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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2012

Vol. 768 No. 1

Written Answers

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised]
Questions Nos. 1 to 17, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 18 to 108, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 109 to 117, inclusive, answered orally.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

118 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the current review of rent assistance will be finalised and made public; if she will confirm, with respect to County Kildare, if her proposal is to continue the assessment of persons for the assistance based on an all-county rate or if she intends to base new awarding criteria on the difference in market rent prices across the county, and in other similar counties; if she has consulted local community welfare officers in the northern Kildare region as part of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28059/12]

There are currently 93,800 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012. The current maximum rent limits were set after an analysis of the most up to date market data available. Consultation with a number of staff administering the scheme was undertaken as part of the review process.

The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market. The report is available on the Department's website.

For all counties, all major urban population centres were tested as part of the review to ensure that rent supplement applicants can access temporary housing arrangements whilst seeking employment opportunities. Analysis shows that for Kildare, rental accommodation is available for rent supplement tenancies within the prescribed limits.

The number of rental properties available in North Kildare is somewhat lower than the numbers available in the rest of the county. It must be stressed, however, that the purpose of the review is to ensure availability of accommodation for rent supplement tenancies and not to provide rent supplement tenants with access to all housing in all areas.

Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants will continue to ensure that their accommodation needs are met; there will be no incidence of homelessness due to these changes.

Rent levels are being monitored nationally — at this point I have no plans to revise the existing rent limits.

Departmental Staff

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

119 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of retirements in her Department since march 2011; the total number of staff currently employed by her Department; the total amount spent on wages on contract workers and permanent workers respectively; the number of new staff employed, temporary or permanent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28077/12]

A total of 347 staff have retired from my Department since March 2011 and there are currently 6,826 permanent staff serving in the Department, equating to 6,435 posts. Since March 2011, 201 staff have been assigned to fill critical vacancies in my Department by way of redeployment or the lateral transfer of staff from other Government Departments and agencies. A further 713 staff were employed in a temporary capacity during the period since March 2011; of this group, 260 currently remain on contract with the Department.

The amount spent on basic pay for my Department from March 2011 to date is just over €313 million. Almost €307 million of this was attributed to permanent staff and just under €7 million was in respect of temporary contract staff.

In line with the requirements to allow recruitment in exceptional cases, three Medical Assessors have been appointed since March 2011 with sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Disability Allowance

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

120 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her proposal to abolish disability allowance for 16 and 17 year olds and to cut the payment to 18 to 23 year olds which she had paused; if the advisory group has reported to her on this issue; if so, the nature of its recommendation and if not when she expects such a report; her plans regarding the proposal; and if she intends to publish the full report. [28036/12]

The Budget 2012 proposals relating to disability allowance have been referred to the independent Advisory Group on Integrating Tax and Social Welfare, which is chaired by Ms Ita Mangan.

The Group is considering two measures: increasing the minimum age for new claimants from 16 to 18 years of age with a corresponding extension in the age of entitlement for domiciliary care allowance from 16 to 18 years of age, and introducing lower age-related payments for new disability allowance claimants aged from 18 to 24 years.

The review of the disability allowance scheme, published in November 2010, recommended increasing the qualifying age to 18 years. The review noted that the payment of disability allowance at age 16 carries with it the risk of creating a dependency on social welfare from a very young age. Similarly, the purpose of the proposal to align disability allowance rates for new claimants aged 18-24 with jobseeker allowance rates was intended to discourage the development of welfare dependence at an early age and to avoid the creation of disincentives to young people to taking up opportunities for education, training and employment.

I am conscious that these measures gave rise to serious concerns about the impact on families of people with disabilities, most notably in the case of families of children and young adults with profound disabilities and these very real concerns are being taken into account by the independent Advisory Group.

It is envisaged that the review will be completed by September 2012 and, at that stage, together with my Government colleagues, I will reflect carefully on the findings of the Advisory Group.

Social Welfare Benefits

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

121 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting lists for welfare claims in her Department; the measures she has taken to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28067/12]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

139 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average processing times for applications across all schemes and the same for 2011; and the steps she is taking to reduce same. [28051/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 139 together.

The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. As can be seen from the data in the table below (showing processing times for 2011 and for April 2012) which I will make available to the House, schemes that require a high level of documentary evidence from the customer, particularly in the case of illness related schemes, can take longer to process. Similarly, means tested payments can also require more detailed investigation and interaction with the applicant, thereby lengthening the decision making process.

As part of the Department's programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised.

In addition, the staffing needs of the Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources. The Department will continue to source available staff to fill critical vacancies by way of redeployment, or transfer from within the Department and other Government Departments, taking account of the employment control framework (ECF) target, as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I wish to assure the Deputies that prompt processing of claims remains a priority for me.

Table 1: Claim processing target times and performance, 2011 and April 2012

Scheme

2011Average weeks to Award

April 2012Average weeks to Award

State Pension (contributory)

6

6

State Pension (transitional)

3

5

State pension (non-contributory)

9

11

Widow(er)’s Pension (contributory)

3

2

Widow(er)’s Pension (non-contributory) pension and one parent family payment (widow)

10

11

One Parent Family

16

17

Household Benefits

2

1

Bereavement Grant

1

1

Invalidity Pension

N/A

31

Family Income Supplement — New Claims

15

17

Disability Allowance

17

N/A

Carer’s Benefit

N/A

N/A

Carer’s Allowance

13

28

Jobseeker’s Benefit

5

2

Jobseeker’s Allowance

5

5

Illness Benefit

1

1

Maternity Benefit

N/A

N/A

Child Benefit — Domestic

3

3

Domiciliary Care Allowance

8

6

Back to Education Allowance

Applicants for BTEA are already in receipt of another social welfare payment before a decision is made on their entitlement to the Allowance.

Carer’s Allowance

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

122 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the delays in decisions being made with respect to carer’s allowance applications; the current average waiting period for decisions according to her Department; the number of unsuccessful applications which were appealed in 2011 and to date in 2012; the success rate for said appeals for 2011 and to date in 2012; her plans to effectively deal with these delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28058/12]

The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. The average time taken to award a carer's allowance is 28 weeks at present. A major service delivery modernisation project is underway to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the deployment of information technology solutions and associated business process re-organisation. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customer. However, full deployment will be achieved by mid-June so it will be a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level.

The information requested in respect of carer's allowance appeals is contained in the table below:

Carer's Allowance Appeals 2011/2012

Year

Appeals Received

Allowed

Partly Allowed

Revised DO Decision

Disallowed

Withdrawn

Total Processed

2011

2,199

726

117

618

1,645

91

3,197

2012(to 31/5/2012)

1,121

247

57

82

296

10

692

In 2011 the Social Welfare Appeals Office received a total of 2,199 carers allowance appeals, and 1,121 to the end of May 2012. Of the total number processed in 2011, 1,461 (45.7%) had a successful outcome for the appellant. Of these decisions, 618 (42.3%) were revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of the Department who reviewed the claim, following the initial disallowance. These revised decisions arose as a result, in many cases, of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the original decision on his/her claim. In such cases an appeals officer decision was not necessary. In 2012 (to 31 May 2012) of the total number processed, 386 (55.8%) had a successful outcome for the appellant. 82 (21.2%) were revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of the Department who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance.

The staff and other resources available to the Department are regularly reviewed with a view to ensuring claims are processed as quickly as possible. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the department is taking action to resolve the situation.

Community Employment Schemes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

123 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the negative effect the changes to the income disregards rules introduced by her in Budget 2012 is having on demand for special community employment; her views on whether the changes are acting as a disincentive to rehabilitation; and if she will reverse these cuts. [28042/12]

The income disregard for the one parent family payment scheme was reduced from €146.50 to €130.00 per week with effect from 1st January 2012. At the end of January 2012 the number of Community Employment (CE) places flagged as being occupied by those engaged in drug rehabilitation places (DRP) was 824, of whom 157 (19.05%) were categorised as lone parents. The number of CE places flagged as DRP as at 4th June 2012 is 817, of whom 162 (19.82%) are categorised as lone parents. This indicates a slightly increased uptake by lone parents of CE drug rehabilitation places in the period where the income disregard became effective. There are no plans to reverse the change to the current income disregard for one parent family payment.

Mortgage Interest Supplement

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

124 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when she will remove the mortgage interest supplement 30-hour rule and the prohibition on putting a house up for sale while mortgage interest supplement is being paid. [28049/12]

There are currently almost 17,900 households benefiting from mortgage interest supplement, for which over €50m has been allocated for 2012. The Department's review of the administrative, policy and legal aspects of the mortgage interest supplement scheme was published in July 2010 in conjunction with the interim report of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group. The final report of the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Review Group was published in November 2010. These reports set out a number of recommendations which centered on the delivery of customer service improvement by ensuring that State support for those unable to deal with mortgage arrears is better targeted, consistent and easily understood. Allied with the focus on customer service improvements are recommendations that seek to ensure that lending institutions, borrowers and the Exchequer share responsibilities and commitments in a balanced way.

The report's recommendation to remove the 30 hour rule was made within the context of the mortgage interest supplement scheme becoming a time-bound payment. The recommendations set out in the Mortgage and Personal Debt Review Group's final report were considered by the Inter-Departmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group whose report to the Government's Economic Management Council was published on the 12th October 2011.

My Department's officials are currently examining this report and considering the implications of the recommendations which include the removal of the sale of house condition and the 30 hour rule.

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

125 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will facilitate the provision of a County Kerry money advice and budgeting service office in Killarney to help deal with the large volume of clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27716/12]

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, has an office in Tralee, which serves all of County Kerry. MABS outreach services are also provided in Killarney and Listowel.

A proposal to open a shared office for MABS and the Citizens Information Services in Killarney town is at an advanced stage of development.

Farm Assist Scheme

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

126 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of farm assist; if there are applications outstanding; her future plans for this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28086/12]

Support for farmers on low incomes is available through the farm assist scheme. While this means-tested payment is broadly similar to the jobseeker's allowance scheme, it has a more generous means test, which takes account of the specific nature of farming and, unlike jobseeker's allowance, farmers claiming this payment do not need to be available for work outside of the farm in order to qualify.

As of 31 of May 2012 there were 11,154 recipients in payment at an estimated 2012 cost of €115 million. The number of pending applications was 251.

Recent changes to the scheme announced in Budget 2012 relate to the assessment of means from self-employment, including farming, which was raised from 70% to 85%. In addition, the deductions from assessable self-employment income for children were halved to €127 per year for each of the first two dependent children and €190.50 per year for each subsequent child.

These changes, which are estimated to affect some 5,500 claimants, bring the assessment conditions of the scheme closer to those of jobseeker's allowance.

Any future changes to the farm assist scheme would have to be considered by Government in a budgetary context.

Carer’s Allowance

Clare Daly

Ceist:

127 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the time it is currently taking to process a standard application for carer’s allowance; and if she will allocate extra resources to deal with the delays in this section. [28057/12]

The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. The average time taken to award a carer's allowance application is 28 weeks at present. This is not a satisfactory position. A major service delivery modernisation project is underway to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the deployment of information technology solutions and associated business process re-organisation. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customer. Full system deployment will be achieved by mid-June so it will be a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level.

In addition to the deployment of new systems, the Department is allocating additional resources in the form of overtime working and temporary staff to help reduce backlogs that have built up.

Entitlement to carer's allowance is based on satisfying means, residency, full-time care provision and medical suitability criteria. In all cases an application must be made by the carer in accordance with the requirements of the scheme. Each application for carer's allowance is considered on its own merits in accordance with the relevant legislation. The decision is based upon the information and medical evidence provided by the applicant.

The staffing levels and other resources available to the Department are regularly reviewed with a view to ensuring claims are processed as quickly as possible. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking action to resolve the situation.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

128 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason domiciliary care allowance payment ceases when carers of children under the wing of the Jack and Jill Foundation are reviewed for this payment; if she accepts that these children are severely and permanently disabled and that their conditions will not improve and if she will explain the need for the review in such cases; the reason the payment is cut off while the review is ongoing rather than when a decision is made; if she will acknowledge the extra stress that these reviews are putting on families with severely disabled children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27717/12]

As the Deputy is aware, domiciliary care allowance (DCA) can be paid in respect of children under 16 years of age who have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. Eligibility for the DCA is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required.

Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.

A review policy in an integral part of all social welfare schemes and is necessary to ensure that payments continue to be made only to those customers who meet the qualifying conditions.

DCA cases are routinely reviewed to ensure that all the conditions for receipt of the payment continue to be met. Cases are reviewed based on either a scheduled review on the recommendation of the medical assessor when the claim is initially processed or on information received about a change of circumstances which potentially affects the continued entitlement of a case already in payment. Where a child's condition is not expected to improve, their claim is noted accordingly and the eligibility to DCA is not reviewed again.

Scheduled reviews, on the recommendation of a medical assessor, are based on the prognosis of the child's disability and how their care needs may change over time. Customers who are reviewed are asked to provide relevant up-to-date medical evidence and details of the additional care needs of their child versus a child of the same age who doesn't have their disability. This information is assessed by a medical adviser and a decision is made based on the medical opinion they provide. Payment of DCA continues to be made until the review process has been completed. Where payment is stopped as a result of a review, the customer can submit any new information or medical evidence they may wish to have considered and that information will be further examined by a medical assessor, and/or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I have recently announced that a policy review of the operation of the scheme will be carried out over the coming months. This will look, amongst other things, at the current application and assessment process with a view to identifying any potential improvements to the delivery of service to customers that can be implemented while retaining an efficient and effective operational model.

Pension Provisions

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

129 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends putting any provision in place, other than jobseeker’s benefit, for the 14,000 65 year olds affected by the rise in the retirement age in 2014 with the abolition of the State pension transition which will leave many without a job or a pension when their employment contracts end short of them reaching the new retirement age of 66 years. [28040/12]

Social structures in Ireland are changing rapidly and the structures of our social support need to change to accommodate this. The decision to increase State pension age was taken in the context of changing demographics and the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives. The standardisation of State Pension age to age 66 is one of the measures planned which aims to improve the sustainability of the Irish pension system.

The responsibility for setting retirement age in employment in the private sector is a matter for the individual and the employer under the contract of employment. Overall State responsibility for employment matters is held by my colleague, Mr Richard Bruton, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

However, my Department is working with the relevant agencies of State who have a role to play in identifying and breaking down barriers to remaining on in work past the age of 65.

In 2011, 26,000 (approx.) new State pension (contributory) payments were awarded with 9,000 (approx.) transferring from State pension (transition). It should be noted that of these, less than one quarter were in employment at the time of the award of the transition payment with almost half being in receipt of another social welfare payment at the time of the award.

For those who are affected by this change, some may be able to remain in work until age 66 while others may be able to avail of a social welfare payment where there is an income need.

General Medical Services Scheme

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

130 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reform the fees system for paying GPs for medical certificates; the costs for these fees in 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27719/12]

Payments of medical certification fees in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 in this Department are as follows:

Year

2010

2011

2012 (Quarter1 and Quarter 2)

Certificates

€25,803,418

€28,219,925

€10,462,477

Reports

€2,908,376

€3,436,501

€2,098,413

Total

€28,711,794

€31,656,426

€12,560,890

In Budget 2012, it was announced that a reduction of 10% of the administrative cost of medical certification would be achieved this year. Expenditure for medical certification fees in 2012 is expected to be €26.5m compared to €31.7m in 2011 (which is a reduction of 16%). This projected reduction in payments to certifiers is being facilitated by a reform that has been introduced in the fee administration system i.e. reduced frequency for issuing certificates for certain categories of customers. The total payment of €12,560,890 issued in respect of the first half of 2012 indicates that payments are within this target profile.

Departmental Reports

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

131 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if the review of labour market activation policy, including community employment, has concluded; the key findings of the review process to date; the steps she will take in terms of policy or funding decisions; and if she intends to publish the full report. [28039/12]

I understand that this review is at advanced draft stage. When finalised, it will be submitted to me for consideration of its conclusions and recommendation and then considered by Government. It is my intention to engage in consultation with stakeholders once the report is published, which I intend to do.

Responsibility for Community Employment Schemes transferred to the Department with effect from 1 January 2012. Since the transfer of Community Employment to the Department, DSP staff, including former FÁS staff, have been involved in a series of discussions with CE sponsors. These discussions have shown that while notionally focused on activation, in reality Community Employment programmes deliver a range of services from childcare, healthcare, drugs support to environmental works.

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

132 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection her rationale for changing the Data Protection Act and declaration on the new FÁS registration form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28052/12]

John Halligan

Ceist:

140 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for changing the Data Protection Act and declaration on the new FÁS registration form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28055/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 140 together.

There have been no changes to the declaration section of the registration form used by the Department's employment service officers since the former FÁS employment service division transferred to the Department on 1st of January 2012. This is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.

Social Welfare Code

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

133 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans regarding the respite care grant; and the changes that she is considering. [28035/12]

The respite care grant is an annual payment of €1,700 made by my Department to some 77,000 carers. In June every year, the grant is paid to people in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit, prescribed relative's allowance and domiciliary care allowance. Carers not in receipt of one of these payments may also qualify for the payment.

In 2005, the respite care grant was extended to people providing full time care and attention, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions and it was made payable in respect of each care recipient. In June 2007 and 2008, the level of the grant was increased to €1,500 and €1,700 respectively. In Budget 2012 the level of the grant was retained.

A range of options were considered and reviewed in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in 2011. No decisions have been made in relation to welfare expenditure for next year. These decisions will be made after full consideration by the Government and will be announced on Budget day.

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

134 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the aspects of its work the advisory group on tax and social welfare has reported on to date; if she will give details of the key findings; and when she will publish same. [28037/12]

Creating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that Ireland now faces. Against this background, it is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these issues.

To this end, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year and in line with its terms of reference, the Group is examining and will be making recommendations on a range of key issues, including child and family income supports, working age income supports, the appropriate unit of assessment and interactions in both the tax and social welfare codes and issues concerning social insurance for self-employed people. I have also asked the Group to look at the Budget 2012 proposals concerning disability allowance and domiciliary care allowance.

The Group's overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the terms of reference. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget, estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support. Decisions in respect of publishing reports of the Group will be made at the appropriate time.

The Group recently completed its work in the area of family and child income supports. Its report is currently receiving my consideration and it is my intention to publish this report in due course.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

135 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the review of the domiciliary care allowance promised, the measures she will put in place to ensure that the same number of persons are not refused access to the DCA in the first instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28053/12]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

143 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is familiar with the scoring system operated in Queensland, Australia for the assessment of applications for its equivalent of the domiciliary care allowance; and if she has considered adapting it for use in the Irish context. [28032/12]

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

146 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects her Department’s policy review of the domiciliary care allowance to conclude; the person who is heading up this work; the process including the nature of consultation that has and will be undertaken. [28033/12]

John Halligan

Ceist:

155 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the promised review of the domiciliary care allowance, the measures she will put in place to ensure that the same number of persons are not refused access to the DCA in the first instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28054/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 143, 146 and 155 together.

The domiciliary care allowance (DCA) scheme has been administered by the Department since April 2009. As the Deputies are aware, it can be paid in respect of children under 16 years of age who have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age.

This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time, so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of all the evidence submitted.

Recently I announced that a policy review of the operation of the scheme is to be carried out over the coming months. This will look, amongst other things, at the current application and assessment process and identify any potential improvements to the delivery of service to customers that can be implemented while retaining an efficient and effective operational model. The terms of reference for the review and the appointment of a chairperson are being finalised at present and I will be making announcements in this regard shortly.

In terms of consultation, the Deputies should note that officials from the Department have met parents and representatives of advocacy groups on a number of occasions in recent months. I would envisage that a consultation process will be a key part of the forthcoming review.

The Australian assessment process referred to by the Deputy is known to officials in the Department. As part of the upcoming review, the format of the application and assessment process used in the DCA scheme will be examined to ensure it best meets the needs of customers and the Department.

I want to assure the Deputies that I am committed to ensuring that those children who meet the conditions for the DCA scheme will continue to receive the payment.

Child Benefit

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

136 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her plans to reform child benefit and in particular her suggestion reported recently in the media that it be taxed. [28046/12]

Child benefit is a universal payment that assists parents with the cost of raising children and it contributes towards alleviating child poverty. The estimated expenditure on child benefit for 2012 is around €2 billion in respect of some 1.15 million children.

The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, can be an important source of income for all families, especially during a time of recession and high unemployment. The social protection system also provides assistance to low income families with children through the payment of qualified child increases on primary social welfare payments and through the family income supplement payment. Both of these provide a level of assistance which is directly or indirectly linked with a household's income situation.

I am conscious that achieving a better design of the overall system of child income supports, including child benefit, raises complex issues about the effectiveness and effectiveness of the full range of income supports currently provided to families and their children. In this context and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year, which has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes.

The Advisory Group prioritised the area of family and child income supports and recently completed its work on this area. Their report is currently receiving my consideration and will assist the Government in setting out a pathway towards a more appropriate system of child income supports.

As the Deputy will be aware, issues relating to changes in taxation policy are a matter for my colleague, Michael Noonan T.D., Minister for Finance.

Job Initiatives

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

137 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made in developing the pathways to work plan; if a decision has been made on the use of private contractors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28092/12]

As set out in the NEES project plan and the Pathways to Work policy documents published by the Department, the development and implementation of the Pathways to Work service model entails a multi-annual programme of work to the end of 2014. This programme requires the amalgamation and integration of three separate organisations and the design and implementation of new work processes and supporting computer and administrative systems. To date all of the major milestones in the project plan — including the transfer of FÁS community and employment services and the Community Welfare Service — have been completed on schedule. The possible involvement of third party contractors is currently being considered by the Department, however, no decision has yet been made on the matter. As part of this process the Department has examined and reviewed experience in other countries and has consulted with a number of interested parties and experts including representatives from the UK's Department of Work and Pensions, representatives from international employment service providers, representatives of Irish service providers and a leading international academic who has a particular expertise in the contracting models used by state agencies to engage third party providers of employment services.

It is to be noted that the use of external contractors to complement the Department's own resources is not unusual. For example, the Department already engages 24 Local Employment Service (LES) providers to provide services and funds these activities to the value of over €19m (2012). There are currently c 300 full time equivalent staff engaged by LES providers in the provision of these employment services. The Department also has similar external contract arrangements in place for the provision of client services in over 60 locations around the country. These branch offices complement the Department's own network of public offices.

Community Employment Schemes

Derek Keating

Ceist:

138 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment schemes in Palmerstown, County Dublin, Lucan, County Dublin, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Saggart, County Dublin, Rathcoole, County Dublin, and Newcastle, County Dublin; the contribution that these jobs make in training and in benefit to the various communities they are serving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27712/12]

The number of community employment schemes is as follows:

Number

Palmerstown, County Dublin

2

Lucan, County Dublin

1

Clondalkin, Dublin 22

13

Saggart, County Dublin

1

Rathcoole, County Dublin

1

Newcastle, County Dublin

Community employment schemes provide a wide range of community based training and employment opportunities for participants. They also provide community based services and activities to the local residents and communities in the areas in which they are located.

Participants in community employment schemes are offered an opportunity to engage in employment within their communities on a temporary, fixed-term basis. The schemes provide a support to the participants in gaining training, work experience and, in some cases, recognised qualifications. The schemes also promote the self-development of participants that facilitates their progression into mainstream employment, and assists in breaking the cycle of long term unemployment.

The community employment schemes operational in the areas listed provide a range of services including those supporting children, young people, people with disabilities and older persons.

Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 121.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 132.

Carer’s Allowance

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

141 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans regarding the half-rate carer’s allowance; and the changes that she is considering. [28034/12]

There are some 52,000 people in receipt of carer's allowance from my Department. Of these, almost 22,000 are getting half rate carer's allowance in addition to another social welfare payment. This means that a person with one child who is in receipt of a one parent family payment of €217.80 per week will receive an additional payment of €102 per week while a person in receipt of State pension (contributory) would receive a total payment of €349.80 per week. In addition, they may also qualify for the household benefits package and free travel.

In Budget 2012, the basic rate of carer's allowance and the respite care grant were not reduced. The means test for carer's allowance is one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system. The income disregard is €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. A couple with two children can earn up to €35,400 and qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance.

In the current economic climate every scheme in my Department must be kept under review, in particular where this involves payments that are additional to a primary weekly payment; however, no decisions have been made in relation to welfare expenditure for next year. These decisions will be made after full consideration by the Government and will be announced on Budget day.

Departmental Schemes

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

142 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the financial review of community employment promised to be concluded by March has concluded; the key findings of the review process to date; the related steps that she intends to take in terms of policy or funding decisions; and if she intends to publish the full report. [28038/12]

Responsibility for Community Employment Schemes transferred to the Department with effect from 1 January 2012. Since the transfer of Community Employment to the Department, DSP staff, including former FÁS staff, have been involved in a series of discussions with CE sponsors. These discussions have shown that while notionally focussed on activation, in reality Community Employment programmes deliver a range of services from childcare, healthcare, drugs support to environmental works.

The financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is near to completion. This review has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes themselves and for the Department. Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, and the requirement for staff to engage with each scheme has taken longer than originally envisaged to complete.

The outcomes of this review will be communicated directly to CE sponsoring organisations by staff in the Department as soon as these are finalised and the overall position agreed by Government. This should be possible to do this month.

While no final allocations of materials and training grants have been made pending completion of the financial review, the existing commitment in relation to the financial support of schemes will continue to apply. The Department is committed to supporting the CE participants and the sponsors in continuing the valuable contribution the programme makes to individuals and communities.

Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 135.
Question No. 144 answered with Question No. 114.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

145 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she has received communication from applicants for various social protection payments or community-based charity groups indicating the existence of hardship arising from delays in the processing of applications for various payments operated by her Department; if she has been in a position to seek the transfer of the necessary staff numbers from other Departments in order to clear up any backlogs and therefore alleviate unnecessary hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27995/12]

The Department is committed to ensuring that claims are processed as expeditiously as possible. As part of the Department's programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised. While representations are received on a regular basis in relation to individual customers and their claims and also from community based charity groups, given the volume of representations the Department receives, I am not aware of any recent specific representations from charity groups in relation to hardship caused due to delays in processing of applications.

The staffing needs of my Department are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources. The Department will continue to source available staff to fill critical vacancies by way of redeployment or transfer from within the Department and other Government Departments, taking account of the employment control framework (ECF) target, as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Since May 2008, some 990 staff have been assigned across the Department to fill critical vacancies and additional posts allocated to deal with the increased volume of claims. Taking into account the numbers of staff who have left the Department and the vacancies that exist currently, a net total of 226 additional staff have been assigned to the Department.

Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 135.

Child Care Services

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

147 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the effects that the changes to the income disregards rules introduced in budget 2012 are having on community child care provision; and if she will reverse these changes. [28043/12]

The income disregard for the one parent family payment scheme was reduced from €146.50 to €130.00 per week with effect from 1st January 2012. All categories of participants on CE, including lone parents, have been gradually reducing over the last few years with the exception of the jobseeker's allowance category which has been increasing steadily since mid-2009 due to the changed demographics in the job-seeking population.

The income disregard change would have very little effect as the net reduction is only €8.25 per week on income earned outside of the one parent family payment.

There has been a reduction in lone parent numbers since December 2011 to date (4,650 at year-end 2011 to 3,785 on 4th June 2012).

There are no plans to reverse the change to the current income disregard for one parent family payment.

Employment Support Services

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

148 Deputy Luke “Ming” Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim has been ruled as ineligible for the role of a Tús supervisor due to having participated on a FÁS course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27713/12]

Tús is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide up to 5,000 short-term work opportunities for those have been fully unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months, and who are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance at the time of application. At the week ending the 1st June 2012, 4,386 participants and 234 supervisors have been engaged in the provision of services to their communities. Recruitment to supervisory positions is conducted by local development companies and governed by the same eligibility criteria as apply to random selection of participants. This requires that a candidate must have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and be in receipt of a jobseekers' allowance payment at the time of application.

For this reason, persons who are engaged in community employment or who had breaks in the period of unemployment may not be eligible. As recruitment to all supervisory positions is nearing completion, I am not in a position to alter the criteria. The Deputy will appreciate that the criteria ensure that those who have more limited access to work are being prioritised for these opportunities.

Employment Support Services

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

149 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the planned introduction of the new national employment and entitlements service; when the new service will be fully operational and the number of staff that will be employed by the NEES; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27718/12]

The establishment of the new National Employment and Entitlements Service which integrates employment and income support services is now underway within the Department and implementation of the various elements of the service is ongoing.

The transfer of the employment and community services divisions of FÁS and the Community Welfare Service function from the HSE was completed on schedule. These transfers facilitated the development of the new "one stop shop" service model and trials of the new integrated "one stop shop" service are currently being implemented at offices located at King's Inns/ Parnell St., Tallaght, Arklow and Sligo and these will be followed by a further ten offices later in the year. As a result of the scale of the transformation required, full roll-out of the service in all offices will take a number of years to complete.

The new service will be provided by staff currently working within the Department, totalling approximately 6,500 including in the region of 1,700 staff who recently transferred from FÁS and the Community Welfare Service. One of the key challenges in the development of the new service is to increase the number of case managers and to develop the competencies required to provide an integrated and holistic service to clients. The Department is building its capability in this regard.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

150 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of rent supplement claimants; the number to whom the new limits now apply and within that the number who were existing claimants prior to 1 January; her response to the increasing number of claimants who are struggling to convince their landlords to accept the lower payment or who cannot find alternative appropriate accommodation at the lower rent limit or both; and if she will confirm if her Department will deal directly with landlords in these situations. [28031/12]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

152 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will undertake a review of the rent support system operated by her Department in view of the discrepancy in rent charged by landlords within the various local authority administrative areas and where local markets demand or pressure is not recognised by way of variation in the maximum rent eligible for support thereby causing hardship to families who do not have access to local authority housing and happen to live in areas in which there is a higher housing demand resulting in higher rents; if any effort can be made to take into account such variations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27996/12]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

154 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has anticipated the number of tenants who have been forced to move house or who will be forced to do so as a result of the rent allowance cuts which have come into effect since budget 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28056/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 152 and 154 together.

There are currently approximately 93,800 persons in receipt of rent supplement, for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.

New maximum rent limits were introduced from January 2012 following analysis of the most up-to-date market data available. The emphasis of the review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.

The revised limits are applicable to new rent supplement tenancies from January 2012 and existing tenancies on review. Approximately 21,300 claims have been awarded in 2012, indicating that it is possible to secure accommodation within the revised limits. There were 96,800 persons in receipt of rent supplement at the end of 2011.

Where rents are in excess of the limit, customers are being asked to contact their landlord and renegotiate the rent. Where landlords do not agree to reduce the rent within the limits, staff will discuss the options open to the tenant, including seeking alternative accommodation. Information on the numbers securing alternative accommodation is not available. The Department does not intend negotiating directly with landlords to reduce rents on behalf of a tenant.

Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants will continue to ensure that their accommodation needs are met; there will be no incidence of homelessness due to these changes. Rent levels are being monitored and at this point I have no plans to revise any of the existing rent limits.

Illness Benefit

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

151 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her proposals to cut entitlements to illness benefit. [28048/12]

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the question of introducing a scheme of statutory sick pay, whereby employers would directly meet the costs of sick absence for an initial period of illness. This is being considered in the context of the need to reform the social welfare system to bring it into line with practices in other countries in this area; the need to address the deficit in the social insurance fund; the need to limit progression from short-term illness to long-term illness or disability; and in the wider context of enhancing the health of the workforce and addressing levels of absenteeism. I hosted a consultative seminar on the feasibility and implications of introducing a scheme of statutory sick pay in February 2012. This seminar was attended by a broad range of key stakeholders and afforded an opportunity to discuss the complex issues involved. A report of that seminar will be published very shortly and will provide the basis for further consultations.

A range of complex issues need to be addressed before any decision could be taken by Government on the possible introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme. The potential impacts of introducing such a scheme will be developed and refined as consultation with key stakeholders progresses.

Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 150.

Social Insurance

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

153 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she recognises the shortcomings of the homemakers legislation of 1994; if she will make some sort of provision for parents or carers from pre-1994 to close the gaps in their PRSI records for pension purposes. [28045/12]

The homemaker's scheme which is effective since 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age or incapacitated adults to be disregarded when a person's social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes. To be eligible for the homemaker's scheme, a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions that includes having a minimum of 520 full rate contributions and a yearly average of at least 10 contributions over their working life.

There are no plans to extend the date of the homemaker's scheme. The introduction of a homemaker's credits to replace the current disregard from 2012 is currently being considered.

People who do not qualify for the homemaker's scheme may qualify for a reduced rate of State pension (contributory). Alternatively, they may qualify for a higher rate of State pension (non-contributory) if they satisfy the means test.

Question No. 154 answered with Question No. 150.
Question No. 155 answered with Question No. 135.

Exports of Turkey Products

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

156 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in volume terms and monetary terms the value of imports of turkey product and the volume and monetary value of exports of turkey products for the years 2009, 2010, 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26361/12]

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

Exports and Imports of turkeys and turkey products, 2009 to 20111

Categories

2009

2010

2011

Exports

Value(€ million)

Units (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Units (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Units (thousand)

Live

1.2

166.3

1.9

327

1

176.4

Turkey eggs

0.7

1,257.4

0

0

0

0

Value (€ million)

Tonnes (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Tonnes (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Tonnes (thousand)

Processed produce

26.3

13

30.3

21.7

31.7

18.1

Exports total (€m)

28.2

32.2

32.7

Imports

Value (€ million)

Units (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Units (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Units (thousand)

Live

0.7

308.7

0.8

1,280.6

1.1

717.3

Turkey eggs2

0.0

83.2

0.0

115.9

0.0

40.9

Value (€ million)

Tonnes (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Tonnes (thousand)

Value (€ million)

Tonnes (thousand)

Processed produce

39.1

12.1

38

13.7

46.3

14

Imports total (€m)

39.8

38.8

47.4

1Value thresholds apply to EU trade. Traders whose exports to EU countries in the previous twelve months exceeded €635,000 must make a detailed monthly Intrastat export return. Traders whose imports from EU countries in the previous twelve months exceeded €191,000 must make a detailed monthly import return.

