Vol. 749 No. 2
1 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations he has made on behalf of persons (details supplied) to the authorities in Britain and in Northern Ireland; if he is satisfied that their human rights have not been violated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39275/11]
I am aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers and my Department has carefully monitored developments in relation to both the individuals in question for some time, including through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast. It is my understanding that legal proceedings are currently underway in both cases. As these are matters currently before the courts, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage other than to confirm that Department officials have been instructed to follow each case closely and to keep me informed of relevant developments.
2 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Finance the grounds on which an employer can refuse to provide an employee’s P45; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Form P45 is a form prescribed by the Commissioners that is issued by employers to employees who cease in their employment. For the purposes of the reply, the Commissioners have assumed that the context in which the Deputy has tabled the question is that an employee is having difficulties obtaining a Form P45 from a former employer. I am further informed that Regulation 20 of the Income Tax (Employments) (Consolidated) Regulations 2001 (as amended) deals with changes in employment and sets out in paragraph 2 that an "employer shall deliver to the employee" three copies of the P45 "on the date the employment ceases". The Regulations do not provide for any exceptions to this requirement and consequently an employer cannot refuse to provide an employee with a Form P45.
Moreover, the Revenue Commissioners advise that if the Deputy has details of a specific instance in which a duly completed Form P45 has not been supplied to an employee, if those details are provided, they will have the matter investigated.
3 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 19 October 2011, if there has been any conclusion arrived at by the Revenue Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39221/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the internal review requested by the person concerned is ongoing. It has involved a detailed review of all relevant transactions and will be completed shortly.
4 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the loss of revenue to the State from below-cost selling of alcohol from supermarkets and other outlets; and his plans to recoup this loss of revenue to the State [39244/11]
VAT is a tax on the value added to a supply and the collection and recovery of VAT takes place at each stage of the chain of supply from manufacturing to retailer. Under EU and domestic VAT rules traders who are registered for VAT collect VAT on the goods and services that they sell. In turn such traders are entitled to recover the VAT they incur on their business inputs used in the purchase or production of goods or delivery of services. Consequently, if there is a decrease in value at any stage in the process the trader is entitled to a refund of the excess of VAT incurred over that collected. In this regard, where a retailer is in a situation of net VAT gain as a result of below cost selling, this is not a loss to the Exchequer or an additional benefit to the retailer, it is merely how VAT is charged.
5 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has had maintenance payments deleted from their tax allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39274/11]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has had maintenance payments deleted from their tax allowance is that this allowance is not due in this case. An individual is entitled to a deduction in arriving at total income in respect of legally enforceable maintenance payments made to a former spouse. Payments relating to a child are not allowable for tax purposes. Following receipt of a copy of the maintenance agreement in October 2011, it was found that the maintenance payments relate to a child. As these are not allowable for tax purposes relief was withdrawn and PAYE Balancing Statements (P21)s issued on 8 November 2011. As advised on the statements that issued for 2007, 2008 and 2009 these underpayments are being collected by reducing the taxpayer's tax credits for the years 2012 to 2015 inclusive. Arrangements have now been made to collect the 2010 underpayment by reducing the tax credits over the same period.
6 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if it is permissible for persons (details supplied) in County Galway to enter into specific payment arrangements with Revenue to clear balances owed. [39295/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the persons concerned have very significant tax debts including an apparent incapacity to pay current taxes that have recently fallen due for payment. This raises very serious concerns for Revenue about the appropriateness of a phased payment arrangement when current debts are not being paid. I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that contact has been made with them by an agent on behalf of the persons concerned about arrangements to address the debts owed to Revenue. Certain documents and documentary evidence are awaited and once this has been received, Revenue will consider whether an arrangement to its satisfaction can be agreed.
7 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the way he can justify allowing Permanent TSB to charge its home loan customers a standard variable rate of 6% while the two other State owned banks, ESB and AIB charge 4.8% and 3% respectively, and while acknowledging that it is not the normal role of the Minister to interfere with the setting of interest rates, it is noted that a precedent has been set when he persuaded the AIB to reduce their SVR and if he will do the same with PTSB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39299/11]
Neither the Central Bank nor I, as Minister for Finance, have a statutory role in the setting of interest rates charged or paid by financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank. However, I can confirm to the Deputy that Permanent TSB did pass on, in full, the recent reduction to customers holding standard variable rate mortgages. Ultimately the pricing of financial products, including standard variable mortgage interest rates, is a commercial decision for the management team and board of each bank, having due regard to their customers and the impact on profitability, particularly where the cost of funding to each bank, including deposit pricing, is under pressure.
In his recent letter to the Taoiseach, the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank stated that the Central Bank was not requesting the power to have regulatory control over the setting of retail interest rates. He indicated that the experience of such controls in the past, and in other countries, did not encourage the Central Bank to believe that such a regime would be advantageous in net terms as the banking system recovers its normal functioning. Binding controls tend to reduce availability of credit and channel it to the most creditworthy customers, starving smaller and less secure customers from credit. This could have an adverse effect on sound competition in the market. The Deputy Governor mentioned also that, within its existing powers and through the use of suasion, the Central Bank will engage with specific lenders which appear to have standard variable rates set disproportionate to their cost of funds.
8 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding future legislation pertaining to pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39302/11]
The details supplied with the question do not indicate what particular aspect of future legislation relating to private pensions the individual may be concerned about. In my Budget speech earlier this week, I made reference to the sizeable contribution being made by private pension savings towards resolving the difficulties we are facing. I made the point that while I do not propose to move to standard rate income tax relief on pension contributions or to make changes to the existing marginal rate tax relief at this time, further change to the incentive regime for supplementary or private pension provision is required to make the system sustainable and more equitable over the long term. My Department and the Revenue Commissioners will work with the various stakeholders in the next year to develop workable solutions in this area.
I announced certain changes in the broad pensions tax area in the Budget speech, including an increase from 5% to 6% in the rate of annual imputed distribution from approved retirements funds (ARFs) with asset values in excess of €2 million and an extension of the imputed distribution requirements to vested personal retirement savings accounts (PRSAs). These measures will, of course, be provided for in Finance Bill 2012 and further details of these measures will be made available on the publication of that Bill in the New Year.
9 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide full details of all costs incurred, including details of any advisory or consultancy contracts entered into, in regard to a certain exercise by a bank (details supplied). [39303/11]
As the Deputy is aware, Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Limited changed its name to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (trading as IBRC) on 14 October 2011. The Bank has informed me that a significant part of this renaming and rebranding project was managed using internal resources. The main components of the project included the development of a new brand identity for IBRC and the consolidation of multiple websites into one site. The timing of Bank's name change was scheduled to coincide with the appointment of a new non-executive director to IBRC, Mr. Oliver Ellingham in order to minimise the replacement cost of printed materials. The Bank has indicated that two principal elements of this project necessitated external costs to be incurred. They were:
The development of a new brand identity for IBRC:
External expertise was used to deliver identity guidelines for IBRC and the necessary redesign of over 200 pieces of print collateral currently used by the Bank. A minimum amount of internal signage was also required. The cost of this external design work and signage was €30,645.
The development of a new website for IBRC:
An approved external supplier was used to consolidate the existing websites of Anglo and INBS and implement the changed name of the Bank, across a number of geographies, into one group site www.ibrc.ie. The cost of the external support for that project was €7,000.
The total cost of the renaming project undertaken was therefore approximately €38,000 (ex-vat).
Finally, it should be noted that separate to the renaming of the Bank, as part of the broader integration of INBS into the new entity, the Bank is further developing its website so that it will be suitable for the combined entity's approved long term business objectives. This project is scheduled to be delivered this month with estimated external costs of approximately €60,000. One of the key objectives of this project is to save IBRC considerable site update and maintenance costs in the future.
10 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of revenue raised by the State since 2005 through the sale of alcohol products including income from excise and VAT and any information available regarding on or off premises sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39333/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information on revenue raised through the sale of alcohol is in respect of Alcohol Products Tax and VAT. Details are as follows:
|
Alcohol Products |
Beer |
Spirits |
Wine |
Cider |
Total |
|
Tax |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
2005 |
457.3 |
319.8 |
195.1 |
66.1 |
1,038.3 |
|
2006 |
460.7 |
338.0 |
209.2 |
69.2 |
1,077.1 |
|
2007 |
464.8 |
367.6 |
230.2 |
68.3 |
1,130.9 |
|
2008 |
427.2 |
350.9 |
231.3 |
60.6 |
1,069.9 |
|
2009 |
404.3 |
264.1 |
242.5 |
57.1 |
968.0 |
|
2010 |
320.1 |
243.5 |
218.8 |
44.0 |
826.4 |
|
VAT |
Beer |
Spirits |
Wine |
Cider |
Total |
|
Estimated |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
2005 |
521.4 |
225.8 |
169.4 |
105.6 |
1,022.2 |
|
2006 |
531.6 |
240.2 |
187.1 |
114.5 |
1,073.4 |
|
2007 |
553.5 |
270.3 |
190.0 |
119.8 |
1,133.5 |
|
2008 |
535.7 |
258.7 |
183.5 |
110.8 |
1,088.7 |
|
2009 |
538.0 |
239.0 |
188.7 |
108.8 |
1,074.5 |
|
2010 |
488.7 |
220.2 |
201.2 |
100.3 |
1,010.5 |
Please note that the VAT receipts are estimated, as the VAT returns do not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified.
There is no information available regarding on or off premises sales, as Alcohol Products Tax receipts are not distinguished between alcohol subsequently sold in licensed pubs and sold in off-licences.
11 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will be reintroducing the Labour Market Activation Fund in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39231/11]
The Deputy will be aware that my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has made a provision of €20 million in Budget 2012 for a new Labour Market Activation Fund. It is intended that this fund, which will be specifically targeted at the long-term unemployed, will deliver upward of 6,500 places next year.
12 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their redundancy payment. [39236/11]
An application for redundancy from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on 4th July 2011. Applications are processed in date order of receipt and every effort is being made to process these applications as quickly as possible. Applications received in June / July 2011 are currently being processed and it is anticipated that Ms. Calvey will receive her redundancy payment in February 2012.
13 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the decision by FÁS — Solas to increase the age of eligibility from 15 to 16 for local training initiative courses, in particular the expected social impacts on previously eligible 15 year olds [39247/11]
I understand that FÁS has always promoted the age of 16 year old and upwards for Local Training Initiatives (LTIs). This eligibility requirement is linked to the legal age for leaving school, which is 16.
