÉ) and the Department since 1968 to provide the general school transport services, which were updated in 1975 and which have been adapted as required to meet evolving needs.
The Value for Money Review of the School Transport Schemes concluded that, particularly in the context of the complexities of deciding on eligibility for school transport, procuring school transport and developing networks for school transport, a single national organiser with a regional dimension to operate the scheme is required and that in the medium term this should continue to be Bus Éireann.
My Department is satisfied that the current administrative arrangements with Bus Éireann do not contravene E.U. Regulations.
227 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if resource hours are to be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24196/11]
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 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.
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.
In relation to the allocation of individual Resource Teaching hours, the position is that for the coming 2011/12 school year, an allocation of 90% of valid identified resource teaching allocations has been made by the NCSE to schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy in Midleton, 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.
Schools have now 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 the receipt of all such applications, consideration will be given as to whether there is potential to revise the 90% allocation previously given to schools, and also the extent to which new Resource Teaching allocations can be made, taking into account the number of valid new applications received and in the context of my Departments Employment Control Framework obligations.
230 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in relation to the need to reduce the cost of school textbooks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24201/11]
I recently met with educational book publishers, representatives of parents' organisations and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul regarding the cost of school textbooks. Subsequently, the publishers devised a voluntary Code of Practice and, while I welcome the Code as a significant step in the right direction, I believe that more should be done to reduce the price of textbooks.
Accordingly. I have proposed to the representatives of the textbook publishers: that the cover price of the most popular textbooks should be reduced; that a significant discount should be given to schools which purchase textbooks in bulk, in line with the discounts given to retailers of textbooks; that the practice of combining a conventional textbook and workbook in a single volume should be ended to allow students to re-use a textbook; and that support materials should be provided to teachers online, to minimise ancillary printing costs. While respecting the position that educational book publishers are independent private companies not under the direct control of my Department, I intend to meet with their representatives again to progress these issues.
I am also keen to examine if there are ways to encourage schools, via the book grant scheme, to establish or maintain book rental schemes as I believe this to be one of the most effective ways of lowering the burden of the cost of school books. I have invited the National Parents Councils at primary and post-primary levels to provide me with examples of good practice of book rental schemes. Drawing on these and other examples, I intend to publish advice to schools on how best to establish and maintain textbook rental schemes in schools well in advance of the beginning of the next school year.
232 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Construction Contracts Bill 2010; and when this Bill will appear before Dáil Éireann. [22683/11]
236 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Construction Contracts Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23575/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 236 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new legislation to protect small building subcontractors that have been denied payments from bigger companies. In addition, the Deputies may be aware that the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 was introduced by Senator Feargal Quinn and passed Committee and Remaining Stages in the Seanad on 8 March 2011. It is now before the Dáil.
In this regard, my colleague Minister of State, Mr Brian Hayes is working with Senator Quinn to continue a collaborative approach in regard to advancing the Bill. The Senator's Bill is a welcome initiative and I understand that Minister Hayes and Senator Quinn held a meeting with relevant stakeholders and opposition spokespersons on 28th June 2011. This consultation highlighted a number of matters relating to the Bill that required further consideration and that have been taken into account in the Regulatory Impact Assessment which is being finalised in my Department at present.
These steps will make it possible to bring proposals to Government about how to progress this legislation. It is intended to have the legislation progress in the Dáil in the current session.
It is important that a solution to the problem of non-payment in the construction sector must not place an unnecessary regulatory or cost burden on the parties to the dispute, other parties involved in the project, or the State.
233 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Oireachtas pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23002/11]
The Programme for Government contains a number of provisions relating to the matter referred to in the details supplied. The Government is reviewing how the Programme in regard to the benefits of Oireachtas Members will be implemented.
234 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contribution of the State to the recent works carried out to Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin 9; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the planned access to the Botanic Gardens has not been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23018/11]
A scheme of restoration of Glasnevin Cemetery commenced in 2007. Funding for the works is being provided through the Office of Public Works. The Glasnevin Cemeteries Group is managing the works, with the Office of Public Works acting in an advisory capacity. The project is working towards completion in time for the centenary of the 1916 rising in 2016. To date €10.033 million has been contributed by the State by way of grant assistance to the project.
Works completed to date include: the relocation of the Sigerson Memorial; landscaping in the vicinity of the Round Tower and lighting of the base of this tower; cleaning of monuments close to the O'Connell Tower; cleaning of the Monaghan Chapel; replacement of railings around a number of monuments; provision of new foundations for headstones and reinstatement of damaged headstones. In addition, part of the ongoing work has been to remove many of the lower branches from the trees in order to provide better visibility for visitors to the cemetery. Removal of ivy from tree trunks and monuments has also been undertaken. The area at the eastern end of the cemetery has been grassed and the re-surfacing of the eight kilometres of paths has begun. Improvements have been made to drainage by sinking new manholes into the century-old drains.
Among the works planned to be carried out in 2011 are: preservation works to Prospect Lodge (listed building); further works to the road and pathway infrastructure; upgrading of works yard adjacent to the Crematorium; further bollard installation, wiring and electrical works; and further horticultural upgrading works.
The historic cemetery will be linked to the neighbouring National Botanic Gardens, providing an opportunity to mutually enhance both national institutions. The necessary preparatory design work for this link has been completed and it is expected to commence following planning consultation.
In addition to the works already mentioned, the programme of work included the provision of a state of the art heritage centre and museum at the entrance to the cemetery. The Glasnevin Trust Museum and Visitor Centre was formally opened on 8th April 2010. This project was managed and funded separately by the Glasnevin Trust. The museum has already won many prestigious awards.
235 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the return of the Exchequer from the health levy in the past full year before the introduction of the universal social charge. [23254/11]
Receipts in respect of the health levy in 2010, the last year prior to the introduction of the universal social charge, amounted to €2,017.656m.
237 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the input suggestion scheme is still in operation; the savings that have been made to date as a result of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24169/11]
Members of the public were invited to submit suggestions to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure through my Department's website www.per.gov.ie. The period for suggestions to be put forward for consideration has now elapsed. All suggestions received as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure have been forwarded to the relevant parent Department for appraisal and, where appropriate, they will be included as part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government.
238 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will establish a top pay commission to examine pay and compensation levels across the whole economy and establish key pay relatives across the public and private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22333/11]
I refer to my reply to Questions Nos. 248 and 249 of 21 July 2011.
239 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22728/11]
Records for expenditure on taxis for my Department are from April 2011 only. Since that time a total of €2,991 euros has been spent on taxi fares. Taxis should be used for official business purposes only. While it is not Departmental policy to pay taxi fares for outsiders, occasionally a journey, which begins from this Department, will include outsiders along with a Departmental official. This would be done as a means of reducing overall expenditure for the public service.
240 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Staigue Fort in Castlecove, County Kerry is frequented by many visitors and Kerry County Council has a policy of not cutting hedges on roads; if, due to the volume of traffic on this road to the fort, the Office of Public Works will make an exception in this case and for the very small sum involved and in the interest of safety and cut the hedges to this national monument once a year as part of regular maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22894/11]
Staigue Fort, Castlecove, Co Kerry is a stone cashel in State guardianship. It is sited on privately owned lands and public access is granted through the goodwill of the landowner. The lands and approaches to the monument do not fall under the maintenance remit of the Office of Public Works. Budgetary constraints and limited resources will not allow the routine maintenance of hedging on the public roads.
241 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has condemned the house of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if the file on this issue has been sent to the Department of Social Protection in preparation for the relocation of said person. [22921/11]
At the request of the Department of Social Protection, the Office of Public Works carried out a technical assessment of a number of dwellings affected by the 2009 flood events, including that of the person referred to by the Deputy. Correspondence issued to the Department of Social Protection in May 2011. A copy of this correspondence was made available to the individual in question.
Consideration of applications for humanitarian aid, including relocation, is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
242 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a section of embankment along the River Laune (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22930/11]
The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking the necessary repair works to the stretch of embankment concerned. These works have been ongoing for a number of weeks and consist of the underpinning and reconstruction of concrete aprons. The works are expected to be completed later this month. An OPW official recently met with the landowner concerned in relation to the works.
243 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23302/11]
Records for expenditure on taxis for my Department are from April 2011 only. Since that time a total of 2,991 euros has been spent on taxi fares.
244 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of spending using Departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit cards. [23317/11]
Records on expenditure on credit cards for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are only available from April 2011. Since then a total of €823.40 has been spend on the cards and a total of €408.65 of this relates to expenditure on entertainment.
The credit card limit is €5,000 euros.
The total number of credit cards held within the Department is three.
245 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23347/11]
Since his appointment as Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Department of Finance, Mr Brian Hayes, TD has appointed the following staff member to his office:
|
Grade |
Salary Scale (per annum) |
|
Staff Officer |
€33,070 — €43,906 |
246 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23362/11]
Since my appointment as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 9 March 2011 the relevant details are as follows:
|
Name |
Title |
Salary (per annum) |
Duties |
|
Anne Byrne |
Special Adviser |
€83,337 |
Any duties which may be assigned to her from time to time as appropriate to the position of Special Adviser as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. |
|
Ronan O’Brien |
Special Adviser |
€114,000 |
Any duties which may be assigned to him from time to time as appropriate to the position of Special Adviser as set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. |
247 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23377/11]
Since my appointment as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 9 March 2011, the following staff have been appointed to my private office:
|
Grade |
Salary Scale (per annum) |
|
1 Private Secretary |
€42,838 — €60,224 |
|
1 Executive Officer |
€29,024 — €47,379 |
|
3 Clerical Officers (CO) |
€23,177 — €37,341 |
The following staff are assigned to work on constituency matters.
|
Grade |
Salary Scale (per annum) |
|
1 Personal Secretary |
€23,820 — €47,755 |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
€43,715 — €56,060 |
|
1 Clerical Officer (CO) |
€23,177 — €37,341 |
|
1 Clerical Officer (CO) |
€23,042 — €36,267 |
248 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23450/11]
The information technology purchasing policy of my Department and agencies under its remit is to ensure that all procurements comply with procurement law, provide value for money, are fit for purpose, and comply with all applicable standards. All ICT expenditure is tendered in accordance with Circulars 2/09, 10/10 and 2/11 to ensure best VFM. Additionally my Department and all agencies procure, where appropriate, from centrally-negotiated Public Service-wide framework contracts for a wide-range of IT and telecoms products and services.
The budgets available for each were:
|
Dept/Agency |
2010 |
2011 |
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
|
|
Public Expenditure & Reform |
— |
6261 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
1,181 |
1,245 |
|
Commission for Public Service Appointments |
55 |
34 |
|
Valuation Office |
1,004 |
906 |
|
Office of the Ombudsman2; |
256 |
196 |
|
State Laboratory |
234 |
225 |
Footnotes:
1. This figure covers IT expenditure for both the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform as IT is now provided on shared service basis between them.
2. The IT Unit within the Office of the Ombudsman also provides shared IT services for the Offices of the Information Commissioner, Commissioner for Environmental Information, the Standards in Public Office Commission, and the Commission for Public Service Appointments.
249 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23477/11]
Departmental submissions to the CRE are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. I would envisage that the reports submitted as part of the CRE process can be made available publicly following the completion of the budgetary and Estimates process.
250 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will extend the public opening season of the Ceide Fields Interpretative Centre, County Mayo, which has been short-listed to be declared a world heritage site, to correspond with the tourist season to run from 17 March 2011 to after the Halloween mid-term break with effect from the remainder of this season. [23482/11]
All operations, including opening times and staffing levels, are reviewed annually in light of budgetary constraints. As a result, some centres may experience a change in the length of their season.
For the past number of years, the Easter holidays have marked the opening of this site. It is expected that the season up to 26 October will meet the visitor demands in the area.
251 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the visitor numbers for a site (details supplied) in County Limerick operated by the Office of Public Works for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and during the season in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23483/11]
Visitor numbers to the Desmond Hall at Newcastle West, Co. Limerick are:—
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
2,410 |
2,823 |
3,324 |
3,702 |
Desmond Hall, Newcastle West is open between the end of May and the end of August annually. A guide service presents the site to visitors and has been actively promoting the site locally.
252 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the legal status regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23796/11]
The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, 2009 made provision for a reduction in the salaries of public servants with effect from 1 January 2010. As with all legislation, the Act enjoys the presumption of Constitutionality and legality unless found otherwise by the Courts.
253 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons employed by his Department by grade; and the pay scale by grade within his Department. [23920/11]
The following is a breakdown of Whole-Time Equivalents (WTEs) employed in my Department as at end August 2011:
|
Grade |
Total |
|
Secretary General PER |
1.00 |
|
Second Secretary |
1.00 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
7.00 |
|
Principal |
34.70 |
|
Assistant Principal |
79.80 |
|
Administrative Officer |
18.00 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
53.30 |
|
Executive Officer |
29.00 |
|
Staff Officer |
10.83 |
|
Clerical Officer |
34.00 |
|
Chief Medical Officer |
1.00 |
|
Occupational Physician |
2.00 |
|
Nurse |
3.00 |
|
Driver |
2.00 |
|
Grand Total |
276.63 |
The current payscales for general Civil Service grades and grades common to two or more Departments are outlined in Circular 28/2009 which is available on the Department's website www.finance.gov.ie
254 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of retirements that are expected from the Civil Service at the levels of Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Principal Officer and Assistant Principal Officer in the remainder of 2011; the expected costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24037/11]
I understand that it is likely that one Secretary-General will retire before the end of this year.
The provision in the Book of Estimates for Vote 7 (Superannuation and Retired Allowances) was based on a projected 1,400 retirements and 600 deaths of pensioners or their surviving dependants.
The 2011 gross provision for Vote 7 is €450.025 million and it is estimated that the average pension cost is €27,000 per annum.
It difficult to predict with any certainty the number of retirements from the Civil Service in any year, as staff may retire at any time between 60 and 65 years of age, or indeed earlier than this with an actuarial reduction being applied to their pension.
The rate of retirements thus far this year is somewhat slower than originally estimated, but it is too early to make definite estimates of the end-year position on the Vote. The ending of the ‘grace period' at end February 2012 is a factor.
255 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the potential savings to the Exchequer by reducing professional fees paid by the State by 25%. [24276/11]
In the recently published 2011 Revised Estimates for my Department approximately €127,000 has been set aside for expenditure on consultancy and other services in my Department. If a 25% reduction applied to this allocation this would give potential savings of €31,750.
In relation to expenditure in 2010 on professional fees by agencies under the aegis of my Department the following outlines the position of each:—
Valuation Office
Based on the 2010 expenditure the potential savings of a 25% reduction in professional fees to the Valuation Office would be €57,860.
Office of the Ombudsman
In 2010 expenditure on professional fees (consultancy and legal) for the Office of the Ombudsman amounted to €505,000. A 25% reduction in fees paid would have resulted in savings of €126,250.
State Laboratory
In 2010 expenditure on professional services the State Laboratory was €13,243. A 25% reduction in fees paid would have resulted in savings of €3,311.
Public Appointments Service
Based on the 2010 expenditure if professional fees were reduced by 25%, the savings would be €2,530 (based on expenditure incurred for internal audit reports).
Commission for Public Service Appointments
Based on the 2010 expenditure there would be a saving of €16,000 if a 25% was taken by reducing professional fees in the Commission for Public Service Appointments.
Office of Public Works
The total paid by the Office of Public Works in respect of professional fees in 2010 was €20,906,305 (VAT inclusive). A 25% reduction in fees paid would have resulted in savings of €5,226,576.
The Deputy should be aware that the figures include fees some of which are determined by legislation, regulation, contract etc and a reduction of these fees may require agreement of the parties concerned.
The Deputy should also note, that expenditure in relation to professional fees in 2010 for my Department are covered by material provided by the Department of Finance in respect of that year given that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was not officially established until last July.
256 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding available from any Government Department that will assist a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to set up a new business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23237/11]
The role of my Department is to drive Ireland's competitiveness and productivity by creating the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish and quality employment opportunities are grown and maintained. Funding is provided to a number of State Agencies under its aegis including that of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The CEB's role positions them as a first point of contact for persons wishing to set up in business.
The forms of financial assistance, which are available, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, include Priming Grants, Business Expansion/Development Grants, and Feasibility/Innovation Study Grants. The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and must always give consideration to any potential for deadweight and displacement arising from a proposed enterprise. In addition, the CEBs deliver a range of non-financial supports to improve management capability development within micro-enterprises designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow.
I would advise the promoter to contact their appropriate CEB; Kerry County Enterprise Board in the first instance to discuss what options may be available to them and their proposed business venture. The Board is located at the County Buildings, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry; Phone No: 066 718 3522, Fax No: 066 712 6712: Email: kerryceb@kerrycoco.ie Website: www.kerryenterprise.ie
257 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the procedure to be followed to obtain a green card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23626/11]
The issue of any employment permit is predicated on a job offer from a prospective Irish employer who has made every effort to recruit an Irish or EEA national for the post. Applications, which can be submitted by either the prospective employee or employer, are considered under the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006. Further information, guidelines on the different employment permit schemes and application forms for new permits are available on my Department's website at www.djei.ie.
I wish to advise the Deputy that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of:
highly skilled, highly paid positions or;
non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or;
where there is an officially recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification.
258 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of trade between Ireland and China in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [23917/11]
259 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of trade between Ireland and South Africa in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [23918/11]
260 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of trade between Ireland and Russia in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and top date in 2011. [23919/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 to 260, inclusive, together.
While certain specific Trade Promotion functions have been transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, my Department, in addition to retaining lead responsibility for Trade Policy, also has responsibility for the compilation and editing of Trade Statistics.
Details of Ireland's trade (both Merchandise and Services) with China, South Africa and Russia, from 2007 to date (to the extent available), are set out in the following tables:
|
Merchandise Exports |
Merchandise Imports |
Merchandise Trade Deficit |
Services Exports |
Services Imports |
Services Trade Surplus |
|
|
2007 |
1,320 |
4,782 |
-3,462 |
1,233 |
131 |
1,102 |
|
2008 |
1,609 |
3,902 |
-2,293 |
1,425 |
430 |
995 |
|
2009 |
1,632 |
2,591 |
-959 |
1,512 |
237 |
1,275 |
|
2010 |
1,673 |
2,524 |
-851 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Jan-May 2010 |
709 |
836 |
-127 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Jan-May 2011 |
605 |
1,102 |
-497 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Merchandise Exports |
Merchandise Imports |
Merchandise Trade Surplus |
Services Exports |
Services Imports |
Services Trade Surplus |
|
|
2007 |
327 |
78 |
249 |
1,165 |
166 |
999 |
|
2008 |
344 |
134 |
210 |
1,244 |
254 |
990 |
|
2009 |
243 |
81 |
162 |
964 |
130 |
834 |
|
2010 |
373 |
160 |
213 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Jan-May 2010 |
152 |
87 |
65 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Jan-May 2011 |
231 |
63 |
168 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Merchandise Exports |
Merchandise Imports |
Merchandise Trade Surplus |
Services Exports |
Services Imports |
Services Trade Surplus |
|
|
2007 |
369 |
166 |
203 |
590 |
308 |
282 |
|
2008 |
312 |
148 |
164 |
536 |
275 |
261 |
|
2009 |
214 |
103 |
111 |
547 |
210 |
337 |
|
2010 |
283 |
87 |
196 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Jan-May 2010 |
93 |
22 |
71 |
* |
* |
* |
|
Jan-May 2011 |
105 |
46 |
59 |
* |
* |
* |
* Country-specific Services Trade data not yet available from Central Statistics Office
261 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has facilitated a microcredit provider to access the progress microfinance facility in order to issue guarantees to small and medium enterprises or to provide funding to increase microcredit lending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24151/11]
The European Progress Microfinance Facility is a European Investment Fund (EIF) initiative to support entrepreneurship and employment through microfinance activities. The EIF does not provide direct financing to micro-entrepreneurs, micro-businesses or individuals.
Financing is made available through intermediaries participating in the Facility. Eligible intermediaries are any public and private institutions that provide microfinance loans and/or guarantees to individuals, or micro-enterprises established in the EU Member States. Applications for participation do not require State involvement.
EIF provides to selected intermediaries, capped guarantees partially covering their portfolios of micro-loans, or guarantees on micro-loans granted to micro-enterprises, including self-employed people, female entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs belonging to a minority group, entrepreneurs with a disability and sole traders. To apply to become an intermediary, interested institutions must submit a formal application for Progress Microfinance micro-credit guarantee directly to the EIF. Applications can be made until 31 December 2013.
As the Deputy will be aware, work is under way within my Department on the establishment of a Microfinance Fund as set out in the Programme for Government which is intended to provide loans to micro-enterprises. The Fund, including scheme design and appropriate delivery mechanisms, will be developed with a view to formalising proposals in the context of Budget 2012.
In the context of developing a Microfinance Fund, there has been contact with the EIF to explore the possibilities of accessing the Progress Microfinance Facility to support any national Fund being established. This matter will be pursued further with the EIF when arrangements for a national Microfinance Fund are being finalised.
262 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22722/11]
270 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23301/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 270 together.
My Department operates a taxi account through National Radio Cabs whereby staff use taxis on account as necessary for business purposes. The taxi costs for staff and for non-staff members for the past four years are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Staff costs |
Non-staff members |
Total |
|
2008 |
€63,873 |
€122 |
€63,995 |
|
2009 |
€19,211 |
€238 |
€19,449 |
|
2010 |
€16,744 |
€338 |
€17,082 |
|
2011 to date |
€8,938 |
€357 |
€9,295 |
The data in the table does not include expenditure where taxis other than National Radio Cabs are used by officials of the Department/Offices while on official business in Ireland or abroad. In these instances taxi costs are included with other forms of transport costs on my Department's financial management system and it is not feasible to identify such taxi costsseparately.
My Department recognises that the use of public transport is normally the most economical means of transport available and should be availed of by staff wherever possible. As a general rule, the use of taxis — either in Ireland or abroad — should arise only where no suitable public transport is available, or where the use of public transport is not feasible.
The following is the instruction to staff concerning the use of taxis:—
Every effort should be made to minimise the use of taxis, whether on the Department's Corporate account, or through personal hire for which a refund is subsequently claimed. Staff are reminded that the bus service, which passes close to most of the Department's Dublin offices, should be used for journeys to and from the airport where possible. This service is frequent, reliable and considerably cheaper than taxis.
Whether a taxi is being charged to the account or being reimbursed on foot of a receipt, staff are regularly asked to explain the reason a taxi was required or are asked for an explanation in regard to the cost. My Department is housed in six separate offices in Dublin city and taxis are used by staff to move IT equipment, lodge cash in the bank or to move boxes, crates and in some cases small items of furniture.
Staff may also use taxis where there is a perceived risk to personal safety (e.g. when arriving/departing at unsociable hours), or where there is a likelihood of missing a flight or where it is not practical to use public transport due, for example, to the location of the hotel or meeting room.
The Department's Administrative Budget, which will contain the provision for taxi services for 2012, will be announced on Budget Day.
263 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the Industrial Development Agency plans for the development of a technology park at its site on the Sligo Road, Ballina, County Mayo; his plans to attract a significant employer to the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22818/11]
The management of IDA's property portfolio including the development of Business & Technology Parks is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function.
I am informed by IDA that, in 2008, it acquired approximately 11 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Sligo Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo for the development of a Business & Technology Park. Perimeter landscaping works on the site have been completed. Capital works for a new park entrance, access road and associated services were also planned, but due to current budgetary constraints these works have not yet taken place. IDA's Strategy "Horizon 2020”, which was published in March 2010, sets a key goal of attracting 50% of investments to Gateway locations excluding Dublin and Cork by 2014.
However, the challenge in achieving an even spread of investment across the country is intensified as the sophistication of investments increase. These investments require a concentration of highly qualified and educated workers, supporting infrastructure and high level business services. Frequently, competition for FDI comes from city regions with populations in excess of one million people. Dublin is the only recognised city region of scale in Ireland.
In selecting locations to show companies, IDA Ireland seeks to include locations which have been affected by closures/job losses. Typically, a company is shown three or four selected towns, which can meet its requirements for skills, labour, site and/or buildings, infrastructure, etc. The lands in Ballina are available to any potential client company and while IDA Ireland seeks to influence the selection of location, the final decision on which location a company will visit and locate in is made by the promoting company.
There are 18 IDA client companies in Mayo employing 3,500 people of which 5 are located in Ballina; Hollister, Ballina Beverages (Coca Cola), Charles River Laboratories, Heyco and Lionbridge.
264 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the closure of a plant (details supplied) in County Cork; if all funds that are due to be repaid have been repaid to the State and its agencies by this company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22825/11]
The company in question went into examinership in November 2008 and into liquidation a few weeks later in December 2008. Following receipt of a letter from the liquidators of the company in question, stating that no funds were available, Enterprise Ireland issued a claim to the guarantor of the grants and equity. The agency continued to pursue the recovery of funds due from the guarantor and the State has since received repayment in full in respect of all amounts owing to Enterprise Ireland. There are no other repayments due.
265 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will make a statement in relation to the recent announcement by a company (details supplied) that it is to move 130 jobs, currently engaged in providing customer care services, to off-shore locations within the company group to Egypt and India; his views on allowing this company to relocate these jobs out of Ireland would make a mockery of his jobs initiative. [22892/11]
The recent announcement by Vodafone Ireland to offshore 139 jobs from its Irish call centres is part of a review of the company's European operations, which will also impact on its operations in other EU Member States. Vodafone state 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.
The announcement will impact 45 Vodafone roles and 139 in Rigney Dolphin, Vodafone's Irish call centre contract partner. The 139 staff are employed by Rigney Dolphin but are in-sourced to Vodafone and are based at its sites in Dublin and Dundalk. Rigney Dolphin have given assurances to the Minister that they will work through the implications of the redundancies with their employees.
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 under way 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.
I recently met with representatives from the company. Vodafone sees Ireland as an important strategic country and says it is committed to Ireland for the long-term. Vodafone's restructuring of its Irish operations was necessary for the company to continue operating in the Irish market, and to ensure future investment by the company in its Irish operations. This investment is vital for maintaining up-to-date infrastructure to meet the service demands.
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. Enhancing our competitiveness and getting our cost base back into line with key competitors will be vital. Enhancing productivity through innovation and research is also critical. The programmes supported by my Department and its agencies are focused on achieving economic growth through promoting the export potential of enterprise in Ireland and driving sustainable job creation.
266 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will comment on a financial proposal (details supplied). [22979/11]
267 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will examine a proposal on job creation (details supplied). [23005/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
I have examined the proposal in question, which envisages the placement of 200,000 unemployed people back in the workforce while retaining their unemployment payments and receiving a fixed salary of €270 per week from their employer.
The question of workers retaining unemployment payments is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection, Ms. Joan Burton, T.D., and her view, on the proposal should be sought. However, I can foresee a number of difficulties with the proposal, including implications for the principles underpinning unemployment payments and difficulties with EU State Aid rules as the measure could be construed as a subsidy to enterprises.
There are already a number of schemes in existence which create very generous incentives for businesses to employ people who are on the Live Register.
For example, Revenue Job Assist allows employers a double wages deduction in their accounts if they employ a person who has been unemployed for 12 months or more. The double wages deduction may last for 3 years and applies to wages paid to a qualifying employee and to Employers' PRSI contributions paid in respect of those wages.
The Department of Social Protection also operates an Employer's PRSI Incentive Scheme. This scheme exempts employers from paying PRSI for 12 months in respect of certain qualifying employees.
The Government also recently launched the National Internship Programme — Job Bridge — which will provide work experience placements of 6 to 9 months for those who have been on the Live Register for at least 3 months. The aim of the National Internship Programme is to assist in breaking the cycle of jobseekers being unable to obtain a position in the absence of experience. The scheme will provide for up to 5,000 work experience placements in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
My Department's website includes information and links to a range of financial and non-financial supports available from Government Departments, Offices and agencies to assist companies to grow, improve competitiveness, create employment and improve productivity. Details are available at: http://www.djei.ie/enterprise/businesssupport.htm.
268 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps that are being taken by job creating agencies with regard to providing a viable business in the compound of the former Pretty Polly factory in Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23017/11]
The role of Government is to create the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish and quality employment opportunities can be grown and maintained. Two Industrial Development agencies under the aegis of my Department, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, together with the Kerry County Enterprise Board (CEB) support enterprise development in Co. Kerry.
IDA Ireland promotes Co. Kerry for new inward investment across the ICT, International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors. As well as attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA works closely with its existing clients in Kerry to encourage them to expand their operations in the County. IDA continues to market all available land and buildings in the county, including its Business & Technology Park in Killarney. As regards the site in question, I understand that IDA Ireland has requested details of the specification of the building from Killarney Town Council, which owns the building. However, as most potential is in the services sector, whose requirements differ from those of manufacturing, the opportunity to source a prospective FDI tenant for this building may be limited due to its current layout.
Enterprise Ireland's activity as regards job creation is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs to set up new high potential start-up companies, and on the retention and creation of jobs in existing companies through the support of company development plans. In Killarney and Co. Kerry as a whole, Enterprise Ireland actively engages with its client companies and has a number of supports and initiatives in place to assist companies. A number of local seminars and workshops on a variety of subjects take place throughout the year.
In addition to its existing supports for Irish companies, Enterprise Ireland has launched a new Jobs Expansion Fund, which can provide grant support up to a maximum of €150,000 towards the recruitment of new employees. In 2011, in addition to its existing offer for innovative high potential start-up businesses, Enterprise Ireland also launched a series of Competitive Start Funds geared towards start-up businesses in target sectors, with the most recent focusing on the lifesciences, cleantech and industrial sectors. These initiatives are expressly directed at business projects which can generate new jobs in the short to medium term.
Kerry County Enterprise Board provides support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. The Board has concentrated efforts on the on-going development of the Killarney Technology Innovation Centre (KTI), which has received funding from Enterprise Ireland, in Deerpark close to the Pretty Polly building. In addition, I have been informed that a meeting is expected to take place between the Chief Executive Officer of Kerry County Enterprise Board and representatives of the Killarney Town Council to discuss the Pretty Polly issue further in relation to what advice and/or assistance the Board would be in a position to offer.
269 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of work permits that were granted by his Department in 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23074/11]
My Department processes applications in respect of the different types of employment permits (Green Cards Permits, Work Permits, Spousal/Dependant Permits and Intra-company Transfer Permits). All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006.
It is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of:
highly skilled, highly paid positions or;
non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or;
where there is an officially recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification.
I wish to advise the Deputy that in 2010 a total of 7,501 employment permits issued, of which 3,555 were new and 3,946 were renewals. To-date in 2011 a total of 3,968 permits issued, of which 2,383 were new and 1,585 were renewals.
Detailed statistics on the numbers of permits issued over the last few years, broken down by sector, nationality and county, can be found on my Department's website at http://www.djei.ie/labour/workpermits/statistics.htm.
271 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23316/11]
I interpret the Deputy's question as relating to credit cards held by my Department where any costs incurred on the cards are paid directly by the Department. My Department does not operate credit cards of this nature.
However, my Department recognises that certain staff may incur substantial up-front costs in the course of their official business. In this context, my Department can facilitate the issuing of a corporate charge card by a commercial provider. In order to be provided with this facility staff must satisfy certain criteria. There must be a business need for the card and a supervisor at Principal Officer level or higher must approve the application. In addition, the Finance Officer must be satisfied that the applicant is required to travel on a regular basis and/or requires the charge card facility, having regard to the officer's duties.
Staff who are issued with corporate charge cards under this arrangement hold individual accounts with the issuing credit card company. Each cardholder is responsible for paying any balances due on his/her account directly to the credit card company as and when they arise.
Staff are entitled to reclaim from my Department travel, subsistence and other official expenses incurred in connection with their official duties, in accordance with Department of Finance regulations and applicable rates. Reimbursements of this nature are paid directly to the officers concerned who may use the refunds to settle their charge card accounts.
At present, 6 staff of my Department hold corporate charge cards under the arrangement outlined. Provided the individual cardholder has settled his/her account with the credit card company in full and on time each month, no pre-set limit is placed on the card by the provider. However, the card company monitors the spend on the cards, and any out-of-pattern spend or ramp-up in spend on a card is blocked at the point of sale. In addition to these controls, my Department monitors and regularly reviews activity and monthly balances on accounts.
Some other staff of my Department choose to use personal credit cards for business-related transactions and claim reimbursement of these expenses in accordance with Department of Finance regulations.
My Department pays Government Stamp Duty on all corporate and personal charge/credit cards used for official transactions. The total cost of Stamp Duty paid on these cards from 2008 to the present is set out on the following table:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2008 |
€1,944.50 |
|
2009 |
€1,470.00 |
|
2010 |
€1,420.00 |
|
2011 to date |
€1, 230.00 |
Official entertainment includes the hosting of official lunches, dinners and receptions and is governed by Department of Finance guidelines. It is not feasible to provide the amount that was specifically spent by my Department on entertainment using a corporate charge card. Details of my Department's spend on official entertainment over the last four years is on the table following:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2008 |
€39,116.90 |
|
2009 |
€8,922.52 |
|
2010 |
€7,932.05 |
|
2011 to date |
€2,428.80 |
272 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23346/11]
273 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23361/11]
274 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23376/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 to 274, inclusive, together.
The tables outline the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State at my Department for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. This includes the number of persons currently employed in my private and constituency office and also includes all special advisers employed since 2009.
|
Office |
Private Office Staff Numbers |
Constituency Office Staff Numbers |
|
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment 2009 to 23rd March 2010 |
2 Special Advisers1 Press Adviser1 Private Secretary2 Executive Officers5 Clerical Officers |
1 Executive Officer2.8 Clerical Officers1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Temp. Clerical Officer |
|
Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation |
1 Private Secretary1 Executive Officer1 Clerical Officer |
1 Special Adviser (up to 21/4/09)1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Executive Officer1 Clerical Officer2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Labour Affairs |
1 Private Secretary1 Executive Officer3 Clerical Officers |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Trade & Commerce |
1 Private Secretary1 Staff Officer1 Clerical Officer |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Secretarial Assistant1 Clerical Officer2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Office |
Private Office Staff Numbers |
Constituency Office Staff Numbers |
|
Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment 23rd March 2010 to 20th January 2011 |
2 Special Advisers1 Private Secretary2 Executive Officers5 Clerical Officers |
1 Executive Officer2.8 Clerical Officers1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Temp. Clerical Officer |
|
Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation |
1 Private Secretary1 Executive Officer1 Clerical Officer |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Executive Officer1 Clerical Officer2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Labour Affairs |
1 Private Secretary1 Executive Officer2 Clerical Officers |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Trade & Commerce |
1 Private Secretary1 Staff Officer1 Clerical Officer |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Clerical Officer2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Office |
Private Office Staff Numbers |
Constituency Office Staff Numbers |
|
Minister forEnterprise, Trade & Employment |
2 Special Advisers1 Private Secretary2 Executive Officers5 Clerical Officers |
1 Executive Officer2.8 Clerical Officers1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Temp. Clerical Officer |
|
Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation |
1 Private Secretary1 Executive Officer1 Clerical Officer |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Executive Officer1 Clerical Officer2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Labour Affairs |
1 Private Secretary1 Executive Officer2 Clerical Officers |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Trade & Commerce |
1 Private Secretary1 Staff Officer1 Clerical Officer |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Clerical Officer2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Office |
Private Office Staff Numbers |
Constituency Office Staff Numbers |
|
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
2 Special Advisers1 Private Secretary2 Executive Officers5 Clerical Officers |
1 Clerical Officer1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Research & Innovation |
1 Private Secretary2 Clerical Officers |
1 Personal Assistant1 Personal Secretary1 Clerical Officer2 Civilian Drivers |
|
Minister of State for Small Business |
1 Private Secretary1 Staff Officer1 Clerical Officer |
1 Personal AssistantPersonal Secretary (0.5% x 2)2 Civilian Drivers |
The following tables set out the costs in respect of Salaries, Wages and Allowances and Travel and Subsistence for the Offices of each of the Ministers and Ministers of State for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 to the end of August. These figures include Ministerial salaries and expenses.
|
Office of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment/Innovation |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
Travel & Subsistence |
Total |
|
Year 2009* |
€1,090766.57 |
€38,291.96 |
€1,129,058.53 |
|
Year 2010 |
€882,924.40 |
€13,896.79 |
€896,821.19 |
|
Year 2011** |
€213,948.22 |
€1,956.55 |
€215,904.77 |
* Includes severance pay
** Represents payments in respect of the period of service up to 8 March 2011 including severance pay and statutory redundancy.
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
Travel & Subsistence |
Total |
|
Year 2009 |
€443,734.50 |
€76,779.28 |
€520,513.78 |
|
Year 2010 |
€384,957.88 |
€33,899.02 |
€418,856.90 |
|
Year 2011* |
€110,571.04 |
€7,912.66 |
€118,483.70 |
* Represents payments in respect of the period of service up to 8 March 2011 including severance pay.
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
Travel & Subsistence |
Total |
|
Year 2009* |
€504,449.73 |
€84,484.95 |
€588,934.68 |
|
Year 2010 |
€435,114.23 |
€45,732.91 |
€480,847.14 |
|
Year 2011** |
€108,564.88 |
€14,680.24 |
€123,245.12 |
* Includes severance pay
** Represents payments in respect of the period of service up to 8 March 2011 including severance pay and statutory redundancy.
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
Travel & Subsistence |
Total |
|
Year 2009* |
€546,044.35 |
€54,276.00 |
€600,320.35 |
|
Year 2010 |
€436,715.12 |
€36,399.37 |
€473,114.49 |
|
Year 2011** |
€218,846.29 |
€5,553.83 |
€224,400.12 |
* Includes severance pay
** Represents payments in respect of the period of service up to 8 March 2011 including severance pay and statutory redundancy.
|
Office of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
Travel & Subsistence |
Total |
|
9/03/11 to date |
€310,841.02 |
€4,849.57 |
€315,690.59 |
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
Travel & Subsistence |
Total |
|
9/03/11 to date |
€140,244.75 |
€21,698.25 |
€161,943.00 |
|
Period |
Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
Travel & Subsistence |
Total |
|
9/03/11 to date |
€149,797.34 |
€16,735.00 |
€166,532.34 |
275 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if it is envisaged that the community sector will be given the right to recognition for the purpose of collective bargaining. [23427/11]
While Article 40 of the Irish Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to form associations and unions, it has been established in a number of legal cases that the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of association does not guarantee workers the right to have their union recognised for the purpose of collective bargaining. No differentiation is made in this regard between workers employed in the community sector and those employed in the private and public sectors.
I would recommend that voluntary and community organisations engage with their employees and the trade unions representing their employees on all aspects of good employment practice, including recruiting the right person, managing a diverse workplace, preparing model employment contracts or devising essential human resource management policies. The services of the Labour Relations Commission are available to management and to trade unions representing employees in the community and voluntary sector, just as they are available to those engaged in the public and private sectors, to help solve human resource related problems and improve performance, and to develop effective industrial relations practices, procedures and structures so as to best meet the needs of their respective organisations.
276 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23448/11]
Total IT expenditure in my Department and its Statutory Offices in 2010 was €6,334,328 and the budget for this expenditure for 2011 is €6,450,921. The amounts include purchase of IT hardware, software and services but do not include cost of telecommunication services.
All IT purchasing within my Department and in all Offices and Agencies under my remit is subject to general public procurement rules, including requirements for competitive tendering. My Department and the Offices and Agencies under my remit are subject to a number of additional policy provisions to ensure best practice and value for money in IT procurement. These include a requirement to prepare an ICT Start of Year Statement and corresponding End of Year Statement, detailing all IT expenditure, which is subject to approval by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department has appropriate governance and project management processes in place; and this is achieved by having an ICT Steering Committee and through the use of project management methodology. Also, under Department of Finance Circular 02/09 on Arrangements for ICT Expenditure in the Civil and Public Service, public bodies must implement measures to reduce reliance on external service providers, and my Department has taken steps to achieve this, including bringing forward proposals to deliver IT helpdesk services in-house.
277 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23475/11]
Departmental submissions to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the reports submitted as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
278 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding the assistance available for small to medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23486/11]
The role of my Department is to drive Ireland's competitiveness and productivity by creating the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish and quality employment opportunities are grown and maintained. Funding is provided to a number of State Agencies under its aegis including that of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Enterprise Ireland, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses.
The role of the CEBs is to develop indigenous potential and stimulate economic activity at a local level primarily through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small and micro-enterprises. The Boards form a nationwide support network for small business and are considered to be a first point of contact for persons wishing to set up in business.
Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing micro-enterprises may qualify for financial support from the CEBs in the form of priming, expansion/development and feasibility/innovation grants. The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and must always give consideration to any potential for deadweight and displacement arising from a proposed enterprise. In addition, the CEBs deliver non-financial supports such as one-to-one mentoring and a range of business advice and training programmes to improve management capability development within micro-enterprises designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow, which may be available as appropriate to the needs of the promoter's business. The promoter may therefore wish to contact their most appropriate CEB; the Dublin City Enterprise Board, in the first instance, to discuss what options may be available to them and their proposed business venture. The Board is located on the 5th floor, O'Connell Bridge House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2; Phone No: 01 6351144, Fax No: 01 6351811; Email: info@dceb.ie; Website: www.dceb.ie.
In addition to the CEBs, the role of Enterprise Ireland is to support the development of manufacturing and internationally traded services companies. They provide funding and supports for companies ranging from entrepreneurs with plans for a high potential start-up through to large companies who are seeking to expand their activities, improve efficiency and grow their export sales. Enterprise Ireland are located at The Plaza, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3 and may be contacted by telephone at 01 727 2000 or through their website www.enterprise-ireland.com.
279 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has completed his consultation on the review of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000; and if he has contacted all relevant parties including IRMA. [23992/11]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the recent public consultation in relation to the proposed amendment to the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 arising from the High Court judgement in the case of EMI Records (Ireland) Ltd and others v. UPC Communications Ireland Ltd.
Over 50 submissions have been received in respect of that consultation and all of these (including that made by IRMA) have been acknowledged and will be taken into account in considering further action in the matter.
280 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he intends to issue a directive or instruct the Industrial Development Agency to set up a dedicated presence in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24132/11]
During my visit to Waterford on 12th September, I announced that I had requested the State development agencies under my remit, including IDA Ireland, to present plans and proposals to me, within 30 days, for increased actions and activities in the South-East region. This will include an assessment of the causes of the particular unemployment problems in the South-East Region. In that context, I will consider agency presence and other actions for the region. I would point out that there are six IDA staff in its Waterford office. I understand that two of these are engaged in regional development and marketing of the South-East Region with other staff assigned to attracting and developing companies in specific sectors.
281 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the draft standards promised in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 14 July 2011 have been published; the further action he will take on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24187/11]
As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 14 July 2011 it is proposed that a national standard, more comprehensive than the European standard, will be published late in 2011 on providing guidance for manufacturers and installers as well as consumers on safe window blind products.
On 10 August 2011 a draft standard was issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) for public comment. Interested parties have until 23 September 2011 to make submissions. All submissions will then be reviewed by the NSAI's Technical Committee on the Safety of Internal Window Blinds. I am informed that it is still expected that the standard will be published late in 2011.
282 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff and respective budget of each regulator under his responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24232/11]
The information requested is as follows:
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
182.1 |
€20.556m |
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
43.6 |
€6.366m |
In addition, under the Central Bank Reform Act 2010, the consumer information and education functions carried out by the Financial Regulator were formally transferred to the Agency with effect from 1 January 2011. The cost of Agency's financial services function is exchequer neutral as it is funded by a levy on regulated financial service providers. The Central Bank has agreed to collect the levy on the Agency's behalf for administrative reasons. The levy is due for collection in September/October 2011. In the interim, the Department is paying non-pay costs through Subhead R02 and the Central Bank is funding pay costs. The Department will be reimbursed when the levy is collected by the Central Bank later on in the year.
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
20 |
€2m |
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
38.1 |
€5.116m |
It should be noted that the Government intends to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority.
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
14 |
€1.598m |
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
166.55 |
€6.836m |
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
108.03 |
€6.946m |
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
115.35 |
€7.428m |
|
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
39.7 |
€5.967m |
284 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the introduction of mandatory pension for middle and lower income workers in the private sector; if she will give details of the proposed amount that employers would pay towards this scheme, on behalf of their employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23107/11]
The most recent coverage figures available from the Central Statistics Office indicate that just over half of workers aged between 20 and 69 had a pension at the end of 2009.
The fact that supplementary pension coverage continues to be relatively low is of major concern to the Government. That is why the Programme for Government includes a commitment to achieve universal coverage, with a particular focus on low to middle income groups.
A soft-mandatory approach such as that envisaged by an auto-enrolment scheme is a very proactive way in which we can increase pension coverage. This proposal is set out in the National Pensions Framework and describes a scheme with contributions from employees, employers and the State. Contributions will only be in respect of earnings above a certain minimum level and below a certain maximum.
An Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, has been working on the development of the details of the scheme including consideration of the contribution rate.
The National Pensions Framework indicated that this scheme would be implemented in 2014 but only if this would be prudent given the economic conditions prevailing at that time.
285 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to raise the level of income support for families with children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23185/11]
The query referred to by the Deputy asks whether the Government has any plans to raise the level of income support for families with children in the context of a named person's concerns that it is necessary for the Government to make efforts to support middle income families with children and to make efforts to support families with the cost of child-care.
The Department of Social Protection makes a number of payments to families with children including child benefit, qualified child increases to primary social welfare payments (QCIs), family income supplement (FIS), and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. These family and child income support payments both assist parents in contributing to the costs associated with raising children and play a very important role in the objective of reducing child poverty. The Government is conscious that these payments are an important source of income for all families, particularly during a time of recession and unemployment. Decisions on the rates for these family and child income support payments are a matter to be decided in a budgetary context.
The issue of family and child income supports is currently being examined by the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare, which was established in June. The Group has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes.
Child-care issues are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
286 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in addition to the civil registration indexes, she will complete the project of digitising the records themselves; if so, the timeframe involved; the work that has taken place to date; the locations of the work that is being done; the cost of same; the way she plans to offer it to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23208/11]
287 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the civil registration indexes which have been digitised will be available through the CRO website; the reason they were made available to the Church of Latter Day Saints in advance of going live nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23209/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.
The position in relation to the digitisation of historic civil registration records is that all the records are in digitised format and all index records are in electronic format. All birth records from the commencement of the registration of births in 1864 are available on the live computer system. Marriages from 1920 and deaths from 1924 are also available on the live system. The remaining records — marriages from the commencement of registration in 1845 to 1919, and deaths from the commencement of registration in 1864 to 1923 — are currently stored on a separate database at the headquarters of the General Register Office (GRO) in Roscommon. These records require a substantial amount of data cleaning and the linking of marriage index records with the digitised image of the register entry pages before they can be migrated to the live system. Preparations for the completion of this project are currently underway, including upgrading of the ICT infrastructure which hosts the data and the applications required to work with the data. The completion of the historic data project is an extremely labour-intensive task requiring a high level of skill, great attention to detail and extensive quality control. As the Deputy will appreciate, resources are very limited and preliminary estimates suggest that the completion of this project using the available resources will take approximately four years. All of this work will be done at GRO headquarters in Roscommon. The cost of the project to date is of the order of €10 million. Initial indications are that the costs of completing the project are of the order of €1.5 million.
The question as to whether the civil registration indexes will be made available through a website will require careful consideration, both from an ICT viewpoint and a legal viewpoint. Currently, access to indexes is governed by section 61 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 and there are conditions surrounding such access. Any relaxation of these conditions will involve consideration of data protection, privacy and identity fraud issues.
Access to civil registration records by the Church of the Latter Day Saints began in 1960 on foot of an agreement between the church and the GRO and is entirely unrelated to the GRO modernisation programme. The church required access for religious reasons and the ‘quid pro quo' was that the church would give the GRO a microfilm copy of the records for its own use. This arrangement was discontinued in the 1980s when microfilm technology became more widely available.
288 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the return to the Exchequer from abolishing the PRSI ceiling. [23255/11]
The employee PRSI annual earnings ceiling of €75,036 was abolished in the 2011 Budget. It is estimated that this measure will provide a return to the Exchequer of €100m in 2011 and €145m in a full year.
289 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23601/11]
The person concerned applied for Back to Education Allowance at the start of August 2011. The application is currently with a Local Officer for decision and this will issue as soon as possible.
290 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people who are estimated to begin drawing down additional social welfare payments as a gap solution between reaching retirement at age 65 years and receiving the State pension at age 66 years; the cost of same to the Exchequer. [23721/11]
State pension (transition) (SPT) is currently paid to people aged 65 who have a minimum yearly average of 24 social insurance contributions and who have retired from work. Currently it ceases at age 66 when the claimant transfers to State pension (contributory) (SPC).
In 2010, there was an average of 8,955 recipients of State pension (transition) with expenditure of €108 million. This compares to 273,005 SPC recipients at a cost of €3.45 billion. Less than 25 per cent of the SPT customers were in employment at the time of claim while 44 per cent were on a social welfare payment prior to receiving SPT. A further 25 per cent were retired from work at the time of claim.
This means, based on recipients in 2010, that approximately 2,200 customers may be impacted (for one year) by the abolition of SPT. They may be in a position to remain in employment or qualify for another social welfare payment. They may (the following year) be able to qualify for SPC at age 66.
As announced in the National Pensions Framework, State pension age will be increased gradually to 68 years. This will begin in 2014 with the standardisation of State pension age at 66. State pension age will be increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. It is worth noting that, until the early 1970s, the qualifying age for State pension (contributory) was 70 years of age. By gradually increasing the qualifying age for State pension, people will be further encouraged to remain in employment beyond 65 years of age.
The Quarterly National Household Survey Q4 2010 showed that the numbers currently at work drop dramatically at 65 years of age. While 77.2 per cent of people aged 45-54 years are in employment, this drops to 64.3 per cent for 55-64 year-olds and to just 8.7 per cent for people aged 65 years or older. It is clear, therefore, that the challenges facing the Irish pension system are significant. Increases in life expectancy mean that more people are living to pension age and living longer in retirement. While this is to be welcomed, this has obvious and significant implications in relation to the future costs of State pension provision. The fundamental principle that people need to participate in the workforce for longer needs to be emphasised and they need to contribute more towards their pensions if they are to achieve the income they expect or would like to have in retirement.
291 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter regarding PRSI contributions in respect of a person (details supplied in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23742/11]
320 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding self-employed people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23089/11]
412 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the measure he will take to improve social welfare entitlements for the self-employed when their business fails; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24021/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 320 and 412 together.
These questions address the issue of access to unemployment payments, such as Jobseekers Benefit, for self-employed individuals or those who were previously self-employed. Self-employed workers are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). Ordinary employees who have access to the full range of social welfare benefits, including jobseeker's benefit, pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI Class A. (For employees earning less than €356 per week, the rate of employer's PRSI is 4.25%).
Any proposal to extend short term benefits such as jobseeker's benefit to the self-employed would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered in the context of a much more significant rise in the rate of contribution payable.
PRSI coverage is related to the risks associated with employment or self-employment, the annualised system of contributions for self-employed people and the practicalities of administering and controlling access to short-term payment for self-employed people. A system of separate arrangements for employed and self-employed workers within a social insurance context is common in other European social protection systems.
Self-employed workers may establish eligibility to assistance-based payments such as jobseeker's allowance. They can apply for the means-tested jobseeker's allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. In general, their means will take account of the level of earnings in the last twelve months in determining their expected income for the following year. In the current climate account is taken of the downward trend in the economy.
292 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the recognition the State gives to emigrants forced to work abroad due to the economic situation here; if contributions paid abroad will be recognised here for social welfare purposes on return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24018/11]
The extent to which social insurance contributions made in other countries are taken account of when eligibility for Irish benefits is being considered depends on where the contributions were made and if there are bilateral social security agreements in place.
In relation to EU countries the social security rights of people living and working in these countries are governed by EU Regulations 883/04 and 987/09. The Regulations co-ordinate social security systems and are designed to ensure that people are not disadvantaged by moving within the EU to take up work. These arrangements also extend to EEA countries and Switzerland.
The Regulations set out the rules as to which State's social security system a person will pay contributions to when they move from one Member State to another to take up work, or where they live in one State and work in another. In addition, the legislation also sets out the rules as to which State will pay benefit in the event of the usual contingencies arising, e.g. unemployment, sickness, old-age etc. The general rule is that a person is insured in the State in which they are employed.
With few exceptions, the State of last employment is responsible for paying benefits when, for example, a person becomes unemployed. The Regulations also provide that when entitlement to benefit is being examined insurance contributions made in any Member State where the person has worked or lived must be aggregated. Accordingly, a person who has worked in any other EU Member State will have any contributions they have made in those countries aggregated with their Irish contributions when claiming benefits here.
Ireland has social security agreements with a number of other countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom covering the Isle of Man and Channel Islands, and the USA. There is also an agreement with Quebec. These agreements came into effect between 1989 and 2010 and protect the social welfare pension entitlements of Irish people who go to work in these countries and protect workers from those countries who come to work in Ireland. They allow workers to combine periods of Irish social insurance and, where provided for, periods of residence or contributions in the second country when applying for a pension.
Subject to conditions, it is also possible for a person who is posted abroad by their employer to remain attached, for a limited period, to the Irish social welfare system. In such circumstances, PRSI contributions continue to be paid here and the person can qualify for Irish benefits.
293 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with the following matter (details supplied) regarding pension cuts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24054/11]
The appropriate level of overall expenditure by my Department in the years ahead will be considered in the context of Budget 2012 and subsequent Budgets. This consideration will be informed by the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain social welfare rates.
Sustainable public finances are a prerequisite for future economic stability and growth. To this end, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, there will be an on-going requirement to curtail expenditure in 2012 and in later years.
There are considerable challenges ahead including the need to protect, as far as possible, the key income supports and services, including those for pensioners, operated by my Department. This process will be informed by the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, with the key decisions being made in the context of framing the Budget for 2012.
294 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual amounts paid out to private landlords via the Health Service Executive and local authorities in the form of rent allowance payments; the number of such payments or arrangements; and the average amount of these payments on an annual and monthly basis. [24245/11]
Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department's relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application for rent supplement and payment is made to the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their temporary accommodation needs.
Legislation provides for the making of a rent supplement payment to another person (e.g. a relative, a landlord or landlord's agent) on behalf of the recipient. This is at the tenant's request and is subject to the consent of the Community Welfare Service. Approximately 20% of rent supplement payments are currently paid to a person other than the tenant.
Rent supplement expenditure in 2010 was in the sum of €516 million. A table gives a breakdown of rent supplement by recipients, expenditure and average payments for 2011.
|
Period |
Recipients(1) |
Expenditure(2) |
Average Payment(3) |
|
€m |
€m |
||
|
January 2011 |
96,532 |
39.51 |
99.75 |
|
February 2011 |
96,899 |
41.84 |
99.69 |
|
March 2011 |
97,288 |
44.32 |
99.52 |
|
April 2011 |
97,430 |
41.75 |
99.22 |
|
May 2011 |
97,323 |
41.60 |
99.18 |
|
June 2011 |
96,809 |
42.42 |
99.14 |
|
July 2011 |
96,823 |
41.50 |
98.92 |
|
August 2011 |
95,896 |
40.73 |
98.86 |
(1) At end of month
(2) During month
(3) Average figures based on extracts of relevant rent payment files, May 2011 estimated.
295 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal of a decision to disallow a claim for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22653/11]
In the case in question an application for domiciliary care allowance was received on the 20th April 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 2nd July 2011 advising of the decision.
In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned requested a review of the decision. The application was reviewed by one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible. A letter issued on the 9th August 2011 advising of the outcome of the review.
297 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22659/11]
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received for the person concerned on the 18th October 2010. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 17th January 2011 refusing DCA. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against the decision. She was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 21st June 2011 that the appeal had been disallowed.
298 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22669/11]
In the case in question an application for domiciliary care allowance was received on the 20th June 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 26th July 2011 advising of the decision.
In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned has appealed the decision and submitted further information. An appeal was registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 2nd September 2011. As part of the appeals process this additional information will shortly be reviewed by a Medical Assessor before being forwarded to the appeals office for decision if necessary.
299 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22675/11]
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 made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
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 she 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.
300 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent supplement has ceased in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22676/11]
The HSE has advised that the rent supplement payment to the person concerned ceased due to a change of address. The HSE has further advised that arrears of rent supplement were paid to the person concerned on 21st of July and that a rent supplement claim is currently in payment in respect of her new address.
301 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take regarding social welfare fraud in view of the recent announcement that Ireland has issued in excess of 6 million PPS numbers for a population of 4.3 million. [22684/11]
The PPS No. is the individual's unique reference number for all dealings with Government Departments and public bodies. This covers its use for DSP purposes as well as use by other agencies (in accordance with legislation — Section 262 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 provides the basis for the allocation, use and sharing of the PPS No.).
These numbers are issued by my Department following checks on an individual's identity. The checks vary depending on the type of individual concerned — we accept notification via the General Register Office of births but for the last number of years (since 2000) insist on a face to face interview before issuing a PPS number to a resident of working age.
There are some 7.4m records on my Department's central database, each identified by a PPS number. These records are for all PPS numbers ever issued so, the PPS numbers issued, and the population figure should differ. As well as all individuals currently resident in the State who have been issued with a PPS number, the figure also includes any individual who:
since 1979, required a PPS Number and has died,
has been resident in the State but has subsequently left the jurisdiction (including those born in the State since 1971) or
has not been resident in the State but has, for instance, benefited from an Irish Estate (the Revenue Commissioners have a requirement that all beneficiaries of Irish Estates should have a PPS Number).
It is not possible for me to describe all uses that other agencies have for the PPS Number, but it is worth remarking that my Department uses the number to identify an individual's PRSI contributions while they are working in the State. This means that, even after they have left the State, the number allocated to them remains valid. The PRSI contribution information will be relevant to calculating pension entitlements in other jurisdictions as well as this one.
I will also make the point that possession of a number, in itself, does not convey any entitlement. While it can make identifying a person easier for both the individual and the agency, checks on identity and meeting the qualifying conditions for any scheme must be carried out.
My Department takes its stewardship of the individual's data very seriously and, although any database containing the volume and historical content of its client records will contain incomplete and incorrect data, we have processes in place to monitor, correct and enhance the data that we hold. Most importantly, we also continue to enhance the processes associated with collecting the data in the first place.
I am committed to a zero tolerance approach to social welfare fraud, regardless of the scheme involved or the position of the person claiming it. It is a crime and persons defrauding the social welfare system will be pursued relentlessly by my Department.
The reorganisation of Departmental responsibilities along with the addition of almost 2,000 Community Welfare Staff (CWS) and FÁS staff to my Department will enhance our ability to interact directly with all our customers in more effective ways. The transfer of functions brings together employment supports and associated income support services in one organisation, the National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES). Arising from this, a more integrated approach to fraud control can now be realised. A single customer view for control purposes will be created.
I have launched a strategic fraud and control plan earlier this week 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 schemes and services.
Ensuring that the right person is paid the right amount of money at the right time is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department of Social Protection. My Department processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and it makes payments to over one million people every week. The majority of payments issue to people who are fully entitled to their payment.
For 2011, the Department of Social Protection has a target of reviewing 780,000 individual welfare claims and to achieve €540m in control savings. This figure is the value of the control activity in the Department and if this work did not take place there would, over time, be a similar increase in total social welfare expenditure. To the end of July, my Department has carried out reviews on over 350,000 individual claims and have achieved control savings totalling almost €345m.
The control emphasis under the new control plan will be on increasing home visits by investigators and comprehensive face to face interviews of persons suspected of fraudulent activity. There will be a re-emphasis towards onsite inspections to increase a visible Departmental presence across those sectors of the economy where social welfare fraud is prevalent.
The Department has introduced a number of new measures to target control activity at high risk categories of claimants. In excess of 450,000 reviews will be undertaken in the working age cohort. The Department supplements reviews of entitlement by the frequent use of direct mail shot letters, particularly in relation to eligibility for child benefit.
In the case of persons receiving illness and disability payments, recipients are reviewed on a systematic basis through medical assessments and examinations, the frequency of which relates to the nature of the illness of disability. Residency checks on social welfare claims of specific cohorts of customers are undertaken nationwide in order to determine whether their residency status in the State is fulfilled.
The Department's Special Investigation Unit will undertake a series of targeted national projects aimed at the prevention and detection of social welfare fraud in high risk sectors, schemes and client cohorts. The unit will also work closely and collaboratively with other compliance and fraud investigation agencies to ensure that Social Welfare abuse is comprehensively deterred and detected (i.e. Revenue, NERA, and Garda Siochána).
A key aspect of control policy is to ensure that appropriate deterrents and sanctions are applied in instances where social welfare fraud has been detected. Where people have been overpaid the Department will take appropriate steps to recover this debt, including deductions being made from ongoing social welfare payments, lump-sum recoveries, or the instigation of civil proceedings where appropriate. It is the Department's policy to consider for prosecution all cases of fraud against the social welfare system.
Public Service cards are to come into use later this year. The PSC will include a photograph and signature. One of the anticipated advantages of the new card is that it will help to reduce fraud and error which result from the incorrect identification of benefit claimants.
My Department is very conscious of its obligation to protect public money and is determined to ensure that abuse of the system is prevented and is dealt with effectively when detected.
302 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is not entitled to back to school allowance. [22707/11]
304 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is not entitled to back to school allowance. [22747/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 304 together.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
A BSCFA is not payable in respect of foster children. The financial support available to foster parents from the Department of Children & Youth Affairs includes assistance with the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child.
303 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money that was spent on taxis by her Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for her Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22729/11]
338 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount her Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23303/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 338 together.
The annual expenditure on taxis for the last number of years is as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2007 |
48,011 |
|
2008 |
46,517 |
|
2009 |
34,796 |
|
2010 |
28,511 |
|
2011 to date |
16,288 |
The provision for 2012 has not yet been determined.
Taxi services are availed of by the Department only where it is considered absolutely necessary in order to conduct official business. Costs incurred by staff on taxi fares are reimbursed to them subject to the approval of their manager.
305 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22808/11]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 19 March 2010. His claim was referred to one of the Department's medical assessors who was of the opinion that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and refused the claim and the person was notified in writing of this decision.
The person subsequently appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Based on the evidence before him the appeals officer found that the person was not substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment by reason of a specified disability within the meaning of Social Welfare legislation and the appeal was not allowed. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 31 May 2011.
An appeal officer's decision is final and conclusive in the absence of any fresh facts or evidence.
306 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of the person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22813/11]
Currently Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) is administered by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive (HSE) on behalf of the Department. The person concerned applied for supplementary welfare allowance in February 2011, this application was refused as in the opinion of the HSE he was deemed not to be habitually resident based on an assessment of his particular circumstances.
The HSE further advised that the person concerned appealed the decision to the HSE Appeals Office and subsequently to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. In both instances the appeals officers upheld the decision to refuse SWA.
308 Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for farm assist will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if the application will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22904/11]
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 made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearings 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.
309 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a rent allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22905/11]
352 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a rent allowance appeal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23508/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 352 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement on the grounds that his partner is in full time employment and because both the person concerned and his partner had owned dwelling houses which were voluntarily transferred/willed to family members.
The HSE Appeals Office has advised that it has received an appeal from the person concerned against this decision on 18th July and that the appeal is currently awaiting decision.
310 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received a file from the Office of Public Works regarding the relocation of a person (details supplied) in County Galway whose house was condemned on foot of the serious flooding in the area; and when a decision will issue on the relocation of said person. [22922/11]
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 also 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 of the person concerned 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 has received a report from the Office of Public Works in relation to the house of the person concerned and expects to be in a position to make a decision on the case in the coming weeks.
311 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if Asperger’s syndrome is a recognised condition under which the domiciliary care allowance may be granted; and the number of times the list of applicable medical conditions for the scheme is reviewed. [22923/11]
Qualification for domiciliary care allowance is dependent on the child having a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and likely to require this level of care for at least 12 months.
In advance of the transfer of the scheme from the HSE to the Department of Social Protection in 2009, medical guidelines were established to identify conditions which are more likely to result in a child meeting the qualifying condition and those less likely to result in the child qualifying.
These lists are for the guidance of medical assessor's, however no condition automatically rules a child in or out of qualification for the allowance. Applications for children with Asperger syndrome are processed in exactly the same manner as an application for a child with any other condition, with each application being assessed on its own merits.
There is no scheduled review period for the medical guidelines document.
312 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a child benefit query in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22927/11]
The query referred to by the Deputy asks whether the Government has any plans to cut Child Benefit in the next Budget and whether tax relief will be available on Child Benefit. Child benefit is a universal payment that assists parents in both contributing to the costs associated with raising children and, together with more targeted child-related payments, in reducing child poverty. The Government is conscious that this payment is an important source of income for all families, particularly during a time of recession and unemployment.
Any plans to change the child benefit rates are a matter to be decided in a budgetary context and announced on Budget day. Taxation matters are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
314 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the bereavement grant is not made available to families in need in circumstances when the deceased is a disabled adult and the disability was an impediment to working and making PRSI contributions and likewise the disability was an impediment to the person with a disability marrying; and the further reason the current regulations governing the availability of the grant specify that where the deceased is an adult his or her spouse must have made 26 PRSI contributions. [22945/11]
The Bereavement Grant is a payment designed to assist families in dealing with death and funeral expenses. It is a scheme that relates specifically to those who have made PRSI contributions and is payable on the death of an insured person, his/her spouse and dependent children under age 18 or under age 22 if in full-time education.
In 2007 the bereavement grant was extended to the next of kin of deceased recipients of disability allowance aged between 16 and 22 years.
There are a wide range of benefits available to people who have paid social insurance. Entitlement to these benefits is dependent on the number of contributions and the class of contribution. Long term payments, such as the State pension (contributory), require a significant number of contributions given the value of the pension. The bereavement grant is available on the basis of only 26 contributions by the deceased or his or her spouse. This is significantly fewer contributions than are required by most other PRSI based payments.
I recognise of course that there are people who are unable to satisfy the minimum PRSI requirements. For that reason, where there are no or insufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for bereavement grant a person may receive assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Under this arrangement, the Community Welfare Officer may make a single payment to help meet exceptional expenditure, for example, for funeral expenses, which a family could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their income.
315 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue regarding carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if the matter can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22965/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 4th 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 10th August 2011 and the appeal will be assigned an Appeals Officer who, in due course, 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.
316 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if payments are made for purchase of clothes for children making their holy communion and confirmation; and if so, the level of payments that are awarded. [22970/11]
Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare service, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made 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. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment. Each application is determined based on the particular circumstances of the case.
There are no rights to payments to cover communion/confirmation costs or the cost of other religious ceremonies. The payment of an ENP and the amount of any payment is at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) based on his/her experience and judgement having considered all the relevant facts of the case including the average cost of the item required.
ENP's are a key support for low income households and payments are only made after careful consideration of all the circumstances of an individual case. In 2010 approximately 12,650 payments were made in respect of communion, confirmation and other religious ceremonies at a cost of some €3.2m.
317 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when the back to school allowance will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23007/11]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 BSCFA scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of BSCFA entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers, 127,000 households in respect of over 250,000 children received their payment automatically in June.
Those customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete and return an application form to the Department. The timescale for determining applications for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance claims is dependent on a number of factors including: the number of applications received, when the application is lodged, the availability of the required information such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements and other relevant information regarding an individual's application.
In addition, some aspects of the applications are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where further investigations or third party evidence is required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
Staff are working as quickly as possible on clearing the large volume of manual application claims received. Based on the current volume of applications it could take up to 8 weeks from date of receipt to process claims. Departmental records show that an application form was received from the person concerned on 3rd August 2011 and it is expected he will be notified of the outcome of his claim shortly.
318 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23011/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that she was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal was registered on 28 June 2011 and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that context, an assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
319 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of PPS numbers that were issued to citizens of non-EU countries during 2010; the number of same that have been issued to date in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23073/11]
The numbers of PPS Numbers issued to non-EU citizens during 2010 and up to the end of August 2011 are 19,517 and 11,592 respectively.
321 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the reduction in the amount awarded under the winter fuel allowance for elderly and disabled persons in view of the fact that electricity and gas will increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23093/11]
The savings in the fuel allowance scheme and household benefits package were provided for last December in Budget 2011 but were not specified or announced by the Government at that time.
From September 2011 the fuel allowance is to be standardised at €20 per week, the rate currently received by the majority of customers, with no additional allowance for living in a smokeless area.
The rationale for paying the smokeless allowance to customers in smokeless areas cannot be maintained. The price differential between the types of coal is as low as 2% while the allowance represents an addition of 20% to the fuel allowance. Use of coal has dropped considerably, to about 3%. It is inequitable to continue paying this top-up allowance to some customers and not others when the purpose for which it was intended no longer applies.
The Department of Social Protection will spend over €530 million in 2011 on the Fuel Scheme and the telephone, gas and electricity elements of the Household Benefits package which will benefit over 630,000 people. Help will also continue to be available for people with special or additional heating needs through the Heating Supplement and Exceptional Needs Payment Scheme under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
322 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on an appeal in respect of their application for rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23095/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the appeal made by the person concerned against the decision to disallow payment of rent supplement has been upheld by the Chief Appeals Office. The decision on this appeal was issued on 26th August.
323 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding work schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23096/11]
The overall objective of labour market policy is to provide a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for people on the Live Register so that, as employment opportunities become available, they can be taken up by those on the Register.
Given the scale of unemployment, it is essential to assist those on the Live Register to remain close to the labour market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. For these reasons and to prioritise scarce resources, eligibility for a range of activation measures and schemes, including the Community Employment scheme, is confined to people of working age. There are currently no plans to change the maximum age for qualification.
It is, however, important to acknowledge and promote a culture that allows for the continuing valuable contribution to society of people, and older people in particular, on a voluntary basis.
324 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding social protection fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23100/11]
I do not tolerate social welfare fraud, regardless of the scheme involved or the position of the person claiming it. It is a crime and persons defrauding the social welfare system will be pursued by my Department.
The reorganisation of Departmental responsibilities along with the addition of almost 2,000 Community Welfare Staff (CWS) and FÁS staff to my Department will enhance our ability to interact directly with all our customers in more effective ways. The transfer of functions brings together employment supports and associated income support services in one organisation, the National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES). Arising from this, a more integrated approach to fraud control can now be realised. A single customer view for control purposes will be created.
I have launched a strategic fraud and control plan earlier this week 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 schemes and services.
Ensuring that the right person is paid the right amount of money at the right time is an integral part of the day-to-day work of the Department of Social Protection. My Department processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and it makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week. The majority of payments issue to people who are fully entitled to their payment.