20.0 indicates a value of under €500,000.

Emigration Data

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

157 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Taoiseach his plans to instruct the Central Statistics Office to compile data on emigration on a quarterly or six month rather than the current annual basis in view of the need to gather regular and up-to-date information on the numbers of persons emigrating from Ireland to inform policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26211/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

158 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Taoiseach the reason the Central Statistics Office does not collect data on the destination of emigrants leaving Ireland; his plans to collect data on the destination of Irish emigrants and the numbers to each country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26212/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

Annual information on migration (immigration and emigration) is published in the Population and Migration Estimates release which issues in September each year.

The principal source of information for the estimation of annual migration flows published by the Central Statistics Office, incorporating both emigration and immigration, is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS); the published estimates are classified by sex, broad age group, origin and destination, and nationality.

Because of the underlying seasonality and variability of all migration flows the CSO does not publish these estimates on a sub-annual basis e.g. six monthly or quarterly.

Data on emigration is estimated by broad destination. The provision of emigration data at a more detailed level, such as country of destination, is not currently possible due to measurement issues associated with sub-populations, sample sizes and other practical issues in sample surveys such as the QNHS.

The estimates are published on an annual basis in September of each year. The next publication in September 2012 will cover the period April 2007 to April 2012.

Ministerial Staff

Robert Troy

Ceist:

159 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach if he will outline all staff appointments he has made since last March; the name of those appointed; their position; their salary; if any of these appointees are former retired public servants and in receipt of a pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27688/12]

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

162 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27903/12]

The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 162 together. Details of the staff appointments made by me since March 2011 are set out in the table beneath. The table also provides details of the current salaries of those whom I have appointed.
Under the terms of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices, separate arrangements apply to the staffing requirements of my office, and accordingly, the normal pay scales for Special Advisers do not apply in relation to my office. I have appointed one person who is in receipt of a pension following his retirement from the public service. The employment contract of the person concerned will cease when my term of office as Taoiseach ends.

Name

Title

Annual Salary

Mark Kennelly

Chief of Staff

€168,000

Andrew McDowell

Special Adviser to the Taoiseach

€168,000

Paul O’Brien

Special Adviser to the Taoiseach

€83,337

Angela Flanagan

Special Adviser to the Taoiseach

€83,337

Mark O’Doherty

Special Adviser to Chief Whip

€83,337

Sarah Moran

Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach

€77,884

Theresa Diskin

Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach

€68,748

Pauline Coughlan

Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach

€66,519

Gerard Deere

Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach

€66,519

Miriam O’Callaghan

Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach

€64,750

John Lohan

Personal Secretary to the Taoiseach

€41,749

AnneMarie Durcan

Personal Secretary to the Taoiseach

€41,749

Claire Urquhart

Personal Secretary to the Chief Whip

€46,935

Colum Coomey

Personal Assistant to the Chief Whip

€43,715

Feargal Purcell

Government Press Secretary

€119,795

Cathy Madden

Deputy Government Press Secretary and Head of Government Information Service

€99,236

Joanne Lonergan

Assistant Government Press Secretary

€89,898

John Cummins

Civilian Driver for Leader of the Seanad

Resigned in August 2011

Derek Grubb

Civilian Driver for Leader of the Seanad

€32,964

Departmental Funding

Niall Collins

Ceist:

160 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the amount of funding committed to in his Department for capital projects; if he will provide details of the projects and funding committed; the funds that have been drawn down for the projects; when the balance will be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27690/12]

The Taoiseach: My Department has committed to no funding in respect of capital projects.

Unemployment Levels

John McGuinness

Ceist:

161 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the latest unemployment figures at the social welfare office in Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will include the figures for same in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/12]

The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection. Figures are published for each county and local social welfare office.

The most recent Live Register figures available are for May 2012. The table below contains the numbers signing on in Tallaght local office on the last Friday of May 2010, May 2011 and May 2012.

It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance.

Persons on the Live Register in Tallaght Local Office by sex and age, May 2010, May 2011 and May 2012

May 2010

May 2011

May 2012

Annual change May 2011

Annual change May 2012

% change May 2011

% change May 2012

Males

Under 25 years

1,630

1,533

1,432

-97

-101

-6.0

-6.6

25 years and over

5,719

5,864

6,681

+145

+817

+2.5

+13.9

Total males

7,349

7,397

8,113

+48

+716

+0.7

+9.7

Females

Under 25 years

886

825

883

-61

+58

-6.9

+7.0

25 years and over

2,187

2,270

2,753

+83

+483

+3.8

+21.3

Total females

3,073

3,095

3,636

+22

+541

+0.7

+17.5

All persons

Under 25 years

2,516

2,358

2,315

-158

-43

-6.3

-1.8

25 years and over

7,906

8,134

9,434

+228

+1,300

+2.9

+16.0

Total persons

10,422

10,492

11,749

+70

+1,257

+0.7

+12.0

Source: CSO Live Register.

Question No. 162 answered with Question No. 159.

Value of Exports

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

163 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate in tabular form the volume and value of exports from here to other EU countries within the eurozone and without in each of the past five years to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27672/12]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

164 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if he will set out in tabular form the extent in volume and value of Irish exports to non-EU countries including the USA in each of the past five years to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27673/12]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

165 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if he will set out in tabular form, the volume and value of imports from-EU and non EU countries including the USA in each of the past five years to date; the nature of any trends emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27674/12]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the top five countries worldwide with whom this country does most business in terms of import and export in respect of goods and services based on the past five years to date; the extent to which trends are developing in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27676/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 to 166, inclusive, together.

The answers to Questions Nos. 163 to 165, inclusive, are set out in Tables 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. The answers to Question No. 166 are set out in Tables 3 and 4. Goods exports and imports statistics provide data on the movement of goods between countries. The CSO's quarterly Balance of Payments publication provides details on Services exports and imports.

Table 1a: Value of EXPORTS of Goods and Services 2008-2012

Exports

Goods

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012 Q1

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Total EU

53,855

52,223

52,122

53,290

14,536

Eurozone

34,726

35,983

35,411

35,658

9,738

Other EU

19,129

16,240

16,710

17,632

4,797

Total Non EU

32,540

33,581

37,582

38,679

9,123

United States

16,674

18,661

21,111

21,614

4,312

Rest of World

15,865

14,920

16,470

17,065

4,811

Goods total

86,394

85,804

89,704

91,969

23,659

Services

2008

2009

2010

20111

2012 Q11

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Total EU

44,195

42,537

45,284

51,619

n/a

Eurozone

24,910

25,140

26,984

27,465

n/a

Other EU

19,285

17,397

18,300

24,154

n/a

Total Non EU

23,752

24,597

28,553

27,465

n/a

United States

4,708

4,281

5,234

n/a

n/a

Rest of World

19,044

20,316

23,319

n/a

n/a

Services total

67,947

67,134

73,837

79,084

n/a

Goods and Services

2008

2009

2010

20111

2012 Q11

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Total EU

98,050

94,760

97,406

104,909

n/a

Eurozone

59,636

61,123

62,395

63,123

n/a

Other EU

38,414

33,637

35,010

41,786

n/a

Total Non EU

56,292

58,178

66,135

66,144

n/a

United States

21,382

22,942

26,345

n/a

n/a

Rest of World

34,909

35,236

39,789

n/a

n/a

Good and Services total

154,341

152,938

163,541

171,053

n/a

1Services data at country level are only published on an annual basis; 2011 data are not yet available.

Table 1b: Net Mass of EXPORTS of Goods 2008-2012

Exports

Goods

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012 Q1

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Total EU

11,865

10,026

11,016

12,083

3,391

Eurozone

3,831

3,103

4,017

4,265

1,226

Other EU

8,033

6,923

7,000

7,818

2,165

Total Non EU

2,131

2,340

2,865

2,912

726

Rest of World

1,887

2,044

2,369

2,525

686

United States

245

296

496

386

40

Goods total

13,996

12,366

13,881

14,995

4,116

Table 2a: Value of IMPORTS of Goods and Services 2008-2012

Imports

Goods

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012 Q1

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Total EU

37,601

27,525

28,671

31,246

7,702

Eurozone

14,674

10,901

11,018

11,747

2,758

Other EU

22,927

16,623

17,653

19,498

4,945

Total Non EU

19,983

17,536

17,092

17,141

5,576

United States

6,763

7,842

6,427

5,906

2,551

Rest of World

13,221

9,694

10,665

11,236

3,025

Goods total

57,585

45,061

45,763

48,387

13,278

Services

2008

2009

2010

20111

2012 Q11

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Total EU

39,342

38,861

41,781

41,936

n/a

Eurozone

25,977

27,015

30,057

30,564

n/a

Other EU

13,365

11,846

11,724

11,372

n/a

Total Non EU

36,275

36,325

39,150

40,355

n/a

United States

22,994

23,823

24,644

n/a

n/a

Rest of World

13,281

12,502

14,506

n/a

n/a

Services total

75,617

75,186

80,931

82,291

n/a

Goods and Services

2008

2009

2010

20111

2012 Q11

€m

€m

€m

€m

€m

Total EU

76,943

66,386

70,452

73,182

n/a

Eurozone

40,651

37,916

41,075

42,311

n/a

Other EU

36,292

28,469

29,377

30,870

n/a

Total Non EU

56,258

53,861

56,242

57,496

n/a

United States

29,757

31,665

31,071

n/a

n/a

Rest of World

26,502

22,196

25,171

n/a

n/a

Good and Services total

133,202

120,247

126,694

130,678

n/a

1Services data at country level are only published on an annual basis; 2011 data are not yet available.

Table 2b: Net Mass of IMPORTS of Goods 2008-2012

Imports

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012 Q1

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Tonnes (thousands)

Total EU

26,435

22,125

22,448

22,024

5,353

Eurozone

7,791

5,994

5,778

5,128

1,264

Other EU

18,644

16,131

16,670

16,896

4,090

Total Non EU

11,759

10,683

12,711

12,395

3,368

Rest of World

10,527

9,916

11,666

9,852

2,636

United States

1,232

767

1,045

2,543

733

Goods total

38,194

32,808

35,158

34,419

8,722

Table 3: Value of EXPORTS of Goods and Services 2008-2012 for Top 5 Countries in each category

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2008

2008

2008

1. USA

16,674

1. UK

15,289

1. UK

31,153

2. UK

15,864

2. Germany

6,670

2. USA

21,382

3. Belgium

12,253

3. USA

4,708

3. Germany

12,759

4. Germany

6,089

4. France

4,832

4. Belgium

12,253

5. France

5,019

5. Italy

4,192

5. France

9,851

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2009

2009

2009

1. USA

18,661

1. UK

13,610

1. UK

27,207

2. Belgium

14,510

2. Germany

6,596

2. USA

22,942

3. UK

13,597

3. USA

4,281

3. Belgium

14,510

4. Germany

6,012

4. France

4,474

4. Germany

12,608

5. France

4,637

5. Italy

4,308

5. France

9,111

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2010

2010

2010

1. USA

21,111

1. UK

14,395

1. UK

28,338

2. UK

13,943

2. Germany

7,760

2. USA

26,345

3. Belgium

13,553

3. USA

5,234

3. Germany

14,161

4. Germany

6,401

4. France

5,109

4. Belgium

13,553

5. France

4,559

5. Italy

4,204

5. France

9,668

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2011

20111

20111

1. USA

21,614

1. USA

21,614

2. UK

14,468

2. UK

14,468

3. Belgium

13,229

3. Belgium

13,229

4. Germany

6,467

4. Germany

6,467

5. France

5,008

5. France

5,008

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2012 Q1

2012 Q11

2012 Q11

1. USA

4,312

1. USA

4,312

2. Belgium

4,153

2. Belgium

4,153

3. UK

4,030

3. UK

4,030

4. Germany

1,702

4. Germany

1,702

5. France

1,243

5. France

1,243

1Services data at country level are only published on an annual basis; 2011 data are not yet available.

Table 4: Value of IMPORTS of Goods and Services 2008-2012 for Top 5 Countries in each category

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2008

2008

2008

1. UK

19,203

1. USA

22,994

1. UK

31,044

2. USA

6,763

2. UK

11,841

2. USA

29,757

3. Germany

4,641

3. Netherlands

7,311

3. Netherlands

10,203

4. China

3,902

4. Luxembourg

4,378

4. Germany

7,810

5. Netherlands

2,892

5. France

3,640

5. France

6,028

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2009

2009

2009

1. UK

13,728

1. USA

23,823

1. USA

31,665

2. USA

7,842

2. UK

10,565

2. UK

24,293

3. Germany

3,045

3. Netherlands

8,128

3. Netherlands

10,438

4. China

2,591

4. Luxembourg

5,135

4. Germany

6,097

5. Netherlands

2,310

5. France

3,373

5. France

5,566

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2010

2010

2010

1. UK

14,813

1. USA

24,644

1. USA

31,071

2. USA

6,427

2. UK

10,466

2. UK

25,279

3. Germany

3,493

3. Netherlands

10,243

3. Netherlands

12,469

4. China

2,517

4. Luxembourg

5,818

4. Germany

6,975

5. Netherlands

2,226

5. Germany

3,482

5. France

5,206

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2011

20111

20111

1. UK

16,676

1. UK

16,676

2. USA

5,906

2. USA

5,906

3. Germany

3,721

3. Germany

3,721

4. China

2,566

4. China

2,566

5. Netherlands

2,456

5. Netherlands

2,456

Goods

Services

Goods and Services

Country

€million

Country

€million

Country

€million

2012 Q1

2012 Q11

2012 Q11

1. UK

4,164

1. UK

4,164

2. USA

2,551

2. USA

2,551

3. Germany

926

3. Germany

926

4. China

643

4. China

643

5. Netherlands

503

5. Netherlands

503

1Services data at country level are only published on an annual basis; 2011 data are not yet available.

Constitutional Convention

Ciara Conway

Ceist:

167 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Taoiseach his views on choosing the participants for the upcoming constitutional convention; if it is still proposed to randomly select 66 citizens to participate; the measures being taken to ensure a fair representation of LGBT citizens; if he plans to engage with key organisations such as Marriage Equality in relation to the deliberations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28107/12]

The Government expect to introduce Resolutions in the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly to establish the Constitutional Convention. The Resolutions will propose that the Convention should consist of 100 members, including a chairperson.

A polling company will be engaged to select 66 people on the electoral register to be members of the Convention on the basis that the persons selected are representative of the population generally in terms of gender, age, social class and region. Legislation will be required to use the electoral register for this purpose.

The selection process will be overseen by the independent chairperson of the Convention, who must be a person of exceptional ability with a high degree of public acceptability. The Government will seek consensus on the nomination of a chairperson in the context of the proposed Resolutions.

The remaining 33 members of the Convention will be made up of Oireachtas members and one parliamentarian from each of the politicial parties in Northern Ireland which accept an invitation to be represented.

I am aware that a number of interest groups have signalled a desire to participate in the work of the Convention. The view has also been expressed that specific sections of society should be included in the membership of the Convention, including vulnerable, disadvantaged or marginalised groups; children; persons from Northern Ireland, especially Northern unionists; the Diaspora; and Ireland's newest citizens.

The Government is firmly of the view that the Convention should be composed of ordinary citizens and elected representatives. It is not practical to accommodate as members, in a fair and representative manner, all of the groups or sections of society that have been proposed. However, it is anticipated that interest groups will be able to interact with the Convention, including by making submissions. It is also expected that the chairperson and members of the Convention will be anxious to hear from a representative spectrum of opinion in carrying out their work.

Unemployment Levels

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

168 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the progress and actions taken by him following the visit of an EU Commission delegation sent by President Barroso to discuss youth unemployment on 21 February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28365/12]

Following the informal European Council meeting in January, President Barroso wrote to the eight Member States with youth unemployment levels significantly above the EU average, including Ireland. In his letter President Barroso offered the assistance of the Commission to explore ways to combat youth unemployment and increase supports for small and medium sized enterprises. A team of European Commission officials then visited Dublin in February to discuss the challenges of youth unemployment. The Commission's main focus was on how best to maximise European structural funds in order to meet the challenges posed by youth unemployment. The team met with officials from Government Departments and relevant stakeholders and discussed the various measures being carried out by Ireland to combat unemployment.

The Government officials conveyed to the Commission team that Ireland was acutely aware of the urgency in tackling the issue of youth unemployment and outlined the measures currently being taken to get youth back to work, while recognising that youth unemployment also needs to be viewed against the backdrop of a very difficult labour market situation generally. The Government outlined the wide range of measures contained in the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work, which were aimed at improving employment prospects, including for young people. As part of the European Commission initiative, Member States were asked to consider whether Structural Funds could be re-allocated to help tackle youth unemployment. However, Ireland, uniquely among the Member States in question, has fully absorbed its Structural Funds allocation, through careful prioritisation exercises, thus providing little scope for reallocation of funds.

Following the Commission visit and subsequent engagement, it was decided that the new Labour Market Education and Training Fund for 2012 would be co-financed at a rate of 50% by the ESF (up to €10 million). This fund is an important Government labour market initiative and one of the Fund's four core themes is specifically dedicated to the under 25s. Furthermore, in his oral update to the recent informal European Council President Barroso noted that the Department of Education and skills has further identified €25 million in ESF funding that will support continued investment in the Youthreach programme which provides education, training and work experience to young people who have left school early.

The Government remains committed to tackling youth unemployment as part of its overall and ongoing efforts to rebuild the economy and create jobs.

Departmental Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

169 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the civil services, that he deems to fall into the category of front-line staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28792/12]

My Department's mission statement at this time is to help the Government and me to resolve the current economic crisis, to implement the Programme for Government and to build a fairer society and a better future for Ireland and her citizens. By its nature, the work of my Department mainly entails close engagement with other Government Departments and State agencies, other representative groups, Northern Ireland political representatives, civil society groups across the island, international organisations, other Governments etc. My Department has limited interaction with the general public other than in its reception area, my office, the offices of the Ministers of State assigned to my Department and the Government Press and Information Service. Of the 179.61 whole time equivalent staff (wte) employed by my Department at the end of May 2012, 40 (wte) were employed in these areas. In addition, 8 staff from my Department who are assigned to other duties during the week, work on the Saturday tours of Government buildings.

The 2012 estimated pay costs for staff working in these areas is €2,573,086, which is 23% of the total estimated 2012 pay costs for my Department. In addition to the two Ministers of State at my Department and myself, approximately 42% of staff are in management grades (Assistant Principal and above) and 56% are in administrative grades. The estimated pay for my Department on this basis is set out in the following table:

Category

Estimated Pay 2012

% Estimated Pay 2012

Management

€4,623,198

42%

Administrative

€6,190,835

56%

Elected Representatives

€208,286

2%

Referendum Expenditure

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

170 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular format details of all Government expenditure related to the treaty referendum held on 31 May 2012, including the Referendum Commission’s budget, the moneys spent by the Government on its own public information campaign and the amount spent on polling companies and any additional items. [27888/12]

A total of €4.2 million was allocated by the Government for the Referendum on the Stability Treaty. €2.2 million was allocated to the Referendum Commission and €2 million to the Government's information campaign. Until all bills and invoices have been issued and settled, it will not be possible to give a final figure. However, the breakdown of costs associated with the Government's information campaign as currently stands is as follows:

Government Information Campaign Costs

Printing of Referendum Bill

€490.13

Government Information Materials (design, production and distribution)

€854,171.63

Website Design and Launch

€14,141.48

Media Monitoring

€3,075

Print Media Adverts

€373,647.88

TV and Radio Adverts

€170,835.20

Total

€1,416,361.32

No monies were spent on polling companies.

International Election Monitoring

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

171 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason that female members of Ireland’s international election roster seem to be selected far more often for overseas missions than their male colleagues; if the review of the election roster will consider this gender imbalance and when he expects the review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27735/12]

The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre. The EU and OSCE are committed to achieving a gender balance in their election observation missions. Member States are encouraged to nominate an equal number of male and female observers for each mission. In 2011, Ireland seconded 60 observers to election observation missions. Of these, 40 were male and 20 were female. This breakdown reflects the gender composition of the current roster, with some 200 men and 100 women available to serve on election observation missions. I have asked officials to review the working of the roster and to prepare proposals on future membership, which will include proposals on how to achieve a better gender balance when nominating observers to international election observation missions.

International Election Monitoring

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

172 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the individual cost of each trip taken by persons as part of Ireland’s international election monitoring since the beginning of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27736/12]

Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre.

Observers who participate in missions supported by Irish Aid are entitled to one pre-departure grant of €600 in every twelve month period to cover any costs incurred in preparing for the trip, including vaccinations and doctor's certificates. Additional costs for observers participating in EU-led missions are covered by the European Commission. Costs incurred by observers on OSCE missions are covered by the participating countries, in Ireland's case from the Irish Aid budget.

The election observation programme is subject to continuous monitoring to ensure that it operates efficiently and effectively and provides the best possible value for money. A list in tabular form of the cost associated with each Irish election observer deployed since the beginning of 2012 is set out below. For obvious reasons, the costs associated with sending long-term observers (LTO) are higher than those for short-term observers (STO).

Election Observation Missions 2012 (25 observers on 7 missions)

Country

Organisation

Role

Forename

Surname

Cost

January

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Paddy

Buckenham

€3,193

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Paul

Cosgrave

€3,643

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Michael

Humphreys

€3,643

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Cecilia

Keaveney

€3,643

Kazakhstan

OSCE

STO

Patricia

Barker

€3,643

February

Senegal

EU

LTO

Diarmuid

Peavoy

€0

Senegal

EU

STO

Aidan

O’Shea

€0

March

Russia

OSCE

LTO

Michael

Verling

€17,029

Russia

OSCE

STO

Julian

Clare

€3,756

Russia

OSCE

STO

Grattan

Lynch

€4,301

Russia

OSCE

STO

Noreen

Kerins

€4,301

Russia

OSCE

STO

Chris

Andrews

€4,301

May

Armenia

OSCE

LTO

Sean

O’Callaghan

€6,967

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Ann

Ormonde

€3,147

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Blaise

Treacy

€3,147

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Edward

Horgan

€3,147

Armenia

OSCE

STO

James

McNamara

€3,147

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Terence

Fleming

€3,147

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Brian

Fagan

€3,147

Armenia

OSCE

STO

Eimear

Friel

€2,560

Algeria

EU

LTO

Dorcha

Lee

€600

Algeria

EU

STO

Mary

Boland

€0

Algeria

EU

STO

Peter

Ballagh

€0

Serbia I

OSCE

LTO

Orla

Cluff

€6,827

Serbia II

OSCE

LTO

Peter

McMahon

€3,685

Driving Licences

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

173 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will pursue a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27865/12]

Matters relating to the processing of driving licences in Ireland and reciprocal exchange agreements are the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority which falls under the aegis of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Driving licences in Canada are issued on a provincial rather than federal basis. Therefore, in response to requests from a number of people seeking to exchange their Irish driving licences for a Canadian licence, our Embassy in Ottawa has contacted all the main provincial authorities to establish details of their driving testing schemes and their willingness to enter into a reciprocal driving licence exchange scheme.

I have asked the Embassy to pass this information to the Road Safety Authority.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

174 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27897/12]

The following are details of the Special Advisers appointed by me since I took up duty as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs on 9 March 2011. The salaries attaching to the first two listed posts are commensurate with the responsibilities the post holders carry in the Office of the Tánaiste. The salary for Ms Jean O'Mahony, which is within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines relating to Special Advisers, includes a scale increment awarded on 10 March 2012 in line with those guidelines. No other pay increases have been sought or awarded since the original appointments.

Name

Position held

Annual Salary

Mark Garrett

Chief Adviser — Office of the Tánaiste

€168,000

Colm O’Reardon

Economic Adviser — Office of the Tánaiste

€155,000

Jean O’Mahony

Special Adviser — Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

€83,337

Passport Applications

Jack Wall

Ceist:

175 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reasons an application for a passport has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27977/12]

The Passports Act, 2008 provides, among other things, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Passport Service must, therefore, demonstrate that person's entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue. The Passport Service must operate within the law on this as in all matters.

The Department received an application from the person in question last month. At this stage, it cannot be finalised until her entitlement to Irish citizenship, if it exists, is demonstrated. The reasons for this are set out below. The applicant was born in Portlaoise on 19 December, 2006. Her entitlement to Irish citizenship must, therefore, be shown under the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended (the Act). This Act provides that a person, born in the State on or after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without restriction at the time of that person's birth, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for an Irish passport) only where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three years of the four years preceding that his/her birth.

The applicant's father became a naturalised Irish citizen after his daughter's birth. Her mother is a Nigerian citizen and no evidence has been presented with the child's application to show that she had acquired Irish citizenship at the time of her daughter's birth. As neither parents were Irish citizens in 2006, their residence in the State during the four year period from 19 December, 2002 to 18 December, 2006, which immediately preceded their daughter's date of birth, has to be examined by the Department to determine her entitlement to Irish citizenship.

In line with guidelines provided by Department of Justice and Equality, which is the Department responsible for immigration and citizenship, the proofs of lawful residence, which are accepted and considered by this Department for passport applications, are immigration stamps in passports and/or the registration cards/books. These are issued to persons registering their lawful presence in the State with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). In addition, the Department will accept letters from GNIB that state the various permission details which have been issued to a person. All of these are official documents/permits, which can be objectively verified by the Department, if required.

The evidence provided in the submitted application related to the mother's residence in the State. Her passport contains two stamps that were issued by GNIB prior to her daughter's birth. These show a registered presence in the State from 30 September, 2004 to 18 December, 2006. The amount of residence that accrues from this period is less than three years. As the statutory requirement has not been met, the daughter's entitlement to Irish citizenship has not been demonstrated. Accordingly, her application for a passport cannot be finalised.

On 5 June last, the Department wrote to the parents to inform them that, on the basis of the information provided to date, their daughter's application cannot be approved at present and to explain the reasons for this decision. In that letter, it was suggested to them that evidence in relation to the father's residence could be submitted to see if he has sufficient reckonable residence to demonstrate his daughter's entitlement to Irish citizenship. Their reply to the Department's letter is awaited. Subject to the receipt of their reply, their daughter's application will remain open. The parents also have the option of pursuing the matter of their daughter's entitlement to become a naturalised Irish citizen with the Department of Justice and Equality. In the event that she does acquire Irish citizenship by this or any other means, the Passport Service will be in a position to issue a passport on receipt of a new application.

Misplaced Passports

Anthony Lawlor

Ceist:

176 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding persons who have lost their passport, the checks that are in place to prevent identity theft and the fraudulent use of the misplaced passport; the way these safeguards are undertaken; the person who completes same; the timeframe involved in reissuing of a passport to such a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28394/12]

In January 2011, with a view to preventing identity theft and the circulation of falsified passports, a range of additional safeguards were introduced into the passport application procedure for those seeking to replace a lost/stolen passport. Applicants in this category are required to submit the following additional evidence in support of their passport application:

A completed and suitably witnessed passport application form and four photographs, (two of which must have the application form number written on the reverse and be signed by an approved witness);

The long form birth certificate of the applicant and a civil marriage certificate, if appropriate, and evidence of entitlement to Irish citizenship, where applicable;

Additional form of photo-identification; e.g. certified copy of a drivers licence, work ID; student card; social club membership; passport from other country, etc.;

Documentary evidence to show use of name, e.g. payslips; records of unemployment or disability payment; bank statement; college registration, etc.; and

Evidence of residency at the application address, e.g. utility bills; official correspondence from public or private sector, etc.

Upon receipt of an application the Passport Service undertakes a series of checks to verify the veracity of the application made. As the Deputy will appreciate it would be inappropriate to confirm the exact nature of these checks. However, as these checks take some time to complete, the Passport Service has advised that the fastest turnaround time for applications in this category is three working days. I should also explain that for those who have had multiple passport losses that the fastest turnaround time will be at a minimum ten working days.

I believe that these measures are reasonable, proportionate and have been designed to mitigate the risk of identity theft and to protect the international respect for and integrity of the Irish passport.

Human Rights Issues

Patrick Nulty

Ceist:

177 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who recently visited the Oireachtas as part of a Colombian peace delegation, whose life has been threatened in recent days by a paramilitary group in Bogota; if he will raise the issue with the appropriate authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/12]

I am aware of the case of Mr Guilien, and I deplore threats against any individual. In this regard, I have made known my concerns to the Colombian authorities through their embassy in London.

Human Rights Issues

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

178 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of human rights NGOs based in Palestine that the Israeli government and prison service are not honouring all of the terms of the recent agreement that culminated in the ending of a mass hunger strike by Palestinian political prisoners; if his attention has further been drawn to the possibility that the hunger strike may resume with all the potential political instability that it may cause and the efforts he his making to ensurer that all sides honour their commitments to this agreement. [28407/12]

During the course of the recent hunger strikes by Palestinian prisoners, I called on the Israeli authorities to seek a solution which would avoid a tragic outcome, and I made clear here in the Dáil my view that the widespread use by Israel of administrative detention should cease, and that the punitive conditions imposed on Palestinian prisoners while Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was in captivity should be ended. I was very pleased when agreement was reached last month following successful Egyptian mediation between the Israeli authorities and the various groups of prisoners, apparently addressing these and other issues. I am therefore concerned at reports that some of the terms of those agreements may still not have been fully implemented. However, no coherent picture has yet emerged as whether this is the case, although our Embassy has discussed the matter with the Israeli authorities, with EU colleagues, and with NGOs dealing with the prisoners. Prisoners had been on hunger strike for a number of different reasons, and separate agreements were made with separate groups of prisoners on the issues of concern to them. The terms of those agreements, including commitments made by both the Israeli side and the prisoners, have not been fully disclosed publicly, while the basis for reports that they are not being implemented in all cases remains unclear. It may be that some changes are taking time to enact.

I am encouraged by the fact that both the Israeli authorities and the prisoners clearly recognised the danger of the hunger strikes spiralling out of control and found agreement last month to avoid this. I very much encourage them to follow through in that spirit and ensure these agreements are implemented. I am also very concerned about two prisoners who did not end their hunger strikes, and are now believed to be in a critical condition. I strongly urge both sides to seek to resolve the issues involved in these cases with all possible urgency.

Departmental Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

179 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the civil services, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28790/12]

My Department's salaries budget is not allocated on the basis outlined in the question and the type of information sought is therefore not currently available. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy, I am providing below a table containing a full breakdown of the core staffing of the Department at home and abroad on 30th April 2012. Just less than 590, or approximately 42% of posts are based abroad and a majority of those would be regarded as frontline staff. At Headquarters, some 40% of the 810 posts are filled by staff involved in the provision of passport and consular services and would also fall into that category, as would smaller numbers of staff in some other areas of the Department. Overall, about 36% of the Department's staff are graded at Higher Executive Officer or equivalent level, or above, and would be regarded as management staff.

Grade

Nos. serving at headquarters

Nos. serving abroad

Assistant Secretary and above

11

27

Counsellor/Principal Officer

27

44

Principal Development Specialist

3

2

Senior Development Specialist

10

6

Assistant Legal Advisers

4.6

First Secretary/Assistant Principal

77.9

90

Professional Accountants

4

Development Specialists

13.8

11

Architects

2

Third Secretary /Administrative Officers /HEO

109

65

EO and equivalent

78.4

13

Staff Officers

36.3

2

Clerical Officers

378.4

35

Service Officers / Cleaners

42

2

Civilian Drivers

2

Political Appointees

11

Local Staff

289.1

Total:

810.4

586.1

Overall total

1,396.5

Two members of the Dáil are office holders in the Department; myself as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Mr. Joe Costello TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development. The ministerial salary of the Minister for European Affairs, Ms Lucinda Creighton TD, is paid by the Department of the Taoiseach.

Disabled Drivers

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

180 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [28169/12]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 134(3) of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and Statutory Instrument No: 353 of 1994 (Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 (as amended) provide for permanent relief from the payment of specified maximum amounts of VAT and VRT for persons registered under the scheme. An application form (DD1) for relief under the above Scheme was received in the Central Repayments Office, Monaghan, on 16th May 2012, from the person concerned. This application was returned on 24th May 2012 and the applicant was requested to forward an original Primary Medical Certificate along with invoices marked paid in full in respect of the purchase of the vehicle and in respect of the adaptation carried out to the vehicle.

In order to enter the Scheme it is a requirement that the person with the disability must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate. This certificate is issued following medical assessment by the Senior Area Medical Officer attached to the applicant's local Health Service Executive office. On receipt of the information and documentation requested Revenue will be in a position to consider an application from the named person.