14 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school place in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39298/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools. The policy of my Department is to secure the maximum possible level of inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream primary and post-primary schools, in order to ensure that as many children as possible can be educated with their peers within their own community. My Department therefore provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. Children with special educational needs may be enrolled in a mainstream school and attend all mainstream classes and receive additional teaching support through the learning support and/or resource teacher. Or they may enrol in a mainstream school and attend a special class, or they may enrol in a special school. 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 will try to help parents to find a school placement if their child has been unable to secure a school placement to date. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700. In addition, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) can assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs. Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. 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 the Secretary General of my Department. Only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, may the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.
15 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make changes in the provision of guidance counsellors to schools; his plans to reduce the current provision of guidance counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39332/11]
While difficult choices had to be made to identify savings across my Department's budget, the Government has tried to protect front line services in 2012. The Government has protected the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level, prioritised targeted support for the most disadvantaged schools and maintained the overall number of resource teachers and SNAs to support children with special needs. Until now, a specific resource was provided for guidance in addition to the standard teacher allocation to post primary schools. In future, schools must meet their guidance requirements from within the overall resource provided by that normal staffing schedule. Individually schools can continue to make provision for guidance and counselling. Decisions on how this will be done will be taken at school level in the best interests of students and to ensure the best use of resources available. I am confident school management and teachers will continue to work together to meet the needs of the students in their care.
In this way, the main teacher allocation can be maintained at 19:1 for schools generally, while schools will have discretion to balance what they allocate for guidance against the competing demands of providing subject choice. The change that has been announced gives schools greater autonomy in how they allocate staff resources to best meet the needs of their students.
I have also provided for the filling of 300 Assistant Principal posts in second-level schools over the level originally planned. This will ensure that schools have sufficient management positions to ensure appropriate supports are available for all students. This is an important change which will reduce the impact of the moratorium on the filling of posts of responsibility in second level schools .The change to guidance allocations must be seen in the context of the major challenges we have as a Government in trying to shelter public services to the greatest extent that we can in these exceptional times. My Department will be notifying schools of the impact of the budget changes in January, 2012.
16 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on dyslexia in pupils; the amount of grant aid he has given to an association (details supplied) on an annual basis for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39363/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides a range of supports for pupils with dyslexia. In mainstream primary schools, support is provided through the General Allocation Model (GAM). The GAM was introduced in September 2005 and ensures that mainstream primary schools have the additional teaching resources already in place to enable them cater for children with high-incidence special educational needs, including dyslexia. My Department also provides funding for a number of special schools and special classes attached to mainstream primary schools which have been sanctioned to meet the needs of children with specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia. Support is also provided for teachers with additional training needs in the area of dyslexia. The Special Education Support Service (SESS) manages, co-ordinates and develops a range of supports in response to identified teacher training needs. The SESS provides fees' subsidies for online training courses and courses run by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland as well as support for in-school seminars and attendance at relevant conferences and seminars. Twenty seminars on Learning and Teaching for Students with Special Educational Needs (Dyslexia & Dyspraxia) were provided by the SESS through the Education Centre network in the 2010/11 school year at which 823 teachers attended. 50 teachers availed of training in the Wilson Reading System in the 2010/11 school year, a highly-specialised intensive programme on the development of reading for students with dyslexia. A further online course for teachers is being developed by the SESS in conjunction with Dyslexia International and will be available on the SESS e-learning site in the coming weeks. In addition, my Department provides funding to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers and/or software to assist children with special educational needs, including children with dyslexia, with their education once relevant professionals recommend the equipment. Schools can apply to the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) directly for this support. An information resource pack on dyslexia in CD-ROM, DVD and video format, has been developed by my Department in association with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. This product has been made available to all primary and post-primary schools. The DVD and video provides support for parents of pupils with dyslexia while the CD-ROM assists teachers who are teaching children with dyslexia in the mainstream classroom. My Department has provided funding to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland at national level which helps the organisation operate an information service for members and the public as well as assisting in meeting the costs associated with the attendance of some children from disadvantaged backgrounds at workshops and programmes organised by the association. The total grant-aid provided my Department to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland for the past 5 years, including funding provided to the Association for further education programmes, is as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2010 |
183,500 |
|
2009 |
183,500 |
|
2008 |
188,500 |
|
2007 |
183,500 |
|
2006 |
156,500 |
17 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the name of each member of the board of the Grangegorman Development Agency; the date on which each member was appointed; their record of attendance at meetings of the agency since their appointment; when individual terms are up for renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39380/11]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the membership of the Agency and individual attendance at meetings is outlined in the following table:
|
Title |
First Name |
Surname |
Appointed |
Current Term Expires |
Number of meetings attended |
|
Mr |
Bob |
Coggins |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
15 |
|
Cllr |
Emer |
Costello |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
14 |
|
Dr |
Dominic |
Dillane |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
12 |
|
Mr |
John |
Fitzgerald (Chair) |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
19 |
|
Cllr |
Mary |
Fitzpatrick |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
12 |
|
Mr |
David |
Geary |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
5 |
|
Mr |
Brian |
Gilroy |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
9 |
|
Mr |
Dick |
Gleeson |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
16 |
|
Ms |
Maria |
Grogan |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
13 |
|
Mr |
Michael |
Hand (CEO ex-officio) |
November 2012 |
11 |
|
|
Mr |
John |
Monahan |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
18 |
|
Prof |
Brian |
Norton |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
16 |
|
Ms |
Anne |
O’Connor |
November 2012 |
7 |
|
|
Ms |
Denise |
O’Dowd |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
9 |
|
Ms |
Jacinta |
Stewart |
May 2010 |
November 2012 |
12 |
18 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe an mbaineann an ciorclán a d’eisigh sé, uimhir 109/247/74 maidir le táillí a íoc le comhaltaí de bhoird stáit, le baill d’údaráis éagsúla atá tofa go daonlathach ag an bpobal i dtoghcháin phoiblí; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [39241/11]
Mar fhreagra ar an Teachta, is féidir liom a rá i dtaobh ionadaithe poiblí a d'fhéadfadh bheith fostaithe freisin ag comhlachtaí stáit, go gcuimsítear iad faoi na socruithe seo a bhaineann le híocaíocht táillí maidir le comhaltacht de chuid bord stáit.
19 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the following details for all Secretaries General who have retired between January 2008 up to and including March 2012: the Department from which they retired; the date of retirement, name, age at retirement, gross lump sum received, gross special severance gratuity payment received and gross annual pension payment. [39279/11]
A number of Delegated Departments are answering this question as they hold the relevant information. As regards other relevant Departments it has not been possible to collate the information in the time available. The relevant data will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
20 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Departments currently undergoing a review by the organisational review programme; the date on which each departmental report is due to be concluded; and when the reports’ findings will be publicly available. [39280/11]
Eleven organisations have been reviewed to date under the Organisational Review Programme (ORP). Four Departments have been reviewed as part of the current round: Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Education and Skills, and Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
When all of the Departments have finalised their action plans to address the issues raised, a composite report comprising both the ORP findings and the action plans will be produced. It is expected that the report will be submitted to Government shortly for consideration and subsequent publication.
21 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the national lottery, if he has terms of reference for the examination of how best to maximise the return on the extension of the licence for the benefit of the people; the timeframe for the examination; and if he will consider increasing the funding to good causes to 40%. [39304/11]
As the Deputy is aware, the Government has decided to extend the current National Lottery licence to mid-2013 as an interim arrangement in order to allow time for the holding of a competition for the award of a new licence. My Department is currently exploring the opportunities presented by the expiry of the existing Lottery licence and I intend to bring worked out proposals to Government in the New Year on how best we can approach this matter.
The Government's overriding priority is to maximize the return on the next Lottery licence for the benefit of the community, having regard to the budgetary difficulties faced by the State. There are no formal terms of reference for the exploratory work currently being carried out by my Department. The Government's intention is to seek a large up-front payment to the State, while still retaining significant annual revenues for good causes. It is the Government's intention to use some of the proceeds from any up-front payment to help fund the new National Children's Hospital.
The Government is committed to the continuation of significant National Lottery funding for good causes under any new arrangements for the licence. However, it would be premature to speculate at this time as to the precise level of funding that will be allocated for good causes under the terms of the next licence.
22 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the funds drawn down for flood relief in Athleague, County Roscommon; the specific allocation for channel maintenance, the construction of a weir and overflow channel and construction of the channel between the creamery and the old graveyard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39335/11]
23 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has sought and received a report from Roscommon County Council regarding the failure of the recently developed overflow channel, between the creamery and the old graveyard in the village of Athleague, County Roscommon, to alleviate the high water levels on the river Suck last Thursday night — Friday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39336/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
Under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme, it is open to local authorities to apply to the Office of Public Works for funding to undertake small scale flood alleviation measures within their administrative areas.
The Office of Public Works approved funding of €270,000 under the Scheme in 2010 to Roscommon County Council to undertake a range of works at the location in question. The approved funding has been drawn down in full by the council.
Roscommon County Council is responsible for the procurement, planning, detailed financial management and day-to-day implementation of all aspects of the works. The OPW has no role in these matters. Any issues arising from the implementation of the works is entirely a matter for the council, and they are best placed to respond to the issues raised.
24 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39359/11]
I understand that the Deputy is also seeking a response from the Minister for Finance in relation to correspondence supplied and as agreed with the Deputy my response will be in relation to Public Service numbers. As outlined in the Public Service Reform Plan that I published on 17 November last, the Government plans to reduce the size of the public service to 282,500 by 2015. The numbers reduction set out in the Budget this week will see 2012 public service numbers reduced to some 294,000, a 6,000 reduction over projected end 2011 figure of 300,000. This represents a third of the required reductions between now and 2015 and is consistent with Government's policy to front-load the correction, thus maximising the potential savings. Overall, from the peak level in 2008, by end 2015 we will see a 37,500 reduction in numbers. There will also be a €3.5 billion or 20% reduction in the Exchequer pay bill over that period.
The delivery of the numbers reductions and pay bill saving are a key element of the public service reform agenda to which Government is committed. In order to mitigate the impact on front-line service provision as far as possible we will fully use the mechanism set out in the Public Service Reform Plan, including the filling of essential posts and the utilisation of redeployment.