For 2011, the Department of Social Protection has a target of reviewing 780,000 individual welfare claims and to achieve €540m in control savings. This figure is the value of the control activity in the Department and if this work did not take place there would, over time, be a similar increase in total social welfare expenditure. To the end of July, my Department has carried out reviews on over 350,000 individual claims and have achieved control savings totalling almost €345m.
The control emphasis under the new control plan will be on increasing home visits by investigators and comprehensive face to face interviews of persons suspected of fraudulent activity. There will be a re-emphasis towards on-site inspections to increase a visible Departmental presence across those sectors of the economy where social welfare fraud is prevalent.
The Department's Special Investigation Unit will undertake a series of targeted national projects aimed at the prevention and detection of social welfare fraud in high risk sectors, schemes and client cohorts. The unit will also work closely and collaboratively with other compliance and fraud investigation agencies to ensure that Social Welfare abuse is comprehensively deterred and detected (i.e. Revenue, NERA, and Garda Síochána).
A key aspect of control policy is to ensure that appropriate deterrents and sanctions are applied in instances where social welfare fraud has been detected. Where people have been overpaid the Department will take appropriate steps to recover this debt, including deductions being made from ongoing social welfare payments, lump-sum recoveries, or the instigation of civil proceedings where appropriate. It is the Department's policy to consider for prosecution all cases of fraud against the social welfare system.
Public Service cards are to come into use later this year. The card will include a photograph and signature. One of the advantages of the new card is that it will help to reduce fraud and error which result from the incorrect identification of benefit claimants.
My Department is very conscious of its obligation to protect public money and is determined to ensure that abuse of the system is prevented and is dealt with effectively when detected.
325 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the social welfare system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23115/11]
Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made 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. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.
ENPs are a key support for low income households and payments are only made after careful consideration of all the circumstances of an individual case.
326 Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the high number of applications received in her Department there is currently a waiting list of six to eight weeks for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance applications to be processed; and if it would be possible to move the application date forward to a more reasonable timeframe next year to enable persons to receive a response before the children are due to return to school. [23121/11]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 BSCFA scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of BSCFA entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers. Not every household had to apply for a payment under the BSCFA scheme this year, 127,000 households in respect of some 250,000 children received their payment automatically in June.
Those customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete and return an application form to the Department. The timescale for determining applications for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance claims is dependent on a number of factors including: the number of applications received, when the application is lodged, the availability of the required information such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements and other relevant information regarding an individual's application.
In addition, some aspects of the applications are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where further investigations or third party evidence is required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
While the majority of cases have been processed in advance of the new school year it is regretted that for some families this was not possible. Following the conclusion of the 2011 scheme, the Department intends to review all aspects of the scheme. The question of the timeframe for submission of claims for the scheme will be considered in the context of the review
327 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding a one-parent family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23124/11]
The One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a means-tested payment for men and women who are bringing up a child or children up to the age of 14 years without the support of a partner. Lone parents are not a homogenous group. A claimant must be widowed, a surviving civil partner, separated, divorced, have a dissolved civil partnership, or be a prisoner's spouse or civil partner. The OFP is, along with other social welfare payments, made up of a personal rate and of additional amounts for dependent children. The current payment rate is €188.00 per week — with a further €29.80 for each additional qualified child.
There are no plans to cease the payment of additional amounts for all qualified dependent children so long as the conditions for the payment of OFP are met.
328 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the average and longest waiting times for decisions in respect of an application for emergency money for food; and the steps she has taken to satisfy herself that all such applications are being processed with the necessary urgency. [23163/11]
Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made 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. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.
ENPs are a key support for low income households and payments are only made after careful consideration of all the circumstances of an individual case. Exceptional needs payments are not normally requested for food items and thus there are no statistics available on the average or waiting times for the processing of such applications. All ENP applications are processed in a timely manner taking into account the exceptional need as appropriate in each individual case.
329 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who submitted an application for a payment in respect of food on 19 July 2011; her views on the fact that as of 18 August 2011 this emergency application was still outstanding; if she will take steps to ensure that this application is processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23164/11]
Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE), an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made 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. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.
The Executive has advised that there are no applications for ENP's pending for the person concerned. The person concerned has however recently been given assistance in the form of a number of ENP's.
The HSE has further advised that the person concerned was refused a basic weekly Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment as she does not meet the Habitual Residence Condition. If the person concerned wishes to appeal against the refusal of assistance she should contact the designated appeals officer in the HSE in order that her claim for entitlements can be re-examined.
330 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 20 July 2011, if the poverty impact assessment referred to specifically examine the impact of the changes to the household benefits package scheme that are scheduled to take effect from September 2011; if not, the reason she did not arrange for a poverty impact assessment of the changes to be undertaken prior to her decision. [23165/11]
The poverty impact assessment referred to in the previous Parliamentary Question was carried out in the context of developing a range of options for the future administration of the household benefits package in a de-regulated domestic energy market. While this focused on the potential impact of changing the electricity allowance from a unit base to a cash base to avail of cheaper rates available it also examined the issue of the vulnerability of older people who are the main recipients of the household benefits package.
Data for the 2009 EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) show that households comprising predominantly older people had lower consistent poverty rates than other age categories. Single adults aged over 65 with no children had a consistent poverty rate of 0.6% while people in households with 2 adults at least one of whom was aged 65 or over with no children had a consistent poverty rate of 1.0%. In 2009, in the general population, 5.5% of people were in consistent poverty. Given the low consistent poverty rate, it was considered that the information gathered in the existing poverty impact assessment was sufficient.
While of course we want to protect the basic social welfare payments which have very positive economic and social effects, regrettably there is an ongoing necessity to achieve savings due to our commitments with the IMF/EU/ECB Troika. There will be an ongoing necessity to curtail overall expenditure in 2012 and in later years. My Department will spend over 530 million in 2011 on the fuel scheme and the telephone, gas and electricity elements of the household benefits package which will benefit over 630,000 people.
Energy poverty is a factor of income, energy prices and the thermal efficiency of the home. The most cost-effective means of protecting households from energy poverty is to reduce their consumption of energy through improving the thermal efficiency of the home. Sustainable Energy Ireland has administered an energy efficiency programme for privately owned low income households (Warmer Homes) since 2001. Over 65,000 such households have benefited to date, with a further 15,000 expected to receive energy efficiency upgrades this year. A similar upgrade programme is also in place for local authority houses.
331 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 20 July 2011 to whom she envisages the new partial capacity scheme will apply; if she will publish and invite feedback on the draft regulations prior to their finalisation; and if she will bring the draft regulations before Dáil Éireann to allow for debate on their detail. [23166/11]
The legislative basis which provides for the introduction of the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme is contained in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010, which was enacted by the Oireachtas in December 2010.
The partial capacity benefit scheme will be open to people who are in receipt of invalidity pension or who have been in receipt of illness benefit for a minimum of six months. Participation in the scheme will be voluntary and the scheme is designed in particular to respond to the needs of people who currently seek to avail of ‘exemptions' in order to take up employment opportunities.
The regulations which are currently in the course of preparation will elaborate on the detail of the operation of the scheme and will formally set out, for instance, the rates of payment which will apply to those who avail of the scheme and the medical criteria which may be taken into account by the Department's medical assessors in determining partial employment capacity. The normal process for introducing regulations will be followed for the partial capacity benefit regulations.
The development of the scheme has been the subject of regular consultation with stakeholders through the Department's disability consultative fora. The priority at this stage is to complete all the necessary steps, including the development of an appropriate IT platform, in order to ensure that the scheme will be introduced before the end of this year.
332 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for a domiciliary care allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23176/11]
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on the 24th March 2011 from the person concerned. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that her child was not medically eligible for the allowance.
A letter issued to the person concerned on the 19th May 2011 advising her of the decision. She subsequently requested that the decision be reviewed. The case was re-examined by another Medical Assessor who found that the child was not medically eligible and a decision to this effect issued on the 26th July 2011.
Further medical information has now been submitted and an appeal registered on the 10th August 2011. As part of the appeals process this additional information was again reviewed by a Medical Assessor who found the child still not medically eligible. The file will now be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for decision.
333 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 who has no income and requires financial assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23186/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 3 September 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.
It is open to the person concerned to apply to the Health Service Executive (Community Welfare Officer) for financial assistance while his appeal is pending.
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.
334 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for back-to-school clothing and footwear in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23199/11]
The persons concerned have been awarded their back to school clothing and footwear allowance and a payment issued to their nominated account on 30 August 2011.
335 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has had their mortgage supplement payments withdrawn in view of the fact that they have recently renegotiated their mortgage payments to the satisfaction of their lender and the mortgage supplement was a critical aspect of this agreement; if she will review this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23213/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been awarded mortgage interest supplement of €112.46 per week which is his full entitlement based on his personal circumstances. Payment of €1,012 issued on 9 September for the period from 11 July 2011 to 10 September 2011.
336 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway due the fact that same is with the appeal office since September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23215/11]
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 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
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.
337 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision to refuse social welfare benefits in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; the reason child benefit was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23229/11]
The claim for child benefit, 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. Her application for one parent family payment and supplementary welfare allowance was similarly disallowed.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at an oral hearing, disallowed the appeals of the person concerned.
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.
Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeals have been finalised.
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.
339 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in her Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by her Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23318/11]
There are currently six credit cards in use by officers of the Department and one by the Pensions Ombudsman who operates under aegis of the Department and for whom the Department makes administrative payments. Details of the cardholders and the expenditure on each card for the past four years are set out in the following tables:
|
Grade |
Section |
Company |
Monthly Credit Limit |
|
|
1 |
Assistant Principal |
Information Unit |
American Express |
These cards are with American Express who do not set limits on their cards |
|
2 |
Pension Ombudsman |
Office of the Pension Ombudsman |
American Express |
|
|
3 |
Assistant Principal |
EU International |
American Express |
|
|
4 |
Assistant Principal |
Staff Development Unit |
Bank of Ireland |
€5,000 |
|
5 |
Private Secretary |
Minister’s Office |
Bank of Ireland |
€5,000 |
|
6 |
Assistant Principal |
Central Services |
Bank of Ireland |
€10,000 |
|
7 |
Assistant Principal |
Appeals Office |
Bank of Ireland |
€25,000 |
|
Section |
2007(€) |
2008(€) |
2009(€) |
2010(€) |
2011 to date(€) |
|
|
1 |
Information Unit |
453 |
282 |
443 |
266 |
277 |
|
2 |
Office of the Pension Ombudsman |
1,134 |
3,054 |
2,021 |
2,033 |
876 |
|
3 |
EU International |
4,858 |
6,054 |
6,039 |
105 |
0 |
|
4 |
Staff Development Unit |
1,269 |
4,728 |
929 |
563 |
784 |
|
5 |
Minister’s Office |
451 |
618 |
3,141 |
564 |
895 |
|
6 |
Central Services |
3,520 |
4,570 |
565 |
4,603 |
1,835 |
|
7 |
Appeals Office* |
521 |
5,243 |
61 |
21,960 |
49,046 |
|
Totals: |
12,206 |
24,549 |
13,199 |
30,094 |
53,713 |
*The credit card held by the Social Welfare Appeals Office is used exclusively to pay for the hiring of rooms for appeal hearings. The increase in costs paid for by credit card over the period in question arises from a discontinuation of previous methods used to pay for room hire in favour of using the credit card. There was a corresponding reduction in costs paid by cheque etc.
The amount that was spent on entertainment on the Department's credit cards during this period was as follows:-
|
Year |
2007(€) |
2008(€) |
2009(€) |
2010(€) |
2011 to date(€) |
Total(€) |
|
Amount |
4,868 |
5,027 |
1,470 |
0 |
0 |
11,365 |
The credit cards are managed so as to minimise fees and charges.
340 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision regarding their application for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23331/11]
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received for the person in question on the 19th July 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 7th September 2011 informing the person in question that the claim has been allowed and payment will issue shortly.
341 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of her Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23348/11]
342 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of special advisers and programme managers in her Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23363/11]
343 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons employed in her private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23378/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 to 343 inclusive together.
Firstly, there is no Minister of State attaching to my Department.
The position in regard to the number of persons employed in the private and constituency offices of my Department, including the number of special advisers, and the annual amount paid in salaries in regard to each, for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, is set out in the Tabular Statement below.
|
Private OfficeGrade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance |
|
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|
1 Special Adviser |
€100,191 |
|
|
1 Press Officer (civil servant on loan from the Central Statistics Office for period of Minister’s term of office) |
€77,731 |
|
|
Established civil servants |
||
|
1 Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
€46,558 — €59,097 |
€20,669 |
|
1 Executive Officer |
€30,566 — €48,504 |
|
|
2 Clerical Officers |
€23,174 — €37,584 |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€24,397 — €39,558* |
|
Constituency OfficeGrade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance |
|
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|
1 Personal Assistant |
€55,030 |
|
|
1 Personal Secretary |
€42,391 |
10% Attraction Allowance |
|
Established civil servants |
||
|
1 Executive Officer |
€32,179 — €51,054* |
|
|
2 Clerical Officers |
€24,397 — €39,558* |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€23,174 — €37,584 |
* Personal Pension Contribution Pay Scales apply, as employment commenced after 6 April 1995
|
Private OfficeGrade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance |
|
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|
1 Special Adviser |
€80,051 — €98,424 |
|
|
1 Press Adviser (from 4/5/10) |
€80,051 — €98,424 |
|
|
Established civil servants |
||
|
1 Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
€43, 816 — €55,415 |
€19,653 |
|
1 Executive Officer |
€29, 024 — €45,616 |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€23,042 — €36,266 Higher Scale |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€22,015 — € 35,515 |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€23,177 — €37,341* |
|
Constituency OfficeGrade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance |
|
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|
1 Personal Assistant |
€43,816 — €55,415 |
|
|
1 Personal Secretary |
€22,023 — €42,122 |
10% Attraction Allowance |
|
Established civil servants |
||
|
1 Executive Officer |
€30,516 — €47,975* |
|
|
2 Clerical Officers |
€23,177 — €37,341* |
* Personal Pension Contribution Pay Scales apply, as employment commenced after 6 April 1995
|
Private OfficeGrade |
Salary Scale |
Allowance |
|
Ministerial Appointments |
||
|
1 Special Adviser, apptd 29/7/11 |
€127,796 |
|
|
1 Press Adviser, apptd 18/7/11 |
€80,051 – €98,424 |
|
|
Established civil servants |
||
|
1 Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
€43, 816 — €55,415 |
€19,653 |
|
1 Executive Officer |
€29,024 — €45,616 |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€23,042 — €36,267 Higher Scale |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€22,015 — € 35,515 |
|
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€23,177 — €37,341* |
|
Constituency OfficeGrade |
Salary Scale |
|
Ministerial Appointments |
|
|
1 Personal Assistant, apptd 3/5/11 |
€43,715 — €56,060 |
|
1 Personal Secretary, apptd 9/3/11[In my role as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party I also have a further support person, employed by the Labour Party]. |
€23,820 — €47,755 |
|
Established civil servants |
|
|
1 Executive Officer |
€30,516 — €47,975* |
|
1 Clerical Officer |
€23,177 — €37,341* |
|
Ministerial Drivers |
|
|
2 Civilian Drivers, apptd 16/5/11 and 30/5/11 |
€32,964 |
* Personal Pension Contribution Pay Scales apply, as employment commenced after 6 April 1995
344 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for mortgage interest supplement in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23394/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) advised that the persons concerned were awarded mortgage interest supplement for a 12 month period which ended in July 2011. This payment was made as an exceptional measure as the amount of mortgage interest payable by the claimant was in excess of the amount the HSE consider reasonable to meet his or her residential needs.
The HSE advised that the persons concerned appealed this decision to the HSE Appeals office and this decision has been upheld. The HSE further advised that the persons concerned have now appealed this decision to the Chief Appeals Office on 30th August and it is currently awaiting a decision.
345 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that are being taken to avoid job displacement due to the placing of persons on the Government support schemes; if there will be a review of such schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23409/11]
It is presumed that the Deputy is referring to JobBridge — the National Internship Scheme. In recent times JobBridge has received media attention concerning the measures in place to minimise displacement. In order for an application from a host organisation to be approved it must meet a number of criteria so as to ensure that the potential internship is one of quality. These include the following:
that the internship does not allow the intern to work unsupervised;
that the internship is not displacing an employee; and
that the intern accrues significant experience throughout the entire internship.
In order for an internship to commence, a Standard Internship Agreement must be signed by both the intern and the host organisation. This Agreement clearly stipulates the terms of the internship.
To ensure compliance with the scheme, the Department of Social Protection and the Employment Services Division of FÁS are monitoring internships to ensure that they are of sufficient quality and that both host organisations and interns are abiding by the spirit and the rules of the scheme.
This involves the monitoring of monthly compliance reports that are required to be submitted by the host organisation verifying that the internship is proceeding as set out in the Standard Internship Agreement. In addition, contact with the host organisations and interns, including random site visits, will begin shortly as part of this process.
A "whistle blowing" feature has been introduced, where any individual who suspects that an internship may be in breach of the scheme's criteria, including in cases of suspected displacement, may contact the National Call Centre. All such claims will be investigated.
The Department continues to monitor the operation of the JobBridge scheme and will be reviewing the scheme and its eligibility criteria on an ongoing basis.
346 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will deal with a matter regarding a back to school grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23433/11]
The purpose of the Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme is to assist families on social welfare and Health Service Executive payments towards the cost of uniforms and footwear for children who are attending school.
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 BSCFA scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. This year the scheme is being administered directly by the Department of Social Protection and the majority of BSCFA entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers. Customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete application forms which are being processed from a centralised unit in the Department's office in Letterkenny.
Following the conclusion of the 2011 scheme, the Department intends to review all aspects of the scheme. The question of the making of payments directly to schools will be considered in the context of the review.
347 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the budget available to her Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within her Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under her remit for 2010 and 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23451/11]
The capital allocation for the Department (including the General Registrar's Office) for 2010 in respect of IT equipment was EUR 5.42m and the allocation for 2011 is EUR 4.1m.
The procurement of any IT equipment by the Department is carried out via a competitive tendering process, in which value for money is a key factor. The Department also makes use of framework contracts placed centrally by the Department of Finance for the supply of PCs, laptops etc.
In relation to the relevant State agencies, it has not proved possible in the time available to obtain the required information but I have arranged for the agencies to furnish the information requested for their respective organisations, and this will be passed on to you when received.
348 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary to disallow their claim for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23461/11]
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 19th January 2010. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on 18th February 2010 refusing the allowance. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against the decision. She was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 3rd August 2011 that the appeal had been disallowed.
349 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish the details of her Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23478/11]
Departmental submissions to the CRE are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the Reports submitted as part of the CRE process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
350 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23484/11]
The maximum participation limits for the community employment schemes (CE) are 3 years in total for those under 55 years of age, and 6 years in total for those of 55 to 65 years of age. Off-shore islander clients are exempt from CE participation caps. Persons in receipt of a qualifying disability-related payment from my Department are eligible for one additional year on top of these two limits, i.e., 4 years for those under 55 and 7 years for those of 55 to 65.
The length of time a person can remain on CE is dictated by a number of factors (as governed by the eligibility rules of CE):
Age of the person
Department of Social Protection (DSP ) payment and duration
Previous participation on CE since April 2000
Whether they are considered job-ready
Budgetary limitations
The overall duration limits are strictly enforced to maximize the number of places available for potential clients.
Approximately, 25% of participants completing CE in 2010 progressed onto employment or further education.
351 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the capital and current expenditure of her Department to the 31 August 2011 broken down under the subheadings in the estimate for her Department including the subheads funded from the Social insurance fund; the provision for the year broken down in the same manner and the profiles of expenditure to that date as given to the Department of Finance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23489/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below.
It should be noted that the expenditure data to end-August shown in the tables are provisional. These are subject to change as adjustments may be required following further detailed analysis or if further relevant information on expenditure is provided, for example by the Department's payment agents.
|
Expenditure |
Profile |
Full Year Estimate |
||
|
ADMINISTRATION |
||||
|
A.1 |
Salaries etc. |
153,468,668 |
153,086,000 |
235,279,000 |
|
A.2 |
Travel & Subsistence |
1,750,252 |
1,989,000 |
3,208,000 |
|
A.3 |
Incidental Expenses |
4,650,009 |
4,710,000 |
11,131,000 |
|
A.4 |
Postal & Telecommunications |
10,102,600 |
12,669,000 |
21,080,000 |
|
A.5 |
Office Machinery |
16,219,442 |
19,149,000 |
27,061,000 |
|
A.6 |
Office Premises Expenses |
6,102,723 |
7,077,000 |
11,981,000 |
|
A.7 |
Consultancy Services |
241,041 |
461,000 |
1,360,000 |
|
A.8 |
Agency Services |
46,963,313 |
43,206,000 |
61,527,000 |
|
A.9 |
eGovernment Related Projects |
449,940 |
3,040,000 |
7,500,000 |
|
ADMINISTRATION TOTAL |
239,947,988 |
245,387,000 |
380,127,000 |
|
|
VOTE 38: SCHEMES & SERVICES |
||||
|
B |
State Pension (Non-Con) |
637,653,882 |
623,914,000 |
951,150,000 |
|
C |
Blind Pension |
10,262,108 |
10,053,000 |
15,360,000 |
|
D |
Child Benefit |
1,376,205,921 |
1,371,500,000 |
2,066,780,000 |
|
E |
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
1,979,511,377 |
1,857,361,000 |
2,644,620,000 |
|
F |
Farm Assist Scheme |
74,416,249 |
80,768,667 |
122,620,000 |
|
G |
Employment Support Services |
196,729,726 |
205,523,419 |
355,430,000 |
|
H |
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
41,167,957 |
42,655,000 |
62,350,000 |
|
I |
One-Parent Family Payment |
716,244,404 |
728,431,000 |
1,111,710,000 |
|
J |
Widow(er)’s/Surviving Civil Partners & Guardian’s Payment (Non Con) |
15,476,452 |
16,927,000 |
25,730,000 |
|
K |
Deserted Wife’s Allowance |
2,823,926 |
3,005,000 |
4,470,000 |
|
L |
Family Income Supplement |
128,699,786 |
129,933,000 |
199,260,000 |
|
M |
Carer’s Allowance |
326,083,972 |
321,860,000 |
499,020,000 |
|
N |
Supplementary Welfare Allowances |
646,626,582 |
640,806,874 |
951,333,000 |
|
O |
Disability Allowance |
720,288,799 |
713,118,000 |
1,066,220,000 |
|
P |
Respite Care Grant |
124,446,201 |
128,550,000 |
131,160,000 |
|
Q |
Free Schemes (Assistance) |
256,595,888 |
248,050,167 |
395,028,000 |
|
R |
School Meals Schemes |
19,778,204 |
24,316,000 |
35,000,000 |
|
S |
Grant To The Citizens Information Board |
32,265,000 |
34,938,000 |
46,640,000 |
|
T |
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
65,909,332 |
69,041,000 |
104,235,000 |
|
U |
Rural Social Scheme |
35,752,655 |
35,414,000 |
46,140,000 |
|
V |
Community Services Programme |
38,474,660 |
41,240,000 |
47,415,000 |
|
W |
FÁS Employment programmes, integration support and associated administration expenses |
302,090,000 |
301,500,000 |
477,497,000 |
|
X. |
Miscellaneous Services |
1,910,399 |
2,341,000 |
3,651,000 |
|
V38 SCHEMES + SERVICES TOTAL |
7,749,413,479 |
7,631,246,127 |
11,362,819,000 |
|
|
SOCIAL INSURANCE |
||||
|
Y |
Payment To The Social Insurance Fund Under Section 9(9) Of The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 |
973,222,269 |
1,219,199,621 |
1,906,168,000 |
|
VOTE 38 GROSS TOTAL |
8,962,583,736 |
9,095,832,749 |
13,649,114,000 |
|
|
Deduct: |
||||
|
Z. |
Appropriations-in-Aid |
147,958,689 |
148,773,067 |
221,702,000 |
|
VOTE 38 NET TOTAL |
8,814,625,047 |
8,947,059,682 |
13,427,412,000 |
Note: The Departmental capital provision for 2011 is €7.05 million and is included in sub-heads A.5, A.6 and A.9 above. €3.01 million of this amount was expended at end August.
|
Expenditure |
Profile |
Full Year Estimate |
|
|
G. Employment Support Services |
|||
|
G1 Back-to-Work Allowance |
72,504,935 |
61,132,000 |
91,520,000 |
|
G2 Back to Education Allowance |
115,732,913 |
120,370,000 |
198,830,000 |
|
G3 Part Time Job Incentive Scheme |
651,144 |
705,000 |
1,010,000 |
|
G4 TÚS |
4,260,900 |
11,150,000 |
30,000,000 |
|
G5 National Internship scheme |
545,698 |
3,426,419 |
20,000,000 |
|
G6 Assistance for Training & Business Expenses (BTW) |
1,592,262 |
3,050,000 |
4,500,000 |
|
G7 Credit Union Loan Guarantee (BTW) |
374,598 |
10,000 |
20,000 |
|
G8 Activation and Family Support Programme |
1,023,486 |
4,080,000 |
6,380,000 |
|
G9 Disability Activation Project (ESF Funded) |
6,752 |
1,500,000 |
3,000,000 |
|
G10 Special Payments — LTU & LPs |
37,038 |
100,000 |
170,000 |
|
TOTAL |
196,729,726 |
205,523,419 |
355,430,000 |
|
J Widows’ /Widowers’ / surviving Civil Partners and Guardians Related Payments |
|||
|
J1 Widows’ /Widowers’ / Surviving Civil Partners’ Pension (Non-Con) |
12,003,017 |
13,763,000 |
20,930,000 |
|
J2 Guardians Payment (Non -Con) |
3,329,465 |
2,894,000 |
4,350,000 |
|
J3 Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (Non-Con) |
143,970 |
270,000 |
450,000 |
|
TOTAL |
15,476,452 |
16,927,000 |
25,730,000 |
|
N Supplementary Welfare Allowances |
|||
|
N1 SWA Basic |
107,767,105 |
109,158,222 |
166,186,000 |
|
N2 SWA Direct Provision Allowance |
1,870,725 |
4,250,000 |
6,500,000 |
|
N3 SWA Rent Supplement |
334,156,091 |
307,110,120 |
465,540,000 |
|
N4 SWA Mortgage Interest Supplement |
44,381,285 |
50,246,533 |
77,246,000 |
|
N5 SWA Other Supplements |
8,651,165 |
9,858,000 |
14,930,000 |
|
N6 SWA Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments |
52,259,728 |
45,020,000 |
72,100,000 |
|
N7 SWA Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance |
60,200,000 |
75,691,000 |
82,830,000 |
|
N8 SWA Humanitarian Aid |
0 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
N9 SWA Administration |
37,340,483 |
39,473,000 |
66,000,000 |
|
TOTAL |
646,626,582 |
640,806,874 |
951,333,000 |
|
Q Free Schemes |
|||
|
Q1 Free Travel |
50,481,528 |
50,680,000 |
77,000,000 |
|
Q2 Free Fuel Allowance |
105,351,856 |
87,885,000 |
152,020,000 |
|
Q3 Free Electricity |
48,907,379 |
53,890,000 |
80,850,000 |
|
Q4 Free TV Licence |
15,000,623 |
15,370,000 |
23,080,000 |
|
Q5 Free Telephone |
32,797,542 |
35,910,000 |
55,250,000 |
|
Q6 Free Natural Gas |
3,151,559 |
3,387,167 |
5,440,000 |
|
Q7 Free Bottled Gas |
905,401 |
928,000 |
1,388,000 |
|
TOTAL |
256,595,888 |
248,050,167 |
395,028,000 |
|
R School Meals Schemes |
|||
|
R1 School Meals — Urban & Gaeltacht |
636,464 |
909,000 |
1,200,000 |
|
R2 School Meals — Local Projects |
19,141,740 |
23,407,000 |
33,800,000 |
|
TOTAL |
19,778,204 |
24,316,000 |
35,000,000 |
|
W FÁS Employment Programmes, Integration Supports & Associated Administration Expenses |
|||
|
W1 FÁS Employment Programmes |
255,851,000 |
257,041,000 |
405,286,000 |
|
W2 FÁS Integration Supports |
17,602,000 |
17,784,000 |
28,218,000 |
|
W3 Administration Expenses |
28,637,000 |
26,675,000 |
43,993,000 |
|
TOTAL |
302,090,000 |
301,500,000 |
477,497,000 |
|
X Miscellaneous Services |
|||
|
X1 Rent Allowances |
462,875 |
520,000 |
800,000 |
|
X2 Social Welfare Tribunal |
0 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
X3 Recoupment of Superannuation Expenses (PB) |
66,776 |
63,000 |
143,000 |
|
X4 Grants — Information & Welfare Rights |
483,000 |
500,000 |
620,000 |
|
X5 The National Pensions Awareness Campaign |
200,236 |
215,000 |
400,000 |
|
X6 Office of the Pensions Ombudsman |
528,949 |
618,000 |
1,009,000 |
|
X7 Dormant Accounts |
162,100 |
252,000 |
466,000 |
|
X8 Grant to National Organisation for the Unemployed |
0 |
34,000 |
52,000 |
|
X9 EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion |
4,816 |
36,000 |
36,000 |
|
X10 EU Community Action Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (Progress 2007-2013) |
0 |
55,000 |
75,000 |
|
X11 Social Inclusion Initiatives |
1,647 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
|
TOTAL |
1,910,399 |
2,341,000 |
3,651,000 |
|
Z Appropriations-in-Aid |
|||
|
Z1 Receipts from the SIF (Admin) |
118,200,000 |
118,400,000 |
177,280,000 |
|
Z2 Recoveries of Social Assistance |
9,776,902 |
8,000,000 |
13,000,000 |
|
Z3 Repayments from the SIF |
8,827,910 |
8,000,000 |
9,500,000 |
|
Z4 Maintenance Recovery |
318,301 |
560,000 |
850,000 |
|
Z5 Receipts from GRO |
339,296 |
480,000 |
700,000 |
|
Z6 Dormant Accounts Receipts |
0 |
252,000 |
466,000 |
|
Z7 Receipts from European Social Fund |
0 |
0 |
185,000 |
|
Z8 Miscellaneous |
3,775,608 |
4,620,000 |
11,786,000 |
|
Z9 Receipts from Pension Levy |
6,720,671 |
6,825,933 |
35,000 |
|
TOTAL |
147,958,689 |
147,137,933 |
7,900,000 |
|
Expenditure |
Profile |
Full Year Estimate |
|
|
INCOME |
|||
|
Income from Contributions |
5,008,233,590 |
4,732,843,886 |
7,148,303,000 |
|
Income from Investments |
760,444 |
0 |
0 |
|
Rent |
9,523 |
10,000 |
19,000 |
|
Reciprocal Arrangements |
0 |
0 |
49,000 |
|
TOTAL INCOME |
5,009,003,557 |
4,732,853,886 |
7,148,371,000 |
|
EXPENDITURE |
|||
|
Illness Benefit |
602,502,156 |
555,641,000 |
854,730,000 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
388,573,542 |
410,142,000 |
628,149,000 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
0 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Occupational Injuries Benefits |
65,934,873 |
69,314,000 |
105,440,000 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
200,809,115 |
195,556,000 |
303,520,000 |
|
Health & Safety Benefit |
433,113 |
425,000 |
660,000 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
739,617 |
588,000 |
920,000 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
13,148,440 |
13,513,000 |
23,430,000 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
2,338,021,620 |
2,328,337,000 |
3,567,870,000 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
84,975,677 |
74,639,000 |
113,210,000 |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
658,042,029 |
724,231,000 |
1,027,060,000 |
|
Widows’, Widowers’ / Surviving Civil Partners’ Pension (Contributory) |
871,810,899 |
851,349,000 |
1,304,210,000 |
|
Guardians Payment |
7,537,370 |
7,011,000 |
10,670,000 |
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant |
4,045,274 |
3,550,000 |
5,520,000 |
|
Deserted Wife’s Benefit |
56,650,740 |
58,040,000 |
88,650,000 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
18,358,041 |
19,703,000 |
28,200,000 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
13,412,980 |
12,780,000 |
18,700,000 |
|
Free Schemes (Insurance) |
211,857,915 |
188,057,507 |
294,181,000 |
|
Redundancy & Insolvency |
273,453,841 |
268,000,000 |
402,000,000 |
|
TOTAL SIF SCHEMES |
5,810,307,244 |
5,780,876,507 |
8,777,121,000 |
|
SIF Administration Expenses |
171,918,583 |
171,177,000 |
277,418,000 |
|
TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
5,982,225,827 |
5,952,053,507 |
9,054,539,000 |
|
Excess of Expenditure over Income |
973,222,269 |
1,219,199,621 |
1,906,168,000 |
|
Subvention required from Vote 38 (Subhead Y) |
973,222,269 |
1,219,199,621 |
1,906,168,000 |
|
END-AUGUST 2011 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Table 4: COMBINED VOTE 38 & SIF FREE SCHEMES |
|||
|
Expenditure |
Profile |
Full Year Estimate |
|
|
Free Travel (Vote only) |
50,481,528 |
50,680,000 |
77,000,000 |
|
Free Fuel Allowance |
159,558,207 |
133,463,000 |
230,240,000 |
|
Free Electricity |
123,389,837 |
121,390,000 |
182,700,000 |
|
Free TV Licence |
38,414,764 |
39,320,000 |
59,170,000 |
|
Free Telephone |
80,662,722 |
75,690,000 |
115,460,000 |
|
Free Natural Gas |
13,705,152 |
14,333,675 |
22,800,000 |
|
Free Bottled Gas |
2,241,595 |
1,231,000 |
1,839,000 |
|
TOTAL |
468,453,804 |
436,107,675 |
689,209,000 |
|
Expenditure |
Profile |
Full Year Estimate |
|
|
Total Expenditure on Schemes, Services & Admin |
13,853,387,000 |
13,710,287,000 |
20,620,205,000 |
353 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of countries receiving Irish child benefit; the cost involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23535/11]
The social security rights of people living and working in the EU are governed by EU Regulations which co-ordinate social security systems and are designed to ensure that people are not disadvantaged by moving within the EU to take up work.
For the purposes of EU Regulations, Irish Child Benefit is classified as a Family Benefit and there are specific rules governing the payment of these benefits. EU Nationals who come to work in Ireland but whose families reside in another EU Member State may have an entitlement to family benefits in Ireland under EU Regulations.
Child Benefit is currently being paid in respect of 7,635 non-resident children of 4,836 families spread throughout all twenty six Member States. A breakdown of these customers by country is not readily available. In 2010, the total cost was €15.4million. This represents less than 1% of total Child Benefit expenditure.
354 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if funding or grant opportunities are available to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath to enable them to continue their studies in a third level institution. [23544/11]
The person concerned submitted an application for Back To Education Allowance. A condition for receipt of Back To Education Allowance is that a person must be in receipt of a social welfare payment for 234 days prior to commencement of the course. Another criteria for receipt of Back To Education Allowance is that a person must be commencing the first year of an approved course of study. As this person does not fulfil either of the above conditions, Back To Education Allowance was disallowed.
355 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views regarding the respective roles (details supplied) of the community welfare officer and the social worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23546/11]
The staff of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) was seconded to my Department from the HSE at the beginning of this year and the intention is to have staff fully integrated within the Department by the beginning of next month.
The main function of the Community Welfare Officers (CWOs), who make up the CWS, is to administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme on behalf of my Department.
While CWOs work closely with social workers and other support services provided by the HSE, their role is quite distinct and different from that of a social worker. Their primary function is to review client applications for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payments. In doing this they gather information in order to assess the client's means and their needs. In cases where the client's needs are not met by income support payments the CWO may refer the client to other services (including social workers). Although this can give rise to overlaps with regard to the collection and sharing of information we do all we can to minimise duplication within the parameters of Data Protection Law.
356 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason financial assistance or benefit has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied); if their case will be reviewed based on medical circumstances with a view to granting supplementary welfare allowance. [23550/11]
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may 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. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment.
The HSE has advised that the application for assistance from the person concerned was granted in August 2011. Additionally the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly supplement from the HSE under the SWA scheme.
Should the person concerned require further assistance they should contact the community welfare officer (CWO) in their local Health Centre in order that an assessment of their entitlements can be further examined.
357 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that welfare claimants at a location (details supplied) were left for days without their social welfare and pension payments as the post office substations in question had run out of money; if this problem is specific to this area or more widespread across the country; and the action she will take to ensure that this situation does not occur again. [23580/11]
My Department is committed to providing a high quality service to our customers and to ensuring that all payments are made available on their due date. We offer a range of payment options to customers including payment at a local post office or to a bank or building society account or certain credit unions that have been authorised by the banking and credit union regulators. While the Department accounts for a large volume of retail customers in individual post offices, An Post also provide agency services for other companies including front line banking services and payment of utility bills etc. The Department has been advised by An Post that due to a heavy volume of business, Lucan Post Office experienced a greater than expected demand for cash in week ending 3rd September 2011 and as a result, was unable to deal with all of its customers. The nature and cause of this is not completely clear as yet. An Post made extra cash available at Lucan on Saturday and again on Monday to deal with the higher than usual level of financial transactions. An Post has advised that some 20 social welfare customers who could not be dealt with on the Friday or Saturday were dealt with on the following Monday.
An Post has advised that this occurrence was confined to Lucan Post Office.
My Department is engaging with An Post to ensure that all our customers will be paid on their due date and there is no repeat of this situation. While apologising to customers who were inconvenienced by what happened, An Post has offered this Department assurances that measures are being put in place to ensure that this will not happen again.
358 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons in receipt of any form of disability allowance are not entitled to access an internship under the JobBridge programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23581/11]
The overall objective of labour market policy is to provide a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register so that as employment opportunities become available they can be taken up by those on the Register.
For this reason, in order to be eligible to participate in JobBridge — the National Internship Scheme, an individual must:
Currently be in receipt of a live claim (Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit/Signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits) on the Live Register, and
Have been in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits for a total of 3 months or more in the last 6 months.
Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, it is imperative to keep those on the Live Register close to the labour market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that those availing of activation measures such as the National Internship Scheme will gain work experience and so be in a better position to avail of employment opportunities as the economy improves.
For these reasons, eligibility for the scheme is confined to those on the Live Register and in receipt of unemployment payments or signing for credits for 3 months. In so designing the scheme, the policy objective is to prioritise scarce resources on those on the Live Register so as to increase their chances of leaving it and ensure a reduction in Exchequer costs over time.
Individuals who are in receipt of a disability allowance can access the FÁS Work Placement Programme, which provides participants with a work experience placement of between two and nine months. During this time participants may be able to retain their social welfare entitlements.
In addition, people in receipt of a disability allowance can access a range of other specific programmes, such as the Supported Employment Programme and the Wage Subsidy Scheme. Both of these programmes aim to assist people with a disability to secure and maintain a job in the labour market.
359 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the entitlement to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [23596/11]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
A person may qualify for a BSCFA payment if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels.
The persons concerned were refused BSCFA as their income exceeded the limit allowable for their family composition. Your request for a review of their entitlements has been forwarded to the BSCFA review section in Letterkenny who will arrange to have the review completed as soon as possible. However, due to the large volume of applications received, information regarding the progress of individual reviews will not be available until such time as the applications have been examined and a decision taken.
360 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for invalidity benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23600/11]
Payment of an invalidity pension to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.
I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant departmental papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister of Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
361 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding jobseeker’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23602/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5th September 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.
It is open to the person concerned to apply to the Health Service Executive (Community Welfare Officer) for financial assistance while his appeal is pending.
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.
362 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for a back to school clothing and footwear allowance has not been finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; when same will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23607/11]
The person concerned has been awarded a back to school clothing and footwear allowance and a payment issued to her nominated account on the 8th September 2011.
363 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to implement the recommendations of the review of the application of the unemployment benefit and assistance schemes conditions to workers who are not employed on a full-time basis, which was published in 2007; the recommendations that are likely to be considered; when such a reform of the current system will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23617/11]
The jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative employment. It is a fundamental qualifying condition for these benefits that a person must be available for full-time work.
It is recognised that a changing labour market has resulted in a move away from the more traditional work patterns, with a consequent increase in the number of atypical workers. In response, the Department conducted a ‘Review of the Application of the Unemployment Benefit and Assistance Schemes Conditions to workers who are not employed on a full-time basis' which examined the application of the jobseekers benefit and allowance scheme conditions to workers who are employed part-time, casual or systematic short-time basis.
The review made a number of recommendations which are under active consideration within the Department. These considerations are taking place in the context of the ‘Report on the desirability and feasibility of introducing a single social assistance payment for people of working age', the current economic situation, and the considerable administrative and IT change that implementation of the recommendations would require.
364 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23654/11]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 11 July 2011. His claim has been referred to one of the Department's medical assessors for an opinion as to his medical suitability for disability allowance.
When the deciding officer receives the medical assessor's opinion the person's entitlement to disability allowance will be determined taking account of the Department's assessment of his means. The person will be notified in writing of this decision.
365 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing for disability allowance will take place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23655/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12 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 30 May 2011 and the appeal has now been assigned 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.
366 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the date for an oral hearing in respect of an application for domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23656/11]
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 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
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 she 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.
367 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 who was disallowed payment under the jobseeker’s allowance scheme due to their employer failing to make the necessary contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23658/11]
If the person concerned wishes to have the insurability of his previous employment investigated he should contact his local social welfare office.
368 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment in respect of an application for rent support will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23659/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that there is no record of an application for rent supplement from the person concerned.
369 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment under the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23662/11]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 BSCFA scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of BSCFA entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers, 127,000 households in respect of over 250,000 children received their payment automatically in June.
Those customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete and return an application form to the Department. The timescale for determining applications for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance claims is dependent on a number of factors including: the number of applications received, when the application is lodged, the availability of the required information such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements and other relevant information regarding an individual's application.
In addition, some aspects of the applications are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where further investigations or third party evidence is required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
Staff are working as quickly as possible on clearing the large volume of manual application claims received. Based on the current volume of applications it could take up to 8 weeks from date of receipt to process claims. Departmental records show that an application form was received from the person concerned on 20th July 2011 and it is expected she will be notified of the outcome of her claim shortly.
370 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue in respect of a disability care allowance application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23663/11]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 16 December 2010. Her claim was assessed by one of the Department's medical assessors who was of the opinion that she was not medically suitable for disability allowance. A Deciding Officer accepted this opinion.
The person's means, taking account of her spouse's employment were also assessed to exceed the statutory limit of €372.40 for payment of disability allowance having regard to the person's family size. The deciding officer disallowed her claim on two grounds, that she did not satisfy the medical conditions and her means exceeded the limit for receipt of disability allowance. A letter issued to the person on 26 May 2011 advising her of this decision.
Further medical evidence was received on 9 June 2011 which was referred to a medical assessor who again expressed the opinion that the applicant was not medically suitable for disability allowance. A further letter issued to the person concerned on 26 July 2011 advising her of this decision and that her means exceeded the limit.
371 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum amount of rent support available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare on back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23664/11]
People in full time education are normally excluded from receipt of rent supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. However, people participating in approved courses under the Back To Education Allowance scheme receive a standard weekly rate of payment equivalent to the maximum rate of their previous social welfare payment and may retain any rent supplement which was in payment prior to the commencement of their education course. Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is payable to people participating in approved second or third level courses.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement of €487.33 per month. The HSE has further advised that the rent payable in this case is in excess of the prescribed rent limits and that it has informed the person concerned that he must secure alternative accommodation within these limits by the end of September 2011.
372 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when one-parent family payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23665/11]
A decision will be made on the one parent family payment claim of the person concerned within the next week.
373 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an appeal will be heard in respect of an application for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23666/11]
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 14 June 2011 and the appeal has now been assigned 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.
374 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23668/11]
The Health Service Executive has advised that a rent supplement of €652 per month has been awarded to the person concerned and that this is her full entitlement based on her household circumstances.
375 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue under the back to school clothing and footwear scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23669/11]
The person concerned has been awarded a back to school clothing and footwear allowance and a payment issued to his nominated account on the 22nd August 2011.
376 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if payment of invalidity pension will now be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23670/11]
The person concerned was awarded an invalidity pension from 24 January 2008.
On 16 October 2009 she was called for and attended a medical examination and was assessed in-person by a medical assessor. 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.
She appealed this decision and was referred for a second in-person medical examination. She attended this medical examination on 17 February 2010. This medical examination was carried out by a different medical assessor. The opinion of the second medical assessor also was that the person concerned 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. She was notified of this decision and the reason for it in writing on 26 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 written medical evidence which was referred to a medical assessor for their consideration. The opinion of this medical assessor was that the further medical evidence provided did not contain any fresh facts or evidence in the case. Consequently, the person in question remains ineligible for invalidity pension.
377 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if entitlement to social welfare payment will be restored which has been refused on habitual residency grounds in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23671/11]
An application for jobseeker's allowance from the person concerned was disallowed on 2 March 2011 on the grounds that he was not habitually resident in the State. He was advised of his right to appeal the decision but no appeal has been received.
378 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements available, if any, to a social welfare payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23672/11]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 24 June 2011. Her claim has been referred to one of the Department's medical assessors for an opinion as to whether she satisfies the medical conditions for receipt of disability allowance. When this is received the person's means will be assessed and a check done to see if the habitual residency condition is satisfied and a decision will then be made on the person's application. The person will be notified in writing of this decision in due course.
379 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue in respect of a carer’s allowance application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23673/11]
This case has been referred to an inspector of the Department for means assessment and confirmation that the conditions necessary for receipt of the allowance are satisfied.
On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
380 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if arrears will be paid in respect of rent allowance for January, February and March of 2011 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin on foot of a successful appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23674/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that a payment in respect of rent arrears for the period January, February and March 2011 was made to the person concerned on the 8th of September.
381 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when domiciliary care allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23675/11]
An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on the 18th August 2011 from the person in question. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that her child was not medically eligible for the allowance. In order to qualify a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age.
A letter issued to the person in question on the 8th September 2011 advising her of the decision. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.
382 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue in respect of jobseeker’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23676/11]
An application for jobseeker's allowance from the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that his means were in excess of the statutory limit. He lodged an appeal on 22 August 2011 and a review of his case is currently being carried out in light of information supplied with the appeal.
383 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a decision will be made with respect to a pending appeal for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23677/11]
The person concerned applied for disability allowance on 4 February 2011. Her claim was referred to one of the department's medical assessors who was of the opinion that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and her claim was refused and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 9 May 2011.
Further medical evidence was received and referred to a medical assessor who again expressed the opinion that the person was not medically suitable for disability allowance. The deciding officer accepted this opinion and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 23 August 2011.
384 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an oral hearing will be take place in respect of an appeal for domiciliary care allowance application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23678/11]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. Notification of the Appeals Officers decision issued 30 April 2011.
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.
Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.
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.
385 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will take place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23679/11]
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 20 September 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.
386 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will take place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23680/11]
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 20 September 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.
387 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in respect of an appeal for domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23681/11]
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 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
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 she 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.
388 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was refused back to education allowance on the grounds of having a previous qualification, but who is required to do further education as the qualification he holds is not suitable for the teaching profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23683/11]
To qualify for a back to education allowance, a person must be undertaking a course of education which leads to a qualification which is higher than that which the applicant already holds. The person concerned applied for a back to education allowance in respect of a level 8 postgraduate higher diploma. His application was refused as he already holds a level 9 qualification.
389 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for invalidity pension will be heard in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23684/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 26 July 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.
391 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23727/11]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 BSCFA scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of BSCFA entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers, 127,000 households in respect of over 250,000 children received their payment automatically in June.
Those customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete and return an application form to the Department. The timescale for determining applications for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance claims is dependent on a number of factors including: the number of applications received, when the application is lodged, the availability of the required information such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements and other relevant information regarding an individual's application.
In addition, some aspects of the applications are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where further investigations or third party evidence is required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
Staff are working as quickly as possible on clearing the large volume of manual application claims received. Based on the current volume of applications it could take up to 8 weeks from date of receipt to process claims. Departmental records show that an application form was received from the person concerned on 29th July 2011 and it is expected she will be notified of the outcome of her claim shortly.
393 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for child benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [23736/11]
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 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
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 she 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.
394 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding entitlement to mortgage interest supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23740/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) advised that it has received a claim for mortgage interest supplement from the person concerned. The HSE requested further information from the person concerned on 5 September in order to process her application. The HSE will make a decision on her application when the requested information has been provided.
395 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on disability allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23759/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 6 September 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.
396 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown by nationality of the persons currently in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance and benefit. [23787/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Nationality |
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
|
AFGHANISTAN |
123 |
1 |
|
ALBANIA |
125 |
16 |
|
ALGERIA |
297 |
12 |
|
AMERICAN SAMOA |
2 |
0 |
|
ANGOLA |
239 |
5 |
|
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA |
1 |
0 |
|
ARGENTINA |
10 |
5 |
|
ARMENIA |
21 |
2 |
|
AUSTRALIA |
67 |
59 |
|
AUSTRIA |
50 |
21 |
|
AZERBAIJAN |
12 |
1 |
|
BAHAMAS |
1 |
0 |
|
BAHRAIN |
0 |
1 |
|
BANGLADESH |
113 |
77 |
|
BARBADOS |
1 |
1 |
|
BELARUS |
89 |
32 |
|
BELGIUM |
55 |
25 |
|
BENIN |
7 |
0 |
|
BERMUDA |
1 |
0 |
|
BHUTAN |
1 |
0 |
|
BOLIVIA |
2 |
1 |
|
BOSNIA |
67 |
15 |
|
BOTSWANA |
1 |
1 |
|
BRAZIL |
137 |
99 |
|
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN |
1 |
1 |
|
BULGARIA |
126 |
57 |
|
BURKINA FASO UPPER VOLTA |
3 |
1 |
|
BURMA |
54 |
4 |
|
BURUNDI |
14 |
0 |
|
CAMEROON |
147 |
9 |
|
CANADA |
72 |
34 |
|
CENTRAL AFRICAN REP |
1 |
0 |
|
CHAD |
3 |
0 |
|
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
2 |
0 |
|
CHECHNYA |
29 |
1 |
|
CHILE |
1 |
1 |
|
CHINA |
131 |
96 |
|
COLOMBIA |
14 |
3 |
|
COMORS |
5 |
1 |
|
CONGO |
568 |
18 |
|
COSTA RICA |
3 |
0 |
|
CROATIA |
115 |
25 |
|
CUBA |
21 |
2 |
|
CYPRUS |
6 |
1 |
|
CZECH REPUBLIC |
689 |
278 |
|
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO |
41 |
4 |
|
DENMARK |
26 |
6 |
|
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC |
1 |
0 |
|
ECUADOR |
2 |
2 |
|
EGYPT |
69 |
14 |
|
EL SALVADOR |
17 |
7 |
|
ENGLAND |
2,713 |
840 |
|
ERITREA |
56 |
3 |
|
ESTONIA |
355 |
150 |
|
ETHIOPIA |
59 |
4 |
|
FIJI |
1 |
0 |
|
FINLAND |
24 |
19 |
|
FRANCE |
308 |
217 |
|
GABON |
1 |
0 |
|
GAMBIA |
15 |
1 |
|
GEORGIA |
101 |
4 |
|
GERMANY |
496 |
195 |
|
GHANA |
205 |
12 |
|
GREECE |
24 |
21 |
|
GUATEMALA |
2 |
0 |
|
GUINEA |
45 |
0 |
|
GUINEA-BISSAU |
2 |
0 |
|
GUYANA |
2 |
0 |
|
HONDURAS |
2 |
0 |
|
HONG KONG |
8 |
3 |
|
HUNGARY |
538 |
393 |
|
ICELAND |
3 |
2 |
|
INDIA |
69 |
116 |
|
INDONESIA |
5 |
7 |
|
IRAN |
235 |
9 |
|
IRAQ |
300 |
3 |
|
IRELAND |
247,364 |
88,797 |
|
ISLE OF MAN |
1 |
0 |
|
ISRAEL |
19 |
4 |
|
ITALY |
287 |
169 |
|
IVORY COAST |
56 |
1 |
|
JAMAICA |
15 |
2 |
|
JAPAN |
10 |
10 |
|
JORDAN |
14 |
2 |
|
KAZAKHSTAN |
46 |
9 |
|
KENYA |
49 |
6 |
|
KOSOVO |
122 |
8 |
|
KUWAIT |
31 |
0 |
|
KYRGYZSTAN |
5 |
0 |
|
LATVIA |
2,358 |
1,011 |
|
LEBANON |
13 |
4 |
|
LESOTHO |
2 |
0 |
|
LIBERIA |
24 |
0 |
|
LIBYA |
88 |
7 |
|
LIECHTENSTEIN |
1 |
0 |
|
LITHUANIA |
4,631 |
1,902 |
|
LUXEMBOURG |
4 |
4 |
|
MACAO |
6 |
0 |
|
MACEDONIA |
3 |
0 |
|
MALAWI |
12 |
1 |
|
MALAYSIA |
41 |
42 |
|
MALDIVES |
6 |
4 |
|
MALI |
1 |
0 |
|
MALTA |
32 |
24 |
|
MAURITANIA |
6 |
1 |
|
MAURITUS |
15 |
15 |
|
MAYOTTE |
1 |
0 |
|
MEXICO |
8 |
5 |
|
MOLDOVA |
255 |
52 |
|
MONGOLIA |
12 |
5 |
|
MONTENEGRO |
2 |
1 |
|
MOROCCO |
71 |
12 |
|
MYANMAR |
2 |
1 |
|
NAMIBIA |
0 |
1 |
|
NEPAL |
6 |
5 |
|
NETHERLANDS |
215 |
70 |
|
NEW ZEALAND |
31 |
32 |
|
NICARAGUA |
1 |
2 |
|
NIGER |
12 |
2 |
|
NIGERIA |
2,276 |
238 |
|
NORTHERN IRELAND |
729 |
183 |
|
NORWAY |
8 |
4 |
|
OTHER |
3,492 |
2,878 |
|
PAKISTAN |
242 |
82 |
|
PALESTINE |
35 |
1 |
|
PARAGUAY |
2 |
0 |
|
PERU |
8 |
5 |
|
PHILIPPINES |
125 |
226 |
|
POLAND |
12,875 |
6,960 |
|
PORTUGAL |
251 |
82 |
|
REPUBLIC OF KOREA |
8 |
4 |
|
ROMANIA |
1,259 |
293 |
|
RUSSIA |
328 |
104 |
|
RWANDA |
41 |
3 |
|
SAUDI ARABIA |
2 |
0 |
|
SCOTLAND |
462 |
118 |
|
SENEGAL |
3 |
0 |
|
SERBIA & MONTENEGRO |
20 |
17 |
|
SIERRA LEONE |
69 |
11 |
|
SINGAPORE |
1 |
0 |
|
SLOVAKIA |
1,129 |
723 |
|
SLOVENIA |
13 |
3 |
|
SOMALIA |
439 |
11 |
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
262 |
138 |
|
SPAIN |
248 |
188 |
|
SRI LANKA |
15 |
8 |
|
SUDAN |
307 |
3 |
|
SUIRINAM |
1 |
0 |
|
SWAZILAND |
3 |
1 |
|
SWEDEN |
41 |
39 |
|
SWITZERLAND |
15 |
9 |
|
SYRIA |
34 |
2 |
|
TAIWAN |
0 |
1 |
|
TAJIKISTAN |
1 |
0 |
|
TANZANIA |
3 |
3 |
|
THAILAND |
50 |
37 |
|
TOGO |
61 |
2 |
|
TONGA |
1 |
0 |
|
TUNISIA |
23 |
8 |
|
TURKEY |
91 |
41 |
|
TURKMENISTAN |
1 |
0 |
|
TURKS & CAICOS ISLAN |
0 |
1 |
|
UGANDA |
37 |
1 |
|
UKRAINE |
364 |
150 |
|
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES |
2 |
1 |
|
UNITED KINGDOM |
8,858 |
2,474 |
|
UNITED STATES MINOR OUTLYING ISLANDS |
1 |
0 |
|
UNKNOWN |
8 |
3 |
|
URUGUAY |
1 |
0 |
|
USA |
380 |
194 |
|
UZBEKISTAN |
24 |
0 |
|
VANUATU |
1 |
0 |
|
VENEZUELA |
7 |
3 |
|
VIETNAM |
91 |
5 |
|
WALES |
84 |
34 |
|
YEMEN |
3 |
0 |
|
YUGOSLAVIA |
30 |
12 |
|
ZAMBIA |
44 |
8 |
|
ZIMBABWE |
128 |
31 |
|
TOTAL: |
300,067 |
110,492 |
397 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent allowance in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry. [23794/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the persons concerned have been awarded rent supplement of €49.50 per week from 12 January 2011. This is the full entitlement based on their household circumstances.
398 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a claim exists in her Department for benefit due to ill health derived from working in mines in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if such claims are paid to deceased miners, spouses or families. [23795/11]
A death benefit pension under the Occupational Injuries scheme is payable to the widow, widower or surviving civil partner of a person who dies as a result of an occupational injury or prescribed occupational disease or who was in receipt of a disablement pension assessed with a loss of faculty of 50% or higher, at the time of death. The weekly rate for a person over age 66 is €234.70. The person concerned applied for a death benefit pension in respect of her late husband, a former miner, who died in 1998 and who had never applied for disablement benefit or occupational injury benefit.
As the person concerned was unable to supply medical evidence in support of her application that her late husband died as a result of a prescribed occupational disease, her application was refused.
She has appealed that decision and the case has been referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for a final decision.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office are independent of my Department but as soon as a decision is made, she will be notified of the outcome.
The person concerned is currently in receipt of a widow's contributory pension from my Department of €230.30 weekly. Should the Social Welfare Appeals Office rule in her favour, she would be required to transfer from the widow's contributory pension to the death benefit pension.
399 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the existing advocacy service for those who experience difficulty dealing with a public body to include older persons in general. [23815/11]
The remit of the Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of my Department, is to provide advocacy on public and social services for all citizens. It fulfils this remit through the network of Citizens Information Services (CIS) where trained staff and volunteers will assist people, many of whom are over 65 years of age, in accessing entitlements and negotiating with providers on their behalf.
In addition, the Citizens Information Act (2007) conferred responsibility on the CIB for the provision of advocacy services for people with disabilities. In this regard, the National Advocacy Service (NAS) was established, which is an independent, representative advocacy service for people with disabilities.
A National Advocacy Programme Alliance, established by the HSE, provides independent advocacy services for older people in residential care settings. A working group was set up to progress this plan, which includes representation from the CIB. Currently there are 250 volunteers trained under the programme, delivering volunteer advocacy services to over 2,500 people in 89 nursing homes and community units around the country. The service is now moving to Third Age to ensure independence from service providers, with funding provided by the HSE.
The NAS will work closely with the Third Age volunteer programme for older people and take referrals where particularly vulnerable older people are at risk.
As well as providing information, advice, and advocacy to older people, the CIB will work closely with older people's organisations, such as Third Age, Age Action and the Alzheimer Society in providing different types of advocacy for older people with disabilities.
400 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for domiciliary care allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [23825/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13 June 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 2nd August 2011 and the appeal has now been assigned 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.
401 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 7 June 2011, if there has been any progress made with the appeal; and a likely time frame for a decision. [23829/11]
Applications for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) were received on the 13th May 2011 in respect of the children in question. These applications were referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the children were not medically eligible for domiciliary care allowance. Letters issued to the person in question on the 19th August 2011 advising her of the decision to refuse domiciliary care allowance.
In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days. The person concerned has submitted further information and an appeal will be registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office. As part of the appeals process this additional information will be reviewed by another Medical Assessor in advance of being sent for the appeal hearing.
402 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23864/11]
The person concerned has been awarded a back to school clothing and footwear allowance and a payment issued to her nominated account on 6 September 2011.
403 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for widows pension would be processed without further delay in respect of a person (details supplied). [23874/11]
There is no record of an application for widow's pension from the person concerned. I have arranged for an application form to issue to-day. Upon receipt of the completed application form, her entitlement will be assessed and she will be notified of the outcome without delay.
404 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for lone parent allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [23898/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the One Parent Family Payment appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 26 March 2011. The case was referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration and the Appeals Officer has referred this case back to the Social Welfare Services Office for clarification on certain issues. On receipt of their response, the case will be further considered by the Appeals Officer.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
405 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be granted a mortgage interest subsidy. [23900/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that payment of mortgage interest supplement was suspended as the HSE had requested information from the person concerned. The HSE further advised that the person concerned has recently provided the information requested and a decision on his future entitlement to mortgage interest supplement will be made shortly.
406 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for lone parent allowance will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [23905/11]
The person concerned applied for one-parent family payment from 16 December 2010. Her file was forwarded to a Social Welfare inspector in order for an assessment of her means to be carried out. The person concerned was interviewed recently by the inspector. The inspector will complete his report as quickly as possible and forward the file to a Deciding Officer for a decision. The person concerned will then be advised of the outcome.
407 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent subsidy in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23930/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement of €637.35 per month which is her full entitlement based on her personal circumstances. To qualify for rent supplement the person concerned was required to provide a Housing Need Assessment (HNA) from the Local Authority. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned provided a HNA dated 16 August and rent supplement has been awarded from that date. Payment for the period from 16th August to 30th September will issue on 27 September.
408 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding supplementary mortgage allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23945/11]
The designated Health Service Executive's Appeals Officer has upheld the decision of the Community Welfare Officer to refuse a mortgage interest supplement to the person concerned. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned has appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. A decision on entitlement will be made in due course.
409 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of carer’s allowance paid and to whom in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the duration of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23985/11]
The Department accords the same rights of privacy to personal information held by it relating to living and deceased persons. Such information will only be released to appropriately entitled individuals and in certain circumstances for example the personal representative of the deceased's estate acting in the administration of the estate, a person performing a legal function in relation to the deceased or their estate.
Requests for such information should be made to the department in writing by the individual who claims to be entitled to that information, setting out what information is required, for what purpose(s) it is required and upon what basis entitlement to the information is claimed. The department will make a decision regarding release of the information based upon the individual circumstances and the person requesting the information will be informed accordingly.
410 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the delay with back-to-school allowances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23986/11]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year. The administrative arrangements for the 2011 Scheme are different from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance entitlements will be fully automated with no application form required from customers.
Customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete application forms which are being processed from one centralised unit within the Department of Social Protection.
This change to the administrative arrangements saw some 127,000 households receive their payment automatically in June of this year.
Manual applications have been accepted since the start of July and up to last Friday (9th September) 81,000 applications have been received. Claims continue to arrive at over 700 per day however this is down from a high of 3,000 per day received in the first two weeks of July, and 2,000 per day in the second two weeks of July, and 1,500 at the end of July/ beginning of August.
Of the 81,000 claims received almost 45,000 have been processed. 33,000 have been paid, 5,000 refused, 5,500 returned because there was insufficient information and there were 1,300 duplicate claims
The Department is working to clear the claims as quickly as possible. 38 staff were originally provided to process these claims, an additional 14 staff were assigned in mid-August bringing the staff complement to 52. This number has now been increased to 60 staff with overtime also being worked.
The timescale for determining applications for BSCFA claims is dependant, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements, etc. In addition, some aspects of the applications are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where further investigations or third party evidence is required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
Following the conclusion of the 2011 scheme, the Department intends to review all aspects of the operation of the scheme.
411 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a miner compensation package; when payments will issue; the number of claims pending and outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23998/11]
Former miners who have suffered an occupational injury or prescribed occupational disease are entitled to apply for disablement benefit under the occupational injuries scheme.
Since the Department met with the National Coalminers Group in the summer of 2010, we have received 458 applications from former miners. Of these, 128 are complete, 309 are awaiting the provision of information from the applicants and 21 are awaiting medical examinations.
At this stage arrears in excess of €629,000 have issued to 58 miners resulting in an average payment of €10,855. It has also resulted in an average weekly increase in disablement pension of €70.
413 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans for community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24023/11]
Community employment schemes make an important contribution to the delivery of local services to communities across the country and provide significant employment and training opportunities for those engaged. The initiative provides opportunities for innovation in the way services and resources are deployed locally. I do not envisage any change to the initiatives that would impact on the nature or range of services delivered.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to reform local government including consideration of moving many of the functions currently being performed by agencies — such as community employment and enterprise supports — back to local government and any future consideration of such schemes will have regard to that commitment.
414 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will be held for a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24036/11]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. Notification of the Appeals Officers decision issued 24 May 2011.
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.
Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised. 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.
415 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will explain the position that sees a person who lost his job a year ago and returned to education last September, completing a FETAC certificate, deemed ineligible for the position of a Tús supervisor, in view of the fact that he was in receipt of a back to education grant, as opposed to jobseeker’s benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24141/11]
Tús, the community work placement initiative provides short-term community-based work opportunities for people who are fully unemployed for more than a year. The person concerned, who completed a Back to Education Allowance Scheme in June this year, does not satisfy the eligibility criteria for participating on TUS or for recruitment as a full time TUS Supervisor/Team Leader.
416 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Social Protection when a back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [24142/11]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.
The administrative arrangements for the 2011 BSCFA scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of BSCFA entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers, 127,000 households in respect of over 250,000 children received their payment automatically in June.
Those customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete and return an application form to the Department. The timescale for determining applications for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance claims is dependent on a number of factors including: the number of applications received, when the application is lodged, the availability of the required information such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements and other relevant information regarding an individual's application.
In addition, some aspects of the applications are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where further investigations or third party evidence is required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information. Staff are working as quickly as possible on clearing the large volume of manual application claims received. Based on the current volume of applications it could take up to 8 weeks from date of receipt to process claims. Departmental records show that an application form was received from the person concerned on 22nd July 2011 and it is expected she will be notified of the outcome of her claim shortly.
417 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for family income supplement in respect of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24149/11]
In order to qualify for family income supplement (FIS), a person must (inter alia) be an employee who is engaged in remunerative employment which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 19 hours per week or 38 hours per fortnight.
When a person is absent from work due to illness and claims illness benefit (IB), both FIS and illness benefit are only payable for a period of 6 weeks. Section 247(7) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 provides for the withdrawal of FIS after 6 weeks where a person is in receipt of illness benefit.
The person concerned received both FIS and illness benefit concurrently until 27 July 2011 when payment of FIS was withdrawn as the 6 week period allowed for concurrent payment of these benefits had expired.
Subsequently the person concerned made an application for carer's benefit indicating that she had ceased work to provide full time care to her husband. Arrangements are currently being made to award carer's benefit with effect from 15 September 2011 and the person concerned will be notified directly.
A disability allowance application was received on 6 July 2011 for the husband of the person concerned. His claim is currently being assessed by a medical assessor from this Department. His claim is also awaiting a decision on his weekly means. Claims are dealt with as quickly as possible and in date order of receipt in the Department. A decision on his entitlement to disability allowance will be issued as soon as possible and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime the person concerned continues to receive a weekly supplementary welfare allowance payment for the family pending the award of her carer's benefit.
418 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is an active and ongoing appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if so, the status of this appeal. [24156/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 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.
419 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal for mortgage interest supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [24157/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the appeal by the person concerned against the suspension of mortgage interest supplement is ongoing. On 9 July the HSE appeals office requested further documentation from the person concerned in order to process her appeal. The HSE will be able to make a decision on her appeal when the requested documentation has been received.
420 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [24158/11]
In the time frame available, I regret that my Department is not in a position to reply to this question. My Department will be in contact with the Deputy over the coming days and will reply in full to the question raised.
421 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24162/11]
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 made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
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 she 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.
422 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider whereby persons on social welfare could be offered community employment to gather off-cuts of timber from the thousands of acres of forestry here to be used for families in receipt of fuel allowance in view of the fact that such off-cuts, which are not used by the timber industry, are simply left in the woods to rot, a process which takes many years, while many low income families would be greatly helped by the availability of such low-cost renewable fuel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24164/11]
The number of places on the Community Employment Programme (CE) are determined by government in line with budget allocation on an annual basis. Currently, the 23,300 place allocation is fully subscribed. The process for applying for a CE project entails a sponsoring group, representing Community, Voluntary or Public Sectors, coming together and making an application to the FÁS regional office outlining the work to be undertaken, the training to be provided and the benefits to local jobseekers and the community.
The specific purpose of the Community Employment Programme is to support jobseekers and other disadvantaged groups to gain skills to access employment and this would need to be clearly outlined in any application.
423 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the most recent medical evidence submitted in respect of an application for disability allowance was considered by a medical assessor in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24215/11]
The person concerned has not submitted a claim for Disability Allowance. I believe the Deputy is referring to a claim for invalidity pension.
The person concerned was awarded an invalidity pension from 24th January 2008.
On 16th October 2009 she was called for and attended a medical examination and was assessed in-person by a medical assessor. 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.
She appealed this decision and was referred for a second in-person medical examination. She attended this medical examination on 17th February 2010. This medical examination was carried out by a different medical assessor. The opinion of the second medical assessor also was that the person concerned 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. She 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 written medical evidence which was referred to a medical assessor for their consideration. The opinion of this medical assessor was that the further medical evidence provided did not contain any fresh facts or evidence in the case. Consequently, the person in question remains ineligible for invalidity pension.
424 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct amount of rent allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24217/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement of €771 per month which is his full entitlement based on his personal circumstances. The HSE has further advised that payment for the period 1st August to 30th September has been approved and will issue on 29th September.
425 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be eligible for jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24218/11]
When he is certified fit for work the person concerned should re-apply for jobseeker's allowance so that his eligibility can be established.
426 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the extent to which investigations have concluded into the determination of entitlement to an increase in old age pension based on further information submitted to his Department in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24219/11]
The qualifying conditions for a State pension (contributory) require the applicant to · have entered into insurable employment before the age of 56 years
have at least 260 weeks full-rate contributions paid, from employment or self-employment, since entry into insurance
satisfy the yearly average condition
The person concerned satisfies the above conditions. He has a yearly average of 19 PRSI contributions from his date of entry into insurance in July 1962 to the end of 2010, the last complete tax year before his 66th birthday. He has been awarded a State pension (contributory) at the weekly rate of €172.70 (75% of maximum rate) plus €14.90 increase for a qualified child (in order to qualify for the maximum rate a yearly average of 48 contributions would be required).
The Department wrote to the person concerned on 24th May 2011 requesting him to supply further details of his employment history. A response has not been received to date. A further communication has issued to him requesting these details. When the Department receives this information, his claim will be reviewed and he will be notified of the outcome without delay.
427 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment for disability allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24220/11]
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 made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
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 she 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.
428 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment will issue in respect of a carer’s benefit application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24223/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27th July 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 4th August 2011 and the appeal has now been assigned 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.
430 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons for refusal of payment in respect of an application for mortgage rent support in the case of a person (detail supplied) in County Westmeath; if an appeal can be commenced in respect of their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24226/11]
In the time frame available, I regret that my Department is not in a position to reply to this question. My Department will be in contact with the Deputy over the coming days and will reply in full to the question raised.