Ministerial Meetings

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

181 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the Bilderberg Group; and the role of Irish civil servants and former politicians. [28184/12]

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

195 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance if he attended a meeting in the Westfield Marriot, Chantilly, Virginia, USA, from 1 to 3 June 2012; if he was there in an official capacity; if he will provide details of the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27825/12]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

196 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain his attendance at the Bilderberg private meeting of industrialists, politicians and bankers in Chantilly from 1 to 3 June; if he attended in his official capacity; if the State paid for the visit; the discussions that took place in relation to Ireland; and the reason these discussions were not reported in the press. [27832/12]

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

197 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the cost to the State of his recent attendance at the annual Bilderberg meeting in Chantilly, Virginia, US; the basis on which the former Attorneys General Paul Gallagher and Peter Sutherland attended the meeting as representatives of Ireland and if he will provide details of the cost to the State for both attendees. [27837/12]

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

198 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he attended the recent Bilderberg Group meeting in the United States in his official capacity as Minister; if so, if he will provide full details of the travelling delegation from Ireland; the costs associated with attending the event; the purpose of attending this event; if he will provide details of his participation at the event including any bilateral meetings he held; if he will provide details of the issues he raised concerning Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27860/12]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

199 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he attended the Bilderberg meeting on 1 to 3 June 2012 in an official capacity; the matters that were discussed in relation to Ireland while his Department stated the meeting as an opportunity to sell Ireland; if State funds were used to facilitate his attendance; his views on whether the private networking between corporate and political personnel in a capacity without fixed membership, a democratic mandate and without public consultation risks an imbalance in political discourse and challenges the democratic ideals of transparency and accountability to the voting electorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27871/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

204 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance if he attended the Bilderberg Meetings in Chantilly, Virginia, USA, from 31 May to 3 June 2012 and if so, was he there in an official capacity; if the State paid for his attendance; if he will disclose the issues that were discussed regarding Ireland. [27927/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 195 to 199, inclusive, and 204 together.

I attended the Bilderberg meeting in Westfield Marriot, Chantilly, Virginia, USA, from 1 to 3 June 2012. I, like a number of my European colleagues (both Ministers and EU Commissioners), was invited to attend given my position as Minister for Finance. I travelled alone and the total cost associated with my travel and accommodation came to €4,358.33. For further information, I would point Deputies to the Bilderberg Meetings website (www.bilderbergmeetings.org), which includes information on the organisation’s governance, steering committee, meetings and associated press releases. At this meeting and its workshops I took the opportunity to set out to my fellow attendees the opportunities that exist in Ireland for investors and multinational companies. I also outlined the significant progress Ireland is making in restoring stability and growth to the economy.

The Government is focussed on encouraging as much investment as possible into Ireland and over recent months we have seen the strong level of inward investment in our economy and have seen the announcement of over 1,000 jobs per month from Foreign Direct Investment so far this year. I would point out to Deputies that a number of the business attendees represent companies which have very significant investments in Ireland that support thousands of Irish jobs.

Commission on Credit Unions

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

182 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that credit unions here take into account the impact of the new proposals on the development of credit unions in the report on the Commission on Credit Unions on their ability to compete and most importantly their ability to lend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28414/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

183 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding credit unions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28415/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.

The Final Report of the Commission on Credit Unions was published in April this year. The Report's recommendations were agreed by all members of the Commission, including the representatives of the credit union movement. I have welcomed the Report. The Commission on Credit Unions has provided a landmark Report with far reaching recommendations to restructure the Irish credit union sector and strengthen its legislative and regulatory framework. Its recommendations will influence the shape of the credit union sector for many years to come.

The Report sets out the key features of credit unions in Ireland, their history and development, examines the financial position of the sector and considers findings from a survey of credit unions, a public consultation process and a separate efficiency study of the sector. It provides an overview of alternative financial co-operative models in various countries across Europe and North America and considers future models for credit unions in Ireland. The Report incorporates the recommendations of the Commission's Interim Report, published in October 2011, with regard to deposit protection, resolution, stabilisation, and liquidity and initial recommendations on legislation, regulation and governance. The key recommendations are in relation to sector restructuring, the details of the proposed new legislative and regulatory framework, and new governance requirements for credit unions.

The Report also recommends that a consultation protocol should be put in place between the Central Bank and credit unions and that, when setting out new regulations, the Central Bank should undertake a Regulatory Impact Analysis in line with existing requirements and having regard to international best practice.

Revenue Documents

Jack Wall

Ceist:

184 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a copy of their P45; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27747/12]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a P45 has been received by them on 20 April 2012. If the person concerned has not yet received their copy they can contact the employer for a copy.

Motor Vehicle Registration

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

185 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider examining the possibility of introducing a voluntary system whereby persons will be able to re-register second hand cars with a different local authority, thereby allowing them to change their registration plate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27761/12]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that registration numbers are assigned under section 131(5) of the Finance Act 1992. The registration number assigned at the time of first registration in the State remains assigned to that vehicle and must be displayed at all times until the vehicle is scrapped, destroyed or sent permanently out of the State. I have no plans at present to change the legislation in that regard.

Fuel Prices

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

186 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance his plans to address the impact of rising costs of oil, petrol and diesel on households and businesses throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27783/12]

Ireland, as with other countries, has experienced an increase in the cost of petrol and auto-diesel. This is an international phenomenon driven by a number of factors including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as geopolitical uncertainty in Northern Africa and the Middle East with potential supply disruptions. The excise rates (including the carbon charge) in Ireland on motor fuels are 58.8 cent per litre of petrol and 47.9 cent per litre of auto-diesel. However, our rates remain lower than many of our main trading partners and significantly lower than our nearest neighbour the UK. The rates for petrol and auto-diesel were increased with effect from 7 December 2011, arising from an increase in the carbon charge for those fuels from €15 to €20 per tonne of CO2 emitted. This represented an increase of less than 1.5 cent per litre in the case of petrol and just over 1.5 cent per litre in the case of diesel, when VAT is included. The rate of VAT that applies to those fuels increased from 21% to 23% with effect from 1 January 2012.

The Exchequer yield from excise, as excise is set at a nominal amount, does not increase as the price of fuels increase. On the other hand, the yield from VAT per litre of fuel, as VAT is set as a percentage of the price, increases as the price of fuels increase. However, in this regard it should be borne in mind that to the extent that spending in the economy is re-allocated to petrol and other oil products, and away from other VAT liable spending, and to the extent that the overall level of economic activity is reduced by higher oil prices, there may be little or no net gain to the Exchequer.

It should also be noted that businesses are of course entitled to reclaim VAT incurred on their business inputs, including VAT incurred on fuel. For example, VAT incurred on auto-diesel and marked gas oil (MGO or green diesel) used in the course of business is a deductible credit for business in the Irish VAT system. VAT on petrol cannot be deducted/reclaimed.

There are no plans for temporary taxation adjustments, as to do so, could lead to significant costs to the Exchequer. The issue of rising fuel prices was discussed by EU Finance Ministers at an ECOFIN meeting last year where they reconfirmed the approach taken in 2005 and again in 2008, when oil prices were very high, which endorsed a coordinated approach towards not making distortionary fiscal adjustments.

National Asset Management Agency

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

187 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the payment paid to developers through the National Asset Management Agency on behalf of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27790/12]

I am advised by NAMA that it is the Agency's practice to allow debtor companies to retain overhead costs from rental or other income that are produced by their assets where this is necessary for the operations of the debtor companies. The level of overhead is only agreed following a thorough and rigorous evaluation of the debtor's business plan by NAMA. Each cost element is reduced to the minimum and the level of overhead sanctioned by NAMA typically represents a very significant reduction on the level which prevailed prior to NAMA acquisition of the loans: typically, reductions of 50% to 75% in overhead costs have been imposed by NAMA. I am advised by NAMA that overhead costs fall into two broad categories:

1. Costs associated with the repair and maintenance of properties, insurance premia, local authority rates and professional fees. These are essential costs which would be incurred regardless of whether the assets were being managed by debtors or receivers.

2. Overhead costs also include an allowance for the debtor's salary and the salaries of staff employed by the debtor to manage the assets. The alternative in these cases is to appoint receivers and I am informed by NAMA that receiver costs tend to be substantially higher than debtor and associated staff salary costs.

NAMA has collated data on overhead costs for 2010 relating to 41 debtors who managed a total par debt of €18.6 billion or 25% of the total NAMA portfolio. Approved overheads for the 41 debtors was €55 million. This represents less than 0.3% of the par debt involved. Of the €55 million in overhead costs, I am informed by NAMA that the bulk of the costs related to essential costs associated with maintaining and preserving the assets and only €4.1m relates to remuneration. NAMA is currently collating data on all debtor overhead costs and intends to publish this analysis at a later stage.

Tax Reliefs

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

188 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total investment arising from the employment and investment incentive scheme in 2011 and 2012 to date, the total number of companies that have claimed this tax relief; the total amount of relief claimed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27812/12]

The amount of investment approved under the Employment and Investment Incentive in 2011 and 2012 to date is set out in the following table. The number of companies that benefited from these investments is also included:

Employment and Investment Incentive

Year

Amount of Investment €m

Number of Companies

2011*

0*

0*

2012 to date

2.38

11

*The EII was introduced from 25 November 2011 and no investments were approved in 2011. Statistics were recorded by reference to the date of approval of claims. It is normal for claims for relief on investments to be submitted to Revenue one month or more after the date of share issue.

Tax Reliefs

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

189 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total investment arising from the business expansion scheme; the total number of companies that claimed the tax relief, before it was superseded by the introduction of the employment and investment incentive scheme, in each of the years 2008 to 2011, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27813/12]

The estimated amount of investment approved under the Business Expansion Scheme (other than investments approved under the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme) in the calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is as set out in the following table. The number of companies which benefited from these investments is also provided.

Business Expansion Scheme Investments

Year

Amount of Investment Approved in the Calendar Year — €m

Number of Companies

2008

135.8

290

2009

62.3

198

2010

58.3

215

2011*

41.0

189

*Provisional.

Tax Reliefs

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

190 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate in tabular form, the number of businesses which claimed the research and development tax credit in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 to date; the total investment arising from the tax credit in each of those years; and the total cost of the scheme to the Exchequer in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27814/12]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total cost of the research and development tax credits allowed from 2008 to 2010, the latest year available, together with the number of businesses associated with that cost, are shown in the following table:

Research and Development Tax Credit

Year

Exchequer Cost of Research and Development Tax Credit

Estimated investment on which relief was actually given**

Number of Companies

€m

€m

2008

145.7

729

582

2009

216.1

864

900

2010*

208.0

832

1,172

*Provisional.

**The investment amounts are calculated by grossing back the tax credit amounts at the rate applying to each year. This in effect confines the investment amounts shown in the table to expenditure in excess of base year expenditure.

The credits shown above are derived from the corporation tax returns for accounting periods ending in years 2008 to 2010.

Corresponding data cannot yet be provided for 2011 and 2012, as the tax returns for those years are either not yet due or are still being processed.

Job Assist Scheme

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

191 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate in tabular form the total number of businesses and the total number of employees which have participated in the Revenue job assist scheme in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27815/12]

Sections 472A and 88A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provide tax incentives for both employers and employees, to help the long-term unemployed to return to employment. The relevant information available is in relation to the numbers of employees and employers who availed of the Revenue Job Assist scheme for the income tax years 2008 to 2011 inclusive, the latest year for which the necessary detailed information is available. The information requested is set out in the following table (to the extent that it is available):

Year

Employers

Employees

2008

321

330

2009

306

390

2010

342

650

2011

794

Not yet available

Foreign Earnings Deduction

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

192 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total number of persons who have availed of the foreign earnings deduction to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27816/12]

The Foreign Earnings Deduction was introduced from the 2012 tax year. Therefore, it will be 2013 before reliable statistics on its uptake will be available.

Tax Reliefs

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

193 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total number of companies who have claimed relief under the three-year corporate tax exemption, which provides relief from corporation tax on the trading income and certain gains of new start-up companies in the first three years of trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27817/12]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available so far on the relief in question is for the year 2010 as derived from corporation tax returns filed in respect of that year. The number of companies claiming the relief for 2010 was 855.

Bank Charges

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

194 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail the changes made by AIB to the eligibility criteria for fee-free banking; if his attention was drawn to the change before it was made and if so if he gave a view on the matter; if the Financial Regulator was aware of this change before it was made and if so did he give a view on the matter; if any impact analysis on consumers was carried out by the bank, the regulator or his Department before the decision was taken; the number of customers who will lose out as a result of this change and the estimated additional revenue that will be brought in to the bank as a result of changing these criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27820/12]

The Deputy will be aware that the Bank's policy in relation to fees is a matter for the management and board of the institution. I have no role in the day-to-day commercial and operational decisions of the banks, which include these matters. These decisions are taken by the board and management of the institution. Notwithstanding the fact that the State is a significant shareholder in the institution, I must ensure that the bank is run on a commercial, cost effective and independent basis to ensure the value of the bank as an asset to the State, as per the Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policies agreed with the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF. However, AIB have informed me that with effect from 28th May 2012, AIB Personal current account customers who maintain a minimum daily credit statement balance of €2,500 in the account for each fee quarter can qualify for maintenance and transaction free banking.

AIB also continues to provide a significant proportion of personal customers with the opportunity to avoid maintenance and transaction fees, through the new qualifying criteria in addition to the free banking offerings for student and graduate account holders and AIB Advantage customers (over the age of 60). Following the change circa 40% of AIB's personal current account customers will qualify for banking free of maintenance and transaction charges under the revised criteria and the propositions for student accounts, graduate accounts and AIB Advantage customers (over 60s).

The estimated additional revenue is commercially sensitive. Details of the proposed changes were notified in advance to the Central Bank of Ireland and to the Department of Finance. Undertaking impact analysis is difficult as customers vary in terms of the level of usage of their current account. Customers using online and electronic services pay less than those using manual/paper services, for example cheques.

Questions Nos. 195 to 199, inclusive, answered with Question No. 181.

National Treasury Management Agency

Damien English

Ceist:

200 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the funds the State currently has on deposit at the Central Bank of Ireland including a precise breakdown of the value of funds deposited at the Central Bank of Ireland directly from the Exchequer and from other State entities; if there is any reason, legal or otherwise why the State could not invest these funds in higher yielding financial instruments such as bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27873/12]

The balances held by the NTMA at the Central Bank of Ireland as at 31 May 2012 are as follows:

NTMA Cash balances at Central Bank

31 May 2012

€m

Exchequer Account

13,503

Capital Services Redemption Account

50

Post Office Savings Bank Fund

319

National Loans Advance Interest Account

14

National Loans winding Up Accounts

3

Unclaimed Dividends Account

2

Dormant Accounts Fund

122

14,013

The figures include cash held in the Exchequer Account in the Central Bank, cash available in the Dormant Accounts Fund and other Ministerial funds.

The security of the State's day-to-day operational running costs and debt-related payments is paramount and must be backed by access to adequate liquidity. In that sense the current level of balances held at the Central Bank of Ireland provides such security.

With respect to the question of investing the balances in higher-yielding financial instruments, this could only be done to the extent that it does not threaten the ability of the State to meet its outgoings and that an appropriate quantum of risk is accepted in the process. Given that Ireland is currently in a financial assistance programme and is subject to quarterly reviews by the troika, the question of investing any funds in financial assets must be assessed in this context along with continuing uncertainty from the Eurozone debt crisis.

The balances held by the National Asset Management Agency at the Central Bank of Ireland as at 31 May 2012 are as follows:

NAMA Operating Account — €1,953m.

NAMA Agency Account <€1m.

NAMA must ensure that it has available liquidity over the medium term to independently meet all of its contractual obligations as they fall due. Obligations include both its day-to-day operating costs (including coupons due on NAMA bonds and derivative contract payments) and advances approved under NAMA's Credit Policy. Working capital and project funding requests necessitate retaining a pool of available cash.

NAMA will have varying amounts of liquidity available from time to time as there will be a time lag between cash receipts and NAMA Senior note redemptions. Cash also needs to be placed on deposit (with approved counterparties / Central Bank of Ireland) or invested in qualifying liquid assets (short-term Irish Government securities).

I do not have the information sought in relation to other balances held at the Central Bank of Ireland, notably by the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission, but I will forward that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Mortgage Arrears

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

201 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of split mortgage arrangements that have been put in place with mortgage holders, for each covered institution, as recommended in the Keane report on mortgage arrears. [27877/12]

The Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank is engaging with banks on their mortgage arrears resolution strategies and in that context banks are currently developing resolution options for mortgage customers in difficulty. As the Deputy may be aware, the Central Bank asked the mortgage lenders to segment their loan books and provide proposals to the Central Bank on loan modification options by early May. The Central Bank issued a press release recently providing an update on their work with the mortgage lenders and this press release can be found athttp://www.centralbank.ie. The Central Bank has informed me that it has plans to track the number and value of the various resolution options offered by banks, which could include split mortgages or the other options suggested in the ‘Keane Report’, and to disclose this information in their quarterly mortgage arrears publication. The Central Bank does not publish information on individual banks unless by prior agreement with the bank.

Financial Irregularities

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

202 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the Central Bank of Ireland became aware of financial irregularities at Bloxham Stockbrokers; the chronology of events in respect of the Central Bank’s interaction with Bloxham in respect of these irregularities; when he was advised of these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27878/12]

The Central Bank was informed of the financial irregularities on the afternoon of the 24th May, following a specific question raised by the Central Bank on the 23rd May. Central Bank staff met with the firm twice on the 25th May, issued a direction at 5pm on the 25th May to cease trading and were in regular contact with Bloxham over the weekend 26th and 27th May. Central Bank staff continue to liaise closely with Bloxham and the provisional liquidator. The Minister for Finance was informed of the matter on Friday 25th May.

A statement on the matter has been made available by the Central Bank on its website, at the following link:http://www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/ Pages/CentralBankofIreland Statement-Bloxham.aspx.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

203 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and the amount of the increase sought. [27896/12]

In my Department, I have appointed Mary Kenny and Eoin Dorgan as special advisers. The salary for both special advisers has been €83,337 per annum since their appointment. No salary increases have been approved in respect of either appointment.

Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 181.

Tax Yield

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

205 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the effect on Revenue respectively of a 0.5% increase and a 0.5% decrease in corporation tax; the way either scenario might affect foreign direct investment; and the way either change would place us in comparison with our EU partners. [27933/12]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated in terms of 2012 profits, of increasing the standard rate of corporation tax from 12.5% to 13% is tentatively estimated on a straight line arithmetic basis to be about €135 million. A corresponding reduction in the rate would result in a cost to the Exchequer of a similar amount. This estimate does not take into account any possible behavioural change on the part of taxpayers as a consequence of the proposed changes. In terms of an increase in the 12.5% rate, estimating the size of the behavioural effects is difficult but they are likely to be relatively significant. An OECD multi-country study found that a 1% increase in the corporate tax rate reduces inward investment by 3.7% on average. While a reduction in the rate might be expected to have a positive impact on inward investment, it would be difficult to justify such a move in the context of Ireland's consistently strong view that it will not change its corporation tax strategy. Even a marginal change would undermine both our long held stance on this issue and the certainty of business, domestic and international, in our resolve to maintain that position.

Banks Recapitalisation

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

206 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the terms upon which Bank of Ireland will provide funding to the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in order to complete the promissory note transaction outlined by him to Dáil Éireann on 29 March 2012; further to the circular issued by BOI to its shareholders on 30 May 2012 announcing an extraordinary general meeting of 18 June 2012, if he will confirm the sum that will be paid by BOI to IBRC; if the sum paid gives rise to a shortfall on the €3.06 billion that is owing to the National Asset Management Agency; if he will set out in full the protections provided by him to BOI, and alluded to in the BOI circular. [27936/12]

As the deputy is aware the securities repurchase transaction between Bank of Ireland ("BoI") and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation ("IBRC") is a commercial transaction and is subject to the approval of BoI's shareholders. BoI has issued a circular to their shareholders (the "Circular") and scheduled an extraordinary general court to be held on 18th June 2012. The commercial terms of the securities repurchase transaction are set out in the Circular. As set out in the Circular the purchase price of the securities on the purchase date is dependent amongst other things on the market value of the securities on the purchase date. Subject to the approval of BoI's shareholders it is expected that moneys owing to the National Asset Management Agency ("NAMA") by IBRC will be repaid on the purchase date.

As set out in the Circular, IBRC's payment obligations under the securities repurchase transaction will be guaranteed pursuant to an existing deed of guarantee dated 29 November 2010, in favour of certain credit institutions and regulated entities which are party to certain agreements with Anglo (now IBRC).

Bank Charges

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

207 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if Bank of Ireland is accepting an interest rate of 2.35% on its lending to IBRC as part of the Government bond transfer; and if so, the reason BOI is willing to take this rate, when the current yield on an Irish Government bond which matures in April 2013 is over twice this rate. [27937/12]

As the deputy is aware the securities repurchase transaction between Bank of Ireland ("BoI") and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation ("IBRC") is a commercial transaction and is subject to the approval of BoI's shareholders. BoI has issued a circular to their shareholders (the "Circular") and scheduled an extraordinary general court to be held on 18th June 2012. The commercial terms of the securities repurchase transaction are set out in the Circular. As set out in the Circular the interest rate on BoI's lending to IBRC will be a percentage per annum calculated to cover the BoI's on-going cost of funds in financing the Irish government bonds through the ECB's open market operations plus an amount equal to 1.35%.

As I have previously stated this is a commercial transaction between BoI and IBRC. I refer the deputy to the Circular where BoI have set out the key benefits of the transaction to their shareholders.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

208 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the identity of the new shareholder in the National Asset Management Agency special purpose vehicle. [27938/12]

I am advised by NAMA that it is expected that the private investors will purchase the Irish Life shareholding in the NAMA SPV through a nominee account structure. The detail of this deal, which ILP expect to complete shortly is commercially sensitive. It would not be appropriate, therefore for me to comment any further on it until such time as the deal is completed.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

209 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the cumulative loss recorded in the National Asset Management Agency’s accounts; if he will advise if NAMA paid any dividend to the special purpose vehicle investors in respect of the agency’s performance for 2011 and if so, the basis on which any such payment was calculated. [27939/12]

The Q4 2011 Section 55 accounts reported a cumulative consolidated loss of €982m at 31 December 2011 for National Asset Management Limited and its subsidiaries, which is the group of special purpose companies through which the Agency carries out its functions. The audited financial statements for 2011 are currently being finalised. Dividends to the special purpose vehicle investors are payable by reference to the performance of National Asset Management Agency Investment Limited (NAMAIL), which is the entity through which the private investors participate. NAMAIL has loaned its share capital to other NAMA entities and has earned a profit in interest on those loans. NAMAIL incurs no other costs. NAMAIL was profitable in both 2010 and 2011, dividends were payable in respect of both years. A dividend of €5.093m relating to 2010 was paid by NAMAIL. This was actually reported in the Q1 2011 Section 55 accounts.

On 30 March 2012, NAMA also paid a dividend to the private investors of €3.46m with respect to its 2011 year-end. National Asset Management Agency Investment Limited reported retained profits of €8.46m at 31 December 2011 in its Q4 2011 Section 55 accounts after declaration of this dividend. The dividend was based on the ten-year Irish government bond yield as at 31 March 2011 and was paid only to the private investors who have 51% ownership of the Company.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

210 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the publication of the special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, which shows that the National Asset Management Agency paid €4.86 billion more than the acquired loans were worth by reference to November 2009 values, and further to the publication of the unaudited NAMA accounts for 2011 which show that NAMA has booked a cumulative impairment charge of €2.3 billion, and in view of the fact that commercial and residential property indices in Ireland indicate declines of 20%-plus since November 2009, his views on whether NAMA’s accounts show a true and fair view of the financial standing of the agency, even if the accounts comply with relevant accounting standards. [27940/12]

"True and fair" is terminology associated with Irish GAAP. The IFRS requirement under International Accounting Standard 1 (paragraph 19) is that the financial statements "present fairly" an entity's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. I am advised that the financial statements of NAMA are prepared in full compliance with IFRS, the internationally recognised accounting benchmark. A team of auditors from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General are embedded in NAMA and conduct rigorous audits of the accounts of NAMA.

I await the receipt of the finalised and audited annual accounts of NAMA for 2011.

Criminal Prosecutions

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

211 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the publication on 24 May 2012 of the special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General which examined the National Asset Management Agency’s management of its assets, if there have been any prosecutions or other legal action in respect of developers who omitted assets from schedules which required a declaration from the developer pursuant to the Statutory Declarations Act 1938 as part of the NAMA business plan review process. [27941/12]

I am advised by NAMA that there have been no prosecutions to date for submission by debtors of inaccurate Statements of Affairs. As the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions in such cases are a matter, not for NAMA, but for the relevant law enforcement authorities. NAMA advises that one case is being reviewed to assess whether there may be a basis for onward referral to the appropriate authorities.

Banks Recapitalisation

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

212 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the terms on which Bank of Ireland has agreed to finance the Anglo promissory note payment that fell due in March 2012, including an analysis of any fees, including professional fees, legal fees, arrangement fees and commissions that will be paid to Bank of Ireland; if the National Asset Management Agency has charged any such fees for the temporary funding of the payment; if his Department has incurred any such fees to date, or if such fees are in prospect. [27942/12]

As the deputy is aware the securities repurchase transaction between Bank of Ireland (BoI) and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC) is a commercial transaction and is subject to the approval of BoI's shareholders. BoI has issued a circular to their shareholders (the "Circular") and scheduled an extraordinary general court to be held on 18th June 2012. As I advised the Deputy in a response to a recent PQ, the new maturity date of the latest NAMA / IBRC bond is 20th June 2012, which is within the 90 day maximum maturity provided for in my direction issued to NAMA in accordance with Section 14 of the NAMA Act 2009.

The commercial terms of the securities repurchase transaction are set out in the Circular. As set out in the Circular the purchase price of the securities on the purchase date is dependent amongst other things on the market value of the securities on the purchase date. Subject to the approval of BoI's shareholders it is expected that moneys owing to the National Asset Management Agency by IBRC will be repaid on the purchase date.

As set out in the Circular, IBRC's payment obligations under the securities repurchase transaction will be guaranteed pursuant to an existing deed of guarantee dated 29 November 2010, in favour of certain credit institutions and regulated entities which are party to certain agreements with Anglo (now IBRC).

From a NAMA perspective, the current income on the facility is 2.35%. All reasonable legal fees incurred by NAMA in relation to the negotiation, entry into and enforcement of its rights under the agreement shall be borne by IBRC.

My department is not incurring fees in relation to this transaction.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

213 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the publication by the National Asset Management Agency of its 2011 management accounts and its report for the fourth quarter of 2012, the proportion of performing loans held by NAMA by reference to loan nominal values excluding the effect of any restructuring of loans following acquisition by NAMA. [27943/12]

The NAMA Report for the fourth quarter of 2011 confirms that of the loans transferred to end December 2011, 20% of the nominal debt was classified as performing and 80% was reported as non-performing. This is a disimprovement on the third quarter when 21% of the nominal debt was classified as performing and 79% was reported as non-performing. NAMA advises that performance can only be accurately measured based on the terms and conditions recorded on participating institutions' systems at the reporting date. The overall performance was reported as being 20% at end 2011. However, based on an analysis of the performance profile of these loans prior to the restructure event and comparing it to the performance profile at 31 December 2011, the Agency advises that the impact of debtor restructures on the performance of the portfolio to be a positive 1.6%. Accordingly, the proportion of performing loans held by NAMA by reference to loan nominal values excluding the effect of any loan restructuring is estimated to have been 18.4% at end-December 2011.

It should be noted that as NAMA divests itself of assets it is more likely to be selling performing assets and therefore each disposal will mean that the percentage of performing assets in the remainder will fall, even where no material change has occurred in that status of the remaining assets.

NAMA is continuing to address the issue of non-performing loans in the course of the Debtor Business Plan process. The outcome of NAMA's deliberations on the viability of a Debtor's business plan will determine whether these delinquent loans will be enforced or re-financed on new terms set by NAMA. It should also be noted that where Debtor Business Plans are agreed, the loans may be restructured and the performance profile of the overall loan book will change as performance is assessed against the restructured loans. The restructuring of loans will not reduce the amount owed to NAMA.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

214 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the publication by the National Asset Management Agency of its 2011 management accounts and its report for the fourth quarter of 2012, if he will provide an explanation for the €15.9 million of income in the quarter booked in the accounts of National Asset Management Limited classified as hedge ineffectiveness adjustment. [27944/12]

I have been informed by NAMA that the ‘hedge ineffectiveness' adjustment of €15.9 million relates to interest rate swap contracts which were entered by the National Asset Management Limited Group (‘the Group') to hedge its exposure to cash flow variability arising from interest rate risk in its portfolio of debt securities. These interest rate swap contracts were formally designated into hedge relationships during 2010 when the fair value of these derivatives was an unrealised loss of €30.4m. This unrealised loss was recognised as a fair value loss in the income statement in 2010. In accordance with the Group's accounting policy for derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting (as per note 2.10 of its Q4 2011 accounts), this loss is being amortised from the Income Statement to the cash flow hedge reserve as ‘hedge ineffectiveness' over the remaining life of the derivatives.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

215 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the publication by the National Asset Management Agency of its 2011 management accounts and its report for the fourth quarter of 2012, if he will provide an analysis of the €810,000,000 impairment charge booked in the accounts on a provisional basis, pending audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General; if he will confirm that this impairment charge is based on an assumption regarding the ultimate disposal price obtained for underlying assets; and if he will confirm the way such disposal prices are estimated by NAMA. [27945/12]

I am advised by NAMA that the net impairment charge is based on a detailed assessment of expected future cash flows for NAMA managed debtors, as described on page 29 of the Q4 2011 accounts. As required by International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS 39), this assessment was based on all future cash flows (including rental receipts and expenses) expected to arise from the individual debtor portfolios and not solely based on disposal values. A full reconciliation to the final audited position will be provided in the 2011 Financial Statements when they are published following the completion of their audit by the C&AG. The ongoing recoverability of income, recognised in accordance with the effective interest rate methodology, is reviewed as part of NAMA's detailed annual impairment review. To the extent that following the acquisition of the loans, there is a change in the timing or amount of NAMA's expected cash flows, whether it is favourable or unfavourable, IFRS requires that NAMA adjust the carrying value of the loan and recognise an impairment charge or gain in its accounts. NAMA is currently carrying out its detailed annual impairment review for the 2011 year-end.

NAMA intends to introduce a semi-annual calendar accounting impairment review of its loan portfolio commencing 30 June 2012.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

216 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the adjustment, if any, that has been made by the National Asset Management Agency in respect of the €5 billion payment made for the acquisition of loans on an interim basis pending completion of valuation and due diligence. [27946/12]

In respect of the €5 billion payment made in the final quarter of 2010 for the acquisition of loans on an interim basis pending completion of valuation and due diligence, I am advised by NAMA that the adjustment will be an overall clawback of €142 million from the institutions with due diligence and loan valuations now finalised.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

217 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, if he will confirm that he accepts the judgment that the National Asset Management Agency will face considerable challenges in achieving its income goal in order to break even by 2020; if he will confirm that if there is any shortfall in NAMA’s financial position by 2020, it is the State that will underwrite any loss. [27947/12]

I am advised by NAMA that its Board has recently completed a review of its strategy and has re-affirmed its expectation that NAMA will at least break even over its projected ten-year lifetime, meaning that it is on course to recoup for the taxpayer, at a minimum, the Senior Bonds issued as consideration for acquired loans in addition to recovery of its carrying costs and the working and development capital expenditure it has advanced to debtors. Based on the Agency's record to date, I have no reason to doubt the Agency's confidence that it will achieve its targets over its lifetime.

I refer the Deputy to Section 225 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, which sets out the circumstances in which a surcharge may be applied to the participating institutions if there is a shortfall in NAMA's financial position following the completion of NAMA's operations. Section 225 was included specifically to avoid a situation where the State would have to underwrite any loss that NAMA may make.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

218 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the 9,200 residential properties that the National Asset Management Agency states it is now renting in the State, if he will confirm the monthly rent payable on these properties and that all of this rent is being applied to pay down outstanding loans due by borrowers to NAMA. [27948/12]

I am advised by NAMA that the units to which the Deputy refers are under the control of NAMA debtors and receivers. As I stated in my response of 22 May {PQ 24849/12}, NAMA is currently engaged in an extensive analyses of the residential portfolio under the control of its debtors and receivers. Whilst this analysis is expected to continue for some time, initial findings indicate that the total monthly rental income generated by residential properties rented by NAMA debtors and receivers in Ireland is of the order of €9 million. NAMA continues to be engaged in an exercise to put legal documentation in place to capture all rental income so that it will be applied to service the loans. This control was not in place when the loans were acquired from the participating institutions.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

219 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance of the €13 billion of the €74 billion of loans acquired by the National Asset Management Agency that are being managed directly by the original banking institutions, the proportion of the €13 billion that has assessed business plans; if the participating institutions used independent professionals to analyse these business plans, or were there instances in which the business plans were analysed by bank staff who may have been involved in the original lending decisions or original loan management. [27949/12]

I am advised by NAMA that the debtor business plans of close to 600 debtors managed by the participating institutions have now been assessed. Under a direction issued by NAMA to the institutions under Section 131 of the NAMA Act, staff of the NAMA Unit within the institutions may not be involved in the relationship management and administration of any loans or debtors with which they were involved prior to the establishment of NAMA. This means that debtor business plans are not analysed by staff involved in the original lending decisions or original loan management. I am advised that in the cases of the largest debtors which are directly managed by NAMA, third party professionals were used to analyse the debtor business plans. However, NAMA did not authorise the use of third party professionals for analysis of debtor business plans of those debtors who are managed directly by participating institutions.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

220 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to lay before Dáil Éireann the guidance note issued by the board of the National Asset Management Agency in July 2011 setting out the framework for the disposal of assets by NAMA developers and insolvency advisors under which property disposals should be carried out on a competitive basis. [27950/12]

I am advised by NAMA that, as required under Section 35(5) of the NAMA Act, the Code of Practice relating to the disposal of bank assets by NAMA has been published on its website. NAMA has also published a separate guidance note on its website — Disposal of Real Estate Asset Guidance Note. This is not a Code of Practice as prescribed by section 35 of the NAMA Act 2009, rather it is a verification of NAMA's own policies on the matter. It can be accessed at the following link:http://www.nama.ie/about-our-work/step-by-step/developing-a-business-plan/.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

221 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, if the National Asset Management Agency has submitted revised projections of its outturn by 31 March as indicated by the report; if so, if it remains NAMA’s belief that it will break even under its baseline scenario. [27951/12]

I am advised that the NAMA Board has recently completed a review of its strategy in light of developments in the Irish economy and in the property market since it published its business plan in July 2010. I am advised that the key factors which the NAMA Board considered critical in terms of the Agency's ultimate profitability included the performance of various economies in which its debtors' assets are located, the timing and sustainability of any recovery in the property market in Ireland, the sustainability of the UK property market, the availability of finance and the extent to which it can maximise the level of income produced by its loans and the property assets securing them. The Chairman of NAMA has had discussions with me and has reaffirmed that it is NAMA's expectation that, over its projected ten-year life, it will redeem, at minimum, the Senior Bonds issued as consideration for acquired loans in addition to recovery of its carrying costs and the working and development capital expenditure it has advanced to debtors.