25 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the development of a jobs plan for the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39357/11]
I launched the South East Action Plan on Friday, 2 December last.
A press release, available on my Department's website at the address below, refers. http://www.djei.ie/press/2011/20111202.htm
The report referred to therein can be accessed via the Forfás website at the following address: http://www.forfas.ie/media/021211-South_East_Action_Plan_Publication.pdf
26 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the following details for all Secretaries General who have retired between January 2008 up to and including March 2012: the Department from which they retired; the date of retirement, name, age at retirement, gross lump sum received, gross special severance gratuity payment received and gross annual pension payment. [39780/11]
One Secretary General retired from my Department in the period from January 2008 to date. Mr Sean Gorman Secretary General retired on the 22 October 2011. Mr Gorman was 59 at his date of retirement. Mr Gorman received a gross lump sum in the amount of €380,452.50, a gross severance gratuity in the amount of €126,817.50 and is entitled to receive a gross annual pension of €126,817.50. As Mr Gorman had in excess of 40 years service no added years were due. It is not expected that there will be any further retirements at Secretary General level in the period to March 2012.
27 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue under the one parent family allowance scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39227/11]
An application for one parent family payment from the person concerned has been awarded and the first payment will issue to her next week.
28 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal has been received form a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; when this appeal will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39228/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 7 November 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.
29 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider amending the back to education allowance scheme to allow students involved in the youth reach programme to proceed directly to further education and remain eligible for BETA without having to sign on to the live register for a period of up to three months to break the cycle of dependency on jobseeker’s allowance and ensure students can transition smoothly between education providers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39239/11]
The back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling eligible people on social welfare to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held.
An applicant must be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study to qualify for the back to education allowance. This requirement has always been a feature of the BTEA scheme and is considered necessary to ensure that limited resources are directed at those most in need.
Periods spent on Youth Reach can count towards the qualifying period for BTEA provided the person establishes an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment such as jobseekers' allowance prior to, or after the completion of a Youth Reach programme.
Initial work on a review of certain activation measures has commenced. The format of the review has recently been agreed and it will take a number of months to complete. Current BTEA conditions such as those which pertain to youth reach will be examined in this context.
30 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding dedicated reporting phone lines (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39249/11]
The prevention of fraud and abuse of the social welfare system is an integral part of the day-to-day work of my Department which processes in excess of 2 million claims each year and makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week. However, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of people are receiving the entitlement due to them.
The Deputy may be aware that I recently launched a new Fraud Initiative (2011-2013) which is aimed at putting in place a range of actions to combat fraud and abuse of the social welfare system and to ensure there is public confidence and trust in the system.
My Department accepts reports of possible fraud from members of the public in relation to the various schemes it administers. To this end, it operates both a dedicated phone number and there is also a facility on the Department's website to make such reports. Members of the public are asked to provide as much detail about the case they are reporting as possible and they can do so anonymously.
Reports can be made as follows:
By email: www.welfare.ie
By phone: (01) 704 3000, ask for Central Control Section or (071) 9672648 or Locall: 1890 927999.
By Post: Central Control Division, DSP, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.
All anonymous or confidential reports are examined and, where relevant, are referred to scheme owners and/or to the Department's inspectors for appropriate follow-up action. While a payment is not suspended or stopped solely on the basis of an anonymous report, the report may be a trigger for the instigation of a review of a customer's entitlement. A Social Welfare Inspector may then deem it appropriate to carry out a full review of the circumstances and means of the customer in order to determine on-going entitlement to the relevant payment.
The following are details of the number of reports received in the period January to November 2011:
|
Reports Received January-November 2011 |
|
|
Phone |
4,931 |
|
|
10,226 |
|
Letter |
985 |
|
Total @ November 2011 |
16,142 |
In approximately 12,300 of the above cases, a report of suspected fraud was sent to the relevant area for examination. In approximately 3,800 of the cases received in 2011, it was not possible to issue a report to an investigator due to (i) a lack of information supplied, (ii) no claim being in payment or (iii) the information reported would not impact on entitlement. The majority of the reports received relate to Jobseekers payments, One Parent Family payments, Illness payments and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
It should be noted that the number of anonymous reports received from members of the public has increased significantly in recent years:
|
Year |
Anonymous Reports |
|
2005 |
621 |
|
2006 |
579 |
|
2007 |
604 |
|
2008 |
1,044 |
|
2009 |
6,429 |
|
2010 |
12,648 |
|
2011 (to date) |
16,142 |
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.
31 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the Money Advice and Budgeting Service did not make any submission to the Keane report in view of its brief and its experience in helping persons in difficulty with mortgage and personal debt. [39251/11]
In July 2011 the Government's Economic Management Council tasked an Interdepartmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group chaired by the Department of Finance (Mr Declan Keane) to consider further actions to alleviate the increasing problem of mortgage arrears. The report was published on 30th September, 2011. The Working Group in their deliberations availed of the outcomes from the extensive consultation process undertaken by the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review, chaired by Mr Hugh Cooney, with a wide range of interested parties including the Citizens Information Board and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service
I recently invited stakeholders working in the mortgage and personal debt area, including representatives from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, to a forum to hear their views on the recommendations of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears including proposals to curtail mortgage interest supplement and to support people in arrears through an independent mortgage advice service. The outcomes of these discussions will help to inform the most appropriate mechanism for delivery of the independent mortgage advisory function and I will be discussing this matter with my Government colleagues. The Citizen Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of my Department, has statutory responsibility for the 53 independent Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) who provide assistance to people experiencing money problems.
32 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for lone parents in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [39259/11]
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. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer's decision.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts. The legislation also provides that an Appeals Officer may decide a case before him/her on the basis of the documentary evidence. This course of action was taken in this case as it was considered that an oral hearing was not warranted.
Following the submission of additional evidence the Chief 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.
33 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [39260/11]
I confirm than an application for carer's allowance has been received from the person concerned. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of his claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
34 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons who find that work in their primary degree and qualifications has dried up and who try to re-skill by going back to education and undertake a primary degree in another field and who bear the burden of college fees and associated costs are not paid back to education allowance even though such persons are in full time education in circumstances where such persons' means would require social welfare assistance; and if she will change the eligibility criteria for back to education allowance. [39264/11]
The back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling eligible people on certain social welfare payments to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held.
Progression has always been a fundamental condition of the back to education allowance. State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one. This is necessary to ensure displacement does not occur, in that courses could be offered to students who are not progressing at the cost of students progressing from a lower education level. Furthermore, the scheme was never intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system.
However, if a person wishes to pursue a part time education course they may be able to do so while still obtaining their jobseeker's payment. They must apply at their local social welfare office and verify that participation on the course does not reduce their availability for work. In the case of jobseeker's benefit, participation on a course does not grant any extension to the normal period for which jobseeker's benefit is paid.
On May 10 2011, as part of the Government's Jobs Initiative, 20,900 new and additional places were announced in training, education and work experience programmes. As part of this initiative, a new fund, entitled Springboard, which is being managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills, provides education and training opportunities to support unemployed people. The primary objective of Springboard is to help unemployed people to remain as close as possible to the labour market by accessing part-time flexible higher education and training opportunities to upskill or reskill in areas where sustainable employment opportunities may arise as the economy recovers. The target group for this programme of over 200 courses, which are provided free of charge, includes unemployed people with a previous history of employment who already hold a higher level qualification at NFQ Levels 6 to 9, who may also require additional upskilling or reskilling in order to re-enter employment. By way of the part-time education option, unemployed people on jobseeker's payments will be facilitated in retaining their payment, subject to continuing entitlement, within the broader back to education framework.
There are no plans, at present, to modify the existing qualifying criteria for the BTEA scheme for people who are not progressing in educational qualifications However, the BTEA scheme, in conjunction with other employment support schemes, will continue to be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to meet its objective.
36 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 17 November, if she will confirm that information was submitted several months ago to the relevant section in her Department indicating that the applicant was involved in the care of the child prior to moving into rented accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39293/11]
Further to parliamentary Question No. 148 of 17 November, the person concerned made an application for rent supplement on the 1 September 2010. The only information relating to his child prior to the original application was the housing needs assessment dated 29 July 2010. There was no evidence of a history of financial support regarding the care of his child prior to the application for rent supplement. All subsequent information relating to access to the child was sent after the person concerned made the initial application. The local authority in question has deemed that the person concerned only has an entitlement to the provision of a one-bedroom housing solution. The applicant has the option of appealing the decision to refuse rent supplement to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
37 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a back to school clothing allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39310/11]
The person concerned has been awarded a back to school clothing and footwear allowance and payment will issue shortly.
38 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a matter (details supplied) regarding rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39318/11]
The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
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 accommodation needs. There is no direct relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme.
Current legislation already 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, at the tenant's written request and subject to the consent of the Department. Approximately 20% of rent supplement payments are currently paid to a person other than the tenant.
As the Deputy will be aware on 16 June 2011, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Housing and Planning published a new housing policy framework statement. The policy contained the announcement for the transfer of responsibility in providing housing needs for long term rent supplement recipients to housing authorities on a phased basis. A multi-agency steering group has been established to develop proposals to give effect to this transfer. This transfer will help achieve a key Government commitment of removing barriers to employment while at the same time changing the way in which rent supplement tenants receive support from the State to meet their accommodation needs. The rent supplement scheme will then revert to its original purpose, that of a short term income support payment for those temporarily unemployed.
39 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when a social welfare appeal in relation to an illness benefit claim will be decided upon in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if same can now be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39341/11]
Payment of illness benefit, 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 registered on 7 November 2011 and the Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.
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.
40 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if payment will issue before Christmas 2011. [39346/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
The 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.
41 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if redundancy payment will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [39347/11]
A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned was awarded on 6 December 2011. Payment will issue to the nominated bank account in the near future.
42 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the position regarding same; and when a decision will issue. [39348/11]
The person concerned is currently in receipt of carer's allowance in respect of one care recipient.
On 3 October 2011 she was refused carer's allowance in respect of a second care recipient on the grounds that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in the regulations. She was notified of this decision.
Additional medical evidence from the person in question was subsequently received and was forwarded to the Department's medical assessor for consideration. However, this information did not alter the original opinion of the medical assessor and, accordingly, the decision remains unchanged. On 7 December 2011 she was notified of this decision.