431 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the anti-social behaviour on the part of certain tenants in private rented accommodation in receipt of rent supplement, if she will consider it part of her remit to initiate a system of checks on same. [24227/11]
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to review the operation of the rent supplement scheme with a view to introducing a code of conduct for rent supplement eligibility similar to that which operates for local authority tenants. The purpose of this review is to ensure that tenants who are receiving long term support from the State under the rent supplement scheme are subject to the same type of anti-social behaviour regime as local authority tenants. The most appropriate way for this to happen is for local authorities to take over responsibility for meeting the accommodation needs of these individuals. My Department is currently working with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with a view to achieving this goal.
432 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the potential savings to the Exchequer by reducing professional fees paid by the State by 25%. [24286/11]
The 2011 Revised Estimates for this Department provides for payments to medical certifiers for certificates issued in accordance with social welfare legislation and for legal fees. The amounts provided are €29.5 million and €0.4 million, respectively. A 25% reduction in these provisions would equate to €7.4 million and €0.1 million, respectively.
433 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in view of the unsatisfactory position regarding access to national monuments, he will expedite the publication of a Bill updating the existing Monuments Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22821/11]
The general scheme of a Monuments Bill to consolidate, update and improve the legislative code governing the protection and regulation of the national archaeological heritage has been submitted to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and will be advanced as speedily as government legislative priorities allow.
434 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be awarded compensation in respect of their bog under the cessation of turf-cutting compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22971/11]
In May 2010, the voluntary bog purchase scheme was closed to new applicants. Processing of applications on hand has been slower than anticipated due to capacity constraints in undertaking the conveyance work involved.
The Government recently announced a number of decisions regarding the future management of peatlands in Ireland and, in particular, the protection of bogs designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas. In addition to the establishment of an independent Peatlands Council, the Government has announced a compensation package for turf-cutters in sites where continued turf cutting is no longer possible for reasons of environmental protection. My Department will be writing to all remaining applicants under the voluntary purchase scheme to outline their options in light of the availability of alternative compensation arrangements.
435 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to erect a permanent memorial at Letterfrack Industrial School Children’s Graveyard, Clifden, County Galway, in memory of the children who died there; if the visitors centre interpretative office, located in one of the school buildings will provide some brochures with information on the history attached to Letterfrack Industrial School and to include a map of the children’s graveyard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23075/11]
449 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has responsibility for the Connemara National Park and the visitor centre; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that despite part of the park and the visitor centre being located on the grounds of Letterfrack Industrial School that the centre does not acknowledge the history of the school; if he will ensure that this history is integrated into the visitors centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23221/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 449 together.
Connemara National Park was established in 1980, combining land from a number of sources, including Kylemore Abbey, Coillte Teoranta and a number of private landowners. The Park is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department.
The main remit of NPWS is the conservation of our natural heritage and the National Park provides a valuable amenity for both locals and visitors to the area and encourages the development of sustainable tourism in the locality. The main purpose of the Park's exhibition area is to interpret the landscape and natural heritage of the National Park and the surrounding area through information exhibits and special events, such as children's activities, guided walks and evening talks which are organised throughout the year.
While the graveyard and some outbuildings from the former Letterfrack Industrial School lie within the boundaries of the National Park the main building which housed the School does not. With regard to the graveyard itself, its enhancement was facilitated and funded by the NPWS and the area is treated with dignity and respect and is cared for by NPWS staff who maintain it to the highest standards. In addition, there is appropriate signage in place where the access path to the graveyard leaves the main route in the Park.
The appropriate means of highlighting the history of the Letterfrack Industrial School and other such institutions and any commemoration of those who spent time there are matters that falls outside the primary remit of the NPWS and may be more appropriate to the Department of Education and Skills. I understand from enquiries made to that Department's Residential Institution Redress Unit that, as part of the implementation of the recommendations of the Ryan Report, an independent committee was appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills to oversee the design and commissioning of a memorial for those affected by institutional abuse. Following the consultative process, a competition is being organised and administered on behalf of the committee by the Commissioners of Public Works. The competition is open to all, including those who might wish to make proposals for an appropriate memorial to those affected by institutional abuse in Letterfrack Industrial School. I am advised that the closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is Thursday 13of October 2011 and details of the competition, including selection criteria, indicative dates and competition jury membership, is available on at www.education.ie and www.publicart.ie.
436 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23536/11]
The species referred to by the Deputy was first introduced to Ireland over 100 years ago. It forms dense thickets along roadsides, waste-grounds and waterways, reproduces by vegetative means and is difficult to kill off once it becomes established.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is currently working with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to fund and manage the Invasive Species Ireland project. This initiative provides advice and guidance on the management of a range of invasive species, including the species referred to, which can negatively impact on the environment and on property on the island of Ireland. Best Practice Management Guidelines for the species in question have been published and can be accessed on the project website at www.invasivespeciesireland.com. I understand that this guidance is currently undergoing review following changes in legislation and refinement of good practice in the management of the species. The updated guidance will be made publicly available during the month of October.
My Department will be including provisions in the forthcoming Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations in relation to controlling the possession and dispersal of ecologically harmful and invasive species of animals and plants, including the species referred to by the Deputy.
437 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans the National Parks and Wildlife Service has for the change of farming practices and methods and stock levels for hill farmers; and if any financial assistance will be given to affected farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23958/11]
My Department, in association with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is currently undertaking a review of all commonage framework plans. The review will provide the basis for the sustainable grazing of commonages, to avoid both over-grazing and under-grazing. It is envisaged that a minimum and maximum stocking level will be set for each commonage townland and owners of shares in the commonage will be notified of these levels. Farmers will be able to farm freely once these stocking levels are observed and the land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition.
Farmers in certain areas, which are still assessed as being in bad condition, will continue to have their stock levels restricted over the next two years. The issue of financial assistance will be examined in the light of the review and of Departmental budgets.
438 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will contribute to the development of piers at Dunquin and An Blascaod Mór, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22642/11]
Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, my Department is not currently in a position to make a financial contribution to the development of piers at Dún Chaoin and An Blascaod Mór. However, my Department will continue to maintain an interest in the project and my officials are available to engage in discussions or to assist in any other way in advancing the project, notwithstanding the existing financial constraints.
439 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if suitable lands in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, will be set aside for the purpose of community allotments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22649/11]
The primary remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is the conservation of our natural heritage, and accordingly, it would not be considered appropriate to set aside land in Killarney National Park for community allotments. However, under Section 67 of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities may take measures to promote the interests of the local community in relation to a range of specified matters, including allotments.
440 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action he will take to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the battle of Callan, Kilgarvan, County Kerry, which occurs this August 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22654/11]
My Department has no plan to commemorate this event which, while it is not of national significance, may well merit some appropriate local or community initiative.
441 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22718/11]
451 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23292/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 451 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2 June 2011. The amount spent on taxi services since that date is shown in the following table. It was not possible to provide separate expenditure data on taxi usage incurred by outsiders.
|
Period |
Taxi Expenditure |
|
June-August 2011 |
€3,605 |
In general, taxis may be hired by officers while on Departmental business where public transport is not available or suitable. Officers are instructed that, when travelling to and from the same destination, shared taxis should be availed of, where possible. No decision has yet been taken in relation to the allocation for taxi services for next year, pending approval of the 2012 Departmental Estimates in the context of the Budget.
442 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons that visited the National Print Museum in 2010; and the amount that was paid by the State in grants and other payments to the National Print Museum during the same period. [22954/11]
The National Print Museum had 21,400 visitors in 2010 and the total amount of grants paid to the Museum in that year was €182,000.
443 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he funded or grant aided the Irish Labour History Museum in 2010; if so, the amount that was involved; and the number of persons that visited the museum during the same period. [22955/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Labour History Museum did not receive any grant aid from my Department in 2010. The visitor numbers to the Museum are not available to my Department.
444 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if measures will be taken to protect the curlew from extinction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23006/11]
The curlew is red-listed as a globally threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2007. A recent survey published by BirdWatch Ireland indicated that, based on the results of a survey to find breeding curlews in counties Donegal and Mayo, the current number of breeding pairs in the State is less than 200. However, there is a large influx of curlews into Ireland every winter and the winter numbers have not shown a parallel decline.
The cause of the decline in breeding pairs is not clear. It is possible that the loss of habitat in upland areas, where afforestation, commercial peat-cutting and windfarm developments have taken place, is a factor in the decline of the species. It is also likely that the spread of forestry has boosted the number of foxes and grey crows, both very efficient predators of nests.
Under the Open Seasons Order the hunting of curlew is allowed in the month of November only. My Department is reviewing its inclusion on the shooting list in view of the steep decline in breeding curlews. My Department is also engaging in a process of investigations and consultations with relevant parties with a view to ascertaining the causes of the decline and putting in place appropriate supportive measures.
445 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way applicants for Culture Ireland funds are assessed according to financial need; the number of arts organisations that have surplus funds; and if surplus funds will be deducted from the grant aid. [23053/11]
Culture Ireland operates a quarterly grant scheme to support the international presentation of work by Irish artists. To be eligible for funding, the primary purpose of the proposed international visit must be to present the work of Irish artists to a wide audience through performance or exhibition. All applicants must demonstrate how the event will meet the following criteria: quality of work and track record of artist/company; level of geographic priority for Culture Ireland; profile of international venue/festival; financial viability of the event (including level of support from presenter/other partners); proven capacity of applicant to present work internationally; and wider promotional and media impact.
Decisions on funding applications are based on the extent to which they meet these criteria. In assessing the financial viability of the event, Culture Ireland considers the detailed budget for the event which must accompany the application and funding for selected projects is only offered where there is a budgetary shortfall. In supporting an event, Culture Ireland will typically offer funding towards the costs of travel/transport and sometimes also accommodation/subsistence, i.e. costs which relate directly to the international presentation of the event. Culture Ireland does not fund fees or production costs. The list of projects grant-funded by Culture Ireland is available on the website www.cultureireland.ie.
446 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of direct grants that were provided by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport in 2010 specifically for funding of the arts; the way the arts organisations were made aware of this funding; the further way they were assessed; the amount that was allocated; the person who made the decisions; if there is a record of the assessment process; and if he will provide this Deputy with the list. [23054/11]
Capital grants for arts projects paid in 2010 under the D.5 Cultural Development subhead of my Department's Vote are published on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie/en/arts/grants and funding. This funding covered payments under a number of different schemes.
The majority of the funds in question were capital grants made under the ACCESS II grant scheme and apply to major capital projects. Applications were made in 2006 following advertisements in the national media. The decision-making process was lead by an independent assessment committee under the chairmanship of Mr John Fitzgerald, former Dublin City Council Manager. Grants were allocated in 2007 and again in 2008 based on the recommendations made by this committee. Because of their technical nature, capital projects usually involve multiple year drawdowns.
Allocations made under my Department's Cultural Technology Scheme in 2010 were also decided by an independent assessment committee under the chairmanship of Ms Karlin Lillington. Again, this scheme was advertised in the national media and the assessment criteria were published.
When availability of funds allow, smaller capital grants may also made available. Details of the application process for this type of funding, along with the requirements and criteriafor drawdown of these grants, is published on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Publications/ArtsPublications/FAQFebruary2011.pdf. Applications under this procedure are assessed by my Department against the criteria published on the website. It is standard practice that records are kept in my Department of all grant assessment processes.
447 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff in the Arts Council; and the breakdown of the numbers of staff who have specific responsibilities for various sector in the Arts. [23055/11]
I understand that the Arts Council employs 46 whole-time equivalent staff across a range of grades. The following table gives a breakdown of staff employed directly on arts specialist work.
|
Category |
Staff |
|
|
Art forms in the performing and creative arts |
· Architecture· Circus· Dance· Film· Literature· Music· Opera· Theatre· Traditional Arts· Visual Arts |
15.25 whole-time equivalent staff |
|
Arts practices that are multidisciplinary and/or cross sectoral in nature |
· Artists’ Supports· Arts Participation· European Cultural Contact Point· Festivals, Street Arts & Spectacle· International Arts· Local Arts· Public Art· Venues· Young People Children & Education |
14.75 whole-time equivalent staff |
All other employees are cross-functional in support of the work of the Arts Council.
448 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will approve the recruitment of staff at an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that 11 persons have retired from their posts in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23220/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on filling staff vacancies across the public service remains in place. I am satisfied though that within this context, adequate staffing resources are in place in order to maintain the property referred to by the Deputy as a high quality visitor attraction.
In relation to the restoration project referred to, the Office of Public Works will act as project manager for these works and on behalf of my Department will engage suitably qualified contractors to carry out the necessary works. Where my Departmental staff are required to be involved in the project, this will be managed from existing resources, having regard to other existing work and management priorities.
450 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for self-published authors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23243/11]
I wish to assure the Deputy that I appreciate the difficulties involved in the area of publication, both by companies and individuals. I do not however, have a statutory role in respect of supporting such enterprises.
The Arts Council is the State agency primarily charged with the promotion and funding of the arts at all levels throughout the country. The Arts Council can support a self-published author to develop his work, either through a bursary or through a travel and training award. The Council supports writers at all stages of their careers, and it offers a range of supports to literary publishers and journals to produce and distribute high quality work. Details of these awards are available both directly from the Council and on its website www.artscouncil.ie.
452 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23307/11]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department was established on 2 June 2011. Expenditure incurred using Departmental credit cards from that date was €15,385.38 and I am advised that none of that expenditure related to official entertainment. Following a review of policy in this area, my Department now has one operational credit card with a credit limit of €10,000.
453 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23337/11]
455 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23367/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 455 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2nd June 2011. The details requested by the Deputy in respect of my own private and constituency offices, and those of Minister of State Dinny McGinley, T.D., are set out in the following tables. The staffing levels referred to are consistent with the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices, as approved by the Government earlier this year.
The Deputy will note that the details provided relate to the period since my appointment as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the appointment of Minister of State Dinny McGinley on 10 March 2011.
|
No of staff (WTE) |
Salary cost in 2011 to date |
|
|
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
5 |
119,604 |
|
Constituency Office |
4 |
71,907 |
|
Total |
9 |
191,511 |
|
No of staff (WTE) |
Salary cost in 2011 to date |
|
|
€ |
||
|
Private Office |
4 |
86,724 |
|
Constituency Office |
3 |
60,360 |
|
Total |
7 |
147,084 |
454 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2nd June 2011. My Department has received sanction from the Department of Finance for the appointment of two Special Advisors. My officials are currently in contact with both individuals with a view to finalising specific contracts arrangements in line with the guidelines on staffing of Ministers' Offices issued earlier this year. No salary costs have been incurred by my Department to date, pending the finalising of these arrangements. I have not appointed any programme managers, nor is any such appointment envisaged.
456 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23439/11]
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2 June 2011 and the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to provide meaningful comparative information for 2010 as sought by him.
The administrative budget available to my Department for postal, telecommunications, office equipment and IT services in 2011 is €2,045,000, comprising €1,641,000 for current expenditure and €404,000 for capital expenditure. The purchase of IT equipment is specifically provided for from this capital expenditure budget.
In accordance with public procurement regulations, all relevant IT procurements are subject to a tendering process, with purchases of particular IT equipment and services, such as desktop or laptop PCs, printers and mobile or fixed voice or data services, being procured under the national ICT procurement frameworks, which are under the auspices of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Furthermore, my Department has been active in establishing cross-departmental collaborations with, for example, the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Environment, Community and Local Government on IT projects where significant cost savings can be achieved through the sharing of IT services and resources.
Whilst my Department provides funding to the agencies within its remit, the board of each agency is responsible for all operational matters relating to the agency, including IT services, and I do not have a statutory function in respect of such day-to-day operational matters.
457 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23466/11]
As the Deputy is aware, in the current economic circumstances, the Government is faced with a number of difficult decisions in lead up to the forthcoming Budget. To assist in this regard, the Government has embarked on a detailed Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE). The objectives of the CRE are to provide the Government with a comprehensive set of decision options: to meet the overall fiscal consolidation objectives, both as regards spending and numbers reduction targets; to re-align spending with the Programme for Government priorities; and; in this context, to consider new ways of achieving Government objectives in the context of public sector reform.
The Deputy will appreciate that the Departmental CRE submissions form a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government and, as such, their release cannot be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget.
458 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an caiteachas reatha agus caipitil go 31 Lúnasa, briste síos de réir na gceannteideal sna meastacháin, an soláthar don bhliain do gach ceannteideal agus an caiteachas a bhí tuartha go dtí an dáta sin sna próifíl a cuireadh chuig an Roinn Airgeadais; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23488/11]
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá leithdháiltí caiteachais mo Roinnse ag leibhéal fo-mhírchinn foilsithe sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe agus tá próifílí caiteachais foilsithe don bhliain 2011 ar fáil ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe. Tá leithdháiltí na Roinne ag leibhéal fo-mhírchinn ar fáil ag an nasc thíos chun gur féidir tagairt a dhéanamh dóibh go héasca: http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011-REV.pdf.
Is féidir breathnú ar chaiteachas maidir le próifílí foilsithe ag an nasc seo a leanas: http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/exchequerstatements/2011/profilerevspendjuly2011.pdf.
Mar eolas don Teachta, ar an 31 Lúnasa 2011, ba é €151.763m glanchaiteachas iomlán mo Roinnse. Ba ionann sin agus isteach agus amach le 94% den phróifíl foilsithe agus 57% den leithdháileadh sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe ar fiú €264.099m é. Déanann an tábla thíos achoimre ar dheighilt an chaiteachais sin idir caiteachas reatha agus caiteachas caipitil:
|
Leithdháileadh Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe 2011 |
Caiteachas go31 Lúnasa |
Próifílgo 31 Lúnasa |
Caiteachas mar chéatadán den Phróifíl |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
% |
|
|
Reatha |
209,532 |
129,790 |
134,201 |
97 |
|
Capitil |
54,567 |
21,973 |
26,634 |
82 |
|
Iomlán |
264,099 |
151,763 |
160,835 |
94 |
Tá an Teachta ar an eolas freisin, cé go ndéantar monatóireacht agus bainistiú ar bhonn rialta ar chaiteachas mo Roinnse i gcoibhneas le próifíl ag leibhéal fo-mhírchinn, gur figiúirí sealadacha figiúirí caiteachais leanúnacha dá leithéid agus tá siad faoi réir phromhadh inmheánach trí chóras bainistíochta airgeadais na Roinne agus, ar deireadh, faoi réir phromhadh an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste. Ceapaim dá mbeadh tuarascálacha mionsonraithe inmheánacha ar chaiteachas ag leibhéal fo-mhírchinn le foilsiú roimh dheireadh na bliana go mbeadh breis promhaidh ag teastáil, chomh maith le méid díréireach ama agus oibre ar bhonn leanúnach, agus bheadh sé deacair seasamh leis sin.
459 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé liosta a chur ar fáil de na tograí caipitil oileánda ar caitheadh níos mó ná €1m orthu ó 1998; cad é an t-ollchostas a bhain le gach ceann acu; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23490/11]
Léirítear sna táblaí leis seo na tionscadail chaipitil a bhaineann leis na hoileáin, ar caitheadh níos mó ná €1m orthu ón mbliain 1998, agus an caiteachas go dáta i ngach cás, de réir thaifid mo Roinne-se.
|
Co. Dhún na nGall |
Co. Mhaigh Eo |
|||
|
Bliain |
Cé na Leidhbe Gairbhe |
Cé Mhachaire Rabhartaigh |
Cé Rú an Átha |
Céanna Chliara & Thoirc |
|
1998 |
||||
|
1999 |
€666,612 |
|||
|
2000 |
€209,507 |
|||
|
2001 |
€158,717 |
€589,158 |
||
|
2002 |
€52,697 |
€1,058,020 |
||
|
2003 |
€840,324 |
€1,360,768 |
€249,053 |
|
|
2004 |
€366,136 |
€7,891,933 |
||
|
2005 |
€23,096 |
€2,597,769 |
||
|
2006 |
€847,455 |
|||
|
2007 |
€26,549 |
|||
|
2008 |
||||
|
2009 |
||||
|
2010 |
||||
|
2011 |
||||
|
Iomlán |
€1,087,533 |
€2,487,502 |
€1,750,000 |
€11,612,759 |
|
Co. na Gaillimhe |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bliain |
Droichead Inis Ní |
Cé an Chaladh Mhóir |
Cé Chill Rónáin |
Aerstráice Inis Bó Finne |
Aerstráice an Chlocháin |
Calafort Ros an Mhíl |
Cosaint an chósta ar Inis Bó Finne |
|
1998 |
€10,793 |
||||||
|
1999 |
|||||||
|
2000 |
|||||||
|
2001 |
|||||||
|
2002 |
€510,434 |
€134,167 |
|||||
|
2003 |
€759,303 |
||||||
|
2004 |
|||||||
|
2005 |
€284,648 |
€147,760 |
€1,500,000 |
||||
|
2006 |
€141,353 |
€20,062 |
€1,074,851 |
€71,174 |
|||
|
2007 |
€7,726,920 |
€63,487 |
€1,244,107 |
€474,113 |
€404,280 |
€5,664,211 |
|
|
2008 |
€5,683,653 |
€17,386,291 |
€1,367,226 |
€3,709,027 |
€922,171 |
||
|
2009 |
€63,666 |
€14,095,634 |
€454,952 |
€412,856 |
€485,067 |
||
|
2010 |
€514,853 |
€8,864,825 |
€19,832 |
€583,271 |
€436,596 |
||
|
2011 |
€2,101,606 |
€50,085 |
|||||
|
Iomlán |
€1,269,737 |
€14,560,053 |
€42,511,843* |
€3,304,024 |
€5,179,267 |
€2,979,131 |
€7,579,219 |
*Obair fós ag dul ar aghaidh.
460 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital funding spent on islands from the islands subhead of his Department and of previous Departments with this responsibility for the islands for each year from 1998 to 2011 broken down on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/11]
Based on Departmental records, details of expenditure incurred on capital projects on the islands for each county for the period 1998 to 2011 to date are set out in the table below. The Deputy will note that in certain instances expenditure related to more than one county.
|
Year |
Co. Donegal |
Co. Sligo |
Co. Mayo |
Co. Galway |
Co. Kerry |
Co. Cork |
More than one county* |
Total |
|
1998 |
€445,615 |
€0 |
€408,032 |
€460,045 |
€0 |
€862,825 |
€794,377 |
€2,970,894 |
|
1999 |
€1,033,313 |
€0 |
€161,182 |
€173,703 |
€0 |
€1,814,479 |
€79,237 |
€3,261,914 |
|
2000 |
€453,931 |
€0 |
€696,583 |
€1,540,262 |
€0 |
€541,073 |
€919,322 |
€4,151,171 |
|
2001 |
€2,110,316 |
€0 |
€606,564 |
€1,215,733 |
€35,553 |
€721,482 |
€330,754 |
€5,020,402 |
|
2002 |
€1,979,758 |
€0 |
€963,868 |
€776,837 |
€0 |
€311,490 |
€2,279 |
€4,034,232 |
|
2003 |
€1,247,141 |
€54,141 |
€2,549,203 |
€432,805 |
€17,836 |
€65,532 |
€0 |
€4,366,658 |
|
2004 |
€255,863 |
€89,710 |
€8,744,155 |
€831,140 |
€7,909 |
€426,843 |
€0 |
€10,355,620 |
|
2005 |
€202,085 |
€0 |
€2,948,832 |
€3,233,262 |
€0 |
€207,299 |
€0 |
€6,591,478 |
|
2006 |
€479,850 |
€0 |
€1,397,558 |
€3,033,395 |
€300,000 |
€451,832 |
€0 |
€5,662,635 |
|
2007 |
€449,901 |
€0 |
€487,326 |
€16,447,058 |
€2,091 |
€631,566 |
€0 |
€18,017,942 |
|
2008 |
€795,642 |
€0 |
€837,386 |
€30,672,346 |
€0 |
€672,827 |
€0 |
€32,978,201 |
|
2009 |
€377,754 |
€0 |
€366,313 |
€18,689,632 |
€0 |
€298,301 |
€0 |
€19,732,000 |
|
2010 |
€54,994 |
€0 |
€41,519 |
€10,576,681 |
€0 |
€129,538 |
€0 |
€10,802,732 |
|
2011 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€2,176,722 |
€0 |
€718 |
€0 |
€2,177,440 |
|
Total |
€9,886,163 |
€143,851 |
€20,208,521 |
€90,259,621 |
€363,389 |
€7,135,805 |
€2,125,969 |
€130,123,319 |
*These projects related to more than one county.
461 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aige airgead pleanála teanga a chur ar fáil do na comharchumainn Ghaeltachta i 2012 faoin Straitéis Fiche Bliain don teanga; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23492/11]
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá sé ráite sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 go mbeidh forbairt córas cuimsitheach pleanála teanga ag leibhéal an phobail sa Ghaeltacht ag croílár na Straitéise. Faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga sin, tá i gceist go ndéanfar plean teanga a ullmhú ag leibhéal an phobail do gach ceantar Gaeltachta. Is cinnte go mbeidh ról lárnach ag na heagraíochtaí pobalbhunaithe sa Ghaeltacht sa phróiseas sin.
Tá obair ar Bhille Gaeltachta, a thabharfaidh stádas reachtúil don phróiseas pleanála teanga, á cur chun cinn ag mo Roinnse i láthair na huaire agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh an reachtaíocht sin foilsithe roimh dheireadh na bliana, ag brath ar chlár reachtaíochta an Rialtais.
Mar a thuigfidh an Teachta, níl ar chumas mo Roinne an soláthar airgid a chuirfear ar fáil do na cúrsaí seo uile an bhliain seo chugainn a shonrú go dtí go mbeidh cinntí déanta sa Cháinaisnéis faoi na Meastacháin do 2012. San idirlinn, tá mo Roinn ag breathnú ar an gcur chuige is éifeachtaí chun córas pleanála teanga a fhorbairt go céimnitheach sa Ghaeltacht, i gcomhthéacs inar féidir a bheith ag súil leis go mbeidh acmhainní teoranta airgeadais ar fáil sa tréimhse amach romhainn.
462 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there has been any contact or discussions between his Department and the Bank of Ireland on making the Bank of Ireland premises in College Green available as a public building for use for public and cultural purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23494/11]
465 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will give an update on the acquisition of Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin 2, for its use by the State as a cultural amenity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23929/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 465 together.
I refer the Deputies to my replies on 24th May and 2nd June 2011 on this matter. I have met the Chair and Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland and had a constructive engagement on the issues. That engagement will continue.
463 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he must take to designate Lough Ree as a special protection area for wild birds; the way this designation might impact on residents living near the lake and also on flood relief maintenance. [23512/11]
I am currently engaged in a programme of classification of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive. This exercise includes the re-classification of many existing SPA sites, including Lough Ree which was first designated some sixteen years ago. A judgment delivered by the European Court of Justice against Ireland in December 2007 found that Ireland's classification of its SPAs had been inadequate in some respects and this has necessitated the re-classification of many of the older sites.
The proposal to update the designation of Lough Ree was advertised during the week commencing the 25th July, 2011. Detailed information on the proposal was included with my Department's letter of 22nd July, 2011 which issued to landowners and others identified as having an interest in the site. This material, including maps of the proposed site, was also made available through public access points in the area, including Garda Stations, Teagasc offices, local libraries and the offices of local authorities in the area.
Appeals by affected landowners or land users against the proposal may be made up to 25th October, 2011. The re-designation process will be concluded, following consideration of any appeals submitted, with the making of a new Statutory Instrument for the site.
To protect ecologically important sites, certain potentially harmful works are restricted within SPAs. These activities (known as Activities Requiring Consent) are works liable to interfere with the integrity of the site. For the Lough Ree site, activities such as drainage works, reclamation and water abstraction are specified. These provisions apply to works undertaken by public bodies and agencies as well as private individuals. However, there is no general prohibition on the activities listed, merely a requirement to notify and secure my consent, as Minister, where relevant. In practice, this consent is obtained through contact with the locally based staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Details of these activities and this process have been sent to landowners. There is no requirement to obtain consent if an activity is licensed by or subject to the permission of another Minister, public body, State or local authority, or specified as permitted in an approved farm plan for the land in question.
464 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the damage these plans may cause to the network of family history centres across the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23812/11]
I met with representatives from the Irish Family History Foundation in July where they outlined their views on the digitisation of records. Additionally, I held a full day seminar on 7 September with representatives from a wide range of organisations with an interest in genealogy matters. A representative from the Family History Centres in each county was invited, the majority of which attended on the day. Each organisation that attended was given an opportunity to make a presentation that outlined their views on the issue of digitising genealogical records. This involved some 30 presentations being made over the course of the day. I am now considering the views of the various organisations on this important issue.
466 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be made available to the National Archives to properly preserve the records of psychiatric hospitals as highlighted in a recent television programme (details supplied); if these archives will receive statutory protection; if all archives for each hospital have been investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23959/11]
I am advised that the archives of hospitals are not covered by the National Archives Act 1986. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that my Department and the National Archives have no statutory function in this matter.
467 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to reform the 30-year rule for the National Archives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24004/11]
I have no plans to reform the 30 year rule for the National Archives.
468 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of endangered archaeological sites, natural heritage sites and buildings here; if he will give a breakdown of those in County Wicklow; if he will give an update on his review of Part IV Architectural Heritage of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24053/11]
Under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, each planning authority is required to include in its development plan a Record of Protected Structures. The making of an addition to, or deletion from, a Record of Protected Structures is a reserved function of the planning authorities.
Inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
Section 59 of the 2000 Act provides for a planning authority to serve notice to require works to be carried out in relation to endangerment of protected structures. On the basis of information submitted by the planning authorities to my Department, there were 19 such notices served in 2008, 27 in 2009 and 10 in 2010. None of these notices were served by the Wicklow planning authorities.
Archaeological sites, generally, are protected quite successfully under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. Whilst it not currently possible to quantify nationally how many sites are endangered, there are twelve cases of reported threat or damage to archaeological sites in County Wicklow currently under investigation by my Department.
Sites designated by my Department for their natural heritage interest include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), Refuges for Fauna, Nature Reserves and National Parks. Detailed information on these sites, including information on the nature conservation associated with each, is available on a county basis on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website at www.npws.ie .
I have given approval for my Department to undertake a review of the operation of Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. An Expert Advisory Committee is being established as part of the review process. The review will focus on the effective operation of the existing code, rather than on a fundamental review of Part IV. This Committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting later this month.
469 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the results of the seismic studies that were carried out in 1964 on the sea between the Galley Head and Mizen Head, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22952/11]
There were the two seismic surveys in the general Galley Head/Mizen Head area during the 1960s. Details of these surveys are set out in the following table:
|
Survey ID |
Company |
Seismic Contractor |
Survey Type |
Survey length |
Survey Area |
|
1969/01 |
Marathon Oil |
Western Geophysical |
2D line |
2,571 km |
Celtic Sea/Irish Sea |
|
1969/02 |
Conoco |
Seiscom |
2D line |
1,091 km |
Celtic Sea/Fastnet Basin |
The data from these two surveys was submitted to my Department by the companies involved and would be available for purchase through the Department's data agents, contact details for which are available on my Department's website. The acquisition of seismic data is an essential part of petroleum exploration and over 130 seismic surveys have been carried out off the south coast of Ireland since 1965.
470 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish the fuel poverty strategy as a matter of priority in advance of budget 2012. [23814/11]
Energy poverty is a cross-cutting policy issue and tackling the root causes requires action on a number of fronts. Energy poverty is caused by the interaction between energy prices, thermal inefficiency of the home and income. Action to mitigate energy poverty has focused on providing assistance through the schemes operated by the Departments of Social Protection, Environment and the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
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 delivered through the Better Energy: Warmer Homes programme. By providing significant energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty, this programme provides benefits to recipients in terms of energy affordability, tangible health improvements and overall well being. The programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department.
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, finalised its own deliberations over the summer months. Their analysis and recommendations formed the basis for a strategy to be agreed with my Ministerial colleagues.
I would remind the Deputy that I informed the Oireachtas Committee last evening that I was in the process of bringing a Memo to Cabinet on this issue and it is my intention to publish an Affordable Energy Strategy within a few weeks.
471 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that shale fracking will not be used for the removal of natural gas in the recently awarded Lough Allen Basin exploration licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24145/11]
Earlier this year, my Department granted onshore Licensing Options to two companies over parts of the Lough Allen Basin. The Licensing Options are preliminary authorisations and are different to exploration licences. The Options are for a two year period from March 2011 to the end of February 2013.
During this period, the companies will evaluate the natural gas potential of the acreage largely based on studies of existing data. The companies will also undertake a preliminary environmental baseline/impact assessment and engage with the local authorities and other statutory agencies as required.
This work is largely office/desktop based and will not involve exploration drilling or hydraulic fracturing. In fact exploration drilling is specifically excluded under these authorisations. By the end of the Option period in February 2013, the companies will have to decide whether to apply for a follow-on exploration licences or relinquish their acreage.
In the event that either company decides to apply for an exploration licence that includes proposals for exploration drilling using hydraulic fracturing, the company would have to demonstrate that this work could be undertaken without causing harm to the environment. The application would have to be set out in detail and be supported by an environmental impact statement.
My Department would then undertake a full assessment of the application, including an environmental impact assessment and public consultation. As part of that public consultation, my Department would consult with other relevant statutory authorities such as the EPA, NPWS, Local Authorities etc. in making any decision.
472 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will delay the awarding of further exploration licences offshore until the joint Oireachtas committee has reported on the terms of the licences already awarded and made its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24146/11]
The potential of the Irish offshore as a petroleum producing region is largely unproven. This is likely to remain the case unless there is a relatively significant increase in the level of exploration activity, in particular exploration drilling. Over the past decade on average only two exploration wells have been drilled per year.
The principal aim of the 2011 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round is to seek to inject new momentum into the level of exploration in the Irish offshore and to attract new exploration companies to Ireland. For that reason I do not intend to delay my decision on the award of the two-year licensing options.
Companies that are granted two-year licensing options under the round will have to undertake work programmes agreed with my Department. These work programmes will then inform decisions to be made two years from now as to whether or not these companies will want to apply for exploration licences, with a view to moving towards exploration drilling.
As any exploration drilling that might result from the 2011 licensing round is unlikely to take place until six years from now at the earliest, it would not be in the public interest to delay decisions on the award of licensing options. To do so would only delay the much needed increase in exploration activity levels and damage investor confidence.
473 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22720/11]
480 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23294/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 480 together.
My Department has a contract with a taxi company to provide taxi services at a very competitive rate. I have set out the information requested by the Deputy, as it relates to that contract, in the following table.
|
Period |
Spend |
|
2011 January-August |
€7,246 |
|
2010 |
€18,400 |
|
2009 |
€17,309 |
|
2008 |
€27,760 |
In addition to the expenditure incurred on the contracted taxi service, officials are reimbursed for taxi expenditure when the contracted service is not available. This reimbursement occurs through the travel and subsistence system and the data for the periods in question is as follows:
|
Period |
Spend |
|
2011 (January-August) |
€9,305 |
|
2010 |
€16,278 |
|
2009 |
€23,509 |
|
2008 |
€28,935 |
The total of the two is as follows:
|
Period |
Spend |
|
2011 (January-August) |
€16,551 |
|
2010 |
€34,678 |
|
2009 |
€40,818 |
|
2008 |
€56,695 |
While there is no specific allocation for taxi use in my department, it is included in the overall travel budget, expenditure in this area is closely monitored to ensure it stays within expectations. The following stipulations apply to the use of taxis: Officials travelling within normal walking distance of their office base should not use a taxi service except in exceptional circumstances. The possible exceptions to this are officials with a "declared" disability or those carrying weighty files; Other cheaper forms of public transport should be used when available, e.g., buses; Taxis should be shared when officials are attending the same meeting; Meetings should be held in our buildings and/or video conference facilities used where possible; Staff who book taxis should be present in reception and ready to go ahead of the taxi arrival to avoid waiting charges.
Use of taxis is only permitted for official purposes and is restricted to staff use except in very exceptional circumstances. The extraction of information on the use of taxis by external personnel would be very time consuming and would necessitate going through all invoices from the taxi firm going over the past four years. My department has also implemented an initiative that makes available a number of bicycles for use by officials in its two Dublin offices during office hours. Following a successful pilot phase in Adelaide Road, this voluntary initiative was extended to Beggars Bush. The reaction of staff to the initiative has proved very positive and all eight bicycles are in regular use. This has helped to reduce the cost of taxis to the department since its inception in 2008.
474 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding the gas fields off the coast of County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22910/11]
A finding from a research study sponsored by my Department estimated that there could be a total reserve potential in the order of ten billion barrels of oil equivalent in the frontier basins west of Ireland. This figure is simply an estimate of unproven potential, derived from an assessment of the scale of acreage, the state of knowledge of offshore geology and experience elsewhere. It is not a detailed estimate based on comprehensive survey and exploration drilling of Ireland's Atlantic offshore. Actual reserve figures are likely to vary widely from these estimates and will not be known without a dramatic increase in the level of exploration activity. In fact, Ireland's proven commercial reserves to date are estimated at 0.5 billion barrels and more than half of this has already been exploited.
The only commercial discoveries of hydrocarbons made in the Irish offshore to date are the three producing gas fields in the Kinsale area, along with the Corrib gas field which is currently being developed off the coast of Mayo. There have been no commercial discoveries of oil.
In relation to the onshore, earlier this year my Department granted Licensing Options to two companies over parts of the North West Carboniferous or Lough Allen Basin. The Licensing Options are designed to allow the companies assess the natural gas potential of the acreage largely based on desktop studies of existing seismic and well data. This potential had been identified in earlier exploration, but was not considered to be commercially viable. It is too early to conclude whether or not these authorisations will proceed to the exploration licence stage let alone to anticipate a commercial discovery that would potentially lead to a petroleum production project.
In relation to royalties, Ireland followed the lead of other countries such as the UK and Norway and moved away from a royalty based payments system to a tax based system in 1987. Under a tax based system the return to the State is linked directly to the profitability of the oil or gas field compared to a royalty based system where payments are linked to the volume of production and take no account of differences in development cost or actual profitability.
A comprehensive review of Ireland fiscal terms for oil and gas exploration and development was carried out in 2007. The review, which was underpinned by independent economic analysis, considered the appropriateness of Ireland's licensing terms in comparison to other European countries that Ireland competes with for exploration investment. The outcome of that review was the introduction of a profit resource rent tax, of between 5% and 15% that will apply in the case of more profitable fields. The profit resource rent tax would be payable in addition to the standard petroleum corporate tax of 25%.
Ireland competes with other countries, both in Europe and much further afield, to attract mobile international exploration investment. To that end, it is important that Ireland maintains a licensing regime that appropriately reflects both the risks and rewards of investing in petroleum exploration in the Irish offshore, relative to investing in exploration in other jurisdictions. Ireland's petroleum taxation rate is deliberately pitched at a level that is consistent with countries such as France, Portugal and Spain, who like Ireland have limited petroleum production, rather than with major petroleum producers such as Norway or the UK.
475 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for the solar heating grant; the number that have been granted; and the number of same that have been granted despite not meeting application deadlines set by SEAI because of extenuating circumstances. [22926/11]
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland launched the Greener Homes Scheme in March 2006 to support homeowners who wished to install renewable heating technology in their homes. The technologies supported included Biomass, Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal systems. The scheme closed for applications in May 2011 when solar thermal technology transitioned across to Better Energy: Homes. At that time, just over 29,500 applications for solar technology had been approved.
To date, a total of 22,500 systems have been installed by homeowners with a small number outstanding yet to be completed (approx 550). A total of 1,851 solar grant applications have been approved since the launch of Better Energy in May this year. Applications can be made online and, for eligible homes, approval is immediate with the homeowner having six months to complete the required work and submit payment documentation. Grants are not paid in cases where the homeowner does not meet the terms and conditions of the scheme.
476 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take in order to protect the health and safety of those on the route of the east-west interconnector in view of information (details supplied). [22948/11]
EirGrid, the State owned independent electricity transmission system company, is building the East West Interconnector between Ireland and Britain. The construction of this vital strategic infrastructure by EirGrid is on schedule for completion next year. I have no role in the planning and construction of transmission infrastructure, which are operational matters for EirGrid. The planning process for strategic energy infrastructure is a matter for An Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, in which I have no role.
The Interconnector obtained full planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in September 2009. This approval followed a comprehensive assessment process including a public oral hearing which addressed, inter alia, public health and safety considerations. It is being developed and constructed in line with all relevant national, EU and International guidelines for health, safety and the environment.
In order to allay further concerns expressed by Rush Community Council and to assist local community understanding and confidence, an independent Expert Opinion on health issues relating to High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Cable was commissioned by the Department which was positive in terms of safety of HVDC cable technology. A further report on the operational safety of the interconnector project was commissioned on a jointly agreed basis by Rush Community Council and EirGrid and also reported positively in terms of the operational safety of the project.
There is no reason to doubt EirGrid's commitment to complete this strategically vital project successfully to the highest safety standards in the national interest and without risk to the health and safety of local communities, nor is there any evidence to suggest that EirGrid would deliberately mislead Fingal County Council, An Bord Pleanála or the local communities in any way.
477 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that the current pace of development here is sufficient to meet our renewable energy targets (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23139/11]
Under Directive 2009/28/EC, Ireland has been set a legally binding target for renewable energy as a percentage of all energy consumed by 2020. Our target is 16% and this is to be achieved across the transport, heating and electricity sectors. Our intention, as set out in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan, available on the Department's website www.dcenr.gov.ie is that the overall 16% target will be achieved with around 40% consumption in the electricity sector being from renewable sources, 10% in the transport sector and 12% in the heat sector.
Table 10 of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) sets out the trajectory for how the target would be achieved in the electricity sector. By 2020, the NREAP modelled scenario shows 5111MW of renewable generation comprising 75MW of wave and tidal generation; 153MW of biomass generation; 234MW of hydro generation and 4649MW of wind (4094MW of onshore wind and 555MW of offshore wind.) Appendix 1 of the NREAP details the basis on which the modelling was carried out.
Since the NREAP was drafted there have been further falls in projected demand for electricity. EirGrid's All Island Generation Capacity Statement 2011-2020 concludes that Ireland will need 4350MW of wind generation by 2020 (i.e. 299MW less than forecast in the NREAP). The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI's) Energy Forecasts for Ireland to 2020 (2010 Report), which was compiled after the NREAP, indicates that only 3843MW of wind generation will be required by 2020 (see Table 16).
The figures for each year supplied in the NREAP were based on a modelled trajectory towards the achievement of our target on the basis of the information known at the time. These figures will have changed since the NREAP was published, which relied largely on 2009 data. A first report on the NREAP is to be submitted to the European Commission at end 2011 and will include new figures, which on the basis of the information already available from EirGrid and the SEAI energy forecasts are likely to show a lower trajectory.
As of June 2011, there was 1459MW of wind generation connected to the grid, 234MW of hydro and 30MW of other renewable generation. A further 1150MW of renewable generation from Gate 1 and Gate 2 has contracted with EirGrid or ESB Networks and is awaiting connection over the next few years.
While the amount of new windfarms connected in 2010 was lower than expected, an improvement is expected in 2011. The Commission for Energy Regulation, EirGrid and ESB Networks have been continuing to roll out the Gate 3 grid connection offers comprising 3900MW of new renewable generation. EirGrid is also actively pursuing implementation of the Grid 25 programme.
Between the 1723MW of renewable generation currently connected, the 1150MW relating to Gate 1 and Gate 2 that has contracted for a new connection with the TSO or DSO and with the 3900MW of Gate 3 connection offers our renewable energy targets are still on track to be achieved by 2020.
478 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Eircom has pulled back on the services such as those in Caherciveen, Kenmare and Beaufort, County Kerry, and that residents can only have their fault dealt with on every fourth working day (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23234/11]
The provision of electronic communications services is, in the first instance, a matter for private sector service providers operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Decisions relating to the provision of services including support services are, as a general rule, commercial matters for the management of each company.
Eircom has, however, been designated by ComReg, as the Universal Service Provider (USO) to ensure basic electronic services can be accessed by all residents in the State and Eircom is also required to meet certain quality of service targets including fault repair times. I understand from ComReg that it is currently reviewing Eircom's performance in this regard for the reporting period 2010/2011. I have no role in this process.
479 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of State funding, directly or indirectly, that has been awarded to fund SIPTU and ICTU or any of their members in the past decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23268/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that no direct or indirect funding has been provided to SIPTU or ICTU by my Department in any year since its formation in June 2007.
481 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23309/11]
The table below details spending on my Department's credit card account by Department staff for each of the past four years.
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 (To 22nd August) |
|
€39,177 |
€5,243 |
€4,075 |
€1,224 |
A total of 17 card holders have operated through this Department's credit card account at various stages over the past four years. In November 2008, the Management Committee revised the Department's credit card policy and reduced the number of credit cards issued. There are currently three card holders on my Department's account — myself, my Private Secretary, and the Private Secretary to the Minister of State. The limit on my card is €3,000 and there is a limit of €10,000 for each of the cards held by the Private Secretaries.
Of the €49,719 spent on credit cards over the past four years, €8,453 was on entertainment. The amounts spent per year are provided in the table below.
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 (To 22nd August) |
|
€8,426 |
— |
— |
€27 |
482 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 12 April 2011, the reason he has not made contact with the person as stated in the reply; when contact will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23334/11]
My Department did contact the person detailed in Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 12 April 2011. The Department wrote to the individual on 12 April 2011 requesting more information, date of birth, exact service years and location of employment, in order to determine whether or not there was a pension entitlement. The individual then made direct contact with the pensions section and has since been informed that after extensive searches no record of his employment was found and the onus is now on the individual to provide documented evidence of his employment.
483 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23339/11]
The Minister of State at my Department currently has three staff employed in his Private Office, a Private Secretary and two Clerical Officers. There are four people employed in his Constituency Office, two Personal Secretaries (each work sharing 50%) a Personal Assistant and a Clerical Officer.
Ministers of State assigned to my Department during May 2009 to March 2011 did not operate a Constituency Office from my Department and therefore the costs are confined to the Private Office. The annual amount paid in respect of salaries which includes allowances, over-time and employers PRSI, to each office is outlined in the Table below:
|
Year |
Private Office |
Constituency Office |
|
2009 |
€220,716.20 |
€13,252.70 |
|
2010 |
€189,244.98 |
— |
|
2011 |
€100,856.18 |
€28,281.45 |
484 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of special advisors and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23354/11]
There are two Special Advisers employed in my Department. Information regarding these and other such appointments requested by the Deputy is outlined below:
|
Year |
Minister |
No. of Special Advisers |
Salary Costing |
|
2009 |
E. Ryan / S. Power / C. Lenihan |
3 |
€312,526 |
|
2010 |
E. Ryan / C. Lenihan |
3 |
€292,799 |
|
2011(1 January — 9 March) |
E. Ryan / C. Lenihan |
3 |
€57,046 |
|
2011(28 March to date) |
P. Rabbitte |
2 |
€65,795 |
485 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23369/11]
There are nine staff employed my Private Office, two of whom are work sharing and four staff employed in my constituency office. Further information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the Tables below:
|
Salary Total (Inclusive of overtime, allowances and employer’s PRSI) |
|
|
Private Office |
€425,301 |
|
Constituency Office |
€110,451 |
|
Salary Total (Inclusive of overtime, allowances and employers PRSI) |
|
|
Private Office |
€498,386 |
|
Constituency Office |
€109,131 |
|
Salary Total (Inclusive of overtime, allowances and employer’s PRSI |
|
|
Private Office |
€485,938 |
|
Constituency Office |
€121,578 |
486 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a waiver scheme for old aged pensioners, social welfare recipients and persons on low income to help with the costs of switching to SAORVIEW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23398/11]
505 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the supports that will be made available for citizens on very low incomes who may be unable to afford to install digital television services. [24058/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 505 together.
Ireland's national digital switchover strategy provides for the closure of the RTÉNL analogue TV network at the end of 2012 and, through the resulting ‘digital dividend', paves the way for the delivery of new and better mobile and broadband services which should assist new national economic growth. I am keenly aware of the challenges this initiative brings, in particular for Irish households which are reliant on the existing "free to air" analogue TV network.
In May of this year, I published a Report on TV Viewing Methods in Ireland, which was commissioned by my Department to assist with planning for Analogue Switch-Off (ASO). This report, which is available on my Department's website, focuses on TV viewers who rely on the analogue terrestrial TV network and also provides useful information on the economic profile of TV households, their media preferences and preferences for receiving information about analogue switch off. The report is being used by my Department to inform the digital switchover programme.
This report is also useful in helping to estimate the number of TV households reliant on the aerial TV network backed up by other research such as the TAM establishment survey. From the research, we can estimate that there are approximately a quarter of a million households in Ireland reliant on the aerial network solely for television reception, and an estimated 100,000 of these households are classified as DE homes from a socio-economic perspective.
All households that rely solely on the existing "free to air" analogue TV network will need to upgrade to digital TV by the end of 2012 or they will lose access to television services. TV households can choose to upgrade to digital TV by moving to a pay-TV service or by upgrading to Saorview, Ireland's national digital TV aerial network, which was launched by RTÉ on 26th May 2011.
To upgrade to Saorview, TV households will need to purchase either a set top box to connect to their existing TV or a new Saorview digital TV. In some cases, depending on the type of aerial and the orientation and age of the aerial, TV households may also need a new aerial. The number of TV households who may need a new aerial or aerial adjustment is estimated to be around 20,000 TV households.
Experience from other European countries indicates that the cost of set top boxes and other digital receivers reduces as the date for digital switchover approaches, and there is increased competition in the market. There is clear evidence that this is now happening in Ireland with affordable set top boxes that meet the Saorview standard now coming on the market, as well as a range of suitable digital televisions.
To overcome the challenges that digital switchover brings, I recognise that we must also assist people with information and practical assistance to ensure that no one is left behind as Ireland goes digital. I have undertaken to deliver a substantial information campaign providing households with information on the digital switchover and on their options for going digital. This information campaign will be starting this autumn and I will be announcing details in the coming weeks.
In conjunction with this, my Department is currently working to address the particular information and assistance needs of vulnerable households as they prepare to go digital. In this context, the expertise and local knowledge of the many voluntary and charity organisations around the country could be of critical importance in ensuring the success of the switchover process. I have asked my Department to ensure that, to the greatest possible extent, these organisations play a major part in our information and assistance campaign.
487 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23441/11]
The budget available to my Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011 is outlined in the following table:
|
Year |
Current Expenditure |
Capital Expenditure |
Expenditure on Network links |
|
2010 (actual) |
€1,876,622 |
€559,617 |
€128,683 |
|
2011 (estimate) |
€1,840,000 |
€600,000 |
€129,000 |
My Department ensures that all public procurement procedures as outlined by the Department of Finance are adhered to during the procurement process. As part of these processes every effort is being undertaken to ensure value for money and achieve cost reductions.
Notably, my Department, earlier this year, as part of the Croke Park Agreement has implemented an agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to receive a service from that Department for the maintenance of IT helpdesk services and network infrastructure. This arrangement, which is the first shared service to apply to a full government department, will provide long-term savings on licensing and maintenance costs and is likely to be a model for future IT services for smaller Government Departments.
The purchase of IT equipment for Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. In addition each Exchequer funded Agency makes annual returns to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on all ICT expenditure.
488 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding a national postal code system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23462/11]
The procurement process to select an organisation to implement a National Postcode System was launched in January 2011 with the publication of a Pre Qualification Questionnaire on www.etenders.gov.ie. This process is still ongoing and, if successful, the detailed design of the postcode system will emerge for later implementation from this process.
The implementation timeline for postcodes will, accordingly, be determined by the conclusion of the procurement process.
489 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23468/11]
Departmental submissions to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the Reports submitted as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
490 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the universal service obligation of An Post; the length of time for which this obligation will apply; and his views on the importance of An Post as a postal operator. [23526/11]
The recently enacted Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act, 2011, designates An Post as the universal postal service provider in the newly liberalised postal services market.
This designation, which is for a period of twelve years, will be reviewed by ComReg to decide whether the designation of An Post after the expiry of the first seven years should continue for the remainder of the twelve years, whether other postal operators should be designated or that no designation is required in order to fulfil the universal service obligation. Designation requires An Post to provide a minimum level of postal service throughout the State, the essential element of which is the collection and delivery of mail to every address on every working day. The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services.
An Post is an important postal service provider and has served the State well to date. However, the postal sector globally is facing challenges — not least from liberalisation and competition, but also the ongoing effect of the recession and the impact of electronic substitution and this has implications for how postal service providers, including An Post, must position themselves. Flexibility is required and a focus on innovation to meet the evolving needs of users, particularly business users, to maximise the "value added" by post to their customers.
I know that An Post has many genuine strengths such as its dedicated workforce, its trusted brand and its strong visible presence in every community in Ireland on every working day of the year — a presence that very few, if any, competitors will be in a position to replicate. An Post and its staff must play to these strengths and ensure that its resources are aligned with the needs of its users. To do so will involve significant change and I understand that this is already underway.
491 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a procedure in place for public representatives to contact the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on behalf of grant applicants with a view to requesting information and application updates. [23527/11]
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers Better Energy: Warmer Homes on behalf of my Department. Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and dedicated hot lines for both schemes are available (Better Energy: Warmer Homes hot line — 1800 250 204 and Better Energy: Homes hot line — 1850 927 000). All queries, from scheme applicants and public representatives, on delivery dates for individual households and/or funding agreements are dealt with immediately.
The SEAI is planning an information day for all members of the Oireachtas in early October. Representatives from the Authority will be on hand to explain the current range of schemes and programmes being managed by them on behalf of my Department and to answer any queries that members may have. Details of the date, time and venue will be notified to members as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.
492 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will examine the possibility of developing the transmitting centre at Moydrum, Athlone, County Westmeath, which houses an original Marconi transmitter from 1932, into a technological and communication tourist location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23528/11]
RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 114 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 states the principal objects and associated powers of RTÉ and Section 98 provides that it shall be independent in the pursuance of these objects, subject to the requirements of the Act. As such I, as Minister, have no function in RTÉ's general day to day matters such as potential decisions regarding the operation and development of RTÉ transmission centres and RTÉ transmitters.
493 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views regarding jobs at the Eircom call centre in Athlone; if consolidation plans are being made for Athlone call centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23543/11]
The Programme for Government has job creation and retention at its core. The Government is committed to having the right policies in place that will support and grow our enterprise base in order to facilitate both job creation and job retention. I have emphasised to the telecoms network owners that I wish to see them deliver the required underlying infrastructure to sustain current employment and to generate employment growth. I do not however have any statutory authority to direct private companies, such as Eircom, to invest in particular regions or to retain or allocate employment posts in particular areas.
494 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused cavity wall insulation on the grounds that in 2009 they had attic insulation works done under the warmer homes scheme. [23545/11]
Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors. Due to the mixed delivery model and variations across CBOs, the number of measures available to particular homes can vary from region to region.
At all times the scheme works to maximise the number of vulnerable homes to receive support, particularly when working from a limited budget envelope. The focus of our efforts therefore is to prioritise homes that have not received any measures, thereby maximising the number of vulnerable homes that will receive some form of assistance. Within this context SEAI believes that best impact for homeowners and value for public funds can be achieved by limiting interventions to single visits per home. As the applicant referred to by the Deputy had already received a package in 2009, which included all the measures that the CBO was in a position to deliver at that time, it was not deemed appropriate to undertake a second package.
495 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to the issues raised by persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny outlined in correspondence to his Department on 22 December 2010; the number of applications received under the biofuels obligation scheme; the cost of the scheme to date; if a compensation scheme is now needed to assist those who invested in biofuel schemes with the assistance of the Department and now find their business not viable due to rule changes introduced by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23578/11]
The issues raised in this case at the end of 2010 were responded to directly by way of letter to the company concerned. The Biofuel Obligation Scheme was enacted and introduced in July 2010 in order to help deliver on the mandatory EU target of 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020. Since the scheme was introduced, 16 companies have applied for certificates under the scheme. In 2010, over the first six months of operation, certificates were awarded for 92,516,069 litres of biofuel placed on the market. This represents a very significant increase in the amount of biofuels being used in the Irish market.
The Scheme requires large suppliers of road transport fuels to include a certain percentage of biofuel, across their general fuel mix, and works on the basis of tradable certificates. Currently the obligation is for 4% of overall transport fuels to be biofuel, but this obligation will increase over time and by 2020, suppliers will be required to include 10.5% biofuel in their fuel mix. Suppliers can meet their obligation either by placing the biofuel on the market themselves, or by purchasing certificates from companies that sell higher blend biofuels to market. The scheme is not exchequer funded.
Before the Biofuel Obligation Scheme, the use of biofuels in Ireland was incentivised under the Mineral Oil Tax Relief (MOTR) schemes. Excise relief under MOTR was granted only to a limited number of companies under terms set out in the Finance Act 2006. These terms specifically included volume limits, and a clearly stated end date for the relief of 31 December 2010. The Government's Bioenergy Action Plan, published in 2007 explicitly stated that a national Biofuels Obligation would replace MOTR as those schemes came to a close. The issue of a compensation scheme does not therefore arise.
496 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date in both updating and maintaining national broadband services, particularly in the area of Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23685/11]
512 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the means by which it is expected that broadband requirements of the most modern quality are met in full in areas throughout the country over a specific period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24208/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 512 together.
The EU's Digital Agenda for Europe sets challenging targets for all member states in terms of incrementally increasing the penetration levels of broadband roll-out and subscriber take-up between 2013 and 2020. The first of those milestones is scheduled for 2013 when all Member States are obliged to have a basic broadband service available to all subscribers.
I am happy to report that between the significant private sector investments that has taken place and the targeted Government intervention aimed at addressing market failure, such as the National Broadband Scheme and the Rural Broadband Scheme, Ireland will be in a position to meet this first milestone in advance of 2013, including the areas in County Kildare mentioned in the Deputy's Question.
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband customer access to every home and business in the State. The recently-established Next Generation Broadband Taskforce has an important role, in this regard. The Taskforce met earlier this week and is scheduled to complete its work in December next. I expect that it will help to identify the optimal policy to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government.
497 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will give details of the use of a communications system in areas (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23758/11]
The electronic communications market is, and has been since its liberalisation, a commercial competitive market. Thus, the provision of electronic communications services, including broadband, is a matter for those private sector service providers, regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The Government only intervenes in cases of market failure.
I understand that various private sector service providers have infrastructure in the Portlaoise and Athy areas. Additionally, a Government owned Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) was built in Portlaoise under Phase I of the Metropolitan Area Networks programme and is fully operational. The MANs are fibre optic networks mainly built in a ring formation around towns with populations above 1,500 persons.
The MANs are a "middle mile" solution meaning that they fit between the local access delivered in towns by services providers and national backhaul networks (owned mainly by ESB Telecoms, BT, eircom and others) which carry the traffic from the MANs to the central points of international connectivity in the country. The MANs are operated on a wholesale carrier neutral and open access basis meaning that any service provider can use the network without having to privately invest and replicate network footprints throughout the country. The MANs are managed, operated and maintained by e|net on behalf of the State.
498 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider establishing a home retrofit loan scheme with a view to creating a major source of employment and substantially reducing energy costs and C02 emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21134/11]
The Programme for Government provides a commitment to roll out a Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS) retrofit scheme after 2013. This is anticipated to replace the existing grant supports in this area, for which the 2011 capital allocation is €91.4m. To date under Better Energy: Homes, efficiency upgrades have been completed in 33,559 homes this year and over 96,000 homes since the programme commenced in 2009. In total, the estimated energy savings achieved are 529 GWh or €33.14 million.
PAYS is an innovative financing mechanism that will allow consumers to finance upgrades directly through the energy savings generated. My Department has convened a project team to undertake preliminary analysis of what a PAYS model could look like with a view to submitting an initial report to me in October. I expect to be in a position to bring proposals to Government soon after.
499 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals, in conjunction with his Government colleagues, to reduce the cost of energy to businesses here. [21069/11]
There are a number of significant programmes in place to improve Energy Efficiency for businesses and thereby help reduce energy costs. The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) sets out 90 actions which are already underway, or will be taken in the period to 2020, to achieve the national energy efficiency target. The Government has set a target of 20% across all areas of the economy, including the business sector. The savings identified in the Action Plan represent approximately €1.6 billion in avoided energy costs for the economy in 2020.
The SEAI Energy in Business Programme supports efforts by business to improve energy efficiency and competitiveness through structured energy management now involves the 150 largest business energy users and 2,000 small businesses. In 2010, large companies involved in the Energy in Business Programme identified savings of 600 GWh worth approximately €17 million while SMEs saved 130 GWh, worth €7 million.
The Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) is a networking and information programme for 150 of the largest energy users. Energy spend across the LIEN is approximately €900 million and accounts for approximately 70% of industrial energy usage and for more than 10% of national primary energy usage. LIEN members share information on energy-saving technologies and techniques to maximise savings and maintain competitiveness. The Energy Agreements Programme supports large industry to implement an energy-management system through the EN 16001 standard.
Under Better Energy: Workplaces, €11.5 million was made available for implementing a wide range of qualifying sustainable energy upgrading projects in the public, commercial, industrial and community sectors, which serve as exemplar projects for the public sector and for business.
Such projects may comprise individual or packaged measures aimed at achieving lasting savings in energy usage for thermal, electrical or transport purposes. The main focus of the support will be on achieving delivery in 2011 of sustainable energy (mainly energy efficiency) investment projects of differing sizes and complexities. Similar projects in 2009 and 2010 had a spend of €5.9 million and €7.8 million respectively, with annual savings of 63GWh
500 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if advice has been issued by him in the past regarding the location of telecommunications masts in the vicinity of schools or residential areas; if so, the nature of that advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23976/11]
All issues relating to the physical siting of telecommunication masts are a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, and the Local Authorities and are the subject of the relevant planning legislation. I have not issued advice in regard to such planning matters, although the question of planning for telecommunications infrastructure generally is being discussed as part of the work of the Next Generation Broadband Task Force. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Local Authorities are participating in these discussions and the work of the Task Force is to conclude later this year.
501 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the CER consultation paper on high level design of the petroleum safety framework CER/11/137, is aimed at creating a safety framework exclusively for the existing petroleum industry, both onshore and offshore; and if it is not, the reason it does not cover unconventional methods such as hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23979/11]
The Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Act 2010 confers statutory responsibility for the safety of petroleum exploration and production on the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Petroleum is defined for this purpose to include both oil and gas. CER is currently developing the associated safety framework. The 2010 Act extends the CER's safety remit to all upstream, or unprocessed gas and oil undertakings.
502 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the recent granting of licensing options in the northwest carboniferous basin, in which local persons have developed concerns that consequent production may involve hydraulic fracturing if these companies are granted petroleum leases in the future, will he permit hydraulic fracturing in these regions; and in view of the fact that a company (details supplied) has submitted an application for the Dowra gas find in the onshore north west carboniferous basin, the area in which the company intends to drill for this gas; the location at which this gas will be refined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23980/11]
Earlier this year, my Department granted an onshore Licensing Option to Tamboran Resources PTY Ltd over parts of Cavan Leitrim and Sligo. The Licensing Option is for a two year period from March 2011 to end February 2013.
This Licensing Option is designed to allow the company to assess the natural gas potential of the acreage, largely based on desktop studies of existing seismic and well data. The company will also undertake a preliminary environmental baseline/impact assessment and engage with the local authorities and other statutory agencies as required. This work is largely office/desktop based and does not involve exploration drilling or hydraulic fracturing.
By the end of the Option period in February 2013, the company will have to decide whether to apply for a follow-on exploration licence or relinquish their acreage. In the event that the company decides to apply for an exploration licence that proposes hydraulic fracturing, the application would have to be set out in detail and be supported by an environmental impact statement.
My Department would then undertake a full assessment of the application, including an environmental impact assessment and public consultation. My Department would also consult with other relevant statutory authorities such as the EPA, NPWS, Local Authorities etc, in reaching any decision.
However, at this stage in the Licensing Option, it is much too early to conclude whether or not this authorisation will proceed to the exploration licence stage let alone to anticipate a commercial discovery that would potentially lead to a petroleum production project.
503 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the stage of the Bandon, Slyne Basin assessment; the quantity of oil the authorisation holder estimates there to be; and when he expects the authorisation holder to make a declaration of commerciality or relinquish the licence. [23981/11]
Frontier Exploration Licence 1/06 was awarded to Serica Energy (UK) Ltd in December 2006 for a period of 15 years. The licence is situated in the Slyne Basin off the west coast and is divided into four phases of three, two, five and five years. Each phase of the licence is subject to a work programme to be agreed with my Department. A commitment to drill an exploration well is required to progress to the second phase of a frontier exploration licence.
In 2009, during the first phase of the licence the company drilled an exploration well to test the Brandon gas prospect. Although no gas was found, the company encountered an oil accumulation. Further detailed evaluation is required in order to assess the extent of the discovery and to determine whether the accumulation can be progressed to commercial development. This work is continuing.
Regarding relinquishment, the company must surrender 50% of the acreage held at the end of the second phase in November 2011 unless the third phase work programme includes a commitment to drill a second exploration well. The company will be required to surrender the licence at the end of the third phase unless a second exploration well has been commenced by that date.
504 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that the oil at Hook Head, North Celtic Sea Basin was initially identified in 1971, the reason it is still under assessment; the volume of oil the company estimates there to be; at what stage is this assessment; and when does he expect the authorisation holder to make a declaration of commerciality or relinquish the licence. [23982/11]
Petroleum was identified in the Hook Head prospect in 1971 by Marathon. While this resulted in the granting of a petroleum lease, it did not lead to a development and the lease was relinquished in 1992. The acreage has been subject to further exploration authorisations on a number of occasions since then, none of which has resulted in a commercial discovery being made.
The current authorisation over the area, a standard exploration licence, was granted in 2007 to a consortium with Providence Resources Plc as operator. This exploration licence is for a six year period from February 2007 to January 2013, divided into two phases of three years each. Under such a licence the holders are required to drill one exploration licence in the first phase of the licence.
Since being granted the licence in 2007 the holders have drilled two wells and are at present planning a further appraisal well in the Hook Head prospect in order to complete their assessment of its potential. The licence holders relinquished 70% of the acreage initially held under the licence on entering phase two on 1 February 2010.
The holders have until January 2013 to relinquish the licence or apply for a petroleum lease to produce petroleum, or a lease undertaking in order to be granted a petroleum lease.
506 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of take up of the rural broadband scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the inadequacies in this scheme; if he will explain the way in which he intends to meet the EU target of 100% broadband internet coverage by 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24198/11]
The Rural Broadband Scheme closed for applications on the 29th July last. Some 4975 applications were submitted by that date and these are now being processed to ensure they comply with the Scheme's eligibility criteria viz. that the applicant's premises is located in a rural area which is not already covered by the National Broadband Scheme and that the applicant can not obtain a service from an existing commercial operator.
I am unaware of the deficiencies in the service as referred to in the Deputy's Question. The scheme's technical specifications have yet to be finalised but will mirror what is available currently under the National Broadband Scheme. This is essentially a basic broadband service with contractually agreed speeds.
Ireland is on target to meet the first of the EU's Digital Agenda milestones of having a basic broadband service available to all areas by 2013, through a mix of private and public (NBS and RBS) interventions.
507 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of gas, oil or other mineral exploration licences issued in each of the past five years to date; the number of locations at which exploration is currently taking place; the extent if any to which commercially viable results are indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24203/11]
The table hereunder set out the position in relation to the number of mineral prospecting licences and petroleum exploration licences granted in each of the past five years to date.
|
Year |
Prospecting Licences (Minerals) |
Petroleum Exploration Licences |
|
2007 |
143 |
4 |
|
2008 |
91 |
3 |
|
2009 |
66 |
1 |
|
2010 |
93 |
0 |
|
2011 (to 13/9/11) |
56 |
0 |
Petroleum exploration is ongoing at 16 locations mainly off the south and west coasts. There have been a number of discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish Offshore in recent years, however none of these has been declared commercial to date. The only petroleum discovery that has been declared commercial but has yet to be developed is the Corrib Gas Field.
There is a total of five hundred and seventeen active mineral prospecting licences. Details of these licences can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas, which the Minister is obliged to lay before the House under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999. These reports are available on the Department's website. While no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered in recent years, there have been some encouraging results.
508 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date in the resolution of any outstanding issues affecting the production, storage and distribution of gas from the Corrib gas field; when he expects that the product will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24204/11]
Construction of the Corrib Gas Terminal at Bellanaboy is substantially completed, as are the subsea facilities at the Corrib Gas Field. The 83km offshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline has also been installed
Following the granting of a number of statutory consents earlier this year for the construction of the onshore section of the pipeline along a revised route, work on this final element of the development has now commenced.
It is estimated that construction of the onshore section of the pipeline, including the construction of a 5km tunnel, will take in the region of two years.
509 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which an evaluation has been carried out into the possible negative impact of gas and electricity prices to the consumer, domestic or commercial, in the near future with particular reference to impeding competitiveness resulting in job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24205/11]
I have no statutory function in the setting of energy prices, whether in the regulated or non-regulated market. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body.
Ireland's electricity and gas markets, both wholesale and retail, are characterised by vigorous competition regulated by the CER. Prices in the retail electricity market are now fully deregulated. From 1 October next, gas residential consumers are the only segment of the electricity and gas markets where prices are regulated. Prices in the electricity market and unregulated part of the gas market are wholly a commercial and operational matter for the suppliers. The recent CER decision to approve a 21.7% increase in the Bord Gáis tariff from 1st October is the first price increase for BGE's residential gas customers since September 2008. It follows three successive price cuts approved by CER. There have also been recent announcements by suppliers of electricity price increases.
The driving factor in these increases are gas price trends over the past year which look like continuing into the future. Looking forward, wholesale gas prices for the coming winter are more than 30% higher than for last winter. Ireland is a price taker in the global fossil fuel market and the economy is therefore vulnerable to energy price fluctuations and price rises.
Suppliers in neighbouring markets are also subject to similar pressures and price increases. Last May, Phoenix Gas in Northern Ireland announced an increase of 39% in domestic and small business tariffs. The ‘Big Six' gas suppliers in Britain have all increased domestic tariffs by 17% to 18% and this follows increases some months earlier.
The Government is committed to competition as a way of exerting downward pressure on prices. Competition is achieving competitive pressure on suppliers. It stimulates them to offer better deals and discounts.
Business and domestic customers can therefore increasingly avail of the competitive offerings from electricity and gas supply companies active in the retail end of the market. The first step that customers should take to reduce their energy costs is to work actively in securing better value offers in the market and in switching to suppliers delivering lower prices.
Actions taken over the last two years have improved Ireland's competitiveness in the gas and electricity sectors in the two years to end 2010 when compared with other European countries.