I have no reason to doubt the Agency's view that it will achieve its targets over its lifetime.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

222 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, C&AG, if he will advise when European Commission approval of the National Asset Management Agency’s loan acquisitions is expected for tranches three onwards; his views on whether the high level of State aid identified by the CAG as having been given by NAMA to the participating institutions is preventing the granting of Commission approval. [27952/12]

Bank assets were acquired by NAMA using a valuation methodology approved by the European Commission and in line with Part 5 of the NAMA Act and valuation regulations made by the Minister for Finance in March 2010. NAMA advise me that final valuation of all Tranches was completed at the end of March 2012 and as final acquisition schedules were completed, they were copied to the European Commission. In the meantime, auditors for NAMA and for the Central Bank have been carrying out due diligence work on the transfers. I expect that work to be completed shortly. Following that my Department will be in a position to submit, in tandem with a report from the Central Bank, final notifications to the European Commission. At that point, the timing of approval for Tranches 3 onwards will become a matter for the European Commission.

With that in mind, I have no reason to believe that questions of State aid involved in the NAMA scheme is a factor in the timing of the approval process.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

223 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, if he has sought a report from the National Asset Management Agency on the standard of loan documentation available at the participating institutions and the degree by which the poor standard of documentation diminished the value of acquired loans, with a view to examining if it is appropriate to take action against auditors of those institutions. [27953/12]

I am advised by NAMA that the valuation of loans acquired from Participating Institutions was based on an extensive due diligence process carried out by NAMA on the security held for the loans and the assets securing them. Legal due diligence reports submitted by the participating institutions were reviewed by NAMA's external legal panel with a view to highlighting any issues which would give rise to legal difficulties for NAMA in managing the loans or in engaging in enforcement actions in respect of them. Arising from these reviews, questions were raised about the enforceability of security in certain cases and as a result, it was necessary to impose appropriate legal discounts. To account for these and to account also for financial obligations identified during the course of legal review, downward adjustments aggregating to €477m were made to the acquisition value paid by NAMA on these loans. As a direct consequence, the consideration paid to the participating institutions was duly discounted to take account of poor documentation.

The question of taking action against auditors of institutions for the poor standard of documentation at those institutions is a matter for the institutions themselves.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

224 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the final total of the gross cost of due diligence and valuation of loans acquired by the National Asset Management Agency, the gross cost including NAMA’s costs and costs incurred by the participating institutions. [27954/12]

I am advised by NAMA that it has incurred gross due diligence costs of €74 million in acquiring the portfolio of loans from the participating institutions. These costs include legal due diligence costs, loan valuation costs, property due diligence and audit costs. The loan valuation methodology approved by the EU Commission and used to value acquired loans makes an allowance for due diligence costs as a reduction from the acquisition value of the loans. Arising from this, NAMA was in a position to recover most of the costs of due diligence from the participating institutions. NAMA does not have access to data on participating institutions due diligence costs. However, AIB has advised that total costs to date incurred by AIB in relation to NAMA are circa €102 million.

IBRC has similarly advised that the total gross cost of loan transfers from the former Anglo Irish Bank to NAMA is c. €59.3m. Separately, the total gross cost of loan transfers from the former INBS to NAMA is c. €10.8m. These figures relate to all loan transfers made to NAMA across all jurisdictions.

Bank of Ireland's published annual reports and other relevant public disclosures made by the bank in relation to the costs of participation in NAMA included the costs of due diligence on loans sold to NAMA, within the overall costs of selling such loans to NAMA which costs, also included amongst other things, discount to the face value paid by NAMA. The cost of due diligence on loans sold to NAMA has not been separately disclosed by Bank of Ireland.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

225 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the steps taken by the National Asset Management Agency to verify the €869 million advanced to developers between April 2009 and the NAMA acquisition date, represented value for money for the taxpayer. [27955/12]

The Deputy may be aware that the Central Bank issued a letter to certain financial institutions in April 2009 which stated that funding advanced to debtors after 7 April 2009 by the institutions would not be subject to discount by NAMA if the institutions could satisfy NAMA that the funding was justifiable on commercial grounds. In terms of determining the commerciality or otherwise of funding advanced by them, the institutions were asked to apply for non-discount treatment for advances which, in their view, were covered by the Central Bank letter. I understand that NAMA put a very thorough process in place, backed up by a requirement for documentary evidence, to review applications made by the five participating institutions.

I am advised by NAMA that arising from that review, approval was granted for €971m of expenditure, which is 41% of the amounts for which the institutions made application. I understand that applications amounting to €1,411m made by the participating institutions to NAMA were rejected as not being commercially justifiable, including applications for development projects for which there was no proven demand and applications for overhead payments to debtors which NAMA considered to be excessive.

I am satisfied that the assessment process carried out by NAMA, and reviewed by the Comptroller and Auditor General, was designed with sufficient rigour to ensure that any approved expenditure would represent value for money for the taxpayer.

National Asset Management Agency

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

226 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance following the recent publication of a special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the number of connection management agreements the National Asset Management Agency entered into with debtors; and the amount of debt to be forgiven in such agreements. [27956/12]

I am advised by NAMA that two-thirds of all debtor cases are going forward on a consensual basis, with terms signed in 187 cases. Connection management agreements, to which the Deputy refers, are used only in very specific circumstances where significant restructuring is involved: NAMA advises that, to date, it has signed connection management agreements with two debtors, agreed terms with a further four debtors and is in negotiation with an additional two debtors. The most common form of agreement between NAMA and debtors is a Letter of Support. I am advised by NAMA that debt forgiveness has not formed part of these agreements.

Sovereign Debt

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

227 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected interest rates used in his Department’s April 2012 stability programme update for new debt issued by the State in each of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. [27957/12]

Having consulted with the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), I am of the view that it would be unwise to outline the interest rate assumptions underpinning new debt issuance over the period 2013-2015 as this would compromise the State's ability to access funds at the most competitive rate possible. As the Deputy is aware, the majority of the State's financing needs to the end of 2013 will be met through the funding provided under the EU/IMF programme of assistance. However, the NTMA is planning to return to the markets before the end of the term of the programme once conditions have become more receptive.

The NTMA is in constant contact with market participants and will advise me when it feels that the time is right to re-enter the markets. The NTMA will also advise me in relation to the interest rates that it feels are appropriate.

Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

228 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the role of Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to overseeing the National Asset Management Agency property sales; if he will provide details of the qualifications and experience which enable relevant personnel at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to form a view on the merits of individual property and loan sales agreed or approved by NAMA; the qualifications and experience these personnel have in asset management, loan sales and real estate sales. [27958/12]

I understand that in auditing the financial statements of NAMA, the C&AG reviews the controls, processes and procedures in place in NAMA, including those designed to ensure that transactions achieve the best possible value for the taxpayer and are properly approved in accordance with NAMA's governance framework. In a special report completed in February of this year, the C&AG reported on the arrangements in place in NAMA in relation to sales of property by debtors and insolvency practitioners. I am advised by the office of the C&AG that in situations where specific expertise is required for purposes of carrying out audits and examinations and such expertise is not available in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Office procures the services of appropriately qualified and experienced experts on a consultancy basis.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's (C&AG) role is to audit the performance and accounts of NAMA in accordance with the NAMA Act 2009 and the C&AG Act 1993. The C&AG does not have a role in overseeing transactions undertaken by or on behalf of the National Asset Management Agency on a day-to-day basis or in overseeing the terms of granting or refusing approval for specific transactions.

Credit Availability

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

229 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out any targets agreed by him with the pillar banks for lending to the domestic economy and to the small and medium enterprise sector in 2012; and the progress made in meeting these targets. [27959/12]

As the Deputy is aware, the banking system restructuring plan creates capacity for the two Pillar Banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB, to provide lending in excess of €30 billion in the period 2011-2014. SME and new mortgage lending for these banks is expected to be in the range of €16-20bn over this period. This lending capacity is incorporated into the banks' deleveraging plans which allow for repayment of Central Bank funding through asset run-off and disposals over the period to 2013. The Government has imposed SME lending targets on the two domestic pillar banks for the three calendar years, 2011 to 2013. Both banks were required to sanction lending, including lending for working capital purposes, of at least €3 billion in 2011, €3.5 billion this year and €4 billion in 2013 for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs. Both banks achieved their 2011 targets.

In terms of the pillar banks' progress in achieving the 2012 targets, the information reported to my Department and the Credit Review Office (CRO) is commercially sensitive. As such there is limited specific detail that can be divulged on the tracking of the banks' performances. However, Head of the CRO John Trethowan notes in his eighth quarterly report that combined loan sanction levels in quarter one are broadly similar to the figures for quarter one last year. Lending transactions recorded by the two banks in quarter one are 15% lower than quarter one last year. He goes on to state that these numbers are a function of a number of variables:

(i) A softness in demand for lending reported by the banks, and observed by both the Mazars survey and recent Central Bank reporting.

(ii) Borrowers paying down debt rather than seeking new loans.

(iii) The tighter credit conditions in banks.

Tax Credits

Jack Wall

Ceist:

230 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has had their one parent family credit removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27970/12]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the credit was removed as, based on the information available to them, the person concerned did not satisfy the conditions set out in legislation to qualify for the tax credit. A letter detailing the reason why the credit was removed was issued to the person concerned on 29 May 2012. A copy of that letter has now been issued to the person concerned.

Tax Code

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

231 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who is in receipt of a social welfare payment from the United Kingdom; if this payment is subject to the income levy and universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27971/12]

The position is that a UK state pension is exempt from Income Levy and USC. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned has not been charged Income Levy or USC on this portion of their income. The person concerned may wish to contact the Revenue Commissioners directly at the Wicklow District, at telephone 01 631 6500, to discuss this matter in more detail.

European Stability Programmes

Stephen S. Donnelly

Ceist:

232 Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate of the funding requirements of Spain to cover a three-year period and to include deficit funding, repayment of maturing debt and recapitalising banks should that country seek to access official sources of funding. [27979/12]

As the deputy will be aware, it was clarified over the weekend that Spain is to seek official sources of funding. In particular, financial assistance is being sought from euro area Member States for the recapitalisation of Spanish financial institutions. Finance Ministers in the euro area have welcomed this and have expressed their willingness to respond favourably to the request. Financial assistance is to be provided by the EFSF / ESM and is to cover all possible capital requirements which will be estimated by the external audit that is currently taking place. The loan amount to cover the estimated capital requirements with an additional safety margin is estimated as summing up to €100 billion in total.

Spain will continue to fund its sovereign needs via market based financing.

Banking Sector Staff

Simon Harris

Ceist:

233 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of current staffing levels within Allied Irish Banks; the number of staff currently employed by the bank; the number employed in May 2011 and the number employed in May 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27997/12]

Allied Irish Banks (AIB) has informed me that staff numbers are as follows:

May 2010* — 23,175.

May 2011 — 13,929.

May 2012 — 14,443.

However, in May 2012 total staff included 1,703 temporary workers employed to deal with short term business requirements and many of these temporary staff were taken on by the Bank to assist customers in difficulty.

As the Deputy will be aware, AIB has announced a redundancy programme with 2,500 job losses expected over the coming months. It is deeply regrettable, for all concerned, that the proposed action of shedding of jobs, even on a voluntary basis in these challenging economic times, at AIB as announced, has had to be taken. This is an inevitable consequence of the necessary restructuring of the banking system to render it fit to better serve personal and business customers throughout the economy.

*2010 numbers include BZWBK staff of 9,631. This subsidiary was subsequently disposed by the Group on 1 April 2011.

Tax Reliefs

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

234 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding tax relief for donations to certain sporting bodies in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28020/12]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that no contact has been made with the local Revenue District by the named organisation with regard to tax relief for donations to certain sporting bodies. If the organisation wishes to make a claim for this relief they should contact the Kilkenny Revenue District. Contact details for the Kilkenny district office can be found on the Revenue website:http://www.revenue.ie/ en/contact/east-south-east-region.html#kilkenny.

Tax Reliefs

Jack Wall

Ceist:

235 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the tax break, if any, available to a person who pays a lump sum on their mortgage, is there any such relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28127/12]

The position is that, while there is tax relief available on interest paid on certain qualifying home loans, there is no tax relief available on either normal periodic capital repayments or on lump sum capital repayments that are set against the balance outstanding on a mortgage.

Financial Services Ombudsman

Kevin Humphreys

Ceist:

236 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he can clarify whether the Financial Services Ombudsman’s Bureau, when it has accepted a complaint and has then asked a financial institution to comment on a complaint, must then seek the views or observations of the complainant on the institutions’ response before it makes its judgement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28133/12]

Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the carrying out of his duties. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on how he performs his duties. However, the Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau has informed me that, in the course of an investigation, the regulated financial service provider will be required to answer a series of questions posed by the Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau. The provider will be asked to submit any material and make any submissions which the provider sees as being desirable to put before the Ombudsman or which the Ombudsman requires to see, so as to enable the Ombudsman to investigate and adjudicate upon the complaint. This must be done within 20 working days.

These responses and documents will be copied to the complainant who will be given 10 working days to submit any observations. Any observations from the complainant will be copied to the provider who will be given 5 working days to submit any further observations. A full exchange of documentation takes place between both parties.

Mortgage Interest Rates

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

237 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken or intends to taken to deal with the difficulties faced by mortgage customers of Permanent TSB who are paying higher interest rates on their mortgages than customers who have mortgages with other State-owned or State-supported banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28212/12]

As has been stated previously to the house in an answer to Question 42 on 23 May 2012, I have no role in the day-to-day commercial and operational decisions, which include these matters. Ultimately, the pricing of financial products, including standard variable mortgage interest rates, is a commercial decision for the management team and board of Permanent tsb (PTSB), having due regard to their customers and the impact on profitability. It should be noted however that PTSB recently announced a 0.5pc reduction in its standard variable rate for residential mortgage customer effective from 14 May 2011 and it now stands at 4.69% bringing the rate more in line with those charged by other institutions in the Irish mortgage market.

The mortgage interest rates that financial institutions operating in Ireland charge to customers are determined as a result of a commercial decision by the institutions concerned. This interest rate is determined, taking into account a broad range of factors, including European Central Bank base rates, deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment and an institution's overall funding.

While I am very conscious of the difficulties facing mortgage holders I have no function in the matter. However the Central Bank has advised me that, within its existing powers and through the use of persuasion, the Bank will continue to engage with specific lenders which appear to have standard variable rates set disproportionate to their cost of funds. The Bank has also advised me that it wrote to all lenders in October 2011 and asked them to consider the impact on arrears when considering any future interest rate increases.

Tax Code

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

238 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide further information on the following case in relation to the breakdown of a PAYE payment (details supplied). [28264/12]

Section 188 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for an exemption from income tax for a couple who are jointly assessed to tax and either of them is 65 years of age or over during the tax year where their combined incomes do not exceed €36,000. However, where their combined incomes exceed €36,000, a measure of relief from full taxation (called ‘marginal relief') is still available. Under marginal relief the couple's income tax liability is computed on the basis of the lesser of—

- 40% of the difference between €36,000 and the couple's combined income, and

- the couple's tax liability using normal tax computation rules.

The following is an example extrapolated from the limited details provided by the Deputy:

Normal tax computation rules:

Employment pension €18,721

DSP pension €22,700 (including increase for qualified adult over 66)

Combined incomes €41,421

Tax @ 20% €8,283

Less

Personal Tax Credit (€3,300)

PAYE Tax credit (€1,650) (employment pension paid under PAYE)

Age credit (€490)

Tax liability €2,843

Marginal relief method:

40% of (€41,421 — €36,000) = €2,168

Income tax due €2,168

Income is also subject to the Universal Social Charge (USC). USC is not payable where an individual's income does not exceed €10,036 (€4,004 for 2011) for a tax year. However, where this amount is exceeded, USC is payable on the full amount. The first €10,036 of income is charged at 2%, the next €5,980 at 4% and the remainder at 7%.

These standard rates are modified in certain circumstances. Thus, where an individual holds a full medical card or is aged over 70 years at any stage in a tax year the rate of USC is capped at 4%. In addition, social welfare payments, including social welfare pensions, are exempt from USC.

In the case of married couples or civil partners, the USC thresholds apply to each spouse or civil partner individually and cannot be combined where one spouse or civil partner is below the threshold and the other above.

Taking the example given earlier, the employment pension of €18,721 is liable to USC. Assuming the person in receipt of that pension is over seventy years of age or holds a medical card, the USC liability arising on it is €548 (€10,036 @ 2% and €8,685 @ 4%). Combining the income tax liability (€2,168) and the USC liability (€548) gives a total tax and USC liability of €2,716.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that in the absence of complete details of the nature of the income of the couple and their entitlement to various tax reliefs (e.g. medical expenses) it is not possible to fully reconcile their tax and USC liability with the details supplied. However, it would seem, taking into account entitlement to marginal relief and their USC liability as demonstrated in the example above, that the couple's tax and USC liability as set out in the question would appear to be broadly correct. If the individuals concerned contact their Revenue office with all relevant details their liability to income tax and USC can be examined and explained to them in detail.

Mortgage Interest Rates

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

239 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance the support the State is providing to help mortgage holders move from high rate mortgages with Permanent TSB to lower rate mortgages with other providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28272/12]

Ultimately the pricing of financial products, including standard variable mortgage interest rates, is a commercial decision for the management team and board of each lending institution, having due regard to their customers and the impact on profitability, particularly where the cost of funding to each lending institution, including deposit pricing, is under pressure.

Neither the Central Bank nor I have any responsibility for any variation in the variable mortgage interest rates charged by Permanent TSB. However, as I have indicated in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions on this subject, the Central Bank has advised me that it will continue to engage with specific lenders which appear to have standard variable rates set disproportionate to their cost of funds.

The Deputy may be aware that mortgages taken out from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2012, subject to qualifying mortgage criteria, are eligible for mortgage interest relief until 31 December 2017. The tax relief is available at various rates and is subject to maximum ceilings depending on whether the mortgage holder is a first time buyer or not and depending on the year the mortgage was taken out. The mortgage interest relief is given at source, by the mortgage provider, either in the form of a reduced monthly mortgage payment or a credit to the funding account.

In Budget 2012, I increased the amount of interest relief to 30% for those who took out their first mortgage between 2004 and 2008. This measure fulfils the commitment made in the Programme for Government.

Credit Review Office

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

240 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Finance the annual cost of the Credit Review Office for each year since its establishment, a breakdown in terms of annual remuneration including salary and pension entitlements of its chief executive officer and board members; the total salary costs of the office; the number in employment in the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28274/12]

The Credit Review Office was set up under statute (SI 127 of 2010) and reports directly to my Department. The Office has three members of staff, and a panel of reviewers who are called on as necessary, on a case by case basis. It is housed within the Enterprise Ireland (EI) building in East Point, Dublin and EI has been directed by my Department to provide working capital and all support services (IT, payroll etc) to the CRO. In line with the operating guidelines set out in SI 127 of 2010, all costs are paid quarterly in arrears by the participating banks. At no time does the CRO negotiate or account to the banks for their expenditure, which is vouched and approved by the Department of Finance. The Credit Review Office running costs are as follows:

Credit Review Office Running Costs

Salaries — Total incl CEO (3)

Review Panel

Advertising

Office running costs

Total cost P.A

Year 1 — 01/04/2010-31/03/2011

192,523.36

17,085.93

187,917.63

97,033.50

494,560.42

Year 2 — 1/04/2011-31/03/2012

166,559.31

41,039.84

231,701.74

86,019.34

525,320.23

There is no board. The Credit Reviewer is effectively the CEO. There are no pension costs associated with the salary. His fully weighted annual salary is provided in the following table:

Credit Reviewer Salary Costs

Credit Review Office Running Costs

CEO-Fully weighted costs

Year 1 — 01/04/2010-31/03/2011

103,750.00

Year 2 — 1/04/2011-31/03/2012

77,500.00

The Credit Reviewer's costs equate to a rate of €78 per hour. The year one costs also include the period 9 December 2009 to 31 March 2010, when the Credit Reviewer was designing and implementing the CRO concept. He received payment for this work after 1 April 2010.

State Savings

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

241 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to the development of a national saving stamp through An Post or some other mechanism for the purpose of allowing householders to save in a simple and efficient manner which will also benefit the State’s finances. [28280/12]

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), on behalf of the Minister for Finance, provides a wide range of State Savings products through An Post and the Prize Bond Company. These State Savings products allow people to save in a simple and efficient manner by, for example, a lodgement of as little as one euro into deposit accounts in post offices or the purchase of children's savings stamps through their schools. The suite of State Savings products also includes Instalment Savings, Savings Certificates, Savings Bonds, Prize Bonds, and the National Solidarity Bond. Thus, people can avail of State Savings products with maturities ranging from on-demand deposit accounts to 10-year National Solidarity Bonds. With the exception of the 30-day notice deposit accounts and prize bonds (where funds may not be withdrawn within the first three months of purchasing the bonds), people have the option of withdrawing their money from any product on giving seven days' notice. State Savings is the brand name used by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) to describe the range of savings products offered by the NTMA to personal savers. These products have been an important and dependable component of Government borrowing for many years and make a valuable contribution to the national finances. Thus, all money placed in State Savings products contributes towards the funding of the State.

Motor Taxation

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

242 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the decision to create a single unitary Limerick local authority, if he has plans to amend the vehicle registration and taxation regulations to introduce a single index mark for Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28334/12]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no plans at present to amend the vehicle registration index mark for Limerick City and Limerick County. The index mark is currently issued based on the functional area of the licensing authority in which the owner at the time of registration ordinarily resides. If and when the functional area of the relevant licensing authorities change the necessary amendments will be made to the index mark.

Consumer Protection

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

243 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the consumer protection code for clients of banks to include members of credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28340/12]

The Consumer Protection Code was introduced by the Central Bank under its own powers to issue codes, including under the Central Bank Act 1989. Section 184 of the Credit Union Act 1997 disapplies the Central Bank Acts as far as credit unions are concerned, which means that the Central Bank code-making powers cannot be used for credit unions. However, the Consumer Protection Code does not apply to credit union activities, other than when a credit union is acting as an insurance intermediary.

The recent report from the Commission on Credit Unions made recommendations for stabilising and restructuring the credit union sector and for strengthening its legislative and regulatory frameworks. However, the Commission made it very clear that this must take into account the credit unions' not-for-profit mandate, their volunteer ethos and community focus, while paying due regard to the need to fully protect members' savings and financial stability overall. The Commission on Credit Unions has specifically recommended that the powers available to the Central Bank under the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011 should apply to credit unions. Section 40 of that Bill includes extensive regulation-making powers aimed at the protection of consumers, including many areas currently dealt with under the Consumer Protection Code.

State Examinations

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

244 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person’s (details supplied) examination paper is available or on record for viewing purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28283/12]

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examination and issuing the results of examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Schools Guidance Counsellors

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

245 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the findings of the My World survey by youth mental health advocacy and support organisation Headstrong and the UCD School of Psychology on young persons' mental health, which highlights the dangers of forcing schools to drop their guidance counsellors; his plans to revise his decision to no longer provide school guidance counsellors on an ex-quota basis. [27721/12]

This Government has protected education as much as it can. Far greater reductions in expenditure and in the number of public servants are being made in other sectors relative to those in schools. But there are limits to the level of expenditure on education and the number of teaching posts we can afford. The Budget 2012 measures in relation to the post-primary sector are set out in the documentation that was published by my Department last December. This envisages a net overall reduction of about 450 posts at post-primary level between the current school year and the 2012/13 school year. This net reduction in posts takes account of the impact of the budget measures, demographics and the budget decision to shelter all the DEIS post-primary schools through a reduced staffing schedule of 18.25:1.

My Department has published Circular 0009/2012 to inform all post primary school management and staff of the staffing arrangements for post-primary schools for the 2012/13 school year, including in particular, the requirements to manage guidance from within the standard allocation. The circular is available on the Department website.

I want to re-assure the Deputy that all schools must continue to provide guidance to their pupils. However, from September 2012 guidance provision must be managed by schools from within their standard staffing allocation. Schools will have autonomy on how best to prioritise its available resources to meet its requirements in relation to guidance and the provision of an appropriate range of subjects to its students. Decisions on how this is done will be taken at school level and I am confident that schools will act in the best interest of students when determining precisely how to use the teaching resources available to them.

Schools Building Projects

Niall Collins

Ceist:

246 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in allocation of funding to the new secondary school building project in (details supplied), County Limerick; when the project will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27762/12]

It is planned to deliver the school to which the Deputy refers as part of a bundle of 8 schools through the Department's Public Private Partnership Programme (PPP). Procurement of PPP projects is managed by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). A preferred tenderer was appointed by the NDFA in September 2011 following which planning applications were made. Grant of planning was received for the last of the sites in May this year. The NDFA is currently involved in negotiations with preferred bidder to finalise the deal. Once these negotiations are successfully concluded, it is anticipated that a contract will be awarded for the construction of the entire bundle of 8 schools including the school referred to by the Deputy.

Cóimheas Daltaí le Múinteoir

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

247 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén sceideal múinteoirí a bheidh ag na meánscoileanna ar na hoileáin seo amach ón gcósta, Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin, Árainn, Árainn Mhór agus Toraigh don scoilbhliain 2012/2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27767/12]

Tugtar faomhadh do leithdháiltí múinteoirí gach bliain de réir na rialacha bunaithe, ag brath ar an rollachán aitheanta daltaí. Leithdháiltear múinteoir de bhreis ar leithdháileadh na scoile do gach scoil oileáin de réir na rialacha bunaithe. Tá mo Roinnse tar éis na socruithe foirne ag an leibhéal iarbhunscoile a fhoilsiú don scoilbhliain 2012/13. Is é an Ciorclán Roinne ábhartha ná 0009/2012 agus tá sé sin le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne. Tá an próiseas leithdháileadh múinteoirí ag an leibhéal iarbhunscoile curtha i gcrích den chuid is mó ag an dtráth seo agus fógra dá réir sin tugtha do na scoileanna go léir, an scoil dá dtagraíonn an Teachta san áireamh.

Ní bheidh an staid dheiridh maidir le foirniú do na scoileanna uile ar eolas faoi dheoidh go dtí an Fómhar. Faoin am sin beidh an próiseas leithdháilte curtha i gcrích go hiomlán agus beidh na hachomhairc go léir, a bheidh déanta chuig an mBord Achomhairc um Sholáthar Foirne, breithnithe.

Aitheantas Scoileanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

248 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé i gceist aige aitheantas a thabhairt do Choláiste Eoin, Inis Meáin, mar scoil inti féin seachas mar aonad faoi Choláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27769/12]

Níl taifead ar bith ag mo Roinnse faoi chomhfhreagras a fháil ón scoil nó ón bPátrún maidir leis an ní dá dtagraíonn an Teachta. Breithneoidh mo Roinn comhfhreagras ar bith a fhaighfear.

Caiteachas Ranna

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

249 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad é an caiteachas caipitiúil go dáta agus é briste síos faoi gach ceannteideal den mheastachán; cad é an soláthar faoi gach ceannteideal den mheastachán; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27771/12]

Tá an t-eolas a d'iarr an Teachta le fáil ar an tábla leis seo.

Vote 26: Oideachas agus Scileanna

Caiteachas Caipitiúil

Ceann- teideal

Seirbhís

Caiteachas go deireadh-Bealtaine 2012

2012 Meastacháin

%

€000

€000

A05

Trealamh Oifige agus Soláthar Seirbhíse Seachtraigh FT

€327

€1,500

22%

B10

Míbhuntáiste Oideachasúil (Maoiniú Cistí Díomhaoine)

€0

€500

0%

B17

Cuimhneachán ar íospartaigh na mí-úsáide in institiúidí

€0

€500

0%

B18

Gníomhaíochtaí um Theicneolaíochtaí Faisnéise agus Cumarsáide Scoile

€11

€500

2%

F01

Tógáil, Trealmhú agus Feistiú Scoileanna Náisiúnta agus Dara Leibhéal

€124,886

€357,000

35%

F02

Costais Chomhpháirtíochta Poiblí Príobháidí

€248

€2,000

12%

F03

An tÚdarás un Ard-Oideachas — Deontais Tógála agus Costais Chaipitil D’Ollscoileanna agus do Choláistí, Institiúidí Teicneolaíochta agus d’Institiúidí Sainithe Ard-Oideachais

€17,384

€65,000

27%

G04

FÁS — Caipiteal

€1,242

€3,000

41%

Fó-Iomlán

€144,098

€430,000

34%

Vote 26: Education and Skills

Capital Expenditure 2012

Subhead / Service

Expenditure toend-May 2012

2012 Estimate

%

€000

€000

A05 Department’s IT Capital

€327

€1,500

22%

B10 Educational Disadvanatge (Dormant Accounts)

€0

€500

0%

B17 Memorial for Victims of Institutional Abuse

€0

€500

0%

B18 Schools ICT Capital

€11

€500

2%

F01 1st and 2nd Level Schools Capital

€124,886

€357,000

35%

F02 Public Private Partnership

€248

€2,000

12%

F03 Third-Level Capital

€17,384

€65,000

27%

G04 FÁS Capital

€1,242

€3,000

41%

Gross Expenditure

€144,098

€430,000

34%

Further Education and Training Programmes

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

250 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if craftsmen may apply for exemptions from completing FÁS courses when looking for certification if they display proficiency or proof of experience at various levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27777/12]

I understand generally there is an exemption process for the "programme (Course) Recognition of Prior Learning RPL" which normally applies to programme entry level. There is also a separate system for exemption from "parts or all of the award, RPL" for the award. The first part of this process is conducted by FÁS which happens at the discretion of the manager of the programme. Generally this would be at a module level, however the learner can only be certified for the awards actually taken on the programme. Typically a learner would only apply for this exemption if he or she already had a component already certified. To apply for exemption from part of the award the learner would however have to apply to FETAC as FÁS does not have the authority to operate RPL for the award.

Third Level Grants

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

251 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the type of rules being proposed regarding farming families qualifying for grants to educate their children; his views on taking the value of property into account and treating it as a source of income when it is actually not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27793/12]

As I announced last December, the means test for student grants will be amended to take account of the value of certain capital assets as well as income for the 2013/14 academic year. A dedicated Capital Asset Test implementation group has been established. The group has been charged with bringing forward detailed implementation proposals on new means testing arrangements for student grants, to include the value of assets, for new applicants from the 2013/14 academic year. No decision has been taken on the treatment of farm or other business assets. In the circumstances, I am not in a position to say at this time what assets may be included. However, any proposals will require further Government agreement and necessitate legislative amendment.

Schools Refurbishment

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

252 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the decision to refuse emergency funding to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; his views on any other means by which this school might access funds for the works necessary to ensure the health and safety of its students and staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27851/12]

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to carry out fencing works at their school. As the scope of works for which funding is sought is outside the terms of the scheme it cannot be considered for funding. The school authority has been informed of this decision. The school may wish to consider submitting a scaled down application to address the immediate health and safety issue.

School Staffing

Clare Daly

Ceist:

253 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the allocation of the 475 special needs assistant posts held in reserve by his Department. [27852/12]

I wish to advise the Deputy that 10,575 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts have been made available for allocation to schools by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) throughout the current school year, subject to qualifying applications being received. In September 2011 the NCSE allocated 10,100 posts to schools while retaining 475 posts to cover late and emergency applications. This measure ensured that there would be sufficient posts to support all children who required such support in line with Departmental criteria. Details of the 10,100 SNA allocations made by the NCSE have been published on their website atwww.ncse.ie.

To date the NCSE has allocated 10,324 WTE SNA posts to schools. Therefore, no child who met the criteria for access to SNA support has been denied this support. Schools have been advised to make applications to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2012/13 school year by 16th March, 2012. Schools will subsequently be advised by the NCSE of their allocation for the 2012/13 school year, based on the number of valid applications received and in the case of SNA support, the extent of the care needs of qualifying children.

Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that no reduction has been made to the overall number of SNA posts which will be available for allocation to schools for the 2012/13 school year. This is representative of the Government's commitment to protecting services for children with special educational needs, at a time when there has been a requirement to make savings across a range of expenditure areas.