43 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the following details for all Secretaries General who have retired between January 2008 up to and including March 2012: the Department from which they retired; the date of retirement, name, age at retirement, gross lump sum received, gross special severance gratuity payment received and gross annual pension payment. [39781/11]
During the period specified Ms. Bernadette Lacey, Secretary General, retired from my Department on 22 July 2010 at 60 years of age. The lump sum paid to the officer was €359,267.37 and the annual pension awarded at the time was €119,755.79.
No special severance gratuity was payable to the officer concerned.
44 Deputy Brendan Griffin 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. [39258/11]
The matter referred to by the Deputy relates to the merger of the functions of an office, as opposed to its abolition, and is to be progressed in the context of a review which is under way by my Department.
As the Deputy's question is in a "details supplied" format, I am precluded from being more specific in regard to this matter. I can assure the Deputy that I will be pleased to provide more detailed information to him, if he wishes to submit a Question in a less restricted format.
45 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the following details for all Secretaries General who have retired between January 2008 up to and including March 2012: the Department from which they retired; the date of retirement, name, age at retirement, gross lump sum received, gross special severance gratuity payment received and gross annual pension payment. [39776/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011 and brings together functions from the former Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The severance package paid to Mr Con Haugh, the outgoing Secretary General of the former Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports, on his retirement in May 2011 was as follows:
Retirement Lump Sum: €332,896
Annual Pension: €100,889
Severance Pay: €110,964
While the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs was renamed the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on 1st June 2011, legacy issues relating to the former Department were assigned to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Accordingly, for completeness, I am again including in this reply details of the severance package paid to Mr Gerry Kearney, the outgoing Secretary General of the then Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, on his retirement in December 2009 as follows:
Retirement Lump Sum: €332,893
Annual Pension: €110,964
Severance Pay: €110,964
46 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on licensing arrangements granted to a company (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39235/11]
In February of this year, my Department granted an onshore Petroleum Licensing Option to Enegi Oil plc over a part of the Clare Basin for a term of two years. The Licensing Option is a preliminary authorisation and is designed to allow Enegi Oil assess the shale gas potential of the acreage largely based on studies of existing data from previous exploration activity.
The work programme for this licensing option is mainly office/desktop based and does not involve exploration drilling. The company is however required to collect samples from outcrops and from previous exploration activity for analysis. The work programme progress is monitored by my Department. Access on to lands would require the landowner's permission.
By the end of the licensing option period in February 2013, the company will have to decide whether to apply for a follow-on exploration licence or relinquish the acreage. In the event the company decides to apply for an exploration licence, their application would be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. That assessment would include a Public Consultation Phase, of four weeks or more, which would be advertised on my Department's website and in the local press. My Department would also seek and be guided by the expert advice of other relevant statutory authorities such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Local Authorities. The outcome of the Environmental Impact Assessment would help to determine whether or not an exploration licence would be granted.
47 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to send representatives from his Department or any agencies under his remit, including the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, to the European Wind Energy Association conference in Copenhagen which will be held between 16 and 19 April 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39277/11]
The conference referred to is a commercial conference held on an annual basis by the European Wind Energy Association. Staff from the Department or the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland only attend commercial conferences abroad if their attendance is absolutely warranted by business requirements. There are currently no plans to attend the conference in question.
48 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will have work done to their home under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland warmer homes scheme. [39324/11]
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers Better Energy: Warmer Homes on behalf of my Department. The energy poverty strand of Better Energy aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to low-income homes unable to afford the cost of implementing such measures. This is enabling over 20,000 low-income homes to benefit from energy efficiency retrofit measures by the end of this year.
There has been a significant uptake in applications and interest in the scheme over the last three years. The success of the scheme has led to an unprecedented demand and a subsequent increase in waiting times. While surveys are carried out on eligible homes and a number of potential measures are identified, the SEAI has to prioritise lower cost measures, in order to address the maximum number of vulnerable homes in line with budgetary and other resources.
I have been informed that the person referred to has had the measures currently available completed in her home last September. If the Deputy has any further queries regarding this matter he should contact the SEAI directly.
The SEAI recently held an information day for all members of the Oireachtas. Representatives from the Authority were on hand to explain the current range of schemes and programmes being managed by the Authority and to handle any queries that members had.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has recently established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
49 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the new REFIT scheme, known as REFIT 2, is expected to receive clearance from the European Commission for state aid; the reason for the delay in receiving clearance to date; if he is actively pursuing this issue with the Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39358/11]
I am advised that the second State Aid decision from the European Commission on REFIT 2 for onshore wind, hydro and landfill gas should be forthcoming shortly and once obtained, I will seek Government approval to proceed to open the scheme.
New renewable electricity generation is supported in every Member State and is necessary to underpin delivery of the European Union's ambitious 2020 renewable energy and climate change targets. It also displaces imported fossil fuels in our electricity generation and improves our overall security of supply.
The Renewable Energy Feed-in-Tariff (REFIT) scheme was announced in 2006 for certain categories of renewable energy, including wind and hydro power. It received state aid clearance in 2007 and projects under the original scheme continue to build out. There is just over 1,200 MW of REFIT supported generation included in the 2011/2012 PSO decision.
The REFIT scheme was successful with Ireland achieving and surpassing its 2010 Renewable Electricity target as is acknowledged by the EU Commission. Under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, Ireland has been set a new legally binding target of 16% of all energy consumed in the country to be from renewable sources by 2020 across the transport, heating and electricity sectors.
This is a more than a threefold increase on where we are today and will be challenging to deliver. As set out in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan, a large proportion of the mandatory target will be delivered through the electricity sector and REFIT will play a key role in ensuring sufficient new renewable generation is built out.
The real challenge is to ensure that we are able to build out the necessary supporting grid infrastructure to enable the Gate 3 projects to develop. Grid reinforcement plays a key role in ensuring regions have a secure and reliable electricity supply. It is also necessary to strengthen the grid to be able to accept new renewable generation which is typically located in more remote areas that have weak grid systems. Our ability to get this infrastructure built is critical to achieving Ireland's renewable energy ambitions.
50 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason he was not officially represented at the Amsterdam conference on wind energy in view of the potential that exists in this area. [39366/11]
The conference referred to is a commercial conference held on offshore wind technologies on an annual basis by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). I was accompanied by officials from my Department at an equivalent event in Ireland just days before the EWEA conference in Amsterdam.
I agree that there is significant development potential to develop the offshore renewable resources we have in Ireland in the context of developing an export market. I addressed the National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland conference to give this message on 15 November in Dublin.
51 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the introduction of guidelines for green public procurement which promotes slag as the green construction solution for Ireland whereas other EU member states are advising that the functionality should determine procurement strategy on a case basis without advising on material types to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39306/11]
Ireland, along with the majority of other Member States, has developed a Green Public Procurement (GPP) Action Plan. The Plan, which I propose to publish next month, is consistent with the principles set out in EC Communication (COM (2008) 400) which defines GPP as "a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured."
The Green Public Procurement Action Plan will not endorse any one product, or product input, over another. Rather, it will set out the various environmental issues to be considered, in addition to the specific functionality requirements, with the aim of reducing the environmental footprint of public procurement.
52 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be made available for the provision of a new fire station (details supplied) in County Offaly. [39253/11]
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981.
My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance, and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to the approved purchase of fire appliances and emergency equipment as well as construction and upgrading of fire stations. Continued investment in the fire appliance fleet has been identified as a key national priority for the available capital funds.
A proposal by Offaly County Council to construct a replacement station in Ferbane was approved in principle by my Department in 2008. Given the current constraints on public finances, further support from my Department's fire services capital programme to replace Ferbane fire station will have regard to the county council's priorities, the extent of previous investment in fire services in Offaly, the location of existing facilities and the value for money offered by proposals, and the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide.
53 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his budget for consultancy in relation to the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in a Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39265/11]
54 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process he followed to procure the consultants used in the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in his Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39266/11]
55 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount spent on consultancy fees to date; and the companies and persons that fees were paid to in the independent assessment of the establishment of a water utility referenced in his Dáil Éireann speech on 16 June 2011. [39267/11]
57 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list all consultants used from 1 March 2011 to date in the area of water and or wastewater reform; and the amount that has been spent on each. [39269/11]
58 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his overall budget in respect of consultancy for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in relation to the establishment of Irish Water. [39270/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 to 55, inclusive, 57 and 58 together.
The Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure and to manage the domestic water metering programme. The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the EU/IMF commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of such an authority.
My Department procured consultants to undertake this study through an open competition advertised on the Government's public procurement website —www.etenders.ie. As a result of this competition, a team led by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which includes legal and engineering consultants, was appointed. The full cost of the study is expected to be €107,800 excluding VAT. The first part of this study is now completed and will be considered by Government. A sum of €58,800 of the consultancy fee (excluding VAT) will be paid in 2011 and the balance in 2012. No other consultancy firms are involved in the work related to the establishment of Irish Water at this time.
The need for further external advice as the work continues will be determined in the light of the forthcoming Government consideration and the conclusion of the final phase of the current work. Accordingly no specific allocation has been made for such work in future years, at this stage.
56 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish his assessment of the establishment of a water utility. [39268/11]
59 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff within his Department and within local authorities currently engaged in preparing for the transfer of responsibility for water service from local authorities to the new Irish water utility. [39271/11]
60 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the representations he has received from Irish semi-State companies interested in taking responsibility for water and wastewater services. [39272/11]
61 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the representations he has received from non-Irish companies interested in taking responsibility for water and wastewater services. [39273/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 59 to 61, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a new State-owned national water authority to take over responsibility for managing and supervising investment in water services infrastructure and to manage the domestic water metering programme. The Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the EU/IMF commits Ireland to undertaking an independent assessment of the establishment of such an authority.
PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed to undertake this independent assessment, the purpose of which is to examine existing organisational arrangements in the water sector and consider the most appropriate assignment of water functions for the future. The consultants were asked, as part of their terms of reference, to consider the potential forms of company structures for Irish Water including consideration of the assignment of responsibility for water services provision, or part thereof, to an existing State agency. Consequently, a number of State agencies have participated in the stakeholder soundings during this phase of the work, including the ESB, Bord Gáis Éireann, Bord na Móna and the National Roads Authority.
I am not aware of any interest from any private companies in taking responsibility for water or waste water services. The Government has made it clear that whatever organisational form is chosen for Irish Water, it will remain in public ownership.