Analysis by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) of Eurostat data for the second half of 2010 shows that for large business customers of electricity Irish prices were between 91-93% of the Eurozone average for the last six months of 2010 while prices for small to medium business customers ranged from 4% below to 6% above Eurozone averages depending on the category. Gas tariffs remain competitive with business tariffs at 83-90% of the Eurozone average. Increased competition has clearly had an impact.
In addition, we must focus on all possible additional actions to mitigate costs where possible for business and domestic customers. This is essential for competitiveness, employment and for economic recovery. I am committed to working with enterprise and with the energy sector to ensure that the costs of energy for business are as competitive as possible through those measures at our disposal.
I would also urge all businesses of whatever size to place a relentless focus on energy efficiency. The SEAI is available to provide advice and, subject to available resources, financial assistance in this respect. In addition, there is now extensive tax relief available to businesses for energy efficiency measures.
510 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of positive indicators arising from mining exploration on and offshore in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24206/11]
No new economic deposits of non-petroleum minerals have been discovered in the past twelve months from either on or offshore mining exploration. There have, however, been some encouraging results detailed in recent media releases by a number of companies engaged in exploration but it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits.
While these are to be welcomed, my Department does not comment on such reports.
511 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which comparison have been made between broadband and general telecommunications facilities, qualities and standards here with these available in other jurisdictions within the EU; the location at which the best facilities now exist; the means by which that was achieved; the degree to which this can be emulated in this jurisdiction over a specific period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24207/11]
International comparisons of retail broadband services are conducted periodically. The ComReg statistical report for end 2010, for example, noted the latest OECD broadband data up to June 2010 ranked Ireland 13th of 19 EU states surveyed for fixed line broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants and 3rd of 18 EU states surveyed for wireless broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants. A wider report on broadband services in 72 countries published in 2010 by the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo, Spain, concluded that the broadband services currently available in Ireland are capable of meeting the requirements of today's broadband applications and overall, in terms of broadband quality and penetration, ranks Ireland 13th of the 72 countries studied.
I should point out that international comparisons must be viewed in context and can present challenges. Issues such as advertised versus actual speeds, geographic spread of services, topography, population density, and the number of people per household must all be taken into account when making comparisons between different jurisdictions. Ireland will however meet the EU target of having a basic broadband service available to all citizens by 2013. The challenge now is to accelerate the roll out of high speed broadband.
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband customer access to every home and business in the State. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce has an important role, in this regard. In June of this year I convened the Taskforce which I chair and which also comprises the Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA, Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies currently operating in the Irish market, and CEOs of some Internet Service Provider companies. The purpose of the Taskforce, which will conclude its deliberations by the end of this year, is to discuss the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.
513 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the regulator has been charged with responsibility or is otherwise required to monitor the quality, speed and availability of broadband and mobile telephony services in order to ensure that the standard here is at least up to that available in other jurisdictions throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24209/11]
The electronic communications market in Ireland has been fully liberalised since 1999 and, since then, has seen the steady growth and development of well-regulated competition in the provision of the full range of electronic communications products and services. Regulation of the provision of electronic communications services within the liberalised market is governed by the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications which was transposed into law in Ireland by the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. The applicable EU rules limit the regulation of electronic communications services, in the main, to the provision of electronic communications services by fixed line telephone, fax and dial-up internet access under a universal service obligation (USO) to ensure these basic electronic communications services are available to all EU residents. The EU Commission is currently engaged in a consultation process with a view to increasing the quality of electronic communications services covered by the USO.
It is also important to note that a key element of the consumer strategy of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is to monitor developments in the marketplace and understand consumers' requirements through a number of channels including (i) their dedicated Consumer telephone line; (ii) their award winning websites; (iii) the conduct of consumer and business surveys and their Consumer Advisory Panel. These processes enable ComReg to identify and respond to trends that impact on those using electronic communication services, including broadband and mobile telephony.
Additionally, in accordance with the Programme for Government, ComReg has been liaising with industry with a view to introducing an appropriate regime to ensure that advertised broadband speeds are actually delivered to end users.
514 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which oil, gas or other minerals have been discovered in the past 12 months on foot of licences issued over a particular period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24210/11]
There have been no new commercial discoveries of oil and gas, or discoveries of new economic deposits of non-petroleum minerals within the jurisdiction of the Irish State in the past twelve months.
515 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his preferred options for the development of the telecommunications sector in the future with particular reference to the need for investment in infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24211/11]
Under the NewERA proposals in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to co-invest with the private sector and commercial Semi State sector to provide Next Generation Broadband customer access to every home and business in the State. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce has an important role, in this regard. In June of this year I convened the Taskforce which I chair and which also comprises the Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA, Fergus O'Dowd, T.D., the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies currently operating in the Irish market and CEOs of some Internet Service Provider companies. The purpose of the Taskforce is to discuss the optimal policy environment required to facilitate the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland.
The Taskforce, and four Working Groups reporting to it, are considering issues such as appropriate targets, private sector investment plans, and the role of Government in driving and facilitating investment. The Taskforce met earlier this week and will meet again in December. In the interim, the four working groups will continue their work. I expect that the Taskforce will help to identify the optimal policy to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government.
516 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he sees cloud computing become of major commercial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24212/11]
Cloud computing has the potential to revolutionise the IT investment model in Ireland and elsewhere. It allows companies to use the internet to efficiently access vast amounts of computing resources that would otherwise be beyond their reach. A recent report undertaken by A&L Goodbody and commissioned by Microsoft has suggested that Cloud Computing sales by Irish firms could be worth €9.5 billion per annum by 2014 and provide for 8,600 jobs as business migrates to the Cloud.
The Programme for Government commits to a range of initiatives aimed at making Ireland a leader in the emerging I.T. market of cloud computing. My colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, T.D., has established a group to implement this commitment on Cloud Computing. The group, on which my Department is represented, has been tasked with addressing all aspects of cloud computing, including expenditure, IT, procurement, security, infrastructure, and industrial strategy. I understand that the group will complete its work before the end of the year.
517 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date on the implementation of recommendations in the Forfás Report of the high level group on green enterprise; the steps being taken to implement the recommendation on grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24228/11]
The Report of the High level Group on Green Enterprise was launched in December 2009. The Report made 55 recommendations to develop the Green Economy in Ireland. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton TD, has responsibility for monitoring progress on the recommendations. However, I understand from his Department that 38 of the 55 recommendations (69%) of the High Level Group's Report have been addressed to a greater or lesser extent. Key recommendations which are being implemented include investment in the electricity grid, the rolling out of brown bins to households and businesses, funding to reduce water leakages, introduction of electric cars, and a range of demonstration projects being actively supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
The progress made with respect to the recommendations, including the three recommendations in relation to the grid was set out in a Progress Report published in March and which is available at:
http://www.djei.ie/publications/trade/2011/Progressreportongreenenterprise.pdf and http://www.forfas.ie/media/forfas-110318-green_enterprise.pdf.
Since the report the progress made with respect to the recommendations relating to my Department have included:
The Electric Vehicle grant scheme which was opened in April 2011 to assist in the purchase of electric vehicles. Those purchasing a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) or plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will be grant aided by up to €5,000, depending on the price of the vehicle. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to BEVs and the VRT reliefs of up to €2,500 for PHEVs. In addition, 57 public charge points including 6 fast charge points are currently operational throughout the State. The ESB plans to have 66 more charge points operational over the next two months
The development of smart metering is progressing to schedule and phase 1 of the programme will conclude this year. The CER proposes to consult in the coming months on the high-level regulatory design and implementation approach for a national smart metering rollout.
Regarding the recommendation to support the farming community to produce and sell green energy, officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry and the SEAI are engaging in progressing the recommended pilot forum on renewable energy for the farming community.
518 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff and respective budget of each regulator under his responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24229/11]
I have set out in the table the number of staff for each of the regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department as at the end of Quarter 2 2011.
|
Regulator |
Staff (Whole Time Equivalents) |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) |
33 |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) |
122 |
|
Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) |
62 |
In relation to the budgets for these organisations, I can advise the Deputy that they do not receive Exchequer funding.
In accordance with Section 37(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, BAI are required to submit estimates of income and expenditure to my Department in respect of the next 3 financial years. The figures received in regard to 2011 are as follows:
|
€ |
|
|
Income estimate |
6,054,766 |
|
Expenditure estimate |
6,373,203 |
|
Estimated deficit |
—318,437 |
In respect of ComReg and CER, both bodies are statutorily independent of my Department and are funded by industry levies. Both bodies publish annual accounts in their annual report. I can advise the Deputy that in the case of ComReg expenditure was €22.84M up to year ending 30 June 2010. I can further advise that in the case of CER the latest published annual report is up to end 2009 and expenditure in that year was €10.43M. The 2010 CER Annual report is soon to be submitted to Government. Full accounts are available in both annual reports and these documents are available in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. In order to assist the Deputy I have organised for the latest available annual reports for both bodies to be sent to him directly.
519 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he sponsored a motion before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 12 July 2011, which was approved, for the introduction of a levy on the incineration of waste when on that same day amendments were made by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on Committee Stage of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 to eliminate such a levy from the legislation and it was announced that no such levy will be imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22670/11]
Under Dáil standing orders a Financial Resolution is required where a Bill involves a charge or tax on the people. The Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 required a Financial Resolution because, as published, it involved a new charge, or tax, on the people. Had the amendment to remove the levy in question not been agreed, the subsequent Act would have involved the new charge on waste facilities.
520 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total revenue generated on a year by year basis from the non principal private residence charge on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22934/11]
The amount collected by city/county councils by 13 September, 2011 is set out in the following table:
|
Local Authority |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€12,720,120 |
€12,429,820 |
€11,378,260 |
|
Cork County Council |
€5,741,700 |
€5,589,840 |
€5,008,380 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€3,513,180 |
€3,396,900 |
€2,888,960 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€3,250,960 |
€3,222,500 |
€2,874,700 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€3,135,860 |
€3,071,420 |
€2,868,340 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
€3,056,320 |
€2,990,360 |
€2,688,820 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€2,691,040 |
€2,617,040 |
€2,451,220 |
|
Cork City Council |
€2,590,680 |
€2,596,240 |
€2,354,920 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€2,481,840 |
€2,386,180 |
€2,112,440 |
|
Galway City Council |
€2,377,140 |
€2,342,060 |
€2,070,020 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€2,272,780 |
€2,204,260 |
€1,871,240 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€2,138,260 |
€2,112,340 |
€1,952,980 |
|
Galway County Council |
€2,147,060 |
€2,103,820 |
€1,872,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
€2,161,720 |
€2,043,220 |
€1,869,260 |
|
Limerick County Council |
€1,484,660 |
€1,455,200 |
€1,342,180 |
|
Meath County Council |
€1,445,500 |
€1,445,240 |
€1,336,600 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€1,500,440 |
€1,458,900 |
€1,249,940 |
|
Limerick City Council |
€1,331,980 |
€1,290,240 |
€1,128,140 |
|
Louth County Council |
€1,260,000 |
€1,229,980 |
€1,120,220 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€1,208,200 |
€1,195,340 |
€1,130,520 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€1,213,060 |
€1,216,160 |
€1,125,740 |
|
South Tipperary County Council |
€1,001,600 |
€968,100 |
€863,760 |
|
Waterford City Council |
€970,540 |
€941,400 |
€827,940 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€928,260 |
€917,020 |
€848,260 |
|
Waterford County Council |
€934,400 |
€917,960 |
€845,300 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€862,380 |
€850,080 |
€800,480 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€862,980 |
€837,580 |
€776,920 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
€745,480 |
€751,540 |
€686,300 |
|
Laois County Council |
€678,580 |
€660,120 |
€612,960 |
|
Carlow County Council |
€673,780 |
€669,720 |
€589,020 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€658,060 |
€637,800 |
€587,580 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€650,120 |
€629,620 |
€592,240 |
|
Longford County Council |
€598,600 |
€577,520 |
€513,760 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€523,000 |
€520,880 |
€474,140 |
|
Total: |
€69,810,280 |
€68,276,400 |
€61,713,540 |
521 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the motor taxation rates in order that the rate is based on the actual emissions from a car rather than the original manufacturer’s figures to take account of cases when persons have converted petrol or diesel engines in vehicles to run on liquid petroleum gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23082/11]
For cars registered from 2008 onwards motor tax is based on the CO2 emissions level of the car. The CO2 rating, which is based on the car’s Certificate of Conformity, under EU type approval law, is captured initially by the Revenue Commissioners at vehicle registration tax stage and then passed on to the national vehicle file for use in connection with the administration of the motor tax system. The motor tax and vehicle registration tax systems have a uniform approach to the CO2 emission level and the level established at vehicle registration stage remains for the lifetime of the vehicle. There are no measures in place to revisit the CO2 level of a vehicle and I have no plans to amend the system in this context.
522 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to offer a voluntary redundancy scheme to employees of local authorities. [23271/11]
I have no plans for the introduction of a voluntary redundancy scheme in the local authority sector. Any such scheme would require prior approval from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
523 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the housing options available to persons with a mental illness. [23611/11]
It is open to any person or household to apply to a housing authority for an assessment of their housing need. Each application will be considered by the relevant housing authority to determine whether an applicant for social housing support is eligible for and in need of that support having regard to the particular circumstances of the case. When considering an application for social housing, an authority may have regard to whether the household's current accommodation is unsuitable by reason of a mental health disability or for other medical or compassionate reasons.
Once a household has been accepted as being eligible for and in need of social housing support, particular priority may be available within authorities' allocation schemes to persons or households with special needs, including mental health issues. Apart from mainstream housing available from housing authorities, the Irish Council for Social Housing, which represents bodies involved with voluntary housing may be able to advise on the names of voluntary bodies which specifically provide housing for people with mental health issues in various parts of the country.
The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability is the new Government strategy to address the housing needs of people with a disability over the period 2011-2016 and it sets out a framework for the delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy. The strategy has a specific focus on meeting the housing needs of people with a mental health disability. This encompasses commitments in relation to moving people with low and medium support needs, from HSE mental health facilities to more appropriate community based housing, in line with the objectives of the Government's mental health policy, A Vision for Change. The strategy has been approved by Government and is expected to be published by the end of September.
524 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will indicate the criteria that will be used to determine the amount of property tax to be paid when the measure comes into effect. [23715/11]
I presume the Question refers to the household charge. The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland commits the Government to the introduction of a property tax for 2012. The Programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing, improve accountability and better align the cost of providing services with the demand for such services.
In light of the complex issues involved, a property tax, requiring a comprehensive property valuation system, would take time to introduce and accordingly, to meet the requirements in the EU/IMF Programme, the Government has decided to introduce a household charge in 2012. The household charge is an interim measure and proposals for a full property tax will be considered by the Government in due course.
The charge will be set at €100 and will apply to the majority of the households in the country, subject to a limited number of exemptions and waivers. It is expected to raise some €160 million and it is the intention that the revenues from the charge will support the provision of local services. Internationally, local services are administered by local authorities and financed by local service charges. In Ireland, local authorities are responsible for, among other services, fire and emergency services, maintenance and cleaning of streets, street lighting, public parks, waste services, libraries, open spaces and leisure facilities, etc. Legislation to underpin the household charge will be brought before the Oireachtas shortly.
525 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the annual home energy grant, payable through local authorities, can be spent in a local authority house that has been vacated due to a transfer or death of a tenant; and his plans to extend this scheme to existing tenants. [23780/11]
Under my Department's Social Housing Improvement Programme, funding of up to 90% of the approved cost is provided to Housing Authorities to undertake improvement works to occupied and vacant social housing units, including works to improve the energy efficiency and general standard of the houses concerned. Some €31 million is being made available for this purpose in 2011. My Department requested local authorities specifically to target vacant dwellings in 2011 with the objective of returning the maximum number of vacant units to productive use at reasonable cost. However, necessary improvement works to occupied houses will continue to be eligible for funding from within the allocations notified to individual authorities.
526 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views regarding a submission (details supplied); his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22652/11]
Section 48 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 provides for the substitution of a new Part 18 of the Local Government Act 2001 revising and updating the procedures for the changing of placenames. Certain elements of section 48 relating specifically to Daingean Uí Chúis in County Kerry have been commenced. The remaining provisions, dealing with placename changes generally, will be commenced as soon as the necessary regulations setting out procedures for the holding of a ballot and other related matters have been finalised. Any proposal to change the name of a town under the new arrangements will, in the first instance, be a matter for the relevant local authority.
527 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review the current mechanism for setting commercial rates to bring in a more equitable system. [22685/11]
574 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will comment on the difficulty facing businesses in paying rates; if any changes to the way rates are calculated will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23510/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 574 together.
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV), which is applied to the valuation of each property, determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates, is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function of a local authority.
The Commissioner of Valuation, who has sole responsibility for all valuation matters, is conducting a programme of revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties throughout the State on a county by county basis. The purpose of the revaluation process is to provide for more consistent and up-to-date valuations for rating purposes and to assist in making the rating system fairer and equitable for ratepayers. Following completion of the revaluation programme, there will be a much closer and uniform relationship between rental values of property and their commercial rates liability and this relationship will thereafter be maintained by means of recurring revaluations provided for in the Valuation Act.
The Commissioner of Valuation is actively reviewing options which might hold potential for accelerating the delivery of the revaluation programme to all rating authorities within a shorter timeframe. I recognise that these are difficult economic times for many businesses and I will continue to keep all matters relating to rates under regular consideration in my Department.
528 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Respond Housing Association has delayed responding to persons (details supplied) with tenancy agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22704/11]
My Department's involvement with the voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the local authorities.
Approved housing bodies are responsible for the proper management of dwellings provided under the terms of the funding schemes and this includes putting appropriate tenancy agreements in place between themselves and their tenants. The local authority has an overall responsibility to ensure that approved housing bodies comply with the requirements in relation to letting policy, including the requirement for prior consultation and agreement on letting policies for each new project.
529 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22723/11]
559 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23297/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 559 together.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2008 |
€57,741 |
|
2009 |
€34,551 |
|
2010 |
€21,480 |
|
2011 (to end August) |
€12,933 |
My Department launched a Workplace Travel Plan in October 2008 to encourage greater use of sustainable transport options in the conduct of official business. The Plan aims to ensure that:
use is made of public transport, to the greatest possible extent, in the course of official business; and
walking/cycling to meetings within reasonable distance is encouraged and taxis are used only where absolutely necessary.
Accordingly, staff have been directed that taxis should only be hired where no suitable public transport is available or where the use of public transport would result in the loss of official time which it is necessary to avoid.
The cost of hiring taxis is part of the overall administrative overhead of the Department. Expenditure is closely monitored and no specific budget for taxi costs is set. It is not possible to give a breakdown of the amount that was used by staff as distinct from non-staff personnel. However, the usage of taxis by non-staff members would be in very limited circumstances where business requirements made it demonstrably necessary to do so.
530 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application by Mayo County Council for funding for a social housing scheme at Glenamoy in circumstances where planning permission has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22817/11]
My Department's involvement with voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Mayo County Council submitted a proposal under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) for a 10 unit scheme at Spadow, Glenamoy, to be undertaken by Glenamoy Housing Association. Projects are selected for funding approval on the basis of the priority afforded to individual proposals by the local authority. The Glenamoy project was not included in the work programme for 2010 primarily because it was not afforded a sufficiently high priority by Mayo County Council.
Funding of €2.5 million is being provided to Mayo County Council this year to meet expenditure on CAS projects currently underway. Due to the current level of commitments and having regard to available funding, projects proposed under CAS will only be considered in the event of a new call for proposals. It will be a matter for Mayo County Council to prioritise projects locally having regard to the relative merit of any proposals received and the extent to which they meet housing need.
531 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that farmers will not have to go through a long process of having to seek and obtain planning permission and also through the expense of carrying out an environmental impact assessment for land reclamation works, drainage works, ditch removals and so on as proposed by the EU Commission. [22824/11]
542 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if field drainage for agriculture of fields subject to occasional flooding which have previously been periodically drained will remain an exempted development under the draft Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations Bill 2011; if so, if this will be clarified in the draft regulations; and if not, the reason such a draconian change is required to comply with the judgment in Case C-66/06, Commission v Ireland and having regard to the said judgment. [22989/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 542 together.
In Case C-66/06, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found that Ireland's system of screening projects to assess the requirement to carry out environmental impact assessment (EIA) for certain categories of agriculture development was over-reliant on size thresholds and did not take sufficient account of other relevant criteria such as the cumulative effects of development and the location of those developments. In June 2011, the Commission referred this case back to the Court to seek the imposition of both lump sum fines and daily fines for failure to act on the findings of the judgment and extensive consultations and action have been taken to minimise the risk of exposure to fines and to expedite resolution of the case.
In response to the Court's finding, my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have been working together, in consultation with the European Commission, fully to address the Court findings and ensure that Ireland's legislative system and procedures are fully compliant with the Directive. It has been agreed that it is more efficient and appropriate to transfer responsibility for most of the activities covered by the judgment, such as the re-structuring of fields and removal of hedgerows and boundaries, the use of uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agriculture and normal field drainage works to the Department of Agriculture, as part of its wider management responsibilities for overseeing agricultural activities and integrating environmental considerations into relevant schemes. The only element of the judgment being retained within the planning system is on-farm development activity that impacts on the drainage or reclamation of wetlands, which are regarded as highly environmentally sensitive areas.
Accordingly, following approval by the Oireachtas of the draft Regulations, I signed the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011 on 8 September 2011, which introduce a number of amendments to address the ECJ findings in this case. The Regulations provide, inter alia , for the:
removal of certain categories of farm activities from the planning code as these are now regulated under the new Department of Agriculture system,
lowering of thresholds for both planning permission and for projects requiring mandatory EIA for farm developments that impact on the drainage and/or reclamation of wetlands,
introduction of enhanced screening processes for relevant sub-threshold development, particularly those that may impact on certain sites such as designated Natura 2000 areas, recorded monuments, natural heritage areas and other nature reserves, given their environmental and heritage sensitivities, and
abolition of any planning exemptions for relevant projects where an EIA is required.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has also signed, on 8 September, new European Communities (Agricultural Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 which provide for a new system of screening for environmental impact above certain thresholds for different types of agricultural activity, and the requirement for the Minister's consent to be sought and mandatory EIA to be carried out on such projects at a higher threshold level.
Both Minister Coveney and I are satisfied that we have introduced appropriate and balanced reforms that meet our compliance requirement with the EU Directive and that facilitate reasonable activities by farmers in these areas, while also protecting our valuable environmental heritage.
532 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the expected cost to farmers and householders with septic tanks, to comply with the directive relating to ground water quality; if he will clarify the guidelines and timescale of the requirements to comply with this directive on water quality. [22827/11]
581 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which legislation is likely to be introduced which will set performance standards for existing septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems and the introduction of an inspection and monitoring system for such systems. [23616/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 581 together.
On 29 October 2009, the European Court of Justice ruled against Ireland in relation to the treatment of wastewaters from septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems. The Court found that by failing to adopt the necessary legislation to comply with Articles 4 and 8 of the 1975 EU Waste Directive as regards domestic waste waters disposed of in the countryside through septic tanks and other individual waste water treatment systems, Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under that directive. My Department, together with the Office of the Attorney General, is finalising the preparation of a Bill to establish a system of inspection of septic tanks and other on-site systems. I expect to bring the Bill to Government in the coming weeks seeking approval for its publication. Full details on how the inspection system will operate will be announced at that time.
533 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the source of funding that is available for community services and community organisations which were previously funded by Pobal through national lottery and dormant account funds; if there are funding streams available for organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22846/11]
The Dormant Accounts Fund provides for consideration of applications received on foot of advertised measures; there are currently no measures open under the Dormant Accounts Fund from which community organisations could apply for funding. The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector is funded through the National Lottery. This is a two and a half year funding Scheme which runs from July 2011 to December 2013. The organisation referred to in the question applied for funding under the current Scheme but following an objective and merit-based competitive process, it did not meet the qualifying mark for funding on this occasion.
534 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding the introduction of a refundable deposit on bottles and containers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22886/11]
539 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will comment on a matter (details supplied) regarding littering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22975/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 539 together.
Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste (the Packaging Directive) classifies items such as bottles, drink cans and containers as packaging. Deposit and refund schemes on such items can reduce litter and contribute to the recovery rates for packaging waste.
The Packaging Directive is based on the concept of producer responsibility, which effectively requires producers to contribute to the waste management costs of products which they have placed on the market. Under the Directive, the recovery rate of packaging waste required by Ireland in 2011 is 60%. Ireland had already achieved a rate of 70% in 2009. The material specific recycling targets for glass of 60% and for metals of 50% had also been achieved by Ireland in 2009 — the recycling rate for these materials being 76% and 50% respectively. Rather than being content with this level of performance, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to drive a waste reduction programme as part of a sustainable waste strategy. One of the possible elements of this waste reduction programme is a levy on packaging.
I recently consulted with industry, other stakeholders and the public on a possible levy on packaging. This consultation closed on Friday 5 August 2011 and the submissions and comments received are currently being examined. Any decision regarding deposit and refund schemes will be taken as part of the overall response to dealing with the issue of packaging.
More generally, I am determined to deal with the problem of litter and recently announced the following initiatives that will be taking place over the coming months:
Firstly, I am preparing a new national anti-litter campaign which will raise awareness of the costs and the consequences of littering.
Secondly, I will be bringing forward new legislation to ensure that the punishment fits the crime in all cases.
Thirdly, I will be making available €750,000 to local authorities for enforcement activities, such as CCTV monitoring, to ensure that those who commit the crime suffer the consequences.
I will be considering a range of options, including those suggested in the questions, as part of the development of a new waste policy and responses to combat litter pollution.
535 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding farmers being prevented from removing gravel from rivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22896/11]
While works that could materially impact on rivers and river beds, such as the deepening or widening of the river bed, would require planning permission, other minor type works, such as the removal of accumulation of silt and debris (such as might accumulate after winter floods, for example) from a river and the restoration of the watercourse to its original condition would be classed as maintenance and would therefore not require permission.
In an area protected under the Habitats Regulations 1997 or the Wildlife Acts, such works could be a notified activity and might therefore require the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I also understand that Inland Fisheries Ireland have powers and duties under the Fisheries Acts in relation to the protection of fish spawn, which could be affected by the removal of gravel: this is a matter that comes under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
536 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the new property tax will apply to second homes in view of the fact that there is already a payment being made to the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22902/11]
537 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households in the Ballyfermot and Drimnagh LEAs, Dublin, that will be exempt form paying the new household charge. [22940/11]
548 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the household charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23120/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 536, 537 and 548 together.
It is intended that the household charge of €100 will apply, on a self assessment basis, from 2012 to owners of all residential property in the State, including those residential properties liable to the €200 charge on non-principal private residences, subject to a limited number of exemptions and waivers. Legislation to give effect to the household charge will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
538 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the delay in the Castlegregory reservoir project in County Kerry; the timeframe for the completion of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22972/11]
My Department has approved grants totalling just over €354,000 under the Small Schemes Measure of the Rural Water Programme towards works on the Castlegregory Water Supply. This funding is being made available as part of the special funding provided by my Department to allow for remedial works to public water supplies identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as having potential issues regarding the safety and security of the supplies. As responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme is devolved to local authorities, information on the works already carried out and on the timeframe for completion of the remaining works on the scheme may be sought, in this case, from Kerry County Council.
Question No. 539 answered with Question No. 534.
540 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to a matter (details supplied) regarding the Building Control Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/11]
550 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the registration of architects as laid out under Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007. [23205/11]
554 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to provide a technical assessment for architects, similar to that already provided for the grandfather surveyors under the Building Control Act 2007. [23223/11]
572 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 14 May 2011, the position regarding his review of the fees charged for registration as an architect. [23460/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 540, 550, 554 and 572 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No 58 of 24 March 2011 which comprehensively addressed the issues regarding the registration of the title of Architect. I have recently approved the schedule of fees applicable in respect of the registration of Architects in accordance with the Building Control Act 2007. The fee in relation to candidates who apply for registration under the Technical Assessment route has now been set at €4,500. This is a significant reduction on the figure originally proposed.
I have no plans to amend the arrangements for the registration of Architects, as set down under Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007, along any of the lines suggested. The Act sought to provide for the registration of the title of Architect in order to protect consumers. There is no question of persons who fail to register through one of the routes to registration provided for in Part 3 of the Act being allowed to use the title of Architect.
541 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on addressing the regulations which relate to community and voluntary fora and place a burden of fees for auditors and accountants on such fora; his further views that this sector does good work and provides a service to communities across the State and that existing legislation places a burden on these organisations which might hamper their ability to fulfil their role. [22984/11]
I presume that the Question refers to the obligations some community and voluntary groups, who have established and/or manage companies, have under the Companies Acts. Legislation in relation to Company Law and issues arising in this context are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
The Government fully recognises the value of the work carried out by community and voluntary organisations (including the Community and Voluntary Fora), which complements State endeavours in the community area. The Community and Voluntary Fora provide an important input to the work of local authorities, particularly in the context of their membership of local authority structures such as the Strategic Policy Committees, Joint Policing Committees and County/City Development Boards.
I recently approved allocations totalling €587,000 to the Fora to support their work. Such funding is in addition to any other supports provided by individual local authorities including meeting the expenses of community representatives on the aforementioned local authority structures. In addition, on 2 June 2011 I approved a further €55,000 per annum to the Irish National Community and Voluntary Forum for the next two and half years, subject to annual budgetary review. This is on top of the €19,000 already allotted to this body as part of the overall Fora allocation. The National Community and Voluntary Forum is the representative body of the Fora.
543 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if matching funding requirements will be reduced for community groups and private organisations seeking funding assistance from partnership organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23010/11]
In general the Rural Development Programme (RDP) offers a 50% rate of aid for private promoters and a 75% rate of aid for community promoters. My Department keeps under review means of making the RDP more accessible and understandable for promoters. While increased rates of aid are being considered, any such change to the RDP would have implications for the overall impact of the Programme and would require the approval of the European Commission. Should a decision be taken to increase the rates of aid applicable, all Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the RDP will be notified immediately.
544 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to a matter (details supplied) regarding the Private Residential Tenancies Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23014/11]
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 July 2011, the Government approved the Heads of a Bill to deliver on the review's recommendations.
The incorrect retention of deposits by landlords was identified in the review process as one of a range of issues that merited specific attention. While the Heads of the Bill contain provisions that will, inter alia, deter the incorrect retention of deposits by landlords, I am continuing to evaluate the review recommendations and associated legislative proposals. In that regard, 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.
545 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1464 of the 29 September 2010, the position regarding the review of Part J of the building regulations; if and when this report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23052/11]
Part J of the Building Regulations, which deals with Heat Producing Appliances, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document (TDG J), is currently being reviewed by my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB). When the review is completed, the BRAB will advise me of its recommendations in relation to amending the Part J requirement and the technical guidance. Any proposed changes will be subjected to a rigorous Regulatory Impact Analysis and a full public consultation before the matter is finally decided.
546 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reform the planning process to address a situation that persons and organisations are able to continually apply for retention in connection with developments built without or in breach of planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23080/11]
Under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 — 2010, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Acts or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Any development that is carried out without planning permission, or that does not comply with the terms of a planning permission, is unauthorised development, and may be subject to enforcement action by a planning authority.
Planning authorities have substantial enforcement powers and duties under the Planning Acts. A planning authority must issue a warning letter in relation to written complaints regarding unauthorised development, or other unauthorised development it becomes aware of (except in the case of trivial or minor development). There is also a statutory obligation to carry out an investigation and expeditiously decide whether an enforcement notice should be issued or a court order should be sought, under section 160 of the 2000 Act. Where a planning authority establishes, following an investigation, that unauthorised development (other than development that is of a trivial or minor nature) has been or is being carried out, and the person who has carried out the development has not proceeded to remedy the position, then the planning authority must issue an enforcement notice or seek a court order, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so.
An application for retention permission is required to be assessed by a planning authority in the same way as any other application, that is, the planning authority is required to consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received, relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.
The facility to apply for retention permission was curtailed in the 2010 Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 where its was provided that a planning authority may not accept an application for retention permission in respect of a development which would have required that one or more of the following was carried out:
an environmental impact assessment;
a determination as to whether an environmental impact assessment was required; or
an appropriate assessment.
The above provision was commenced on 23 March 2011. Section 57 of the 2010 Act makes provision to allow developments which would have required an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment to be the subject of applications for substitute consent, but only in very limited circumstances e.g. the development had a permission which was found defective by a court or the Board judge that there are exceptional circumstances such that the developer should be given leave to apply for such consent. Section 57 will be commenced very shortly.
547 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide additional funding to Donegal County Council for the provision of social housing, SI cottages and in meeting contractual commitments entered into by the council. [23116/11]
Funding of €6.115 million, of which €4.4 million relates to the provision of new social housing stock, was allocated to Donegal County Council under my Department's Social Housing Investment Programme for 2011. To date, some €5.147 million of the overall allocation has been drawn down by the Council. All of the available capital funding for new local authority social housing projects has been committed at this stage. Requests for additional capital funding, including the request from Donegal County Council for funding for rural houses, will be considered in the context of any savings arising elsewhere in the programme.
549 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of organisations funded under the 2008-2010 scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. [23167/11]
63 organisations were funded under the 2008-2010 Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. Details of these organisations are on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.
551 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to modify the interest rate for the rental portion of the shared ownership loan which appears to be placing an excessive burden on low income households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23206/11]
The rent charged on the local authority's equity in a shared ownership transaction is to cover the funding costs to the Housing Finance Agency which are based on borrowings at the prevailing interest rates. Any difference between the rent and prevailing interest rate is reflected in the capital outstanding on the property i.e. if the rent charged in any period is greater than the prevailing mortgage interest due on the local authority's share, the purchase price of the outstanding equity will be reduced accordingly.
In addition, an annual subsidy towards rent payments under the Shared Ownership Scheme is available, through the Rental Subsidy Scheme, to households with a gross household income of up to €28,000 per annum in the preceding tax year. The level of subsidy ranges between €2,550 for incomes up to €13,000 and €1,050 for incomes up to €28,000.
552 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the schemes that have been applied for and accepted for the remediation of category 3 and 4 unfinished estates on a county basis; the amount that has been released; the local authorities that received same; the dialogue he has had with them about the projects to be included under their scheme in view of the fact that NAMA schemes are ineligible. [23207/11]
556 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions that are in place for a resident who lives in an incomplete development (details supplied) in County Donegal. [23238/11]
575 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a procedure in place for local councils to reclaim money spent on demolishing and restoring ghost estates in their respective areas; and the further procedure to ascertain who owns and is responsible for each development. [23514/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 552, 556 and 575 together.
I have established and am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. Both documents were published on 9 June 2011 and are available on my Department's website —www.environ.ie. The Committee is meeting on a regular basis with the aim of publishing a report on progress achieved within the next 12 months. In the meantime, work is ongoing on implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group and real 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, my Department has made allocations totalling some €2.16 million to fifteen local authorities from the €5 million funding allocation made available to address immediate safety issues. 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. My Department will be making further allocations as applications are received from local authorities and assessed. I can also report 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.
Developers and owners of unfinished housing developments (or their receivers, where appointed) have the primary legal obligation in addressing outstanding problems associated with these developments. Any public funds expended under this provision should ultimately be recouped from the developer/receiver. Estates which fall under the direct control of NAMA, or receivers appointed by NAMA, are being managed by them and as a consequence do not fall within this scheme. Details of the allocations made to date are in the table.
|
Local Authority |
Category 4 |
Funding Received to date |
|
€ |
||
|
Carlow County Council |
14 |
14,074.00 |
|
Cavan County Council |
8 |
212,403.90 |
|
Clare County Council |
6 |
0.00 |
|
Cork City Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Cork County Council |
5 |
220,480.50 |
|
Donegal County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Dublin City Council |
3 |
0.00 |
|
Fingal County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
D.L.R. County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Galway City Council |
1 |
26,306.00 |
|
Galway County Council |
8 |
136,969.15 |
|
Kerry County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Kildare County Council |
4 |
0.00 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
6 |
202,909.00 |
|
Laois County Council |
4 |
67,772.00 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
40 |
33,000.00 |
|
Limerick City Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Limerick County Council |
10 |
174,430.50 |
|
Longford County Council |
39 |
453,403.00 |
|
Louth County Council |
5 |
0.00 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1 |
8,419.00 |
|
Meath County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
3 |
32,359.50 |
|
Offaly County Council |
5 |
0.00 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
15 |
97,981.61 |
|
Sligo County Council |
12 |
98,297.00 |
|
Nth Tipperary County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Sth Tipperary County Council |
5 |
95,069.50 |
|
Waterford City Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Waterford County Council |
4 |
52,000.00 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
4 |
85,531.00 |
|
Wexford County Council |
8 |
152,084.32 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Total |
210 |
2,163,489.98 |
553 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a recent environmental report which stated that nearly 600,000 consumers here are drinking tap water that contains excessive levels of trihalomethanes (details suppled); the steps he will take to ensure that this problem is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/11]
I am aware of the report referred to in the Question. Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No 2) Regulations 2007, drinking water must comply with a number of microbiological and chemical parameters. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for thesupervision of drinking water supplies in Ireland. In February 2011 the EPA published The Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland — a Report for the Years 2008-2009. The report states that 15.6% of all samples covering 156 public and group supplies failed to comply with the parametric value for trihalomethanes. Trihalomethanes are formed in drinking-water primarily as a result of chlorination of organic matter present naturally in raw water supplies.
At the time of the media report, I understand that the EPA stated that the health risks from disinfection by-products, including trihalomethanes, are much less than the risk from consuming water that has not been disinfected. As part of its supervisory role under the Regulations, the EPA maintains a list of public water schemes where remedial action is required to address operational or infrastructure deficits. Schemes failing to meet the parametric value for trihalomethanes are placed on this remedial action list (RAL). My Department provides capital funding to local authorities for works required to address schemes on the RAL. Since 2008, €28m has been provided from the Rural Water Programme for this purpose.
555 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the fact that a company (details supplied), that has been awarded the contract for the Poolbeg incinerator, Dublin, has been fined €400,000 in the United States of America for release of cancerous dioxins at incinerators in Connecticut and that this is the second time (details supplied) this company has been fined for this; his plans to ensure that a similar issue will not arise in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23224/11]
I am aware of the incidents reported in respect of the company referred to in the question. Major waste infrastructure is subject to stringent environmental standards set out in national and EU environmental and waste legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities are tasked with implementation, and the Agency has significant oversight and enforcement powers in order to safeguard the environment and to ensure compliance with specific waste licence conditions. I am satisfied that a rigorous and risk based enforcement regime, including emissions monitoring, inspections and audits, is actively pursued by the EPA. As standard good practice, the EPA also requires the development of Environmental Management Systems at licensed facilities, to help in preventing environmental pollution and promoting continual improvements in environmental performance.
557 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of volunteer centres on a county basis; the number of staff employed in each centre; the number of volunteers offering and placed in 2010; the funding that was provided to each centre in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23247/11]
22 Volunteer Centres act as ‘brokers' between potential volunteers and organisations seeking volunteers. The centres are linked by a common database and a common best practice approach, and they provide a valuable service in promoting and coordinating voluntary activities around Ireland. They also work with organisations to develop their volunteer management capacity as well as carrying out Garda vetting for smaller organisations.
Details of the funding provided by my Department to the 22 Centres are set out in the table. In addition 1% of funding under the Local and Community Development Programme is for volunteering activities. This funding is paid directly to Volunteer Centres which operate in LCDP areas. The table details the number of volunteer centres by county, the number of staff employed in each centre, the number of volunteers registered and placed in 2010 and the funding received under the Department's Volunteering Subhead.
|
No. of Volunteer Centres by County |
No. of Staff Employed 2010 |
No. of Volunteers Registered 2010 |
No. of Volunteers Placed 2010 |
Funding provided in 2010 |
|
Carlow |
1f/t & 2 p/t |
473 |
278 |
€118,102.00 |
|
Clare |
1p/t |
257 |
152 |
€32,410.00 |
|
Cork |
2f/t & 2 p/t |
1,289 |
127 |
€67,226.00 |
|
Donegal |
2 f/t |
302 |
87 |
€127,553.00 |
|
Dublin City South |
3 f/t |
1,332 |
440 |
€171,287.00 |
|
South Dublin County |
1f/t & 3 p/t |
1,358 |
380 |
€172,816.00 |
|
Fingal |
2 f/t |
772 |
76 |
€101,168.00 |
|
Dublin City North |
2 f/t |
2,350 |
451 |
€207,614.00 |
|
Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown |
1 f/t & 2 p/t |
677 |
215 |
€91,780.00 |
|
Galway |
1 f/t & 2 p/t |
1,555 |
490 |
€116,749.00 |
|
Kerry |
2 f/t |
437 |
401 |
€107,510.00 |
|
Kildare |
2 f/t |
553 |
201 |
€107,745.00 |
|
Limerick |
1 f/t & 2 p/t |
269 |
93 |
€144,940.00 |
|
Longford |
1p/t |
92 |
84 |
€32,410.00 |
|
Louth |
3 p/t |
304 |
167 |
€111,702.00 |
|
Mayo |
3 p/t |
239 |
125 |
€88,507.00 |
|
Meath |
2 f/t |
505 |
262 |
€122,963.00 |
|
Monaghan |
1 f/t |
152 |
52 |
€66,904.00 |
|
Sligo |
3 p/t |
323 |
224 |
€106,842.00 |
|
South Tipperary |
1 f/t & 2 p/t |
465 |
315 |
€130,861.00 |
|
Westmeath |
2 f/t |
308 |
370 |
€119,841.00 |
|
Wicklow |
3 p/t |
463 |
341 |
€122,957.00 |
558 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that was granted to Limerick County Council for the housing aid for the elderly grant scheme and the housing adaptation grant scheme to date in 2011; if, in view of the fact that the area offices are reporting that they are out of the necessary funding, he will be releasing further moneys this year; and the planned allocation moneys for Limerick County Council in 2012. [23286/11]
The suite of Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability is funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed to each of the various grant measures, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within their allocation.
Exchequer funding totalling €1,375,380 was allocated to Limerick County Council to meet expenditure arising under the schemes in 2011. So far, some €921,469 of this has been drawn down by the Council. All of the funding available under the grant schemes has been fully committed at this stage. My Department monitors expenditure under the schemes on an ongoing basis and requests for additional funding will be considered in the context of savings arising due to an under-spend by any local authority of their 2011 allocation.
Allocations to local authorities next year will be considered in the context of the 2012 budgetary provision for the grant schemes and local authorities will be notified of these as soon as possible after the publication of the 2012 Estimates for Public Services.
My Department is aware that these schemes are very heavily subscribed and available funding has been heavily committed in many areas. To provide for continuity in the processing of applications and the payment of grants under the various grant measures, local authorities are advised by my Department that they can commit up to 50% of their current year allocation in respect of grant payments falling due in the following year.
560 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23312/11]
Details of expenditure using Departmental credit cards for the period from January 2008 to August 2011 are set out as follows. The Table also sets out the amount spent on entertainment on those credit cards.
|
Year |
Total annual expenditure |
Credit card Entertainment expenditure |
|
2008 |
€60,471.36 |
€8,843.96 |
|
2009 |
€26,774.00 |
€6,178.37 |
|
2010 |
€28,013.38 |
€2,936.39 |
|
2011 (to end August) |
€8,286.57 |
€245.53 |
Departmental credit cards are issued for authorised official use only in circumstances where a strong business case has been established. Cards are withdrawn when the business case no longer exists and transferred into the name of the incoming officer, as appropriate, when there is a reassignment of duties.
Currently there are four credit card holders in my Department, namely:
Private Secretary to the Minister
Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning
Principal Officer, ICT Section, and
Head of Administration and Training Division, Met Éireann
Each of the four credit cards has a credit limit of €7,000. Credit cards are issued to the private secretaries to the Minister and Minister of State to facilitate payment for goods or services which would prove more difficult under normal invoicing arrangements, such as reserving hotel accommodation abroad. In the cases of Met Éireann and ICT, the credit cards are used to facilitate the purchase of ICT hardware and software licences and for the renewal of subscriptions to work-related publications.
561 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23342/11]
The information requested is set out in the table:
|
Minister of State |
Private Office — Number of Staff * |
Private Office — Salary Costs |
Constituency Office -Number of Staff |
Constituency Office — Salary Costs |
|
|
2009 Pre 22 April |
M. Kitt |
5 |
€94,440.44 |
5 |
€84,418.88 |
|
2009 |
M.Finneran |
7 |
€332,610.18 |
5 |
€163,934.53 |
|
2010 |
M.Finneran |
7 |
€309,210.63 |
4 |
€176,494.32 |
|
2011 Pre 10 March |
M.Finneran |
7 |
€60,397.51 |
4 |
€30,842.13 |
|
2011 Post 10 March |
W.Penrose |
7 ** |
€160,052.55 |
3 |
€57,343.03 |
* Numbers employed include 2 civilian drivers for each office for each year.
** Minister of State Penrose attends Cabinet and employs a Special Adviser.
Minister of State O'Dowd has no staff assigned to his office in my Department.
Similarly, no staff were assigned to the offices of former Ministers of State Cuffe, Hoctor and Brady.
562 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23357/11]
The information requested is set out in the table:
|
Year |
Minister |
No. of Special Advisors |
Salary Costing |
|
2009 |
J. Gormley |
4* |
€483,876.64 |
|
2010 |
J. Gormley |
4* |
€478,518.37 |
|
2011 (1 — 23 January) |
J. Gormley |
4* |
€34,246.89 |
|
2011 (24 January-9 March) |
É. Ó Cuív |
0 |
0 |
|
2011 (10 March to date) |
P. Hogan |
1 |
€32,027.03 |
|
2011 (10 March to date) |
W. Penrose |
1 |
€24,556.37 |
* Includes a Programme Manager who was based in the Department of the Taoiseach.
563 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23372/11]
The information requested is set out in the table:
|
Minister Office |
Private Office — Salary Costs |
Constituency Office -Number of Staff # |
Constituency Office — Salary Costs |
||
|
2009 |
J Gormley ** |
10.85 |
€839,682.95 |
5.35 |
€259,863.39 |
|
2010 |
J Gormley ** |
10.5 |
€825,877.86 |
5 |
€210,117.24 |
|
2011(1 — 23 January) |
J Gormley ** |
10.5 |
€59,474.93 |
5 |
€18,772.76 |
|
2011(24 January-9 March) |
É O Cuív |
4.5 |
€27,025.13 |
0 |
0 |
|
2011(10 March to date) |
P Hogan |
9 * |
€197,822.75 |
4 |
€52,947.89 |
* Minister Hogan employs 2 civilian drivers who are reflected in this table.
# Staff figures given as whole time equivalent.
** Figure for Minister Gormley's Private Office in 2009, 2010-2011 includes a Programme Manager who was based in the Department of the Taoiseach.
564 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will honour the commitment given by a previous Government whereby €18 million was allocated to County Kerry for the replacement of water mains relaying; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no funding has yet been released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23384/11]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the commencement of water conservation contracts to the value of €18.79 million during the programme period in County Kerry.
Since the publication of the programme, Kerry County Council has completed its countywide watermains rehabilitation strategy required as part of its water conservation programme. This strategy identifies specific defective water supply networks requiring rehabilitation and/or replacement. The Council is also identifying the works to be included in the Countywide Watermains Rehabilitation Project Phase 1 contract to be progressed and funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 — 2012.
My Department recently approved an advance works proposal for the replacement of watermains submitted by Kerry County Council. The Council has also submitted additional information requested in relation to another advance works proposal and this is currently under examination. A decision will be conveyed to the Council as soon as possible.
565 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the family income supplement, which is taken into account for the income threshold regarding eligibility on the local authority housing list, will also be taken into account in the calculation for persons who wish to get a loan from the local authority to purchase a house. [23390/11]
Provisions governing mortgage lending by local authorities are set out under the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009 and associated credit policy. To ensure effective targeting of resources, loan finance continues to be available to first time buyers only. Income limits are also in place, distinguishing between single and dual income households and a maximum loan limit is applied. In assessing loan applications local authorities take account of the household's ability to finance the loan based on their net household income. While, as a general rule, the credit policy provides that loans are not available to those in receipt of unemployment/social welfare benefits, an exception may be made where there is a primary income of a permanent waged/salaried nature, and where the secondary income is from the Department of Social Protection. In such cases long term social welfare payments can be considered, provided the long term nature of the payment is confirmed. The final decision on whether to grant/refuse an applicant lies solely with the relevant local authority. All local authorities must satisfy themselves on the financial risk they are undertaking. These provisions apply for purposes of mortgage lending by all local authorities.
566 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he plans to centralise all waste collection to only one company and financial institutions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23391/11]
The Government has committed to the introduction of competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers will bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service. A public consultation process has recently concluded on this matter, the purpose of which is to inform policy development. The responses received are currently being examined and I intend to bring policy proposals to Government before the end of the year. However, there are no plans to centralise waste collection with a single service provider. On the contrary, I would like to strengthen competition for household waste collection.
567 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of employees, in each local authority, that have a mental or physical disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23418/11]
The local authority sector as a whole has exceeded the Government's target of 3% for the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector each year since 2001. Based on information supplied by local authorities in the format required under the Disability Act 2005, the percentage of employees with a disability in each local authority for 2010 is set out in the table.
|
Local Authority |
% |
|
County Councils |
|
|
Carlow |
3.0 |
|
Cavan |
3.0 |
|
Clare |
4.9 |
|
Cork |
3.3 |
|
Donegal |
3.3 |
|
Dún Laoghaire / Rathdown |
4.2 |
|
Fingal |
4.7 |
|
Galway |
3.4 |
|
Kerry |
4.5 |
|
Kildare |
4.4 |
|
Kilkenny |
4.4 |
|
Laois |
3.1 |
|
Leitrim |
4.5 |
|
Limerick |
3.7 |
|
Longford |
4.3 |
|
Louth |
6.0 |
|
Mayo |
5.8 |
|
Meath |
3.8 |
|
Monaghan |
3.9 |
|
Offaly |
3.4 |
|
Roscommon |
4.5 |
|
Sligo |
3.0 |
|
South Dublin |
3.4 |
|
North Tipperary |
3.2 |
|
South Tipperary |
3.8 |
|
Waterford |
3.2 |
|
Westmeath |
3.7 |
|
Wexford |
4.7 |
|
Wicklow |
3.1 |
|
City Councils |
|
|
Cork |
4.2 |
|
Dublin |
2.1 |
|
Galway |
4.4 |
|
Limerick |
2.6 |
|
Waterford |
6.4 |
568 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the ratio of assistant fire chiefs to fire service personnel in each local authority here; and the staffing costs for each member of staff at the grade of assistant fire chief and fire chief on a county basis. [23425/11]
Information regarding the ratio of Assistant Chief Fire Officers to Fire Service Personnel and staffing costs for Chief Fire Officers and Assistant Chief Fire Officers is not routinely compiled in my Department.
My Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, however, conducted a Baseline Study of the fire and rescue services in Ireland in 2008/2009. Each local authority was requested to complete a survey document to gather information on fire services across the State. The primary purpose of the Study was to provide a benchmark of the current status of local authority fire and emergency services, against which future progress would be measured.
The survey identified 271 officers (including 30 Chief Fire Officers and 100 Assistant Chief Fire Officers) and 3,416 fire fighters countrywide, who provide and manage the delivery of fire services from 220 fire stations, using a fleet of some 500 vehicles. On average, there is one operational fire officer for every 44 fire fighters covering a population of 15,000 people. The returns also indicated one chief fire officer for every 114 fire fighters. Accordingly, I consider that the Irish Fire Service is appropriately structured and I appreciate the high quality of services provided and managed by our senior fire officers and front line fire fighters.
The annual budget provided by local authorities for running fire services is of the order of €240m. Requests for staffing in the fire services have been approved, following consideration of individual requests, within the Employment Control Framework.
Salaries of Chief Fire Officers and Assistant Chief Fire Officers are aligned to those of engineers in local authorities. The current salary scales are contained in the tables.
|
Chief Fire Officer (Cork City & County Council, Limerick City) |
Chief Fire Officer (Other Local Authorities) |
||||
|
Point |
Rate 01/01/2010 |
Point |
Rate 01/01/2010 |
Point |
Rate 01/01/2010 |
|
1 |
€78,368 |
1 |
€73,223 |
1 |
€62,276 |
|
2 |
€81,185 |
2 |
€74,957 |
2 |
€64,219 |
|
3 |
€83,995 |
3 |
€76,685 |
3 |
€66,147 |
|
4 |
€86,809 |
4 |
€78,417 |
4 |
€68,037 |
|
5 |
€89,623 |
5 |
€80,148 |
5 |
€69,934 |
|
LSI 1 |
€92,583 |
6 |
€81,886 |
6 |
€71,822 |
|
LSI 2 |
€95,540 |
LSI 1 |
€84,500 |
7 |
€73,726 |
|
LSI 2 |
€87,117 |
LSI 1 |
€76,116 |
||
|
LSI 2 |
€78,501 |
|
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Dublin City Council) |
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Cork City & County Council) |
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Other Local Authorities) |
|||
|
Point |
Rate 01/01/2010 |
Point |
Point |
Rate 01/01/2010 |
Point |
|
1 |
€73,223 |
1 |
€62,276 |
1 |
€46,732 |
|
2 |
€74,957 |
2 |
€64,219 |
2 |
€48,467 |
|
3 |
€76,685 |
3 |
€66,147 |
3 |
€50,204 |
|
4 |
€78,417 |
4 |
€68,037 |
4 |
€51,944 |
|
5 |
€80,148 |
5 |
€69,934 |
5 |
€53,684 |
|
6 |
€81,886 |
6 |
€71,822 |
6 |
€55,422 |
|
LSI 1 |
€84,500 |
7 |
€73,726 |
7 |
€57,162 |
|
LSI 2 |
€87,117 |
LSI 1 |
€76,116 |
8 |
€58,893 |
|
LSI 2 |
€78,501 |
9 |
€60,639 |
||
|
10 |
€62,372 |
||||
|
LSI 1 |
€64,371 |
||||
|
LSI 2 |
€66,350 |
569 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans regarding to fire services here, specifically if it is envisaged that there will be a national fire service to replace the individual full and part time services that currently exist in each county. [23426/11]
The provision of a fire service, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable is a statutory function of 37 statutorily designated fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003.
Fire services are structured and delivered by the thirty principal local authorities on a shared services basis. These fire authorities are supported by my Department through setting general policy, the provision of training support, the issue of guidance on operational and other related matters, and by the provision of capital funding.
A Review of Fire Services in Ireland conducted in 2002 concluded unambiguously that provision of fire services by the local authorities was an appropriate approach, which should be continued and strengthened. The report also recommended that national oversight, co-ordination and leadership of fire services should be strengthened. The establishment in 2009 of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management within my Department gave effect to this recommendation. The Directorate has taken over the functions of the Fire Services Council in an approach in keeping with the need to reduce the number of agencies, while providing appropriate political accountability.
While the National Directorate is not a national fire service, and fire authorities continue to deliver this service under the aegis of the local government system, it has recently set out a national blueprint and programme for developing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Fire Services. This is contained in the Irish Fire Services National Development Framework 2010-2015, available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The Framework sets out policies and key actions in the areas of Fire Services Role in Society; National Processes and Standards; Staff Learning and Development; Quality Assurance Systems and Reporting Performance; and Service Infrastructure and Legislative Support.
The National Directorate, in collaboration with fire authorities, is currently developing national guidance on a range of issues in the interests of enhanced community safety.
Given that both the fire authorities at local level and the Directorate at national level are working well and meeting their respective mandates, I have no plans to establish a National Fire Service.
570 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Arklow sewerage scheme; when he expects that it will go to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/11]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Wicklow. Three contracts under the Arklow Sewerage Scheme are included in the Programme amongst the list of contracts in the county to start in the period 2010-2012.
The major contract relates to the proposed wastewater treatment plant. The unsuccessful applicant to the High Court for a judicial review of An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant approval for the wastewater treatment plant was given leave to appeal to the Supreme Court and exercised that option. The hearing was held in December 2009 and the Supreme Court issued its decision in July 2011. The Court dismissed the appeal.
Following from the Supreme Court decision, Wicklow County Council must complete the planning for the scheme and is preparing a programme for its delivery within the earliest possible timeframe.
571 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/11]
The IT budget for my Department was €4.291m in 2010 and is €4.533m in 2011. My Department constantly seeks to ensure that value for money and cost reductions are obtained. In this regard, my Department complies fully with appropriate national and EU procurement rules and also avails of centrally negotiated procurement framework agreements in areas such as telephony and desktop equipment.
Information in relation to the management of IT budgets by public bodies under the remit of my Department is a matter for the bodies themselves. Such bodies are, of course, required to comply with the appropriate national and EU procurement rules.
573 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23471/11]
Departmental submissions made in the context of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that it is his intention to publish the submissions following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
576 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the replacement of water mains at Coosan, Athlone, County Westmeath is due to commence; when the further 12 km of water mains repairs will take place in Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23515/11]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the commencement of water conservation contracts to the value of €10.2 million during the programme period in County Westmeath.
I understand that the award of the contract to replace the watermain in Coosan, Athlone was delayed due to the withdrawal of the lowest tender, and the contract has been offered to the next lowest tender. My Department is providing funding for this contract, which was signed this week, and works are expected to commence on site very shortly.
Site investigation works are currently ongoing in Athlone and the results will be used in the final design and preparation of contract documents for further watermain replacement works in Athlone. I understand that the Council plan to finalise the design and preparation of the contract documents by the end of this year.
577 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the process of discharging raw sewage into the River Shannon at eight locations in Athlone, County Westmeath, during times of heavy rainfall; and if an alternative method of dealing with sewerage will be used. [23516/11]
The EU on Urban Waste Water Treatment recognises that it is not possible to construct collecting systems and treatment plants in a way such that all wastewater can be treated during situations such as unusually heavy rainfall. Member States therefore have to decide on measures to limit pollution from storm water overflows. In Ireland, the extent and impact of such discharges is regulated through the wastewater discharge licence issued by the Environmental Protection Agency for the particular agglomeration. In addition, my Department has published performance standards in a document. Procedures and criteria in relation to Storm Water Overflows.
In the case of the Athlone area, in common with all early municipal combined sewer networks, the sewers in the old core of Athlone carry storm water as well as foul sewage and are fitted with combined sewer overflows, which in times of heavy rainfall may spill a mixture of storm water and sewage to the watercourse — principally to the River Shannon. The licence issued by the EPA to Westmeath County Council requires some improvement works to ensure that a number of such discharges conform to the Departmental performance standards. It is proposed to address these issues as part of the upgrade of the Athlone Sewerage Scheme which is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012. The Athlone Sewerage Scheme provides for a combination of new sewers, sewer replacement and provision of storm water holding tank to contain excess storm flow and return it to the sewer network — and hence to the wastewater treatment plant — when the rainfall event has passed. The elimination of the combined storm overflows to the River Shannon will be a major benefit of the Scheme. Westmeath County Council has submitted a Project Inception Report for Athlone Sewerage Scheme to my Department and this is currently under consideration.
578 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the proposed property tax impact on landlords with four or five units to let in one house; if they will have to pay for each unit or one tax on the house; if any scheme exists to assist landlords who have had to reduce their rents due to the current economic climate with these non principal private residency taxes and the proposed further taxation on multiple property ownership. [23594/11]
It is intended that the household charge of €100 will apply, on a self assessment basis, from 2012 to owners of all residential property in the State, subject to a limited number of exemptions and waivers.
Where a property is divided into a number of units of residential property, it is intended that each such unit will be liable to the charge. Legislation to give effect to the household charge will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as possible. I have no plans to introduce a specific scheme to assist landlords who own multiple properties.
579 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the 2010 housing needs assessment will be published; the top line figure for local authority housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23606/11]
Detailed data are being finalised and I expect to be in a position to release the statutory Housing Needs Assessment figures for 2011 shortly. As I indicated recently, the total number of households on the local authority waiting lists nationally, the "net need", is just under 100,000 households.
580 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding funding for an information centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23613/11]
Funding of €427m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to identify and provide appropriate amenity and leisure facilities to local communities; support is also available for small scale infrastructure for tourism initiatives. Support under the RDP is available for the development and upgrade of such structures and in this context the information centre could be considered for this type of funding under the RDP. South Kerry Development Partnership who have been contracted by my Department to deliver the RDP in the South Kerry area may be contacted at West Main Street, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry.
Support may also be available under one of the community work placement initiatives, such as Tús, Rural Social Scheme or Community Employment Scheme, administered by the Department of Social Protection. These initiatives provide a wide range of local services and support community and voluntary organisations in the delivery of services. South Kerry Development Partnership has also been tasked with delivery of these schemes in South Kerry.
Question No. 581 answered with Question No. 532.
582 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person is entitled to allow their property (details supplied) to go into the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23757/11]
Affordable housing schemes were introduced to facilitate homeownership for first time buyers. To this end, while the terms and conditions of the various affordable housing schemes do not prohibit an affordable home owner from renting a spare room in his/her home, a local authority may attach conditions to the contract with the purchaser pertaining to subletting of the unit and its use by the purchaser as his/her normal place of residence. Any property owner interested in renting their property under the Rental Accommodation Scheme should contact the relevant local authority.
583 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the allocation of budgets to a certain body under the local and community development programme 2011-2013 (details supplied). [23781/11]
The company referred to in the question is funded under my Department's Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). Funding allocations to local development companies under the LCDP are made by Pobal, which manages the programme on behalf of my Department.
Allocations under the LCDP are based on a number of factors, including the size/population of the catchment areas of the companies, the proposed annual programme of activity of each company, the deprivation index for the catchment areas and the available funding for the year. An allocation of €553,347.25 has been provided to the company in question for 2011. Ongoing funding for the LCDP in 2012 and beyond will fall to be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process and in light of the outcome of the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure.
584 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the non-principal private residence charge is being levied on units rather than on individual properties; if he regards this as a disincentive to investment in property portfolios; his views that this is a burden on owners of more than one property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23788/11]
The Government decided in 2009 to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge of €200 on all non-principal private residences. The charge is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence.
The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which sets out the detail of the charge, defines residential property as including flats, apartments and bedsits. The charge is payable in respect of each unit of accommodation used, or suitable for use as a separate dwelling, whether or not any amenity or facility in the building or premises may be shared. The owner of a house split into a number of residential units is thus liable for the charge on each unit in that house.The view was taken when the Bill was being debated in the Oireachtas that this was the fairest approach. I have no plans at present to amend the charge on non-principal private residences in this respect.
585 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to increase the grants for group sewerage schemes in view of the present differential between such scheme grants and group water scheme grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23792/11]
The rate of grant available for Group Sewerage Schemes is €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser.
My Department has funded a pilot programme to test a range of small-scale wastewater collection and treatment systems under Irish conditions. The objective of this pilot programme is to evaluate new approaches to meeting the wastewater collection and treatment needs of rural communities. The National Rural Water Services Committee will consider the final report on the performance of new infrastructure provided under this pilot programme. I will review the future role of group sewerage schemes in the provision of wastewater collections systems in the light of the Committee's report and in the context of any proposals the Committee may put forward when it finalises the development of a strategy on the Rural Water Programme which it has been requested to produce.
586 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the RAPID funding application from Ballina Town Council, County Mayo; and when a decision will issue. [23804/11]
Two capital projects submitted by Ballina Town Council have been prioritised by Pobal under the RAPID Additionality Measure. The matter of progressing these projects to contract stage will be kept under active review in the light of availability of funding / levels of expenditure across my Department's Vote during 2011 and, if necessary, into 2012. In the event that a portion of the funding becomes available this year, it is proposed that it be made available to projects in an equitable way on the basis of priority, subject to recommendations from Pobal under agreed criteria. Any decisions arising will be notified to all applicants as soon as possible.
587 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has given consideration to a combined e-procurement initiative as a means of cutting costs to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23903/11]
Local authorities have developed an on-line tendering/quotation solution LAQuotes.ie to streamline procurement processes for a range of supplies and services. This solution was developed by Kerry County Council in 2003 and is centrally managed by the Council on behalf of participating local authorities.
The development of LAQuotes.ie has introduced greater efficiencies into the procurement process in the local government sector resulting in on-going savings and benefits both to the sector and to suppliers. It has been estimated that the system has yielded savings to local authorities in the order of €250 million in the period 2006-2009. In addition, the on-line tender solution LABitumen.ie has been developed to streamline the tendering process for bitumen emulsions for all local authorities.
My Department has been working with local authorities to advance the efficiency agenda. The first progress report on the Local Government Sectoral Action Plan to the Implementation Body on the Public Services Agreement has identified savings of €223 million for the reporting period to the end of March 2011, of which some €30 million relates to procurement.
Earlier this year, I established the independent Local Government Efficiency Implementation Group. This Group has been tasked with driving forward relevant recommendations of the Local Government Efficiency Review Report (July 2010) in areas including shared services, procurement, value for money and audit. The Group has been asked to focus on key recommendations that will remove costs and yield earliest financial gains for the benefit of the sector. The Group is to report to me at regular intervals with its first report to be submitted shortly.
The Implementation Group recently considered a submission on procurement from the County and City Managers' Association. Local authorities are committed to exploiting the potential that exists for additional savings in this area, primarily through increased aggregation in procurement at regional level, maximising the use of National Procurement Service Framework Agreements, where appropriate, extending low value purchase cards across the sector and further developing the LAQuotes system.
588 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to section 3 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, the reason the provisions of this section relate solely to enforcement actions in relation to compliance with conditions of a consent or a licence under the applicable statutory instruments and not to the issuing of primary consents or licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23948/11]
589 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to section 3 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, the reason the provisions of this section relate solely to enforcement actions in relation to compliance with conditions of a consent or a licence under the applicable statutory instruments and not to enforcement actions in which no consent or licence has been obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23949/11]
590 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with reference to section 3 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, his views that the enactment of the Act allows for the ratification by Ireland of the Aarhus Convention; and if so, when he proposes to proceed to ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 588 to 590, inclusive, together.
Section 3 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 was introduced to further strengthen Ireland's implementation of Articles 9.3 and 9.4 of the Aarhus Convention. It ensures that where individuals have standing in law, they can bring environmental cases to court without facing prohibitive costs; it is part of a suite of measures that have been implemented to help Ireland comply with the requirements of the Convention.
In respect of legal actions related to the issuing of consents or licences, Judicial Review is the appropriate mechanism for such actions. The costs rule which applies for Judicial Review, where the consent is one that is relevant to either Directive 85/337/EC on Environmental Impact Assessment or Directive 2008/1/EC on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, is set out in Section 50B of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as inserted by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 and amended by the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011). This costs rule is similar to that introduced in Section 3 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011.
Enforcement actions where no consent or licence has been obtained are a matter for the appropriate regulatory body, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, An Bord Pleanála, local authorities or other State body, as the case may be. Such actions are not subject to the costs rule introduced by the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 as I do not believe that operators who engage in licensable activities without the appropriate licences should have the benefit of such a rule.
I intend to proceed with ratification of the Aarhus Convention in the near future, following an analysis of all implementation measures by my Department in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General
591 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Caherdaniel sewerage scheme (details supplied), County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23987/11]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Kerry. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence to the value of over €92 million in Kerry during the period of the Programme. However, the Caherdaniel Sewerage Scheme was not amongst the priority contracts and schemes selected for inclusion in the current Programme.
The Programme aims to prioritise projects that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Kerry County Council, in response to my Department's request to the authorities in 2009 to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works in their areas. These were subsequently appraised in the Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. Inevitably, through this process, certain projects that had been proposed had to give way to others that were more strategically important at that time.
Progress under the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 , has recently been reviewed and through this process, consideration was given to any newly emerging priority contracts and schemes submitted by local authorities for addition to the Programme. No proposal for the Caherdaniel Sewerage Scheme was received from Kerry County Council in response to the review process.
592 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he has taken in progressing legislation dealing with climate change; if he will publish any reviews that he has undertaken in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24011/11]
My immediate priority on climate change is to finalise a review of national policy in light of existing and anticipated national greenhouse gas mitigation targets. The review, which is almost finalised and will be made available as soon as possible on my Department's website, will provide the background for future policy development.
593 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when will legislation tackling noise pollution be introduced; the measures that will be proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24041/11]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to address noise pollution through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on-the- spot fines) and provision for mediation between neighbours. The development of new noise legislation by my Department will be considered in the context of this commitment; however, it is not possible at this time to indicate when the legislation will be published.
Currently, a person experiencing noise nuisance may contact their local authority, which may initiate proceedings on grounds of noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. This Act also provides for any person, or group of persons, to seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation. A public information leaflet A Guide to the Noise Regulations, outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance, is available on my Department's website www.environ.iehttp://www.environ.ie/.
594 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff and respective budget of each regulator under his responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24233/11]
In line with the definition of "regulatory body" set out in the report — Bodies in Ireland with Regulatory Powers — published by the Department of the Taoiseach in February 2007, information in respect of the regulators related to my Department is set out as follows.
In relation to the four regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department, the table sets out the regulatory role, staffing numbers at end June 2011, and the estimated expenditure in 2011. These bodies are funded by a combination of Exchequer funding, own resources income such as fees and, in the case of the Environmental Protection Agency, from the Environment Fund.
|
Name of Body |
Regulatory Role |
No of Staff Employed (WTE end June 2011) |
Estimated expenditure 2011€m |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
An Bord Pleanála determines appeals against decisions by planning authorities on applications for permission for development of land. The Board also assesses and determines proposals for major infrastructural developments by local authorities including roads and motorways, and certain types of strategic infrastructure development proposed by other infrastructural providers. |
159 |
12.829*3.628 **Total: 16.457 |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
The Environmental Protection Agency has a wide range of functions to protect the environment. Its primary activities include: licensing, law enforcement, planning and guidance, monitoring and reporting, research and the implementation of a number of EU Directives. |
326 |
46.996***14.539**Total 61.535 |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
The Private Residential Tenancies Board resolves disputes between landlords and tenants, operates a national tenancy registration system and provides information and policy advice on the p Private rented sector. |
60**** |
8** |
|
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland |
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland regulates by licence the custody, use manufacture, importation transportation, distribution, exportation and disposal of radioactive substances, irradiating apparatus and other sources of ionising radiation. It also provides a radioactivity measurement and certification service and prepares codes and regulations for the safe use of ionising radiation. |
46 |
3.323*2.123**Total 5.446 |
* Exchequer funding
** Own resources
*** Includes funding from both Exchequer and Environment Fund
****PRTB WTE includes 23 employment agency staff.
Regulatory functions arising from my Department's mandate are also carried out by local authorities, and staffing numbers associated with the discharge of these functions are included in local authority overall staffing numbers. The costs of discharging regulatory functions by local authorities are provided for in the overall local authority annual revenue budgets. These totalled just over €4.6 billion in 2010 and are projected to total in the region of €4.5 billion in 2011.