Teaching Contracts

Clare Daly

Ceist:

254 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 23 February 2012, regarding the position of teachers seeking contracts of indefinite duration, in which he indicated that figures relating to CIDs for teachers being paid by his Department were being collated and forwarded, if he will furnish any further information in view of the fact that this information was not subsequently received. [27858/12]

The number of teachers who hold Contracts of Indefinite Duration (CIDs) with their employers and are paid by the Department as of June 2012 are as follows: No. of Primary CIDs: 115 No. of Post-primary CIDs: 3,248.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

255 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27894/12]

The following tabular statement gives details of the Special Adviser appointments made at my Department when I took office together with details of their current salaries. Officials at my Department wrote to the Department of Finance and requested sanction to place them on a point of the pay scale for the position proximate to their current earnings at the time of appointment. In accordance with the terms of the Ethics in Public Office Acts copies of the appointees' contracts of employment together with details of their qualifications were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 28th, October 2011.

Mr. Ruairí Quinn, T.D.

Minister for Education and Skills

Appointee

Position

Salary

John Walshe

Special Adviser

€92,672

Deirdre Grant

Special Adviser

€86,604

School Staffing

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

256 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27985/12]

A total of 367 schools submitted appeals to the April meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. 205 schools had their appeals upheld. All appeals submitted to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board were considered in accordance with the published appeals criteria set out in my Department's Staffing Circular 0007/2012. A summary outcome of the appeals is now published on my Department's website. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal which was considered at the April meeting. The appeal by this school was unsuccessful on the basis that the school did not meet the published appeal criteria.

The school in question has recently submitted a further appeal under a separate criterion. The next meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board takes place on Thursday, 14 June. The Boards of Management of the applicant schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy will be notified as soon as possible of the outcome of their appeal. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Schools Recognition

Patrick Nulty

Ceist:

257 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the Waldorf Steiner approach towards education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28013/12]

The Waldorf Steiner approach to education is based on the work of scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. The education began in 1919 with the founding of the first Waldorf School in Stuttgart, Germany. Proponents of the Steiner approach regard it as offering an education which is holistic, multi-denominational, child-centred, co-educational and spiritually oriented. My Department has given provisional recognition to two primary schools in Co Clare that follow the Steiner ethos of education.

My Department will continue to consider the recognition of new schools including those with a Steiner ethos in accordance with demographic growth in an area, parental demand, the potential for extending diversity of provision and available resources. All schools regardless of their ethos are expected to comply with the Education Act 1998 and the rules and regulations of my Department, particularly in relation to patronage, board of management, implementation of the curriculum, admissions policy and procedures for the appointment of teaching staff. Permanent recognition is contingent on schools fully meeting these requirements.

School Staffing

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

258 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Offaly will be allowed regain its fourth teacher for the 2012-13 school year in view of the fact it had 81 pupils enrolled on 1 September 2011, and under the ratios in force at that time would have entitled it to have a fourth teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28017/12]

Michael Creed

Ceist:

259 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be an appeals process open for two, three and four-teacher schools who stand to lose a teacher for the 2013-14 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28026/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.

As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular 0007/2012 that is now published on my Department's website.

In these extremely challenging times, all public servants are being asked to deliver our public services on a reduced level of resources and teachers in small schools cannot be immune from this requirement. The final staffing position for all schools will ultimately not be known until the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and all appeals to the Staffing Appeals Board will have been considered.

It is anticipated that the staffing arrangements for the 2013/14 school year, including the appeal process will be published in early 2013.

Higher Education Grants

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

260 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on an appeal for a grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28099/12]

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority, which in this case is Cork County Council.

I understand from officials in Cork County Council that a decision will issue to the student referred to by the Deputy within the next week.

Special Educational Needs

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

261 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that in the review of the school funding due to be carried out by the National Council for Special Education, no further cuts will be applied which will effect the future of the special needs assistants at schools (details supplied) in County Wexford. [28100/12]

The National Council for Special Education is responsible for allocating Special Needs Assistants to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of such supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.

All schools, including the schools referred to by the Deputy, were advised to apply to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2012/13 school year by 16th March, 2012.

In considering applications for SNA support for the new school year, the NCSE will take into account the individual care needs of all qualifying children, supports freed up due to any school leavers, and the identified care needs of newly enrolled children with special educational needs.

I wish to clarify for the Deputy that SNAs are recruited specifically to assist in the care of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. SNA allocations are not permanent as the level of SNA support allocated to a school may be increased or decreased as pupils who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school or where a child's care needs may have diminished over time. The allocation of SNAs in each school can therefore alter from year to year.

I understand that the review of SNA support at the schools referred to by the Deputy will be completed shortly. Schools will be advised by the NCSE of their SNA allocation for the 2012/13 school year in the coming weeks.

Schools Guidance Counsellors

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

262 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Government is not investing in appropriate guidance for children; if he will make a statement as to exactly what access children will have to guidance counsellors from September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28118/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

263 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding guidance councillors (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28121/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.

Teacher allocations are approved annually in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. My Department has published the staffing arrangements at post primary level for the coming school year, 2012/13. The relevant Post Primary circular is 0009/2012 which is available on my Department's website. At post primary level schools will have autonomy on how best to prioritise its available resources to meet its requirements in relation to guidance and the provision of an appropriate range of subjects to its students. Decisions on how this is done will be taken at school level and I am confident that schools will act in the best interest of students when determining precisely how to use the teaching resources available to them.

A key priority for me is to continue to prioritise and target available funding at schools with the most concentrated levels of educational disadvantage. All 195 second-level schools in DEIS, including those schools referred to by the Deputy, have been given targeted support by a more favourable staffing schedule of 18.25:1. This is a 0.75 point reduction compared to the existing PTR of 19:1 that applies in non fee-paying second-level schools.

The teacher allocation process at post-primary level is largely completed at this stage and all schools would have been notified accordingly.

The final staffing position for all schools at post primary level will ultimately not be known until the Autumn. At that stage the allocation process will be fully completed and all appeals to the Staffing Appeal Board will have been considered.

Education Schemes

Ann Phelan

Ceist:

264 Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the introduction of pilot schemes within schools for the use of Android tablets as an alternative to traditional books (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28159/12]

My Department is aware of a number of pilot schemes in schools involving the use of individual student devices and the e-books. This is a welcome innovation and demonstrates the commitment of schools to the full integration of ICT in teaching and learning. The use of individual student devices and the availability of e-books is part of the emerging technologies which help to create the environment which enables all students to become confident and self-directed learners. Student devices in tandem with e-books provide greater opportunities for more active and personalised learning.

In relation to the VAT rate charged on the purchase of e-books, I am advised that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The general position is that school books are zero-rated. The zero rate applies to printed books. All digitised publications are treated as the supply of a service liable at the standard rate of VAT. The EU position is that digital information services are not the direct equivalent of traditional printed products, including books. Even where the content is similar, the additional functionality (e.g. search facilities, hyperlinks, archives, etc.) associated with electronic content produces a fundamentally different product.

School Accommodation

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

265 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for funding from a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28187/12]

I wish to confirm that my Department has received an application for additional accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application is currently being assessed and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.

State Examinations

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

266 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of money generated through the fees for junior certificate, leaving certificate and repeat leaving certificate examinations in each of the past five years and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28192/12]

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including charging and collecting fees for examinations and applying such monies to the carrying out of its functions.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Schools Building Projects

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

267 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for building works in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28209/12]

The school, referred to by the Deputy, has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding.

In view of the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of additional school accommodation, the delivery of major school projects required to meet future demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years.

In light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to indicate when a project for the school in question will be progressed.

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

268 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a building project at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28210/12]

The school, referred to by the Deputy, has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding.

In view of the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of additional school accommodation, the delivery of major school projects required to meet future demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years.

In light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to indicate when a project for the school in question will be progressed.

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

269 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school building project (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28211/12]

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The Design Team is currently working on the Stage 1 Submission (Site Report/Suitability and Initial Sketch Scheme).

Due to the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it has not been possible to advance all applications for capital funding concurrently.

School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible, at this time, to provide a timeframe for the progression of this project to tender and construction.

Departmental Agencies

Michael Conaghan

Ceist:

270 Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 212 of 6 June 2012, the level of employment control framework, ECF, credits that have been provided to Léargas and its current staffing level in terms of the ECF. [28401/12]

There are at present 33 whole-time equivalent posts in Léargas, together with an additional 6 posts in the National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE), which operates under the aegis of Léargas. This gives a total provision for these bodies under existing public sector numbers limits of 39 posts. The staffing of Léargas and of the NCGE is subject to the operation of the general moratorium on the filling of posts in the public sector.

School Transport

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

271 Deputy Luke “Ming” Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will direct his Department to examine the situation which exists at Ivy House at Castlerea, County Roscommon where two autistic children (details supplied) travel to the same school in Knockcroghery on the same days of the week, one travels on a bus operated by Bus Éireann and the other must travel by transport provided by Ivy House; his views on whether this is a waste of money and if he will undertake to see that this duplication is ended by directing Bus Éireann to transport both boys on the same bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28409/12]

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, children with special educational needs are eligible for transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/ special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills criteria.

The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is to provide a reasonable level of transport service for children with a diagnosed disability and/or special educational need. In general, school transport services bring eligible children from their home to school and from school to home. Individual taxis and escorts are considered in cases where a child's care and safety needs require this level of support.

Bus Éireann, which is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport services, may consider atypical transport requests where it is satisfied that a child's care and safety needs are addressed, where there is no deviation from an existing route and where no additional cost is incurred.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, Bus Éireann has advised that the two children in question travel on two separate services in different directions to and from school. Bus Éireann has safety concerns regarding the proposed transport arrangement and for this reason it is not possible to facilitate the request.

Schools Building Projects

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

272 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28419/12]

My Department is examining the long term projected pupils levels for the school referred to by the Deputy in the context of correspondance provided by the school authorities.

As outlined in the Five Year Plan, the delivery of major school projects required to meet demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years. The Deputy will appreciate that the primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan, is to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place.

The progression of a project for the school in question will be considered in the context of that which I have outlined above.

State Examinations

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

273 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a policy when marking the leaving certificate examination that there is a limit to the percentage of As that can be obtained nationwide or by examination centres or both; if papers have been returned to examination centres; if papers have been returned to examiners marking the leaving certificate papers, requesting that they reduce the number of As; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28420/12]

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations including making arrangements for the marking of work presented for examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

School Placement

Joan Collins

Ceist:

274 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6. [28421/12]

The National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the NEWB are National Educational Welfare Board, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7, telephone 01-8738700.

I understand my officials are liaising with the NEWB on the case in question.

The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.

Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of a Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) school to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.

Schools Building Projects

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

275 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a building project at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the timeframe for completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28428/12]

The school, referred to by the Deputy, has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding.

In view of the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of additional school accommodation, the delivery of major school projects required to meet future demographic demand will be the main focus for capital investment in the coming years.

In light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible at this time to indicate when a project for the school in question will be progressed.

Public Sector Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

276 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the civil services, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms in terms of as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28788/12]

The gross pay allocation for Vote 26: Education and Skills included in the 2012 Revised Estimates Volume is €5.351 billion.

Front line staff in the Education Sector are regarded as comprising teachers and Special Needs Assistants in first and second level schools, as well as academic staff in third level colleges and institutions.

A full breakdown of the 2012 overall pay allocation for my Vote is listed below. The figure for the Third-Level Sector includes costs for both academic and non-academic staff as a breakdown of these sub-categories is not readily available.

€m

%

First and Second level Teachers’ Pay

€3,778m

70.6%

Special Needs Assistants

€362m

6.8%

Third-Level Sector (Universities, IOTs and other3rd Level Colleges)

€828m

15.5%

First and Second level Non-Teaching Staff (Excl SNAs)

€113m

2.1%

(Mainly staff in VECs, Comprehensive and Community Schools and Caretakers/Clerical Assts in schools) Skills Development (mainly FÁS)

€131m

2.5%

Department Staff (Admin, Inspectors, Psychologists)

€77m

1.4%

State Examinations Commission

€45m

0.8%

Other Bodies (Special Education Council, Redress, NCCA, etc.)

€17m

0.3%

Total

€5,351m

100%

Public Sector Reform

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

277 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the transforming public services office in his Department has considered the report on the whole system of work submitted by Donegal County Council in 2010; their views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27689/12]

The Transforming Public Services (TPS) Programme Office was established in the Department of the Taoiseach in late 2008 to oversee the implementation of the then Government's Transforming Public Services programme.

I am advised that a copy of the Whole System of Work Framework was forwarded to the TPS Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach during 2010. I understand that no formal assessment of the system was undertaken by that office.

Following the realignment of Departmental roles upon the formation of the current Government, the staff and functions of the TPS Programme Office transferred to the new Reform and Delivery Office in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which is leading and coordinating the implementation of the Government's Public Service Reform Plan.

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

278 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27794/12]

The National Procurement Service, based in The Office of Public Works, is responsible for eProcurement and for the operation of the eTenders public procurement portal (www.etenders.gov.ie). Each year an average of 5,000 tenders for the procurement of goods, services and works are advertised on eTenders. The overall procurement spend by the public sector in the Republic of Ireland amounts to an estimated value of between €14 and €15 billion per year. The figure of €21 billion quoted by the Deputy refers to the estimated combined all-island value of the public procurement market in the Republic and Northern Ireland. The figures for public contracts awarded to Irish companies in 2010, the latest year for which such figures are available, are included in the table below. The Deputy should be aware that these statistics relate only to contracts placed that were above the EU Thresholds*, where a contract award notice was published and where the nationality of the winning tenderer was also disclosed. It should also be noted that the statistics do not distinguish between companies in the UK and those based in Northern Ireland, so of the contracts going “abroad” many of the contracts may have stayed on the island of Ireland.

* The EU Thresholds, above which tenders must be advertised on the eTenders website and the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), in 2010 were:

€125,000 for supplies and services;

€4,845,000 for works and utilities

Above threshold contracts awarded to Irish and Non-Domestic Suppliers 2010

2010

Number of contracts

Value €000

Irish suppliers

690

3,001,218

Non-Domestic suppliers

102

285,183

Total

792

3,286,759

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

279 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value of public sector contracts awarded between May, 2011 and May, 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27795/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

280 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to whom the public sector contracts for the period May, 2011 to May, 2012 were awarded; if they were Irish based contractors or from other parts of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27796/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.

The statistics requested by the Deputy are not available, as they are not collated centrally and can only be provided by individual contracting authorities. However, contracting authorities are required to publish contract award notices for contracts that are above the European Union thresholds on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The current thresholds above which tenders must be advertised in the OJEU are as follows:

Thresholds for advertising in the (OJEU)

Value €

Works:

Contract Notice

5,000,000

Government Departments and Offices, Local and Regional Authorities and other public bodies.

Supplies and Services:

Contract Notice

130,000

Government Departments and Offices

Contract Notice

200,000

Local and Regional Authorities and public bodies outside the Utilities sector.

The National Procurement Service (NPS) is responsible for producing annual statistical information in relation to above EU threshold procurement activity by the Irish public sector and providing these statistics to the European Commission. In this regard, I am informed by the NPS that data in respect of 2011 will not be available until later this year. The latest information for above EU threshold contracts is for 2010 and is as follows:

Above threshold contracts awarded in 2010

No. of Contracts

Value €000

% of Value

Irish Suppliers

690

3,001,218

92.3

Non-Domestic Suppliers

102

285,183

8.7

Total

792

3,286,759

100

Of the €3.3 billion spent by the State on above threshold contracts only 8.7% went to non-domestic companies. In terms of overall procurement budget (approximately €14 billion in 2010), the NPS estimates that less than 5% of the overall spend went to non-domestic suppliers.

The public procurement market in the EU is estimated to be valued at €2 trillion. In this regard, it is worth noting that the open market regime affords opportunities for Irish companies to win business abroad as part of the EU Single Market. In a recent survey conducted by the National Procurement Service 20% of respondents said that they had won public procurement contracts in the United Kingdom and 15% said that they had won public procurement contracts in other member states.

Freedom of Information

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

281 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe in which he intends to restore the Freedom of Information Act as committed to in the programme for Government. [28266/12]

Significant work has been undertaken by my Department to examine and assess the key next steps and priorities relating to the implementation of the commitments on Freedom of Information (FOI) in the Programme for Government. My Department is currently considering the responses it has received from other government departments in respect of proposals relating to the substantive restrictions introduced in 2003 and to further extend FOI. It is planned to bring proposals to Government in the coming weeks to secure approval to draft amending FOI legislation.

Public Sector Pay

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

282 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the filling of overseas posts that offers officials involved extensive benefits and allowances seems to be falling outside the remit of the Office of the Commission for Public Service Appointments on the grounds that they are not qualifying appointments; his views on whether these posts should come properly within the scope of the Commission; if he will take necessary steps to enable the Commission to deal with such overseas appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/12]

Appointments under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 are interpreted as "the appointment of a person to a position within the Civil Service” or wider public service. This includes the appointment of a new entrant to the civil or public service or an appointment on promotion.

The filling of overseas posts is generally carried out through a lateral transfer or by a person at the same grade. The foreign service allowance and other allowances attached to these posts are given in recognition of the additional expenses and the disruption associated with working abroad. As these lateral transfers are not considered to involve any higher duties or responsibilities relevant to the particular grade, they are not considered to be appointments within the remit of the Commission for Public Service Appointments.

Public Sector Staff

Dara Murphy

Ceist:

283 Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the public service recruitment embargo applies to 3% minimum employment level recruitment of those with disabilities and if it does, his plans to lift the embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27766/12]

The position regarding opportunities for employment in the Public Service generally is limited by the recruitment and promotion moratorium which was announced on the 27th March 2009. The moratorium applies, with limited exceptions, to the civil service, local authorities, non-commercial state bodies, the Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Forces and to certain bodies established by enactment and wholly or partly funded out of the Central Fund. The arrangements have been modulated in relation to the education and health sectors to reflect the particular needs in those sectors.

In relation to the civil service, the area of the public service for which I have direct responsibility, a number of Departments and Offices are participants in the Willing Able and Mentoring Programme which is a graduate work experience programme aimed at persons with disabilities. This programme is not subject to the moratorium.

The 3 per cent target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Public Service remains in place, notwithstanding the moratorium. The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports on compliance with this target under Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. In its latest published report in 2011, the NDA noted that 4.1 per cent of staff employed in the civil service had disabilities. In relation to other areas of the Public Service, each Minister is responsible for compliance with and reporting on the target set in the Disability Act 2005 for the employment of persons with disabilities in public bodies under his or her aegis.

Finally, the Civil and Public Service is an equal opportunities employer and all recruitment campaigns are conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Codes include the Code of Practice governing the External and Internal Appointments of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Irish Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies.

Public Sector Pay

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

284 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the outcome of the review of allowances paid to all public servants will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27791/12]

I announced the review of allowances and premia payments, to be carried out by my Department, in my address on the 2012 Expenditure Estimates on 5 December 2012. This announcement was made on foot of a Government decision which requires the public service to take additional measures to deliver further efficiencies in 2012 so as to ensure that pay bill targets are met and with a view to delivering additional pay savings in 2013 and subsequent years. The measures include a reduction of 10% (approx €40 million) in overtime payments in 2012 which is being achieved by a reduction in allocations for overtime by the necessary amount for 2012.

To date, my Department has reviewed well over 800 business cases for allowances and premia payments. Due to resource constraints coupled with the volume of submissions received, and the complexity and variety of allowances across the sectors, it was not possible to complete the review in a short time frame. Indeed, business cases continue to be put forward for review by Offices and Departments. I expect to be in a position to bring proposals to Government shortly in relation to the findings of the review. In the interim, urgent business case requests are being processed in so far as is possible in order to ensure that the work of the public service is not unduly disrupted by the review.

Public Sector Reform

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

285 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the full details of the proposals of the changes to sick leave provisions for public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27792/12]

As part of the Croke Park Agreement management and staff representatives have agreed to work together to deliver increased productivity and maximise efficiencies in the delivery of public services. It is estimated that the cost of sick leave across the public service is over €500m. The State is no longer in a financial position to be able to sustain the cost of the existing sick leave arrangements in the public service. It is the view of public service management that a reduction in the amount of paid sick leave across the public service will result in increased productivity, a reduction in the cost of sick leave and improved morale. Therefore management has made proposals to reduce the arrangements for paid sick leave across the public service.

The Labour Relations Commission is facilitating discussions between the management side and the public service unions on proposals to change sick leave provisions across the public service. The final extent of the changes to the sick leave provisions will not be determined until this process has been completed.

Departmental Staff

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

286 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the establishment of the new Government Economic and Evaluation Service; the number of staff currently attached to the unit; the number of persons that have already been recruited; the number it is planned to further recruit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27875/12]

The Government decided in March this year to set up the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). The work of the Service will support Departments in evaluating policy and expenditure options; value for money exercises; cost-benefit and regulatory impact analyses; and regulatory and competition issues. Postgraduate staff with economic qualifications were targeted through an Administrative Officer (Economist) competition run by the Public Appointments Service earlier this year. Staff recruited initially under this competition are due to take up placements in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Finance later this month, as well in a number of other Departments. These recruits will supplement the existing economic and evaluation expertise already within the public service, including the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit within the Department of PE&R. After a period of training and development, some of these recruits will be seconded to other Departments with identified economic analysis needs.

Ministerial Staff

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

287 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide full details, including salary, of every appointment he has approved since coming into office of special advisers for each Department; the salary cap that is in place with respect to special adviser appointments; the number of appointments he has approved with salary in excess of the cap; if he will provide details of the requests from Ministerial colleagues that he has refused which would have involved breaching the salary cap. [27876/12]

The current Guidelines on Special Advisers provide, except in the Offices of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste where separate arrangements apply, that they are to be placed on the minimum point of the Principal Officer (standard) scale, which currently runs from €80,051 at the minimum to €92,672 at the maximum.

Remuneration in excess of the minimum point of the Principal Officer (standard) scale has been sanctioned by me in a number of instances based on the business case presented. In the majority of cases this has been based on evidence of higher earnings in the previous employment and the need to secure the appointment of an individual with particular skills and expertise. At all times I have endeavoured to keep exceptions to a minimum and in all cases value for money considerations were uppermost in my mind when approving exceptions to the Guidelines. I would like to add that in a number of cases, Special Advisers have been appointed on substantially reduced salaries compared to what they were earning prior to their appointment. The following table sets out details of Special Advisers.

List of Special Advisers — June 2012

Department

Minister/Minister of State

Name of Adviser

Sanctioned Pay Rate

Relevent Payscale

Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Minister Coveney

Áine Kilroy

€80,051

PO Min

Ross MacMathuna

€110,000

Approved Rate

Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs

Minister Deenihan

Damian Garvey

€80,051

PO Min

James Kenny

€80,051

PO Min

Attorney General

Máire Whelan

Peter O’Sullivan

€80,051

PO Min

Children and Youth Affairs

Minister Fitzgerald

Jennifer Carrol McNeill*

€40,025

PO Min

Marrion Mannion

€80,051

PO Min

William Lavelle*

€40,025

PO Min

Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Minister Rabbitte

Simon Nugent

€97,200

Approved Rate

Finbar O’Malley

€83,337

PO

Defence/Taoiseach/ Chief Whip

Paul Kehoe

Mark O’Doherty

€80,051

PO Min

Education and Skills

Minister Ruairí Quinn

John Walsh

€92,672

PO Max

Deirdre Grant

€86,604

PO

Environment, Community and Local Government

Minister Hogan

Claire Langton

€80,051

PO Min

Sean McKeown

€92,672

PO Max

MoS O’Sullivan

Aidan Culhane

€80,051

PO Min

Paul Daly

€80,051

PO Min

Finance

Minister Noonan

Mary Kenny

€83,337

PO

Eoin Dorgan

€83,337

PO

Health

Minister Reilly

Mark Costigan

€92,672

PO Max

Sean Faughnan**

€26,684

PO Min

Maureen Windle**

€61,781

PO Max

MoS Shortall

Maeve Ann Wren

€40,025

Approved Rate

Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Minister Bruton

Conor Quinn

€80,051

PO Min

Ciaran Conlon

€127,000

Approved Rate

Justice and Equality

Minister Shatter

Jane Lehane

€80,051

PO Min

Tom Cooney

€80,051

PO Min

Public Expenditure and Reform

Minister Howlin

Anne Byrne

€83,337

PO

Rónán O’Brien

€114,000

Approved Rate

Social Protection

Minister Burton

Ed Brophy

€127,796

Ass Sec

Kathleen Barrington

€86,604

PO 4th pt

Taoiseach

MoS Lucinda Creighton

Stephen O’Shea

€61,966

AP Min

Transport, Tourism and Sport

Minister Varadkar

Brian Murphy

€105,837

PO I

Nick Miller

€80,051

PO Min

*Ms Carroll McNeill and Mr Lavelle operate on a half/half work sharing basis.

**From 1st June 2012 Mr Faughnan and Ms Windle operate on a one third/two thirds work sharing basis.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

288 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any increase above the special adviser pay cap; and the amount of the increase. [27901/12]

I have appointed Anne Byrne and Rónán O'Brien as special advisers. The salary for both special advisors has been 83,337 and 114,000 respectively per annum since their appointment. No salary increases have been requested in respect of either appointment.

Public Sector Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

289 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the civil services, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms in terms of as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [27932/12]

My Department is working on gathering the material and information requested by the Deputy and will furnish the information to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Public Sector Reform

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

290 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which savings, efficiencies, early retirement or other measures to date have measured up to expectations and requirements; the extent to which reform of various State or semi-State sectors is so far in line with targets and projections; if any particular sector has performed particularly well or poorly in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26443/12]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

291 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent of savings and reform achieved in each of the past two years to date; the extent to which the progress is in line with the projections and targets set out in the memorandum of understanding; whether any specific areas have been shown to fall short of targets or expectations; if he expects to be in the position to meet all of the targets set out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26442/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for our EU/IMF Programme of financial assistance was signed in December 2010, and following each of the subsequent quarterly reviews by the Troika, an update of the MoU is agreed. Each update to the MoU can include the continuation of, or revisions to, existing commitments along with new commitments.

The Government is making good progress on achieving all of our objectives by delivering on all the conditions and targets in the EU/IMF Programme by the required deadlines. We are bringing public expenditure back to a sustainable level and driving forward the public service reform agenda to ensure that efficiencies and reformed work practices play a full part in contributing to the overall budgetary consolidation effort.

This Government's approach has been clearly set out in theComprehensive Expenditure Report 2012-2014 published on 5 December last, the Capital Infrastructure Plan published on 10 November 2011, the Implementation Body publication of the Public Service Agreement Progress Report on the 17 November 2011, and the Public Service Reform Plan also published on 17 November 2011. Indeed, an updated Progress Report is due to be published shortly and I anticipate further significant and tangible progress to be identified in this context.

Implementation of the Government'sPublic Service Reform Plan , which was launched last November, is being led and coordinated by the Reform and Delivery Office which I established within my Department. The Office is working closely with organisations across the Public Service and good progress continues to be made in the implementation of the Reform Plan. For example, we are continuing to reduce Public Service numbers which were around 28,000 lower at end Q1 2012 than they were at end 2008 — the Government is on target to meet its ceiling for 2012 of 294,400; expanding the use of eGovernment through the recently published eGovernment Strategy, the establishment of a CIO Council and rolling out the Public Services Card; reforming how we are organised by having a strong focus on business process improvement, considering innovative new business models for the delivery of non-core services, increasing the use of aggregated procurement and developing new shared services (for example, I have recently announced plans for the establishment of a Human Resources Shared Service Centre for the Civil Service); reforming how people are managed through the introduction of new working arrangements, including new rosters, redeployment and workforce planning, a greater emphasis on performance management and development of the Senior Public Service; and reforming the management of expenditure through the introduction of Performance Budgeting, the Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks and the new Value for Money Code.

Flood Relief

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

292 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding flood relief works on the River Suck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26128/12]

As advised in my reply to the Deputy's previous question in this matter on 11th October, 2011, the River Suck forms part of the River Suck Joint Drainage District. As such, responsibility for maintenance rests with Galway and Roscommon County Councils, which is undertaken through the River Suck Joint Drainage District Committee. The report for the year ended 31st December 2010, submitted by the River Suck Joint Drainage District Committee, shows that the Committee expended €203,000. Maintenance expenditure of €200,000 approximately was undertaken and the Committee envisaged a similar level of maintenance spending in 2011.

Significant funding has been provided by the Office of Public Works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme to allow Galway and Roscommon County Councils undertake specific flood alleviation projects at locations along the River Suck. To date, over €1.7m has been approved to Galway County Council for this purpose, and over €300,000 to Roscommon County Council. The majority of these projects have been completed.

The Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study is considering flooding matters in the River Suck catchment. Updates on this study are available onwww.shannoncframstudy.ie.

Public Investment Projects

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

293 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the projects currently being considered for potential inclusion in any upcoming stimulus package; if any major public transport projects will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26284/12]

Since coming into office, the current Government has been working on a range of measures to boost employment and help stimulate economic growth beginning with the Jobs Initiative which was launched in May 2011. Further work to stimulate economic growth and create employment is ongoing across Departments.

My Department undertook a review of the public capital programme last year, the results of which were published in the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework". The Framework sets out €17 billion worth of Exchequer investment intended to address critical infrastructure investment gaps in order to aid economic recovery, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. The sectors prioritised for investment in the Framework include education, health, jobs and enterprise. While this represents a significant level of spend that will generate activity throughout the country, I am conscious that there is more that we could do if we had additional funding available.

The Government is now considering carefully what potential further projects could be supported should a source of additional funding become available. It is likely that such investment would be focused on areas that meet the Government's key investment priorities, boost employment and help stimulate economic growth. My Department has established a high level interdepartmental steering committee which is considering potential projects for investment that meet these criteria. Proposals from Departments are under consideration and I am confident that a pipeline of necessary and worthwhile projects will emerge over the course of the coming weeks. My Department is working closely with the Department of Finance and the NDFA to ensure that additional funding sources are available in order to deliver any proposed pipeline of projects.

In relation to public transport, the five year capital Framework prioritised funding to ensure maintenance of existing investment and to advance a small number of important projects which can add value to the existing network such as the Luas BXD. Larger public transport projects such as Metro North and Dart Underground were deferred for consideration in advance of the next capital programme which will be drawn up in 2015 and will cover the period from 2016 onwards. Given the multi-billion scale of private finance required to advance these major infrastructural projects it is unlikely that private investors would be willing to commit the level of funding necessary to progress them for some time. Both projects also require substantial Exchequer funding that would have to be diverted from other more critical areas and this would not be justifiable at this time. Any additional funding which may become available will be focused on those smaller scale projects which are deliverable in our current circumstances and which provide value for money for the State.

Public Procurement Contracts

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

294 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that he has made in relation to improving the public procurement process for small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27517/12]

I am very aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for local enterprises. Current guidelines (Circular 10/10) issued by my Department require public bodies to promote participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the award of public contracts. These guidelines set out positive measures that contracting authorities are to take to promote SME involvement in a manner that is consistent with the principles and rules of the existing public procurement regulatory regime. The guidance also highlights practices that are to be avoided because they can unjustifiably hinder small businesses in competing for public contracts. The key provisions of the guidance include:

supplies and general services contracts with an estimated value of €25,000 or more to be advertised on thewww.etenders.gov.ie website;

less use of "restrictive" tendering procedures and greater use of "open" tendering;

ensuring that the levels set by contracting authorities for suitability criteria are justified and proportionate to the needs of the contract;

sub-dividing larger requirements into lots where this is practical and can be done without compromising efficiency and value for money.

Circular 10/10 has been in place for almost two years. It is clear that there is a need to ensure greater consistency in relation to the implementation of this circular. In this regard, the National Procurement Service (NPS) recently established a Working Group on Small and Medium Enterprises to respond to public procurement issues arising for SMEs. The Working Group consists of representatives from the NPS, the Health Service Executive, the Irish Business and Employers Federation, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Chambers Ireland, and the Small Firms Association. The Working Group will develop measures to highlight the scope that contracting authorities have under circular 10/10 to encourage SME participation in public procurement processes.

Finally, it is worth noting that in terms of overall procurement budget (approximately €14 billion in 2010), the NPS estimate that 5% of the overall spend went to non-domestic suppliers.

Redundancy Payments

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

295 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to make findings of Labour Courts hearings on trade disputes legally binding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27734/12]

As I have pointed out in response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 445 of 18 April 2012 and 55 of 2 May 2012, the role of the Labour Court under the Industrial Relations Acts, 1946 to 1990, is to facilitate the settlement of industrial disputes and its authority in this regard stems from the voluntary nature of the process.

Since the primary purpose of the Labour Court under the Industrial Relations Acts is to assist parties to settle their disputes and thereby promote harmonious industrial relations, co-operation between the parties remains the inspiration of all proceedings under these Acts. The Act does not empower the Labour Court or any other body to impose a settlement in disputes referred to it.

As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I have been engaged in a detailed review and reform of the State's complex workplace relations systems and processes. I am satisfied, moreover, that the system of industrial relations in Ireland should remain essentially voluntarist in nature with the terms and conditions of employment of workers being determined in the main by a process of voluntary negotiation and agreement without the direct intervention of the State.

The Labour Court is a court of last resort in the industrial relations process. I have consistently emphasised, as the Minister with responsibility in this area, that the parties should come to the process in good faith and should demonstrate their willingness to give serious consideration to the Court's recommendation.

Work Permits

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

296 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied). [27752/12]

My officials inform me that they have no record of a permit being applied for in respect of the named individual.