The consultants have now submitted the first phase of their assessment. The Government will consider the outcome of the first phase of the independent assessment relating to the optimal organisational structures for Irish Water, including its proposed powers and responsibilities. This will include the question of publication of the first phase report.
The next stage of the consultancy work will involve the development of an implementation plan, and it is only at this stage that the question of preparatory work for the transfer of responsibilities will arise. At present, the work on the study is being managed by my Department, together with a steering group comprising representatives of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, NewERA and the County and City Managers Association.
62 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way our water quality compares with other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/11]
Water quality in Ireland compares favourably with that of other European countries. The most recent EPA report on water quality, Water Quality in Ireland 2007-2009 , found that the overall quality of surface waters had stabilised while that of groundwater had improved over the previous three-year period.
A 50% reduction in the number of seriously polluted river sites was noted in the report and some significant improvements in estuarine areas were seen due to the commissioning of new wastewater treatment plants. However, the report also found that continued improvements across a range of sectors are needed if Ireland is to achieve its obligations under the Water Framework Directive. Nutrient enrichment causing eutrophication remains the principal and most widespread pressure on the aquatic environment in Ireland.
Figure 6.2 in Chapter 6 of the Report shows a comparison of Irish surface water bodies with those of 10 other European countries, classified in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. The full report is available on the EPA website at http://www.epa.ie/downloads/ pubs/water/waterqua/.
63 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding walking routes, hill walking and rights of way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39320/11]
The development and maintenance of critical walking infrastructure is fundamental to the whole approach to facilitating access to the countryside for recreation and activity tourism purposes. The Wicklow Way is one of over 40 National Waymarked Ways that are the backbone of the walking product in Ireland. Wicklow is one of the first counties to develop an integrated representative management structure — "the Wicklow Way Partnership" — whose members are:
Coillte
Wicklow County Council
Mountain Meitheal (Volunteer Trail Conservation Group).
National Parks and Wildlife Service
The Dublin Mountains Partnership (managing the Wicklow Way in County Dublin)
County Wicklow Partnership (managing the trail on private lands).
Its aims include developing a multiyear plan for the strategic development of the Wicklow Way by agreement and pooling of resources and bringing the Wicklow Way to top international standard and recognition.
In that regard, it is important that, where possible, walking routes offer the user safe, secure and stimulating surroundings. To achieve that, it is important that routes are off road where possible with the agreement of the landowners concerned. However, all land in Ireland is in private or state ownership. Participants in recreation activities should be aware that there is no legal right of access to the Irish countryside. Those who enter onto land that is owned by others, for the purpose of recreation, do so due to the goodwill of landowners.
Ireland's Waymarked trails and the majority of other walking routes are "permissive access routes" that have been developed with the landowners' agreement; they are not public rights of way. Some Government and semi-state organisations encourage access to their lands for public enjoyment (e.g. Coillte), but even in these areas, access is permissive and the public do not have a right of access. Given the importance of continued improvement of the Wicklow Way, I have requested that discussions be initiated with local landowners to see if agreed access can be secured in respect of the section of lands referred to in the question.
64 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) who owns only one property is being charged non principal private residence in view of the fact that the reason for renting is that they lost their job in Dublin, were lucky enough to secure other employment in Kilkenny, moved to Kilkenny and is renting a property there to live in and has rented their own property in Dublin. [39325/11]
The €200 charge on non-principal private residences is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and other non-principal residences. The most important exemption under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 is for a person's sole or main residence. However, any one individual can have only one such residence.
In a situation where a person owns a property in which he or she does not live and his or her sole or main residence is a rented property, there would be a liability for the charge in respect of the property owned by the person, unless it is otherwise exempted under section 4 of the Act.
65 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has instructed local authorities to retrofit and insulate only those local authority houses that become vacant; if the scheme to retrofit and insulate local authority houses will be extended to all housing stock; the funding made available in 2009, 2010 and 2011 for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39342/11]
In line with overall national policy which promotes a reduction in energy use, the enhancement of energy efficiency standards remains a priority within my Department's overall strategy for the improvement of local authority housing.
Under the Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock. The programme includes a retrofitting measure aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and houses by reducing heat loss through the fabric of the building and the installation of high-efficiency condensing boilers. Given the constraints on new local authority housing supply, it is important that the existing stock of local authority housing is available and in fit condition to meet housing need. Under this year's programme there is a particular focus on returning vacant properties to productive use. Works to occupied units may also be carried out, within the allocation provided, where the local authority considers this appropriate.
Details of the funding provided in respect of the retrofitting measure, including refurbishment works to vacant properties, are set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Provision |
|
2009 |
€28.5 million |
|
2010 |
€36.3 million |
|
2011 |
€32.2 million |
66 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an application from Kilkenny County Council for funding to refurbish a housing scheme (details supplied) will be expedited and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39343/11]
Kilkenny County Council has submitted this project as one of its priority projects for the period 2012-2014 under the Social Housing Investment Programme.
The 2012 Housing Programmes for all county and city councils will be determined in early 2012.
67 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the revision of constituencies will be implemented; the range possible in the reduction in the number of TDs; if it is intended that a referendum on the future of Seanad Éireann and the revision of constituencies will occur at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39369/11]
On 27 July 2011, I established a Constituency Commission under the Electoral Act 1997 to review Dáil and European Parliament constituencies.
The terms of reference of the Commission were amended by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011. The revised terms of reference provide that a Constituency Commission will now recommend Dáil constituencies based on a reduced number of TDs between a minimum of 153 and a maximum of 160 subject to Article 16.2.2 of the Constitution.
The Commission is required to report to the Chairman of the Dáil no later than 3 months after the publication by the Central Statistics Office of the final population results. I understand that these results are due to be published at the end of March 2012. It is a matter for the Oireachtas to revise the constituencies by enacting the relevant legislation. There is no requirement to hold a referendum to revise constituencies.
68 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the following details for all Secretaries General who have retired between January 2008 up to and including March 2012: the Government Department from which they retired; the date of retirement, name, age at retirement, gross lump sum received, gross special severance gratuity payment received and gross annual pension payment. [39779/11]
There was no such retirement from my Department in the period since January 2008, and the term of the current Secretary General extends beyond March 2012.
69 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the legislation under which the Property Services Regulatory Authority, which was set up by Michael McDowell in 2005, operates; the actions taken since its formation up to November this year; if the recent legislation passed enables it to fully investigate claims as intended at its 2005 formation; if so, the number of investigations underway; the budget that was allocated to it in 2011 and if that budget includes office rental. [39254/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the Auctioneering/Estate Agency Review Group was established in 2005, by the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to carry out a review of all aspects of the auctioneering profession in Ireland. The Review Group recommended the establishment of a Regulatory Authority to take over responsibility from the Courts and the Revenue Commissioners for the licensing and regulation of Auctioneers, Estate Agents and Management Agents.
In December 2006 the Government approved the general scheme of the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill, which, among other things provided for the establishment of the Property Services Regulatory Authority on a statutory basis. The Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 was first introduced in the Seanad in May 2009 and was finally passed by the Dáil on 22 November, 2011. The amendments made in the Dáil will be considered by the Seanad on 9 December, 2011. This Bill sets out the main functions of the new Authority which include:
To control, supervise and regulate Property Services Providers (i.e. Auctioneers/Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents);
To operate a comprehensive licensing system covering all Property Services Providers;
To specify and enforce:—
standards for the grant of licences to Property Services Providers (e.g. educational/training standards; levels of professional indemnity insurance), and;
standards to be observed in the provision of property services by Property Services Providers (e.g. technical standards; appropriate ethical standards);
To establish and administer a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints against Property Services Providers;
To establish and administer a system of investigation of standards in the provision of Property Services;
To impose sanctions on Property Services Providers for improper conduct (including fines up to €250,000 and the revocation of a licence);
To promote increased consumer protection and public awareness of property services in general;
To establish, maintain and administer a Compensation Fund to compensate parties who lose money as a direct consequence of the dishonesty of a Property Services Provider;
To Develop Codes of Practice for Property Services Providers;
To establish and maintain a Public Register of Property Sales Prices;
To establish and maintain a Commercial Leases Database;
To establish and maintain a Public Register of Licensed Property services Providers;
To Act as State Competent Authority for Money Laundering;
To Assist the Minister in the development of policy relating to the regulation of the Property Services Industry;
To undertake or commission research projects.
The interim non-Statutory Regulatory body, in line with the policy of decentralisation being operated at the time, established its new headquarters in Navan, Co. Meath.
A Chief Executive designate (Mr. Tom Lynch) was appointed on foot of a competition run by the Civil Service Commissioners.
A number of advisory/regulatory documents have been prepared and regulations which will fall to be made when the Bill is enacted have been drafted. These include:
Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011 (Licence Application) Regulations 2011. (To provide for the statutory rules governing the form of licence application);
Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011 (Licence Classification and Fees) Regulations 2011. (To specify the classes of licence and the licence fees appropriate for each licence class);
Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011 (Qualifications) Regulations 2011. (To provide for specific schemes of education and training necessary to qualify for a licence);
Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011 (Compensation Fund) Regulations 2011. (To provide for the establishment of the Compensation Fund, the contributions to the Fund, the rules governing the payment of compensation and the circumstances in which compensation will be paid);
Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011 (Client Accounts) Regulations 2011. (To provide for statutory rules for keeping and preserving client accounts and records by licensees, including, the rights, duties and responsibilities of licensees in respect of client moneys);
Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011 (Professional Indemnity Insurance) Regulations 2011. (To specify the terms on which indemnity against losses is to be available to licensees under any policy of indemnity insurance);
Two Codes of Practice have been drawn up; one, for Auctioneers/Estate Agents, which has already been introduced on a voluntary basis and a second, for Management Agents which is currently under discussion with industry and owners representatives. The codes have been drawn up in consultation with consumer and industry representative bodies.
A consumer guide titled "A Guide for Users of Property Services Providers in Ireland" has been drafted and published. This guide gives an overview of the role and functions of the new Authority and outlines the consumer's right to make a complaint against a Property Services Provider in relation to the provision of a property service or the conduct of the service provider. In particular it outlines the relationships between Property Services Providers and their clients.