595 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the annual amounts paid out to private landlords and local authorities in the form of RAS and RAS type arrangements; the number of such payments or arrangements; and the average amount of these payments on an annual and monthly basis. [24245/11]
Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department's relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application for rent supplement and payment is made to the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their temporary accommodation needs.
Legislation provides for the making of a rent supplement payment to another person (e.g. a relative, a landlord or landlord's agent) on behalf of the recipient. This is at the tenant's request and is subject to the consent of the Community Welfare Service. Approximately 20% of rent supplement payments are currently paid to a person other than the tenant.
Rent supplement expenditure in 2010 was in the sum of €516 million. The table gives a breakdown of rent supplement by recipients, expenditure and average payments for 2011.
|
Period |
Recipients(1) |
Expenditure(2) |
Average Payment(3) |
|
€m |
|||
|
January 2011 |
96,532 |
39.51 |
99.75 |
|
February 2011 |
96,899 |
41.84 |
99.69 |
|
March 2011 |
97,288 |
44.32 |
99.52 |
|
April 2011 |
97,430 |
41.75 |
99.22 |
|
May 2011 |
97,323 |
41.60 |
99.18 |
|
June 2011 |
96,809 |
42.42 |
99.14 |
|
July 2011 |
96,823 |
41.50 |
98.92 |
|
August 2011 |
95,896 |
40.73 |
98.86 |
(1) At end of month
(2) During month
(3) Average figures based on extracts of relevant rent payment files, May 2011 estimated.
596 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the average cost of building a new social home, based on the most recent builds by local authorities in the post property slump period, and taking into account the fall in building costs in recent times. [24246/11]
Based on the tender costs received in my Department, the current average unit cost is now in the order of €125,000, approximately 21% lower than was the case at the height of the boom. Given that there have been a limited number of construction tenders in the recent past, the sample used is very small and the results therefore need to be interpreted with caution.
This figure does not include additional costs such as design team fees, public utility charges or site costs which add on average 15% to the construction costs. Site costs are not included as these may vary significantly, depending on whether the land used was already in the possession of the local authority, or if and when it was purchased by the local authority.
597 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of rental revenue derived for the State, via local authorities, from local authority housing over the past five years and breaking these figures down on an annual basis and by local authority area. [24247/11]
598 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the number of local authority houses in the State and the average annual or monthly rent received per local authority house, and breaking these figures down by local authority area. [24248/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 597 and 598 together.
Detailed data in respect of rental revenue accruing from local authority rented dwellings since 2003 can be viewed on my Department's website, www.environ.iehttp://www.environ.ie/. Data in respect of 2010 output have not yet been finalised.
599 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the possible fines Ireland will face in view of the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency predicts that Ireland will breach EU 2020 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15888/11]
Greenhouse gas emission projections issued by the Environmental Protection Agency for the period 2013 to 2020 are based on various assumptions. It is a matter for Government to develop and implement appropriate policies to meet our climate change commitments, having regard, inter alia, to the projections. I am satisfied that Ireland can and will meet its 2020 greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations under EU law. This will be achieved through progress on the domestic climate agenda, complemented as necessary by use of flexibilities provided in Decision 406/2009/EC of 23 April 2009.
600 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to legislate for the regulation and management of standards of undertakers nationally; if he has control over the cost of funerals, the cost of graves and the cost of cremation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23964/11]
I have no plans to legislate for the management and regulation of undertakers.
Under the 1878 Public Health (Ireland) Act, as amended, local authorities, acting in their capacity as burial boards, are responsible for the management, regulation and control of burial grounds provided by them and it is a matter for them to determine the cost of burial plots.
Other burial grounds and crematoria are provided by commercial enterprises or by not-for-profit organisations subject to planning legislation.
601 Deputy Alex White asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has satisfied himself with the level of Garda vetting in place for sports organisations here; the sports organisations that are availing of vetting via the Garda central vetting unit; the number of applications for the vetting of sports personnel have been received by the Garda central vetting unit from each such sports organisation in 2010 and to date in 2011; when the Garda Vetting Bill is expected to be published; if the Irish Sports Council has indicated to each funded sports organisations that the vetting of all persons working with children and vulnerable adults is a mandatory requirement. [22814/11]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that 45 sporting bodies under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council are registered with the Garda Central Vetting Unit for Garda Vetting services. A detailed breakdown of the sporting bodies and the number of Garda Vetting Applications received from these organisations in 2010 and 2011 is set out in the table below.
|
List of Sporting Organisations registered with GCVU as at 13/9/2011 |
Applications received in 2010 |
Applications received in 2011 (up to 13/9/2011) |
|
Angling Council of Ireland |
Nil |
80 |
|
Athletics Assoc of Ireland |
1,613 |
711 |
|
Badminton Ireland |
110 |
76 |
|
Basketball Ireland |
77 |
87 |
|
Baton Twirling Sports Assoc of Ireland |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Community Games |
513 |
413 |
|
Irish Cricket Union |
51 |
52 |
|
Camogie Association |
2742 |
1791 |
|
Cycling Ireland |
27 |
22 |
|
Football Association Of Ireland |
1202 |
1770 |
|
GAA |
11,694 |
8,318 |
|
Irish Amateur Archery Association |
60 |
Nil |
|
Irish Amateur Boxing Association |
153 |
343 |
|
Irish Amateur Rowing Association |
13 |
21 |
|
Irish Canoe Union |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Irish Gymnastics Ltd |
295 |
59 |
|
Irish Hockey Association |
3 |
52 |
|
Irish Judo Association |
38 |
1 |
|
Irish Martial Arts Commission |
110 |
159 |
|
Irish Motorsports Association |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Irish Olympic Handball Assoc |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Irish Orienteering Association |
4 |
2 |
|
Irish Pony Club |
126 |
73 |
|
Racquetball Assoc of Ireland |
8 |
0 |
|
Irish Rugby Football Union |
189 |
1,124 |
|
Irish Sailing Association |
100 |
77 |
|
Irish Squash Association |
28 |
16 |
|
Irish Surfing Association |
17 |
106 |
|
Irish Table Tennis Association |
23 |
5 |
|
Irish Taekwondo Union |
12 |
13 |
|
Irish Tenpin Bowling Association |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Junior Golf |
288 |
291 |
|
Ladies Gaelic Football Association |
606 |
1,353 |
|
Motorcycling |
27 |
6 |
|
Mountaineering Council of Ireland |
14 |
12 |
|
ONAKAI |
37 |
35 |
|
Paralympic Council of Ireland |
19 |
63 |
|
Pitch & Putt Union Ireland |
12 |
31 |
|
Scouting Ireland |
2,374 |
1,371 |
|
Billiard + Snooker Association |
10 |
3 |
|
Special Olympics |
4,063 |
871 |
|
Swim Ireland |
180 |
687 |
|
Tennis Ireland |
406 |
300 |
|
Triathlon Ireland |
13 |
72 |
|
Volleyball Association of Ireland |
70 |
21 |
The Deputy will appreciate that the Irish Sports Council is not a body that operates under the aegis of my Department. However, I can inform the Deputy that it has played an important role, in co-operation with the Garda Central Vetting Unit, in recent years in rolling out Garda vetting services to sporting organisations around the country. The Garda Central Vetting Unit maintains ongoing contact with the registered sporting organisations and the Irish Sports Council to ensure the maintenance of best practice in the vetting process.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government has approved the draft scheme of a National Vetting Bureau Bill which will establish a statutory basis to underpin vetting procedures for persons to work with children and vulnerable adults. The Bill will be published in accordance with the Government's legislative programme.
602 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the reduction of the budget of an association (details supplied) by 30%; and the steps he will take to reinstate original funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23064/11]
I acknowledge the Deputies views in relation to the reduction of the allocation for the Charitable Lotteries Scheme.
Nevertheless, the present economic circumstances facing the country cannot be ignored. The position at present is that the total amount of expenditure on schemes part funded by the National Lottery, including the Scheme of Assistance for Charitable Lotteries, exceeds the amount available from the National Lottery Fund. Unfortunately, in light of the current position, the amount of expenditure under the Charitable Lotteries Scheme must be curtailed and the amounts payable to successful applicants under the Scheme in 2011, like other expenditure programmes, must be carefully considered. The Deputy will appreciate, given that the Scheme has not yet been advertised, that decisions on the amount to be paid to successful applicants in 2011 have not yet been made. It is my intention to advertise this Scheme shortly.
603 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if charitable lotteries fund support for an organisation (details supplied) will be restored to its previous level, prior to the 30% reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23106/11]
I acknowledge the Deputies views in relation to the reduction of the allocation for the Charitable Lotteries Scheme.
Nevertheless, the present economic circumstances facing the country cannot be ignored. The position at present is that the total amount of expenditure on schemes part funded by the National Lottery, including the Scheme of Assistance for Charitable Lotteries, exceeds the amount available from the National Lottery Fund. Unfortunately, in light of the current position, the amount of expenditure under the Charitable Lotteries Scheme must be curtailed and the amounts payable to successful applicants under the Scheme in 2011, like other expenditure programmes, must be carefully considered. The Deputy will appreciate, given that the Scheme has not yet been advertised, that decisions on the amount to be paid to successful applicants in 2011 have not yet been made. It is my intention to advertise this Scheme shortly.
604 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Personal Insolvency Bill; and when same is expected to enacted. [23428/11]
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government and the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland, a Personal Insolvency Bill is in the course of being developed in my Department with a view to being published in early 2012 or earlier if possible. It will provide for a comprehensive new framework for settlement and enforcement of debt and for personal insolvency. It is planned to furnish a copy of the Heads of the Bill when complete to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for its consideration and comment.
The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 contains some interim measures in relation to reform of the law on bankruptcy. The period for application to the court for discharge of bankruptcy is reduced from 12 years to 5 years, albeit subject to the same conditions as at present. An adjudication of bankruptcy will be automatically discharged after 12 years. I am arranging to bring those measures into operation by Order in the very near future.
605 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the Start Mortgages decision; and the steps that are being taken to revise the 2009 legislation in regard to response orders by including amending legislation in the miscellaneous provisions bill. [23723/11]
The position is that my Department is in consultations with the Office of the Attorney General regarding the implications of the High Court judgment concerned. The action to be taken is dependent on the outcome of those discussions.
606 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of the contribution from the Exchequer to the Garda health scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24012/11]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the total amount provided from the Garda Vote in 2010 to St. Paul's Medical Society was €195,664. This includes a subvention for postage and telephone, a grant-in-aid and staff costs.
607 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when changes to right of way law will come into effect; if he will give details of these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24123/11]
The position is that Parts 12 and 13 of the recently-enacted Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, which contain amendments to the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 and the Registration of Title Act 1964 respectively, amend the law relating to the acquisition of easements, including rights of way, by prescription. The amendments permit the Property Registration Authority (PRA) to register such an easement without a court order where there is no disagreement between the parties concerning entitlement to the easement concerned. The period during which easements acquired, or in the process of acquisition, prior to 1 December 2009 (the date the 2009 Act came into force) may be registered has also been extended from 3 years to 12 years.
Implementation of the new PRA scheme will require changes in the Land Registration Rules. I understand that the Registration of Deeds and Title Rules Committee will meet soon to make the rules which are necessary to facilitate the scheme.
608 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the waiting period for persons applying for free legal aid; if his further attention has been drawn to some instances people are waiting between four to five months to be provided with public representation; his plans to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22679/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that under the Civil Legal Act 1995, as passed by the Oireachtas, the Legal Aid Board is independent in the operation of its functions. However, as a courtesy to the Deputy I have obtained the information sought and am providing it to the Deputy.
I am informed by the Board that there has been a very significant increase in demand for general civil legal aid services in the last number of years and particularly since the economic downturn. The number applying for services in the first six months of this year was almost the same as sought legal services in the whole of 2007. This has given rise to increased waiting times in most areas for matters that are not prioritised. Prioritised matters continue to get an immediate or near immediate service. The sort of matters prioritised include cases involving domestic violence, the risk of children going into care, child abduction, and critical dates being close to expiry. Some other cases that are heard in the District Court are also given earlier appointments.
The Legal Aid Board has in place an ‘advice only' service for non-prioritised matters where an applicant is likely to be waiting to for more than four months to have a first appointment with a solicitor. The aim of this service is that the applicant gets legal advice about their problem prior to getting a substantive service. The Board is keeping all of its services under review with a view to trying to ensure that its resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible.
I should point out that what is provided is ‘legal aid' and not ‘free legal aid'. The vast majority of persons receiving services from the Legal Aid Board pay a small financial contribution.
609 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a proposal to speed up the Garda vetting process by introducing a system that allows a person who receives Garda clearance to benefit from that clearance for the lifetime of the relevant position of employment, and it would be valid for one full year if that person wishes to apply for a voluntary position or another job within that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22680/11]
Garda vetting certificates are issued to specified registered organisations in respect of a particular post or employment in response to a written request and with the permission of the person who is the subject of that request. Decisions on the suitability for the recruitment/engagement of the person concerned rest at all times with the recruiting organisation.
The Garda Vetting certificate is non-transferable. It is important to emphasise that it is a disclosure to the requesting, registered organisation of the position in respect of a person at the time when it is issued. Furthermore, non-transferability protects against the risk of fraud or forgery of such certificates and is a guarantee of the integrity of the vetting system.
I fully appreciate the importance of processing vetting applications within a reasonable time frame and I am determined to address this aspect of the process. The present, average processing time for applications is approximately 10 weeks.
A number of measures are being taken to improve the situation. The sanction of the Department of Finance has been obtained to retain the services of ten temporary employees in the GCVU. A further sanction has been obtained to engage an additional ten temporary employees for the Unit and the process of recruiting these is underway. In addition, further steps are under consideration with a view to improving processing turnaround times. All of this should have a positive impact.
610 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the delay in processing of Garda vetting of persons seeking work in some professions in which Garda clearance is required; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is prohibiting and delaying many persons acquiring work regarding both temporary and full time jobs. [22716/11]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the average processing time for vetting applications received at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is approximately 10 weeks. I appreciate that it is important to process these applications in as timely a manner as possible and that the length of time currently being taken is a matter of concern which I am determined to address.
A number of immediate steps are being taken to improve the situation. The sanction of the Department of Finance has been obtained to retain the services of ten temporary employees in the GCVU. A further sanction has been obtained to engage an additional ten temporary employees and the process of recruiting these is underway. Other measures aimed at improving turnaround times are also under consideration. All of this should have a positive impact on processing times.
I should mention that, in processing an individual vetting application, additional time may be required in cases where clarification is needed as to the details provided or where other enquiries need to be made, for example, when the person in question has lived and worked abroad. It should nevertheless be understood that while the Gardaí make every effort to reduce the time to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out what are very necessary checks, there will always be a reasonably significant time period required to process a vetting application. Registered organisations have been advised to take account of this in their recruitment and selection processes.
In addition, the average processing time for vetting applications also fluctuates in line with periods of increased demand. The GCVU has managed a substantial increase over recent years in the numbers of vetting applications it receives from around 188,000 in 2007 to almost 292,000 in 2010. At present, there are approximately 55,000 applications in the course of being processed. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that at present there is a total of five Gardaí, 76 full-time Garda civilian personnel and ten temporary civilian personnel assigned to the GCVU. This represents a very significant increase in the level of personnel assigned to the unit, which stood at only 13 before the current process of development in Garda vetting began in 2005.
611 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22727/11]
651 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23454/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 651 together.
I can inform the Deputy that while the recording of expenditure on taxi services does not allow for the precise identification of all the spend under this heading, the identified spend for the last four years by my Department as is set out in the table below. No money has yet been allocated for taxi services in 2012.
|
Year |
€ |
|
2008 |
91,447.94 |
|
2009 |
40,411.17 |
|
2010 |
30,048.66 |
|
2011 to date |
11,541.74 |
As can be seen, the amount of money spent on taxi services has been significantly reduced over the period in question with every opportunity taken to reduce costs in light of budgetary constraints. My Department also re-tendered in 2010 for the provision of taxi services and the contract was awarded to a new provider which has resulted in further savings. In addition, the Department has made use of two official vehicles which can be configured as the need arises for use as people carriers or for carrying materials. The use of these vehicles not only assists in the efficient discharge of Departmental business but has also given rise to significant savings in taxi costs which would otherwise be required in the absence of such a facility. The Departmental policy is that taxis may only be used by staff for business reasons where absolutely essential and where public transport or other cheaper alternatives are either not available or are not viable.
612 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the practices and procedures that are in place to ensure that both the human rights and dignity of individuals subject to deportation are protected in view of a second failed deportation flight from Ireland in seven months; the way the costs to the State are kept to a minimum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22746/11]
The removal of individuals from the State in compliance with the provisions of the law is, by its nature, a difficult process. It is however a necessary feature of the enforcement of immigration-related legislation where individuals do not exercise the option available to them to leave the State voluntarily when they have not got permission to remain in the State, or where they may not be in a position to exercise that option.
In enforcing the law in this respect, Ireland is no different to other countries who also remove individuals who have no lawful right to remain within their territory.
In all cases, the members of the Gardaí attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) who exercise the removal function do so in keeping with the law, upholding human rights principles and treating individuals fairly and respectfully. In this regard, the Gardaí act no differently than they do when discharging any of their many other law enforcement functions.
The detailed arrangements governing deportation flights are complex and require co-operation between many agencies. These flights also require a large degree of co-operation from other countries; some of which have no diplomatic representation here. Flight plans, overflight permits, landing permits, refuelling stops, identity papers, passports or other identity-type documents and so forth all have to be agreed with the authorities in the receiving jurisdiction. In some instances, similar issues may arise when removal flights pass through third country airspace. Ensuring that all these logistical and diplomatic issues are in order is a complex task and occasionally difficulties can arise very late in the process where, for example, a country may refuse entry to its airspace even where an overflight permit is in place for a charter flight. This is in fact what occurred with a charter flight which departed Dublin in July of this year to go to Lagos, Nigeria and on to Kinshasa, DR Congo. Despite having a valid permit to fly through Algerian airspace, when the flight reached Algeria, the Algerian aviation authorities refused permission for the charter to enter their airspace. Numerous attempts were made to resolve this problem during the flight but ultimately the flight had no option but to return to Dublin.
Every effort is made to avoid such occurrences by, for example, working with other EU member states or by liaising with consular officials, including those based in the UK where there is no diplomatic representation here.
In the other case referred to by the Deputy, the aircraft in question developed mechanical difficulties while on a scheduled stop at Athens airport. This was immediately prior to Christmas in 2010 in the period with very severe winter weather causing huge disruption to all flights. In those circumstances, it was not possible to secure an alternative aircraft at short notice.
In both instances, the events which gave rise to the two flights in question not proceeding to their final destination were completely outside the control of the GNIB or my Department. Notwithstanding that however, all aspects of these flights were reviewed to ensure that where possible, all reasonable steps are put in place to avoid a recurrence of the events that gave rise to their non-completion.
In relation to the issue of costs regarding the two flights referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that the costs of chartering each plane in December 2010 and in July 2011 respectively were fully borne by the company appointed to provide chartered aircraft and ancillary services to my Department.
Finally, the Deputy may be assured that while the non-completion of these flights is unfortunate and has given rise to inconvenience, there is no question of the human rights or safety of individuals having been compromised on the occasions in question.
613 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 whereby non-EU volunteers may extend the period beyond the current three years stipulated in the Bill; if his attention has been drawn to an organisation (details supplied) have a excellent track record of supporting volunteers to provide effective service to the State at a low cost over an extended period. [22811/11]
The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 will provide a statutory framework within which immigration policies will be developed and amended as the need arises. It is not proposed to set out in primary legislation the detailed rules for different categories of migrants. This will be better achieved through regulations and administrative guidelines.
New guidelines for volunteer workers came into effect on 1 January 2011 and these guidelines are available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website (www.inis.gov.ie).
The three year duration applies only to volunteers who are permitted to enter the State on or after 1 January 2011. It is not my intention at this time to extend this duration beyond three years. For volunteers lawfully present in the State prior to 1 January 2011 the guidelines provide for those persons to have their immigration permission renewed annually beyond the three year limit subject to the person meeting certain conditions.
I understand that the organisation which the Deputy refers to has been accommodated over the years regarding their intake of non-EEA volunteers.
614 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the direct provision system that is in need of fundamental reform; his plans to review this system; and when that review will be expected to take place. [22851/11]
In response to this question, I will firstly explain the direct provision system, how it came about, why it remains a necessary feature of the State's asylum and immigration system, and why legislative proposals before the House will, if passed, of necessity reduce the length of time persons stay in the system.
The accommodation of asylum seekers through the direct provision system is the responsibility of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. Direct Provision means that the State, through RIA, assumes responsibility for providing for asylum seekers suitable accommodation and certain other services on a full board basis. All accommodation costs, together with the costs of meals, heat, light, laundry and maintenance are paid directly by the State. Asylum seekers in direct provision accommodation also receive a weekly cash allowance which takes account of board and lodgings and other ancillary benefits provided through the direct provision system. Asylum seekers can also apply to Community Welfare Officers for assistance to meet a particular once-off need by way of an exceptional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Payments under this category cover once-off costs such as back-to-school clothing and footwear.
In addition to full board accommodation, RIA coordinates, through other Government bodies, a number of ancillary services to asylum seekers in direct provision accommodation. All asylum seekers are offered free medical screening on arrival in the State and are allowed access to health services on the same basis as for Irish citizens. Asylum seekers in direct provision accommodation will generally qualify for a medical card whereby they are eligible to receive a wide range of health services free-of-charge including GP services and prescribed medicines. Other HSE-provided supports include Public Health Nurse service as well as a dedicated asylum seeker psychological service in Dublin.
Asylum seeker children are entitled to access free Primary and Post-Primary education on the same basis as an Irish citizen. In addition, English language supports are made available to adult asylum seekers; in some cases facilities are provided on-site in RIA accommodation centres for such classes. At a number of centres, the RIA has provided facilities for on-site preschool services.
As of today, RIA has 40 asylum seeker accommodation centres throughout the country. The system is a constantly evolving one, taking account of the ebb and flow of residents and of the financial resources available to RIA. Overall demand for RIA services is declining. At the beginning of 2009, RIA was accommodating an overall number of 7,002 asylum seekers. Today, it is accommodating just over 5,600 persons, a reduction of almost 20 % during this period.
The direct provision system was a necessary response to the increasing number of asylum seekers arriving into the State. Before 1999, these asylum seekers were treated as homeless under the then structures in place. These structures were entirely unsuited to the situation facing Ireland and the homeless service of the then Eastern Health Board could not cope and there was a serious prospect of widespread homelessness among asylum seekers.
In response to this serious and unprecedented challenge, the organisation which was subsequently named the Reception and Integration Agency was established to coordinate the scheme of dispersal and direct provision for asylum seekers
The direct provision system is only one element of the State's response to its international obligations on the asylum issue. As well as educational, health and welfare costs there is the asylum determination system itself, as well as the downstream judicial and policing costs. In the period 2005 to 2009 inclusive, the total amount spent across the whole of Government on asylum seekers was €1,275.31 million of which €424.43 million was spent on the direct provision system. Quite clearly, meeting our international obligations in this respect consumes very considerable public monies. But Ireland is not unique in this respect. All countries which take their responsibilities in this area seriously are faced with similar calls on their financial resources.
There are no cheaper alternatives to the direct provision system. In fact, if we were operating a system which facilitated asylum seekers in living independent lives in individual housing with social welfare support and payments, the cost to the exchequer would be double what is currently paid under the direct provision system. This was a key finding in the recent Value for Money Report on the direct provision system which was published in 2010 and is on the RIA website —www.ria.gov.ie.
On the matter of application processing times and consequent length of time spent in the direct provision system, some cases can take significantly longer to complete owing to, for example, delays arising from medical issues or because of judicial review proceedings. All asylum applications and appeals are processed in accordance with the Refugee Act 1996 and high quality and fair decision-making in all cases continues to be a key priority at all stages of the asylum process.
For the sake of completeness, it is necessary to point out that persons who are refused a declaration under section 17 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, enter what is commonly referred to as the "leave to remain" process which generally has two elements to it: an application for subsidiary protection and further consideration to be given under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. This is separate from the asylum or refugee status determination process. The processing of cases at this point is also complex and extremely resource intensive and there are no quick or easy decisions to make. Given the life changing consequences for the persons involved, these are decisions which must be taken with the most scrupulous care and attention.
I have taken steps to speed up the processing of applications, primarily by redeploying staff from the refugee determination bodies. The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 which I recently restored to the Dáil Order Paper provides for the introduction of a single procedure to determine applications for protection and other reasons to remain in the State. This should substantially simplify and streamline the existing arrangements. This reorganisation of the protection application processing framework will remove the current multi-layered processes and provide applicants with a final decision on their applications in a more straightforward and timely fashion. The Deputy is probably aware I am developing a number of amendments to the Bill before commencing Committee Stage which I hope to be in a position to take in the near future .
615 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of reserve gardaí operational; his views on recruiting some of these into serving full time with the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22854/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the Garda Reserve was 819.
To date, some 40 members of the Garda Reserve have joined An Garda Síochána as full time members. The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 allow the Public Appointments Service to give due recognition to any satisfactory service by a person as a reserve member of the Garda Síochána.
616 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 14 July 2011, the position regarding same. [22871/11]
In Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 14 July 2011, the Deputy asked "... the total cost of hiring external public relations companies by his Department over the past decade ...". I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question, as follows:
I wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested is not readily available. Given the period of time concerned and the fact that my Department neither classifies nor records companies by type, for example, public relations, the information requested could only be compiled by the use of a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort.
The reply clearly sets out why the information sought by the Deputy cannot be provided in this instance. I wish to inform the Deputy that this position remains unchanged.
617 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive a security clearance. [22876/11]
The Deputy has clarified to officials in my Department that this question relates to an application made to the Private Security Authority (PSA).
As the Deputy will be aware, the PSA, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of my Department and so the processing of licence applications is a matter solely for the Authority.
I asked the Authority to respond directly to the Deputy on this particular matter and I understand that correspondence issued to him on 16th August 2011.
618 Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an asylum application in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22883/11]
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the position with each of the persons referred to by the Deputy is as follows.
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 first named person concerned was notified, by letter dated 25th November, 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 European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. To date no representations have been received from or on behalf of the person concerned. However, on 8th March, 2011, the person concerned, through her legal representative, informed my Department that she wished to withdraw all outstanding applications for permission to remain in the State and to return voluntarily to her country of origin. My Department wrote to her legal representative on 8th March, 2011 in response to that letter seeking certain clarification and documentation but to date no reply has been received in my Department from the legal representative.
The application of the second named applicant is registered at the appeal stage of the asylum process. As this application is the subject of Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
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 third named person concerned was notified, by letter dated 14 December 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 accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. To date no representations have been received from or on behalf of the person concerned. However, on 8th March, 2011, the person concerned, through his legal representative, informed my Department that he wished to withdraw all outstanding applications for permission to remain in the State and to return voluntarily to his country of origin. Consequently, no further consideration will be given to the case of the person concerned under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
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.
619 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the revised Spent Convictions Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22911/11]
I am pleased to say that considerable progress has been made in the preparation of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill. The Bill, which will build on the recommendations in the 2007 Law Reform Commission Report on Spent Convictions, will provide for the non-disclosure of certain convictions when a person is seeking employment, once certain conditions have been met. These conditions will relate mainly to the nature of the offence, the length of time since the person was convicted and the type of employment they are seeking. Certain convictions, including convictions for sexual offences will be excluded from the benefits of the Bill, while anyone wishing to work with children or vulnerable adults will have to disclose their previous convictions.
620 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the positive results in drug courts which can reduce substance abuse and crime.. [22920/11]
My Department carried out a review of the Dublin Drug Treatment Court which was published in May 2010. The findings of the Review suggested there is some evidence that participants on the court's programme have reduced rates of recidivism and improved health, education and social skills which impact positively on the participants themselves and the community. However, the Report identified issues to be addressed in terms of the court's management and operation and particularly its throughput. As a result of that review an Advisory Committee was established which has met regularly to progress and monitor the implementation of the recommendations with the aim of improving the programme's throughput and effectiveness.
Drug treatment courts can make an important contribution as a restorative justice measure but international studies also indicate that they need to continuously evolve and develop. The aim with the Dublin Court is to develop its potential but to do so in line with international experience by continually reviewing the effectiveness of the programme to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and, if it is doing so, to continue to expand the use of the Drug Treatment Court as an alternative to prison. I am happy to inform the Deputy that, following the work mentioned above, the catchment area served by the Drug Treatment Court has now been significantly expanded with effect from July 2011 and the court is now in a position to deal with offenders from a much wider catchment area including offenders who are resident in all areas of Dublin north of the river Liffey and to offenders receiving treatment in the Castle Street Drug Treatment Centre which provides services to people residing in Dublin 2,4,6 and 8. This welcome initiative has been undertaken with a view to increasing throughput with cooperation from the Health Services Executive in the provision of vital testing and treatment support services. It is intended that this expansion will be evaluated as part of a further review of the Drug Treatment Court in 2012.
621 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on upward only rent review clauses; the impact that action will have on Ireland’s image abroad as a stable home for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22925/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government indicates that legislation will be introduced to end upward only rent reviews for existing business leases. Following on from an initial consultation process with the Attorney General, I have forwarded outline proposals to her for further examination and development.
Those proposals have already been the subject of preliminary discussion by Government and I envisage that the proposed legislation will be published during the current Dáil session.
In the context of the examination of the issues arising in relation to upward only rent reviews, there are various considerations which need to be assessed, including the impact which any action would have in relation to foreign direct investment. I am confident that a balanced proposal can be advanced which will take due account of the views of all relevant stakeholders.
622 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a cleaning contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22964/11]
I understand that an acceptable solution has been agreed by the parties involved and that the new contractor has engaged the services of the staff employed by the previous contractor.
623 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on reforming sentencing guidelines for the Judiciary to allow for multiple life sentences to be awarded for multiple murders in view of a recent documentary (details supplied); his further views on the introduction of a tariff system to accompany sentencing as exists in the UK whereby those convicted of murder or multiple murders must serve a set amount of time before applying for parole; and if he will properly resource the criminal injuries tribunal which is unable to make rulings in a timely fashion. [22966/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing as they are in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. Insofar as the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas is concerned, the traditional approach to sentencing is to lay down the maximum penalty and for a court, having considered all the circumstances of the case, to impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum. The Deputy will be aware however that there are a small number of particularly serious offences, such as murder and drugs and firearm misuse where mandatory sentencing is required under statute.
The judiciary has also, under the current Chief Justice, voluntarily established a committee to oversee the development of an electronic system which will collate information on the range of sentences and other penalties that have been imposed for particular types of offences across court jurisdictions. The resulting website, the Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS) became operational as a pilot in August 2010. This publicly accessible resource includes statistics on sentencing, synopses of relevant court judgments and access to a database on actual sentences imposed in various crimes and cases. It provides a qualitative overview and a snapshot in time of how the courts treat various offences, who committed them and the circumstances in which they took place. It also provides references to leading cases on sentencing, summaries of particular judgments of the Court of Criminal Appeal in the area of sentencing law and links to the judgments of that court and academic materials on the subject of sentencing. In my view this website has the potential in time to be a valuable tool not only for members of the judiciary but also for lawyers, researchers and those of us concerned with the needs of victims and their families. I understand that ISIS will be evaluated after it has been operating for some time.
With specific regard to a sentence of life imprisonment, this means that the prisoner is subject to that sentence for the rest of his or her life. Such prisoners have no right to be released at any stage. Imposing multiple life sentences does not increase the severity of the sanction and has no effect in practice or law. While a prisoner who has been given a life sentence may apply for some form of temporary release to the Parole Board, should this be granted he or she remains subject to the original sentence and can be recalled to prison at any stage. Issues such as the gravity of the crime and the danger to the public posed by the individual would obviously be taken into consideration before any decision to grant temporary release is made. There is no automatic right to temporary release and prisoners who have committed particularly grievous crimes and continue to pose a threat will be kept in custody indefinitely.
On the subject of the introduction of tariffs on prison sentences, it has not been the practice of this State to operate such a system. The term "tariff" is normally used to describe the minimum amount of time an offender should spend in prison as decreed by the Courts. Such a system allows no flexibility or acknowledgment of, for example, mitigating factors such as a particular commitment by a prisoner to rehabilitation that might warrant a shorter time in prison. Nor does it allow for any acknowledgment of the fact that offences and the circumstances giving rise to them can vary. Likewise, fixed sentences for certain offences such as 25 years for murder, restrict the discretion of the State to acknowledge differing factors prior to, and after, the commission of the offence, such as, for instance public safety in the context of the release of a prisoner. Even in the UK, for example, where such a tariff system operates, life sentence prisoners do not automatically receive parole on the expiry of their tariff. Instead, their release is a matter for the Parole Board who may decide that detention beyond the tariff is required.
The Deputy might also be interested to note that the subject of criminal sanctions, including sentencing guidelines, has been a key component in the White Paper on Crime process which my Department has been engaged in since 2009. It was addressed specifically in a consultation seminar held last year and was part of a discussion document and a call for written submissions. A wide range of detailed submissions was received in response to the discussion document and a report on these submissions, along with a summary of the consultation meeting, was published last year. These reports are available on my Department's website (www.justice.ie). The input received will feed into the overall White Paper process and will provide a comprehensive framework for future crime policy in the form of a National Anti-Crime strategy.
Finally, I wish to inform the Deputy that I am satisfied that the Criminal Injuries Tribunal does provide decisions to applicants more quickly, and without the need for expensive legal representation, than similar claims in the Courts.
624 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22981/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in May 2011.
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.
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.
625 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will respond to a matter (details supplied) regarding casinos and private gambling clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22983/11]
The general position is that the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 as amended, prohibits gaming except as permitted by that Act.
The position concerning casinos and private members clubs derives from section 4(1)(a) and (3) of that Act. Section 4(1)(a) states that "No person shall promote or assist in promoting or provide facilities for any kind of gaming: (a) in which by reason of the nature of the game, the chances of all players, including the banker, are not equal, ... ”.
The effect of that provision is that casinos are not permitted. As a result, there is no provision for the licensing of casinos. However, section 4(3) states that “Gaming shall not be unlawful if no stake is hazarded by the players with the promoter or banker other than a charge for the right to take part in the game, provided that:-
(a) only one such charge is made in respect of the day on which the game is played, and
(b) the charge is of the same amount for all players, and
(c) the promoter derives no personal profit from the promotion of the game".
Section 4(3) is relied upon by the private clubs, with the result that they are operating despite having no licence. In April 2009, the Gardai were unsuccessful in a prosecution against a private club for unlawful gaming in breach of section 4. The defence relied, inter alia, on section 4(3). That case highlighted the difficulties in bringing a successful prosecution. It demonstrated beyond doubt the need for reform of the present law. The confused state of the law on private clubs is but one issue needing reform, I am also aware that the present law makes no provision for, for example, on-line gambling. I hope to be able to say more soon on my plans in this area.
Despite the difficulties outlined above, I want to emphasise that these clubs are subject to the general law on gaming, as set out in the 1956 Act, as well as to the public order and other relevant laws. The Garda Síochána monitor and visit these clubs as part of their general policing operations. In addition, persons directing private clubs offering casino games to members must comply with the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. That Act requires private members' clubs at which gambling activities are carried on to register with my Department; my Department's anti money laundering unit follows up with inspection visits and other controls. It must be emphasised, however, that registration does not in any way convey any legitimacy on or regulation of the general gaming activities of these clubs.
626 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite the naturalisation case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22990/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in August 2009.
The application is currently being processed in the normal way 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 when processing is completed. In this regard, additional documentation requested from the person concerned has not yet been submitted.
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.
627 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will respond to a matter (details supplied) regarding illegal Traveller encampments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23008/11]
I will contact the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
628 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will comment on a matter (details supplied) regarding prostitution and drug trafficking here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23012/11]
I can assure the Deputy that the development of appropriate and effective criminal justice responses to both prostitution and drug trafficking is the focus of ongoing work within my Department and its agencies.
The Garda Síochána Policing Plan for 2011 sets out the commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in organised criminal activities, including prostitution and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs. To this end, An Garda Síochána is committed to the use of intelligence-led operations and tactics, including those of specialist national units such as the National Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.
The Criminal Assets Bureau is being actively utilised to identify and target funds accumulated by criminals, in order to seize such assets and to deprive them of the profits of their criminal activity. A dedicated unit within the Garda National Drugs Unit has been established to liaise with the Criminal Assets Bureau to particularly target those criminals and criminal groupings believed to be deriving profits and assets from drug-related criminal activity.
This integrated approach adopts best practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and using available criminal legislation to its fullest extent.
In addition, relevant Garda operations, such as operation ‘Quest' which encompasses all Garda action against organised prostitution within the State, are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure their effectiveness.
With regard to the strengthening of the laws which underpin the work of An Garda Síochána in this area, the Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to strengthen the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau in relation to the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime. Work in this regard is ongoing.
In relation to the particular question raised concerning the law governing prostitution and the purchase of sexual services, I can inform the Deputy that in this jurisdiction, the criminal law governing prostitution is aimed at protecting society from the more intrusive aspects of such activity from a public order perspective, while also seeking to protect prostitutes from exploitation. Under the existing law the sale or purchase of sexual services is not an offence. However associated activities which cause a public nuisance such as soliciting by either party to a transaction or the exploitation of prostitution such as pimping or running a brothel are criminal offences.
In 2010, the Swedish Government completed an evaluation of its 1999 legislation criminalising the purchase of sex. The Dignity Project, a research project funded by the EU, arranged a visit to Sweden to learn more about the evaluation and the delegation included representation from my Department.
I am examining a report prepared by my Department following the visit to Stockholm and which was submitted to the Attorney General's Office. I am also examining the Attorney's recent advices concerning the legal and constitutional implications of introducing a ban on the purchase of sex.
More generally, the Deputy may also wish to be aware that my Department has engaged in a public consultation process to develop a White Paper on Crime with a view to developing a policy framework for future strategies to combat and prevent crime.
629 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount paid by his Department to a company (details supplied) in County Mayo since 2004 for facilities in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23067/11]
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. Direct provision allows asylum seekers to be provided with full board accommodation and certain ancillary services while their applications for international protection are being processed. Today, RIA has contracted to it 40 accommodation centres around the country accommodating just over 5,600 persons, including the centre which is the subject of this question.
In fulfilling its general accommodation responsibilities, the RIA does not lease or rent premises from commercial contractors. Rather, it ‘contracts-in' a comprehensive range of services and facilities, which include accommodation, housekeeping etc., for a fixed sum over the period of the contract. RIA endeavours to achieve the best value for money in relation to such contracts, in respect of which negotiations can take place with a number of commercial entities. It is not in the interests of the taxpayer that details of current individual contracts are known to the public or to other parties who are, or may be in the future, engaged in negotiations with the RIA. Therefore, details of current contracts are not provided. Per diem payment rates to contractors, which may be gleaned from past data, are not necessarily a guide to current rates. For example, in 2009 negotiations took place with contractors to amend contracts to reduce costs to the taxpayer in the light of the prevailing crisis in the public finances and rates in new contracts also reflect the current financial reality.
In relation to the centre in question, details from the first contract beginning in July 2004 to the contract ending in October, 2008 are shown in the table below. It shows the number of accommodation places provided during the currency of each contract and the overall value of each of the contracts. Note that contracts are not generally made for periods matching a calendar year and can span a number of years or simply a number of months. It can be said that the contract which began after October 2008, and which is ongoing, provides for a current accommodation capacity of 255.
|
Contract start date |
Contract end date |
Accommodation capacity of contract |
Total value of contract |
|
30/7/2004 |
23/09/2004 |
120 |
€202,944 |
|
24/09/2004 |
04/11/2004 |
130 |
€164,892 |
|
05/11/2004 |
10/2/2005 |
200 |
€594,880 |
|
11/02/2005 |
30/10/2008 |
250 |
€10,252,900 |
Overall details of spending by RIA are provided in its Annual Reports of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 which are available on its website —www.ria.gov.ie
630 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding the delay in the investigation into Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23076/11]
642 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the investigation into Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23173/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 642 together.
I share the impatience of many people at the pace of the investigations into possible criminal behaviour at Anglo Irish Bank. I do not intend this as any criticism of investigators and prosecutors, who face tough challenges as a result of the complexities of the matters being investigated. At the same time, I am concerned to ensure that I do not say anything that could prejudice any possible prosecutions or any court hearing. It is imperative that such investigations are conducted in a thorough, methodical and comprehensive manner, so as to ensure that account is taken of all pertinent matters. If this is not done, there is a risk that any prosecutions that may proceed would be jeopardised.
It was in the light of my concerns that I gave priority to the passage through the Oireachtas of the Criminal Justice Act 2011, which was enacted on 2 August and most of which was commenced on 9 August. This new legislation is intended to speed up investigations and prosecutions in relation to white collar crimes, both future investigations and those currently underway, by improving a number of important procedural matters and strengthening Garda investigative powers.
On becoming Minister, I sought and received assurances that there were sufficient resources available to the investigations. I can assure the Deputy that this Government will continue to provide sustained support for the investigation in terms of resources, as well as the necessary legislative and administrative supports, and that if those involved in the investigations believe at any stage that additional resources are required that will be responded to.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following the submission by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation of two substantial investigation files relating to matters in Anglo Irish Bank to the Director of Public Prosecutions last December, a supplementary investigation file was submitted in May. The files remain under consideration by the DPP, and his directions are awaited.
The investigation by An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is ongoing, in respect of both of these two investigations and also of other complaints received of alleged malpractice at Anglo Irish Bank. I understand that it is intended to submit further files to the DPP in the near future.
631 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many Garda divisions in Dublin will have to scale back their normal policing levels and operations in the final quarter of the year due to a significant shortfall in the Garda budget, in view of the fact that an unexpected and unbudgeted for €30 million had to be spent on the security operation around the visits of two foreign heads of State in May 2011; and if consideration will be given for a supplementary estimate to allow normal policing to happen. [23081/11]
I have previously provided this House with details of the Garda expenditure incurred on the policing of the State visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama in May this year. In that context I am currently engaging with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in connection with the arrangements to be made to cover the expenditure involved.
632 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a fast tracking mechanism introduced for Garda vetting for persons that are required to work in the health and care areas in view of the priorities to ensure that adequate staff are in place to deal with persons who require medical and other care support; his views on the time it takes to obtain Garda vetting for staff in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23083/11]
633 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the categories of persons whose employment requires Garda vetting; if exemptions are granted; the procedure for granting exemptions; the position regarding medical staff that are recruited to work here from abroad; if each category of these staff such as consultants, doctors, nurse assistants and other care workers require garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23085/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 633 together.
The function of the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is to provide employment vetting for organisations in Ireland registered with the GCVU which employ/engage persons, who in the course of their work, will have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. This would, of course, include organisations who engage healthcare professionals.
The GCVU has no function in determining whether any individual or categories of individuals should be exempt from the requirement to obtain a Garda vetting certificate. Furthermore, there is no distinction drawn between individuals resident within this jurisdiction and those from abroad.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that, at present, the average processing time for vetting applications received at the GCVU is approximately 10 weeks. The processing time for vetting applications does fluctuate in line with periods of increased demand. In some cases additional time may be required where clarification is needed as to the details provided or where other enquiries need to be made, for example, when the person in question has lived and worked abroad.
I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that in order to observe equity and fairness in respect of applicants for Garda vetting, the general processing procedures are such that applications are processed in chronological order, from the date of receipt at the Vetting Unit. However, in order to cater for very exceptional circumstances, arrangements are in place with the HSE to expedite the processing of very urgent applications.
It is clearly important that applications are processed within a reasonable time. While it is a fact there will always be a reasonably significant time period required to process an application, the length of time currently being taken is a matter of concern which I am determined to address. In that context, a number of immediate measures are being taken to improve the situation. The sanction of the Department of Finance has been obtained to retain the services of ten temporary employees in the GCVU. A further sanction has been obtained to engage an additional ten temporary employees for the Unit and the process of recruiting these is underway. Registered organisations have been advised to take account of the time required to process applications in their recruitment and selection process and other measures aimed at improving turnaround times for applications are also under consideration.
I would like to point out that the Gardaí make every effort to reduce the time to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out what are very necessary checks.
The Government have approved the draft scheme of a National Vetting Bureau Bill which will establish a statutory basis to underpin vetting procedures for persons to work with children and vulnerable adults.
634 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Irish citizens who are imprisoned overseas are entitled to repatriation when their permanent residence is within Northern Ireland. [23088/11]
The Council of Europe 1983 Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons provides a mechanism whereby prisoners sentenced abroad may be returned to Ireland in order to serve their sentences. The Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 and 1997 provides the legislative basis for this Convention in Ireland.
The purpose of the Convention, which is based on humanitarian considerations, is to overcome the difficulties posed for prisoners serving sentences in foreign jurisdictions, such as absence of contact with relatives and differences in languages and culture. Each case is decided on its own merits and in this regard consideration is given as to whether the person concerned would be ordinarily resident in this jurisdiction, were it not for their imprisonment.
All applications for transfer are subject to a three way consent mechanism; that of the applicant, the sentencing state and the receiving state. It should be noted, however, that, even where all of the conditions are satisfied, there is no obligation on a State to comply with a transfer request.
635 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the gardaí have the power, through existing legislation, to confiscate scramblers or motorised bikes which use public open spaces and cause annoyance to local communities; his views on updating the existing legislation in order that these vehicles can be confiscated without warning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23091/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, as amended, provides for the detention, removal, storage and subsequent release or disposal of a mechanically propelled vehicle. In summary, the provisions relate to a vehicle which is in use in a public place and which is uninsured, untaxed or does not have a test or roadworthiness certificate or the driver is, by reason of his or her age, ineligible to hold a driving licence.
As road traffic legislation is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the question of any amendments of the legislation is a matter for consideration by him.
636 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the legal procedures (details supplied) regarding driver disqualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23101/11]
The legal provisions regarding disqualification from driving are set out in road traffic legislation, which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that disqualification from driving may occur in three ways, by court disqualification, penalty point disqualification and the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between Ireland and the United Kingdom. A court disqualification may be consequential (a disqualification as a penalty for a specific offence), ancillary (a disqualification imposed at the discretion of the court without prejudice to any other penalty imposed) or a special disqualification (applied for by a member of An Garda Síochána where in the opinion of the member the person concerned is deemed by reason of disease or physical or mental disability unfit to drive).
I am also informed that a community Garda has been in contact with the person referred to by the Deputy, and the person has been advised of the procedures for making a complaint, if that person wishes to do so. Liaison will be maintained with the person, and ongoing foot and mobile patrols will be carried out by uniform and plain-clothes personnel in the area concerned.
637 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí currently employed and on active duty in the Border area (details supplied); if this number has increased or decreased in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23112/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each Garda Division referred to by the Deputy, as at 31 August 2010 and 31 August 2011 was as set out in the following table:
|
Division |
31 August 2010 |
31 August 2011 |
|
Louth |
316 |
310 |
|
Donegal |
473 |
457 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
406 |
374 |
|
Total |
1,195 |
1,141 |
The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, the numbers in any Division will fluctuate from time to time due to, for example, transfers, retirements, resignations etc.
638 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce regulations on the marketing and operation of money for gold outlets and agents to ensure the safety of the person selling the metal, and their property, is protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23131/11]
My Department is currently finalising a report on the "Cash for Gold" trade and I anticipate that this will be submitted to me shortly for consideration. Following consideration of the position I will make an assessment as to what, if any, further action, legislative or otherwise, may be required. I can assure the Deputy that following this assessment I will, in due course, make known the report's findings and any proposals which may arise.
639 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting time to have Garda vetting completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23133/11]
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the average processing time for vetting applications received at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is approximately 10 weeks. I appreciate that it is important to process these applications in as timely a manner as possible and that the length of time currently being taken is a matter of concern which I am determined to address.
A number of immediate steps are being taken to improve the situation. The sanction of the Department of Finance has been obtained to retain the services of ten temporary employees in the GCVU. A further sanction has been obtained to engage an additional ten temporary employees and the process of recruiting these is underway. Other measures aimed at improving turnaround times are also under consideration. All of this should have a positive impact on processing times.
I should mention that, in processing an individual vetting application, additional time may be required in cases where clarification is needed as to the details provided or where other enquiries need to be made, for example, when the person in question has lived and worked abroad. It should be understood that while the Gardaí make every effort to reduce the time to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out what are very necessary checks, there will always be a reasonably significant period required to process a vetting application and registered organisations have been advised to take account of this in their recruitment and selection processes.
In addition, the average processing time for vetting applications also fluctuates in line with periods of increased demand. The GCVU has managed a substantial increase over recent years in the numbers of vetting applications it receives from around 188,000 in 2007 to almost 292,000 in 2010. At present, there are approximately 55,000 applications in the course of being processed. I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that at present there is a total of five Gardaí, 76 full-time Garda civilian personnel and ten temporary civilian personnel assigned to the GCVU. This represents a very significant increase in the level of personnel assigned to the unit, which stood at only 13 before the current process of development in Garda vetting began in 2005.
640 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding persons who are living legally here for some years and have been working here and have applied for a certificate of naturalisation and later lose their job; if this affects the naturalisation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23152/11]
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. In particular, these conditions require that an applicant is of good character; has had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, has had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; that he or she intends in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; and has made a declaration in the prescribed manner of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State. The Minister makes a decision in each case based on the entirety of the information presented. Losing employment, of itself, does not affect a persons eligibility for citizenship.
641 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will increase the number of immigration officers at Dublin Airport (details supplied) [23162/11]
The allocation of members of An Garda Síochána, appointed by me as Immigration Officers, on immigration control duties at Dublin Airport is closely monitored by local Garda Management and the Commissioner, An Garda Síochána, who in turn consult with the Dublin Airport Authority, which has responsibility for the management and operation of Dublin Airport. The situation is kept under constant review to ensure minimum disruption to members of the public passing through Immigration controls while, at the same time, ensuring that the relevant immigration legislative provisions are effectively and efficiently enforced to prevent and detect breaches of the criminal law at Ports of Entry to the State, including Dublin Airport.
Senior Garda Management at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) liaise closely with senior management of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to identify the times at which increased passenger numbers are expected so that every effort is made, given the operational nature of the duties being undertaken by members of An Garda Síochána in enforcing the provisions of the immigration legislation, to ensure that an adequate number of Garda Immigration Officers are deployed at these peak times. I should also add that the arrangements for enforcing immigration control generally are kept under ongoing review.
643 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will grant subsidiary protection to a person (details supplied) in view of the offer of refuge from the International Cities of Refuge Network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23183/11]
The asylum application lodged by the person concerned was considered by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of whom concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee.
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 April, 2011, 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.
The Deputy should note that the Subsidiary Protection application lodged by the person concerned will be considered on its individual merits having regard for the information provided by the applicant in his application as measured against relevant, up to date, objective information relating to his country of origin. All documentation submitted in support of the application, including the documentation referred to by the Deputy, will be examined before a decision to grant or refuse Subsidiary Protection is arrived at.
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.
644 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23195/11]
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the daughter of the person referred to by the Deputy originally entered the State as part of a family of programme refugees who subsequently returned to Kosovo. Her parents were granted permission to reside in the State as an exceptional measure on a humanitarian basis following their return to the State in 2002. The daughter was granted permission to remain in line with that granted to her parents on stamp 4 conditions in January, 2011and her permission is currently valid until 30 December, 2011. The question regarding the qualification criteria for applications for Higher Education Grants is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Skills.
I would 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.
645 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will amend section 2(2)(e) of the Civil Registration Act 2004 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23204/11]
The position is that same-sex marriage cannot be provided for under the Civil Registration Act 2004 without an amendment to the Constitution following a Yes vote in a referendum on the matter.
646 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the medical condition of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23246/11]
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to is receiving all necessary medical care appropriate to his medical condition in Limerick Prison. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not at liberty to divulge any information relating to a person's medical records or condition beyond that.
647 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times for free legal aid by FLAC by location; the number of clients that are on the waiting list; the arrangement that are put in place in the case of court dates being reached in advice of the certificate; his plans to augment this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23248/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that under the Civil Legal Act 1995, as passed by the Oireachtas, the Legal Aid Board is independent in the operation of its functions. However, as a courtesy to the Deputy I have obtained the information sought and am providing it to the Deputy.
At the outset, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board provides ‘legal aid' and not ‘free legal aid'. The vast majority of persons receiving services from the Board pay a small financial contribution. I also wish to clarify that the Board provides services through, inter alia, law centres. However, FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) is an non-governmental organisation and is not connected to the Board in any way.
I am advised by the Board that the waiting time by reference to each law centre as of 31 August 2011 is set out below. As of 1 September 2011 there were 4,482 persons waiting for a first appointment with a solicitor. The Board prioritises matters that it considers require an immediate service. The sort of matters prioritised include cases involving domestic violence, the risk of children going into care, child abduction, and critical dates being close to expiry. Some other cases that are heard in the District Court are also given earlier appointments. The Board does not generally prioritise matters simply because there is a court date. It considers that this is unfair and inequitable to other applicants, many of whom may be seeking to get to court. Persons who have a court date and are not given an appointment prior to the court date are given a letter detailing their application which they may produce to the court.
|
Law Centre |
Maximum current waiting time — 31/08/11 (months) |
|
Dublin |
|
|
Blanchardstown |
4 |
|
Brunswick Street |
5 |
|
Clondalkin |
7 |
|
Finglas |
5 |
|
Gardiner Street |
6 |
|
Tallaght |
11 |
|
Cork |
|
|
Popes Quay |
4 |
|
South Mall |
6 |
|
Athlone |
5 |
|
Castlebar |
5 |
|
Cavan |
8 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
|
Ennis |
2 |
|
Galway |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Letterkenny |
2 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
|
Longford |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
|
Navan |
4 |
|
Nenagh |
9 |
|
Newbridge |
9 |
|
Portlaoise |
7 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
|
Tralee |
3 |
|
Tullamore |
4 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
648 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Garda Station at Rathcoole, County Dublin; if he will address the concerns of the local community who are dissatisfied at the part-time hours under which the Rathcoole Garda station is currently operating; if he plans to extend the opening hours of this station to cater for the increased number of people living in this area and the additional housing estates built in the vicinity in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23289/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Rathcoole Garda Station as of 31 August 2011, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 28.
Rathcoole Garda Station opens to the public daily between 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. During the hours the station is not open to the public, there is call diversion in place to Clondalkin Garda Station. Any increase of the opening hours at Rathcoole Garda Station would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who in the view of the Garda authorities may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.
649 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider requesting the review of the policing of a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23324/11]
In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts, proposals to alter the boundaries of a Divisional area are a matter in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the policing requirements for the location referred to by the Deputy were fully considered by An Garda Síochána as part of a programme of Garda Divisional boundary re-alignments in 2009. The Garda authorities concluded at that time that the area referred to should remain within the Cork West Division.
I am further informed that the Garda authorities are satisfied that the policing needs of the area are best met within the current boundary alignment and that they have no plans to alter the existing policing arrangements for the area.
650 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23449/11]
IT expenditure for the Department in 2010 was €18,868,523. This figure comprises expenditure for the following areas:
1. The Department itself and the bodies/offices/agencies on its IT Shared Service (see full list below)
2. Irish Prison Service
3. Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
4. Financial Shared Services
5. Equality divisions & agencies, until their transfer to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The budget for 2011 is made up of expenditure to date, €9,825,546, and expenditure to year-end, projected at some €8,892,500. The figures include expenditure in relation to divisions and agencies, including the Equality divisions and agencies which transferred into the Department of Justice and Equality earlier this year.
The Department's IT Shared Service, operating since 2003, provides centralised IT services to approximately 2,000 users in the Department and 25 agencies nationally and internationally. This approach ensures that the Department achieves economies of scale for the provision of these services, whilst reducing administration costs. Contracts and expenditure are regularly reviewed, and suppliers engaged with, to ensure that products and services are delivered at the most cost-effective rates. All IT procurement, by the Department and its agencies, is undertaken in accordance with the procurement requirements imposed by legislation and Government Directives. By going regularly to the market, and by utilising the economies inherent in existing public sector contracts, the Department drives continuous increased efficiencies and cost savings in the services delivered. At present the Department has a series of wide ranging ICT procurement exercises underway and is confident that these will reduce its costs in the medium term — it is also engaged in the inter Departmental Cloud Computing group which it anticipates will produce substantial operational savings in the medium to long term.
A cross-Departmental and cross-agency ICT Governance Group, which has a remit in relation to the strategic overview and management of ICT developments, reviews all proposed IT expenditure, to ensure value for money is achieved.
Departments, Office and Agencies on IT Shared Service
Department of Justice and Equality
Anti Human Trafficking Unit
Casino Commission
Coroner's Service
COSC
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal
Criminal Law Codification
Equality Authority
Equality Tribunal
Financial Shared Services
Garda Inspectorate
INIS
Irish Film Classification Office
Irish Youth Justice Service
National Disability Authority
National Property Services Regulatory Authority
Office for Internet Safety (OIS)
Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration
Office of the Commissioner of Charitable Donations & Bequests
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
Office of the Inspector of Prisons
Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner
Parole Board
Private Security Authority
Reception and Integration Agency
Refugee Appeals Tribunal
State Pathology
Victims of Crime
652 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23455/11]
A total of five postholders in my Department have been issued with official credit cards, as set out below:
|
Credit Card Holder |
Credit Limit |
|
Private Secretary to Minister for Justice and Equality |
€7,000 |
|
Secretary — General of Department of Justice and Equality |
€6,350 |
|
Head of IT. |
€10,000 |
|
Head of Financial Shared Services |
€10,000 |
|
Head of Corporate Affairs |
€5,000 |
Details of total annual expenditure and entertainment expenditure over the past four years is set out below.
|
Year |
Total Annual Expenditure |
Total Entertainment Expenditure |
|
2008 |
€27,998.43 |
€4,639.27 |
|
2009 |
€12,938.63 |
€1,018.69 |
|
2010 |
€8,785.65 |
Nil |
|
2011 (to Aug 2011) |
€6,323.49 |
Nil |
653 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23456/11]
654 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of special advisors and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23457/11]
655 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23458/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 653, 654 and 655 together.
During the periods in question, three Ministers have held office in my Department. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, this Government reduced the number of staff in a Minister's Private and Constituency Offices from 16 to 12. In the case of Ministers of State, staffing numbers were reduced from 12 to 8. The current staffing of my Private and Constituency offices, and their salary ranges, is as follows:
|
Private Office |
Salary (as of September 2011) |
|
1 Private Secretary |
€43,816 — €55,415 + appropriate Private Secretary allowance |
|
3 Executive Officers |
€30,516 — €47,975 |
|
2 Clerical Officers |
€23,177 — €37,341 |
|
2 Special Advisors |
€80,051 — €92,672 |
|
Constituency Office |
|
|
1.6 Clerical Officers |
€23,177 — €37,341 |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
€43,715 — €56,060 |
|
1 Personal Secretary |
€23,820 — €47,755 |
My predecessor, Mr Brendan Smith, did not appoint a Special Advisor, Personal Assistant or Personal Secretary in this Department. The staff of his Private and Constituency offices, with the exception of these posts, remained as those in place for his predecessor, Mr Dermot Ahern, as set out below.
|
Private Office |
Salary (as of January 2011) |
|
1 Private Secretary |
€33,247 — €58,294 + appropriate Private Secretary allowance |
|
3 Executive Officers |
€30,516 — €47,975 |
|
3 Clerical Officers |
€23,177 — €37,341 |
|
1 Special Advisor and 1 Special Advisor/Programme Manager |
€80,051 — €98,424 |
|
Constituency Office |
|
|
4 Clerical Officers |
€23,042 — €37,341 |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
€43,816 — €55,415 |
|
1 Personal Secretary |
€29,024 — €47,379 |
During the periods in question, 5 Ministers of State have held office in my Department. However, with the exception of Minister of State, Ms Kathleen Lynch T.D. and Mr Conor Lenihan, their offices were staffed in their entirety by other Departments.
Minister of State Lynch's Private Office includes one Executive Officer (salary range €30,516 — €47,975) from my Department.
The staffing of the Private and Constituency offices of Mr Conor Lenihan when he ceased office in this Department in April 2009 and the salary ranges of the staff concerned, is as follows:
|
Private Office |
Salary (as of April 2009) |
|
1 Private Secretary |
€49,379 — €61,082 + appropriate Private Secretary allowance |
|
1 Executive Officer |
€32,179 — €51,054 |
|
2 Clerical Officers |
€24,397 — €39,558 |
|
Constituency Office |
|
|
1 Executive Officer |
€30,566 — €48,504 |
|
2 Clerical Officers |
€24,397 — €39,558 |
|
1 Personal Secretary |
€46,558 — €59,097 |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
€23,181 — €44,726 |
656 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review [23476/11]
Departmental submissions in relation to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure are a central part of the pre-budget deliberations of the Government and are closely linked to the estimates process which will culminate in publication of spending estimates for individual votes. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to publish any such submissions or related correspondence, in that they are an integral part of the current budgetary process.
657 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of garda stations that are operating in counties Longford and Westmeath; the number of staff at each station and the opening hours of each station [23523/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength and the opening hours of each Garda Station in counties Longford and Roscommon are as set out in the following table. All Divisional and District Headquarter Garda Stations are open on a 24-hour basis, with the opening hours of the sub-District Garda Stations as set out below. Outside of the defined opening hours mobile patrols are carried out by Garda personnel, supplemented as necessary by other District and Divisional resources, including uniform and plain-clothes personnel, District / Divisional Detective and Drug Units, Community Policing Units and Traffic Corps personnel.
|
Station |
Strength |
Opening hours |
|
Westmeath Garda Division |
||
|
Athlone |
69 |
24 Hours |
|
Ballymore |
1 |
10.00-13.00 Mon-Sat, 11.00-13.00 Sun |
|
Ballinahown |
1 |
10.00-13.00 Mon-Sat, 11.00-13.00 Sun |
|
Glasson |
2 |
10.00-13.00 Mon-Sat, 11.00-13.00 Sun |
|
Kilbeggan |
4 |
10.00-13.00 Mon-Sat, 11.00-13.00 Sun |
|
Moate |
17 |
10.00-13.00 Mon-Sat, 11.00-13.00 Sun |
|
Ballynacargy |
1 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sun |
|
Castlepollard |
4 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sun |
|
Castletown |
1 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sun |
|
Delvin |
16 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sun |
|
Finea |
1 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sat, 12.00-14.00 Sun |
|
Killucan |
5 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sat, 10.00-12.00 Sun |
|
Kinnegad |
6 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sat, 10.00-12.00 Sun |
|
Mullingar |
126 |
24 Hours |
|
Multyfarnham |
1 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Fri, 08.00-10.00, 10.00-13.00 or 14.00-18.00 Sat & Sun |
|
Rathowen |
1 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Fri, 08.00-10.00, 10.00-13.00 or 14.00-18.00 Sat, 10.00-13.00; 20.00-22.00 Sun |
|
Rochfortbridge |
4 |
10.00-13.00 Mon — Sat, 10.00-12.00 Sun |
|
Longford Garda Division |
||
|
Ardagh |
1 |
10.00-18.00 Mon-Sun |
|
Ballinalee |
1 |
10.00-18.00 Mon-Sun |
|
Drumlish |
2 |
10.00-18.00 Mon-Sun |
|
Edgeworthstown |
8 |
07.00-14.00 Mon — Fri, 09.00-16.00 Sun |
|
Granard |
30 |
24 Hours |
|
Smear |
1 |
10.00-18.00 Mon-Sun |
|
Ballymahon |
6 |
10.00-13.00 Mon- Sun |
|
Kenagh |
1 |
15.00-17.00 Mon-Sun |
|
Lanesboro |
6 |
10.00-13.00 Mon-Sun |
|
Longford |
60 |
24 Hours |
|
Newtowncashel |
1 |
11.00-13.00 Mon-Sun |
658 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding plans for an extension and refurbishment of Athlone Garda station, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23525/11]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that planning approval for the Athlone scheme has been secured by the OPW and that the preparation of the tender documentation for the relevant works is well advanced. This matter will be progressed in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources.
659 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of person’s subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of prosecutions and convictions that have taken place in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 as a result of breaches of Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of notifications received from other jurisdictions or from Interpol regarding the travel of convicted sex offenders to Ireland during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23587/11]
The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive series of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons. The Act makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements under its Part 2. The provisions of the Act also extend to any offenders convicted abroad of the same range of sexual offences who enter the State.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 8 September, 2011, there were 1,164 persons subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Act.
Notifications are received on a regular basis regarding convicted sex offenders who enter the State. In turn, the relevant nominated Divisional Inspector involved in the monitoring of sex offenders is notified immediately.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested relating to the number of such notifications is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of time and resources to collate.
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy in relation to the number of prosecutions and convictions in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in respect of breaches of Part 2 of the Act.
660 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the determination of an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23623/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to in the Deputy's question 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.
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.
661 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23624/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 397 of Tuesday, 17th May, 2011 — set out beneath. 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 30th September, 2005, 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.
The person concerned was subsequently notified of his entitlement to submit an application 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. 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.
662 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for family reunification in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23625/11]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy made a Family Reunification application in respect of his mother and siblings in January, 2010.
I am further advised by INIS that a letter recently issued to the legal representative of the person concerned requesting further information and original documentation. On receipt of this information the matter will then be considered further.
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.
663 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status and correct procedure to be followed in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 in view of the fact that they cannot travel to their homeland without temporary travel documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23627/11]
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person referred to in the Deputy's question has been granted as an exceptional measure, temporary permission to remain in the State until 04 July 2014. I am advised by the INIS that the holding of this permission does not extend to the issuance of a temporary travel document.
In exceptional cases an application for Irish temporary travel document may be considered in respect of qualifying non Irish nationals who are resident in Ireland. In all such cases, the INIS must be satisfied that there is no alternative open to the applicant before an Irish temporary travel document will issue. The person concerned has to show that they have made reasonable and formal efforts to obtain a national passport, that it has been formally and unreasonably refused and that their own consular authorities are unable to offer consular assistance to them whilst resident in the State.
The INIS informs me that the person concerned had a recent application for Irish temporary travel document refused on 11 August 2011. He was advised to contact his own consular authorities to establish the procedures to be followed which would allow for him to procure a national passport whilst resident in this State.
It is open to the person in question to submit a new application for a temporary travel document accompanied by the relevant supporting documentation to the Travel Document Unit of the INIS which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Full information in this regard and the applicable application form is available at “www.inis.gov.ie”.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made direct to the 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.
664 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 in view of the fact that they have been offered employment but require the necessary status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23628/11]
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 14th January, 2010, 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 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.
665 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23629/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in February 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.
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.
666 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23630/11]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted refugee status in April 2005.
I assume the Deputy is enquiring about separate applications for Family Reunification that the person referred to made in July 2005 and in June 2006. In relation to those applications, the legal representative of the person referred to by the Deputy was advised by INIS on 23rd May, 2011, that as no response was received to a number of requests made by INIS for documentation, the Family Reunification application of their client was deemed withdrawn but that it was open to their client to make a fresh Family Reunification application.
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.
667 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in respect of an application for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23631/11]
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 7th March, 2011, 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.
668 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for asylum in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23632/11]
I refer the Deputy to my previous written reply of Tuesday, 17 May 2011 (Ref: 11224/11) in relation to the person concerned, a copy of which is set out below. The position remains unchanged.
The person concerned made an application for refugee status in the State on 18 August 2003. The application was refused on 9 February 2005 and Judicial Review proceedings were lodged challenging this decision. The person concerned subsequently made a second application for refugee status on 15 February 2006 which was refused at first instance and on appeal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The decision to refuse by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal was made on 23 April 2009.
The previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform informed the person concerned that it was proposed to make a Deportation Order in his case and they were invited to make representations as to why a Deportation Order should not issue. The person in question was also invited to make an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State. Having considered the representations made and the application for Subsidiary Protection the Minister signed a Deportation Order on 3 June 2010. Judicial Review proceedings were subsequently lodged in the High Court challenging the Deportation Order and, accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.
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.
669 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23633/11]
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted permission to remain in the State on 10th October, 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1st January, 2005, commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission to remain was renewed in 2007 and in 2010, and is currently valid until 10 October, 2013.
I am also advised by INIS that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned in December, 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.
I should add that 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 would 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.
670 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23634/11]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the position remains unchanged from my response to PQ No: 13212/11 dated 26th May: A decision was made on the Family Reunification application of the person in question and this decision issued on 24 May 2011.
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.
671 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23635/11]
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 12 April 2010, 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.
In advance of a final decision being made, the case of the person concerned will also be examined to determine what, if any, impact the recent European Court of Justice Judgment in the Belgian Zambrano case may have on her 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.
672 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the process of an application for citizenship will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23636/11]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned in November 2009 and I decided in my absolute discretion to grant the application. My officials have confirmed that a certificate of naturalisation was issued to the person concerned on 27 July 2011.
673 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to be followed in respect of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23637/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in March 2008.
The application is at an advanced stage of processing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
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.
674 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in the matter of an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23638/11]
The person concerned has been granted temporary permission to remain in the State, on stamp 4 conditions, for a two year period to 3 April 2013. This decision was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 28 April 2011.
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.
675 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23639/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of Tuesday, 22nd March, 2011 — set out beneath. 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 29 November 2006, 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.
676 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to be followed in respect of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23640/11]
Since 1st January 2005, the entitlement to Irish citizenship of persons born on the island of Ireland to non-national parents is governed by sections 6A and 6B of the Irish Nationality & Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act states 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 Act also provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must—
be of full age or be a minor born in the State
be of good character
have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years
have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State
The parent or guardian or person who is in loco parentis to a child born in the State who did not at birth have an entitlement to Irish citizenship may apply for a certificate of naturalisation on their behalf using Form 8A, which is available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website at www.inis.gov.ie. This is an e-form, which is filled in and submitted elecronically. 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.
677 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23641/11]
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 15 October 2010, 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.
678 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23642/11]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 29 June 2005. His asylum application was refused by the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. 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 10 November 2006, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the option of making representations as to why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. The representations made by the person concerned were considered under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) and a Deportation Order was made in respect of the person concerned on 1 September 2010. Judicial Review proceedings were initiated in the High Court on 14 October 2010, challenging the decision to make a Deportation Order in respect of the person concerned. These proceedings are ongoing and, as such, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time. I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail 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.
679 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for family reunification will be decided in the current year in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23643/11]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to is the subject of a Family Reunification application made in March 2009. The case is currently under consideration by INIS. I understand that some further information is necessary in order to progress the application and INIS has recently been in contact with the person's legal representative in this regard. I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail 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.
680 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23644/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 7 July 2011. The position is unchanged since then. The reply was as follows:
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and of his application to remain temporarily in the State. He has been evading his deportation since 3 November 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.