I wish to advise the Deputy that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of:

highly skilled, highly paid positions; or

non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits; or

where there is an officially recognized scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification.

Further information and the conditions that apply to the obtaining of new employment permits can be found at my Department's website atwww.djei.ie.

Haulage Industry

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

297 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current requirements for ADR Certification in respect of drivers and vehicles carrying dangerous goods between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; if these requirements differ from the requirements for drivers carrying dangerous goods within the Republic of Ireland only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28160/12]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

298 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of any new enforcement arrangements proposed in relation to ADR Certification in respect of the transport of dangerous goods between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; if there will be any additional costs incurred by businesses operating in border areas as a direct result of these new enforcement procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28161/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.

The Health and Safety Authority, an agency under the ageis of my Department, are named as a Competent Authority in relation to ADR (European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) under the European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment) Regulations 2011, (S.I. No. 349 of 2011).

There are no new enforcement arrangements being proposed by the Irish Authorities in respect of the transport of dangerous goods between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

However, as a result of a decision taken by the UK Authorities in 2011 in their enforcement policy regarding the transport of dangerous goods, the transport requirements in Northern Ireland have now been changed. The UK decided that the carriage of dangerous goods between Ireland and Northern Ireland is an international journey and is subject to the full provisions of ADR. In effect, this means that operators engaged in cross border operations while using vehicles or tanks that are certified for national use only are in breach of ADR and failure to comply with ADR provisions may result in enforcement action including prosecution while operating in either jurisdiction. Heretofore, such vehicles had previously benefited from a local agreement between the respective Authorities in Ireland and Northern Ireland that allowed vehicles and tanks that met national standards to operate freely between the two jurisdictions.

The Health and Safety Authority have been actively providing information and advice to help operators in Ireland who may be affected by the change since it was announced. In addition, an agreement was made with the Northern Irish Authorities that there would be a transition period until December 2012 when enforcement action would not be taken. This was done to allow those operators who were not compliant with ADR to make the necessary changes. It should be noted that many of the Irish operators involved are already compliant with ADR and therefore would not incur any additional costs. There may be costs incurred by operators who may need to bring vehicles and tanks up to the required ADR standards. With respect to ADR driver training certification, all drivers involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by road, are required to undergo training and examination under the National Regulations and under the ADR agreement. The training certification obtained is mandatory for all affected national and international transport of dangerous goods operations. There is no separate driver training certification required for national transport operations. This activity is standardised by the ADR Agreement and various EU Directives which bring the Agreement into EU Law. The certification obtained following training and examination is therefore recognised by all jurisdictions signed up to ADR (over 40 countries, mainly the EU and adjacent countries), thus providing an equal and high level of safety for the transport of dangerous goods and a single market for ADR operators.

Tax Collection

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

299 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the date on which the youth employment levy was introduced; the rate at which the levy was set; the income generated for the Exchequer per annum when in place; the details of when the levy was abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/12]

The Youth Employment Levy was introduced in 1981 and was subsequently amended in 1989 and re-named the Employment and Training Levy. The Employment and Training Levy was set at 1% of an individual's total income with some exceptions. The levy was abolished with effect from 6 April, 1999.

Only relatively small residual amounts of money under the Levy continue to be collected by the Revenue Commissioners. These relate to historical payments of taxes that would have had a component element attributable to the Levy, had the taxes been paid at the time.

These residual amounts are paid over to my Department by Revenue on a monthly basis and in turn passed on to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (previously, Department of Finance).

The total cumulative income generated from this levy, to the end of December 2011, was €2,890,713,003 of which €310,750 was received in the 2011 calendar year.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

300 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27899/12]

The following table outlines the names and salary details of the two Special Advisers appointed by me as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Name

Annual Salary

Mr. Ciaran Conlon

€127,000

Mr. Conor Quinn

€83,337

In line with the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments, sanction for a higher rate of salary for Special Advisers may be granted by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, with the agreement of the Minister for Finance that takes account of the previous experience and relevant expertise of a particular candidate.

Given his previous experience and in light of the wide range of issues dealt with by my Department and the key role played by Mr. Conlon as my Adviser, my Department wrote to the Department of Finance in April, 2011 requesting the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to the appointment of Mr. Ciaran Conlon as my Special Adviser at a rate of €127,000, in line with the salary paid to Mr. Conlon in his previous position.

Sanction was obtained from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Mr. Conlon was appointed to the post of Special Adviser with an annual salary of €127,000.

Credit Availability

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

301 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the sources of finance available to small businesses; and his views on the action the banking institutions are taking to make such finance available to small businesses. [27973/12]

Banking policy is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD. Minister Noonan commissioned Mazars to conduct a new survey in April 2012 on the demand for credit by SMEs and I look forward to the publication of this independent report shortly. This report will further enhance the ability of the Government to understand the business environment in which SMEs operate and their relationships with the banks. The results of this survey will be a valuable resource in informing policy decisions in this area and will be of benefit to all stakeholders.

The Government has imposed SME lending targets on the two domestic pillar banks for the three calendar years, 2011 to 2013. Both banks were required to sanction lending, including lending for working capital purposes, of at least €3 billion in 2011, €3.5 billion this year and €4 billion in 2013 for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs. Both banks achieved their 2011 targets. The progress on their lending plans is closely monitored each month.

Notwithstanding this close monitoring, access to finance in the current risk averse lending environment remains restricted for certain cohorts of SMEs. As Mr. John Trethowan stated on Tuesday last in his 8th report, that although pillar banks are being supportive of medium and low risk new lending to well established SMEs and farms, there is little evidence of support for "enterprise risk taking" on new and increased lending in the banks' lending policies.

The Deputy will be aware that I am introducing two targeted initiatives to support an additional flow of credit into the economy. I am currently finalising primary legislation to establish a MicroEnterprise Loan Fund and a Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme, thereby supporting specific categories of SMEs with commercially viable proposals that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by banks.

Further work with the banks is continuing to adapt to the needs of the non-traditional sectors, such as the technology and emerging sectors. Enterprise Ireland is working with the banks to develop propositions for exporters and technology companies that are suited to different stages of growth and to adopt cashflow lending as opposed to the asset backed approach that has been the norm in recent years. Knowledge sharing is on-going, including reciprocal secondments, sector briefings, and trade mission involvement. Furthermore, the Development Capital Fund Scheme announced as a central recommendation in the Action Plan for Jobs will assist in increasing the availability of risk capital and closing the "equity gap" experienced by SMEs seeking risk capital in excess of €2m.

Redundancy Payments

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

302 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 445 of 18 April 2012, his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28275/12]

The Deputy's question appears to arise from the concerns of workers affected by the non-implementation on the part of an employer of a recommendation made by the Labour Court in a dispute in relation to a claim for enhanced redundancy terms in excess of the employees' statutory redundancy entitlement, following the acquisition of the company and the closure of its Dublin offices in 2011.

As I have pointed out in response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 445 of 18 April 2012 and 55 of 2 May 2012, the role of the Labour Court under the Industrial Relations Acts, 1946 to 1990, is to facilitate the settlement of industrial disputes and its authority in this regard stems from the voluntary nature of the process. In this particular dispute between the company and the workers concerned, the workers referred the issue to the Labour Court under Section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969 and they agreed to be bound by the Court's recommendation.

Since the primary purpose of the Labour Court under the Industrial Relations Acts is to assist parties to settle their disputes and thereby promote harmonious industrial relations, co-operation between the parties remains the inspiration of all proceedings under these Acts. The Act does not empower the Labour Court or any other body to impose a settlement in disputes referred to it under Section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969.

As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I have been engaged in a detailed review and reform of the State's complex workplace relations systems and processes. I am satisfied, moreover, that the system of industrial relations in Ireland should remain essentially voluntarist in nature with the terms and conditions of employment of workers being determined in the main by a process of voluntary negotiation and agreement without the direct intervention of the State.

The Labour Court is a court of last resort in the industrial relations process. I have consistently emphasised, as the Minister with responsibility in this area, that the parties should come to the process in good faith and should demonstrate their willingness to give serious consideration to the Court's recommendation.

Enterprise Support Services

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

303 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to assist small businesses in County Meath in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28335/12]

The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 contains a range of supports for small and medium-sized businesses, including a €150m Development Capital Scheme aimed at addressing a funding gap for mid-sized, high-growth indigenous companies with significant prospects for jobs and export growth, a Loan Guarantee Scheme and a €100m Micro-Finance Loan Scheme. The Plan also contains measures to reduce costs and red tape. Work is already in progress on the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

The agencies under my Department are also rolling out their plans of support for businesses in Co. Meath. Enterprise Ireland is actively promoting entrepreneurship in Meath and provides a range of enterprise programmes and other initiatives to approximately 172 companies in the county to ensure that emerging technologies and business ideas with export potential are supported to become a commercial reality. The agency approved almost €3m to companies in Co. Meath in 2011, and so far this year, almost €1.2m has been approved for payment.

In February this year, Enterprise Ireland launched a new Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) Programme for the maintenance or establishment of a strong business development function in Community Enterprise Centres funded by the agency. Since the foundation of the first CEC Programme in 1989, Enterprise Ireland has paid out more than €600,000 in funding to three Community Enterprise Centres in Co. Meath based in Navan, Trim and Kells.

Meath County Enterprise Board (CEB) provides a wide range of supports to help new and existing small businesses to grow and develop. It is anticipated that the Board will continue to provide an extensive array of business support services which include:

Providing business priming grant assistance to start-ups and growing small businesses;

Providing management development training to some 400 owner/managers;

Providing mentoring support by appointing Mentors to over 26 companies.

In 2011, Meath CEB paid out €459,658 in grants to 26 projects. This resulted in a net job creation figure of over 200. In addition, there were 405 participants in the CEB's training programmes.

So far this year, Meath CEB, has approved 13 grants to the value of €67,690. Four ‘Start Your own Business' courses have been delivered to 62 participants, with further courses scheduled over the course of the year. Also, eight one day seminars and workshops on business related topics were delivered to 83 participants in the first quarter of 2012 and similar seminars will be hosted throughout the remainder of the year. In addition, ‘Women in Business' Seminars have also been popular this year with over 90 women partaking in the first 3 ‘Women in Business' workshops.

Consumer Protection

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

304 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the date on which he plans to publish legislation to implement Articles 19 and 22 of the Consumer Rights Directive on payment charges and additional charges, in view of his commitment to introduce these provisions in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28379/12]

As I have previously indicated, it is my intention to implement the provisions of Articles 19 and 22 of the Consumer Rights Directive on payment charges and additional charges by the end of this year.

My Department is awaiting clarification from the European Commission on a number of issues relating to Article 19. On receipt of this clarification, the Department will issue a consultation paper on Articles 19 and 22. The responses to this consultation will be taken into account in drafting the Regulations to give effect to the two Articles.

School Meals Programme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

305 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding that each national school receives per child in respect of lunches and snacks. [28162/12]

The school meals programme operated by the Department provides funding towards the provision of food services for disadvantaged children through two schemes. The first is the statutory urban school meals scheme, operated by local authorities and part-financed by this Department. The second is the school meals local projects schemes through which funding is provided directly to participating schools and local and voluntary community groups who run their own school meals projects.

There are 332 primary schools involved in the urban school meals scheme and over 1,100 schools, both primary and post-primary, in the school meals local projects scheme for the academic year 2011/12 providing support to over 189,000 pupils. The allocation for the programme for 2012 is €35m.

Details of the various options available under the scheme and rates of payment per child are shown in the attached following statement.

Various food options and payment per child

Food Options

Breakfast/Snack

€0.60

Cereal, Toast, Scone, Fruit, Yogurt, Milk, Juice—2 Items must be provided

Lunch

€1.40

Filled Sandwich/Roll or Soup and Roll or Salad Plate, plus 2 other items (eg Milk, Juice, Fruit, Yogurt)

Dinner

€1.90

Meat, Potatoes and Vegetables or Chicken Curry or Spaghetti Bolognaise, plus a drink (Milk, Juice, Water)

National Internship Scheme

Robert Troy

Ceist:

306 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will correct the faults that are appearing in the jobbridge scheme which was originally set up to help persons without experience to gain experience to enable them to get a job, however it now appears that the jobs being advertised on the jobbridge website are looking for persons with two to four years experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28398/12]

The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals at all skills levels. The aim of JobBridge is to assist individuals in breaking the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience. It provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, relevant knowledge and skills within a working environment. The Scheme is open to organisations in the private, public and community or voluntary sectors.

The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. As at 31st May 2012, 7,495 internship placements have commenced since the launch of the Scheme in July 2011. There are currently 4,872 interns undertaking internship placements. In addition, there are in excess of 1,800 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge websitewww.jobbridge.ie.

Host Organisations are not permitted to advertise an internship that specifies a requirement for interns to have prior experience in order to avail of the internship on offer. The JobBridge team check all internship advertisements to ensure that the request for prior experience does not appear on Internship advertisements. If an internship was to be advertised in error requesting jobseekers to have prior experience in order to apply the JobBridge team would amend immediately once the error is highlighted. I would ask the Deputy to please highlight any specific examples that he may have to the JobBridge unit and these matters will be investigated immediately.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Jack Wall

Ceist:

307 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27726/12]

The person concerned is seeking rent supplement at a rate to cover both himself and his child. In cases where parents have joint custody of a child, the needs of both parents to have adequate accommodation to look after the child are taken into account when an application for a rent supplement is being determined. However, as the child is already accommodated with his mother, he has been requested to reduce the rate to the limit applied for a single person in Kildare. The person concerned can be facilitated when this reduction has taken place.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

308 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a rent allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27732/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15th March 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Community Employment Schemes

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

309 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter regarding community employment schemes and Skillnet courses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27739/12]

This question is not a matter for the Department of Social Protection. The eligibility criteria for Skillnets is set by the Department of Education and Skills.

Departmental Statistics

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

310 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of unemployed citizens signing on at the Coolock, Dublin 17 and Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, unemployment exchanges in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27749/12]

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tabular statement. The details supplied refer to the total numbers of people on the Live Register in the Coolock and Kilbarrack Social Welfare Local Offices at the end of the months specified. The totals were broadly stable over the period, which is in keeping with the trend observed in the overall Live Register on a national basis in that period.

Coolock Social Welfare Local Office

Year

Nationality

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Benefit

Jobseeker’s Credits

Total

December 2010

Ireland

3,011

947

411

4369

UK

49

15

8

72

EU 13

17

12

4

33

EU Accession 12

137

90

3

230

Non-EU

70

18

2

90

Not Specified

5

2

0

7

Total

3,289

1,084

428

4,801

December 2011

Ireland

3,008

981

331

4320

UK

49

25

3

77

EU 13

13

5

2

20

EU Accession 12

147

92

1

240

Non-EU

84

16

2

102

Not Specified

1

2

1

4

Total

3,302

1,121

340

4,763

May 2012

Ireland

2,897

1,202

295

4,394

UK

48

24

3

75

EU 13

12

6

2

20

EU Accession 12

155

114

1

270

Non-EU

76

21

4

101

Not Specified

23

56

7

86

Total

3,211

1,423

312

4,946

Kilbarrack Social Welfare Local Office

Year

Nationality

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Benefit

Jobseeker’s Credits

Total

December 2010

Ireland

3,009

1,025

645

4,679

UK

60

14

10

84

EU 13

22

16

2

40

EU Accession 12

180

106

2

288

Non-EU

66

19

6

91

Not Specified

23

26

35

84

Total

3,360

1,206

700

5,266

December 2011

Ireland

2,916

1,072

606

4,594

UK

63

19

10

92

EU 13

16

14

4

34

EU Accession 12

174

109

2

285

Non-EU

69

20

6

95

Not Specified

21

26

29

76

Total

3,259

1,260

657

5,176

May 2012

Ireland

2,762

1,310

563

4,635

UK

72

36

11

119

EU 13

13

16

2

31

EU Accession 12

171

138

3

312

Non-EU

55

22

5

82

Not Specified

11

42

17

70

Total

3,084

1,564

601

5,249

Departmental Offices

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

311 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take regarding the answering of phones in her Department; and if her staff have been given proper training. [27750/12]

My Department receives over half-a-million telephone calls per month, across its network of Local Offices and Headquarter buildings. At certain times, due to peaks in the amount of incoming calls, customers may encounter some difficulties in getting through to certain areas of the Department. The Department has implemented a number of initiatives to minimise any such delays for customers including the introduction of new telephony systems and work arrangements. These initiatives have resulted in improvements in telephone response times and overall call management.

The Department's customer service standards are set out in its Customer Charter which includes a commitment to serving our customers in a fair, courteous and timely manner. In order to equip staff to deal effectively with all customers, the Department provides training in customer service which includes communicating effectively with customers, effective telephone techniques, active listening and the importance of understanding and empathy. Training courses also include the raising of awareness of disability, mental health and diversity issues relevant to staff and customers.

The Department has a formal comments and complaints procedure in place to allow customers give feedback on the quality of services they receive and customers can report poor customer service by email toqcs@welfare.ie, by calling 1890 66 22 44, online on www.welfare.ie or by writing to Customer Services, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo. All such complaints are investigated and appropriate action taken to address any complaints received.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

312 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will issue a payment of rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27755/12]

Rent supplement is only payable from the date on the housing needs assessment when the person concerned is moving from the family home. The client was informed of this position in writing on the 19th April 2012.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

313 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27784/12]

A decision to refuse Rent Supplement has been appealed by the person in question and the case is currently with the Appeals Office. 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.

Community Employment Schemes

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

314 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when the review of community employment schemes will be completed; if she will take into consideration the work being carried out through these schemes and maintain 2011 grant levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27785/12]

Responsibility for Community Employment Schemes transferred to the Department with effect from 1 January 2012. Since the transfer of Community Employment to the Department, DSP staff, including former FÁS staff, have been involved in a series of discussions with CE sponsors. These discussions have shown that while notionally focussed on activation, in reality Community Employment programmes deliver a range of services from childcare, healthcare, drugs support to environmental works.

The financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is very near to completion. This review of CE Schemes has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes themselves and for my Department. Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, the financial review of CE schemes has taken longer than originally envisaged to complete. This has allowed more time for schemes to engage with local officials in the finalisation of their respective budgets and for my Department to bring forward improvements to the overall operation of Community Employment which will improve the budgetary situation for schemes.

The key findings will be part of the published review. As you will appreciate the review is of interest and importance to the many stakeholders involved, accordingly I am unable to provide an outline of its content prior to its publication. I will ensure, however, that stakeholders will be able to contribute and respond to the findings.

Due to the current economic circumstances, this Department has had to find significant savings in the Budget for 2012. However, the allowance grants for Supervisors are unchanged, as are the working hours for staff employed under Community Employment. There will also be no decrease in the number of Community Employment places allocated in 2012.

The findings of the separate Labour Market Activation Schemes policy review will also inform the Department's decisions in relation to the CE programme. While no final allocations of materials and training grants have been made pending completion of the financial review, the existing commitment in relation to the financial support of schemes will continue to apply. My Department is committed to supporting the CE participants and the sponsors in continuing the valuable contribution the programme makes to individuals and communities.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

315 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for domiciliary care allowance has been disallowed in respect of (details supplied) in Dublin 22; if she will consider a review in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27811/12]

An application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of this child was received on 18th April 2012. The application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors, who, having examined all the information supplied, found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on 30th May 2012 advising of the decision.

In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed by another medical assessor. Alternatively, they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days.

National Internship Scheme

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

316 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on her statement in the Dail Éireann, Topical Issues, 7 March 2012, that she would seek to make graduate architects eligible for the jobbridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27838/12]

The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals at all skills levels. The aim of JobBridge is to assist individuals in breaking the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience. It provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, relevant knowledge and skills within a working environment. The Scheme is open to organisations in the private, public and community or voluntary sectors.

The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. As at 31st May 2012, 7,495 internship placements have commenced since the launch of the Scheme in July 2011. There are currently 4,872 interns undertaking internship placements. In addition, there are in excess of 1,800 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge websitewww.jobbridge.ie.

Given the success of the programme to date I have asked my Department to review the criteria for availing of the programme to ensure that the scheme gives opportunities to as many as possible so that they can benefit from the success of the programme. In this regard I had previously indicated that I would undertake to have graduate architects who have not formally completed their professional examination included in the scheme.

Currently, the Internship Programme requires that an internship should not be part of a training contract (e.g. as part of a training course for a professional qualification from the Law Society or one of the Accountancy Bodies or Architects). In addition, the programme currently limits access to full time third level education during the time they are with the host organisation. The rationale behind this approach is that such training contracts with professional bodies come with terms and conditions including remuneration. I can advise the Deputy that I have asked that these terms and conditions be re-examined to determine how best graduate architects can be supported to secure their professional qualifications. This process is ongoing.

It must also be articulated that the Scheme is open to Host Organisations to provide internship opportunities for qualified architects. In fact, there are currently 11 architect internships posts advertised on the JobBridge websitewww.jobbridge.ie.

Social Welfare Appeals

Jack Wall

Ceist:

317 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27843/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 February 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Question No. 318 withdrawn.

Invalidity Pension

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

319 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a request for a review of the decision to discontinue invalidity pension payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if she will expedite the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27881/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 14th November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 1st May 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

320 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider expediting a decision, following a request to review the application, for domiciliary care application in resepect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27886/12]

An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on 5th January 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on 27th March 2012 advising the person concerned of the decision. She subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision and supplied additional information on her child's condition. As part of the appeal process, her application along with the extra information she provided, was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who found the child to be medically eligible for the allowance. The person concerned was notified of the decision on 11th June 2012 and payment will issue shortly.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

321 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of her special advisers; if she will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27902/12]

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the names and salaries of my Special Advisers is set out in the tabular statement below:

Title

Name

Annual Salary

Press Adviser

Kathleen Barrington

€86,806

Special Adviser

Edward Brophy

€127,796

The applicable pay scale for Special Advisers is the Principal Officer (standard) scale: €80,051 to €92,672. As Edward Brophy was previously employed in the private sector on a salary package that was more than twice the highest point of the Principal Officer (standard) scale, I sought sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to award a salary which related to his previous remuneration arrangements. A single point salary of €127,796 was sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform effective from 29 July 2011. This represents a reduction of over one third in my Special Adviser's previous salary in the private sector.

Employment Support Services

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

322 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending the period for people on Tús schemes for a further 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27925/12]

Tús is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide up to 5,000 short-term work opportunities for those have been fully unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months, and who are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance at the time of application. At the week ending the 1st June, 4,386 participants and 234 supervisors have been engaged in the provision of services to their communities. The purpose of Tús is the provision of quality work for those who are unemployed in order to break the cycle of unemployment and to improve a person's opportunities in returning to the labour market. I consider the existing 12-month period on Tús to be adequate to meet the objectives of the initiative. It is also essential that we ensure that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from this initiative and this would not be facilitated by extending the duration of existing placements.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

323 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied). [27964/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been 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 and 2011 when the intake rose to 32,432 and 31,241 respectively. 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.

An Ghaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

324 D’fhiafraigh Peadar Tóibín den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí cad iad na bearta a rinneadh maidir leis an sárú atá déanta ar scéim teanga na Roinne; agus cad atá i gceist aici a dhéanamh ina leith. [27967/12]

Oibríonn mo Roinn an scéim de réir na dtreoirlínte reatha arna gcinneadh ag an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe.

Athrú bunúsach ar oibriú na scéime a bheadh i moladh an Choimisinéara Teanga dá dtagraíonn an Teachta, agus dá bhrí sin tá na moltaí curtha ar aghaidh ag mo Roinn chuig an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe dá mbreithniú.

Mortgage Interest Supplement

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

325 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of mortgage interest support payable in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27968/12]

The person concerned is in receipt of mortgage interest supplement at a rate of €264.90 per month which is her full entitlement based on the information available to the Department.

Question No. 326 withdrawn.

Carer’s Allowance

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

327 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue in respect of an application for carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27981/12]

I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Pension Provisions

Pat Breen

Ceist:

328 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a State pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28002/12]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 31st May 2012 and the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer decision when the appeal has been determined.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Social Welfare Appeals

Pat Breen

Ceist:

329 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28003/12]

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 summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 7th June 2012.

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.

Question No. 330 withdrawn.

Social Insurance

Joe Carey

Ceist:

331 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on progress made in relation to the reform of the social insurance scheme for the self-employed; when she expects this work to be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28027/12]

I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare in June 2011 to address a number of specific issues regarding the operation and interaction of the tax and social protection systems. The Group has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be addressed and better poverty outcomes achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes.

The Group has been asked to examine a number of issues and to identify specific practical institutional and administrative improvements. One of the issues I have asked them to examine and report on is the question of providing social insurance cover for self-employed persons in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable.

The Group is currently prioritising child income support payments and will, thereafter, examine other issues, including the feasibility of provision of social insurance cover for the self-employed.

The Group's overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the terms of reference. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget/estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

332 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will indicate the amount of arrears owed for rent and maintenance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28030/12]

According to the information available to the Department, the person concerned is not due arrears in respect of rent supplement. Any maintenance payments owed to this person are not a matter for this Department.

Disability Allowance

John McGuinness

Ceist:

333 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow and if she will expedite a positive response. [28101/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 6th December 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Question No. 334 withdrawn.

Carer’s Allowance

John McGuinness

Ceist:

335 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow, if she will expedite a positive decision given the urgency of the case. [28106/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 22nd November 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Pension Provisions

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

336 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the discussions she has had with the pensions industry in respect of addressing the funding shortfall faced by many defined benefit schemes; the way sovereign annuities may assist in addressing this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25597/12]

The Government is conscious of the significant structural and affordability problems with defined benefit (DB) pension provisions due to a range of factors such as underestimation of longevity, poor investment decisions and the market turmoil that occurred in 2008. While pension funds have recovered somewhat, significant underfunding challenges remain for many schemes.

The requirements of the Funding Standard were suspended on a temporary basis to allow trustees time to respond to the challenges facing pension schemes. In 2009 and 2010, a number of amendments were made to the Pensions Act to assist trustees respond to these challenges. The changes included the establishment of a Pensions Insolvency Payments scheme, changes to how the assets of a scheme are distributed should a scheme wind-up, and broadening the scope for schemes to restructure scheme benefits.

The sovereign annuity is an initiative proposed by the Irish Association of Pension Funds and the Society of Actuaries and is a new type of annuity product where payment under the policy will be directly linked to the proceeds of Euro denominated bonds issued by any EU member state. Legislation for sovereign annuities was introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions, Act 2010.

Work commenced on an examination of the DB pension model in 2010. A consultation process on possible options in relation to changes to the DB model was conducted in late 2010 and summer 2011. This included the pensions industry, trade unions and employer representatives. The outcome of that consultation is available on my Department website at the following location:www.welfare.ie/EN/Policy/Legislation/Regulatory%20Impact%20Analysis/Documents/ riapension.pdf.

Following the consultation, the Government approved changes to the DB model and legislation was introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2012 to give effect to some of these changes. The primary change is that pension schemes will be required to hold a risk reserve in addition to those required under the Funding Standard. The level of the risk reserve that the scheme needs to fund is related directly to the amount of investment risk the scheme is carrying. Credit under the Funding Standard will be given to schemes that reduce their investment risk and better match their pensioner liabilities. This risk reserve will act as a "buffer" against future volatility in financial markets and is designed is to help the security of members benefits and the sustainability of DB pension schemes.

The Funding Standard was re-introduced by the Pensions Regulator on 7 June 2012 and schemes will be required to submit funding proposals in the coming months.

The sovereign annuity initiative provides pension schemes with an additional option which was not previously available. Pension schemes that purchase sovereign annuities or the underlying bonds will benefit from a reduction in their liabilities under the Funding Standard to the extent that they actually make those purchases. The nominated bonds underpinning these annuity policies can also be bought by investors or by pension scheme trustees who wish to pay pensions directly from the pension fund.

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

337 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Money Advice and Budgeting Service has requested additional resources to assist in the carrying out of its duties; if she is satisfied that the banks are engaging constructively with MABS and their clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25601/12]

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) operates under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board. The Citizens Information Board is in the process of preparing the budget estimates for 2013 and has requested all MABS companies to submit their individual estimates before the end of June.

In 2012 funding of some €18 million has been provided to support the MABS and in December 2011, sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the retention of 12 temporary posts within the MABS network for a further two year period.

Since 2009 MABS and member institutions of the Irish Banking Federation (IBF) have had an operational protocol on debt management which is a means through which IBF members and MABS work together to put in place sustainable, affordable repayment plans for customers/clients. The process of putting in place such plans for people who are experiencing financial problems can be complex due to the high levels of debt and much reduced level of income. The protocol provides a framework for agreeing financial arrangements and also provides a mechanism through which MABS and IBF members can work together to address and resolve issues which may impede progress.

I am satisfied that MABS provides a high quality personal service to assist people in overcoming their indebtedness and managing their finances.

Child Care Services

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

338 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection if officials in her Department will be involved in discussions with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to the changes in childcare provision moving towards the Scandinavian model being introduced here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21304/12]

The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, 2012, which was enacted on 1 May, 2012, introduces changes to the structure of the one-parent family payment (OFP) and to the age of the youngest child at which the payment ceases. These changes are being brought in over time. From 3 May, 2012, the age of the youngest child is being reduced on a phased basis to 7 years for new recipients from 2014 and existing recipients from 2015. This phased reduction will not affect existing recipients until 2013.

Between now and 2015, the consequences of these changes will be examined on a cross-Departmental basis and in consultation with the various groups that represent lone parents nationwide in order to ensure that the required level of services are in place to support lone parents as their youngest child reaches the relevant age thresholds.

As part of this examination, discussions have already been taking place between officials from my Department, from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (which is the lead Department in child care policy) and from the Department of Education and Skills with regard to the development of a policy framework around school-age child care and, in the short-term, the assessment of the extent of the current provision of such care.

More specifically, an inter-Departmental group, chaired by my Department and comprising of representatives from both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Education and Skills, has been established to examine the provision of school-age child care. This group is currently assessing the needs and provision of school-age child care focusing initially on the needs of lone parents.

Child Benefit

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

339 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to lessen the negative impact of the habitual residence condition on Traveller children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23975/12]

The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004. The effect of the condition is that a person whose habitual residence is elsewhere would not normally be entitled to social welfare assistance or child benefit payments on arrival in Ireland.

There is no discrimination on grounds of nationality or ethnic background in social welfare legislation and to introduce such a provision would be contrary to the equality principles that Ireland has adopted in its equality legislation, the Treaties of the European Community and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and other international conventions.

Under Social Welfare legislation, decisions in relation to all aspects of claims are made by statutorily appointed Deciding Officers. Each case received for a determination on the Habitual Residence Condition is dealt with in its own right and a decision is based on application of the legislation and guidelines to the particular individual circumstances of each case.

The determination of a person's habitual residence is made in accordance with five factors which are set out in legislation, as follows:

(a) the length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country;

(b) the length and purpose of any absence from the State;

(c) the nature and pattern of the person's employment;

(d) the person's main centre of interest, and

(e) the future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances.

These five factors have been derived from European Court of Justice case law.

Any applicant who disagrees with the decision on a case has the right to request a review of that decision and/or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Officials of my Department have had a meeting with a traveller's representative group to discuss a wide range of difficulties experienced by the travelling community and, currently, those issues raised at that meeting are being examined.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

John Halligan

Ceist:

340 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has commissioned any reports into the impact of the domiciliary care allowance review on vulnerable children; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23998/12]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

341 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has commissioned any reports into the impact of the domiciliary care allowance review on vulnerable children; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23995/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together.

The domiciliary care allowance (DCA) scheme has been administered by the Department of Social Protection since April 2009 and I have recently announced that a review of the operation of the scheme is to be carried out over the coming months. This review will look at, amongst other things, the current application and assessment process and identify any potential improvements to the delivery of service to customers that can be implemented while retaining an efficient and effective operational model. The terms of reference for the review are being finalised at present and it is expected that it will commence shortly.

As the Deputies are aware, DCA is a monthly payment to the parent/guardian of a child with a disability so severe that the child requires care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be provided to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living and the child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

Individual claims are reviewed by the Department to ensure that payment continues to be made to all parents/guardians whose children have an on-going need for this support.

To date, the Department has not commissioned any report on the scheme.

Social Welfare Benefits

John Halligan

Ceist:

342 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection her rationale for changing the jobseeker’s payment from over a six day week to over a five day week as it will act as a disincentive to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27714/12]

In the last four years the numbers in receipt of a jobseekers payment who are also working on a part-time or casual basis has increased by almost 200%. At the end of May 2012 there were some 87,578people in this situation on the Live Register and some 40,687 of these were claiming jobseeker’s benefit.

In line with other Budget measures the effect of this measure will not impact on any person whose sole income is from social welfare. It will only apply to those who have earned additional income from working some days during the week.

The effect of this measure will be to reduce the contribution from jobseeker's benefit to the weekly amount of total income and help towards a reduction in the reliance on the welfare system among those who currently avail of a mix of welfare and earned income. As a savings measure, the change will reduce costs within the jobseeker's benefit scheme but the scheme will continue to deliver incentives towards additional employment for part-time and casual workers. It is important to note that the measure applies to jobseeker's benefit only and that recipients of jobseeker's benefit may opt for jobseeker's allowance, which is subject to a means test.

Entitlement to jobseeker's benefit is based, inter alia, on the claimant being unemployed for three days in any period of six days with benefit being paid at a flat rate, irrespective of earnings. Jobseeker's allowance is also based on satisfaction of ‘three in six' criteria but entitlement is thereafter determined by reference to weekly means. Therefore the jobseeker's allowance scheme takes account of the earnings of part-time and casual workers, via means reduction in respect of any day in which they have earnings from employment.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

John Halligan

Ceist:

343 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of persons in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance and the way this compares 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27715/12]

Domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment to the parent or guardian of a child under the age of 16 with a disability so severe that the child requires care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. Eligibility for DCA is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.