None of the regulatory documents so far prepared have a statutory basis and it will be open to the new Board when appointed to adjust them in any way they consider appropriate. In this context it is worth mentioning that with the introduction of the Code of Practice over 60% of property service providers have signed up to the code on a voluntary basis and are, in effect, already treating the interim body as Regulator. This has enabled many complaints against service providers to be addressed under the code.
Other developments that will facilitate early introduction of the statutory scheme are as follows:
Financial Systems: All the financial and systems and procedures necessary for the effective functioning of the Authority have been established and a financial services agreement, for the maintenance of payroll and financial accounts, has been put in place with the Department of Justice and Equality.
Complaints System: A complaints procedure was drawn up for the processing of complaints which sets out the steps to be followed in handling of complaints. The procedure takes account of the requirements specified in the High Court decision in Davy v The Financial Ombudsman. A computerised complaints-handling system has been designed and is currently being used to handle complaints received for breaches of the Code of Practice.
Licensing System: A new computerised licence application system has been designed for the processing of licenses. The new system will facilitate the recording of all details relating to applicants and the automatic production of licences.
Property Services Agreements: Property Services Agreements, for the sale or letting of land and for the management of Multi-Unit Developments, as provided for under section 44 of the Bill, which will form the basic contract between service providers and their clients, have also been drafted in consultation with industry representatives and consumer bodies.
Public Register of Licensees: A Register of licensed Auctioneers/Estate Agents has been established with the assistance of the Revenue Commissioners. This Register comprises of a list of the Auctioneers and House Agents licensed by the Revenue Commissioners under the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts, 1947 to 1973. On the introduction of the new legislation this register will be expanded to include all new licensees (i.e. Management Agents).
Property Price Register: Discussions have already taken place with the Revenue Commissioners with a view to expediting the establishment and publication of the Property Price Register. The information which the Revenue Commissioners will be required to pass to the Authority for this purpose has been identified and discussions on designing an interface between the Revenue Commissioners and the Authority's databases to enable the electronic transfer of data have taken place. However, because of certain legal constraints in the Finance Acts, work on the development of the interface cannot be proceeded with until the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 has been enacted.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2006 |
€74,000 |
|
2007 |
€342,351 |
|
2008 |
€599,841 |
|
2009 |
€656,701 |
|
2010 |
€622,181 |
The budget allocation for 2011 is €738,000. I understand that the budget does not include office rental. The work undertaken to date by the Implementation Group will ensure that the complex systems, procedures, rules, regulations and protocols, necessary for the effective operation of the Authority, can be put in place quickly following the passing of the legislation.
70 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason that he has withdrawn funding in respect of People with Disabilities in Ireland; his views that it is wrong to target vulnerable sectors such as this for cuts; if he will restore this funding in order to ensure the protection of the rights and dignity of this population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39213/11]
It has been decided that funding to People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI) must cease at the end of 2011. On the basis of a value for money review, it has been clearly established that the vast majority of the money allocated to PwDI is being spent disproportionately. The largest proportion of PwDI's annual budget has been spent over the last number of years on the operation of its office headquarters and on administration rather than on the development of projects which would directly benefit people with disabilities. This was an untenable situation that could not be allowed to continue as people with disabilities were benefiting very little from the allocation in real terms. However, there is no reason why the local PwDI networks around the country should not continue to be active as volunteer bodies and continue their work with people with disabilities.
It is my wish to ensure that people with disabilities directly benefit from any money allocated to this sector. With this in mind, I am currently overseeing the finalisation of a major Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in the Department of Health to ensure that existing funding allocated for people with disabilities is spent to best effect. I am also interested in hearing what people with disabilities have to say on issues affecting them. I recently established and am personally chairing a new National Disability Strategy Implementation Group to develop and progress disability strategy. The new group will include representation from a number of disability stakeholder organisations and also a number of people with disabilities who will be able to bring their lived experience directly to bear on the very important work of this high level group. This will ensure the voice and perspective of people with disabilities will continue to be heard in a more focused and cost effective way. The Government must ensure that in 2012, and continuing thereafter, that funding is allocated for maximum provision of services for people with disabilities, having regard to overall resource constraints which affect all sectors at this time.
71 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding waiting lists for appointments at a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; if there is any alternative for persons to seek assistance in different areas or with other bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39222/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that civil legal aid in Ireland is delivered through the Legal Aid Board's 29 law centres and a small number of specialist units. The service is complemented through the use of private solicitors on a case by case basis.
The Deputy might wish to note that in a more general context the last four years has seen a considerable increase in demand to the Board for legal services and this coincides with the downturn in the economy. In 2007, just over 10,164 persons sought legal services from the Board in relation to general civil (non-asylum) matters. This figure increased to 17,175 in 2010. The number of applicants in the first six months of this year was almost the same as the total number of applicants in 2007. Inevitably, this has created huge pressures for the Board and its capacity to deliver legal services within a reasonable period of time.
As of 1 November 2011, there were just under 4,800 persons waiting for a first appointment with a solicitor. This compares to 3,153 on 1 January 2011, 2,335 on 1 January 2010 and 1,681 on 1 January 2009. Again, as 1 November 2011, the waiting time in 20 of the Board's 29 law centres was greater than four months for a non-prioritised matter. In thirteen of those centres the waiting time was six months or longer. The Board's Law Centre in Newbridge has seen an exceptional increase in demand for services. The waiting time at the moment for a full legal service is approximately eight months. While persons may apply to other law centres I understand that virtually all law centres have waiting times at the moment unless the matter is one that requires an immediate service.
The Board is responsible for the provision of legal services to asylum seekers. Until the recent budget it did so from a separate grant and the funding was specifically for the purpose of providing legal services in relation to the asylum and related processes. The Board provides such asylum-related legal services through its Refugee Legal Service. Information in respect of such services can be found on the Board's website, www.legalaidboard.ie. In 2012 the Board will have a single source of funding and it will shortly be examining the possibility of providing legal services in non-asylum immigration matters through its Refugee Legal Service in Dublin.
The Board will, early in 2012, be piloting a somewhat different approach to the provision of legal services. The new approach will be to try and ensure that every applicant gets an appointment with a solicitor within a period of three to four weeks. The appointment will be limited by time and its purpose will be to give the person legal advice. The person will be required to wait a period of time if further legal services are required.
72 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39226/11]
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.
73 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his future plans, if any, to introduce or amend legislation to ensure that maintenance orders are enforced to provide security to persons who would otherwise find themselves in circumstances of serious financial difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39261/11]
The law contains a number of provisions to ensure that payments are made by spouses in support of their dependent spouses and children. These include enabling powers for the courts to order attachment of the earnings of a debtor spouse, to order the securing of payments to the maintenance creditor, to order the payment of lump sums and to order arrears of maintenance to be paid by instalments.
In addition, as the Deputy may be aware, I recently introduced amending legislation in Section 31 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 which provided for the amendment of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976. The amendment, which came into effect on 2 August, 2011, provides for the insertion of two new sections into the 1976 Act which set out procedures to be followed in the District court regarding arrears of maintenance payments and confers power on the District court to regard as contempt of court a failure by a maintenance debtor to comply with a previous court order and to deal with such a breach accordingly, including by means of imprisonment. While I have no proposals for further reform at present, the matter will continue to be kept under review in my Department.
74 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the grounds on which stamp 2 for a period of one year instead of stamp 4 was issued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39262/11]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that the person concerned does not meet the required criteria for a stamp 4 residency permission. The person concerned is a dependent of a person who holds long term residency in the State. He is engaging in studies and was granted the appropriate residency permission stamp (stamp No. 2 ) for that purpose on 10 November, 2011 for a twelve month period. I should also point out, that he may apply for long term residency (as a dependant) when he has the required residence in the State in accordance with the Immigration Act, 2004 (a minimum period of 60 months). I understand that the completion of his current permission to remain will allow him to acquire such period of residence. Furthermore, if at any time there is a change to the status of the person upon whom he is dependant, it may be possible for him to apply to have his own status modified including, as appropriate, to seek a stamp 4 permission.
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. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
75 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the remuneration the former Secretaries General (details supplied) receive regarding board membership. [39278/11]
I wish to inform the Deputy that details of remuneration being paid to former Secretaries General in respect of Board membership are as follows:
Mr. Kevin Bonner
Mr. Bonner as Chairperson of the National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee (NTMAC) receives an annual payment of €8,978.
Mr. Jimmy Farrelly
Mr. Farrelly as Chairperson of the Garda Síochána Audit Committee receives an annual payment of €8,662.50.
Mr. Tim Dalton
Mr. Dalton's tenure as Chairperson of the Implementation Group to assist in the establishment of the new Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has now expired, but he received €8,978 in 2011.
Mr. Frank Murray
Mr. Murray is paid a per diem fee rate of €930 for the days on which he carries out his functions as Commissioner of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. Mr. Murray will be paid approximately €22,000 this year in his capacity as Commissioner. This fee rate was established to ensure parity with the British-nominated Commissioner.
76 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39286/11]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the application has entered the final stage of processing. The person concerned has been asked to re-submit 2 recent passport photographs and, upon receipt of these, an invitation to a citizenship ceremony will issue to him. 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.
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. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
77 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and or expected position in regard to the determination of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39287/11]
The person concerned entered the State on 12th September, 2004 and was subsequently granted permission to remain in the State until 30th September, 2009. He has remained unlawfully in the State since that date.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 26th April, 2010, that the then 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 submitting written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. Representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will indicate the progress made to date in the determination of citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39288/11]
Officials in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question. Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must —
be of full age
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, before a judge of the District Court in open court, in a citizenship ceremony or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons, allows—
(i) made a declaration, in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and
(ii) undertaken to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include—
periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State
periods granted for the purposes of study
periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act 1996.
Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, waive some or all of the statutory conditions in certain circumstances i.e. where an applicant is of Irish descent or of Irish associations; where an applicant is a person who is a refugee within the meaning of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees; or where an applicant is a Stateless person within the meaning of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Stateless persons. A foreign national who is married to, or is the Civil Partner of, an Irish citizen for at least three years may apply for naturalisation under section 15A of the Irish Naturalisation and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, where they have been continuously resident in the island of Ireland for the year immediately prior to the date of their application and for two out of the four years prior to that year. The marriage or civil partnership must be subsisting and recognised under Irish law. It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.
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. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
79 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) inDublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39289/11]
The person concerned is a failed asylum applicant. 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 21st March, 2006, that the then 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. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
80 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a citizenship application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [39294/11]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in September, 2009. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. 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.