As a general matter of policy, it would be logistically inconsistent to reward persons who have failed a very fair and comprehensive asylum process, and who have thereafter proceeded to evade their deportation for several years, by granting such persons residency 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.
681 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23645/11]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person concerned.I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail 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.
682 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected status regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23646/11]
The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 18 November 2005 which required her to remove herself from the State and remain outside the State. She failed to do so. She subsequently gave birth to a child in the State on 1 October 2009 and claimed asylum for that child on 21 April 2011. She was given an undertaking on the 29 April 2011 that her deportation would not be enforced, pending the outcome of her child's application for asylum. However, the person concerned failed to ‘present' as required and is therefore classified as a person evading deportation. Against this background, the person concerned should, therefore, present herself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau without further delay. I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail 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.
683 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23647/11]
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 11 May 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 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 will be notified in writing of the outcome. If the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person 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. When a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of it will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned. I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail 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.
684 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected status regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23648/11]
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 24 November 2008, re-issued on 28 November 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 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 in the State in accordance with these Regulations and, following consideration of this application, it was determined that the person concerned was not eligible for subsidiary protection in the State. The person was notified of this decision by letter dated 18 July 2011. The position in the State of the person 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 remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail 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.
685 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if renewal of residency will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23649/11]
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted permission to remain in the State on 15 March 2005 under the revised arrangements for the non-EEA parents of children born in Ireland prior to 1 January 2005, commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission to remain was renewed in 2007. A decision to grant the person concerned further permission to remain in the State until 16 March 2013 was conveyed in writing to the person concerned on 2 September 2011.
686 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current of expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23650/11]
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 9 October 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 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 remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail 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.
687 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when renewal of stamp 4 visa will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23651/11]
The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State for the period to 20th March, 2011. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 20 March 2008. The person concerned was required to apply in writing one month before the end of the expiry period ie. 20 March 2011, for the renewal of this permission. My Department's records show no evidence of such a renewal application having been made and consequently the person is currently without permission to remain in the State.It is recommended that the person concerned should apply for renewal without further delay.I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail 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.
688 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23652/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 519 of 12 January 2011. The position is unchanged since then. The reply was as follows:
The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, made following the consideration of her case under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This Order was served on the person concerned by registered post dated 25 November 2010. This placed a legal obligation on her to "present" at the Offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in order that arrangements could be made for her deportation from the State.
The person concerned failed to "present" as required and is therefore classified as a person evading deportation. As a person evading deportation, the person concerned is liable to arrest and detention for the purposes of effecting her deportation from the State. Against this background, the person concerned should, therefore, present herself to the GNIB without further delay.
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.
689 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the determination of refugee status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23653/11]
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.
690 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will issue on an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied). [23728/11]
I have been advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that insufficient information was provided by the Deputy to enable it to identify an application from the person referred to. The reference number provided by the Deputy relates to a different person. If the Deputy wishes to furnish further details, the Citizenship Division of my Department will advise him of the position. I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail 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.
691 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the report of the Garda Reserve will be published.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23734/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the recommendations of the review in question are being considered by the Garda Commissioner.
692 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite an application for permanent residency in respect of a person (details supplied). [23745/11]
I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that an application was received for permanent residency on 26 August 2011 regarding the person referred to by the Deputy. I have been informed that this application is currently receiving attention and a reply will issue shortly.
693 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will deal with an extradition matter in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23747/11]
The decision to seek the extradition of a person charged with a criminal offence rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions and only arises where the Director has decided that a person should be prosecuted in the first instance. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Director is independent in the exercise of his functions. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I have no function in deciding whether a person should be charged with an offence or whether a person's extradition should be sought.
694 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the citizenship application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23866/11]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in September 2008. The application is 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. 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. It is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. Iremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail 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.
695 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding persons who have passed all three stages of the Garda recruitment competition, after passing a medical these persons were informed by letter that they would be accepted as Garda trainees, will these persons be retained on a panel until Garda training recommences or is the panel being scrapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23872/11]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is a panel in place consisting of applicants selected by the Public Appointments Service. Some of these candidates have completed the Physical Competency Test, a Medical Examination and Character Vetting. When recruitment recommences, it may be necessary for these candidates to undergo these processes again. Other candidates on the panel will also have to complete these processes. Those who are successful will be eligible to be offered positions as trainee gardaí in any further intakes.
696 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of District Court sittings that were held at Swords and Balbriggan District Courts, County Dublin in each of 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the number of cases dealt with in each of the District Courts; and the amount spent on refurbishments on each of the District Courts in each of the years to date. [23923/11]
The management and administration of the courts, including responsibility for maintaining and publishing court statistics, is a matter for the Courts Service. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made. The Courts Service has provided the following information in relation to Swords and Balbriggan District Courts, both of which are administered by the Swords District Court Office:
|
2010 |
2011 (to 8 September) |
|
|
Swords District Court |
137 |
94 |
|
Balbriggan District Court |
53 |
37 |
Corresponding figures for 2008 and 2009 are not readily available.
|
Criminal Offences |
Family Law |
Civil Business |
Licensing Business |
Total |
|
|
2008 |
8,343 |
437 |
1,780 |
737 |
11,297 |
|
2009 |
7,137 |
350 |
1,527 |
378 |
9,392 |
|
2010 |
5,555 |
355 |
1,832 |
774 |
8,516 |
|
End July 2011 |
3,184 |
277 |
427 |
445 |
4,333 |
In addition to the above, a breakdown of criminal cases dealt with for each District Court is available details of which are provided in the following table:
|
Swords |
Balbriggan |
Total |
|
|
2008 |
6,352 |
1,991 |
8,343 |
|
2009 |
5,053 |
2,084 |
7,137 |
|
2010 |
3,907 |
1,648 |
5,555 |
|
End July 2011 |
2,245 |
939 |
3,184 |
Balbriggan and Swords courthouses have not been refurbished. Expenditure on maintenance from 2008 to date was €16,102.48 in respect of Swords and €7,152.92 in respect of Balbriggan.
697 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the training facilities available at Garda headquarters and the Garda Training College for the Garda dog unit, Garda mounted unit, Garda driving school, Garda training in firearms and in public order. [23924/11]
The Garda authorities have provided the following information in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy:
The Garda Dog Unit — No dedicated training facilities are provided at the Garda College or Garda Headquarters for the Garda Dog Unit which is based at Kilmainham Garda Station and has a national remit The Garda Mounted Unit — No dedicated training facilities are provided at the Garda College or Garda Headquarters for the Garda Mounted Unit which is based in Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park. Garda Driver Training — Facilities for driver training are provided at Garda Headquarters and at the Garda College. These include classroom accommodation.
Garda Training in Firearms — Garda firearms training is provided at both Garda Headquarters and the Garda College through the use of Modular Live Fire Ranges and a firearms training system. Appropriate office and classroom accommodation is also available.
Public Order — Public order training forms part of the student/probationer training programme with additional specialist training provided for members selected for duty with Divisional and regional public order units. No dedicated facilities are provided at the Garda College or Garda Headquarters for this area of training.
698 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the types of vehicles that are being used by the Garda traffic corps and the Garda regional armed support unit. [23926/11]
I have been informed that the Garda Regional Armed Support Units and the Garda Traffic Corps use a mix of vehicles, including saloon cars, four-wheel drives, vans and motorcycles.
699 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will bring legislation establishing a judicial council before the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23928/11]
As indicated in the Government Legislation Programme that was announced by the Chief Whip on 14 September 2011, the Judicial Council Bill is in the course of being drafted with a view to being published in early 2012.
700 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider post release electronically tagging those convicted of drug trafficking and organised criminality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24013/11]
701 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the electronic tagging of sex offenders; if this is a priority of his; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24039/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 700 and 701 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a series of post-imprisonment restraint orders for violent and sexual offenders to include electronic tagging and other restrictions, which may be imposed at the time of sentencing. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 introduced the sex offenders' register, post-release supervision orders for sex offenders and civil orders restricting sex offenders in certain ways. Proposals aimed at amending the Act are at an advanced stage of development. Legislative proposals being considered include measures for the electronic monitoring of sex offenders in specific circumstances and changes with regard to civil sex offender orders to make it easier to apply to a court for such an order. Apart from the post-release orders applicable to sex offenders, the law provides for a range of orders that may apply, post-release, to people convicted of other offences. They include the registration requirement for drug trafficking offenders under Part 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006), the monitoring and protection of persons orders under section 26 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 and post-release orders in the case of serious offences under section 14 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. My current priority is measures relating to sex offenders. When they have been finalised, consideration will be given to what new measures may be appropriate to violent offenders.
702 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all unimplemented recommendations from the Competition Authority in its report on the legal professions will be implemented in the proposed legal services Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24055/11]
The Programme of the Government for National Recovery 2011-2016 undertakes to "establish independent regulation of the legal profession to improve access and competition, make legal costs more transparent and ensure adequate procedures for addressing consumer complaints". These undertakings complement those structural reforms in the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland aimed at removing restrictions to trade and competition relating to the legal professions and legal costs, namely to establish an independent regulator for the legal professions and implement the recommendations of the Legal Costs Working Group; and to implement the outstanding Competition Authority recommendations to reduce legal costs. The commitment of the Government is to a strategy that is comprehensive, provides more independent regulation of the legal professions, better regulates legal costs and will ensure that the complaints procedures are as effective as possible. The strategy, when implemented, will improve the overall system of delivery of legal services in the State. The details of my proposals for implementation of the various commitments I have mentioned will be announced by way of publication of the Legal Services Bill early in this session.
703 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the salary payable to individual High Court registrars, to the Chief Registrar of the High Court and to county registrars of the Circuit Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24056/11]
The management and administration of the courts including responsibility for the provision of information is a matter for the Courts Service. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the pay scales for the Chief Registrar of the High Court, High Court Registrars and County Registrars are as set out in the following table:
|
Salary Rate or Scales |
Salary Rate or Scales (Officers appointed on or after 6 April, 1995) |
|
|
Chief Registrar of the High Court |
€127,796 to €146,191 |
€134,523 to €153,885 |
|
High Court Registrars |
€61,966 to €105,429 |
€65,185 to €110,844 |
|
County Registrar Dublin |
€138,655 |
€145,952 |
|
County Registrar Cork |
€134,064 |
€141,120 |
|
County Registrar (other than Dublin and Cork) |
€123,045 |
€129,521 |
704 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions available to him to fast-track decisions for naturalisation applicants, some of whom applied more than two years ago. [24121/11]
In June of this year I 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, 24 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, other than in exceptional circumstances, that people applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months.
Significant progress has already made towards meeting this objective. Since I came to office, I have made decisions on some 11,500 naturalisation applications. By the end of September, I will have issued over 8,000 certificates of naturalisation. During the corresponding period in 2010, a total of 4,200 decisions were made with 3,600 certificates of naturalisation issued. In addition, I have also introduced citizenship ceremonies at which candidates for citizenship make their declaration of fidelity to the Irish nation and loyalty to the State and receive their certificate of naturalisation in a more meaningful and dignified manner. Steps are being taken to recruit an initial ten interns through the JobBridge National Internship Scheme to the citizenship section to afford them meaningful work experience and to assist in addressing the backlog that built up during the term of office of the previous Government. It is hoped ultimately to recruit a total of 30 interns to the section. Some 64 applications have been received. The citizenship division has commenced the selection process including short listing applicants. It is anticipated that the first group of interns will commence work by mid-October.
705 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of tipstaff employed in the courts; the level of salary paid; if he will give a breakdown by court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24126/11]
The management and administration of the courts, including responsibility for the provision of information, is a matter for the Courts Service. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made. The Courts Service has informed me that a total of 75 tipstaff are employed by the Courts Service in the grades of usher and crier. Ushers report to members of the Judiciary assigned to the Supreme and High Courts. Criers report to members of the Judiciary assigned to the Circuit Court. Of the 75 serving tipstaff, seven ushers are assigned to Supreme Court judges, 36 ushers are assigned to High Court judges and 32 criers are assigned to Circuit Court judges. The pay scales for Ushers and Criers are as follows:
|
Salary Rate or Scale |
Salary Rate or Scale(Officers appointed on or after 6/4/95) |
Salary Rate or Scale(Officers appointed on or after 1/1/11) |
|
|
Usher |
€414.34 to €591.36 |
€435.78 to €621.76 |
€372.91 to €532.22 |
|
Crier |
€414.34 to €576.52 |
€435.74 to €606.12 |
€372.91 to €518.87 |
706 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position of an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24166/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned in July 2008. My predecessor decided in his absolute discretion to refuse the application. The person concerned was informed of that decision in a letter that issued to her in March 2011. I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by e-mail 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.
707 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding a matter (details supplied); the actions in proposing to address the issues stated; the meetings he has had or is proposing to have with the representative groups representing such businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24170/11]
In the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, it is suggested that business owners should have a legal right to exercise their discretion in refusing entry to their premises to shoplifters. Business owners may reserve the right of admission to their premises where there are valid, non-discriminatory grounds for so doing. Business owners providing goods and services are, however, prohibited under the Equal Status Acts 2000-2008 from discriminating on nine grounds in providing a service or in disposing of goods to the public generally or to a section of the public. They are not precluded under equality legislation from refusing access to goods and services where they are of the belief, on grounds other than discriminatory grounds, that to do so would produce a substantial risk of criminal or disorderly conduct or behaviour or damage to property. The discriminatory grounds under this legislation are gender, civil status, family status, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion and membership of the Traveller community. I am not considering any change to the equality legislation in this regard. Businesses wishing to understand and implement best practice in promoting equality in their sector may, however, seek advice from the Equality Authority.
708 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of solicitors and barristers struck off over the past ten years; if he will provide a breakdown of the number per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24188/11]
I have no function in the matter of striking off solicitors and disbarring barristers, nor in keeping statistics in this regard. I understand from the Law Society that 30 solicitors have been struck off the Roll of Solicitors since 2001, the breakdown being as follows:
|
Year |
No. |
|
2001 |
0 |
|
2002 |
1 |
|
2003 |
3 |
|
2004 |
3 |
|
2005 |
2 |
|
2006 |
1 |
|
2007 |
0 |
|
2008 |
3 |
|
2009 |
10 |
|
2010 |
7 |
I am informed by King's Inns that no barrister has been disbarred in the last ten years.
709 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of judgments made by the Master of the High Court in 2009; the number of these which were subsequently reviewed by the High Court; and the number of judgments varied following such review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24191/11]
The management and administration of the courts including responsibility for maintaining and publishing court statistics is a matter for the Courts Service. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made. The Courts Service has informed me that in 2009 the Master of the High Court made 663 orders giving liberty to enter judgment. The Courts Service has further advised that statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide details of the number of such cases that subsequently proceeded to judgment, or were reviewed and varied by the High Court. This information could only be obtained by an examination of each individual case which would require a disproportionate amount of staff time that cannot be justified in current circumstances.
710 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if this case was adequately considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24213/11]
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 27 February 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 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 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 am satisfied that the State has a fair and comprehensive mechanism in place for the consideration of all asylum applications and, as such, I am satisfied that the asylum application made by the person concerned was properly considered before a final decision to refuse it was taken. I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail 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.
711 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application to remain in the State can be reconsidered on humanitarian grounds in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24222/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 140 of Wednesday, 20 April 2011. The position is unchanged since then. The reply was as follows:
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 23rd November, 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 (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. 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.
712 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Defence if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22644/11]
The Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention of drug smuggling into the country and responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. However, the White Paper on Defence, (2000), provides for a security role for the Naval Service to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established in 1993 as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs and consists of members of An Garda Síochána, the Customs Service and the Naval Service. Drug interdiction is carried out by Naval ships on receipt of intelligence from the Joint Task Force. The Naval Service operates eight general purpose patrol ships, which are tasked with coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union.
The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone at any one time. All vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that they also undertake general surveillance, security and other duties while on fisheries patrol. However, as the need arises, Naval Service vessels are deployed to other duties including drug interdiction operations. The acquisition of the two new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service will ensure that the Service can continue to carry out its drug interdiction and other roles in increasingly difficult and dangerous sea conditions in the Atlantic. Preparations for their construction have commenced at Appledore in the UK and the first vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2014. The second vessel will follow one year later.
The Naval Service, as a member of the Joint Task Force, is also committed to an international initiative, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre — Narcotics, (MAOC-N). The Centre, which was established in 2007, has led to a greater focus on intelligence exchange amongst countries to tackle large drug shipments by sea. MAOC-N was set up by seven European countries and is designed as an international co-ordination force with access to national tasking agencies and requires participation and resources from all active members. An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service have full-time officers based at the Centre in Lisbon. Irish Naval Service personnel travel to the Centre when requested by the Joint Task Force. Naval Service ships at sea carry out a variety of taskings simultaneously and therefore, it is not possible to break down the Naval Service effort in the detection of the illegal importation of drugs as a percentage total of budget. Naval Service involvement in the detection of illicit drugs varies widely from direct interdiction to continuous surveillance, presence/deterrence and intelligence gathering. The drugs seized by the Naval Service in the three years in question had a street value at the time of €675 million.
713 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/11]
721 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23295/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 713 and 721 together.
The amount of money spent on taxis by my Department in each of the past four years is as follows:
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2008 |
€33,583 |
|
2009 |
€24,236 |
|
2010 |
€20,222 |
|
2011 (to end August) |
€7,473 |
No specific allocation is made for the provision of taxis in my Department's annual Estimate. In accordance with Department of Finance guidelines, staff of my Department are required to use public transport wherever possible where travel is deemed necessary for business purposes. The hire of taxis to travel to and from meetings is only permitted where no suitable public transport is available or feasible. My Department only provides taxis for non-staff members on an exceptional basis on very rare occasions. While it is not feasible to extract the exact amount spent over the past four years, the amounts involved are negligible.
714 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence further to Question No. 253 of 14 July 2011, the reason for Department personnel being seconded to the Civil and Public Services Union, the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22961/11]
The Defence (Amendment Act) 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S.6 provide for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Under Defence Force Regulations S.6 section 13 (Officers) and section 30 (Enlisted Personnel), the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, second a member of the Permanent Defence Force to the Association for the performance of representative duties with the association. The Regulation also specifies that a person other than a serving member of the Permanent Defence Force seconded pursuant to the aforementioned paragraphs shall not be employed or engaged by the Association other than for duties of a clerical nature. The secondment of a Department of Defence staff member to the Civil and Public Services Union has taken place in accordance with Partnership arrangements and with the sanction of the Department of Finance. The Department of Defence recoups the salary costs of the staff member on secondment from the Civil and Public Service Union.
715 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Defence what was the establishment of the Naval Service Reserve in each of the years November 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. [23153/11]
716 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Naval Service Reserve in each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and the number of persons who were discharged. [23154/11]
717 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits taken into the Naval Service Reserve in each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. [23155/11]
718 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Naval Service Reserve; and the number of recruits enlisted to the end of July 2011. [23156/11]
719 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Defence the number of officers and non-commissioned officers in the Naval Service Reserve who were promoted since 2007 to the present; and the ranks to which they were promoted. [23157/11]
720 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Defence the estimated figure for recruits to the Naval Service Reserve to be enlisted from July to November 2011. [23158/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 715 to 720, inclusive, together.
During 2005 and following reorganisation, the FCA — An Fórsa Cosanta Áitúil (Local Defence Force) — and the Slua Muirí became the Reserve Defence Forces, Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve with a consequent reduction and amalgamation of units. The establishment of the Naval Service Reserve since 1 October 2005 has been 400 all ranks. The following table shows the strength, number of discharges, retirements and resignations and the number of recruits in the Naval Service Reserve from 2005 to 2010 inclusive:
|
Year |
Strength at 31/12 |
Total number of Discharges, Retirements and Resignations during the year |
Recruits |
|
2005 |
408 |
28 |
39 |
|
2006 |
361 |
88 |
41 |
|
2007 |
312 |
78 |
29 |
|
2008 |
291 |
48 |
27 |
|
2009 |
293 |
16 |
18 |
|
2010 |
263 |
68 |
38 |
The strength of the Naval Service Reserve as at 31 July 2011 was 224 personnel. The number of recruits enlisted to the Naval Service Reserve from 1 January 2011 to 31 July 2011 was 18. In the period since 2007 two officers were promoted from Ensign to Sub-Lieutenant and 18 Able Seaman were promoted to Leading Seaman in the Naval Service Reserve. It is estimated that a further seven personnel may be enlisted in the Naval Service Reserve in the period from the end of July 2011 to November 2011.
722 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Defence the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23310/11]
A total of four post holders in my Department have been issued with official credit cards, as set out as follows.
|
Credit Card Holder |
Credit Limit |
|
Private Secretary to Minister for Defence |
€10,000 |
|
Private Secretary for Minister of State at the Department of Defence |
€10,000 |
|
Secretary-General of Department of Defence |
€10,000 |
|
Human Resources Manager |
€5,000 |
Details of total annual expenditure and entertainment expenditure on these credit cards, excluding Government stamp duty and membership fees, over the past four years is set out as follows.
|
Year |
Total Annual Expenditure |
Total Entertainment Expenditure |
|
2008 |
€7,663.66 |
€659.40 |
|
2009 |
€2,100.82 |
Nil |
|
2010 |
€2,208.75 |
Nil |
|
2011 |
€627.18 |
Nil |
723 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23340/11]
724 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Defence the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/11]
725 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23370/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 723 to 725, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy, is set out in the following tabular statement.
|
Office |
Staff Numbers 31/12/2009 |
Staff Numbers 31/12/2010 |
Staff Numbers 01/01/11 — 08/03/11 (average) |
Staff Numbers 31/08/2011 |
Salary Cost 2009 (inc ER PRSI) |
Salary Cost 2010 (inc ER PRSI) |
Salary Cost 01/01/11 — 08/03/11 |
Salary Cost 09/03/11 — 02/09/11(inc ER PRSI) |
|
Special Advisors |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
€219,487 |
€153,407 |
€13,871 |
€0 |
|
Minister for Defence Private Office |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
€207,218 |
€198,392 |
€38,016 |
€106,795 |
|
Minister for Defence Constituency Office |
7 |
8 |
8 |
1 |
€296,895 |
€266,445 |
€25,470 |
€5,224 |
|
Minister of State Private Office |
1* |
1 |
1 |
1 |
€106,714 |
€72,386 |
€14,284 |
€37,138 |
*Two people in the Minister of State Private Office up to 28/09/2009.
The Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence does not have a constituency office at Department of Defence.
726 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Defence the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23442/11]
The IT budgets for 2010 and 2011, for my Department and for each of the State agencies under the aegis of the Department, are listed in the following tabular form;
|
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
Department of Defence1 |
€2,230,000 |
€2,260,000 |
|
Defence Forces |
€2,837,000 |
€2,368,000 |
|
Ombudsman for the Defence Forces |
IT Budget is built into the Office’s overall grant-in-aid allocation (which is < €500,000 per annum). ODF yearly capital spend has been less than 5% of annual grant in aid (i.e. capital spend is < €25,000 per annum) |
1The Department provides IT services for both the Civil Defence Board and the Army Pensions Board so they do not have their own IT budgets.
All IT purchases are based on a business case. When the business case is approved, the equipment is purchased in accordance with public procurement policy and procedures laid down by the Department of Finance and in EU Procurement regulations. These procedures and regulations provide for a competitive process carried out in an open, objective and transparent manner that can achieve best value for money.
Both the Department and the State Agencies comply with the Department of Finance circulars relating to arrangements for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Expenditure in the Civil and Public Service. These arrangements require that:
ICT expenditure is approved by ICT vote control section in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform;
Use is made of central procurement frameworks or services where they are available;
All ICT purchases greater than €10,000 are advertised on the etenders website to enable a wide range of responses from interested vendors;
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is used when examining new products; and
Renewal of support is subject to a detailed examination of whether the support is actually required.
In addition to the above, the joint civil/military IT Steering Committee within Defence ensures that there is co-ordination of procurement objectives across the Defence Organisation.
I am satisfied that the procedures in place are appropriate and that the Department continually strives to improve value for money in relation to ICT procurement.
727 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23469/11]
Departmental submissions to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget.
728 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel in the Defence Forces and in his Department for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [23618/11]
The following table outlines the number of personnel in the Department of Defence and the Permanent Defence Force broken down annually from 2008 to 2011.
The figures reflect the number of staff (full time equivalents) serving at the end of December each year and on 31 July 2011.
|
Staff Numbers |
Department of Defence |
Permanent Defence Force |
|
2008 |
384.64 |
10,409 |
|
2009 |
351.06 |
9,933 |
|
2010 |
328.79 |
9,550 |
|
2011 |
326.35 |
9,569 |
729 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 10 May 2011, if he will revisit this matter in view of the fact that the information and ophthalmic prescription form had been submitted by the member at that time and, therefore, a decision could have been made under general routine order 43/1955; if the prescription dated 10 May 2011 will be acted upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23738/11]
I am advised by the Military Authorities that General Routine Orders are published for the general information and guidance of members of the Defence Forces and consequently are descriptive in nature rather than prescriptive. Accordingly, the details contained in Paragraph 65 of General Routine Order 43/1955 cannot be relied upon to confer an entitlement to spectacles. In relation to the individual in question I am advised that in line with Medical Council Ethical Guidelines the Directorate of the Medical Corps does not publicly disclose information relating to clinical examination results for reasons of confidentiality.
730 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence his plans to lift the embargo on the recruitment of army officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23749/11]
The Cadetship Competition is the entry level for the majority of Officers of the Permanent Defence Force. From the Cadetship Competition, suitable candidates are selected for the award of cadetship positions. 42 Cadets were inducted in 2009 (30 Army and 12 Naval Service) and a further 30 Cadets were inducted in 2010 (21 Army, 6 Naval Service and 3 Air Corps). From the Cadetship Competition 2011 there will be an intake of 32 Cadets (21 Army, 8 Naval Service and 3 Air Corps) on 3 October 2011.
In addition, from Direct Entry Competitions held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments, 5 Doctors were appointed in 2009 to the Defence Forces Medical Corps.
731 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of retired Defence Force personnel who are in receipt of an Army service pension who are not in receipt of the military service allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23782/11]
Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces (the Gleeson Commission), Military Service Allowance (MSA) was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. This approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of an allowance being made pensionable for serving personnel does not extend to existing pensioners.In the Final Report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions, which was published in November 2000, the Commission specifically addressed the issue of the pensionability of allowances (including the MSA) and the consequences for public service pensioners generally. However, having considered the arguments advanced by the groups affected (such as military pensioners), together with long-standing public service pensions policy in that context and the substantial cost implications involved, the Commission did not recommend any increase for the pensioners concerned. The Report was considered and broadly accepted by Government. Aside from pre-August 1990 Defence Forces pensioners, the other groups affected include certain retired members of An Garda Síochána and the Prison Service and retired teachers. In the context of the Government’s subsequent consideration of the Commission’s Report, no change in existing policy on this matter has been authorised or is contemplated.
At present, there are approximately 10,650 persons in receipt of military occupational pensions under the Defence Forces Pensions Schemes (including almost 1,600 spouses and children of deceased personnel). About 2,900 of these are pre-August 1990 military pensioners who do not qualify for the MSA in their pension. The direct cost to this Department of extending the benefit of MSA to them is currently estimated at €6.1 million a year.
The position of these Defence Forces pensioners cannot be looked at in isolation of the wider public service. Any departure from established pensions policy for one group would give rise to significant cost repercussions in other areas of the public service. Accordingly, there is no scope for departing from settled public service pensions policy in the case of MSA.
732 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Defence the potential savings to the Exchequer by reducing professional fees paid by the State by 25%. [24280/11]
Based on professional fees paid by my Department in 2010, it is estimated that a reduction in the fees of 25% would have yielded savings in the region of €1.2m.
733 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason his Department is seeking repayment of €3,065.36 from a person (details supplied). [22677/11]
The person named commenced in REPS 3 on 1st Oct 2006 and received payment for all 5 years of the contract. Following an inspection carried out on 13th July 2010, an area discrepancy was discovered which resulted in the imposition of a clawback totalling €3,080.69. The person named was notified of this clawback by letter dated 3rd May 2011 and of the right of appeal. To date no appeal has been received by officials in my Department.
734 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that landowners and farmers of the Tousist and Lauragh area have always objected to their lands being vested; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the farmers and tenants in the Tousist area of the parish have never agreed to a land purchase with the Lansdowne Estate; his views on the documentary proof of this fact, under the 1923 Land Act, the Land Commission assumed and presumed that the landowners and tenants had agreed to a land purchase with the landlords before 1922 (details supplied). [22897/11]
I understand from the details supplied that the issue in this case revolves around the treatment of fishing and sporting rights by the Irish Land Commission on this Estate.
The Irish Land Commission was an independent statutory Commission set up under the Land Purchase Acts and it is not open to me as Minister to review its decisions. The Commission was dissolved by the commencement in 1999 of the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act 1992.
Under Section 5 of that Act all fishing rights and fisheries which prior to the commencement of the Act stood vested in or reserved to the Commission now stand vested in or reserved to the Central Fisheries Board, now Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Sporting rights which were vested in the Commission are now managed by the Forest and Wildlife Service. However provision has been made in section 18 of the 1965 Land Act for the extinguishment of sporting rights, other than fishing rights, over registered lands, where such rights have not been exercised for a period of twelve years.
735 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the regulations that exist on the growing of rapeseed in close proximity to housing estates; if there is a minimum distance between the crop and the dwelling that has to be observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22650/11]
My Department does not operate controls regarding the growing of rapeseed near urban areas.
736 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason he is seeking repayment from a person (details supplied). [22678/11]
The person named commenced in REPS 3 on 1st Oct 2006 and received payment for all 5 years of the contract. Following an inspection carried out on 13th July 2010, an area discrepancy was discovered which resulted in the imposition of a clawback totalling €3,080.69. The person named was notified of this clawback by letter dated 3rd May 2011 and of the right of appeal. To date no appeal has been received by officials in my Department.
737 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way he assessed that a person (details supplied) in County Cork had been overpaid. [22681/11]
The person in question established a plantation in December 2007 under a pilot project for the Forestry Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS). The pilot scheme had a higher rate of top-up payment than that which applied to the FEPS scheme which was subsequently implemented. It was decided that applicants who had planted under the pilot scheme were entitled to retain the higher rate of top-up payment once they continued to fulfil all the terms and conditions of the FEPS scheme. Therefore, this applicant was entitled to the higher top-up rate.
As a result of a control check of FEPS files, the client was informed that he had been overpaid on the basis that he should have been paid at the lower standard FEPS rate. However, a further review of the applicant's file revealed that the FEPS top-up payments made to him were at the correct rate. Arrangements were made to cancel the previous request to the client for repayment of the overpayment. The Forest Service has written to the client to notify him of this.
738 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in processing applications for the farm improvement scheme; the number of people affected by this delay in the County Tipperary-Offaly area; and when he expects this delay to be resolved. [22693/11]
A total of 12, 675 applications were received under the Farm Improvement Scheme when the Scheme was closed on 31 October 2007. The financial allocation for the Scheme was €79 million which enabled my Department to approve 7,347 applications received in the period up to 21 October 2007.
My Department processes applications to payment stage upon receipt of valid payment claims. Approximately 5,400 projects have been completed and submitted for payment by the applicants to date. Claims are still awaited from the remainder. There are currently five applications in the Department's Local Offices in Tipperary and Offaly at various stages of examination, two of which are awaiting reply from correspondence issued to the applicants and one where payment is currently being issued. The Department's aim is to process all payment claims as quickly as possible.
739 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22717/11]
754 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23291/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 754 together.
My Department uses taxis in the course of its work for a variety of purposes where the use of other public transport is not possible for reasons of practicality i.e. the necessity to carry official documents, timetable of public transport, loss of official time etc. These taxis costs are generally covered by existing budgets including, for example, travel and subsistence. There is no specific annual budget assigned to taxi costs.
The amount of money spent on taxis since 2007 until 31 August 2011 is listed in the following table.
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
End of August 2011 |
|
€79,418 |
€86,171 |
€57,539 |
€48,809 |
€25,255 |
740 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that farmers will not have to go through a long process of having to seek and obtain planning permission and also through the expense of carrying out an environmental impact assessment for land reclamation works, drainage works, ditch removals and so on as proposed by the EU Commission. [22823/11]
On Thursday 8 September 2011, I signed into law the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 456 of 2011) to address the findings of the European Court of Justice against Ireland in the manner that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (85/337/EEC), as amended, was transposed into Irish law.
The Court found that Ireland was over-reliant on size thresholds and did not take other relevant criteria, such as the cumulative impacts of development, the location of the development or activity relative to sensitive sites etc, into account.
The Regulations relate to three categories of projects—
restructuring of rural land holdings,
the use of uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agriculture, and
land drainage works on lands used for agriculture
The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, as the lead Department in the infringement proceedings, worked closely with my Department to put a legal framework in place to comply with the judgement.
Two sets of Regulations have been introduced to address the judgement. It was considered by both Departments that, with the exception of drainage and reclamation of wetlands, all of the other activities are more appropriate outside of the planning system, and should therefore be regulated by my Department. These elements have therefore been removed from the planning system by exemption under the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2011, introduced by my Ministerial colleague Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, and have now been included in my Department's Regulations.
My Department's Regulations provide for a screening and consent system that will not only satisfy the requirements of the Directive but will also provide a practical and workable solution for farmers.
Activities under the thresholds set out in the Regulations that do not have an adverse impact on the environment can proceed without having to be screened by my Department. Above these thresholds farmers will have to apply to my Department for screening as to whether the proposed activity should proceed or that it requires an Environmental Impact Assessment to be conducted. There will be no cost involved in the screening application. It will be a relatively straightforward process and each application will be adjudicated upon on a case by case basis in a timely manner, taking into account the relevant criteria outlined in the Directive.
Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments will only be required for larger projects which are above specific thresholds set out in the Regulations.
The implementation of this practical system provides a workable solution that will minimise the administrative burden on farmers, keep the process, with the exception of drainage and reclamation of wetlands, outside the planning system and also ensure that Ireland should not be open to the imposition of very large daily fines for non-compliance with the European Court of Justice finding.
741 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the payments for the participants of agri-environment options scheme 2010 will be awarded; and the timeframe for payment to participants of the AEOS scheme 2011. [22826/11]
Payment of 75% of the 2010 entitlement under AEOS 1 has commenced and payments totally €1.4 million have now issued. Payment of the initial 75% of the 2010 entitlement will continue to be paid to farmers in the coming weeks once they have passed the comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System.
Payment of the remaining 25% is due to commence in October while payments in respect of year 2 for AEOS 1 applicants will commence in November.
Approvals for AEOS 2 applicants will issue shortly and I expect that will commence in the first quarter of 2012.
742 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on agroforestry projects and the new botanical industry here and the need to develop innovative plans to assist biodiversity in forestry, climate change and agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/11]
Agroforestry is a land use system which facilitates the growing of trees with crop and livestock production on the same land unit. There are several types of agroforestry systems but it commonly involves growing crops or grazing livestock between rows of trees planted at wide intervals. Agroforestry is not widely practised in Ireland, but it offers considerable potential on many Irish farms to plant trees in ways which contribute actively to a better environment, while complementing existing farming practice. While there appears to be some increased interest in agroforestry among some farmers, there are no immediate plans to introduce a specific agroforestry scheme.
743 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the need to update the Forestry Act, he will prioritise the publication of a new Bill on this topic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22875/11]
The Government has approved the heads of the Forestry Bill, and discussions are continuing between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General with a view to finalising the text of the Bill. It would be my intention to publish the Bill as soon as possible.
744 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his policy on hare coursing; his plans to ban this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22881/11]
Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Under section 34 of the Wildlife Act 1976 also has responsibility for the issue of an annual licence to the Irish Coursing Club, ICC, and its affiliated clubs to capture live hares.
A Monitoring Committee on Coursing was established in 1993/94 comprising Departmental officials and representatives from both the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the ICC to monitor developments in coursing. Both wildlife rangers (NPWS) and a veterinary inspector attend coursing meetings on a random basis in an observer capacity and report on their findings. The Monitoring Committee also arranges to have any complaints or reported incidents investigated. As a result, the situation is kept under constant review.
This Department monitors the situation to ensure that coursing is run in a well controlled and responsible manner in the interest of animal welfare both for hares and greyhounds alike. Consequently the Government does not plan to ban hare coursing.
745 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason that all cattle tags here are printed, produced and sent from France; the further reason that these tags cannot be manufactured and produced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22951/11]
The contract for the supply of cattle tags is awarded on the basis of a public tender process conducted in accordance with EU and national legislation on public procurement. It is open to all suppliers of cattle tags to participate in this process. My Department recently advertised for a new bovine tags contract to cover the period 1 November 2011 to 31 October 2014 and two tender applications are presently being assessed.
746 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of a breakwater project (details supplied) in County Donegal; its priority rating for capital expenditure when funding becomes available in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23151/11]
Greencastle harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for the maintenance and development of the harbour rests with that local authority in the first instance.
My Department has, however, in recent years, project managed works on phase one of the Greencastle Harbour development project on behalf of Donegal County Council as well as providing funding.
I can confirm that I have made a further €400,000 of funding available this year for Greencastle as part of my Departments Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. This funding will be used to provide capping to protect the top of the breakwater.
Future funding for phase 1 of the Greencastle harbour development project will be considered in the context of funding commitments from Donegal County Council, available Exchequer Funding and overall national priorities.
747 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a calf suckler payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23182/11]
The person named registered forty seven animals under the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has issued in respect of thirty seven animals. There are outstanding queries on the remaining ten animals. Letters issued to the applicant regarding eight of these animals on 9 May 2011 but no reply has been received from the applicant. A further letter has issued today in respect of the remaining two animals. The case cannot be progressed further until a reply has been received and the queries resolved.
748 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if retrospective payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in regard to area aid payments between 2007 and 2010, in view of the fact that their area aid income was reduced in those years due to the fact that they planted 4.7 acres of forestry, despite a commitment that farmers who planted forestry would not be negatively affected in their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23216/11]
Under the EU provisions of the governing EU Regulations, farmers must declare an eligible hectare for each payment entitlement held to benefit from full payment under the Single Payment Scheme.
The EU Regulations do, however, provide that under certain circumstances a farmer can apply to consolidate their payment entitlements. In other words, while the overall value of the Single Farm Payment would remain the same, the number of entitlements held could be reduced and their value increased. One of the measures that are covered by the consolidation process is the afforestation of land under the Afforestation Aid Scheme. If an applicant considers that he or she is eligible to consolidate his or her entitlements in a particular scheme-year, an application must be made by the deadline for the receipt of Single Farm Payment applications in that scheme-year. This date is normally 15 May or the next working day if the 15th May falls on a weekend.
As the person named did not submit an application for the consolidation of entitlements before the deadline for the receipt of applications during the period 2007 and 2010, the payments issued to the applicant in respect of those years were in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations.
I understand that the person named has submitted an application to my Department to consolidate his entitlements in respect of the 2011 scheme-year and he will be informed in due course of the outcome of the application.
749 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the procedures that are in place to give appropriate recognition to persons who have qualified as veterinary surgeons in other EU countries and non-EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23231/11]
Arrangements to give effect to mutual recognition obligations deriving from EU provisions on free movement of practitioners, who qualified in other EU states, are provided for in Section 43 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (as amended by the European Communities (Veterinary Practice Act 2005) (Qualifications in Veterinary Medicine) Regulations 2007). Section 44 of the same Act provides for recognition of appropriately qualified applicants from Third Countries. The Veterinary Council of Ireland, as designated registration body under the Act, has responsibility for giving effect to this legislation. Information on the Council's registration procedures is available on its website (www.vci.ie).
750 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry cannot plant trees at a location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23235/11]
There is no record of an application for the person named under the Afforestation Schemes administered by my Department. In the absence of such an application, it is not possible to say with certainty whether or not his application would be successful.
In general, most areas of county Kerry are suitable for afforestation. However, there are some areas of the county that are silviculturally unsuitable for growing trees, such as areas of infertile blanket peat; coastal areas which are prone to marine exposure and salt deposition; and elevated areas over 300 metres. Areas designated for nature conservation such as SPAs, SACs and NHAs, and areas deemed to be "potentially acid sensitive" by the EPA, may also restrict opportunities for afforestation in some areas of the county, even in areas that may be silviculturally suitable for forestry.
All applications submitted to my Department for approval to undertake afforestation are examined by reference to the silvicultural and environmental suitability of the site for forestry. This includes an assessment of issues such as soil type, soil fertility, exposure etc., along with an assessment of the potential impact of the project on water quality, landscapes and nature conservation. My Department cannot use Exchequer funds to support the establishment of new forests in areas that are silviculturally unsuitable for forestry or where forestry may negatively impact on the environment.
751 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23236/11]
The person named submitted an application for category B of the 2011 National Reserve. This category caters for new entrants to farming after 15th May 2009. A new entrant is defined as a farmer who did not pursue any agricultural activity in his/her own name or at his/her own risk in the five years immediately preceding the commencement of the new agricultural activity.
The person named did not qualify under the new entrant category of the 2011 National Reserve as he commenced farming in March 2008.
The person named has been notified in writing of this decision and has been given an opportunity to appeal.
752 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 334 of 11 May 2010 and No. 405 of 18 January 2011, the timeframe for this application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23280/11]
As indicated in previous replies the area for which the licences are sought is a designated Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site).
My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of aquaculture sites located within Natura 2000 areas. This process is ongoing and significant progress has been made. The comprehensive data collection programme together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives will enable all new and renewal applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. Once the relevant data has been collected, conservation objectives for the site have to be established by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The establishment of these conservation objectives by NPWS will allow individual licence applications to be assessed against the conservation objectives.
The area in question remains part of the package of prioritised areas under assessment. This package is reviewed on a regular basis with a view to expediting the appropriate assessment process.
My Department, working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of these cases having regard to their complexities and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.
753 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the grassland sheep scheme 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23287/11]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on the 14 May 2010. This application was fully processed and payment under the Grassland Sheep Scheme issued on 1 February 2011, based, in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme, on the original Sheep Census return received by my Department on 11 January 2010, which indicated that the person named had twenty breeding ewes in his flock.
The person named has since appealed to my Department stating that incorrect details were entered on the Sheep Census return. The case is currently under review and the person named will be advised in due course, in writing, of the outcome of this review.
755 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23306/11]
Details of the expenditure charged to my Department's credit card account for the years 2007 to date are set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Number of Departmental Credit Cards |
Total Expenditure for year |
Expenditure on Official Hospitality |
|
2007 |
49 |
€36,089.02 |
€7,558.67 |
|
2008 |
53 |
€68,338.60 |
€8,894.71 |
|
2009 |
47 |
€34,730.03 |
€1,478.81 |
|
2010 |
28 |
€31,346.51 |
€768.40 |
|
2011 (to statement of 3rd August) |
20 |
€24,451.72 |
€417.87 |
The cards above are issued to staff in connection with their official duties. The credit limit on each card is €5,000 with the exception of the credit card used for the purchase of publications for the Department's library, which has a limit of €120,000.
756 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will declare which areas of land are suitable for afforestation in County Kerry; if the situation will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23323/11]
In general, most areas of county Kerry are suitable for afforestation. However, there are some areas of the county that are silviculturally unsuitable for growing trees, such as areas of infertile blanket peat, coastal areas which are prone to marine exposure and salt deposition, and elevated areas over 300 metres. Areas designated for nature conservation such as SPAs, SACs and NHAs, and areas deemed to be "potentially acid sensitive" by the EPA, may also restrict opportunities for afforestation in some areas of the county, even in areas that may be silviculturally suitable for forestry.
757 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of abattoirs and processing plants in County Mayo prior to the setting up of the Food Safety Authority; the number of veterinary inspectors that were employed to carry out inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23329/11]
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland was established in 1999.
According to my Department's records, in total there were 32 approved abattoirs in Co Mayo in 1998. However my Department's responsibility extended only to the supervision of the larger export approved plants of which there were 3 in 1998, all approved for slaughter.
Those abattoirs that slaughtered not more than 1,000 livestock units per annum, operated under the supervision of the local authority. It is understood that there were there were 29 such local abattoirs in 1998 as well as retail butchers and small meat processing establishments were also required to be registered with the local Health Board.
In 1998 there were 3 Veterinary Inspectors employed by my Department to supervise the 3 meat plants that were operating under Departmental control. A panel of temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs) was in place and they carried out inspections on a contract-for-service basis on behalf of my Department
It is understood that in 1998 Mayo County Council employed 1 Veterinary Inspector. The council also used the services of 6 TVIs. TVIs are private veterinary inspectors who carry out certain tasks as required on behalf of a competent authority.
758 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of abattoirs and processing plants in County Mayo; the number of veterinary inspectors employed to carry out inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/11]
My Department is responsible for the supervision of 7 larger meat plants in Mayo of which 4 are approved for slaughter. There are also 25 meat plants operating under local authority supervision in Mayo. A total of 16 of these plants are approved for slaughter. The criteria which determine whether a plant falls within the remit of either my Department or the local authority are set out in the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 — S.I. No. 432/2009.
My Department employs 5 Veterinary Inspectors who supervise the 7 plants that are under Departmental control. My Department also draws on a contract-for-service basis on a pool of 76 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs). TVIs are private veterinarians who carry out certain duties on behalf of a competent authority. It is understood that Mayo County Council employs 3 Veterinary Inspectors. They are assisted in their meat inspection duties by 2 TVIs.
759 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23336/11]
In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed the following information in relation to the Ministers of State assigned to my Department since 2009:
|
Tony Killeen |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
3 |
€143,377.63 |
|
Constituency Office |
4 |
€160,497.15 |
|
Trevor Sargent |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
4 |
€257,667.93 |
|
Constituency Office |
3.73 |
€176,354.62 |
|
Trevor Sargent |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost* |
|
Private Office |
4 |
€50,390.37 |
|
Constituency Office |
3.73 |
€22,541.35 |
*Salary Cost up to 23/02/2010
|
Tony Killeen |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost* |
|
Private Office |
3 |
€31,751.80 |
|
Constituency Office |
4 |
€35,493.24 |
* Salary cost up to 22/03/2010
|
Sean Connick |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost* |
|
Private Office |
3 |
€105,809.33 |
|
Constituency Office |
4.6 |
€110,717.18 |
* Salary cost from 23/3/2010
|
Sean Connick |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost* |
|
Private Office |
3 |
€26,644.96 |
|
Constituency Office |
4.6 |
€29,812.19 |
* Salary cost up to 9/3/2011
|
Shane McEntee |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost* |
|
Private Office |
5 |
€92,561.12 |
|
Constituency Office |
3 |
€59,412.08 |
* Salary cost from 10/3/2011
760 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23351/11]
In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed the following information requested in respect of Special Advisers employed in my Department since 2009:
|
Year |
Number employed |
Salary Cost |
|
2009 |
3 |
€318,427.59 |
|
2010 |
3* |
€228,331.71 |
|
2011 |
1 (up to 9/3/11)2 (from April 2011) |
€39,305.47€78,845.42 |
*Includes one Special Adviser employed up to 23/2/2010
761 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23366/11]
In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the information requested in respect of the staffing levels in the Minister's private and constituency offices since 2009:
|
Brendan Smith |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
8 |
€462,238.68 |
|
Constituency Office |
6.3 |
€247,331.09 |
|
Brendan Smith |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost |
|
Private Office |
7.8 |
€460,171.37 |
|
Constituency Office |
6.3 |
€241,314.28 |
|
Brendan Smith |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost* |
|
Private Office |
6.8 |
€85,618.66 |
|
Constituency Office |
6.3 |
€41,278.51 |
* Salary cost up to 9/3/2011
|
Simon Coveney |
Number of Persons employed |
Salary Cost* |
|
Private Office |
8 |
€216,162.84 |
|
Constituency Office |
3.8 |
€73,053.67 |
* Salary cost from 9/3/2011
762 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the final 25% payment will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if further inspection is needed; when this will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23395/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in 2008 and has received full payments for the first two years of their contract. In addition, 75% of the third year payment issued on 17th December 2010 for the amount of €7,787.75. My Department is currently making arrangements to process the outstanding 25% payments to farmers in instances where penalties have been imposed, including the person named, and I now expect that these outstanding payments will commence in October.
763 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the current requirements to import sheep from Scotland to here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23407/11]
Intra-Community trade in sheep is governed by the provisions of Council Directive 2003/50/EC which amends Council Directive 91/68/EEC. These controls apply to breeding sheep whether they are imported or exported and all sheep must be certified with regard to their health status. Under these rules, breeding and fattening sheep must be certified as having been continuously resident on a holding of origin for at least 30 days prior to export including a standstill period of 21 days prior to export during which time no sheep have been introduced on to the holding. A derogation applies where sheep introduced during the standstill period are completely isolated from all other animals on the holding.
Breeding sheep must have been obtained from a holding and must only have been in contact with animals from such a holding in which in the previous 6 months contagious agalactia of sheep, in the previous 12 months paratubercuosis or caseous lymphadenitis, and in the previous 3 years pulmonary adenomatosis or Maedi Visna, have not been clinically diagnosed. Ireland is free from Maedi-Visna (MV). Imports of sheep from Scotland should be accompanied by a supplementary health certificate issued by an official veterinarian providing additional guarantees for freedom from Maedi Visna.
Breeding rams must also come from a holding on which no case of contagious epididymitis (Brucella Ovis) has been recorded in the last 12 months and they must have been kept permanently on the holding for 60 days prior to export. Breeding rams must also be tested for contagious epididymitis (Brucella Ovis) with a negative result, within 30 days prior to export. The rules in relation to scrapie are that all breeding sheep must either be of the ARR/ARR prion protein genotype, or have been kept in a scrapie monitored flock for at least 3 years with no cases of scrapie being confirmed during this period. Sheep for slaughter must be certified as having been continuously resident on the holding of origin for at least 21 days prior to export during which time no sheep have been introduced on to the holding. All sheep for slaughter must be consigned to a slaughterhouse. There are no scrapie requirements on the health certificate for sheep for slaughter.
764 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when an agri-environment options scheme payment will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23416/11]
The person named was approved into the AEOS scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Payments have commenced as the administration checks have been completed satisfactorily. However, the checks have highlighted a discrepancy between the amount claimed on the AEOS application and the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) application of the person named. A letter has issued to the person named outlining the problem and asking the person named to amend the application in line with his SPS application. Once a reply is received the file will be processed further.
765 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the budget available to his Department for information technology, IT, expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23438/11]
The IT expenditure budget allocation for my Department in 2010 was €22,379,200 and in 2011 was €21,079,505. My Department provides a robust and resilient ICT infrastructure to customers, staff, agents and partners including shared service offerings to state agencies and other Government Departments. It also supports a wide range of modern and efficient IT systems that underpin the Department's critical business processes. Savings are achieved on an ongoing basis by leveraging maximum value from existing investments, negotiating reductions on contracts and software licences, and careful management of external resources for software development.
My Department ensures that all public procurement procedures in relation to IT equipment, as outlined by the Department of Finance, are adhered to during the procurement process. As part of these processes every effort is undertaken to ensure value for money and achieve cost reductions. IT expenditure is based on competitive tendering with extensive use of Central Government and Department specific frameworks which continue to drive costs down. As part of the Croke Park Agreement, a 5% saving in ICT expenditure will be achieved in each year from 2012 to 2014. In relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department, the budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency is an operational matter for the agencies themselves.
In order to provide the Government with a comprehensive set of decision options to meet the funding constraints in the National Recovery Plan, 2012-2014, the Department has carried out a comprehensive review of both current and capital expenditure. This Review which covers all areas of the Department's activities will be considered as part of the overall pre-budget deliberations and the 2012 Estimates process of the Government.
766 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23465/11]
Departmental submissions under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations and the 2012 Estimates process of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions and announcements on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the Reports submitted as part of the CRE process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
767 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on proposals from the EU Commission to introduce EU flat payments by 2019; and his further views on proposals to distribute the single farm payment on a uniform per hectare basis within a region. [23511/11]
There are as yet no proposals from the Commission regarding the future arrangements for the grant of payments to farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy. The Commission proposals for the future of the CAP including its proposals for direct payments to farmers will not be published until mid October. While some draft early versions of Commission proposals have been mentioned in media, the final proposals from the Commission may differ from these drafts in many respects.
Nevertheless, in its communication of November 2010 the Commission announced its intention of moving towards uniform regional or national rates of payment and there is pressure from the European Parliament and many Member States to do this. However I, along with Ministers from other Member States, strongly pressed for greater flexibility for member states to adopt payment models suitable to their own conditions. I will continue to stress this point in the upcoming negotiations.
768 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on recent centralised movement monitoring system, CMMS, data showing the reduction of 177,000 cattle in the country; his further views on the tight nature of finished cattle supplies at present; and the impact that this is having on prices for farmers. [23519/11]
The Animal Identification and Movement (AIM formerly CMMS) system is a generic traceability system that allows my Department to track trends in the bovine population. The most recent data on the cattle herd profile sourced from the AIM system show that there was a reduction of over 172,000 head in the number of cattle aged from 12 to 30 months at 1 June 2011 compared to the same date in 2010. Clearly, a reduction in cattle numbers of that magnitude in this age cohort will adversely impact on supplies for the remainder of 2011 and throughout 2012. Changes in cattle numbers can occur for many reasons but the current decline in young male cattle, which collectively account for some 165,000 of the decrease, is largely attributable to the effects of the strong live export trade in previous years together with an increase in young bull production.
A tight supply situation, both nationally and internationally, is contributing to strong price returns for domestic producers. Total cattle throughput at Irish meat export premises to the end of August was almost 53,000 head (or 5%) down on the corresponding period in 2010. To date this year, average prices paid by Irish meat plants for all categories of stock are between 14% and 17% higher than those prevailing during the same period in 2010. This is welcome news for livestock farmers who must also contend with higher input costs for feed, fertiliser and energy which typically constitute of 70% of total costs in beef production after stock purchases are taken into account.
The outlook for the remainder of the year is that prime cattle availability will remain considerably tighter than last year while export demand is likely to increase because of falling EU production and supplies. According to Bord Bia estimates, supplies at domestic export plants will reach around 1.54 million head for the year, which would equate to a fall of 100,000 on 2010 levels. Given these favourable market conditions, the immediate prospects are for a strong autumn trade which should help further boost producer profitability in this important indigenous export sector.
769 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the proposals by a proposal by the Irish Grassland Association for farmers to consider re-seeding as a practice; and his further views on the economic benefits this may bring to the farming community. [23522/11]
Grass re-seeding, if correctly carried out, is a cost effective means of significantly increasing productivity on the majority of livestock farms. Modern grass varieties are bred to meet the varied demands of these intensive enterprises. As a result of the grass seed evaluation programme carried out by my Department the current grass varieties recommended for use in this country have the ability, when grown on good soils, to produce excellent yield and quality while also extending the grass growing period. Over the last decade the annual rate of reseeding of pasture land in Ireland has been in the region of 2.5%. However in the 2010/2011 season, following strong promotion of the economic benefits of reseeding by Teagasc and others organisations such as Irish Grassland Association, this rate has increased considerably and this is a welcome development.
770 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the 1,000 REP four scheme farmers, who have not yet received their payment of 2010, will expect to be paid; when the 2,000 REP four scheme farmers who are awaiting a final 25% will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23524/11]
REPS 4 is a measure under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13, and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before payments can issue. These administrative checks have been completed and of the 30,300 farmers due a payment in respect of 2010, approximately 750 applicants are currently awaiting their initial 75% payment for the year. This is due to queries which have arisen during these administrative checks. Outstanding queries are being rectified on an ongoing basis, including through correspondence with applicants, and payments issue as soon as the queries are resolved. My Department is also currently making arrangements to process the outstanding 25% payment to farmers in instances where penalties have been imposed. I now expect that these outstanding payments will commence in October to approximately 2,000 farmers with penalties. Arrangements are also well advanced to issue payments in respect of 2011 and I expect that these payments will commence in November.
771 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the agri-environment options scheme; when will record sheets requested by the person be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23549/11]
The person named has been approved into the AEOS Scheme with effect from 1st November 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed on all applications before any approvals can issue. All applications were processed as quickly as possible and due to the complex nature of the checks relating to applications involving SAC areas, these applications were approved with effect from 1 November 2010. The person named has a contract period of 5 years and two months. In addition, as part of the checks required under EU regulations, the person named was randomly selected for inspection. As part of this process Record Sheets documenting details of actions undertaken under AEOS must be inspected and authorised by the Department's inspector. The record sheets were posted to the person named on 12th September 2011 and once completed and returned to the inspector, the claim will be processed further without delay.
772 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an appeal for REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23569/11]
The person named commenced REPS 3 in December 2006 and has received payment in respect years 1 to 4. Following an inspection on 3rd December 2010, the person named was notified that penalties totalling 105% of the 5th year payment were to be imposed. An appeal dated 23rd March 2011 was received by my Department. Following a review of the case, the person named was informed by letter on 24th May 2011 that the appeal was not successful. The person named subsequently appealed this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office on 22nd August 2011. All documentation relating to the file of the person named has been forwarded to the Agriculture Appeals Office who will conduct an independent review of the case.
773 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay of payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23582/11]
The payments in question are due to the estate of the late mother of the person named.
Following communication with the Inheritance Enquiry Unit of my Department in July 2010, the person named, who, it is understood, is not the executor of his late mother's will, was requested to supply either a Grant of Representation or alternatively the name of a Solicitor who would undertake the responsibility for receiving and distributing the payments according to the will of the deceased person.
To date the person named has not made available the requested information and consequently it has not been possible to release the outstanding monies. When such information becomes available it should be directed to:
Inheritance Enquiry Unit
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Eircom Building
Knockmay Road
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
Tel: 1890 200 560.
774 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their 2010 single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23595/11]
The appeal submitted by the person name has not been fully processed by my Department. As a result of the outcome of the appeal, payment in respect of the 2010 Single Payment Scheme will issue to the applicant shortly.
775 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will examine the single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry with a view to expediting payment in view of the fact that there is a delay in processing this application. [23776/11]
An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2010. The 50% advance of the Single Farm Payment issued to the person named on 18 October 2010 and the balancing Single Farm Payment issued on 1 December 2010 which were the earliest possible payment dates permissible under the Single Payment Scheme.
776 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a decision has been made on the applications for agri-environment options scheme, single payment scheme for national reserve in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23779/11]
My Department received an application under the Agri-Environment Protection Scheme from the person named on 11th May 2011. All applications received are currently being checked and successful applicants will be notified in writing of approvals before the end of this month. Unsuccessful applicants will similarly be notified and will be offered the opportunity to appeal any decision.
The person named submitted an application for category B of the 2011 National Reserve. This category caters for new entrants to farming after 15th May 2009. A new entrant is defined as a farmer who did not pursue any agricultural activity in his/her own name or at his/her own risk in the five years immediately preceding the commencement of the new agricultural activity. The person named did not qualify under the new entrant category of the 2011 National Reserve as he did not commence farming since 15th May 2009. The person named has been notified in writing of this decision and has been given an opportunity to appeal.
777 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23786/11]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have now been completed. This application is now ready to proceed to the prepayment validation stage and once successfully completed payment will issue.
778 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the new computer system for REP scheme payments will be in operation; when the final 25% of REP scheme payments will be paid to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23801/11]
REPS 4 is a measure under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13, and is subject to EU Regulations which require that detailed administrative checks on all applications are completed before payments can issue.
These administrative checks in respect of 2010 claims have been completed and of the 30,300 farmers who are due payment, approximately 750 applicants are currently awaiting their initial 75% payment for the year. This is due to queries which have arisen during the administrative checks. Outstanding queries are being rectified on an ongoing basis, including through correspondence with the applicants, and payments issue as soon as the queries are resolved. My Department is also currently making arrangements to process the outstanding 25% payment in respect of 2010 to farmers in instances where penalties have been imposed. I now expect that these outstanding payments will commence in October to approximately 2,000 farmers with penalties.
Arrangements are also well advanced to issue payments in respect of 2011 and I expect that these payments will commence in November.
779 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made a decision on an application for funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23809/11]
An application for payment under the NeighbourWood Scheme has been received in my Department and is currently being examined. Such scheme applications are detailed and require close scrutiny. As soon as this examination is complete, and if deemed suitable, my Department will arrange for payment to the applicants.
780 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their agri-environment options scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23884/11]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks it was established that some of the areas on the AEOS application do not match the SPS application.
A letter has issued to the person named outlining the situation. The application will be processed further upon receipt of a response to this query.
781 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the outstanding payment on a REP scheme application will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23955/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in 2008 and received full payment for the first two years of his contract. In addition, the initial 75% payment of the third year payment issued on 21st March 2011. Following the receipt of an adjusted agri-environmental plan from the person named, a penalty was imposed due to a discrepancy in the area claimed which has resulted in a delay in processing the final 25% payment due.
My Department is currently making arrangements to process outstanding payments to farmers of the 25% due in respect of 2010 in the cases where penalties were incurred and I expect payments to commence in these cases in October.
782 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the outstanding payment on a REP scheme application will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23956/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in 2008 and received full payments for the first two years of his contract. In addition, 75% of the third year payment issued on 21st March 2011. Following the receipt of an adjusted agri-environmental plan from the person named, a penalty was imposed due to a discrepancy in the area being drawn down which resulted in the delay in processing of the 25% payment due. My Department is currently making arrangements to process outstanding payments to farmers of the 25% due in respect of 2010 in the cases where penalties were incurred and I expect payments to commence in these cases in October.
783 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate the extent of headage, disadvantaged area, single farm payments, suckler cow premium or other payments made in respect of lands at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; if such payments reflect the ownership of the cattle occupying the lands thereat; if animals on the lands were held under various herd numbers or the herd number of the previous owner now deceased; if a multiplicity of animals with different herd numbers have occupied the lands since 1989 and the dates of same; if clarification has been sought as to whether the animals originated locally, in adjoining areas or in other counties; if animals from multiple herds occupied the lands at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23983/11]
784 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which he approved of or was aware of the disposal of entitlements and or payments arising therefrom and to whom; whether disadvantaged area, single farm payments and or suckler cow premium payments in respect of lands or animals occupying the lands at a location (details supplied) in County Cork since 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23984/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 together.
The position with regard to this case is as outlined in reply to a question from the Deputy on 20 July 2011, which is as follows.
My reply of 14 July, 2011 sets out the procedures that are followed in relation to changes to a herd number. On 9 December 2009 a copy of the death certificate of the person in whose name the herd number was registered was received by my Department. In accordance with standard procedures in such circumstances, the herd owner was then registered under personal representatives of the deceased person. An application was received on 4 January 2010 from the personal representatives of the deceased person to register details of the herd number in the name of the son of the deceased person. The application was accompanied by a copy of Probate of the Will of the deceased person, indicating that the son was the executor and sole beneficiary of the Estate. Following an on-farm inspection on 27 January 2010, it was decided that no change in registration of the herd number should take place pending clarification of the issue of ownership of the land and or cattle thereon. In the meantime, the herd keeper role, which assigns responsibility for the care and maintenance of the cattle to a nominated person, was assigned to the son of the deceased person in whose name the request for transfer of the herd number had been received. An on-farm inspection was carried out by the DVO on 27 January 2010 and all of the cattle present on the holding were inspected and found to be in order. As outlined in my earlier reply, a nominated keeper may or may not be the legal owner of the animals held under a herd number or the holding where the animals are held.
With regard to entitlements to certain farm payments, under EU Regulations governing the Single Payment scheme, entitlements are not attached to land and do not transfer automatically with land. Entitlements form an independent asset that is owned by a specified person and, upon the death of that person, is governed by normal testamentary procedure. In accordance with the will of the deceased person, the son was the executor and sole beneficiary of the Estate. Therefore he became the beneficiary of these entitlements which he subsequently sold to third parties from 2008.
With regard to Suckler cow and Disadvantaged Area payments, any payments due under these schemes issued into the bank account of the deceased person and hence the normal testamentary procedure regarding execution of the will and her estate would have applied to those payments.
On 5 May 2011 an application for registration as a herd owner was received from the daughter of the deceased person. Evidence of ownership of land accompanied this application. This application is currently under consideration and it is anticipated that a decision will be made in regard to that application in the near future.
The late owner of the registered herd-number referred to, made a Will, and a Grant of Probate was extracted in due course by the nominated executor. It is a fundamental principle of the Single Payment Scheme that Single Payment entitlements are not attached to land, otherwise specified in the will and do not transfer automatically with land. Entitlements form an independent asset that is owned by the person for whom they were established and, upon the death of that person, is governed by normal testamentary procedures. My Department is satisfied that the entitlements in question were transferred in accordance with the Will of the deceased and were subsequently sold to third parties from 2008.
785 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will report on the status of an application for agri-environment options scheme (details supplied) in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24130/11]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st November 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have now been completed. This application is now ready to proceed to the prepayment validation stage and once successfully completed payment will issue.
786 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in making the final instalment for 2010 under a rural environmental protection scheme claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24161/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in 2008 and has received full payments for the first two years of his contract. In addition, 75% of their third year payment issued on 31st December 2010. An area based discrepancy was discovered following a cross-check between the Single Payment Scheme application for 2010 from the person named and the REPS agri-environmental plan. This over-claim has resulted in the imposition of a penalty and a delay in processing the final 25% payment due under REPS 4 for 2010. My Department is currently making arrangements to process outstanding payments to farmers of the 25% due in respect of 2010 in the cases where penalties were incurred and I expect payments to commence in these cases in October.
787 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that farmers who are awaiting the outstanding 25% on their REP scheme payments are not expected to receive payment until October due to problems with a new computer system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24167/11]
REPS 4 is a measure under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13, and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before payments can issue.
These administrative checks have been completed and of the 30,300 farmers due a payment in respect of 2010, approximately 750 applicants are currently awaiting their initial 75% payment for the year. This is due to queries which have arisen during these administrative checks. Outstanding queries are being rectified on an ongoing basis, including through correspondence with applicants, and payments issue as soon as the queries are resolved. My Department is also currently making arrangements to process the outstanding 25% payment to farmers in instances where penalties have been imposed. I now expect that these outstanding payments will commence in October to approximately 2,000 farmers with penalties. Arrangements are also well advanced to issue payments in respect of 2011 and I expect that these payments will commence in November.
788 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the introduction of an Animal Health and Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24197/11]
The Programme for Government 2011 contains a commitment to amend and strengthen legislation on animal cruelty and animal welfare. The main vehicle to fulfil this commitment will be the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which is a comprehensive piece of legislation providing a broad basis for regulating the related but distinct areas of animal health and welfare. Drafting of the Bill is ongoing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to publish the Bill at an early date.
789 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the potential savings to the Exchequer by reducing professional fees paid by the State by25%. [24510/11]
The issue of cuts in professional fees is, in the first instance, a matter for consideration centrally by the Department of Finance or by Government in the context of the annual budgetary process.
The Department's Vote contains a number of dedicated budget lines for the payment of professional fees for services rendered. The total Vote provision in 2011 amounts to €34 million, most of which relates to fixed fees payable to temporary veterinary inspectors involved the public health and animal health areas. The Vote also provides for the cost of legal services that may be required by the Department. The level of professional fees incurred under this heading varies from year to year and is dependent on a variety of factors. In addition, the Department may engage, as required, other professional services such as IT specialists. Engagements in these areas are subject to public procurement procedures and to signed contracts which are designed to ensure best value for money and that fees reflect prevailing market prices.
In order to provide the Government with a comprehensive set of decision options to meet the funding constraints in the National Recovery Plan, 2012-2014, the Department has carried out a comprehensive review of both current and capital expenditure. This Review which covers all areas of the Department's activities will be considered as part of the overall pre-budget deliberations and the 2012 Estimates process of the Government.
790 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a specific general policy in place whereby the Health Service Executive is obliged to facilitate access to the information contained in adoption records after the adopted persons have reached adulthood; the measures or procedures that are currently in place to facilitate such access; her plans to create a centralised records archive for adoption files in order that those who are the subject of such records may more easily access information pertaining to their cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22944/11]
The drafting of legislation with regard to Information and Tracing is a priority of mine. Work is underway in relation to the preparation of the Bill, in consultation with the Adoption Authority, to provide for a structured and regulated way of providing access to information and contact for those affected by adoption. I intend to take this legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.
The National Adoption Contact Register was established in 2005 to assist adopted people and their natural families to make contact with each other, exchange information or state their contact preferences. They decide, through a range of information and contact options, how they wish to proceed. Already 440 matches have been made on the Register representing over 900 individuals who have now received a service. The operation of the Register was reviewed in 2007 and a major upgrading of it has just been completed.
The then Adoption Board, together with the adoption societies, the HSE and the adoption support groups, developed the "Standardised Framework for the Provision of a National Information and Tracing Service". This was published in November 2007 and sets standards and provides guidance and advice for information and tracing services providers nationally.
The issue of a centralised register is not currently under active consideration but such a development may receive attention in the context of the drafting of the legislation referred to above.
791 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1. [23003/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
792 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Health Service Executive plans to review the child foster and adoption vetting procedures to include in the Garda clearance process all intelligence on the pulse system relating to prospective foster or adoption parents, including reported incidents and not just convictions that apply to the current situation; her views on whether additional information should be made available to social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23102/11]
793 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Health Service Executive plans to review the child foster and adoption vetting procedures to include a form of continuous assessment of foster and adoptive parents after placement, to identify any issues after issues that may not have been identified during the initial vetting process; her views on whether there is scope for developing greater interaction and continuous relationships between social workers and the gardaí on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23103/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 792 and 793 together.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Defence, in conjunction with my Department and other relevant agencies, is preparing the Heads for the National Vetting Bureau Bill. Consultations have taken place with my Department and other Departments/agencies as part of the preparation of this legislation and these consultations are ongoing.
The National Vetting Bureau Bill will provide a statutory basis for the vetting of all applicants for employment and employees working with children. The Bill will provide for a vetting process which will provide for the identification of both hard and soft/relevant information, in particular, information relating to the endangerment, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or risk thereof, to children. This area has also been considered by the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment for Children and the findings of the Committee are being considered in the preparation of the legislation.
All adults living in a foster carer's home, as well as the foster carer, are subject to vetting. Approved foster carers are supervised on an ongoing basis by a professionally qualified social worker, known as a link worker. The link worker ensures that foster carers have access to the information, advice and professional support necessary and that they provide high quality care. Foster carers participate in reviews of their continuing capacity to provide high quality care and to assist with the identification of care plans in relation to the child.