There were 24,148 parents/guardians in receipt of DCA in respect of 25,924 children at 30th April 2012. This compares to:

24,101 parents/guardians in receipt of DCA in respect of 25,914 children on 31st December 2011; and

23,428 parents/guardians in respect of 25,234 children on 31st December 2010.

Disability Allowance

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

344 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an oral hearing appeal on a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28125/12]

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, allowed the appeal of the person concerned who has been notified of the decision.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Invalidity Pension

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

345 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision in relation to their application for an invalidity pension appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28149/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 1st June 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Community Employment Schemes

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

346 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the ongoing review of the funding of community employment schemes; when this review will be completed; if she will acknowledge that the delay in clarifying the funding situation for community employment schemes is causing difficulties for these schemes in maximising their full potential due to their funding concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28150/12]

Responsibility for Community Employment Schemes transferred to the Department with effect from 1 January 2012. Since the transfer of Community Employment to the Department, DSP staff, including former FÁS staff, have been involved in a series of discussions with CE sponsors. These discussions have shown that while notionally focussed on activation, in reality Community Employment programmes deliver a range of services from childcare, healthcare, drugs support to environmental works.

The financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is very near to completion. This review of CE Schemes has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes themselves and for my Department.

Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, the financial review of CE schemes has taken longer than originally envisaged to complete. This has allowed more time for schemes to engage with local officials in the finalisation of their respective budgets and for my Department to bring forward improvements to the overall operation of Community Employment which will improve the budgetary situation for schemes.

The outcomes of this review will be communicated directly to CE sponsoring organisations by staff in my Department in the coming weeks.

While no final allocations of materials and training grants have been made pending completion of the financial review, the existing commitment in relation to the financial support of schemes will continue to apply. This has lessened the impact on schemes. My Department is committed to the continuing support of the Community Employment Programme and the valuable contribution the programme makes to individuals and communities.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

347 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will be reinstated in respect of an application for rent allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28154/12]

Payment will only be reinstated when the person concerned is in receipt of a primary payment. Currently, the person concerned has a Jobseeker's Benefit claim pending since the 5th June 2012. When a decision has been made regarding this claim, the payment of rent supplement can be reassessed accordingly.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

348 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate if jobseeker’s allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28155/12]

Jobseeker's allowance in respect of the person concerned was disallowed as his means were deemed to be in excess of the statutory limit.

Carer’s Allowance

Paschal Donohoe

Ceist:

349 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason back dated carer’s allowance payments amounting to €5,000 over the past two years have not been paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28157/12]

The person in question has been awarded carer's allowance with effect from 18 August 2011. Payment of his first entitlement will issue to his nominated bank account on Thursday 14 June 2012. Arrears due for the intervening period less any other payment made on his behalf and less any other overpayments that may have occurred will be calculated and will issue in due course.

Redundancy Payments

Dan Neville

Ceist:

350 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a statutory redundancy payment application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28198/12]

A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned has been awarded and a cheque payment issued in early May 2012.

Social Welfare Benefits

Paudie Coffey

Ceist:

351 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 350 of the 11 January 2012, if there are any further updates in relation to this matter; if the departmental group has finalised its examination of the unique position of retained fire fighters and their social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28201/12]

Taking account of the unusual circumstances of retained fire brigade personnel and general efforts to develop and standardise our jobseeker schemes, a departmental group was established in late 2011 to examine the position of these workers vis-à-vis jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance.

While this examination has been largely completed, a number of issues arising from it are being considered further. My officials will be in touch with relevant deputies in this regard as soon as possible.

Community Employment Schemes

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

352 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection when the outcome of the review of community employment will be communicated to the services involved on the ground. [28203/12]

Responsibility for Community Employment Schemes transferred to the Department with effect from 1 January 2012. Since the transfer of Community Employment to the Department, DSP staff, including former FÁS staff, have been involved in a series of discussions with CE sponsors. These discussions have shown that while notionally focussed on activation, in reality Community Employment programmes deliver a range of services from childcare, healthcare, drugs support to environmental works.

The financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is very near to completion. This review of CE Schemes has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes themselves and for my Department.

Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, the financial review of CE schemes has taken longer than originally envisaged to complete. This has allowed more time for schemes to engage with local officials in the finalisation of their respective budgets and for my Department to bring forward improvements to the overall operation of Community Employment which will improve the budgetary situation for schemes.

The outcomes of this review will be communicated to CE sponsoring organisations directly by staff in my Department in the coming weeks. My Department is committed to supporting the Community Employment Programme and the valuable contribution the programme makes to the provision of services to individuals and communities.

Disability Allowance

Paschal Donohoe

Ceist:

353 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal application for disablement benefit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28207/12]

Paschal Donohoe

Ceist:

358 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disablement benefit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28229/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 358 together.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned.

Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.

Following the submission of additional evidence the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of his appeal has been finalised.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

354 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way it occurred that an alleged overpayment was made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, the way they are expected to pay €75.00 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28217/12]

Following a review in 2009 of the person's disability allowance claim it was found that the person had failed to notify the Department of her spouse's earnings from employment. When this income was assessed it was decided that the person was entitled to a reduced rate of disability allowance for the period 7 January 2009 to 28 April 2009. This reduction in entitlement resulted in an overpayment. The person was notified in writing of this decision and separate letters were sent to her regarding the recovery of the overpayment.

The person is no longer in receipt of disability allowance as her means exceed the statutory limit for receipt of that payment.

The Department is required to take all appropriate steps in order to recover the debt which is owed. The weekly repayment amount of €75 was proposed by the Department as the person was considered to be in a position to service the debt at this rate based on the information available to the department regarding her means. The person was also advised that if the information available to the Department did not accurately reflect her current position she should contact the Department to discuss the options available to her. The person has made no contact with the Department despite three letters sent to her. It is open to the person to contact the Department to discuss the options in relation to the recovery of the overpayment.

Social Welfare Benefits

Jack Wall

Ceist:

355 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the discrepancy in the back to school clothing and footwear allowance payment for person’s who receive family income supplement (details supplied); if she will investigate the problem and seek to have the matter changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28219/12]

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €63.7 million for the scheme for 2012.

A person may qualify for payment of BSCFA in respect of a qualified child or children if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment or Health Service Executive payment, or participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels.

Under the conditions of the BSCFA scheme, income assessed from employment includes earnings before tax, excluding PRSI and travelling expenses of up to €20 a week. Income received under family income support (FIS) is disregarded when determining entitlement to BSCFA.

The assessment under FIS differs in that income from earnings is assessed as gross pay minus tax, employees PRSI, Universal Social Charge, contributions to Personal Retirement Savings Accounts, superannuation and public service pension levy where payable. The more generous assessment for FIS makes it possible for more people to qualify for this payment which is designed to preserve the financial incentive to take-up or remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might be marginally better off in employment than on social welfare payments.

I have no plans to revise the income assessment under the BSCFA scheme at this time.

Redundancy Payments

Arthur Spring

Ceist:

356 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a statutory redundancy application in respect of a person (details supplied); and when they may expect to receive payment. [28226/12]

A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned has been awarded and payment will issue in the coming weeks.

Carer’s Allowance

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

357 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection the up to date numbers of recipients in 2012 for each of the following: carers allowance, carers allowance recipients caring for more than one person, half rate carer’s allowance, half carer’s allowance recipients and name of second social welfare payment received, carer’s benefit, respite care grant 2011, respite care grant recipients caring for more than one person, respite care grant recipients who do not receive carer’s allowance, children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28228/12]

The information requested is contained in the tables:

Carer's Allowance Recipients as at 30 April 2012

Caring For one person.

Caring For Two or more people

Total No of Carers

48,856

4,606

53,462

Of the above 53,462 carer's allowance recipients 22,099 are in receipt of half-rate carer's allowance and another social welfare payment as per table below:

PRIMARY PAYMENT RECEIVED

NUMBER

STATE PENSION TRANSITION/STATE PENSION CONTRIBUTORY

3,048

QUALIFIED ADULT STATE PENSION TRANSITION/STATE PENSION CONTRIBUTORY

1,788

STATE PENSION NON CONTRIBUTORY

1,906

QUALIFIED ADULT STATE PENSION NON CONTRIBUTORY

298

WIDOWS CONTRIBUTORY PENSION

1,270

WIDOWS NON CONTRIBUTORY PENSION

86

DESERTED WIVES BENEFIT

301

1/2 RATE—PWA

1

BLIND PENSION

16

QUALIFIED ADULT BLIND PENSION

29

INVALIDITY PENSION

1,155

QUALIFIED ADULT INVALIDITY PENSION

1,174

DISABILITY ALLOWANCE

1,096

QUALIFIED ADULT DISABILITY ALLOWANCE

1,430

ILLNESS BENEFIT

996

QUALIFIED ADULT ILLNESS BENEFIT

313

INJURY BENEFIT

19

QUALIFIED ADULT INJURY BENEFIT

11

INCAPACITY BENEFIT

3

QUALIFIED ADULT INCAPACITY BENEFIT

5

PRE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE

108

QUALIFIED ADULT PRETA

27

JOB BEN QUALIFIED ADULT

409

JOB ALL QUALIFIED ADULT

1,339

FARM ASSIST

136

QUALIFIED ADULT FARM ASSIST

101

MATERNITY BENEFIT

36

ADOPTIVE BENEFIT

1

ONE PARENT FAMILY PAYMENT

4,330

½ RATE BTW QA

16

BTW QUALIFIED ADULT

3

OTHERS

648

TOTAL

22,099

Carer's Benefit Recipients — 2012 (to date)

Caring For one person.

Caring For Two or more people

Total

1,521

89

1,610

Respite Care Grants for Carer's Allowance Recipients — 2011

Caring For one person.

Caring For Two or more people

Total No of RCGs.

36,674

2,927

42,528

Respite Care Grants for Domiciliary Care Allowance Recipients — 2012

Caring For one person.

Caring For Two or more people

Total No of Children being cared for.

24,245

1,786

26,031

Respite Care Grants — 2011

Recipients who are not in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit or domiciliary care allowance.

Caring For 1 person.

Caring For 2 people

Caring for 3 people.

Total

4,465

130

1

4,596

Question No. 358 answered with Question No. 353.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Clare Daly

Ceist:

359 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure full participation of parents and members of the carer’s association in the promised review of policies and procedures regarding the domiciliary care allowance. [28232/12]

The domiciliary care allowance (DCA) scheme has been administered by the Department of Social Protection since April 2009. I recently announced that a policy review of the operation of the scheme will be carried out over the coming months. This review will look, amongst other things, at the current application and assessment process with a view to identifying any potential improvements to the delivery of service that can be implemented, while retaining an efficient and effective operational model. The terms of reference for the review and the appointment of a chairperson are being finalised at present and I will be making announcements in that regard shortly. In terms of consultation, officials from the Department have met parents and representatives of advocacy groups on a number of occasions in recent months and I would envisage that further consultations will be an important part of the forthcoming review process.

Social Insurance

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

360 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes she is considering, if any, to the current PRSI system for owner/directors. [28267/12]

The Department is currently examining its procedures for determining the insurability status of working directors having regard to court judgements on the matter and good practice. It would be premature to comment at this stage on the outcome of these deliberations.

National Internship Scheme

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

361 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some recipients of one-parent family allowance, who until recently were unable to access the jobbridge programme and undertook work placements instead, are still unable to access jobbridge placements in the same organisation owing to existing rules; and if these rules may be amended to facilitate access to the jobbridge programme. [28268/12]

The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1 July 2011. It provides internship opportunities of either 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals at all skills levels. The aim of JobBridge is to assist individuals in breaking the cycle where they are unable to get a job without experience. It provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, relevant knowledge and skills within a working environment. The Scheme is open to organisations in the private, public and community or voluntary sectors. The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. As at 31 May 2012, 7,495 internship placements have commenced since the launch of the Scheme in July 2011. There are currently 4,872 interns undertaking internship placements. In addition, there are in excess of 1,800 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge websitewww.jobbridge.ie.

From 28 May 2012, the eligibility criteria were extended to include those in receipt of One Parent Family Payment and Disability Allowance. The terms and conditions of the Scheme provide that an individual cannot apply for a Jobbridge internship with an organisation that they have previously completed a WPP with. The rationale behind this is to prevent a company from accessing multiple placements with the same individual. My Department continues to monitor and review the operation of the JobBridge scheme on an on-going basis. However, currently there are no plans to amend these regulations. Finally, it is important to highlight that an individual who has partaken in the Work Placement Programme may also undertake an internship with a different Host Organisation.

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

362 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied with the information available in respect of the means test process which she follows in determining applications to allowance schemes; if further clear, comprehensible information with guidelines on income limits and bands will be made available to assist persons when making applications to such schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28269/12]

The primary objective of the Department's information policy is to ensure that all customers are made aware of the wide range of schemes and services available and that they are kept fully informed of changes and improvements as they occur. Information provided includes the qualifying conditions for schemes and details of means assessments. The Department produces a comprehensive range of information leaflets and booklets which include guidelines on means assessment and these are available from a number of outlets including Social Welfare Local Offices, Citizens Information Service offices and Post Offices. Information can also be requested through the Department's websitewww.welfare.ie.

Comprehensive information on means assessment for the various social assistance schemes is also published on the Department's website under the operational guidelines relating to each scheme and is also available on the website of the Citizens Information Board. The Department operates a network of some 125 local and branch offices throughout the country where advice may be sought in relation to specific schemes. These locally-based services are supported by a central Information Unit which operates a LoCall information line (1890 66 22 44) which customers may call for information and guidance on their entitlements. LoCall information lines are also operated in the individual scheme areas where more detailed information may be obtained in relation to qualifying conditions and means assessment for specific schemes.

The Citizens Information Board, which comes under the aegis of my Department, is the national information agency with responsibility for supporting the provision of independent information and advice on the broad range of social services including social welfare services. Information is provided through Citizens Information Centres and other offices throughout the country, through the Citizens Information Phone Service (0761 07 9000) which operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and on their website atwww.citizensinformation.ie. I am satisfied that comprehensive information and guidance on means assessment for all schemes administered by my Department is available to all our customers.

Question No. 363 withdrawn.

Carer’s Allowance

Pat Breen

Ceist:

364 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28326/12]

I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Community Employment Schemes

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

365 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment schemes in County Cavan in 2012; the number of participants on each scheme; the level of funding provided for each scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28327/12]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

366 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment schemes in County Cavan in 2011; the number of participants on each scheme; the level of funding provided for each scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28328/12]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

367 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment schemes in County Monaghan in 2012; the number of participants on each scheme; the level of funding provided for each scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28329/12]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

368 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment schemes in County Monaghan in 2011; the number of participants on each scheme; the level of funding provided for each scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28330/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 to 368, inclusive, together.

The table below sets out the details of all Community Employment (CE) schemes in Cavan and Monaghan in 2011 and 2012, as well as the number of participants on each and the level of funding provided. It should be noted that Shannon Community Development in County Cavan and Doohamlet in County Monaghan were amalgamated with other schemes in 2012. The number of participant places was not affected by this change and the local community and voluntary groups continue to retain the services of the CE workers.

2012 — Cavan

Project Name

Contract dates

No. of participants

Funding

B C E group Ltd

4/7/11-29/6/12

23

€341,048

Crosserlough

25/7/11-20/7/12

18

€273,308

Killeshandra SES

10/10/11-5/10/12

17

€257,928

Ramor CE

29/8/11-24/8/12

19

€285,688

Bailieboro CE

21/11/11-16/11/12

38

€550,932

Mid West Cavan Com

28/11/11-23/11/12

17

€256,808

Cavan Town CE

9/1/12-4/1/13

23

€335,328

Laragh Area

9/1/12-4/1/13

20

€295,668

Cavan Youth and Envir

2/1/12-28/12/12

25

€376,177

Garrymore CE

7/5/12-3/5/13

17

€256,008

Totals

217

€3,228,894

It should be noted that the level of funding for 2012 is an indicative figure as schemes are reimbursed in respect of eligible expenditure incurred and the final figure cannot be established until each scheme is finished.

2011 — Cavan

Project Name

Contract dates

No. of participants

Funding

B C E Group Ltd

5/7/10-1/7/2011

23

€354,846

Crosserlough

26/7/10-22/7/11

18

€292,000

Killeshandra SES

11/10/10-7/10/11

17

€280,583

Ramor CE

30/8/10-26/8/11

19

€329,779

Bailieboro CE

22/11/10-18/11/11

38

€590,485

Mid West Cavan

29/11/10-25/11/11

17

€291,844

Cavan Town CE

10/1/11-6/1/12

23

€330,997

Laragh Area

10/1/11-6/1/12

20

€321,398

Cavan Youth and Envir

3/1/11-30/12/11

25

€373,517

Shannon CE

4/4/11-25/5/12

15

€249,362

Garrymore CE

10/5/10-6/5/11

17

€273,382

Total for 2011

232

€3,688,197

2012 — Monaghan

Project Name

Contract dates

No. of participants

Funding

Newbliss Dev. Group

30/1/12-25/1/2013

26

€393,030

Emyvale District CES

30/1/12-25/1/13

44

€630,990

Mullaghmatt CCDL

31/10/11-26/10/12

19

€283,888

St. Josephs CEDP

21/11/11-16/11/12

22

€323,368

Clones Chamber of Commerce

7/11/11-2/11/12

13

€204,088

Monaghan Group of Parishes

9/1/12- 4/1/13

18

€269,228

Parish of Tyholland

2/1/12-28/12/12

19

€282,448

Donaghmoyne Dev. Group

4/4/11-30/3/12

20

€360,078

Bawnlatton Dev

27/6/11-22/6/12

40

€736,190

Muckno Comm Services

30/1/12-25/1/13

35

€512,010

Church of Ireland

26/3/12-22/3/13

20

€295,668

Ballybay Dev Group

17/10/11-12/10/12

23

€337,528

Total

289

€4,628,514

It should be noted that the level of funding for 2012 is an indicative figure as schemes are reimbursed in respect of eligible expenditure incurred and the final figure cannot be established until each scheme is finished.

2011 — Monaghan

Project Name

Contract dates

No. of participants

Funding

Newbliss Dev.Group

27/10/10-26/12/11

26

€413,207

Emyvale District CES

31/01/11-27/01/12

44

€703,343

Mullaghmatt CCDL

01/11/10-28/10/11

15

€276,783

St.Josephs CEDP

22/11/10-18/11/11

21

€309,485

Clones Chamber of Commerce

8/11/10-4/11/11

13

€216,727

Monaghan Group of Parishes

10/1/11-6/1/12

18

€291,094

Parish of Tyholland

3/1/11-30/12/11

16

€245,751

Donaghmoyne Dev. Group

5/4/10-1/4/11

18

€325,314

Bawnlatton Dev

28/6/10-24/6/11

40

€640,828

Muckno Comm Services

31/1/11-27/1/12

28

€449,994

Church of Ireland

28/3/11-23/3/12

15

€244,062

Ballybay Dev Group

18/10/10-14/10/11

18

€264,888

Doohamlet

28/11/11-14/5/12

21

€152,427

Total

289

€4,533,903

Rent Supplement Scheme

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

369 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the criteria for determination of entitlement to rent allowance with particular reference to the need to take into account variations in rent costs driven by local market factors which in may cases disqualify applicants from any entitlement and who are consequently forced to live in unsound or unsuitable conditions which in some cases are in breach of good practice in the absence of adequate local authority housing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28345/12]

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 93,800 persons in receipt of rent supplement, for which the Government has provided €436m in 2012.

New maximum rent limits were introduced from 1 January 2012 following analysis of the most up-to-date market data available. The emphasis of the review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation. The rent levels are being monitored by Department officials and at this point there are no plans to revise the existing limits. Responsibility for setting and enforcing housing standards rests with the Local Authorities. However, accommodation occupied by rent supplement tenants should at least meet minimum housing standards. In consultation with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, S.I. No. 572 of 2006 and Section 25 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 introduced the condition that allows the Department's officer administering supplementary welfare allowance to decide that a rent supplement may not be payable where it has been notified by a housing authority of the non-compliance with standards.

Where such a notification is received from a housing authority in respect of an existing tenant it is recommended that the designated officer would discuss the situation with the tenant and take whatever action it decides is necessary in the best interests of the tenant. This condition for rent supplement supports the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in their aim to promote further improvement in private rented accommodation standards.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

370 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if having regard to the views expressed by some of her predecessors to the effect that rent supplement would in the future feature as a replacement for local authority housing, the way it is contended that the housing needs of eligible applicants are likely to be met in the future in view of the need for budgetary cutbacks which she inherited from her predecessors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28346/12]

On 16th 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. This framework statement reflects the content of the Programme for Government and sets out the principles to underpin the development of housing policy into the medium term. The framework statement specifically contains the announcement for the transfer of responsibility for providing housing needs for long term rent supplement recipients to housing authorities on a phased basis. The focus of this approach is to achieve a key Government commitment to remove barriers to employment, and at the same time, returning rent supplement to its original purpose of a short-term income support. There are currently approximately 93,800 persons in receipt of rent supplement, for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.

A multi-agency steering group has been established by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to give effect to this initiative and this group is currently developing proposals and operational protocols for the transfer of responsibility from the Department of Social Protection to housing authorities of persons who have long term housing requirements. A commencement date for the new arrangements of 1 January 2013 has been approved by Government, subject to further consideration of the matter by it. Such consideration will include a detailed economic assessment of the proposal, the possibility of centralised management and reporting arrangements, any required amendments to Housing and Social Welfare legislation and consistency with overall expenditure ceilings for 2013 and 2014 set out in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure Report. The consideration of an Exchequer neutral mechanism for funding and resourcing the proposed measure having regard to medium term expenditure targets will be examined.

Departmental Staff

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

371 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she has monitored the staff requirements throughout her Department with particular reference to the need to eliminate backlogs arising from the increased number of applicants for various payments; if it has been found possible to respond to ongoing and increasing demand arising from the economic situation which she inherited from her predecessors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28347/12]

My Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers and is taking all available steps to ensure appropriate resources are in place to deliver its services. Since May 2008, some 990 staff have been assigned across the Department to fill critical vacancies and additional posts allocated to deal with the increased volume of claims. Taking into account the numbers of staff who have left the Department and the vacancies that exist currently, a net total of 226 additional staff have been assigned to the Department. These were sourced mainly through transfer and redeployment from other Government Departments. In addition, the Department has recruited new medical assessors and appointed additional staff to the social welfare appeals office. The Department also makes judicious use of overtime and employs temporary staff as appropriate to address particular service issues as they arise.

In relation to processing times, these vary across schemes depending on the differing qualification criteria. In order to improve services in this area and to enhance customer service in general, the Department has embarked on a major programme of process redesign and modernisation, including the development and roll-out of new computer systems.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

372 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for rent support currently on hand; the number of such applications refused on a monthly basis over the past two years; the numbers granted in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28348/12]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

380 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received in her Department or through the Health Service Executive for mortgage interest support in each of the past two years and to date in 2012; the number granted refused or pending; the average length of time taken to determine such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28357/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 380 together.

Statistics are not available on the number of rent or mortgage interest supplement applications received for the past 2 years and to date in 2012 or the outcome of those applications. However, below is a tabular statement showing the number of rent and mortgage interest supplement claims awarded during these periods. The timescale for determining applications is dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements etc. In addition, some aspects of the application are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where investigations such as home visits or third party evidence are required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.

The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department's staff dealing with applications. However, this is tempered by the necessity to ensure that every case is fully investigated and that all cases are dealt with in a consistent and fair manner. While statistics are not available on the average length of time taken to assess mortgage interest supplement, I am satisfied that the Department's staff dealing with these applications make every effort to ensure claims are processed in an efficient manner.

Details of claims awarded in 2010 to 2012:

Year

Rent Supplement

Mortgage Interest Supplement

2010

71,674

11,321

2011

63,878

10,106

2012 (1)

21,363

3,271

(1) To 1st June 2012

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

373 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for domiciliary care allowance received on a monthly basis over the past two years; the numbers granted and or refused in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28349/12]

The number of domiciliary care allowance applications received on a monthly basis in 2010 and 2011 is set out in table 1 below:

Table 1 — Domiciliary Care Allowance received per month in 2010 and 2011

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

2010

310

424

402

494

484

500

561

439

456

603

491

293

2011

337

467

471

570

512

539

560

342

524

427

400

376

The number of applicants for DCA that were received, awarded and refused in 2010 and 2011 is set out in table 2 below. The statistics requested are not recorded on a monthly basis.

Table 2 — Domiciliary Care Allowance applications — 2010 and 2011

Year

Applications received

Applications fully processed in year

Applications allowed incl. on review*

Applications disallowed

2010

5,457

5,333

2,576

2,757

2011

5,525

5,396

2,502

2,894

(*Includes cases initially disallowed but allowed on review following receipt of additional information).

Carer’s Benefit

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

374 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for carer’s allowance received on a monthly basis over the past two years; the numbers granted and or refused in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28350/12]

The information requested by the deputy is set out in tabular form below. These figures are accurate to the end of April 2012.

Month

Numbers Registered

Numbers Granted

Numbers Refused

May 2010

1,479

668

610

June 2010

1,678

773

856

July 2010

1,820

856

681

August 2010

1,074

411

411

September 2010

1,334

614

503

October 2010

1,501

734

685

November 2010

1,387

1,020

812

December 2010

1,078

610

423

January 2011

1,251

604

440

February 2011

1,321

748

598

March 2011

1,243

620

497

April 2011

1,908

616

429

May 2011

1,374

589

306

June 2011

1,074

411

234

July 2011

1,482

900

568

August 2011

168

564

368

September 2011

2,836

633

481

October 2011

2,232

634

440

November 2011

1,435

559

381

December 2011

935

589

485

January 2012

1,056

644

401

February 2012

2,240

507

351

March 2012

1,185

547

373

April 2012

980

473

274

Invalidity Pension

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

375 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for invalidity pension received on a monthly basis over the past two years; the numbers granted and or refused in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28351/12]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton):

Month

Claims Received

Claims Allowed

Claims Disallowed

June 2010

528

301

301

July 2010

974

352

290

August 2010

583

354

269

September 2010

599

293

220

October 2010

936

338

328

November 2010

832

351

334

June 2011

1,090

365

370

July 2011

1,261

427

672

August 2011

1,002

243

194

September 2011

1,727

439

1,014

October 2011

1,111

216

799

November 2011

1,178

264

916

December 2011

1,097

153

732

January 2012

1,125

417

1,012

February 2012

1,205

437

836

March 2012

1,106

454

708

April 2012

944

282

554

May 2012

1,095

479

1,149

The figure for claims allowed and disallowed is not available from December 2010 to June 2011 as a dual payments system was in operation in preparation for migration to the BOMi platform.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

376 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the entitlement to rent allowance in respect of single fathers who have shared custody entitlement derived from court decisions but who do not seem to qualify for rent support other than as a single person resulting in their failure to meet their obligations to the courts arising from family law settlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28353/12]

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme 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. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 93,800 persons in receipt of rent supplement, with €436 million provided in 2012.

Any person seeking a rent supplement must first satisfy the Department's representative that they have a housing need that they are unable to meet from their own resources. In addition, the Department must be satisfied that the residence is reasonably suited to the residential and other needs of the claimant. The Department must also be satisfied that the rent payable is reasonable having regard to the nature, character and location of the residence.

In a case where parents have joint custody of a child, the needs of both parents to have adequate accommodation to look after the child are taken into account when an application for a rent supplement is being determined. In such cases, documentation is normally required showing that a joint custody arrangement is in place and being availed of before a decision can be made. Every claim for rent supplement is determined having regard to all of the circumstances of the case.

Social Welfare Application Forms

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

377 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is possible to simplify the application forms and procedures for any of the social protection entitlements in view of the extraordinary length of time taken to process voluminous application forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28354/12]

It is the policy of my Department to standardise and simplify its application forms as much as possible. Plain English principles are applied in the design of all primary application forms to ensure a simple, clear, easy to read format that is accessible to people with different levels of literacy ability.

The design and layout of each application form must also have regard to the particular requirements of the individual scheme or payment and ensure that the form captures all of the information required to process the application. The content and layout of application forms are reviewed annually to ensure they are kept up-to-date and that any changes comply with our Plain English principles.

The Department has a continuous programme of process improvement initiatives underway aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology. The standardisation and simplification of application forms complements the introduction of more streamlined processes and procedures, including scanning and automated processing.

The Department's websitewww.welfare.ie, provides comprehensive information on all the Department’s schemes and services as well as a range of online services which include online claiming for state pension contributory, household benefits, child benefit, jobseeker’s payments, widow(er)’s and surviving civil partner’s contributory pension and redundancy payments and insolvency payments. The objective is to enable people to access services at a time and place that best suits their needs. The use of online application forms reduces the administrative burden for the customer and facilitates efficient processing of claims by the Department.

I am satisfied that the initiatives underway in the Department, the improvements to processes and procedures supported by the redesign of application forms, and the Department's use of modern technology will deliver an improved and efficient service to customers.

Pension Provisions

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

378 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the average time taken to process an application for contributory or non-contributory old age pension on a monthly basis over the past two years and to date in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28355/12]

My Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. As part of its programme of service delivery modernisation, all scheme areas are subject to continuous business process improvement, and a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented in recent years. The Department has already automated the State pension (contributory) scheme, and in 2011, as part of the Department's programme of service delivery modernisation, the State pension (non-contributory) moved onto the new IT platform. This has enabled the Department to deal with a very significant increase in claim load without increasing staffing resources. Claims are processed in the most efficient and expeditious way possible, having regard to the eligibility conditions that apply to each scheme.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables.

Table 1: State pension (contributory) claim processing times:

State pensioncontributory

2010Average weeks to award

2011Average weeks to award

2012Average weeks to award

January

7

7

5

February

7

5

5

March

6

5

4

April

7

6

6

May

9

6

June

9

6

July

9

4

August

11

5

September

8

6

October

6

4

November

6

3

December

7

3

Table 2: State pension (non-contributory) claim processing times:

State pension (non-contributory)

2010 Average weeks to award

2011 Average weeks to award

2012 Average weeks to award

January

9

10

11

February

8

9

10

March

8

9

10

April

9

9*

11

May

11

12

June

10

15

July

8

10

August

8

7

September

9

9

October

9

9

November

10

9

December

10

10

*IT system changed.

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

379 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the number of applicants in receipt of various social welfare payments has fluctuated in each of the past three years and to date in 2012, with particular reference to each category of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28356/12]

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the tabular statement. The totals increased by over 40,000 in 2010 and again in 2011 compared to the previous year in both cases. The total at the end of April 2012 was virtually unchanged from the end of 2011.

Scheme

2009

2010

Change 2010 over 2009

2011

Change 2011 over 2010

30th April 2012

Change April 2012 over 2011

State Pension (Contributory/ Transition)

273,480

290,925

6.4%

309,105

6.2%

314,621

1.8%

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

97,798

97,179

-0.6%

96,749

-0.4%

96,295

-0.5%

Pre-Retirement Allowance

7,468

6,021

-19.4%

4,820

-19.9%

4,393

-8.9%

Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension

113,108

114,579

1.3%

115,762

1.0%

116,007

0.2%

Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension

1,998

1,977

-1.1%

1,959

-0.9%

1,907

-2.7%

Deserted Wife’s Benefit

8,737

8,372

-4.2%

8,071

-3.6%

7,975

-1.2%

Deserted Wife’s Allowance

550

487

-11.5%

409

-16.0%

391

-4.4%

One-Parent Family Payment

90,484

92,326

2.0%

90,307

-2.2%

89,821

-0.5%

Maternity Benefit

23,294

23,456

0.7%

23,947

2.1%

22,447

-6.3%

Health and Safety Benefit

49

60

22.4%

61

1.7%

33

-45.9%

Adoptive Benefit

64

53

-17.2%

45

-15.1%

49

8.9%

Guardian’s Payment (Contributory)

860

919

6.9%

955

3.9%

958

0.3%

Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)

420

429

2.1%

441

2.8%

433

-1.8%

Illness Benefit

77,665

81,253

4.6%

73,397

-9.7%

70,674

-3.7%

Invalidity Pension

52,922

50,766

-4.1%

49,792

-1.9%

49,340

-0.9%

Injury Benefit

726

835

15.0%

776

-7.1%

697

-10.2%

Interim Illness Benefit

318

374

17.6%

327

-12.6%

269

-17.7%

Disablement Pension

13,520

13,721

1.5%

13,993

2.0%

14,098

0.8%

Death Benefit Pension

637

633

-0.6%

628

-0.8%

642

2.2%

Disability Allowance

99,576

101,111

1.5%

102,866

1.7%

102,851

0.0%

Carer’s Benefit

1,917

1,642

-14.3%

1,637

-0.3%

1,590

-2.9%

Carer’s Allowance

48,223

50,577

4.9%

51,666

2.2%

51,337

-0.6%

Blind Pension

1,467

1,485

1.2%

1,496

0.7%

1,476

-1.3%

Jobseeker’s Benefit

160,122

123,457

-22.9%

96,044

-22.2%

92,326

-3.9%

Jobseeker’s Allowance

203,248

261,850

28.8%

283,929

8.4%

286,912

1.1%

Back to Work Allowance Employee

2,012

851

-57.7%

182

-78.6%

80

-56.0%

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

Self — Employed First Year

1,966

5,011

154.9%

5,617

12.1%

5,850

4.1%

Self — Employed Years 2 — 4

2,625

2,947

12.3%

5,134

74.2%

5,215

1.6%

Back to Education Allowance

15,877

21,147

33.2%

24,666

16.6%

24,000

-2.7%

Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme

173

161

-6.9%

180

11.8%

193

7.2%

Family Income Supplement

25,963

28,223

8.7%

28,876

2.3%

26,751

-7.4%

Farm Assist

8,972

10,714

19.4%

11,333

5.8%

11,158

-1.5%

Rural Social Scheme(1)

0

0

0

2,534

100.0%

2,524

0.0%

Community Employment Scheme(1)

0

0

0

22,589

100.0%

21,787

-3.5%

Tús(1)

0

0

0

2,534

100.0%

3,664

45.9%

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

42,775

37,413

-12.54%

34,597

-7.5%

33,657

-2.7%

Rent Allowance

192

179

-6.77%

159

-11.2%

151

-5.0%

Child Benefit Families

602,932

591,432

-1.91%

597,333

1.0%

603,383

1.0%

Child Benefit Children

1,156,917

1,124,003

-2.84%

1,136,065

1.1%

1,151,950

1.4%

Total Number of Recipients (Excludes Number of Children on Child Benefit — Number of Child Benefit Families included)

1,982,138

2,022,265

2.02%

2,064,459

2.09%

2,065,955

0.0%

1. Responsibility for the expenditure in respect of the Rural Social Scheme transferred to my Department in 2010 and responsibility for FÁS Employment Schemes transferred to my Department in 2011. Information prior to these transfer dates is not available. The TÚS scheme commenced in 2011.