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. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
81 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the amalgamation of the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission, the situation facing staff who have been decentralised to the Equality Authority in Roscrea, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39301/11]
The Equality Authority office in Roscrea is among the Decentralisation Programme projects which are to be reviewed under the Government Public Service Reform Plan published on 17 November 2011. This review is taking place in the context of the planned merger of the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission. As the Deputy will be aware, I have established a Working Group to advise me on practical implementation issues in relation to this merger. One of the specific issues within its terms of reference is to advise on the location for the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. I expect to have the Group's report with its recommendations shortly.
At this stage, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot say what the outcome of the review will be.
82 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applicants for naturalisation in each of the past five years; the average length of time for processing each application; the cost to the applicant for processing the application; the number of applicants who were successful each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39323/11]
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that in the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, there were approximately 7,500, 11,000, 28,000, 26,000, and 23,000 (to end Oct) applications received and 1,500, 3,000, 4,500, 6,500 and 11,000 (to end Oct) certificates of naturalisation issued respectively.
The nature of the naturalisation process is such that for a broad range of reasons some cases will take longer than others to process. Accordingly, the use of averages in such a situation can be very misleading. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the measures I introduced earlier this year have resulted in a significant increase in the number of cases decided. Nearly 15,000 valid applications have been decided so far this year (compared to 7,785 for the full year in 2010) and some 7,500 invalid applications were dealt with. It is my objective that by the spring of next year, save in exceptional circumstances, persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months. In the circumstances as outlined above and in such a rapidly changing environment where the focus is on processing as many applications as quickly as possible, the value of allocating resources to calculating average processing times which in any event are changing constantly, is greatly diminished.
Regarding the costs to the applicant, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011, prescribes the fees to be paid by the applicant as follows:
on the making of an application for a certificate of naturalisation, a fee of €175;
on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation:
(i) where the application is made on behalf of a minor, a fee of €200;
(ii) where the application is made by a widow or widower whose spouse was, immediately before death, an Irish citizen, and who has not, subsequent to the spouse's death, remarried or entered into a civil partnership or become a naturalised citizen of a state other than the State, a fee of €200
(iii) where the application is made by a person who is the surviving civil partner of a person who was, immediately before death, an Irish citizen, and who has not, subsequent to the civil partner's death, entered into a new civil partnership or married or become a naturalised citizen of a state other than the State, a fee of €200;
(iv) in the case of all other applications, a fee of €950.
The certification fee payable is nil where the applicant is a refugee or Stateless person.
83 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding garda allowances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39328/11]
84 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Garda allowances worked on a four week period are due for payment 11 days after the roster ends, that Sunday and unsocial hours worked up to the 11 December 2011 fall due to be paid on 22 December 2011 but are now being scheduled for payment in January 2012; the reason that this is the case; if he will review this issue to ensure that these allowances are paid on the 22 December due to the proximity of Christmas and demands on family incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39330/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that while members of the force are paid their salary on a weekly basis, the mechanism for payment of certain allowances and overtime is on the basis of the 13 four-week Garda roster periods in each year. Thirteen such payments are made every year, including this year, to members of An Garda Síochána based on claims submitted in respect of overtime and unsocial hours worked for each of these roster periods.
Members usually receive payment on the third Thursday after the end of a roster period. Consequently, roster payments are generally made three weeks in arrears e.g. roster ending November 13 was paid on 1 December 2011. The reason that payments for the roster period which ends on December 11th cannot be paid in 2011 is that the payrolls over the Christmas period and the first payroll of the New Year have to be processed earlier than normal due to the extra bank holidays over this period, during which the Clearing Banks are closed and thus unable to process payments. The actual processing date for the last payroll of 2011 (Week 52 on December 29) is 9 December, which is two days before the end of the roster period in question. As claims can only be processed after the roster period is finished, it is not possible for these claims to be paid before the end of the calendar year.
It should be noted that there have been no changes made to the payroll process this year as the practice outlined above has been the case for many years and members continue to receive thirteen roster payments each year.
85 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the use of Garda resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39364/11]
An Garda Síochána does not comment on matters of security, including matters pertaining to the safety, security and welfare of protected persons.
86 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the following details for all Secretaries General who have retired between January 2008 up to and including March 2012: the Government Department from which they retired; the date of retirement, name, age at retirement, gross lump sum received, gross special severance gratuity payment received and gross annual pension payment. [39777/11]
There were no retirements at Secretary General level in the Department of Defence between January 2008 and March 2012.
87 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to include a ban on fur farming in the upcoming Animal Health and Welfare Bill. [39240/11]
I have established a Review Group in my Department to review all aspects of fur farming. Submissions have been invited on the review with a 31 December 2011 closing date for receipt of submissions. I will consider what action, if any, to take following the submission of the Review Group's findings.
88 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be permitted to switch from cattle to sheep and retain their REP scheme entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39255/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in January 2010 and received payments for the first year of the contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. The administration checks in respect of 2011 payments have been finalised and during these checks a discrepancy was identified which required the submission of an amended plan. The amended plan was received on 5 December 2011 and my Department will now process the file with a view to an early resolution and payment in respect of 2011.
89 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have had their agricultural payment delayed due to the digitisation of maps; when this digitisation will be completed; when farmers affected may expect to receive their farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39276/11]
There are no delays in payments to farmers under either the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFP) or the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS). In the case of the Single Farm Payment, the issuing of these advance payments commenced on target and, furthermore, balancing payments also started issuing on target, on 1 December. To date, payments worth in excess of €1.156 billion have issued to 116,776 farmers, representing almost 96% of eligible applicants. All in all, I am satisfied that expenditure under the 2011 SFP will reach €1.2 billion by 31 December. With regard to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, I am pleased to note that payments worth in excess of €211 million have issued to over 95,500 farmers, representing 95% of eligible applicants, and I remain confident that the full budget for the Scheme will have been exhausted by year-end.
Suggestions have been made that the necessity to redigitise farmers' maps is leading to unnecessary and inordinate delays, resulting in payments being made later than would otherwise be the case. While I can assure the Deputy, and the wider farming community, that I am committed to allocating such resources as is necessary to ensure that the essential digitisation of applicants' maps onto the Department's Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) , I must emphasise that any failings or shortcomings in LPIS would leave the Department open to the very real risk of significant fines. I am not prepared to take such a risk, nor will I compromise the value of direct payments to Irish farmers. Furthermore, sight should not be lost of the fact that the changes which have been recorded onto LPIS in very significant numbers, both throughout last year and again this year, are necessitated by the need to have all ineligible areas mapped; simply put, the position on the ground in any given farm must be accurately reflected on LPIS. To this end, therefore, these changes are, in the majority of cases, changes which were long since over-due.
Where in-house checks reveal anomalies in applicants' applications, the necessary correspondence issues immediately. By replying to all such correspondence as quickly as possible farmers ensure the rapid resolution of issues, thereby allowing their payments to be made. In the specific case of DAS, however, issues arise each year in relation to the required minimum stocking density of applicants' holdings, usually affecting in the region of 10,000 farmers. These are cases where my Department cannot confirm adherence to this requirement through the established computer-based animal systems and, therefore, the individuals concerned are required to submit the necessary hard-copy evidence. Farmers can only do this, obviously, when they are satisfied that they have met this requirement for the requisite three consecutive month period. Therefore, there are DAS applicants, who are not yet paid, not having yet satisfied this requirement, who will ultimately be paid.
I fully appreciate the value and importance of these schemes to Irish farmers and remain committed to ensuring that the maximum numbers are paid at the earliest possible date, mindful, of course, of the over-riding necessity to ensure compliance with the governing EU requirements. I note that Ireland continues to be among the very first of the countries throughout the EU to be in a position to make such payments and perhaps sight should not be lost of this fact.
90 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if REP scheme payments due to farmers will issue before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39331/11]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been finalised and the first instalment payments of 75% of the amounts due in respect of 2011 have now issued to over 17,000 scheme participants. Payment of the 25% balancing payments will commence shortly.
I am acutely aware of the financial pressures on many farm families and of the importance of grant and scheme payments to their incomes and cash-flow. Accordingly I have given the highest priority to the processing and payment of all remaining REPS and other scheme payments and to the elimination of all unnecessary delays.
91 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39334/11]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 12 May 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance Inspection. This inspection was completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 1 December 2011 and payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued on 5 December 2011.
92 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their REPS 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39356/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in November 2009 and received payments for the first two years of the contract. In addition, 75% of the year 3 payment for 2011 issued on 1 December 2011 for the amount of €5,319.19. I expect that the 25% balancing payment for 2011 applicants will commence shortly.
93 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the outstanding REPS 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39381/11]
The person named commenced REPS 4 in February 2008 and received payments for the first three years of the contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been completed and a cheque for 75% totalling €6954.38 will issue to the person named in the next few days. I also expect that the 25% balancing payment for 2011 applicants will commence shortly.
94 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the following details for all Secretaries General who have retired between January 2008 up to and including March 2012: the Government Department from which they retired; the date of retirement, name, age at retirement, gross lump sum received, gross special severance gratuity payment received and gross annual pension payment. [39775/11]
No Secretary General in my Department retired from January 2008 to date.
95 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the facilities and services available in the city of Dublin to support victims of child sex abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39300/11]
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
96 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the proposed amendment to the Constitution dealing with the rights of children will be brought before Dáil Éireann prior to a referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39245/11]
The Programme for Government 2011 states that the Referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording of the proposed referendum will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. Since taking office, both myself and officials of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have had a number of meetings with the Attorney General and her officials to progress this commitment. Work on the wording of the referendum is ongoing, focusing on ensuring that the proposed Referendum reflects the deliberations and conclusions of the Joint Committee and the commitment in the Programme for Government. It is my intention to seek approval from Government for the proposed wording, with a view to holding the referendum next year.
97 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 471 of 27 September 2011, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [39338/11]
I have been advised by the HSE that they are currently collecting the data requested and that it is hoped to issue a response to the Deputy by the end of next week.
98 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 472 of 27 September 2011, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [39339/11]
I have been advised by the HSE that they are currently collecting the data requested and that it is hoped to issue a response to the Deputy by the end of next week.