794 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on developing a joint child protection training initiative for new Garda members and social work staff with a view to improving the relationship between both agencies and to improve the quality of the service to children in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23104/11]
I fully appreciate the value of joint training, which is in place for gardaí and social workers in the investigation of sexual abuse allegations. Children First Guidance stresses the importance of joint working between the HSE Children and Family Services and An Garda Síochána. Such cooperation is a crucial element of the child protection and welfare service.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Child Protection and Welfare in Trinity College Dublin is designed to strengthen the capacity of the health, social service, education and criminal justice systems to identify and respond to the needs of vulnerable and abused children and their families. The multidisciplinary in-take includes experienced and senior personnel from a range of relevant disciplines, for example, social work, public health nursing, education, community based and residential child care, psychology, An Garda Síochána, youth and project work.
795 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if optional extra services being provided by some preschool providers are being run within the three hour entitlement under the early child-care curriculum scheme; if so, if this arrangement might exclude some children from group activities because they have not paid for this extra service in view of the fact that their parents opted for the early ECCE scheme curriculum only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23485/11]
I have responsibility for implementing the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school.
It is a fundamental principle of the programme that the preschool year be provided free of charge to a parent whose child qualifies under the programme. However, participating service providers may charge parents for optional additions such as extra hours or various one-off or on-going activities or services such as outings, specific teaching resources such as dance or music, and food; but should not include activities which would generally be regarded as a normal part of a preschool service e.g. general arts and crafts activities.
It is a condition of the ECCE programme that, where optional activities are provided during the required period of preschool provision, appropriate programme-based activities be provided to children not participating in these optional activities. Both groups of children must be, at the same time, under the required levels of staff supervision required by the programme. Any additional optional activity must not be provided in a way that would leave non-participating children feeling excluded. If a service is unsure as to whether or not this would happen, then these optional activities should take place outside the normal times of the session.
The City and County Childcare Committees continually monitor the programme in order to ensure that all parents benefit from the free preschool provision as intended. The Childcare Directorate of my Department will also request Pobal, who assist with the implementation of the programme, to carry out additional visits to ensure compliance where any issue arises in relation to the delivery of the free preschool provision.
796 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of money that was spent on taxis by her Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for her Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22719/11]
800 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount her Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23293/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 796 and 800 together.
As the Department of Children and Youth Affairs only came into legal operation on 2nd June 2011, the information supplied in response to the Deputy's question relates to the period since the establishment of the Department.
The amount spent by my Department to date on taxis is €708. This includes €458 for Departmental staff and €250 for non-Departmental staff. As regard the latter category, the Deputy might wish to note that my Department has a number of initiatives in which children and young people under the age of 18 are involved and attend meetings and events in Dublin or other parts of the country. These initiatives are conducted under Goal 1 of the National Children's Strategy which states that children and young people will have a voice on issues that affect their lives. The children involved in these initiatives travel from all parts of the country and in keeping with best practice in child protection, taxis are ordered when necessary to bring the children from bus/train stations or from their homes to meetings and events. Older teenagers use public transport where appropriate and possible.
My Department's travel policy in relation to taxi usage generally is that their use should be kept to a minimum and should only be hired in circumstances where no suitable public transport is available.
The amount of money that will be made available for taxi services next year will be determined as part of the 2012 Estimates process.
797 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the backlog of cases (details supplied) within the child protection area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22946/11]
I acknowledge that the HSE's Child Welfare and Protection service is operating against a background of increasing service demand. This is reflected in a significant increase in the number of children in care.
The HSE has statutory responsibility under the Child Care Act, 1991, for the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. I have had discussions recently with the HSE National Director for Children and Family Services, Gordon Jeyes, in relation to the issue of demand and the arrangements within the HSE for the management of this demand. Mr Jeyes has recently completed a national review of the HSE's screening and assessment process in respect of reported concerns. He has confirmed that all unallocated cases are the subject of ongoing evaluation by social workers. In order to assist in the management of these cases an audit and alert system for child protection cases is being introduced by the HSE. This will include a regular reporting system that will extend from front line managers to the National Director.
The Government is continuing to support the HSE in terms of strengthening the response capacity of social workers. One of the principal commitments in the Implementation Plan prepared following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is the recruitment of additional social work staff. The HSE has been given approval to recruit a further 60 social workers in 2011.
The issue of case management is a key priority in reforming our child welfare and protection services. I will be continuing a dialogue with the HSE to seek to make further improvements in this area as we move to the establishment of the new Children and Families Support Agency.
798 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 3 regarding child protection. [22962/11]
I wish to thank the Deputy for bringing the matter to my attention. Under the Child Care Act 1991 the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a statutory responsibility to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. The Act requires the HSE to identify such children and to regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration.
In the specific situation raised by the Deputy, best practice is for the relevant employer to discuss with the HSE and An Garda Síochána, as the relevant statutory authorities, all available information and to come to a determination as to how best to manage the situation described. The immediate priority should be to ensure that no child is exposed to unnecessary risk. My Department has, in the interim, forwarded the details supplied to the HSE Children and Families Service in line with Children First.
799 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a hotline for missing children is now operational; and the steps he will take to ensure this hotline is operational. [22985/11]
Under EU telecoms rules agreed in 2009 the 116000 number is reserved in all EU member states for a missing children hotline. I have expressed my commitment to establish this hotline in Ireland.
It should be noted that in June 2011, ComReg, who have responsibility for allocation of this number in Ireland sought expressions of interest to run the hotline and no substantive responses were received. However, I am aware of and have met Irish NGOs that may be interested but their estimated costings vary significantly. My Department is working with the Department of Justice to seek to examine how best to proceed and I hope to have further details to announce shortly. It must be remembered that operational responsibility for missing children rests with an Garda Síochána.
801 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by Department staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in her Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by her Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23308/11]
The Deputy might wish to note there are no corporate credit cards for official business purposes currently in use in my Department which was only established last June.
802 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of her Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23338/11]
803 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of special advisors and programme managers in her Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23353/11]
804 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons employed in her private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23368/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 802 to 804, inclusive, together.
As my Department only came into legal operation on 2 June 2011, the information supplied in response to the Deputy's question relates to 2011 only. The numbers employed and associated salary costs in each office are set out in the following tabular format. My Private Office numbers include three Special Advisers, two of which are employed on a 50% work pattern. There are no Programme Managers employed at my Department.
|
Office |
No. of Whole-time equivalents |
Annual Salary Costs |
|
Private Office |
7.8 |
€435,964 |
|
Constituency Office |
3.0 |
€103,802 |
|
Non Office Staff |
2.0 |
€ 65,930 |
The Minister for Finance has issued detailed guidelines on the staffing of Ministerial Offices which include provisions for limits on the numbers of staff that may be employed in a Minister's Private Office and Constituency Office. These limits are 8 and 4 whole-time equivalents respectively. In addition, a Minister may also appoint two civilian drivers who are not considered "office" staff and are therefore not encompassed by the limits set out above. These guidelines also set salary limits for persons appointed to the position of Special Adviser, Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and Civilian Driver. All Ministerial appointments in my Department are in line with these guidelines.
805 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget available to her Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within her Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under her remit for 2010 and 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23440/11]
The Deputy might wish to note that my Department was formally established on 2 June, 2011. The funding provisions made available this year under Subhead A5 (Office Equipment and External IT Services) of the Vote to support the purchase of IT equipment, as contained in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2011, amounts to €120,000. This includes a current provision of €92,000 and a capital allocation of €28,000.
The ICT Unit within the Department of Health provides a shared service to my Department in relation to IT matters. In this regard the Department of Finance Circulars 2/09 and 2/11 relating to the arrangements for ICT expenditure in the Civil and Public Service requires all Departments and Offices that spend monies from Voted Funds on ICT expenditure to comply with the Department of Finance circulars, advisories and best practice guidance relating to ICT expenditure. These arrangements are designed to reduce risk and achieve better value for money in terms of quality, level of service and price paid.
The bodies and agencies that currently fall within the operational remit of my Department include the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, the National Education Welfare Board and the Family Support Agency. These have been requested to contact the Deputy directly in relation to the internal arrangements that apply within their organisations.
806 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will publish the details of her Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23467/11]
Departmental submissions on the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure are a central part of the overall pre-Budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. However, I understand that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the reports submitted as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
807 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23686/11]
The free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 as a universal programme to provide children with a free preschool year, normally in the year before they commence primary school. There is no entitlement under the ECCE programme for a second year of free preschool provision. Where a child has special needs, his or her parents can apply to have the preschool year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the scheme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. However, I understand that the pro-rata option has not been availed of in the case referred to by the Deputy and the child in question availed of the full free preschool provision in the academic year 2010-11.
808 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all adoption files from the Sacred Heart Convent at Bessborough in Cork have been transferred to the Health Service Executive; if the HSE has found suitable accommodation for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24015/11]
I am aware of the difficulties around the operation of adoption information and tracing services at the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Bessborough. Negotiations have taken place between my Department, the Health Service Executive and the Order and this matter has been resolved. The HSE has agreed to take over the management of the adoption files of the Sacred Heart Adoption Society located in Bessborough, Blackrock, Co. Cork. It is my understanding that the HSE are examining the issue of the transfer of files and their storage.
809 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 23 June 2011 when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [24175/11]
My Office is advised by the HSE that a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 23 June 2011 was issued to the Deputy on July 19th 2011.
810 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 451 of 28 June 2011 when the outstanding information will issue from the Health Service Executive. [24176/11]
My office has contacted the HSE on this matter to ask that a reply be provided as soon as possible. The HSE has stated that it is actively pursuing a response on this matter on the Deputy's behalf and that a reply will issue as soon as the information is available.
811 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 12 July 2011, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [24177/11]
My Office is advised by the HSE that a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 12 July 2011 was issued to the Deputy on July 15th 2011.
812 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to parliamentary Question No. 47 of 12 July 2011 when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [24178/11]
My office has contacted the HSE on this matter to ask that a reply be provided as soon as possible. The HSE has stated that it is actively pursuing a response on this matter on the Deputy's behalf and that a reply will issue as soon as the information is available.
813 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the promised referendum to amend the Constitution to strengthen the rights of children. [24242/11]
The Programme for Government 2011 states that the referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Oireachtas Committee. On taking office I instructed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) to work with the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to preparing a draft wording which will more closely reflect the work of the Joint Committee, than that which the previous Government approved in draft form.
Accordingly the preparation of a draft wording is being undertaken by Parliamentary Counsel in association with the Advisory Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General and officials in my Department. I would hope to be in a position to submit the outcome of this work to Government for approval in the Autumn. It is envisaged that Government will be asked to approve the drafting of a Bill based on the wording submitted and to request the approval of the Oireachtas for the holding of a Constitutional referendum. The Taoiseach has stated that the referendum will not take place on the same day as the presidential election. There is a concern that to do so may unnecessarily and unhelpfully politicise children's rights, and that a separate referendum is more appropriate for this important and sensitive issue.
814 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking towards the putting of the Children First guidelines on a statutory footing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24243/11]
The Government is attaching a high priority to the preparation of legislation to underpin Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. My Department is in the process of developing detailed legislative proposals in this regard which I will bring to Government for approval.
815 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the potential savings to the Exchequer by reducing professional fees paid by the State by 25%. [24278/11]
My Department was formally established on 2nd June 2011 and to date it has incurred no expenditure on professional fees.
816 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22646/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
817 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22696/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
818 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no public toilet currently in the homeless persons unit of the Community Welfare Office in 212-213 Oisín House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2; the reason this facility was not provided with a public toilet; when this toilet will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22701/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
819 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the extra funding that is provided to fund Health Information and Quality Authority could be put to far more sensible and productive use if the funding of HIQA was to stop. [22907/11]
A key component to the delivery of health and social services is to ensure that services are of high quality, safe and effective for all the people using them. In pursuit of this aim, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established in May 2007 as an independent authority to drive improvements in the quality and safety of health and social care on behalf of patients. HIQA's healthcare quality function includes the setting and monitoring of standards and the conduct of investigations. HIQA incorporates the office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services. HIQA also has functions in relation to Health Technology Assessment and Health Information. Government funding is provided to HIQA in order to allow HIQA undertake its statutory role in order to improve patients' experiences and outcomes.
The Programme for Government 2011-2016 commits to the establishment of a Patient Safety Authority to incorporate HIQA. The Programme describes a regulatory function for the PS as one of the features central to the overall reform objective of the establishment of a system of Universal Health Insurance (UHI) and of the establishment of public hospitals as independent not-for-profit trusts. The current and future structures of health care in this country will pave the way for a new culture of patient safety, openness, transparency, learning and accountability.
820 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will do the necessary signing off needed to enable the Department of Health to proceed with the new community hospital in Kenmare, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22918/11]
Following my approval of its Capital Plan 2011-2015, the HSE issued a press release which stated that the construction of the new 40 bed community nursing unit in Kenmare would commence in October 2011. The HSE estimates that the construction will be completed within eighteen months.
821 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider his decision not to grant a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23000/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have no role in deciding individual medical card applications. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
822 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the way he is planning for and anticipating his shared role in ensuring greater cross-departmental and cross-sectoral working and ultimately implementing the upcoming National Positive Aging Strategy; the way in which his anticipation of his role in implementing the National Positive Aging Strategy is being incorporated into the Budget 2012 considerations. [23813/11]
The programme for Government published in March 2011 has committed to completing and implementing the National Positive Ageing Strategy so that older people are recognised, supported and enabled to live independent full lives. Traditionally, policy relating to older people has tended to deal almost exclusively with health and personal social services.
In recognition that a much wider range of policies, programmes and services impact directly on the lives of older people, development of the Strategy is being assisted by a Cross-Departmental Group (CDG), comprised of officials from 11 Government Departments, the Central Statistics Office and An Garda Síochána, and is chaired by the Director of the Office for Older People. An NGO Liaison Group comprising representatives of twelve national-level non-governmental organisations with an interest in older people's issues is also assisting in the development of the Strategy.
It is envisaged that the Strategy will set out a common framework for the development of operational plans by Government Departments. These operational plans will clearly set out each Department's objectives relating to older people. Mechanisms designed to monitor the implementation of measures contained in these operational plans will also be developed in consultation with Departments.
The Strategy will require a consideration of the inter-related nature of many of the actions needed to enable older people to age positively in Ireland. This means that no single Department or agency can be expected to deliver the Strategy alone. In addition, in the short term, when implementation will require a reconfiguration of existing programmes and services, collaboration between Departments will be important.
Work on developing the Strategy is on-going and taking place within the constraints posed by the present fiscal situation. This work will not be concluded before the end of the year. It is not the intention that it will propose new service developments, rather it will set the strategic direction for future policies, programmes and services for older people in Ireland.
823 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24009/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
824 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24022/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
825 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the attached submission (details supplied) regarding better services for accident and emergency units in all hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22655/11]
828 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding reducing patients on trolleys in our accident and emergency departments. [22695/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 828 together.
I have stated on a number of occasions that the waiting times for admission for patients attending Emergency Departments in many hospitals are not acceptable. I am determined to address this situation. In this regard the Deputies will be aware that recently I established the Special Delivery Unit and assigned to it as a priority the task of addressing the many issues arising in Hospital Emergency Departments.
The difficulties in Emergency Departments cannot be solely resolved within the Emergency Departments themselves. Instead they must be addressed on the basis of a health-system wide approach. In particular, overcrowding in Emergency Departments has many causes and any solution to the problems that may arise from this issue must reflect this reality. Any solution must start with ensuring that patients are treated in the most appropriate way in the most appropriate location. This means that where and whenever possible, patients who can be treated in the primary care setting receive their treatment there.
The issue of staffing levels in Emergency Departments, as in the other areas of hospitals, is a matter for the management of the hospitals and the HSE in the first instance. My officials are in contact with the HSE and relevant authorities to ensure that the necessary steps are being taken to ensure ongoing safe delivery of service in hospitals and, in particular, Emergency Departments.
I am confident that with careful planning, with leadership from the Special Delivery Unit, the implementation of the HSE's Emergency Medicine Programme and related clinical programmes and with the roll-out of Acute Medicine Units we will be in a position to reassure patients that the difficulties in Emergency Departments will be addressed.
826 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue by the Health Service Executive on an application for funding under the nursing homes support scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [22674/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
827 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will grant final approval under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [22688/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
829 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the changes in the arrangements for funding organisations that provide domestic and gender-based violence services such as SAFE Ireland are proposed; the basis for such changes; when they will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22702/11]
950 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to funding for organisations that provide domestic, sexual and gender based violence services including SAFE Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23705/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 829 and 950 together.
There has been no change in the mechanism by which front line services are funded for this year. However, the National Networks for Domestic and Sexual Violence services have been advised that the HSE is moving to a procurement process for national Domestic Violence & Sexual Violence services in 2012. Safe Ireland has been informed of these changes. As the procurement process will begin shortly, we cannot provide any further detail at this time.
830 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to heighten the recognition of fibromyalgia as a long-term illness to enable suffers to avail of services within the health sector. [22712/11]
This classification of disease is the international standard by which diseases are classified and is accepted by Ireland and endorsed by the World Health Organisation. The diagnosis and management of Fibromyalgia takes place in a number of settings including primary care, specialist services and rehabilitation if required. In 2008 my Department published the Chronic Disease Policy which set how chronic conditions should be managed including self-care.
831 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22726/11]
The amount spent by my Department on taxis in 2010 was €15,928. €15,802 was spent on taxis for Departmental staff and €126 was spent on taxis for non-Departmental staff. To date in 2011 €8,368 has been spent on taxis for Departmental staff. The amount of money that will be provided for taxi services for 2012 will be determined as part of the travel and subsistence subhead in the 2012 Estimates process. My Department's travel policy concerning the use of taxis is that their use should be kept to a minimum and they should be hired only when no suitable public transport is available.
832 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health the process under which a person will be able to receive payment for Fair Deal clients under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; the way these payments can vary between nursing homes located in the same area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22745/11]
In response the Minister asked for a full examination of the funding situation, to be conducted jointly by the Department of Health and the HSE. The examination identified a number of factors that are putting pressure on the overall budget for 2011. These included:
an unexpected increase in the average length of stay for nursing home patients,
a resultant higher net demand for nursing home places, and
an increase in nursing home costs.
The processing of approvals for financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was suspended for a month from May to June while an examination of funding was being carried out. However, the HSE has been issuing funding approvals again since the 13 June. Almost 1,700 people have been allocated funding since that date. The HSE is continuing to process applications within the funding limits available to the scheme and in accordance with the legislation. The HSE intends to deal with those currently awaiting approval within the next 6 weeks.
By the end of the year, the HSE intends that any delays in awarding funding will be eliminated. The situation will be closely monitored to ensure that funding is allocated as soon as it becomes available. It is anticipated that any delays will be resolved in the final quarter of 2011.
With regard to the variation of payments to nursing homes in the same area, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has statutory responsibility for the negotiation of prices with private and voluntary nursing homes. The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. The NTPF negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process. This method of negotiation is necessary in order to ensure that the State obtains the best value for each individual in a nursing home and to comply with competition law.
833 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if there is a Health Service Executive paper proposing cuts to health services in Louth County Hospital and Navan Hospital, County Meath. [22828/11]
834 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is proposing to halve the 24 hour accident and emergency services at Navan, County Meath. [22829/11]
835 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the alternative accident and emergency facilities that will be available to cover emergencies in the event that the Health Service Executive halves Navan’s accident and emergency, County Louth. [22830/11]
836 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has to close 25 beds in Louth County Hospital. [22831/11]
837 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive plans to transfer outpatients clinics from Navan, County Meath. [22832/11]
838 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the location to which outpatient clinics from Navan Hospital, County Meath, will be transferred. [22833/11]
839 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive plans to reduce the opening hours of the minor injuries unit at Louth County Hospital. [22834/11]
842 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the amount that will be saved by cutting the minor injuries unit in Louth County Hospital at weekends and for three hours in the evening. [22837/11]
843 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the additional resources the Health Service Executive plans to put into Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, County Louth, in the event that the plans to restrict the opening of the minor injuries units go ahead. [22838/11]
844 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the stroke and rehab unit to be opened at Louth County Hospital in the near future will be additional to and not in place of existing beds at the hospital. [22839/11]
845 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when he become aware of the document which is proposing the cuts to services at Louth County Hospital in Dundalk and Our Lady’s in Navan, County Meath. [22840/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 833 to 839, inclusive, and 842 to 845, inclusive, together.
The efficiency of services in the Louth/Meath Hospital Group is being reviewed by the HSE in light of the current budgetary and financial position. As part of this process, draft documentation has been prepared by the HSE but no definitive plans have been made regarding changes to services for patients. The HSE has advised my Department that no decision has been taken to alter the hours of services in any of the Minor Injuries Units (MIU) in the Louth/Meath Hospital Group. At present there is a 24 hour MIU service in operation at both Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda and in Navan Hospital and a full daytime service in Louth County Hospital.
I would like to emphasise that changes driven by budgetary issues must be clearly distinguished from change driven by pure safety concerns. In relation to the Emergency Department and outpatient clinics at Navan Hospital, I have emphasised that any changes need to be carried out in a planned way and that all changes will be fully communicated. The HSE has indicated that no change to either service has been made at present.
Similarly in relation to Louth County Hospital, there are no plans for changes to the number of beds. The HSE has clarified that the stroke rehabilitation beds at the hospital which are due to come on stream following completion of the current refurbishment of wards are part of the complement since July 2010 and do not represent additional beds.
840 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive plans to end weekend opening to minor injuries units. [22835/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
841 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive plans to charge staff for car parking. [22836/11]
The HSE has advised that it has no plans to change current arrangements in relation to car parking for staff.
846 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick was received in his Department; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22844/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
847 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 22 June 2011 and his reply on 30 June 2011, if he will provide this Deputy with the salaries of all chief executive officers and deputy CEOs of the five Dublin academic teaching hospitals, the salaries of CEOs of voluntary hospitals, the salaries of the CEOs of the three hospices in the State in tabular form; the bonuses that were paid to CEOs and deputy CEOs of all hospitals and hospices from the year 2000 to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if there are any bonuses awarded to officials in the Health Service Executive or CEOs and deputy CEOs of hospitals and hospices. [22845/11]
In relation to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 22 June 2011, my Department has recently provided the Deputy with information regarding the salaries of the CEOs of the five Dublin academic teaching hospitals and voluntary hospitals. I have requested the Health Service Executive to provide the remaining information and my Department will forward this to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
848 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if the ongoing efforts by the Health Service Executive to appoint a senior audiological scientist in Galway will be affected by the decision announced in July 2011 to pause current recruitment except for critical vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22852/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
849 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a case regarding a prosthetic limb request for a person (details supplied); and when a decision will issue. [22853/11]
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.
850 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health his plans to further increase the health insurance levy and age-related TRS to ensure that older members of society are not significantly making a loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22855/11]
The issue of risk equalisation in the private health insurance market from 2012 onwards is currently under consideration. I intend to make an announcement in due course.
851 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 1 June 2011, the protocols being discussed between the Health Service Executive, St Vincent’s University Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland have been agreed; if so, the protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22870/11]
My response in June to the Deputy referred to the plans to develop national appropriate models of care for the management and care of patients with cystic fibrosis both in and outside of the hospital setting.
The HSE's Clinical Care Directorate for Clinical Programmes has set up a programme encompassing cystic fibrosis and the relevant protocols will be developed within this programme.
852 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding the location of the new children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22888/11]
The Deputy will be aware I commissioned an independent Review around a number of issues relating to the location of the new hospital on the Mater Campus. The Review was carried out under the joint auspices of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the European Health Property Network (EUPHN). NACHRI is a not-for-profit organisation of children's hospitals with over 200 members worldwide, which promotes the health and well-being of children and their families through support of children's hospitals and health systems. EUPHN is an independent organisation with international expertise in the area of capital planning of health facilities, including major hospitals. I announced the outcome of the Review on the 6th of July 2011. The independent experts who formed the Review Team, having examined all the issues in accordance with the Terms of Reference set by myself, came to the unanimous and unequivocal recommendation that the development of the new hospital should proceed on the Mater Campus.
I confirmed the Government's acceptance of the recommendation of the Review Team and has now requested the National Paediatric Development Board to proceed with a planning application to an Bord Pleanála.
853 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will stand by the promise that he has made in relation to prescription levies being removed; when these levies will be removed. [22889/11]
Prescription charges are provided for under Section 59 of the Health Act 1970 as amended by the Health (Amendment ) (No 2) Act 2010. Revoking these provisions requires primary legislation.
It is the intention of my colleague, the Minister for Health, subject to Government approval, to introduce legislation to abolish prescription charges for medical card holders.
854 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of acute hospital beds in Waterford Regional Hospital; if any of these aforementioned acute hospital beds are closed at present and unavailable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22890/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
855 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in Waterford at present there are approximately 100 children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes some of whom are receiving care in the local Waterford Regional Hospital but many of whom have the added disadvantage of having to travel to Dublin for treatment due to the lack of sufficient resources within the local Waterford paediatric team; his plans to provide additional resources to the local Waterford paediatric team. [22891/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
856 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be able to obtain a hip operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22899/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
857 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [22903/11]
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.
858 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that on Valentia Island, County Kerry, there is a local community hospital which is run by a local group that is finding it financially difficult to survive; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the continuation of the service of this facility is important to people living on Valentia Island and the surrounding parishes and they have provided care and assistance back over the years and one of the problems that they have on the island is Health Information and Quality Authority standards that are being applied; his views on suspending the role of HIQA for a number of years and allowing our excellent hospitals to get on with their job of work, which they are perfectly capable of doing, and keeping the high standards that they have had back over the years before HIQA ever came into existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22906/11]
As the Deputy is aware, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, was introduced in October 2009 in order to address the fundamental inequity in the treatment of public and private long-term nursing home residents and to alleviate the financial hardship being experienced by long-term residents in private nursing homes.
However, the new scheme supports the individuals in need of long-term nursing home care, not the facilities providing the care. This means that money follows the patients, regardless of whether they choose public, private or voluntary nursing homes. It ensures that these facilities are not being funded for empty beds. In order to qualify for the scheme, all private nursing homes and voluntary nursing homes previously funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, including Valentia Hospital, must negotiate and agree a price for the cost of care with the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This is a necessary feature of the scheme due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care over and above a person's contribution.
The Scheme only applies to long-term nursing home care. The hospital can continue to have separate agreements with the HSE for the provision of other services, e.g. day care, respite and convalescence. I understand that there have been ongoing discussions between the Board of Management of the hospital and the HSE with regards to future service provision. Indeed my colleague the Minister for Health met a delegation from Valentia Hospital in early June to discuss the issues raised by the Deputy.
This Government is committed to ensuring the health and safety of residents in nursing homes, whether they are private, voluntary or public. In order to ensure this it is vital that we have effective mechanisms in place to maintain and enhance public confidence in the delivery of quality services. The Health Act, 2007 provides a regime designed to protect residents through an independent inspection and registration system. On 1 July 2009 Statutory responsibility was given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to carry out this function. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive regulatory framework and National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland. All nursing homes are subject to the same core standards and regulations in relation to quality and safety in order to ensure the well-being of their residents. In this context the Minister cannot accede to the Deputy's request.
859 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm funding for the Connect programme at Castlemaine Community Centre, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22929/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
860 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 519 of 28 June 2011, if he accepts as adequate the response provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22937/11]
Decisions in relation to the appropriate treatment and prioritisation of patients for treatment are the responsibility of the relevant treating physician.
In this case, I understand that the patient in question was seen in the responsible consultant's clinic on the 26th June 2011. I also understand that the patient has been in contact with the hospital's patient advocacy department which is liaising with her.
861 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [22941/11]
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.
862 Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, which has been ongoing since April 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22942/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
863 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on taxi services for patients in County Donegal; the number of companies that offer the service; when the last tenders were put out for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
864 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans for the opening of primary care centres across County Limerick; the locations of the proposed centres; and when same will be opened. [22956/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
865 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the inclusion of ulcerative colitis in the long-term illness scheme; his plans to include the condition in the scheme in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/11]
893 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will include Crohn’s disease in the long-term illnesses scheme. [23140/11]
896 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to add Crohn’s disease to the list of qualifying conditions under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23160/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 865, 893 and 896 together. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. However, the terms of the scheme will be reviewed in the context of the Government's proposals for Universal Health Insurance and free GP care at the point of delivery.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €120 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.
866 Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is an employee of the Health Service Executive or Don Bosco House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22959/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
867 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will respond regarding a matter (details supplied) regarding the banning of alcohol advertisements from television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22982/11]
The National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group was established in 2009. It is examining the development of policy to deal with a wide range of key issues relating to the supply, pricing, availability and marketing of alcohol — including the question of regulations governing restrictions on the advertising of alcohol as referred to by the Deputy — along with measures for the policy areas of prevention strategies, treatment, rehabilitation, alcohol and substance dependency research and information. The report of the Steering Group is close to completion; I expect to receive proposals in the coming months and I will then brief my colleagues in Government on these.
868 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health if he will instigate a review into the handling of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway by Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22987/11]
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. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
869 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the smoking ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22991/11]
I would like to clarify for the Deputy that, should a future prohibition be introduced, it will not look to restrict the rights of adults to decide what is best for them. Rather, any such prohibition would look to protect the rights of children; that is, persons under the age of majority to whom the State has a particular duty of care and who are otherwise reliant on parents and carers to avoid smoking in order to protect them from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the enclosed space of a car.
870 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the expert group established to make recommendations to him to ensure that Irish law complies with the European Convention on Human Rights on right to life issues. [23019/11]
The Department is in the process of carrying out the preliminary work to facilitate the establishment of the Expert Group on the ABC v Ireland judgment. As set out in the Action Plan submitted to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, it is intended that the Expert Group will be set up by November 2011.
871 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health his proposals to reduce the cost and amount of administration in the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23045/11]
While I recognise that the public health service, as with all health systems, requires managers and administrators to run effectively, nonetheless, I am of the view that there is scope for a reduction in the number of management/administrative staff in the health sector. This is necessary to ensure that we have streamlined and effective structures and also to enable staffing resources to be focused to the maximum extent on front-line patient care. The Government is committed in line with the Programme for Government to reducing numbers in the Civil/Public Service in the period to 2015, while protecting front-line services as far as possible. A comprehensive review of expenditure is underway to examine all areas where savings and numbers reductions might be identified. The results of this review are expected in the Autumn when the Government will consider its recommendations. There are, however, no plans at this time to introduce a voluntary redundancy/early retirement scheme in the Civil/Public Service.
872 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres that have been developed in which primary care teams are based on a county basis; the number of primary care teams that have been established that are not operational through a dedicated primary care centre; the number of primary care centres and primary care teams that are currently being developed; the numbers of centres and teams that are expected to be in operation by end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23046/11]
The development of Primary Care Teams (PCTs) and Primary Care Centres (PCCs) is a priority under the Programme for Government. The aim is to provide up to 95% of health and social care in local communities. This will be achieved by increasing activity in the primary care setting and redirecting services away from acute hospitals to the community.
The HSE has identified a need for 518 Primary Care Teams and 384 of them have commenced operation with varying degrees of activity. 40 of these Teams are located in newly acquired Primary Care Centres and 344 Teams are based in existing HSE accommodation. The remaining 134 Teams are at varying stages of development.
It is the HSE's plan that the majority of PCCs will be provided by the private sector through leasing agreements. In this context, the HSE has developed a generic design model for PCCs with accommodation for up to three Teams per centre. 17 PCCs have opened to date under leasing arrangements and a further 21 are due to open by the end of March 2012.
Primary Care Centres in disadvantaged urban and rural areas will continue to be funded from the Exchequer. 15 of these are currently accommodating PCTs.
There are currently 4 Exchequer funded centres in development and it is expected that these will become operational by the end of 2012. These are located in Inchicore, Ballyfermot and Rathfarnham in Dublin and Glenties in Co. Donegal.
The following two tables show the number of PCCs that have been developed in which primary care teams are based on a county basis.
|
Location |
County |
No of PCTS |
GPs located in Centre |
HSE staff located in Centre |
|
|
1 |
Carlow |
Carlow |
3 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
2 |
Mallow |
Cork |
3 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
3 |
Mitchelstown |
Cork |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
4 |
Letterkenny |
Donegal |
2 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
5 |
Ballyogan/Leopardstown |
Dublin |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
6 |
Galway City East |
Galway |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
7 |
Naas |
Kildare |
2 |
Due Jan 2012 * |
Yes |
|
8 |
Mountmellick |
Laois |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
9 |
Portarlington |
Laois |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
10 |
Ballina |
Mayo |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
11 |
Trim |
Meath |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
12 |
Roscommon |
Roscommon |
2 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
13 |
City Centre, Waterford |
Waterford |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
14 |
Kinnegad |
Westmeath |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
15 |
Moate |
Westmeath |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
16 |
Gorey (Nixon) |
Wexford |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
17 |
Newtownmountkennedy |
Wicklow |
1 |
Due Sept 2011 |
Yes |
|
TOTALS: |
24 |
* K-Doc operating from here from 2pm every day. Naas GPs also run their locum service from the site.
|
Location |
County |
No of PCTS |
GPs located in Centre |
HSE staff located in Centre |
|
|
1 |
Cootehill |
Cavan |
1 |
Yes |
Sept ’11 |
|
2 |
Virginia |
Cavan |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
3 |
Ballymun |
Dublin |
2 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
4 |
Irishtown, Dublin |
Dublin |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
5 |
Liberties, Dublin South City |
Dublin |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
6 |
Pearse St, Dublin |
Dublin |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
7 |
Ranelagh |
Dublin |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
8 |
Clonbur |
Galway |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
9 |
Inis Oírr |
Galway |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
10 |
Oughterard |
Galway |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
11 |
Westbury |
Limerick |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
12 |
Longford Town |
Longford |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
13 |
Achill |
Mayo |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
14 |
Charlestown |
Mayo |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
15 |
Coole |
Westmeath |
1 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
TOTALS: |
16 |
873 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23048/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
874 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the staff complement at a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 3; if he will provide details of the annual level of staff; the annual cost of staff; if he has commissioned a review of the catering staff; if so, the purpose, and the cost of same; if outsourcing of staff is permitted under the Croke Park agreement; the position regarding catering staff in hospitals; the number of staff per bed; if there is a league table for the various hospitals in the Dublin area or nationwide in this regard; the way this hospital scores in that table; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23059/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
875 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health the reason there are no services in Dublin to provide training in life skills for persons who have Asperger’s syndrome; his plans to provide such services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23060/11]
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.
876 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the position regarding waiting lists for orthodontic treatment in County Galway; the number of persons on the waiting list as of August 2011 and August 2010; if there is any possibility of the current waiting time being reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23061/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
877 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be seen by the orthodontic clinic; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person went on a ten-month waiting list in 2010 and is now told that they will have to wait another year, even though this is an urgent case and the person in question is starting secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23062/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
878 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the measures in place for persons waiting almost a year for a cataract operation in County Galway; the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Galway is called for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23063/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
879 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed removal of the 24-hour emergency service at a hospital (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23065/11]
953 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will alleviate the fears of the local population of the Caherciveen Iveragh Peninsula area, County Kerry, by ensuring that 24-hour ambulance cover remains in place. [23733/11]
As these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
880 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding facilities for persons over 18 years who are suffering mental illness; the steps he will take to secure places for these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23066/11]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
881 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the number of rapid response vehicles in service in the north west; the location of the ambulance bases at which the rapid response vehicles are located; the times the rapid response vehicles are active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23069/11]
882 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if he will give a commitment that rapid response vehicles will not replace existing ambulances in the north west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23070/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 881 and 882 together. As these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
883 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding received by the National Ambulance Service since 2006 on a regional basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23071/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
NAS Area |
NAS Division |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
West |
Mid Western |
10,427,000 |
10,977,000 |
11,513,889 |
12,587,186 |
11,194,226 |
13,501,095 |
|
Western |
14,644,000 |
14,435,000 |
14,949,000 |
15,387,000 |
13,951,189 |
15,740,950 |
|
|
North Western |
10,543,000 |
11,046,000 |
11,543,311 |
11,704,541 |
10,832,671 |
12,238,392 |
|
|
South |
South Eastern |
15,685,000 |
16,011,000 |
16,636,700 |
17,255,051 |
16,036,002 |
|
|
South Western** |
14,831,000 |
15,613,000 |
16,250,368 |
17,263,613 |
32,360,936*** |
16,512,055 |
|
|
North Leinster |
Eastern* |
29,500,000 |
30,931,000 |
31,668,355 |
30,928,126 |
28,049,450 |
31,377,000 |
|
North Eastern |
11,501,000 |
10,715,000 |
11,105,678 |
12,422,951 |
28,049,450 |
31,377,000 |
|
|
Midland** |
11,423,000 |
9,775,699 |
10,132,001 |
10,501,000 |
9,744,600 |
10,821,000 |
* Includes annual payment of €9.66m to Dublin City Council for Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance Service in designated parts of Dublin.
** These Divisions do not fund total expenditure on hired transport/taxis.
*** For 2010 the South East and South West budgets were consolidated.
884 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding the medical card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23078/11]
The Irish Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility and limited eligibility. Full eligibility is determined mainly by reference to income limits and is granted to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship. Persons with full eligibility are awarded a medical card. Determination of an individual's eligibility status is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.
Persons with full and limited eligibility are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including consultant services, subject to certain charges for non-medical card holders. With respect to outpatient services, there is currently a charge of €100 for attendance at an Accident and Emergency Department, subject to defined exemptions including medical card holders and persons who have a letter of referral from a G.P. and persons whose attendance results in an admission as an in-patient.
The nature of emergency services means that it would be inappropriate that either a patient's ability to pay or their insurance status might be a factor in their getting preferential treatment in an A&E Department. All patients who present to A&E Departments in public hospitals, are by default, public patients.
885 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the procedure regarding persons employed in the health services of the categories that require Garda vetting including consultants, doctors, nurse assistants and other care workers; if different rules for Garda vetting applied to different grades of persons that are recruited from outside the country or locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23084/11]
Garda vetting is a pre-employment check carried out if any prospective employee, volunteer or student on placement will have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. It provides for the disclosure by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) to the prospective employer of details available to the Garda of prosecutions and convictions of the candidate. It is a matter for the employer to assess the implications of the information before a decision is taken on the candidate's suitability to take up duty.
In the case of the Health Service Executive, its recruitment policy provides that all new employees, at any grade, and not just those dealing with vulnerable clients, are subject to Garda Vetting. Candidates who have resided outside of Ireland, for a period of six months or more, must provide a Police Clearance Certificate from each country in which they have resided, dated after departure from that country, stating that no convictions have been recorded against them. This is in addition to the Garda Vetting process.
886 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to ensure that the Health Service Executive notifies on a daily basis debt collection agencies which work on their behalf when patients have made their payments directly to the HSE to avoid these debt collecting agencies phoning people at evening time and issuing letters to persons saying that they may be placed on the credit bureau list for non-payment; if he will put in place proper protocols for dealing with these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23086/11]
The Health Service Executive seek to maximise the recovery of income in a socially responsible and cost effective way. Initial follow up on outstanding charges is carried out by each hospital and includes the use of reminder letters. Collection agencies are used when the normal collection process has been exhausted. The HSE employs the services of debt collection agencies in twenty three of its statutory acute hospitals. Of these hospitals, sixteen notify the relevant debt collection agency on a real time/daily basis. Four hospitals notify on a weekly basis and the remaining three hospitals notify the debt collection agency on a greater than weekly basis. The HSE will direct all acute hospitals to update collection agents on a real time/daily basis.
887 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the prescription charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23097/11]
Prescription charges are provided for under Section 59 of the Health Act 1970 as amended by the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2010. Revoking these provisions requires primary legislation.
It is the intention of my colleague, the Minister for Health, subject to Government approval, to introduce legislation to abolish prescription charges for medical card holders.
888 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on a matter (details supplied) regarding the length of waiting time in the accident and emergency department in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
889 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of social care workers serving the Dublin west area that have been cut by 50%; his views that this will leave many families in extremely vulnerable positions and may force older persons into residential care, when care in the home may previously have been a viable option with the support of social workers in the community; and the steps he will take to reverse the cut. [23117/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
890 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a health centre in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23127/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
891 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive a date for a cataract operation, in view of the fact that this person has been waiting some 14 months for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23135/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
892 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to require the publication of the numbers of calories contained in food by food outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23137/11]
I established a Special Action Group on Obesity to identify a number of specific issues which could be progressed to help make an impact on our obesity levels. Calorie posting on restaurant menus was one of the issues identified and my Department met with representatives from the food and drinks industry in this regard. I now intend writing to Irish fast food outlets, with parent companies involved in the calorie posting programme in the US, requesting that they participate in a similar scheme here. At the same time my Department is examining the feasibility of extending the initiative to other restaurants.
894 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a request to include Crohn’s disease on the long-term illness scheme (details supplied). [23141/11]
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. However, the terms of the scheme will be reviewed in the context of the Government's proposals for Universal Health Insurance and free GP care at the point of delivery.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €120 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.
895 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of respite care in respect of a child with special needs (details supplied) in County Cork. [23159/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
897 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the amount of medication wasted (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23172/11]
I share the Deputy's concern about the wastage of expensive medicines. For most medicines pharmacists are able to dispense the exact amount required for a month's supply even where products are supplied in packs greater than a month. For a small number of medicines, however, storage conditions are such that dispensing in the original pack is essential.
However, if it is the case that a medicine has been over-prescribed then the patient should make this known to their GP to assist in ensuring that the medication is prescribed in the appropriate amounts.
898 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the service provided by D Doc is inadequate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23184/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
899 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the weekly reports from St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin on the numbers of cystic fibrosis inpatients and those awaiting to be admitted are published; if not, his plans to get these figures released to the public on a weekly basis. [23225/11]
This information is not routinely collected by my Department. However, I have forwarded the request to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
900 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive, when calculating a person’s means of entitlement to a medical card or GP only card on income grounds, does not exclude from income, the mandatory pension levy and pension contribution that public and civil servants are required to make; if a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards, to include income and outgoings is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23226/11]
The Health Service Executive has confirmed that it does not currently take the pension levy or pension contributions into account when calculating a person's means for entitlement to a medical card or GP Visit card. This matter is presently under review.
901 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the employment panel for physiotherapists here; if recently graduated physiotherapists have been accommodated with employment in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23227/11]
The HSE held a centralised recruitment competition for Staff Grade Physiotherapists in 2008. Since then 237 permanent posts have been filled from this panel and a further 110 temporary appointments made. These appointments were to fill many of the service developments for both Primary Care Teams and Disability services, together with replacements for existing physiotherapists who were promoted or were on maternity leave. This panel is still live with a potential 246 candidates remaining. As this panel dates from 2008 it does not contain any recent graduates. However, I have asked the HSE to carry out a validation of the panel to determine how many of those on it are still available for employment.
The Employment Control Framework 2011-2014 gives effect to Government priorities on employment policy in the public sector and provides that there will be a net reduction in employment to 2014. However, the Framework allows for some growth in certain grades which are exempt from the moratorium on recruitment including Physiotherapists in order to deliver on key priority services.
You may also wish to note that I have asked the HSE to develop proposals in relation to providing internship opportunities for qualified physiotherapists under the new JobBridge Scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection.
902 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received any O.T. services to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23241/11]
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.
903 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the statistics for recorded deaths related to hypothermia in each of the years 2005 to 2011 in tabular form broken down by each month or quarter and age range. [23281/11]
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has provided the following figures showing the numbers of recorded deaths related to hypothermia for each of the years 2005 to 2010, broken down by each month and age range. Please note that data for 2011 are not yet available and that data for 2009 and 2010 are provisional.
|
2005 — 10 year age group |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Month of death |
15 to 24 |
25 to 34 |
35 to 44 |
45 to 54 |
55 to 64 |
65 to 74 |
75 to 84 |
85 + |
Total |
|
January |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
2 |
— |
3 |
|
March |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
2 |
|
August |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
|
September |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
|
October |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
|
November |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
|
December |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
— |
2 |
|
Total |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
3 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
|
Month of death |
15 to 24 |
25 to 34 |
35 to 44 |
45 to 54 |
55 to 64 |
65 to 74 |
75 to 84 |
85 + |
Total |
|
February |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
|
March |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
|
April |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
|
November |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
|
December |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
1 |
5 |
|
Total |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
2 |
3 |
— |
2 |
9 |
|
Month of death |
15 to 24 |
25 to 34 |
35 to 44 |
45 to 54 |
55 to 64 |
65 to 74 |
75 to 84 |
85 + |
Total |
|
January |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
|
March |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
2 |
|
April |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
|
July |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
2 |
|
August |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
2 |
|
October |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
|
December |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
|
Total |
1 |
1 |
— |
4 |
— |
1 |
4 |
— |
11 |
|
Month of death |
15 to 24 |
25 to 34 |
35 to 44 |
45 to 54 |
55 to 64 |
65 to 74 |
75 to 84 |
85 + |
Total |
|
January |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
2 |
|
February |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
1 |
|
March |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
November |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
|
December |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
3 |
|
Total |
— |
— |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
10 |
|
Month of death |
15 to 24 |
25 to 34 |
35 to 44 |
45 to 54 |
55 to 64 |
65 to 74 |
75 to 84 |
85 + |
Total |
|
January |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
|
February |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
|
May |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
|
November |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
2 |
|
December |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
3 |
|
Total |
— |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
— |
— |
1 |
9 |
|
Month of death |
15 to 24 |
25 to 34 |
35 to 44 |
45 to 54 |
55 to 64 |
65 to 74 |
75 to 84 |
85 + |
Total |
|
January |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
4 |
— |
5 |
|
February |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
|
April |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
— |
— |
2 |
|
July |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
|
November |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
— |
— |
— |
— |
4 |
— |
5 |
1 |
10 |
Source: Central Statistics Office
904 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary No. 220 of 25 May 2011, if he will make a statement detailing the steps taken to disaggregate mental health and disability services with specialist service providers to create more appropriate care programmes for individuals with learning disabilities. [23282/11]
The Government's policy for the planning and delivery of services to people with disabilities is that they should be given the opportunity to live as full a life as possible and to live with their families, and as part of their communities, for as long as possible. The position in relation to the transfer of people with an intellectual disability currently residing in psychiatric hospitals will be addressed through the HSE's Corporate Plan 2011-2014 which is currently being drafted. Closure plans which are currently being developed for large psychiatric hospitals (where there are approximately 277 people with intellectual disability according to the NIDD report of 2009) will include arrangements for the transfer of those individuals to appropriate community residential facilities. An example of these arrangements currently being progressed is St Ita's in Portrane for the transfer of clients from the psychiatric hospital to appropriate community facilities in Knockamann.
905 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 25 May 2011, his strategy for individuals with dual diagnosis who require acute psychiatric care that the Health Service Executive has developed in collaboration with voluntary and independent providers; and if he will elaborate on the work that is continuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23283/11]
Following the publication of A Vision for Change, a Working Group was established by the HSE to consider Mental Health Service Delivery Models and Inpatient Capacity for Persons with Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Problems. This Working Group completed its Report in September 2006.
The strategy outlined in the report was developed in collaboration with specialist healthcare professionals as well as voluntary and independent service providers in the sector. The objective was and still is to more appropriately cater for the specific needs of individuals with a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability who also require acute psychiatric care. The strategy involves the provision of regionally based facilities to provide a flexible and effective continuum of care based on need. These include acute, assessment and rehabilitation beds and services, day hospital and respite places.
There is also a significant review on-going at present in relation to the provision of disability services generally which is expected to be concluded by the end of this year and that may provide further input to the way in which the dual diagnosis programme is developed.
Proposals for taking this work forward are currently under discussion between my Department and the relevant Assistant National Directors with responsibility for mental health and disability services in the HSE.
906 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23300/11]
The amounts spent by my Department on taxis for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 are €15,238, €10,686, €15,928 and €8,368 respectively.
907 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the details of spending, using departmental credit cards held by staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit card. [23315/11]
The amount spent by my Department using credit cards held by Departmental staff over the past four years is €45,382. There are two corporate credit cards for official business purposes currently in use in my Department. A Bank of Ireland Visa credit card is issued to my Private Secretary and a second card is issued to a nominated officer in my Department's Finance Unit. This card is used to cover a range of costs such as publications, seminar and conference fees, annual membership fees, transport costs and software purchases where payment by credit card is required. The credit limit on both cards is €15,000. The amount spent by my Department on state and official entertainment using the credit cards over the past four years totals €4,882. In addition, a credit card was also issued to the Registrar of the Adoption Board and, up to the establishment of the Adoption Authority of Ireland on 1 November 2010, this card's payments were met by my Department. The total amount spent on the Adoption Board's credit card over the past four years totals €15,451 with €9,469 of this spent on state and official entertainment.
908 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a sugar tax to help address the growing problem of diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23321/11]
The introduction of a sugar tax is one of a number of issues which is being considered by the Special Action Group on Obesity. I established this Group earlier in the year to identify a number of issues to help address our obesity problem. The Deputy will be aware that obesity is a factor in our growing rates of Type II Diabetes.
909 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the cost, to date, of the provision of accommodation, board and so on for Indian and Pakistani NCHDs to be recruited through the temporary registration process; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures involved; the number of such NCHDs recruited to date; the number issued with temporary registration; and the number awaiting approval of such registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23325/11]
The costs incurred by the HSE up to 9 September 2011 in respect of accommodation and food provided in Dublin for NCHDs recently recruited from India and Pakistan is €80,709. Details of the costs incurred in other regions are being collated by the HSE and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they are available. The recruitment of these additional doctors will facilitate the generation of significant pay savings through reduction of NCHD overtime and spending on agency NCHD staff.
In July 2011, the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 was amended to allow for the creation of a new ‘Supervised Division' on the Medical Register. Registration in the Supervised Division means that a person is registered for a period not exceeding two years in an identified post approved by the Medical Council and subject to supervision by the employer in line with criteria set down by the Medical Council. Medical Council systems are in place to ensure that patients will be treated by a doctor who has the education, training and skills to provide safe and appropriate care. In the interests of patient safety, doctors can therefore only be registered in the Supervised Division once they have met all of the registration requirements. The Medical Council and the HSE are working to ensure that the necessary procedures to facilitate the registration of doctors are completed as quickly as possible, so that they can take up duty. There are a number of elements to the processing of these applications.
(i) The paper based application by the candidate submitting all relevant documentation on qualifications, home state clearance etc;
(ii) The passing of the (practical) examination stage; and
(iii) The approval of the posts by the HSE including a declaration from the hospitals regarding the appropriate supervision of the applicants.
All three stages of the registration process have been run concurrently to expedite the registration of doctors identified as part of the HSE's recruitment drive in India and Pakistan. Approximately 70 candidates who have passed the practical examination have not yet provided the Medical Council with satisfactory evidence of their qualifications. Valid declarations from hospitals are a requirement for registration and detail the supervisory arrangements that are in place to protect patients and I understand that there are some 65 declarations outstanding at present.
Out of a total of 266 doctors, 236 passed specialty-specific examinations set by the Medical Council in August 2011. Approximately 120 of these have met the requirements for registration to the Supervised Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners and have been registered. This figure is subject to change on a daily basis as further applications are processed that have satisfied all the above requirements.
The HSE and the Medical Council are working actively to expedite submission of the necessary documentation so that the remaining doctors can be registered as soon as possible.
910 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in each of the private offices and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23345/11]
912 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23375/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 910 and 912 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below in tabular format. For ease of reference I am presenting the information on a year by year basis.
The information is provided in respect of the gross annual salary (point on salary scale) of individuals employed in the Ministers offices at 31 December 2009, 31 December 2010 and 14 September 2011. This figure is exclusive of employers PRSI, employers superannuation contributions or any payments in respect of overtime.
|
Year |
Office |
Private Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
Constituency Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
|
2011 |
Minister for Health |
||||
|
Minister Reilly |
8 |
€340,958 |
2.4 |
€88,810 |
|
|
Minister Coughlan left office 09 March 2011 |
7 |
€298,392 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
Minister Harney left office 20 January 2011 |
8 |
€358,129 |
2 |
€93,031 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care (Roisin Shortall TD) |
4 |
€184,047 |
3 |
€123,387 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Equality and Mental Health (Kathleen Lynch TD) |
3.8 |
€171,865 |
3 |
€111,705 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs (Barry Andrews TD) left office 9 March 2011 |
5.8*^ |
€180,607 |
3 |
€124,172 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Issues and Mental Health (John Moloney TD) left office 9 March 2011 |
2.8 |
€114,612 |
2 |
€94,816 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Health Promotion (Aine Brady TD) left office 9 March 2011 |
3 |
€146,732 |
4 |
€128,426 |
|
Year |
Minister |
Private Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
Constituency Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
|
2010 |
Minister for Health and Children (Mary Harney TD) |
8 |
€358,129 |
2 |
€93,031 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs (Barry Andrews TD) |
4.8 |
€180,607 |
3 |
€124,172 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Issues and Mental Health (John Moloney TD) |
2.8 |
€114,612 |
3 |
€130,410 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Health Promotion (Aine Brady TD) |
3 |
€146,732 |
4 |
€128,426 |
|
Year |
Minister |
Private Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
Constituency Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
|
2009 |
Minister for Health and Children (Mary Harney TD) |
8 |
€369,019 |
2 |
€98,952 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs (Barry Andrews TD) |
5.6* |
€241,311 |
3 |
€127,816 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Issues and Mental Health (John Moloney TD) |
3.8** |
€152,351 |
3 |
€137,182 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Health Promotion (Aine Brady TD) wef 22/04/09) |
3 |
€150,006 |
4 |
€169,077 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Older People (Maire Hoctor TD) left office 21 April 2009 |
4.5 |
€208,803 |
4 |
€172,715 |
|
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Health Promotion and food (Mary Wallace TD) left office 21 April 2009 |
6 |
€271,145 |
5 |
€171,558 |
Notes.
^ Minister Reilly's Constituency Office Includes 0.4 WTE providing temporary cover for sick leave. Any reduction in the individuals rate of pay relating to sick leave absence has not been included.
*Minister Andrews' Private Office includes 1 additional WTE providing cover for maternity leave in 2009 and 2011.
Minister Andrews' Office includes 1 WTE on loan from Department of Education and Science and Minister Moloney's Office includes 1 WTE on loan from Department of Education and Science in 2009. Salary figures have not been included for these individuals as they were paid by their parent Department.
Details have not been provided for Special Advisers as this information has been supplied in PQ number 23360/11.
Details for Civilian Drivers have not been included as they are not part of the private office or constituency office staff.
911 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23360/11]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Special Advisers is set in the following table:
|
Year |
Office |
Number of Special Advisers WTE |
Amount Paid in Salaries ** |
|
2011 |
Minister for Health |
4* |
€99,812 |
|
2011 |
Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care |
0.5 |
€109 |
|
2011 |
Minister of State with Responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs |
1* |
€25,212 |
|
2010 |
Minister for Health and Children |
2 |
€262,223 |
|
2010 |
Minister of State with Responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs |
1 |
€99,052 |
|
2009 |
Minister for Health of Children |
2 |
€284,111 |
|
2009 |
Minister of State with Responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs |
1 |
€107,114 |
*The numbers of Special Advisers in 2011 includes those appointed to the 30th Dail.
** This includes the gross amount of salary paid to date and is exclusive of employers PRSI and any superannuation contributions made by the Department on behalf of the employee.
There were no Programme Managers employed in my Department during the period in question.
Question No. 912 answered with Question No. 910.
913 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the current employment status of a person (details supplied); if this person still holds the postilion of chief executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23382/11]
The individual concerned has tendered his resignation to the Board of the VHI and in accordance with his contract is working out six months notice. I understand that this period of notice expires on the 5th November 2011.
914 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a newborn screening programme to identify glutaric acidemia in babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23383/11]
I do not have a proposal for the inclusion of Glutaric Acidemia in the Newborn screening programme. I will, however, keep the matter under consideration.
915 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no hospital beds at the weight management clinic, St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin and that this has been the case for the last 11 months; if there is a list of patients waiting on available beds; the way he proposes to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23408/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
916 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to protect patients in the care of the Health Service Executive, particularly those with a learning disability who may be vulnerable from sexual abuse; if he will reconsider his decision to cut funding to an organisation (details supplied) in view of the work carried out by this organisation, particularly the help line and counselling service provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23413/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
917 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the professions which have completed registration to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council and qualify to use the title of a designated health and social care profession and when the determination of complaints relating to their fitness to practice has been completed under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. [23414/11]
The Health and Social Care Professionals Council (HSCPC) was established in March 2007, under the provisions of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The Act provides for the establishment of a system of statutory registration for twelve health and social care professionals as follows; clinical biochemists, dietitians, medical scientists, occupational therapists, orthoptists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, radiographers, social care workers, social workers and speech and language therapists. Registration will apply to the twelve professions regardless of whether they work in the public or private sector or are self-employed and is the first time that fitness to practice procedures will be put in place for these professionals on a statutory basis.
The main focus of the council to-date has been the setting up of organisational structures, the progression of corporate and general processes and the identification of robust financial/HR and governance systems. The Council has undertaken considerable preparatory work to provide for the establishment of the registration boards and is developing governance arrangements, financial management systems, fitness to practice procedures and ICT systems. A Code of Corporate Governance, a Strategic Statement/Business Plan 2010-2012 and a Communication Strategy 2010-2013 have also been drawn up. In addition, the National Social Work Qualifications Board (NSWQB) was dissolved and its staff, property and liabilities transferred to the HSCPC on the 31st March 2011.
The first registration board to be established under the Council, the Social Workers Registration Board, was established in August 2010, and the associated Social Workers Register opened for receipt/processing of registrants on Tuesday 31 May, 2011. With the opening of this register, this is the first step in the regulation of social workers as a profession and the Social Workers Registration Board will be considering applications for registration from an estimated 2,500 registrants of the profession. As part of this process, a new statutory Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers has been adopted to underpin the regulation of the profession. The Code specifies the standards of ethics, performance and conduct required of registered social workers in a clear and accessible manner. The new system of regulation will give the public confidence that they are dealing with a fully qualified and regulated professional whenever they encounter a social worker.
Under the provisions of the 2005 Act, there is a two-year transitional period from the date on which the register of the members of that profession is established, during which social workers currently employed may apply for registration. From May 2013, every social worker wishing to use the title will be required to be registered. The name of every registered social worker will be published in the register, which will be accessible online. Only social workers who have satisfied the board that they hold an approved qualification and are "fit and proper" to engage in the practise of the profession will be entered on the register.
Part 6 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 refers to issues concerning complaints and disciplinary sanctions in relation to registrants. The related fitness to practice regime, to be introduced within the next two years, will allow concerned members of the public to make a complaint about a registered social worker. If upheld, disciplinary sanctions can be imposed, including preventing that person from practising as a social worker. The implementation and operation of a robust fitness to practice process will underpin and ensure adequate patient safety provisions.
The considerable preparatory work undertaken by the HSCPC to-date, and the structures implemented to facilitate the opening of the first registration board and register, will greatly assist the HSCPC in making further progress. It is envisaged that at least five additional registration boards will be established before end-2012, with subsequent registration boards to be established as soon as possible after that.
918 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the need for funding in respect of a child therapy service based at Rosse Court Centre, Lucan, County Dublin; his views on this proposal that has been made to him and the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23420/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
919 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/11]
The following table summarises my Department's actual ICT expenditure for 2010 and planned expenditure for 2011, as approved by the Department of Finance:
|
Headings |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Total |
€1.36m |
€1.56m |
The Department of Public Expenditure Circulars 2/09 and 2/11 relating to the arrangements for ICT expenditure in the Civil and Public Service outline a range of initiatives designed to reduce risk and achieve better value for money. These circulars require all Departments and Offices including my Department and its agencies that spend monies from Voted Funds on ICT expenditure to comply with Department of Public Expenditure circulars, advisories and best practice guidance relating to ICT expenditure and to submit a breakdown of all ICT budgeted expenditure planned to that Department and my own Department for approval prior to any funds being expended. In addition to the Department of Public Expenditure guidance, the Department of Health's procurement policy provides detailed guidelines and procedures for staff to follow when carrying out procurement functions in compliance with national and EU rules. In pursuing efficiency and value for money my Department and the HSE uses, where ever possible, national framework contracts organised by the Department of Public Expenditure and CMOD for ICT related equipment. Other measures in relation to the value for money involve engaging in regular procurement exercises and also on-going evaluation of expenditure in this area. The ICT Unit within my Department provides ICT shared services to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer and the Ombudsman for Children's Office as a significant contribution to efficiency and value for money in this area. My Department is currently meeting with the small and medium sized health agencies in relation to shared services including the provision of ICT related services.
920 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal a matter (details supplied) in relation to professional consultants’ fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23459/11]
Under current eligibility arrangements the decision to see a medical consultant as a private patient results in a private contract between the consultant and the patient. The patient then remains private for the duration of their episode of care.
The Medical Council's Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners states that the fees charged by them should be appropriate to the service provided and that patients should be informed of the likely costs before the consultation and treatment.
It is my belief that the fees charged by the majority of consultants at present are too high and while I, as Minister for Health, have no role in relation to such fees, I would expect clinicians to have regard to the overall economic situation in setting their fees.
The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system. The aim of this reform is to deliver a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to care based on need, not income.
921 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23474/11]
Departmental submissions on the Comprehensive Expenditure Review are a central part of the overall pre-Budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget. The Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the reports submitted as part of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
922 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding the increase in charges at Woodlawn Residential Services, Lusk, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23503/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
923 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the new cystic fibrosis unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin 4; and the stage the building is at. [23506/11]
I have been advised that the project is on track and within budget, and the completion for service delivery is expected as early as possible in 2012.
924 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the overall budget allocation for Mullingar Regional Hospital, County Westmeath, in 2011; and if he will provide a breakdown of this allocation. [23513/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
925 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the position regarding of MiDoc services in the midlands; his plans to reorganise services and expand services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23517/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
926 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health his views on the implications for St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athlone, County Westmeath in view of the fact that a residential unit is to be built at St. Mary’s Care Centre, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23518/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
927 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health the list of the acute psychiatric services available for young persons in counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23530/11]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
928 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Health when legislation for the opening of the GMS card system is going to be implemented in order that all vocationally trained general practitioners can see all patients including public patients under their own name; and the timescale of same. [23538/11]
1008 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to reform the system of entry of general practitioners into the GMS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24048/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 928 and 1008 together.
The Government has agreed to the preparation of a Bill to eliminate current restrictions on suitably qualified GPs wishing to obtain contracts to treat public patients under the GMS contract.
Considerable progress has been made and a further announcement will be made in due course.
929 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23541/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
930 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 25 May 2011, if he will confirm when an operation will be scheduled in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [23551/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
931 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early outpatient appointment will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [23554/11]
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. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
932 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card application will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [23560/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
933 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [23563/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
934 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if additional home help will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [23564/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
935 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 317 of 20 July 2011 the progress made regarding the orthodontic treatment in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow. [23579/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
936 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health the savings he anticipates making from the reduced reimbursement price of fridge items under the recently signed financial emergency measures in public interest regulations. [23584/11]
The Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Community Pharmacy Contractors) Regulations 2011 which were made under section 9 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 provide for a reduction in the wholesale mark-up on fridge items from 17.66% to 12%. The anticipated full year saving from this measure is €2,200,000.
937 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [23591/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
938 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [23592/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
939 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the servicing and repair of hearing aids (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23608/11]
The HSE's national hearing aid repair service is based at North Great George's Street in Dublin. Patients can avail of a walk-in service during office hours, Monday to Friday. Patients may also forward defective hearing aids, by post, direct to the service.
Local audiology services use postal services to send hearing aids to the repair service where they are repaired and returned by courier.
The majority of postal repairs are completed on the day of receipt and returned direct to the patient by courier. Repairs range from minor to complex fault diagnosis and replacement of electronic components, with consequent re-mapping of amplification settings. The HSE is reviewing the repair system in order to identify and reduce any other system delays.
940 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the support available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [23612/11]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
941 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to licence the drug sativex for use by MS sufferers. [23621/11]
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis-based medicinal products is unlawful except for the purposes of research.
I am aware that claims have been made in respect of the possible health benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products such as Sativex for patients suffering from certain conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. I am also aware that cannabis-based medicinal products may be legally prescribed in other countries. However, as the law currently stands, it is not possible for cannabis-based medicinal products to be prescribed by a medical practitioner in Ireland. However, my Department is examining the issues associated with applying controls, similar to those that apply to other controlled drugs that can be misused, such as morphine and methadone, to cannabis-based medicinal products to permit them to be prescribed and dispensed in Ireland.
942 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23688/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
943 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred again to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
944 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23690/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
945 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent of support services available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23691/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for this question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
946 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 477 of 19 July 2011, the definition of the soon waiting list for an appointment in the adult rheumatology department, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23692/11]
Clinical prioritisation is a clinical decision and rests with the relevant Consultant in each hospital. This matter therefore has been referred by my Department to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
947 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if the out of hours general practitioner service will commence in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, in October 2011; and the planned opening hours. [23693/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
948 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the amount of posts, including management, clinical and consultant posts in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, that are awaiting Health Service Executive sanction; and the length of time that these posts have been outstanding. [23694/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
949 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be appointed to the position of clinical nurse manager II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23699/11]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to recruit, manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
951 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps which he is taking to re-instate the fair deal nursing home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23706/11]
The processing of approvals for financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was suspended for a month from May to June while an examination of funding was being carried out. However, the HSE has been issuing funding approvals again since 13 June. Almost 1,700 people have been allocated funding since that date. The HSE is continuing to process applications within the funding limits available to the scheme and in accordance with the legislation.
The HSE intends to deal with those currently awaiting approval within the next 6 weeks.
By the end of the year, the HSE intends that any delays in awarding funding will be eliminated. The situation will be closely monitored to ensure that funding is allocated as soon as it becomes available. It is anticipated that any delays will be resolved in the final quarter of 2011.
952 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Cork. [23732/11]
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. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
954 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a full home care package will be put in place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite the matter. [23737/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
955 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans for the rehabilitation unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23741/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
956 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints, written or verbal or both, received by the Health Service Executive regarding treatments and other issues at a hospital (details supplied) during the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; if he will provide copies of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23753/11]
957 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed by the Health Service Executive for administrative purposes by a hospital (details supplied) during the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; and the number of nurses working in the hospital for the same period. [23754/11]
958 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health the total allocated Health Service Executive budget and actual outturns in respect of a hospital during the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [23755/11]
I intend to answer Questions Nos. 956 to 958, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
959 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical card holders are being asked for payments in respect of respite care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23791/11]
The Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005, as subsequently amended, provide the legislative basis for charges, and related exemptions, for in-patient services where such services are provided for in excess of 30 days over a 12 month period. The legislation provides for two different classes of person for the purpose of levying a charge. Class 1 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services on premises where nursing care is provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises. Class 2 refers to persons in receipt of in-patient services where nursing care is not provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises. The current schedule of charges is set out by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2011. Under the legislation, the Health Service Executive may waive or reduce the charges to avoid undue financial hardship.
960 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the savings that will result from the decision to close 59 community nursing home beds in County Mayo; if he will confirm that it is the intention to reopen all beds at Belmullet Community Hospital and Aras Deirbhle, Belmullet, in February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23805/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
961 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken to ensure the confidentiality of patient records in view of three confidentiality breaches in the Health Service Executive west region during August 2011. [23806/11]
The HSE has a management policy in place to deal with breaches in confidentiality in relation to patient records. In the three cases referred to the HSE notified the Data Commissioners Office and are working with that office to prevent a reoccurrence. Where relevant, individuals have been notified of the breach and existing hospital policies have been checked to ensure compliance. All Directors of Nursing have reminded all staff of their responsibilities in line with hospital policy.
962 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the management of operations at a Health Service Executive facility in the north west (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23807/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
963 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the planned level of investment in Roscommon County Hospital between now and the end of 2011; the investment planned for 2012; the areas in which proposed investments will be made; the new staff appointments that will be made to this hospital; if staff will be redeployed to this hospital from other Health Service Executive facilities in HSE West or from any other HSE region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23808/11]
The HSE's Capital Programme for 2011 has included in its allocation the development of an Endoscopy Suite, as well as the upgrade of the Hospital Sterile Services Department at Roscommon County Hospital.
An interim capital grant of €200,000 is to be drawn down in 2011 to allow an upgrade of the decontamination facilities to progress, while the brief for the remainder of the works is being finalised and agreed.
A business case is being drafted to locate the HSE West Regional Rehabilitation Centre, a satellite of the National Rehabilitation Hospital, at Roscommon County Hospital.
Elective surgery continues to be provided at the hospital and discussions are ongoing with University Hospital Galway for the transfer of some day surgery services from the UHG site to Roscommon County Hospital. A Plastic surgeon is currently in discussion with the hospital regarding the setting up of a Plastic surgery service at the hospital by mid October 2011.
The re-deployment of staff to and from Roscommon County Hospital will be contingent on the level of activity and the type of services delivered at the hospital.
964 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will defend the current entitlement under the 1970 Health Act to health services based on need against proposals contained in a report of his Department to restrict that right on the basis of available resources. [23816/11]
The current basis, under the Health Act 1970, for eligibility for public health services is ordinary residence in Ireland.
The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system. The aim of this reform is to deliver a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to care based on need, not income. This will be achieved by introducing a new universal health insurance system.
Resource constraints exist in all health care systems. It is an inherent feature of public health care systems that demand for services will always tend to exceed the supply of services. The challenge for the Government is to reform the current health system to deliver high quality and safe services within available resources.
965 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce co-payment for home care packages, home help packages, diabetic clinics or warfarin clinics. [23817/11]
The Department of Health, in consultation with the HSE, is currently preparing proposals to ensure that access to community services for older people is provided on a nationally consistent and equitable basis having regard to each person's care needs and means. This reflects our commitment in the Programme for Government to review financing for community and long term care to support older people to remain at home for as long as possible. Various options are being considered at present and, therefore, it is not possible to provide any further details at the present time.
While the Department is progressing the issue as quickly as possible, the process has to take account of the complex legal issues involved.
966 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the eligibility criteria for medical cards in respect of older persons. [23818/11]
Eligibility for medical cards is based on means. Under the Health Act 2008, the income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 and over is €700 (gross) per week (€36,500 per year) for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week (€73,000 per year) for a couple.
I have no plans to change the eligibility criteria at this time.
967 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will make the eligibility criteria and needs assessments for home care packages clear and consistent for those who are trying to access these services [23819/11]
Government policy is to support older people to live at home and in their communities for as long as possible and, where this is not an option for whatever reason, to support access to high quality long term residential care. Such community based supports, including Home Care Packages, are not a statutory entitlement and are subject to resource limitations. In some cases, where services are approved and funded by the HSE, these may be undertaken by the Executive through a partnership arrangement with non-statutory providers to maximise service delivery.
In addition to supporting older people and their families, Home Care Packages are directed at the most vulnerable older people to help relieve pressures on the Acute Hospitals, and Long Term Residential Care systems. Arising from an Evaluation of Home Care Packages published in December 2009, the Department of Health accepted the need for a more standardised approach to the provision of HSE home care services generally. Therefore the HSE, in conjunction with the Department, progressed during 2010 and 2011 various improvements to the planning and delivery of home care provision, including Access and Needs Assessment for Home Care Packages. The HSE Service Plan for this year commits the Executive to developing its model of care to maximise community services to vulnerable older people. The provisions include:-
National Guidelines & Procedures for Standardised Implementation of Home Care Packages;
Information relating to Home Care Packages, including an application form, is available now through any HSE Local Health Office or at www.hse.ie
Quality Guidelines for Home Care Support Services for Older People;
National Guidelines for the Home Help Service.
In addition, the HSE launched a Public Procurement Framework for Home Care services in October last. The Executive is at present progressing the detail of this Framework, in conjunction with the other measures outlined above, to enhance these services for HSE home care recipients.
Our aim, as reflected in the Programme for Government, is that all measures necessary are taken to ensure a clear and consistent approach nationally for people receiving Home Care services.
968 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will, in the development of the national positive ageing strategy, clarify that persons have entitlement to certain essential home and community care supports. [23820/11]
The Programme for Government published in March 2011 has committed to completing and implementing the National Positive Ageing Strategy so that older people are recognised, supported and enabled to live independent and full lives. It is being developed within the constraints posed by the present fiscal situation.
It is not the intention that it will propose new service developments; rather it will set the direction for future policies, programmes and services for older people in Ireland. It is envisaged that the Strategy will set out a common framework for the development of operational plans by Government Departments clearly setting out their objectives relating to older people, as well as the development of on-going mechanisms designed to monitor progress and identify challenges facing older people in the future. The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system. The aim of this reform is to deliver a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to care based on need, not income. This will be achieved by introducing a new universal health insurance system.
Universal health insurance will guarantee that every citizen has equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services, including both primary and hospital care.
The question of entitlement to specific services, including those proposed by the Deputy, and the implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy, can only be considered in the context of these wider reforms.
969 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the availability and affordability of transport links to hospitals and health centres in respect of persons who are not well served by transport options or live in rural areas. [23821/11]
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides pre-hospital emergency care and emergency and some non-emergency patient transport. Clearly, the priority for the NAS is emergency care, including transporting sick patients between hospitals.
The HSE also provides non-urgent transport, using either ambulances or private providers. Non-emergency transport comprises planned inter-hospital transfers and patient transport to and from health facilities.
I have been informed by the NAS that the HSE Interim Board has recently approved a new national policy on non-ambulance patient transport services. The key benefits of this policy, in terms of improving equity of access will be;
Nationally consistent eligibility criteria
Standardised decision making on approval
Provision of services within available budgets by ensuring that authorising officers are accountable for the related expenditure
Involvement of health care professionals in the decision making process
Significant focus on those most in need
The new national policy is being implemented and is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.
Scarce resources for emergency transport cannot continue to be expended on non-emergency transport without clear criteria in place, based on clinical need. There must be a consistent approach across the country instead of the differing practices.
The 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.
Regarding the affordability of patient transport services, the HSE does not charge patients deemed eligible for the provision of HSE funded services.
970 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the publication of the white paper on financing universal health insurance. [23822/11]
The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system. The aim of this reform is to deliver a single-tier health service that will ensure equal access to care based on need, not income.
While universal health insurance is the ultimate destination of this Government's reform programme, there are a number of important stepping stones along the way and each of these will play a critical role in improving our health service in advance of the introduction of universal health insurance.
Key reform initiatives include the establishment of the Special Delivery Unit, significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients, the introduction of a more transparent and efficient "Money Follows the Patient" funding mechanism for hospitals and the introduction of a purchaser / provider split, whereby hospitals will be established as independent, not for profit trusts. The Government has recently given approval for an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance, details of which are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course. This Group will have responsibility for assisting the Department in preparing a White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance which will outline the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. The White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance will be published within the Government’s current term in office. However, it must be emphasised that the precise cost of universal health insurance will significantly depend on the success of various reform measures, such as those outlined above, over the next 3-4 years. This will influence the development of the White Paper and, as such, it is not possible to be more specific regarding its publication at this stage.
971 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 5 July 2011, if the Health Service Executive will arrange the respite and other services needed, such as physio, in this case as a matter of urgency; if he will expedite an early response. [23826/11]
As this is a service matter it has again been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
972 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive a hip replacement operation. [23865/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
973 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the next funding will be made available for the fair deal nursing home scheme in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/11]
Almost 1,700 people have been allocated funding under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme since the 13th June. The HSE is continuing to process applications within the funding limits available to the scheme and in accordance with the legislation.
The HSE intends to deal with those currently awaiting approval within the next 6 weeks.
By the end of the year, the HSE intends that any delays in awarding funding will be eliminated. The situation will be closely monitored to ensure that funding is allocated as soon as it becomes available. It is anticipated that any delays will be resolved in the final quarter of 2011.
The legislation requires the HSE to deal with applications in chronological order nationally, not by County. In addition, the legislation encompasses a principle of patient choice, i.e. individuals choose which nursing home they want to go to, subject to the availability of a bed and the ability of the nursing home to meet the individual's particular care needs.
974 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will present a report on his dealings in respect of Tallaght hospital, Dublin, following the recent intervention by the Health Information and Quality Authority; if his attention has been drawn to local concerns in respect of these serious issues; if he will give assurances on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23875/11]
The Health Information and Quality Authority has initiated a formal investigation into the issues referred to by the Deputy. I do not intend to comment on the matter until HIQA's report has been completed.
975 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will raise with the chief executive of the Health Service Executive the question of the HSE appointing a nominee to the board of Adelaide Meath National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin; if he will appreciate the strong local demand for such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23876/11]
I have raised the issue of the appointment of a HSE nominee to the Board of the Hospital with the Executive and I understand that the matter is under consideration by the HSE at present.
976 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene with the Health Service Executive to ensure that funding continues to be provided for a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if he will note the importance of this service to the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23877/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
977 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a new voluntary redundancy scheme for Health Service Executive staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23888/11]
986 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a further voluntary redundancy scheme for Health Service Executive staff; when the terms of the scheme are likely to be made available to staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23975/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 977 and 986 together.
The Government is committed in line with the Programme for Government to reducing numbers in the Civil/Public Service in the period to 2015, while protecting front-line services as far as possible. A comprehensive review of expenditure is underway to examine all areas where savings and numbers reductions might be identified. The results of this review are expected in the Autumn when the Government will consider its recommendations. There are, however, no plans at this time to introduce a voluntary redundancy/early retirement scheme in the Civil/Public Service.
978 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health when an application under the fair deal scheme will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be issued by the Health Service Executive. [23895/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
979 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons approved under the fair deal scheme in County Wexford since 1 January 2011; the number of patients in Wexford hospital awaiting approval under the same scheme; the amount of funds available under the fair deal scheme for nursing home patients in County Wexford for the remainder of 2011. [23901/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
980 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding charges for inpatient services. [23912/11]
As this is an operational matter relating to an individual, the Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
981 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of beds currently closed at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the reason that these beds are closed; and if he plans to open additional beds at the hospital. [23921/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
982 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of requests from the Health Service Executive to lift the employment embargo on posts in the public sector; the number of posts that have been approved; and the number of posts that are currently pending. [23922/11]
Under the Employment Control Framework for the Health Sector, the HSE has discretion to make exceptions to the general moratorium on recruitment in the public service in order to maintain essential services and to meet priority service change/reorganisation requirements. Such exceptions must of necessity be kept to a minimum so that the targeted employment reductions and consequential payroll savings are met.
The HSE has advised that the number of decisions on exceptions to the moratorium in 2011, up to the end of June 2011, was 377 wholetime equivalents (excluding most voluntary hospitals and agencies).
In addition the above exceptions, the Employment Control Framework provides that certain grades and posts are exempted from the moratorium, such as social workers, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and medical consultants.
Recently, the HSE made the decision to pause recruitment due to its financial situation. Notwithstanding this pause, exceptions are still being made to address critical service risk.
983 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the feasibility study completed on his behalf on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service; the conclusions of this study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23943/11]
The NACG is chaired by Dr Cathal O'Donnell of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and its membership includes the NAS, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Coast Guard, the Air Corps, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, Crumlin, Temple Street and Beaumont Hospitals and the Departments of Defence and Health. One of the Group's tasks will be to review aeromedical assets in Ireland and make such recommendations as deemed necessary to my department. Assessment of any potential requirement for a dedicated aeromedical service will take these recommendations into consideration.
984 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health in view of his commitments to Dáil Éireann on 30 June and 5 July 2011, if he has satisfied himself with the ambulance service provided to the people of County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23944/11]
The HSE plan implementing the changes to the Emergency Department at Roscommon County Hospital came into effect on 11 July. This saw the establishment of an Urgent Care Centre in place of the Emergency Department. People with acute or life threatening conditions such as heart attacks are being brought by ambulance to larger hospitals, such as Galway, with higher volumes of patients and better outcomes for such conditions.
The Urgent Care Centre operates from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week and the service is provided by non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs), with clinical governance provided by an emergency medicine consultant at Galway. As part of the transitional arrangements, an NCHD was also available at the Urgent Care Centre from 8pm to 8am for a four week period, supervised by an on call consultant.
An enhanced ambulance service has been put in place. During the day, four ambulances staffed by paramedics are available, while three are available at night. In addition, there is a special Rapid Response Vehicle, staffed by advanced paramedics on a twenty four hour, seven day basis. An out of hours GP service is also in operation. A Medical Assessment Unit is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. This is a medical admission pathway and accepts referrals from a range of sources, including general practitioners. I was briefed on the plan by the HSE in advance of its implementation. The plan was necessitated by the serious patient safety concerns of the HSE and of the Health Information and Quality Authority in relation to the emergency service at Roscommon, following the publication of the Authority's Report on Mallow. This was compounded because of NCHD recruitment difficulties.
Roscommon Hospital has a clear future and will continue to provide key services to the people of the area. I believe that smaller hospitals can and should provide as wide as possible a range of services, close to the local community. The key concern is that they are safe.
Too often we have focused on what we are taking away rather than what we can add to services in smaller hospitals. I intend to prepare a framework for the development of smaller hospitals, which will set out how they will develop to reach their full true potential. This will specify what services are transferring to them from the larger hospitals.
All of this will be done with full regard to the safety issues highlighted by HIQA, in its reports on Ennis and Mallow Hospitals. When it is implemented, smaller hospitals will have vibrant roles, doing more work — not less — and meeting as many as possible of the needs of their local communities.
985 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will address the waiting lists and waiting times in audiology services in County Kerry. [23952/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
987 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the amount paid by the Health Service Executive to health centres (details supplied) for general medical card services under the primary care reimbursement service for each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the number of medical card holders registered at each of these clinics in the respective years; and the percentage of the population nationally that are covered by medical cards. [23977/11]
36.89% of the national population were covered by medical cards as at 1st August 2011. The other information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the HSE to my Department as a matter of routine. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address these matters and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
988 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will abandon his water fluoridation policy in view of the recent opinion of the EU’s scientific committee on health and environmental risks, which found no obvious advantage to water fluoridation as compared to topical application of fluoride, deemed topical application a more efficient measure of preventing caries than water fluoridation, and found potential adverse effects of water fluoridation particularly in children and in view of the excessive costs involved in water fluoridation. [23988/11]
The report of the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) was published in June of this year. The SCHER report has not made any findings of negative health or environmental effects concerning fluoridation of water.
SCHER concluded that water fluoridation is effective in reducing levels of dental decay. Its opinion that the topical delivery of fluoride is more efficient than water fluoridation is not accepted by the European Association of Dental Public Health or by the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters.
The SCHER Report also states that a narrow margin exists in children between achieving the beneficial effects of fluoride in reducing dental decay and the potential adverse effect of dental fluorosis. It is true regardless of the source of fluoride, whether from water fluoridation or other sources, such as ingested toothpaste. It should be noted that dental fluorosis is a cosmetic or aesthetic condition which refers to the way teeth look and is generally easy to treat. This is in contrast to the treatment of tooth decay which may on occasion involve the use of general anaesthesia and hospitalisation.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be safe and effective in protecting the oral health of all age groups. There are no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, on which HSE spent approximately €4.78 million in 2010, and which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.
989 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 5 May 2011, the cost in 2009 and the last quarter of 2010 of the involvement of the Office of Tobacco Control in the survey into illicit cigarettes conducted alongside the Revenue Commissioners; if he will detail the qualitative and or quantitative methodology used for this survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23994/11]
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 to the Deputy as soon as possible.
990 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide finance to a group (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23996/11]
Under the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (HSE-NCCP), cancer surgery and diagnosis are undergoing a process of consolidation into eight centres (and one satellite centre), while radiation oncology services are provided in a limited number of centres. Consequently, patients may need to travel for treatment. There are a number of systems of support in place for these patients through the Community Welfare Office services and the HSE-NCCP's Travel2Care Scheme. The HSE is also currently reviewing its policy in relation to eligibility for non-ambulance based transport services in order to ensure that a consistent policy is adopted nationally for these services.
991 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce legislation regulating the cosmetic surgery industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24017/11]
The regulation of cosmetic surgeons is provided for under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. Under that Act, medical practitioners, including cosmetic surgeons, who practise medicine in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, which has responsibility for the registration of medical practitioners and the regulation of their activities. In addition, my Department is developing legislative proposals to amend the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 to make it mandatory for all medical practitioners engaged in clinical practice to have clinical indemnity cover in place. The new provisions will enable the Medical Council to refuse to grant registration to a medical practitioner who fails to provide certification that he or she has appropriate medical indemnity cover. In a separate initiative, my Department is developing legislative proposals for the licensing of public and private health care providers and licensing of cosmetic surgery is being considered in this context.
I would also stress that people who avail of the services of doctors performing cosmetic surgery should ideally discuss this decision in advance with their general practitioners and should endeavour to seek the services of reputable providers. When invasive procedures are being arranged, people would be strongly advised to check that the services are provided by a medical practitioner who is appropriately registered with the Medical Council. Before agreeing to undergo any procedure, people should also ascertain the level of follow-up medical support which will be available to them after surgery.
992 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health in view of the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy’s statement that blanket bans on gay men giving blood is contrary to EU law and in view of the United Kingdom’s decision to reverse its outright ban on gay men giving blood, if he will commit to reversing the ban on gay men giving blood here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24020/11]
The European Commission recently affirmed that EU Directive 2004/33/EC on certain technical requirements for blood and blood components states that blood establishments in Member States should defer as donors http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/dalli/index_en.htm “persons whose sexual behaviour puts them at high risk of acquiring severe infectious diseases that can be transmitted by blood.” The Commission also noted that “‘sexual behaviour’ is not identical with ‘sexual orientation’”. It also noted that Member states are obliged to implement EU Directives in full respect of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and notably of its Article 21 which prohibits discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation.
In Ireland, to assure the continued safety of the blood supply, the IBTS currently asks those people who may have a particularly high risk of carrying blood-borne viruses not to give blood. This includes men who have ever had sex with another man / men (MSM). The reason for this exclusion rests on specific sexual behaviour (such as anal and oral sex). There is no exclusion of gay men who have never had sex with a man nor of women who have sex with women. The decision is not based on sexuality or orientation, but on specific actions.
The IBTS has a responsibility to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of safe blood to meet the needs of patients. In order to supply blood for transfusion all decisions on donation criteria are based on a review of the evidence bearing in mind the desire of individuals to donate, the safety of the recipient, and the tolerance of society in general of any transfusion related infection occurring. For Ireland, the view of IBTS is that taking all of these aspects into account, a permanent deferral for men with a history of MSM behaviour should remain in place. This and donor deferral policy in general will be kept under constant review.
The exclusion of men who have/or had sex with other men (MSM) from donation is based not only on risk factors for HIV but on other blood borne agents known to be associated with MSM behaviour.
MSM continues to be over-represented in donors who test positive for blood borne infections. Irish HIV statistics compiled by the National Disease Surveillance Centre show that the number of new cases of HIV in the MSM category comprised roughly 30% of new cases in 2009/2010 (138 out of a total of 395 cases and 134 out of a total of 331 cases in each year respectively). While there has been a reduction in the number of new cases of HIV, there is a continued rise in the number of new HIV cases among MSM, who are now the majority of new cases of HIV infection in Ireland.
993 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he discussed the SARS epidemic that broke out in China in 2002 during his recent visit to China; and if so, the lessons Ireland can draw from the Chinese response to a serious epidemic. [24026/11]
994 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his recent visit to China was recommended or approved by the Secretary General of his Department. [24027/11]
995 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of his recent trip to China. [24028/11]
996 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed itinerary of his recent trip to China. [24029/11]
997 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all persons and their official positions that travelled to China on during his recent visit there. [24030/11]
998 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the benefits that accrued from his recent visit to China. [24031/11]
999 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he discussed any potential investment from China into private health care provision here during his recent trip there. [24032/11]
1000 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he raised the topic of the serious health care coverage difficulties, particularly for the 300 million persons without health insurance in the country which China is struggling to cope with, during his trip there. [24033/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 993 to 1000, inclusive, together.
My recent visit to China was to identify and evaluate Chinese interest in investing in healthcare in Ireland and to explore opportunities for Irish health education facilities. The trip also allowed for opportunities to promote the potential for Irish pharmaceutical companies operating in China.
As the Deputy appreciates, China represents enormous untapped potential on a range of levels. In particular it seeks investment opportunities and as Minister for Health I was keen to ascertain whether such funding could have value in the Irish healthcare system in areas such as Primary Care.
The trip was arranged through the Department of Health and while in China I had the support of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.
The original outline itinerary is included at the end of the reply. I also attended a number of other meetings in addition to those listed.
One of the additional meetings involved Wison biotechnology and biopharma. The company is the lead producer of vaccines in China. This major company, which is certified by the World Health Organization, is expanding and has expressed an interest in Ireland.
Arising from meetings with the Shanghai Health Bureau and the Zhejiang Health Bureau, an invitation has issued for interested Irish medical schools of general practice to visit both regions. China is developing its primary care services on a major scale. The Jiao Tiang Children's Hospital, which I visited on the 31st of August is a 500 bed facility due to be expanded to one with 1,000 beds. The hospital carries out a very high number of cardiac operations — in 2010 over 3,000. I discussed a range of matters with senior figures in the hospital.
I also met with representatives from the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to discuss opportunities for new and existing companies in China. The discussions also involved companies targeted by the state agencies for investment in Ireland.
I had indicated my interest in going to China earlier this year to explore its potential for Irish healthcare. Such a trip does not require the approval of the Secretary General of my department but as I have already indicated the visit was organised through the Department of Health and also involved officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
I was accompanied by my Parliamentary Assistant Mr Tom O'Leary and by my Private Secretary Mr Darragh Scully. (Mr O'Leary's wife travelled with the party — meeting her own costs.)
Neither the issue of the SARS epidemic nor the issue of health cover formed part of my discussions while in China.
You will appreciate that the final costs of the trip cannot be fully identified until all invoices are received, including those from the Department of Foreign Affairs, and all Travel and Subsistence forms are certified and paid. Costs identified to date are:
|
€ |
|
|
Cost of Flights (2 Business 1 Economy premium) |
7,152 |
|
Cost of Hotels |
1,613 |
|
Gifts |
360 |
|
Transport * |
700 |
|
Business lunch and dinner * |
584 |
|
Total |
10,409 |
* Estimates awaiting invoice from the Department of Foreign Affairs for transport. The lunch and dinner were paid for in local currency and the Euro figure is based on today's conversion rate.
I can provide the Deputy with the full costs of the trip when all details are available.
|
Date |
|
|
Tuesday 30 August |
Arrival in Shanghai Pudong. Met by Consul-General Austin Gormley. Transfer to hotel. |
|
Wednesday 31 August |
Meeting with Shanghai Health Bureau |
|
Lunch with Consul General |
|
|
Visit to Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park |
|
|
Visit to Jiao Tiang University Children’s Hospital |
|
|
Thursday 1 September |
Briefing by Consul General and Semi-State Agencies at Consulate |
|
Lunch with representatives of Irish Community Organisations — Le Chéile, Irish Chamber of Commerce in China, GAA, hosted by Consul General |
|
|
Visit to Irish Centre |
|
|
Visit to Fosun Pharma |
|
|
Depart Shanghai |
|
|
Arrive Hangzhou |
|
|
Friday 2 September |
Meeting with Zhejiang Health Bureau |
|
Visit to Zhejiang Children’s Hospital Meet with officials from the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce |
|
|
Saturday 3 September |
Depart Hangzhou |
|
Arrive Shanghai |
|
|
Sunday 4 September |
Transfer to airport for return to Dublin |
1001 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the options the Health Service Executive is reviewing to ensure a hospital (details supplied) in west Dublin remains within its budget. [24040/11]
The budgetary situation at Connolly Hospital is being kept under regular review by the HSE which has advised that a number of options are being reviewed in light of the current financial position.
These options relate to procurement of all externally sourced services and goods, agency staffing and overtime levels, in-patient, day case and out-patient activity and improved / additional income collection measures to increase private income collection.
1002 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the savings that would be made if he were to apply charges based on the full economic cost to all use of beds in public and voluntary hospitals in this State for the purposes of private medical practice. [24042/11]
My Department has asked the HSE for the detailed information sought by the Deputy and I will be in further communication when it is to hand.
1003 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his estimate for the savings that will be made from measures to reduce the cost of medicines in our health system, including centralised wholesale distribution of drugs, using lower cost generic drugs and tackling over-prescription and wastage. [24043/11]
The Department of Health is not currently considering any proposals regarding the introduction of centralised wholesale distribution of drugs. There have been a range of measures introduced to reduce costs to the State associated with the distribution of drugs to community pharmacies by wholesalers. These include a reduction in the wholesale mark-up paid to community pharmacists from 17.66% to 8% for the majority of drugs reimbursed under the community drugs schemes. There has also been a reduction in the mark-up paid to wholesalers from 17.66% to 10% for the supply of drugs under the High-Tech scheme. Savings under these measures are estimated at approximately €100 million.
The Department of Health is finalising the Heads of the Pricing and Supply of Medicines Bill. This legislation will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution for prescribed drugs and medicines. A number of high volume medicines are expected to come off patent in the coming years and this legislation will increase the scope for savings through the greater use of generic medicines. It is expected that the legislation will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in significant savings for taxpayers and patients.
The HSE is working in partnership with key health professionals to develop pathways for quality prescribing, promoting an extended role of the use of clinical protocols for the delivery of evidence-based prescribing and developing the role of community pharmacists and the introduction of patient-held prescribing records. In addition, the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service has introduced an on-line facility for GPs to review and self-audit their individual prescribing practice in comparison with the national average, which has been standardised for the individual GP's patient profile.
I intend to undertake a closer examination of prescribing patterns and I hope to finalise the details of this initiative shortly.
1004 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the savings that would be made if the salaries of hospital consultants were to be capped at €150,000 per annum. [24044/11]
It is not possible to calculate a precise figure in this regard, as the Deputy has not specified what salary scale or other contractual remuneration arrangements he has in mind. Under the existing contracts, the total cost in 2010 of consultant remuneration, including payment for additional attendance and allowances for extra responsibilities but excluding employers' PRSI, was approximately €470m. If all consultants (who number approximately 2,500) were subject to an absolute cap on public earnings of €150,000, the total cost would amount to approximately €375m.
1005 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of Health Service Executive staff on salaries of more than €100,000 per annum; and the savings to be made if all Health Service Executive salaries were capped at €100,000. [24045/11]
The number of HSE staff in receipt of salaries of over €100,000 is 2,289. This figure includes medical consultants employed in HSE hospitals. The HSE has estimated that the savings that would be achieved if these salaries were capped at €100,000 would be approximately €153m in total.
1006 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the average salary of hospital consultants under each of the currently operating contracts; and the range of salaries in each. [24046/11]
There are currently 2,503 approved medical consultants posts in the public health service. Of these, 146 are academic consultant posts. They number of consultants on each type of contract are as follows:
|
Type of Contracts |
No. of Consultants |
|
Category I — |
221 |
|
Category II — |
175 |
|
Geographical Wholetime Consultant without fees — |
20 |
|
Type of Contracts |
No. of Consultants |
|
Type A — |
498 |
|
Type B — |
1,263 |
|
Type B* — |
326 |
The following are the salary ranges applicable to medical consultants working in the public health service under the above contracts.
|
Salary ranges w.e.f. 1 Jan 2010 |
|
|
Type A |
€176,000 — €192,492 |
|
Type B |
€172,865 — €183,562 |
|
Type B* |
€158,997 — €168,266 |
|
Academic Consultants |
|
|
Type A |
€194,122 — €241,539 |
|
Type B |
€184,665 — €237,074 |
|
Type B* |
€176,000 — €219,264 |
|
Consultants who remain on the 1997 contract |
|
|
Category I |
€159,384 — €176,000 |
|
Category II |
€148,798 — €157,708 |
|
Academic Consultants |
|
|
Category I |
€182,789 — €219,633 |
|
Category II |
€164,531 — €210,806 |
|
Contract Type |
Scale Points |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
Type A |
01/01/2011 |
€166,010 |
€168,420 |
€170,831 |
€173,243 |
|
Type B |
01/01/2011 |
€156,258 |
€158,338 |
€158,400 |
€158,400 |
|
Contract Type |
Scale Points |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
Type A |
01/01/2011 |
€176,533 — €208,488 |
€179,518 — €211,454 |
€182,484 — €214,420 |
€185,450 — €217,385 |
|
Type B |
01/01/2011 |
€158,422 — €194,995 |
€161,014 — €197,587 |
€163,606 -€200,179 |
€166,199 — €202,772 |
|
Type C |
01/01/2011 |
€146,415 — €176,429 |
€149,265 — €179,182 |
€152,114 — €181,935 |
€154,964 — €184,687 |
In addition to the salary scales outlined above, consultants are paid overtime for weekend work and are entitled to on-call and call out payments. A Masters allowance is payable to one consultant in each of the three maternity hospitals and the post of Clinical Director also attracts an allowance.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide the average salary paid to consultants under each of the various contracts and I will revert to the Deputy when that information is to hand.
1007 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total number of public hospital beds currently closed; the number per hospital; and if he has a programme for reopening closed hospital beds. [24047/11]
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 to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1009 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the ending of admissions to St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin; the contingencies that are in place regarding the patients currently in the hospital; the hospital to which patients in the catchment area will now be admitted; if the stalled works at St. Ita’s Hospital are going ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24049/11]
In accordance with conditions attached by the Mental Health Commission to the approved centre at St Ita's Hospital, the acute psychiatric units there will close no later than 18 September, 2011. The patients and acute admissions for the catchment area will transfer to approved centres at St Vincent's Hospital, Fairview and the Psychiatric Unit at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.
It is intended to refurbish the existing admissions unit at St. Ita's Hospital. This work is scheduled to be completed by 31 January, 2012 and the acute services will be resumed from that location in the first quarter of 2012 until the new Acute Psychiatric Unit at Beaumont Hospital is completed and operational.
1010 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he has a date for the commencement of works on the new psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24050/11]
A contract has been awarded for the construction of a new Psychiatric Acute Unit at Beaumont Hospital. Prior to actual construction works on the Unit itself it is necessary to undertake a number of preliminary (enabling) works to prepare the site. These are expected to commence by end October 2011 and the construction of the new Unit is planned to be commenced by December 2011 and completed by early 2013.
1011 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans of the Health Service Executive to close 59 public inpatient beds in County Mayo; if he will intervene to prevent these closures and to ensure the provision of resources to allow them to remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24051/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1012 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 522 of 19 July 2011, the reason the National Recruitment Service was not notified of any approved staff nurse mental health posts in County Kerry in 2010 and 2011; if nurses placed on a national panel will be prioritised for these positions in future; the reason this has not happened hitherto, even though vacancies were filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/11]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to recruit, manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
1013 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason a cancer patient (details supplied) in County Kerry will not be granted a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24127/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1014 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will consider adding Addison’s disease to the long-term illness scheme. [24131/11]
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. However, the terms of the scheme will be reviewed in the context of the Government's proposals for Universal Health Insurance and free GP care at the point of delivery.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €120 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.
1015 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if all of the information that he has received from the World Health Organization via the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization has been made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24135/11]
In the event of this occurring the usual procedure would entail a risk assessment, and based on the outcome of this any risk to public health will be communicated nationally.
1016 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the overtime bill for general and mental health nursing in County Kerry in 2010 and 2011 and decide if it would be more sensible to employ full-time nurses with this budget (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24155/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1017 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the status of an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [24159/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1018 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the amount that the Health Service Executive paid out in legal fees to outside lawyers over the past five years; if he will give a breakdown by year; the cost of setting up the HSE legal department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24168/11]
The Health Service Executive's legal expenditure consists of four main areas;
Direct Solicitor Services
Counsel
Guardian ad Litem
3rd Party & Other Costs
I have been informed by the Executive that the total expenditure for the past five years (from 2006 to 2010) was €171,241,466. A breakdown of this total by year is shown in table 1 below:
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
Total |
|
€19,141,499 |
€30,306,353 |
€36,618,381 |
€44,576,652 |
€40,598,581 |
€171,241,466 |
In relation to the services of solicitors, a new contracting model was successfully implemented by the Executive on 1st March 2011, following a competitive tender process. The HSE states that this new contracting model is delivering better legal outcomes at a lower legal cost.
With regard to the cost of setting up an Office of Legal Services, the HSE estimate that the costs were small as the infrastructure, including office accommodation, was already in place. The recruitment campaign for the posts needed to staff this office was conducted through the Public Appointments Service. An estimated cost of €8,800 was incurred in providing IT related resources to the successful candidates. The pay and non-pay costs of this office are circa €360,000 per annum.
1019 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 627 of 3 May 2011 and 631 of 15 June 2011, the status of the reply from the Health Service Executive. [24172/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that at national level, the governance structure for the SPHE Post Primary Partnership between my Department and the Department of Education is being maintained with the Inter-Departmental Group and the SPHE Management Group. With regards to the Deputy's question of the 3rd of May last, my Department has asked the HSE — as a matter of urgency — to submit its report on this issue — immediately.
1020 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a reply will issue to Parliamentary Question No. 366 of 21 June 2011 when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [24173/11]
My Department has made enquiries in relation to this matter and has been advised that the National Centre for Medical Genetics (NCMG) accepts blood samples from GP's for patients at risk of genetic blood disorders.
1021 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 364 of 21 June 2011, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive [24174/11]
The Health Service Executive have advised my Department that they are collating the information that the Deputy requested on the 21st June 2011. I have asked the HSE to furnish a full response to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
1022 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 293 and 294 of 20 July 2011, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [24179/11]
Acute bed numbers in public hospitals are counted as an average of beds available over each year, given that the number of beds available in each hospital can vary over any year for operational reasons.
The table gives the number of available beds in each hospital for the period.
|
Average Inpatient Beds Available* |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Adelaide & Meath Hospital Inc NCH |
534 |
533 |
|
Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital |
187 |
187 |
|
Longford/Westmeath Regional Hospital — Mullingar |
185 |
166 |
|
Midland Regional Hospital — Portlaoise |
140 |
140 |
|
Midland Regional Hospital — Tullamore |
192 |
176 |
|
Naas General Hospital |
211 |
203 |
|
Our Lady's Children’s Hospital Crumlin |
210 |
185 |
|
Temple Street Childrens Hospital |
106 |
100 |
|
National Maternity Hospital |
151 |
155 |
|
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear |
35 |
46 |
|
St. Columcilles Hospital |
114 |
107 |
|
St. James Hospital |
835 |
831 |
|
St. Lukes Hospital — Dublin |
156 |
154 |
|
St. Michaels Hospital Dún Laoghaire |
101 |
99 |
|
St. Vincents Hospital Elm Park |
482 |
482 |
|
DML Total |
3,639 |
3,563 |
|
Cavan General Hospital |
203 |
228 |
|
Louth County Hospital |
110 |
75 |
|
Monaghan General Hospital |
31 |
0 |
|
Our Lady of Lourdes |
288 |
303 |
|
Our Ladys Hospital — Navan |
131 |
115 |
|
Beaumont Hospital |
635 |
594 |
|
Cappagh Orthopaedic |
61 |
60 |
|
Connolly Hospital — Blanchardstown |
218 |
228 |
|
Mater Misericordiae Hospital |
572 |
567 |
|
Rotunda Hospital |
170 |
170 |
|
St Josephs |
34 |
36 |
|
DUBLIN NORTH HOSPITAL GROUP |
2,453 |
2,376 |
|
Orthopaedic Hospital — Kilcreene |
38 |
31 |
|
South Tipperary General Hospital |
215 |
216 |
|
St Lukes Hospital — Kilkenny |
259 |
220 |
|
Waterford Regional Hospital |
441 |
465 |
|
Wexford General Hospital |
210 |
200 |
|
Bantry General Hospital |
69 |
68 |
|
Cork University Hospital |
500 |
497 |
|
Cork University Maternity Hospital |
185 |
185 |
|
Kerry General |
261 |
249 |
|
Mallow General Hospital |
76 |
76 |
|
Mercy Hospital |
204 |
197 |
|
South Infirmary — Victoria Hospital |
170 |
164 |
|
St. Marys Hospital — Gurranebraher |
90 |
92 |
|
SOUTHERN HOSPITAL GROUP |
2,718 |
2,659 |
|
Letterkenny General Hospital |
306 |
309 |
|
Mayo General Hospital |
271 |
276 |
|
Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe |
185 |
173 |
|
Roscommon County Hospital |
88 |
81 |
|
Sligo General Hospital |
270 |
256 |
|
University Hospital Galway |
674 |
623 |
|
Ennis General Hospital |
54 |
52 |
|
Nenagh General Hospital |
52 |
52 |
|
Regional Hospital — Dooradoyle |
420 |
406 |
|
Regional Maternity Hospital — Limerick |
99 |
99 |
|
Regional Orthopaedic Hospital — Limerick |
67 |
62 |
|
St.Johns Hospital — Limerick |
73 |
73 |
|
WESTERN HOSPITAL GROUP |
2,559 |
2,461 |
|
National Totals |
11,369 |
11,060 |
* The average number of bed days available by specialty for the reporting period. This should not include day beds and should also be reflective of any bed closures during the reporting period
The total number of acute hospital beds, excluding acute psychiatric beds, is approximately 13,000. This includes in excess of 11,000 inpatient beds at any one time, as well as 1,800 day beds. The exact number of beds available at any one time fluctuates, depending on planned activity levels, maintenance and refurbishment requirements and staff leave arrangements. Beds may also be closed from time to time in order to control expenditure, given the need for every hospital to operate within its allotted budget. The HSE compiles weekly data on acute bed closures. However, hospitals use different criteria for bed closures and the HSE recently decided to audit bed data collection and develop standard criteria. The Executive is at present reviewing the existing methodology for measuring bed closures in acute hospitals in order to ensure that a consistent approach is applied across the public hospital system.
The main issue concerns which beds can be reopened and which have been closed for an extended period and are realistically no longer available.
The HSE continues to collect data on the existing basis, to monitor national and local trends. New standardised figures are expected to be available by the end of the year.
It is important in any case to emphasise that hospital beds represent a service input and are not in themselves a measure of how the system is performing. In recent years there has been a much-increased emphasis on improved efficiency in acute hospitals. In particular, the focus has been on reducing inpatient care activity levels through the provision of more appropriate service responses, delivering a shift to care on a day case basis where appropriate, and on performance improvements such as surgery on the day of admission and reducing inappropriate lengths of stay. Specific targets under these heading are included in the HSE's 2011 National Service Plan.
1023 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 696 of 21 July 2011, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [24180/11]
After making further enquiries on the issues raised by the Deputy, my Department has received the following information from the HSE:
Since its formation in January 2005 the following Mental Health assets have been sold by the Health Service Executive:
30 Mount Pleasant Square, Dublin 3
Adare House, 227 North Circular Road, Dublin 1
Verville Retreat, Clontarf
49&60 The Grey Square, Portrane
Land at St. Loman's, Mullingar
Land at St. Sennan's, Wexford
Lands at Letterkenny
The total value of these sales amounts to €12,155,532.
The sale agreement for the lands at St Loman's is that payment will be made in 3 individual tranches of €1.157m in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The 2010 payment has been received and is included in the above total.
In 2009 the Department of Finance agreed that the proceeds of sales of all surplus assets may be reinvested in priority Mental Health projects. In 2009 €25m of additional capital funding was allocated from the proceeds of the sale of assets from 2005 to 2009 previously returned to the exchequer. In the 2010 letter of sanction the HSE was permitted to reinvest the proceeds of the sale of all surplus assets (up to a ceiling of €50m) in the Mental Health Investment Programme. Similarly in 2011 reinvestment up to a ceiling of €15m is permitted.
|
Year |
Allocation |
Funding Realised |
Expenditure on mental health capital projects |
|
2009 |
€25m (historical) |
€25.071m |
|
|
2010 |
€50m |
€3.587m |
€27.456m |
|
2011 |
€15m |
€15m* |
€42m* |
*Projected
As can be seen from the table above the HSE's investment in Mental Health projects is well in excess of the funding generated from the sale of assets and the HSE is committed to this investment programme.
Mental Health projects being progressed at present include:
Letterkenny Acute MH Unit — under construction
Beaumont Acute MH Unit — contractor appointed
Limerick Acute MH Unit — tenders received
Cork Child & Adolescent Residential Unit — operational
Galway Child & Adolescent Residential Unit — operational
St Vincent's Fairview Child & Adolescent Residential Unit — Phase 2 at tender stage
Clonmel MH Residential Unit — under construction
Wexford MH Residential Unit — under construction
St Loman's Mullingar MH Residential Unit — awaiting Planning Permission
Ballinasloe MH Residential Unit — operational
Inchicore MH PCC — under construction
Ballyfermot MH PCC — under construction
MH Hostels in Wexford, Tipperary, Galway and Dublin are being progressed
1024 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the refusal of a medical card application in respect of a person (detail supplied) in County Wexford. [24181/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1025 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of the home help application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [24182/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1026 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 370 of 5 April 2011, when a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will receive their operation [24183/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1027 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the way in which the setting of fees by nursing homes under the nursing home support scheme is monitored; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some nursing homes are setting additional service charges on top of the agreed fees and that, in some cases, these charges are for services supposed to be covered by the NHSS, including beds; if any sanction can be taken against such improper charging; if he will clarify the services covered and not covered under the NHSS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24184/11]
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has statutory responsibility for the negotiation of prices with private and voluntary nursing homes for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The NTPF is independent in the performance of this function and, in carrying it out, it must ensure value for money for both the individual and the State. The NTPF negotiates with each nursing home individually and may examine the records and accounts of nursing homes as part of the process. This method of negotiation is necessary in order to ensure that the State obtains the best value for each individual in a nursing home and to comply with competition law.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support in respect of the cost of long-term residential care. The services which fall within the scope of long-term residential care are:
nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,
bed and board,
basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and
laundry service.
Incontinence wear is provided free of charge by the HSE to all Fair Deal residents within approved nursing homes.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme, is unaffected by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. In other words, a person can continue to receive goods and services in accordance with the terms of these other schemes regardless of whether they are in a private nursing home or elsewhere.
A person who avails of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme should not be charged any additional fee over and above this agreed price, except where he or she chooses to obtain additional services over and above long-term residential care services, for example, hairdressing or the delivery of daily newspapers. Under the Health Act 2007 statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services, part of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres. This includes residential care settings for older people. Since the 1st July 2009 all nursing homes (public, private and voluntary) are registered under the Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended, by the Chief Inspector. All nursing homes are inspected under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009, as amended, and must meet the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland. Article 28 of the Regulations provides that the registered provider shall agree a contract with the resident within one month of admission and that the contact includes details of the services to be provided and the fees to be charged.
The Chief Inspector has the power to refuse to register, attach conditions to a registration or cancel the registration of a designated centre in the event of non-compliance with the regulations or the standards.
1028 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the action he proposes to take arising from the case of Patient A who had a breast cancer diagnosis delayed by 18 months, was one of the women in the cancer misdiagnosis scandal to whom former Minister, Mary Harney, apologised, lodged her compensation claim in 2008 and is still waiting for compensation, the State Claims Agency having only lodged its defence in April 2011; if he will examine alternative, more speedy and less costly ways to award compensation in such cases; and if he will examine the adversarial approach of the State Claims Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24185/11]
Under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2000, the management of personal injury and property damage claims against the State and of the underlying risks was delegated to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). When performing these functions, the NTMA is known as the State Claims Agency (SCA). The State Claims Agency therefore deals with actions taken against State agencies, including the HSE, in accordance with the system which has been established. While I appreciate the uncertainty for individuals and their families awaiting closure on their cases through the State Claims Agency, unfortunately the legal process takes time, and I have no role in this process. However, my Department is currently reviewing its overall policy framework in regard to clinical indemnity and a literature review on international models has been commissioned in this regard.
1029 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of babies born in the Rotunda, Holles Street and Coombe maternity hospitals, Dublin, who required medical intervention for delirium tremens after birth in each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively; the action he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24189/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1030 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health in regard to each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, if he can provide details of the total number of hospital consultants posts advertised to be filled; the number of such posts which were permanent in nature and included work responsibilities in Health Service Executive hospitals or facilities; the total number of applicants for each of the posts advertised and number interviewed respectively; the total number of posts offered to candidates and the numbers of posts accepted and declined respectively; the total number of hospital consultant posts which are currently vacant and being staffed by locum consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24192/11]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to recruit, manage and deploy its human resources, including medical consultants, to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
1031 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the situation pertaining to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24195/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1032 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an appointment can be made to assess the need for orthodontic treatment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24225/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1033 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of staff and respective budget of each regulator under his responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24231/11]
Six of the agencies that come under the remit of my Department perform professional regulatory functions ensuring that complaints against individual practitioners are investigated, competency standards are maintained and patient safety is prioritised. Five of these agencies are entirely self funded through professional membership fees, i.e. An Bord Altranais, the Dental Council, the Medical Council, the Opticians Board and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. The sixth agency, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council is still in start-up phase and has been allocated an amount of €1.925m in 2011.
The numbers of staff employed (whole time equivalents) in the six agencies at 30th June 2011 is set out.
|
Agency |
Staff numbers (WTE) |
|
An Bord Altranais |
40.5 |
|
Dental Council |
5 |
|
Health and Social Care Professional’s Council |
7 |
|
Medical Council |
52.5 |
|
Optician’s Board |
2 |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland |
23.55 |
1034 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 24 March 2011, if he has decided the mechanism to be used to compensate the woman excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes hospital redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24241/11]
My Department is finalising proposals on this matter at present. Once I have fully reviewed these I intend to expedite a decision on the issue.
1035 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the potential savings to the Exchequer by reducing professional fees paid by the State by 25%. [24284/11]
Fees and allowances are paid to a range of health professionals, including general practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, ophthalmologists, optometrists and dispensing opticians who hold contracts with the HSE, persons providing smear taking services as part of the National Cervical Screening Programme and consultant psychiatrists and other personnel who participate in the Mental Health Tribunal process.
It is estimated that a 25% reduction in the current fees and allowances payable to the above health professionals would result in a saving of approximately €217 million.
1036 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the taxi sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22998/11]
1071 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend the legislation for hackney and taxi licence holders to provide information to the Revenue Commissioners in relation to all licences being operated by them to establish whether they are operating them directly; if not, who is, their PPS number and public service vehicle driver’s licence number. [23702/11]
1072 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend the legislation in order that people who have not used their public service vehicle licence in the past 12 months would have their licence put into abeyance in order that a new licence could be issued to someone currently trying to get work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23703/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1036, 1071 and 1072 together.
In my announcements of the 8th and 24th 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.
The issues raised in the above questions are particularly relevant to specific work being undertaken to strengthen licensing systems and enforcement so that we have a licensing regime that can be readily enforced to protect the interest of consumers. Good progress is being made in exploring how current system weaknesses can be tackled as regards safeguarding the good repute and suitability, including tax compliance, of SPSV driver or vehicle licence holders. I am confident that the review will lead to a positive outcome in those key areas.
1037 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding an eye test for over 70 years when applying for their driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23090/11]
It is standard practice across the EU and internationally for driving licensing laws to provide for routine medical and eyesight reports for older drivers. The cut-off point in Ireland has been fixed at age 70 since these rules were first introduced in 1964. The reason why a medical practitioner rather than an optician is specified is that the level of testing envisaged is meant to pick up not only deterioration in visual acuity but also incipient age-related ocular disease. I appreciate that this involves a cost to individuals, but I believe it is necessary in terms of road safety, and also beneficial to the individuals undergoing these tests. I would also like to point out that a person over the age of 70 is not required to pay a fee to renew their licence. As the fee for a licence to drive a car is currently €85, this represents a significant saving to the applicant. The level of medical costs is, of course, not a matter for my Department.
1038 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consult with the National Roads Authority to provide funding to permit the construction of a link road off the N5 Longford bypass, which is under construction, to access the existing sewerage treatment plant in Longford. [22658/11]
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1039 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi plates that are in the control of multiple owners; the incremental breakdown of the numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22673/11]
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including matters relating to multiple licence holders, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have referred the Deputy's request for information to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1040 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22730/11]
The amount spent on taxis by this Department in 2010 was €13,757.
The amount of money provided for taxi services in 2011 is included in the overall budget for travel allocated to cost centres throughout the Department. There is no specified allocation for Taxis.
Departmental staff members only use taxis during the course of their duties where justified for business reasons. There are no overriding restrictions on the times at which taxis can be availed of.
There is no comprehensive record of expenditure on travel used by non-Departmental staff. Such expenditure may arise from time to time such as travel expenses of consultants or others undertaking work on behalf of the Department.
1041 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Drimnagh, Dublin, has been included in the smarter travel initiative; and the amount that has been allocated to smarter travel; and the other areas that have been included and supply a breakdown of the moneys allocated to each area. [22819/11]
The future of the Programme is being considered in the context of the available budget for 2011 and the National Recovery Plan. The programme is one I believe has considerable merit and although the scope and scale originally envisaged for the scheme is no longer possible given the current fiscal situation, there may be some scope to proceed with a scheme scaled back in size as Smarter Travel Areas have the potential to provide a basis for future evidence based investment in the range of sustainable travel measures.
1042 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for integrated ticketing by transportation companies (details supplied): if he will provide a timeframe for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22935/11]
Responsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area became the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010.
I understand from the NTA, however, that good progress is being made on the project and it has now progressed towards the final stage of intensive testing. Luas have completed their developments and are ready to launch. Iarnród Eireann expect to conduct staff tests this month in preparation for full public launch. Intensive testing of Dublin Bus ticketing equipment has highlighted some technical difficulties which are currently being addressed.
Developments on behalf of Bus Éireann and private bus operators continue to make good progress and the current programme shows these operations commencing their integration with ITS this year.
I am liaising regularly with the NTA to ensure a successful launch and we will assess the results of this phase of testing before initiating a public launch.
1043 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in the interest of safety, if he will instruct the National Roads Authority to erect six overhanging street lights at the Poulgorm Bridge on the main Killarney to Cork road at the junction of the R569; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22947/11]
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1044 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reinstate the public service obligation agreement regarding the Derry to Dublin flight in view of the designation of Derry city as UK City of Culture 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22967/11]
The decision by the previous Government to reduce to two the number of routes covered by public service obligation (PSO) air services was taken in line with the Value for Money Review of the Exchequer Expenditure on the Regional Airports Programme published in January 2011. This review took account of a number of factors including the performance of the services, the requirement to make best use of scarce Exchequer resources as well as improvements in alternative transport modes and changes in EU legislation covering PSO services.
It is not my intention to revisit that decision regarding the Derry/Dublin route. The PSO services to Knock, Galway and Sligo were also discontinued earlier this year. I have decided to retain the services to Donegal and Kerry for 3 more years.
1045 Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the vacancy on New Ross Harbour Board created by the resignation of this Deputy has not been filled despite the fact that Kilkenny County Council nominated a councillor (details supplied) to fill this vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22988/11]
As the Deputy is aware, under the Harbours Act 1996 once she was elected to the Dáil she could no longer serve as a director of New Ross Port Company.
In April this year, Kilkenny County Council sought to nominate another Councillor to fill the vacancy on the board. I responded to the Council in May explaining that, due to the changes introduced in the Harbours (Amendment) Act 2009, the Council no longer has the power to nominate directors to the board. These changes were made for a number of reasons, but primarily in order to eliminate any potential conflict of interest between the very different roles of a State company director and a local councillor, particularly when it comes to zoning and planning matters and the conflict that may arise when the interests of the port company are not aligned with the desires and wishes of the community who elected the councillors concerned. A board member's primary duty must always be to the company and to no other interest. This, of course, does not preclude me from appointing councillors where they have specific skills which are needed on the board, and I am satisfied that any appointee would be able to put the interests of the company ahead of any other concern.
The Deputy will also be aware from her time as a director of the company that New Ross Port has suffered declining traffic and turnover for a number of years. The Company has sought to address its difficulties through a number of measures. The board has played its part in reducing costs. A number of years ago the board proposed that the number of directors be reduced to six and it also voluntarily reduced the directors' fees. The board currently has seven directors, which is considered adequate for the present. Even at that, the board has more members than the company has employees. I also indicated that I have no immediate plans to fill the vacancy, but will keep the matter under consideration.
1046 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Malcolm Miller ship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23056/11]
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport does not have a role in the provision of Sail Training. Prior to the sinking of the Asgard II this was a function carried out under the aegis of Coiste an Asgard and the Department of Defence.
Given the current fiscal position where significant savings are being sought in both current and capital expenditure from my Department's allocations, there are no proposals to expand the Department's role into additional areas such as sail training given the significant additional costs that this would entail.
1047 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consideration he will give to allowing the free travel pass that is issued to persons with disabilities to be used on routes operated under the rural transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23058/11]
Thirty-six rural community transport groups are being funded under my Department's Rural Transport Programme (RTP), which is operational in every county and plays an important role in combating rural isolation. These groups are working towards maximising coverage in their operational areas having regard to local public transport service needs and the availability of resources.
The Free Travel Scheme of the Department of Social Protection applies to all services operated under the Rural Transport Programme.
1048 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Dublin Bus refuses to release on- and off-peak passenger numbers to communities in their consultation processes when they are altering or ending bus routes; and his views on whether the public should have as much information as possible when being consulted about changes to public transport charges. [23111/11]
The issues raised are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1049 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Terminal 2 project at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23119/11]
As issues associated with the construction of Terminal 2 at Dublin airport are the responsibility of the Dublin Airport Authority, I have forwarded the question to the Company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.
1050 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the remaining projects on the swimming pool list are viable projects; if matching funds are available; his views on the possibility of a complete review of those remaining projects; if that would allow further projects to be added to the scheme; if so, the stage when further projects can be added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23210/11]
1052 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the swimming pools remaining on the swimming pool list; the stages they are at; the estimated cost of developing same; if matching funds are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23212/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1050 and 1052 together.
Since 2000, 58 projects have been or are being dealt with under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. Of these, 46 have been completed and 4 have passed Tender Report stage, Loughrea, Co. Galway, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal and Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. 8 other projects are at various stages of the Programme. 4 projects are at contract documents stage, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Dunmanway, Co. Cork and Clara, Co. Offaly. 3 projects are at Preliminary Report stage, Edenderry, Co. Offaly, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon and Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. 1 project is at Tender Document stage, De Paul, Navan Road, Dublin.
The Department provides grant aid to local authorities towards the cost of building new pools or refurbishing existing ones. The success of the Programme therefore depends on local authorities' ability to progress the projects through the various stages. The local authority is then also responsible for building the pool. The viability of the remaining 12 pools in the process is therefore subject to constant review between the local authority and the Department. A measure of the viability of the remaining pools in the current programme can be seen from the fact that already this year the project at Clara has had its Preliminary Report approved, De Paul has had Contract Documents approved and 2 projects (Ballybofey and Loughlinstown) have had Tender Reports approved and the maximum grant of €3.8m allocated allowing construction to commence.
It is not intended to add any further projects to the present 12 pools remaining under the current round of the Programme, and no decision has been made in regard to the timing of a new round of the Programme. No project is being delayed on the basis of the Department's ability to meet its commitments under the Programme and there is sufficient funding in the subhead to meet all commitments arising in 2012.
At Tender Report stage, the local authority's funding package for the project is examined in the Department to ensure that there is sufficient Local Authority matching funds, outside of the grant available from the Department to the Local Authority, to complete the project. Information is set out hereunder in tabular form on the estimated cost of developing the 4 projects out of the remaining 12 in the Programme that have reached Tender Report stage. In the case of the other 8 projects, the information on estimated total cost and grantee matching funds will only become available to the Department when the Tender Report stage is reached.
|
Town/City |
County |
Est. total cost on project (includes non eligible cost) € |
Department’s grant allocation € |
Grantee matching funds € |
|
|
1 |
Loughrea |
Galway |
6,669,027 |
1,700,000 |
4,969,027 |
|
2 |
New Ross |
Wexford |
6,013,030 |
3,809,214 |
2,203,816 |
|
3 |
Ballybofey |
Donegal |
6,147,523 |
3,809,214 |
2,338,309 |
|
4 |
Loughlinstown |
Dublin |
6,927,658 |
3,809,214 |
3,118,444 |
|
Total |
25,757,238 |
13,127,642 |
12,629,596 |
1051 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the swimming pool projects that have been completed under the scheme that was closed to applicants in 2000; the location of these projects; the cost of each project; the amount of matching funds that were provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23211/11]
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the 46 swimming pools completed under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme and opened to the public is provided hereunder in tabular form.
|
Town/City |
County |
Total cost of Project (includes non eligible cost) € |
Grant allocation € |
Local Authority Matching Funds € |
|
|
1 |
Enniscorthy |
Wexford |
3,555,151 |
2,693,565 |
861,586 |
|
2 |
Wicklow Town |
Wicklow |
4,204,482 |
2,679,147 |
1,525,335 |
|
3 |
Monaghan Town |
Monaghan |
404,381 |
380,921 |
23,460 |
|
4 |
Arklow |
Wicklow |
3,308,751 |
2,349,015 |
959,736 |
|
5 |
Navan |
Meath |
5,306,436 |
3,174,345 |
2,132,091 |
|
6 |
Ennis |
Clare |
5,713,821 |
2,920,398 |
2,793,423 |
|
7 |
Dundalk Town |
Louth |
7,413,413 |
3,809,214 |
3,604,199 |
|
8 |
Roscommon Town |
Roscommon |
5,306,108 |
3,809,214 |
1,496,894 |
|
9 |
Gorey/Courtown |
Wexford |
6,711,391 |
3,809,214 |
2,902,177 |
|
10 |
Ballinasloe |
Galway |
7,280,676 |
3,809,214 |
3,471,462 |
|
11 |
Finglas |
Dublin |
21,978,208 |
3,809,214 |
18,168,994 |
|
12 |
Tralee (Aquadome) |
Kerry |
114,017 |
86,400 |
27,617 |
|
13 |
Tralee Sports and Leisure Centre |
Kerry |
4,406,866 |
3,809,214 |
597,652 |
|
14 |
Grove Island |
Limerick |
10,186,100 |
3,809,214 |
6,376,886 |
|
15 |
Clonmel |
Tipperary |
2,052,418 |
1,641,934 |
410,484 |
|
16 |
Churchfield |
Cork City |
8,748,380 |
3,809,214 |
4,939,166 |
|
17 |
Tuam |
Galway |
7,379,206 |
3,809,214 |
3,569,992 |
|
18 |
Ballymun |
Dublin City |
19,500,000 |
3,809,214 |
15,690,786 |
|
19 |
Cobh |
Cork County |
7,250,000 |
3,809,214 |
3,440,786 |
|
20 |
Youghal |
Cork County |
7,826,305 |
3,809,214 |
4,017,091 |
|
21 |
Ballyfermot |
Dublin |
20,563,000 |
3,809,214 |
16,753,786 |
|
22 |
Drogheda |
Louth |
8,838,000 |
3,809,214 |
5,028,786 |
|
23 |
Jobstown |
South Dublin |
17,570,000 |
3,809,214 |
13,760,786 |
|
24 |
Letterkenny |
Donegal |
16,800,000 |
3,809,214 |
12,990,786 |
|
25 |
Monaghan Town |
Monaghan |
7,350,000 |
3,809,214 |
3,540,786 |
|
26 |
Ballybunion |
Kerry |
5,015,398 |
3,782,896 |
1,232,502 |
|
27 |
Clondalkin |
South Dublin |
14,380,000 |
3,809,214 |
10,570,786 |
|
28 |
Killarney |
Kerry |
12,638,471 |
3,809,214 |
8,829,257 |
|
29 |
Askeaton |
Limerick |
4,948,498 |
3,809,214 |
1,139,284 |
|
30 |
Portlaoise |
Laois |
10,740,000 |
3,809,214 |
6,930,786 |
|
31 |
Portarlington |
Laois |
5,659,752 |
3,809,214 |
1,850,538 |
|
32 |
Longford |
Longford |
7,000,000 |
3,809,214 |
3,190,786 |
|
33 |
Thurles |
Tipperary |
5,481,000 |
3,809,214 |
1,671,786 |
|
34 |
St Michael’s House |
Dublin |
4,998,000 |
3,700,000 |
1,298,000 |
|
35 |
Athy |
Kildare |
6,001,000 |
3,809,214 |
2,191,786 |
|
36 |
Birr |
Offaly |
2,270,000 |
1,498,200 |
771,800 |
|
37 |
Naas |
Kildare |
9,880,000 |
3,809,214 |
6,070,786 |
|
38 |
Kilkenny City |
Kilkenny |
18,600,000 |
3,809,214 |
14,790,786 |
|
39 |
Tullamore |
Offaly |
12,800,000 |
3,809,214 |
8,990,786 |
|
40 |
Bray |
Wicklow |
11,250,000 |
3,809,214 |
7,440,786 |
|
41 |
Greystones |
Wicklow |
17,600,000 |
3,809,214 |
13,790,786 |
|
42 |
St Joseph’s School |
Dublin |
300,000 |
300,000 |
0 |
|
43 |
Dundrum |
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
11,200,000 |
3,809,214 |
7,390,786 |
|
44 |
Claremorris |
Mayo |
7,195,000 |
3,809,214 |
3,385,786 |
|
45 |
Roscrea |
Tipperary |
10,300,000 |
3,809,214 |
6,490,786 |
|
46 |
Ferrybank, Wexford |
Wexford |
5,178,000 |
3,809,214 |
1,368,786 |
|
Overall Totals |
393,202,229 |
154,720,097 |
238,482,132 |
1053 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reconsider the essential driver training scheme due to the fact that there are issues concerning the sponsor’s role under this scheme. [23219/11]
Last April I introduced the Essential Driver Training (EDT) scheme, which is one component of the Graduated Driver Licensing Scheme (GDLS) developed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) during 2010. EDT means that learner drivers are for the first time required to take a comprehensive series of lessons with Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) which will cover the entire range of skills necessary for driving. I believe this is a major step forward which will help to improve road safety for all, especially for younger drivers.
As part of GDLS, the RSA aims to strengthen the role of the accompanying driver in the learning process. The practice which learner drivers do with a qualified driver — referred to as the sponsor — should be recorded in the log book issued as part of EDT. I am aware of the concerns of ADIs regarding this aspect of EDT. However, the role of the sponsor is not mandatory, beyond the pre-existing rule that learners must not drive unaccompanied. Lessons alone, without practice and experience, will not produce good drivers. Before EDT, learner drivers were not required to undertake any lessons and were gaining their skills by practising with an experienced accompanying driver. Now they will learn driving skills with a qualified ADI and practice them in the company of an experienced driver. The sponsor's role is simply putting on a regular footing something which was already happening, and should reinforce rather than undermine the mandatory lessons.
EDT will be subject to re-evaluation after two years to see what improvements, if any, may be needed to the scheme, and ADIs' contribution will of course be crucial to this process.
1054 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason applications for digital tachographs (details supplied) are made to the Road Safety Authority in Loughrea, County Galway, but sent to Belgium for the card itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23233/11]
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 processing of digital tachograph applications.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1055 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding the new Road Traffic Act, which will lower the current blood alcohol limit of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood to 50 mg per 100 ml; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23245/11]
The new lower blood alcohol limits are contained in the Road Traffic Act 2010. The recommendations to lower the drink driving limits were informed by a number of issues including known driver behaviour, past offending rates, enforcement practicalities, best international practice and analysis of data held by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.
Alcohol, even in small amounts, has well recognised effects on driver capacity. These effects include psychomotor skills, cognitive functioning, choice and simple reaction times, visual function, vigilance, perception as well as a person's ability to divide attention and absorb information can all be affected by alcohol consumption. By reducing the limits, we will be helping to reduce driver error, the risk of involvement in collisions, deaths and serious injuries as well as the cost to the State.
1056 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a cost benefit analysis has been completed regarding guidance for the control and management of traffic at road works; if so, the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23284/11]
A cost benefit analysis was not undertaken in relation to the document entitled "Guidance for the Control and Management of Traffic at Road Works". The goal of the guidance document is to provide a safe working environment for road workers and to enable the safe and efficient passage of traffic and other road users through road works sites. It is in line with national and international best practice and also with the most recent Health and Safety legislation.
1057 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23305/11]
The amount spent by the Department on taxis for staff and others in each of the last four years is as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2007 |
€41,477 |
|
2008 |
€26,053 |
|
2009 |
€13,183 |
|
2010 |
€13,757 |
1058 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of spending using departmental credit cards held by staff over the past four years; the numbers of persons in his Department who hold credit cards; the credit limits of said cards; and the amount that was specifically spent by his Department on entertainment provided using said credit cards. [23320/11]
The spending details of credit cards held by Departmental staff over the past four years is as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2007 |
€100,436 |
|
2008 |
€83,769 |
|
2009 |
€23,172 |
|
2010 |
€25,701 |
There are eleven Department staff who hold credit cards. The credit limits range from €3,000 to €12,700.
The amount specifically spent on Entertainment is as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2007 |
€4,849 |
|
2008 |
€5,272 |
|
2009 |
€2,696 |
|
2010 |
€158 |
1059 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, if a club or organisation has been granted funding under the sports capital programme before it was suspended, whether there is a time limit under which funding can be drawn down. [23335/11]
The Department operates a "sunset clause" which is notified to each grantee at the time the grant is provisionally allocated. This gives each grantee a period of time (typically fourteen to eighteen months) from the time the grant is allocated to complete a substantial amount of the work. The grantee is also notified at this time that the Department retains the right to withdraw the grant after this date, and without further notice, if the required conditions are not met by the grantee. A reminder letter also issues to the grantee after the "sunset clause" date is reached requesting a written update from the grantee on the status of the grant.
The Department makes every effort to assist grantees to drawing down the grant, and grants are only withdrawn with the club's consent or when it is evident to the Department that there is no realistic prospect of the grant being drawn down within the foreseeable future.
1060 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons employed in each of the private and the constituency offices of his Ministers of State; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries to each office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23350/11]
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was established on 9 March 2011. The numbers of persons employed in each of my Ministers' of States private offices and constituency offices and the amount paid in respect of salaries since then to date in 2011 is set out in the following tables.
|
Office |
No. of Persons Employed |
Salary Cost |
|
Private |
6 (incl 2 Civilian Drivers) |
€126,850 |
|
Constituency |
4 (incl. 2 work sharers) |
€59,940 |
|
Office |
No. of Persons Employed |
Salary Cost |
|
Private |
6 (incl 2 Civilian Drivers) |
€114,940 |
|
Constituency |
4 (1 covering for Maternity leave) |
€59,700 |
1061 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of special advisers and programme managers in his Department; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for each of the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23365/11]
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was established on 9th March 2011. There are two special advisors in my Department. The contract and remuneration is still being finalised in respect of one and the amount paid in respect of the other to date is €31,600.
1062 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons employed in his private offices and constituency offices; the annual amount paid in respect of salaries in regard to each such office for 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23380/11]
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was established on 9 March 2011. The numbers of persons employed in my private office and constituency office and the amount paid in respect of salaries to date in 2011 is set out in the following table.
|
Office |
No. of Persons Employed |
Salary Cost |
|
Private |
10 (incl 2 Civilian Drivers) |
€278,000 |
|
Constituency |
4 |
€49,125 |
1063 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget available to his Department for IT expenditure in 2010 and 2011; the provisions within his Department for the purchasing of IT equipment; the efforts that are being undertaken to ensure value for money and cost reductions in this regard; if there are budgets and procedures in place for the purchasing of IT equipment for each State agency under his remit for 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23453/11]
The budget approved by the Department of Finance for ICT expenditure in my Department for 2010 was €17.4 million. The actual ICT expenditure for 2010 was €10.3 million. The proposed ICT budget in my Department for 2011 is €9.9 million.
All purchases of ICT equipment, regardless of value, are subject to national guidelines and European procurement regulations. There is a continuous effort by my Department to identify and implement savings in the purchasing of ICT equipment. Where appropriate, this Department uses the ICT framework agreements developed by the Department of Finance for the procurement of common ICT equipment and systems. The pooling of ICT procurement will help ensure competitive responses from suppliers and achieve efficiencies.
The State agencies under the remit of my Department have been forwarded a copy of your enquiry relating to their ICT budgets for 2010 and 2011. They have been requested to respond to you directly. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1064 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish the details of his Department’s submission and all correspondence to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration as part of the comprehensive spending review. [23480/11]
Departmental submissions to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) are a central part of the overall pre-budget deliberations of the Government. As such, release of these documents could not be considered in advance of Government decisions on the forthcoming Budget.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already indicated that it is his intention to publish the reports submitted as part of the CRE process following the finalisation of the budgetary process.
1065 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of all projects on national secondary roads, either in construction or in planning, funded under Transport 21 in 2011; the details of the expenditure this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/11]
The 2011 National Road Grant allocations were announced in January this year. Details of all projects allocated funding can be found in the 2011 National Road Grant Allocations booklet, a copy of which can be obtained from the Dáil Library.
1066 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the national secondary road projects that will be commencing construction next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23496/11]
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
As the Deputy is aware, a comprehensive review of capital spending is now under way, the results of which will form the basis of a new National Development Plan. The review will also take account of new funding realities. A major priority will be to ensure funding to protect and maintain investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. No decision will be made on funding projects over the next year until the capital review is complete and my Department's budget is known.
However, the Deputy will be aware that under the 4-Year National Recovery Plan approved by the previous Fianna Fáil Government, there is no provision for the construction of any new national secondary roads projects in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
1067 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the Mullingar to Athlone railway line, County Westmeath; if he will suggest alternative uses for unused railway lines generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23509/11]
Matters relating to the re-opening, or alternatives uses for, unused rail lines are a matter for Iarnród Eireann in the first instance. There are currently no plans to re-open the Mullingar to Athlone rail line.
The level of funding available for public transport investment from 2012 to 2016 will be dependent on the outcome of the review of capital expenditure which is being overseen by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and is currently underway. This review, which takes place against a background of new funding realities, is examining capital programmes and projects taking account of their overall economic impact and job creation potential. A major consideration for transport investment over the next five years will be the need to prioritise funding to protect investment made to date and to maintain high safety standards. This of necessity will greatly limit any possibility of re-opening unused rail lines. Moreover, I will have to reduce operating subsidies paid to Iarnród Eireann considerably over the next two years which make it impossible to take on any new lines that will not make an operating profit.
1068 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the possibility of utilising the canal path between Mullingar and Dublin as a tourist attraction and for walking tours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23521/11]
The management of inland waterways is a matter for Waterways Ireland, a cross-Border body established under the Good Friday Agreement. Matters relating to Waterways Ireland are the responsibility of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government.
In the context of the development of tourism infrastructure, the matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1069 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to relax the nine-year rule for hackney licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23540/11]
The regulation of the taxi industry, including matters related to vehicle standards, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.
The NTA is currently reviewing the small public service vehicle standards and is in the process of undertaking a public consultation on proposed measures this year with a view to advancing new regulations to come into force in early 2012.
As part of the review of the taxi sector announced by me on 8 June last, the current NTA examination of appropriate vehicle standards including the nine year rule will be taken into account in the course of the wide ranging issues to be addressed in the review.
1070 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the requirements and standards applicable in respect of certificates in professional competence courses with a view to achieving a consistently higher and reliable standard which will improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23687/11]
The standards to be met by those wishing to receive Certificates of Professional Competence (CPCs) are set out in the European Communities (Vehicle Driver Certificates of Competence) (No. 2) Regulations of 2008. These Regulations constitute the transposition into Irish law of EU requirements. The CPC regime is one of a range of measures which are aimed at ensuring higher standards of safety on our roads. The Regulations provide for compulsory periodic retraining. Under the Regulations, it is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to determine the syllabus to be followed for each category of vehicle during this retraining.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's query regarding the requirements and standards of courses to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days. Given what I have just outlined, I am not in a position to respond further.
1074 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount generated through car parking fees at Dublin Airport in each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 and to date in 2011; the items on which the money generated was spent; and the average number of vehicles that use the car park on a weekly basis in each of these years. [23915/11]
The matters referred to by Deputy fall within the day-to-day responsibilities of the Dublin Airport Authority and I have forwarded the question to the Company for direct reply to him. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.
1075 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken in the Asian region to attract tourists here; and the budget allocated to same. [23916/11]
The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited, in the first instance, as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a tourist destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
I would also draw attention to the Visa Waiver Scheme introduced by my colleague Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, which allows visitors who have entered the UK on a UK general visa to be treated as if they have a visa for the purpose of visiting Ireland. This applies to nationals of 16 countries which currently need short stay tourist visas to enter Ireland for and includes the key Asian markets of India and the People's Republic of China.
1076 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff and the budget of each regulator under his responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24230/11]
My Department has responsibility for a number of agencies who carry out regulatory functions. These include:
Railway Safety Commission (RSC);
Commission for Aviation Regulation;
National Transport Authority;
Irish Aviation Authority; and
Fáilte Ireland.
With the exception of the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR), the administration expenses of these agencies are funded or part-funded by the Exchequer.
CAR is funded by means of an annual levy on the bodies that it regulates as provided for under the Aviation Regulation Act, 2001. Any surplus/deficit in one year is carried forward and is taken into account when deciding on the levy requirement for subsequent years.
Details of staffing and budgets of the agencies can be found in their annual report and accounts. I have requested all the above agencies to provide the information on specific staff numbers and wages costs for 2011 directly to the Deputy.
1077 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the potential savings to the Exchequer if professional fees paid by the State were reduced by 25%. [24287/11]
In 2010, my Department estimates that it spent approximately €3 million in respect of a range of professional services including for example consultancy services, IT contracting, legal services and general premises maintenance etc. A 25% reduction in fees therefore might be expected to generate savings of the order of €750,000.
The amount of Exchequer funds paid out in professional fees by agencies funded by my Department is a matter for the agencies concerned. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to those agencies for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days, please contact my private office.