99 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 3 November 2011, if she has received the information sought from the Health Service Executive on children who have left care this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39340/11]
My Department has sought the information from the HSE requested by the Deputy on the number of children who have left care this year. I will provide the Deputy with the information when it becomes available.
100 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason undertakers are no longer allowed to carry out embalming at community hospital facilities; if he will review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39205/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
101 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if dental treatment will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39206/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
102 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing the application since the additional information was received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39211/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
103 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied). [39214/11]
116 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if she will review a case in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16. [39317/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 116 together.
I have made enquires of the HSE and have been informed that a response issued to the Deputy on 7th December 2011.
104 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork referred to Cork University Hospital for orthopaedic treatment will be given an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39234/11]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals have been instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they have no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. Where they fail to do so, the NTPF will source the necessary treatments elsewhere and an appropriate budgetary adjustment will be made.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 and facility involved.
105 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39237/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
106 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in hospital beds in the Dublin area because places are not available for them in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39242/11]
Immediately following my appointment I set about establishing the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system.
The SDU is establishing an infrastructure based on information collection and analysis, hospital by hospital, so that we will know what is actually happening in real time. This will allow us to begin to embed performance management in the system, to manage bed capacity and to sustain shorter waiting times.
The problems in our emergency departments are complex and they did not arise overnight. For some hospitals the issue of delayed discharges are a factor and I have agreed that some additional funding may be provided to alleviate this. The funding will be issued on a strictly once off basis, based on specific proposals including the reduction of delayed discharges to cut down waiting times between now and the end of the year. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply in relation to the numbers of patients waiting for nursing home places in Dublin.
107 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health in view of the shortage of beds for nursing home patients the basis of his plans to close a nursing home (details supplied) in County Dublin. [39243/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply
108 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will grant the necessary treatment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39250/11]
114 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter in respect of a person (details supplied). [39296/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 114 together.
I am advised that the drug Adcretis (Brentuximab Vedotin) is not licensed in Europe or in Ireland. It is, however, open to a hospital to decide to fund an unlicensed drug in an individual patient's case. A decision on whether a patient should receive this drug is therefore one for the treating hospital to make in consultation with the clinician.
In this instance I understand that the drug is being made available to the patient in question.
109 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive is using a taxi service in Limerick which is charging more than double the normal fare to transfer patients from St. John’s Hospital to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital; if he will also outline the exact charges being made to this company by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39252/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
110 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate the additional €20,000 funding to an organisation (details supplied) working to tackle health inequalities among ethnic minority communities by improving ethnic minority access to health services, and ethnic minority participation in health planning and delivery, which it requires in order to sustain its service in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39257/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
111 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm, in view of the fact that Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, supports 160 children with type 1 diabetes, that he will not allow paediatric diabetes services to be removed or downgraded at the hospital; and if he will work with the Health Service Executive to ensure that a dedicated paediatric diabetes nurse specialist is appointed to the hospital in line with recognised best practice. [39282/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a date for cardiovascular surgery will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39285/11]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals have been instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they have no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. Where they fail to do so, the NTPF will source the necessary treatments elsewhere and an appropriate budgetary adjustment will be made.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 and facility involved.
113 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be called for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39290/11]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals have been instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they have no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. Where they fail to do so, the NTPF will source the necessary treatments elsewhere and an appropriate budgetary adjustment will be made.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 and facility involved.
115 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the assistance available to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39307/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
117 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to Guthrie cards; if it is envisaged that they will continue to be available or is it expected that they will cease to exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39327/11]
To comply with Data Protection Legislation, a number of changes are required to the Newborn Screening Card and the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme. I requested that the HSE undertake a review of the governance policy regarding the retention and disposal of Newborn Screening Cards (NSCs). A draft report on the agreed governance structures undertaken by the National Newborn Screening Programme Governance Group has been prepared. I expect to receive their final report shortly.
118 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that traditional geographic and catchment restrictions placed on long stay public hospitals for older persons have now been removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39337/11]
A fundamental principle enshrined in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 is that of patient choice. Once a person receives approval for financial support, they can choose to enter any nursing home that is participating in the scheme in any part of the country, subject to the nursing home having an available bed and being able to cater for the person's particular needs. This applies to public, private and voluntary nursing homes alike.
119 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [39351/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
120 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [39352/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
121 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date will be set for an eye operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if this operation can be dealt with by the special delivery unit as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39353/11]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals have been instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they have no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. Where they fail to do so, the NTPF will source the necessary treatments elsewhere and an appropriate budgetary adjustment will be made.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 and facility involved.
122 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be approved and expedited in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [39354/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
123 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be expedited and approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [39355/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
124 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on the length of waiting time in the accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39360/11]
I have said very clearly on many occasions that the situation in our hospital emergency departments where people must wait for unacceptably long periods on trolleys will not be allowed to continue. For this reason, one of my first actions as Minister for Health was to set about establishing the Special Delivery Unit.
The SDU is establishing an infrastructure based on information collection and analysis, hospital by hospital, so that we will know what is actually happening in real time. It is providing information tools for hospital managers, including clinical managers, to map and measure bed capacity in their hospital depending on variations in for example the average length of stay of patients. This will allow us to begin to embed performance management in the system, to manage bed capacity and to sustain shorter waiting times.
The problems in our emergency departments are complex and they did not arise overnight. The particular issues vary from hospital to hospital and some of the solutions will depend on local factors. As part of the process of forming the overall picture of the emergency department situation nationally, the SDU has identified fifteen hospitals which between them account for 80% of the trolley wait problem in the hospital system. Eight Hospitals have been identified for very high support including Beaumont. Liaison Officers from the SDU are working pro-actively to support these sites.
I have also agreed that some additional funding may be provided, on a strictly once off basis, based on specific proposals from the hospital to reduce waiting times between now and the end of the year which will help address issues such as delayed discharges. Adherence to the agreed criteria will be closely monitored by the SDU.
The conditions and performance measures which Beaumont and other hospitals will have to meet are as follows; for the remainder of the year and throughout January 2012 no patient will wait more than 23 hours in the hospital's Emergency Department. In addition the trolley wait target must be maintained at least 70% below the maximum daily trolley count since January 2010. Other conditions/performance measures include:
Seven day ward/discharge rounds
Achievement of all Acute Medicine Programme milestones
Implementation of approved measures to effectively stream elderly patients.
In relation to Beaumont some €0.4m has been approved to help alleviate emergency department pressures including:
Provision of rapid access nurse service seven days a week
Purchasing assisted discharge care packages.
Increasing bed capacity through the development of a 31 bedded ward encompassing transit lounge, surge capacity and discreet streaming of delayed discharge patients.
Increasing cardiology diagnostics during the week and on Saturdays to enable weekend discharges.
125 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the services available for mental health patients to improve their health and well being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39361/11]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
126 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason a service (details supplied) in County Roscommon is being withdrawn; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this will have on other emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39365/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
127 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money, if any, owed by private health insurers to Roscommon County Hospital. [39370/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
128 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money, if any, owed by private health insurers to Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway. [39371/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
129 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is in receipt of communications regarding an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39229/11]
I received an email to my office from the individual concerned who also sent the same email to a number of other public representatives. The email was responded to on 1 December by my office. It should be noted the matters raised in his query are not a matter for the Department of Transport,Tourism and Sport and I have no role in the matters referred to.
130 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tourists that visit west Cork annually; the amount of traffic that uses the N71 at Roscarbery in any specified time frame of any recent study carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39248/11]
While matters relating to Central Statistics Office (CSO) statistics are primarily for the Department of the Taoiseach, I understand that the CSO does not provide a regional breakdown of statistics in their monthly ‘Overseas Travel' publication. I am aware however, that the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, provides an estimated regional breakdown of overseas visits on an annual basis, based on research of its own as well as available CSO statistics. The most recent full year figures are for 2009 with provisional figures also available for 2010. The data is available, broken down on a regional and county basis, under Tourism Facts / Tourism Regions in the Research and Statistics section of the www.failteireland.ie website.
Using the data available to them, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with an estimate of the number of tourists who visit West Cork annually. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Activities such as traffic surveys on individual roads are 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.
131 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will introduce accredited pedal cycle training here through the auspices of the Road Safety Authority. [39256/11]
Objective 11 of the National Cycle Policy Framework published in 2009 recognises the need to improve cycling standards and cyclists' behaviour on the road including development of national cycle training programmes and a curriculum for the training of cycle instructors. A working group has been established to examine the development of a national cycle training programme for school children and has met on five occasions since its establishment in October, 2009. The working group comprises representatives from An Taisce, Cycling Ireland, Department of Education and Skills, Donegal County Council, Dublin City Council, RSA, NTA and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The future direction of this programme is being considered within my Department based on the findings of the working group to date.
132 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which the recommendations of the taxi review group will be completed and made public. [39372/11]
133 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the form that the consultation process with external parties of the taxi review group has taken; if he will give details of the parties who made submissions; if he will give further details of those who have been consulted; and the way these people/organisations were chosen. [39373/11]
134 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he responded to and acknowledged all submissions in relation to the taxi review group. [39374/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 134, inclusive, together.
In response to a Programme for Government 2011 commitment, I announced the terms of reference for a review of taxi regulation and the membership of the Steering Group on 8 and 24 June 2011, respectively. In my view, the diverse membership of the Review Steering Group has enabled an appropriate contribution from stakeholders, including dispatch operators, drivers, consumers as well as the regulatory and enforcement agencies.
Also on 24 June 2011, I invited all interested parties to make written submissions on the review by 5 August 2011. Some 159 submissions were received and the Steering Group is most appreciative of the range and variety of views received from individuals and organisations. Following consideration by the Steering Group of the submissions received, consultation meetings were held with key stakeholder groups to allow the review steering group to explore further the range of views from industry and consumer representatives - a process that has proved beneficial. I would expect to submit the final report of the Steering Group on the review for Cabinet consideration at an early date.
135 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed taxi drivers operating in County Dublin. [39375/11]
136 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed taxi drivers operating in County Cork. [39376/11]
137 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed taxi drivers operating in County Limerick. [39377/11]
138 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed taxi drivers operating in County Waterford. [39378/11]
139 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed taxi drivers operating in Athlone. [39379/11]
140 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed taxi drivers operating here. [39382/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 to 140, inclusive, together.
Statistics relating to SPSV licences, are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), who regulate the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector. 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.