Question No. 380 answered with Question No. 372.

Social Welfare Overpayments

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

381 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of cases currently before her Department wherein overpayment has occurred in respect of various social welfare payments and where her Department discovered such errors or were informed by the recipient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28358/12]

In 2010, there were a total of 52,603 overpayments amounting to €83.4 million. The Department categorises overpayments as f raud, non-fraud and estate cases.

Fraud cases arise mainly on foot of false declarations by customers concerning their employment, income or family status while non-fraud cases are primarily due to customer, third party or departmental error. Estate cases arise where undisclosed means by customers (usually pensioners) come to light after their deaths.

The breakdown of the 2010 overpayments is as follows:

€25.9 million — fraud (15,899 cases);

€47.6 million — non-fraud (36,384 cases); and

€9.9 million — estate (320 cases).

The Department is not in a position to publicly comment on overpayments recorded in 2011 as these figures form part of the statutory accounts of the Department and are currently the subject of an audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Social Welfare Code

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

382 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she can review the position in respect of entitlements to means-tested social welfare payments for the self-employed which will take into account the economic circumstances of families that find themselves in situations of social and economic distress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28359/12]

Self-employed persons are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 4% which entitles them to access long-term benefits such as State pension (contributory) and widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's pension (contributory). Ordinary employees who have access to the full range of social insurance benefits pay Class A PRSI at the rate of 4%. In addition, their employers make a PRSI contribution of 10.75% in respect of their employees, resulting in the payment of a combined 14.75% rate per employee under full-rate PRSI Class A. For employees earning less than €356 per week, the rate of employer's PRSI is 4.25%.

Any changes to the PRSI system to extend the full range of social insurance benefits, including jobseeker's benefit or social insurance illness benefits, would have significant financial implications and would have to be considered in the context of a much more significant rise in the rate of contribution payable. I established the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year to meet the commitment made in the programme for Government. The advisory group will, inter alia, examine and report on issues involved in providing social insurance cover for self-employed persons in order to establish whether or not such cover is technically feasible and financially sustainable. In addition, the actuarial review of the social insurance fund, which is due to be completed in mid-2012, will examine this matter.

Self-employed people can become unemployed if their business has to close down. It may also be the case that, although the person continues to be self-employed, the amount of work that they are getting has reduced so much that it no longer provides them with sufficient income. Self-employed people can apply for the means-tested jobseeker's allowance if their business ceases or if they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services. Self-employed customers do not have to de-register as self-employed persons in order to claim jobseeker's allowance.

Legislation provides for the assessment of all income in cash and any non-cash benefits which the person or his or her spouse or civil partner may reasonably expect to receive during the succeeding year. While accounts provide significant information, a means assessment is not based solely on audited accounts. The income from the previous 12 months is used as an indicator of likely future earnings but it is not simply assumed that the previous year's earnings will be received in the following year. Any circumstances that would be likely to lead to a significant variation, either upward or downward, in the level of a person's income from one year to the next are taken into consideration.

If a self-employed person's situation changes after they have made an initial claim for jobseeker's allowance, the person can apply to have his or her means reviewed in the light of these changed circumstances. In addition, it is open to the individual to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office if he or she is dissatisfied with the level of means assessed.

Community Employment Schemes

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

383 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons engaged in community employment or related training or education schemes throughout County Kildare; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to ensure the retention of all such places in view of the particularly high degree of professional management and occupational skills encompassed in the programme within County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28360/12]

Community employment schemes make a very important and valued contribution to social employment, training and progression for unemployed people. Community employment schemes provide valuable community services not only in Kildare but throughout the country.

The community employment programme continues to be the major provider of temporary work places for the unemployed. In County Kildare, 32 organisations currently employ 612 people in a variety of work projects at a total cost of funding of approximately €9,658,787 per annum.

There has been no reduction in the number of approved places for participation in CE programmes or to the number of supervisors and assistant supervisors nor has there been any reduction in the value of payments to participants or supervisory staff.

Figures for other activation schemes and initiatives in the county are as follows:

Number

Back to Education Scheme

841

Self Employment

633

Back to Work Schemes

402

JobBridge

171

Springboard

93

Job Initiative

17

National Employment and Entitlements Service

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

384 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 21 February 2012, if she has appointed the external advisory group to advise on the implementation of the new National Employment and Entitlements Service; if she will provide details of the composition of the committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28374/12]

The external advisory group to which the Deputy refers has not yet been established. I am currently examining proposals from the Department on the establishment and membership of this group and I expect to announce details shortly.

Jobseeker’s Benefit

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

385 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28375/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

386 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s for less than six months, between six months and less than 12 months, for more then 12 months and less than 24 months and those in receipt of this payment for more then 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28376/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

387 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for less than six months, between six months and less than 12 months, for more than 12 months and less than 24 months and those in receipt of this payment for more than 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28377/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

388 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s credits only for less than six months, between six months and less than 12 months, for more than 12 months and less than 24 months and those in receipt of this payment for more than 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28378/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 to 388, inclusive, together.

The total number of young persons under 25 years of age in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit or claiming PRSI credits only at the end of May was 72,623. A detailed breakdown of this number by scheme and the durations specified by the Deputy is contained in the following tabular statement.

0-6 Months

6-12 Months

12-24 Months

Greater Than 24 Months

Total

Jobseeker’s Allowance

25,058

13,237

10,950

15,693

64,938

Jobseeker’s Benefit

6,251

998

92

4

7,345

Credits Only

142

111

49

38

340

Total

31,451

14,346

11,091

15,735

72,623

Invalidity Pension

Michael Creed

Ceist:

389 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have a decision on their invalidity pension appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28383/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 23rd January 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Disability Allowance

Michael Creed

Ceist:

390 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28392/12]

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the disability allowance claim of the person concerned was disallowed following an assessment by a Medical Assessor who expressed the opinion that he was medically unsuitable for the allowance. An appeal has been registered and in accordance with the statutory procedures the relevant department papers and the comments of the Social Welfare services on the matter raised in the appeal have been sought. In that context, an assessment by another Medical Assessor will be carried out.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

Carer’s Allowance

Pat Breen

Ceist:

391 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28393/12]

I confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Social Insurance

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

392 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the proposed new sick pay scheme; the provisions being made within it to ensure that abuse of the system by employees is prevented; if the financial implications on employers are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28397/12]

The question of introducing a scheme of statutory sick pay, whereby employers would directly meet the costs of sick absence for an initial period of illness, is being considered in the context of the need to reform the social welfare system to bring it into line with practices in other countries in this area; the need to address the deficit in the social insurance fund; the need to limit progression from short-term illness to long-term illness or disability; and in the wider context of enhancing the health of the workforce and addressing levels of absenteeism.

I hosted a consultative seminar on the feasibility and implications of introducing a scheme of statutory sick pay in February 2012. This seminar was attended by a broad range of key stakeholders and afforded an opportunity to discuss the complex issues involved, including the questions of potential abuse of the system and the potential impacts on employers. A report of that seminar will be published shortly.

As the potential impacts and range of issues to be addressed are complex, further development, refinement and consultation with key stakeholders is needed before any decision could be taken by Government on the possible introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme.

Departmental Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

393 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the civil services, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms in terms of as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28791/12]

My Department is currently in the process of a major transformation programme. In addition to the demand on the Departments services significantly increasing in recent years, the organisation and structure is changing in a very fundamental way with the integration of staff and services from the Community Welfare Service and FÁS.

Currently, the staff serving in the Department is 6436 posts (6826 people). With regard to the various categories mentioned, this information is not readily available in the format requested. However, it should be noted that the vast majority of the staff of the Department are involved in delivering frontline services through processing applications, either in a public office or in a back office operation, or providing employment and other services directly to customers.

The table below outlines the grade breakdown within the Department. The pay budget for the Department is managed as one overall budget for the Department, with a separate budget for the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Table — Grade Breakdown

Grade

People

Posts

Secretary

1.00

1.00

Deputy Secretary

1.00

1.00

Assistant Secretary

9.00

9.00

Chief Appeals Officer

1.00

1.00

Pensions Ombudsman

1.00

1.00

Principal Officer

57.00

56.40

Medical Assessor

22.00

22.00

Assistant Principal

297.00

292.03

Higher Executive Officer

1731.00

1668.47

Administrative Officer

13.00

12.40

Executive Officer

946.00

905.20

Staff Officer

681.00

637.98

Clerical Officer

2921.00

2688.00

Services Grades

145.00

139.46

Grand Total

6826.00

6434.94

EU Directives

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

394 Deputy Luke ’Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will make known the details of the meetings that he had with the EU regarding the special areas of conservation and the rights of Irish turf cutters; the date on which he travelled to Brussels; the date and time on which these meetings took place; the persons from the EU with whom they; if they met the Commissioner; if a person (details supplied) chairman of the Peatlands Council, attended; the other officials from the civil service that attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27834/12]

As the Deputy is aware, on 6 and 7 March 2012, Dáil Éireann debated a Private Members' Motion regarding turf-cutting on raised bogs nominated for designation as Special Areas of Conservation. The motion, passed unanimously by the Dáil, requested the Government to "engage actively with the European Commission to seek a resolution within the terms of the Habitats Directive, and to prepare and submit a National Raised Bog Restoration Plan to the Commission as a matter of urgency". The Government undertook to convene a high-level meeting with the Commission at an early date to progress matters.

Arising from that undertaking, the Government arranged a meeting with Environment Commissioner Potoènik to discuss the issue. This meeting took place in Brussels on the morning of 3 April 2012. Those travelling from Ireland for the meeting did so on the day of the meeting or the evening before.

The Irish delegation comprised the following individuals:

Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government; Ambassador Tom Hanney, Ireland's Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU; Mr. Conor Skehan, Chairman of the Peatlands Council; Mr. Joe Hamill, Secretary General, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Ms Geraldine Byrne-Nason, Second Secretary General for European Affairs Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, Assistant Secretary, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Mr. Damien Garvey, Special Adviser to Minister Deenihan.

The European Commission delegation comprised Mr. Janez Potoènik, EU Environment Commissioner, and three officials.

This meeting was one of a number of engagements with the Commission, which have been held at Ministerial and official level since the Government came into office.

Airport Development Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

395 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the air terminals will be provided at the airstrips near Cleggan and Inishbofin; the reason for the delay with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27725/12]

My Department has retained consultants to undertake the next step in the process of developing terminal buildings at the airstrips on Inishbofin and Cleggan in Co. Galway. This work is ongoing and tender documents for the construction phase are currently being prepared.

Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

396 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid airgid atá fós le híoc le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe as an obair a rinneadh ar an gCaladh Mór in Inis Meáin, cén uair a aontaíodh go bhfuil an t-airgead le híoc; cén chúis atá leis an moill leis an íocaíocht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27770/12]

Mar eolas don Teachta, cheadaigh mo Roinnse deontais de circa €14m do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe d'fhorbairt céimeanna I agus II de Ché an Chalaidh Mhóir ar Inis Meáin. Bhí oibreacha dreideála, tonnchosc a thógáil, síneadh a chur leis an gcé agus obair chomhairleach i gceist leis an bhforbairt sin. Tá an fhorbairt sin críochnaithe anois agus tá na deontais a bhí ceadaithe ina leith ag mo Roinnse íoctha go hiomlán.

Ina theannta sin, ceadaíodh deontas €100,000 do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe in 2010 maidir le staidéar féidearthachta, réamhdhearadh agus ceadúnais reachtúla i ndáil le céim III d'fhorbairt Ché an Chalaidh Mhóir. Tá fuílleach €6,687.55 den deontas sin fós le híoc le Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe. Níl an t-airgead sin íoctha mar nach bhfuair mo Roinnse aon éileamh íocaíochta ón gComhairle Contae ina leith.

National Cultural Institutions

Peter Mathews

Ceist:

397 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the merger of the National Library, the National Archives and the National Manuscript Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27882/12]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 of 6 June 2012.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

398 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisors; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special advisor pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27890/12]

Details in relation to special advisors appointed to my office are set out in the table below. Both Mr. Kenny and Mr. Garvey were appointed at the first point of the Principal Officer Scale in line with Government Guidelines and no request for the award of a contract in excess of these guidelines was raised in either case.

Name

Employment dates

Remuneration

Mr. James Kenny

7 June 2011 to date

€38,215*

Mr. Damien Garvey

2 April 2012 to date

€80,051

*Salary of €80,051 abated as Mr Kenny is in receipt of a public service pension.

National Cultural Institutions

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

399 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding that will be made available for the merged National Library and National Archives for this year, and if there was any decrease in the funding made available to both institutions last year. [28265/12]

The financial allocations (both current and capital) for the National Library and the National Archives for 2012 are as follows:

Institution

Allocation 2012

Increase/Decrease on 2011

National Library of Ireland

€7,120,00

-11.92%

National Archives of Ireland

€1,409,000*

-3.36%

The allocation outlined above for the National Archives does not include salary and administration costs. As staff in the National Archives are civil servants of my Department, such costs are met directly from my Department's Administration Budget.

With regard to the merging of the two institutions, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 of 6 June 2012.

Alternative Energy Projects

Jack Wall

Ceist:

400 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available, if any, to a private individual to install solar panels and or a windmill for the benefit of their energy supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28108/12]

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Better Energy Programme. The Better Energy Homes solar grant for domestic water heating amounts to €800 for every eligible home where the installation meets the performance requirements set out in the Better Energy Homes Code of Practice and the homeowner's Solar Buyers Guide.

There are currently no plans to introduce grants for private individuals to install solar panels or windmills for the benefit of their energy supply.

Mayo Earthquake

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

401 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the assessment that has been made of the cause of the earthquake which took place today, 6 June 2012 off the coast of Belmullet, County Mayo; the likelihood of a reoccurrence in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28215/12]

Ireland is situated on a tectonically benign part of the world, unlike for example Japan, California, New Zealand or parts of the Mediterranean and is therefore not at risk from high magnitude earthquakes.

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that occurred 60 km off the north Mayo coast at 08:58 local time on 6th June was located on a geological fault system that drops the Slyne-Rockall basins down to the west off the Irish shelf. These naturally occurring faults, formed millions of years ago, have had a long geological history and are related to the continuing opening of the Atlantic ocean. Seismicity of this magnitude has not been recorded along the fault system in this area since instrumental records began in 1970. While the location and magnitude of this event were unexpected, there is a clear geological reason for it. Future seismic activity along the fault system may be anticipated, but not of significantly larger magnitude. The magnitude was far below the threshold for generation of a seismogenic tsunami or indeed to cause significant structural damage.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

402 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27892/12]

The Government appointed Mr. Finbarr O'Malley and Mr. Simon Nugent as my Special Advisers with effect from 28 March 2011 and 11 April 2011 respectively.

My Department requested sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to appoint my Special Advisers at salary rates commensurate with their previous remuneration. Sanction was granted to appoint Mr. O'Malley at a salary rate of €83,337 per annum and Mr. Nugent at a salary rate of €97,200 per annum.

Telecommunications Services

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

403 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the broadband service being provided by three networks in rural areas; if he will acknowledge that a mobile broadband service is insufficient to support businesses in rural Ireland due to its unreliability; his plans to ensure that a fixed line broadband service will be provided in rural Ireland as a matter of extreme urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28131/12]

The provision of electronic communications services, including broadband services, is, in the first instance, a matter for competing service providers using one of the available technology platforms i.e. DSL, fixed or mobile wireless, cable or satellite and operating in Ireland's fully liberalised telecommunications market which is regulated by the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

The State only intervenes in areas where licensed service providers have been unable to offer services on a commercial basis. In this regard, the Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband into those areas. In the case of one such intervention, namely the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), broadband services are available from 3, in all of the 1,028 Electoral Divisions (ED) designated to be covered under the Scheme since October 2010, the vast majority of which are in rural areas.

In keeping with State Aid clearance for the Scheme, the broadband service contracted under the NBS is a basic, affordable, scalable product. The NBS mobile wireless service currently offers minimum speeds of 1.6Mbps download and 1.2Mbps upload subject to a maximum contention ratio. These speeds will be upgraded in October 2012 to 2.3mbps and 1.4mbps respectively at no cost to NBS customers.

I understand 3's NBS subscribers include businesses as well as domestic customers.

As regards service quality, the Department has well-established monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that the NBS delivers the minimum specified service or better to all users. The NBS contract guarantees service levels and imposes a service credit regime on 3, with significant financial consequences in the event that minimum specification service levels are not met.

Any NBS customer who is experiencing problems with the NBS service can contact 3's customer care centre 24 hours a day 7 days a week by phone at 1913 (free of charge) or by email tonbssupport@three.ie. Additionally, a team of field engineers has been established to address NBS specific maintenance issues at customers’ premises.

My Department has a role when customers have fully utilised the established complaints process and still feel their complaint has not been resolved. It operates a dedicated NBS mailbox, which NBS customers can contact by email atnationalbroadbandscheme@dcenr.gov.ie with any comments or complaints they may have about their NBS service.

With basic broadband services available throughout Ireland, the challenge now is to accelerate the roll out of high speed services. This Government accepts that the widespread availability of such speeds is required to deliver future economic and social development.

Following the recent publication of the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT), and a short public consultation on its findings and recommendations, I will be bringing proposals for a National Broadband Plan to Government shortly with a view to agreeing a comprehensive set of policy actions to underpin the provision of high speed broadband services on a national basis.

Post Office Network

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

404 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has reviewed a copy of the Grant Thornton report for the Irish Postmasters Union, the Future of the Post Office Network in Ireland; his views on whether the options identified in the report including motor taxation, extension of banking services, household and hospital charges will be potential new service contracts for the vital post office network around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28277/12]

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

406 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received a copy of The Future of the Post Office Network in Ireland; his view on whether there is potential for diverting potential service contracts that will be valuable to the post office network and in particular where the post office network could accommodate the payments of motor taxation and extension of the banking services available, the household charges and hospital charges among others; if in this context a cross departmental group will be established under his chairmanship to explore these options which would ensure the long term sustainability of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28342/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

407 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that post offices will be able to offer the following services, motor taxation, extension of the banking services available, household charges and hospital charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28410/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 404, 406 and 407 together.

I received a copy of the Grant Thornton report when I met with the Irish Postmasters' Union (IPU) recently.

I welcome the IPU's ambition to identify opportunities for more business to be delivered through the Post Office network.

An Post has many strengths and has the largest retail presence in the country. I have impressed on the Company the need to further exploit its unique position in this regard and have been supportive of its attempts to diversify its income streams and to win a wider range of commercial contracts offering higher margins. The acknowledgment by the IPU that it is supportive of delivering new services is clearly positive in this regard.

In the context of public sector transformation, I have stressed to my Government colleagues that the increased use of the post office network should be considered by public sector bodies where this is appropriate.

As a commercial State body An Post may bid for business from both public and private organisations in a competitive market. The nature and volume of business that An Post conducts with Government Departments and Public Sector Agencies is, however, in the first instance, a matter for the company and the respective Government Departments and Agencies.

More generally, I would stress that I am committed to a strong and viable An Post and support the maintenance of the maximum number of economically viable post offices.

Offshore Exploration

Colm Keaveney

Ceist:

405 Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the survey being carried out by Shell off the County Mayo coast on the Corrib field; the person that is carrying out the operation for Shell and if they have been licensed by him; the identity of the marine expert they are required to have on board the survey vessel; the precautions that are being taken to adequately protect the marine mammals present in that area; if he is monitoring that all necessary precautions are actually being followed. [28279/12]

Seismic surveys are a normal part of petroleum exploration activities and are subject to approval from my Department. Applications to conduct seismic surveys must include a risk assessment of the proposed activity in relation to the sensitivities of marine mammals in the area and outline specific impact mitigation and monitoring practices that will be applied.

On 20 April 2012, my Department approved an application from Shell E&P Ireland Limited to undertake a 3D seismic survey over the Corrib Gas Field, having first sought observations from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The conditions attaching to the survey approval include that the survey must comply with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, together with my Department's Rules and Procedures for Offshore Petroleum Exploration and Appraisal Operations. The approval conditions also require that a marine mammal observer and a fisheries liaison officer will be on board for the duration of the survey.

SEPIL is required to provide weekly progress reports to my Department and ensure that reporting of marine mammal observer operations takes place within 30 days of the completion of the survey. The contractor for the survey is Reservoir Exploration Technology ASA (RXT) of Norway.

Questions Nos. 406 and 407 answered with Question No. 404.

Public Sector Pay

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

408 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the Civil Service, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms in terms of as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28786/12]

As my Department is primarily engaged in policy and regulatory functions, the breakdown of staff numbers is as follows: Administrative 24%; Management 75.25% and Elected Representatives 0.75%. The breakdown in terms of salaries for each of these categories is: €2 million paid to Administrative staff (12.5% of salaries expenditure); €13.8 million to Management staff (86.9%) and; €0.1 million to Elected Representatives (0.6%).

Information in respect of bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for those organisations and my Department does not have the information sought by the Deputy. I will, however, request the relevant Agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.

Waste Management

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

409 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the potential loss of 70 jobs. [27692/12]

Issues concerning the enforcement of waste management legislation are a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority and should therefore be pursued with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the relevant local authority, as appropriate. The Office of Environmental Enforcement within the EPA also has a mandate to deliver enhanced environmental compliance through enforcement of Agency licences issued to waste, industrial and other activities. It exercises a supervisory role in respect of the environmental protection activities of local authorities. In this regard, the Office acts as a resource to members of the public who have exhausted all other avenues of complaint.

Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Agency or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.

Under planning legislation, the decision as to whether to grant a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála in the case of an appeal. In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received, relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by the Department. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 the Minister is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

410 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a dispute resolution application (details supplied) in County Mayo which is being handled by the private residential tenancies board, to request that the processing of the application be expedited owing to the severe adverse effect the matter of disturbance from neighbours is having on the applicants’ health and well being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28018/12]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): I have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, and cannot therefore comment on the specifics of any individual case.

Noise Pollution

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

411 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rules that govern ice cream vans playing music from the van; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28262/12]

Currently, a person experiencing noise nuisance may contact their local authority, which may initiate proceedings on grounds of noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. This Act also provides for any person, or group of persons, to seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation. A public information leafletA Guide to the Noise Regulations, outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance, is available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.

Dormant Accounts Fund

Dan Neville

Ceist:

412 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a case for specific funding to be made available for a school (details supplied) to enable it to retain its teachers, especially in view of the recent announcement (details supplied) for the approval of €88,000 from the dormant accounts funding under the rapid additionally measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28418/12]

I recently announced a total allocation of €440,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding for the five new RAPID Towns under the RAPID Addtionality Measure. These are: Ballina, Co. Mayo, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath and Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. The allocation amounts to €88,000 for each of the five towns.

RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning Investment and Development) is a focused initiative designed to prioritise and target Government expenditure on the most concentrated centres of disadvantage in the country. Pobal, who advertise, appraise and recommend beneficiaries under the Dormant Accounts Measures has recently made contact with the RAPID Area Implementation Teams to request an up-to-date priority list of projects for this funding, based on the list of projects previously recommended for approval. This funding measure closed for applications some time ago and new applications for funding are not being sought at this time.

Election Management System

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

413 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in future, referendums can be held on a Saturday in order that school students and staff are not disturbed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28558/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

418 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for holding referenda and elections on a Thursday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27798/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

450 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason polling day is held on a week day when persons who work or at college outside of their constituency will be unable to make it home on time to vote; the reason polling day is not on a Saturday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28416/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 418 and 450 together.

The Electoral Acts allow for the taking of a poll on any day of the week and this flexibility allows all relevant factors to be taken into account at any given time in setting the polling day.

Guidance issued to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of electoral events advises that when schools are used as polling stations, every step should be taken to ensure that schools are not closed unnecessarily and that disruption of school work should be kept to a minimum. The Guidance also advises that, where possible, school halls should be used instead of classrooms and that voting compartments and other equipment should be fitted up and dismantled after school hours.

Electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day and full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State may opt for a postal vote.

I will consider the proposal put forward by the Deputies in the context of future elections and referenda.

Election Management System

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

414 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of unemployed and employed persons who were hired during referendum polling and counting days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/12]

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

427 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person responsible for hiring staff at the various polling booths and count centres for the recent referendum; if there was an obligation to hire persons on the live register over those who are currently in some form of paid employment; and if any members of the public sector were employed on the day separate from their existing contracts with the State. [27934/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 427 together.

The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums, including the selection, appointment and training of polling station and count staff in accordance with the relevant provisions of electoral law. Accordingly, there is no information in my Department about the number of election staff chosen from the unemployed or employed, including the public sector.

To assist returning officers, my Department issues guidance to them in advance of each election and referendum. The guidance emphasises that the smooth conduct of polls is dependent on maintaining a cadre of sufficiently skilled and experienced people. Having regard to that overall objective, returning officers are advised to employ competent and efficient persons as polling staff and asked to give consideration, where possible, to employing suitable persons who are unemployed.

Mortgage Arrears

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

415 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any national policy proposed by him with regard to the National Finance Agency to work with the local authorities to enable them to come up with suitable proposals in order that persons will be in a position to continue to pay their loans at an agreed reduced rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27738/12]

My Department issued comprehensive guidance to local authorities on the treatment of mortgage arrears, including local authority mortgages for shared ownership transactions, in March 2010. That guidance was closely based on the Central Bank's first statutoryCode of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears to ensure that cases of local authority mortgage arrears are handled in a manner that is sympathetic to the needs of the particular household, while also protecting the position of the local authority concerned.To reflect the content of the Central Bank’s revised Code of Conduct — which replaced the previous code from 1 January 2011 and was informed by the deliberations of the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt — my Department is currently preparing updated guidance to local authorities in consultation with the City and County Managers Association.

There are two aspects to the guidance: there is borrower focused guidance which will e.g. set out the types of arrangements that authorities should be offering to borrowers, the details of how contact should be initiated with a distressed borrower and the frequency with which an authority should make contact. The second piece of the guidance is the back-end accounting treatment of the various solutions being put forward to ensure that authorities are treating people consistently and managing their own resources consistently too. While it is of obvious importance that authorities offer compassionate and practical solutions to those mortgage holders who require some support, it is, equally, incumbent on all authorities to protect as best as they can their overall financial position.

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

416 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise on a matter (details supplied) regarding a problem tenant. [27751/12]

I have no function in the operational matters of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, and cannot therefore comment on the specifics of any individual case.

Local Authority Housing

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

417 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when approval will be given to Laois County Council to go to contract for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27776/12]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): My Department recently approved the acceptance of the tender for the construction of this scheme. It is now a matter for Laois County Council to finalise the contractual arrangements and advance the scheme to construction stage.
Question No. 418 answered with Question No. 413.

Proposed Legislation

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

419 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation regarding the height of trees and hedges on private properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27854/12]

I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 556 and 557 of 6 June 2012 which sets out the position in this matter.

Postal Voting

Dara Murphy

Ceist:

420 Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to allow Irish citizens who are registered to vote, but are unable to vote due to being on holiday and can prove a departure and return date, to vote in elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27866/12]

In order to be able to vote at elections and referendums in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides.

Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting by whole-time members of the Defence Forces, members of the Garda Síochána, and Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses or civil partners. Subsequent legislation enacted by the Oireachtas has extended postal voting to other categories: electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996); electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day and full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State — in these cases, the law provides for completion of the necessary voting documentation at a Garda station (the Electoral Act 1997); certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001); and electors who because of the circumstances of their detention in prison pursuant to an order of a court are likely to be unable to go in person on polling day to vote (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006).

While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, I have no proposals at present to extend existing arrangements for postal voting.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

421 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27895/12]

The information requested is set out in the following table:

Office

Special Adviser

Annual Salary

Minister Hogan

Claire Langton

€83,337

Sean McKeown

€92,672

Minister of State O’Sullivan*

Aidan Culhane

€80,051

*Under the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil, Ministers of State who regularly attend Cabinet may appoint a maximum of two Special Advisers. In this regard Minister of State O'Sullivan, who regularly attends Cabinet, is currently arranging for the appointment of a second Special Adviser.

No request has been made for increases in salaries above that allowed under the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments to the 31st Dáil.

Planning Issues

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

422 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the access interested parties have to the submissions made by third parties to An Bord Pleanála in the course of planning appeals; if he will ensure that all submissions to An Bord Pleanála are fully accessible to the public on the internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27921/12]

Section 146 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 provides that files on appeals can be inspected by members of the public 3 days after the appeals are determined by the Board. These files can be inspected free of charge at the Board's offices on weekdays between 10 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m., except on public holidays and other days on which the offices are closed. Subject to copyright provisions, copies of documents on these files can be purchased at the Board's offices during these hours for the reasonable cost of copying the documents. The inspector's report and the Board's direction and decision may be viewed and downloaded from the Board's website. Further details concerning inspection and purchase of documents, etc., are available from the Board and on its website,www.pleanala.ie.

Waste Management

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

423 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has been briefed by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding if a company (details supplied) has removed the 3,000 tonnes of waste it has been storing on a farm in County Kildare; and if the EPA has any information regarding the location of which the company has disposed of this waste. [27922/12]

Issues concerning the enforcement of waste management legislation are a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority and should therefore be pursued with the Environmental Protection Agency or the relevant local authority, as appropriate.

Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Agency or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.

I have made clear my commitment to support the work of the Agency and the local authorities in enforcing waste management legislation. I am providing funding to support the work of 120 waste enforcement officers in the local government sector and the work of the Office of Environmental Enforcement.

I am currently finalising a new waste policy and compliance and enforcement will be key components of that policy. Ireland cannot afford to tolerate any illegal waste activities and I expect the relevant authorities to have a robust regime of enforcement in place to deal with those who breach their obligations under the law.

Local Authority Staff

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

424 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the number of permanent and temporary staff employed by Kerry County Council in the years 2008 to 2012, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27926/12]

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

425 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the number of permanent and temporary staff employed by Tralee Town Council, County Kerry, in the years 2008 to 2012, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27928/12]

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

426 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the number of permanent and temporary staff employed by Listowel Town Council, County Kerry, in the years 2008 to 2012, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27929/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 to 426, inclusive, together.

The number of persons employed in Kerry County Council in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 to date, is set out in the table below on a whole time equivalent basis (WTE).

Kerry County Council

Permanent WTE

Temporary WTE

Total

December 2008

1157

191

1,348

December 2009

1141

84

1,225

December 2010

1146

49

1,195

December 2011

1133

33

1,166

March 2012

1109

29

1,138

Staff numbers for Town Councils are included in the overall staffing numbers for the County Council and are not collected separately.

Question No. 427 answered with Question No. 414.

Cultural Trusts

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

428 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the Temple Bar Cultural Trust, the number of staff employed by the trust; the number of persons that sit on the board; the names of these persons; the salaries and expenses they receive; the planning powers the trust has; the total value of assets under the control of the trust; if he will provide a list of these assets; the money received by the trust as a return on these assets; the consultants engaged by the trust and the cost of same; when the trust was last audited; the amount of public money spent on maintaining the trust; the date on which this quango will be abolished; when he will publish and make available to the public the Latitude report on the trust. [27935/12]

The Temple Bar Cultural Trust organisation is a private limited company with the Dublin City Manager as the sole shareholder. Therefore, in the first instance, governance arrangements and financial management of the Trust are a matter for Dublin City Council.

I understand that the current staffing level in Temple Bar Cultural Trust is 15. The Board Members are listed below. The fees for the new Chair are currently being addressed as are the fees for the new Board Members, other than City Councillors and City Council Staff Members.

The Trust has no planning powers. The total value of assets under the control of the trust, as per the 2011 financial statements, is €48.4 million which includes €9 million investment properties and €39.4 million of cultural properties.

There are currently no consultants engaged by the Trust. The accounts for 2011 have been audited by Smyth and Williamson Freaney and are currently before the Board for approval. Temple Bar Cultural Trust is financed through its property income and receives no subsidy from Dublin City Council or central Government. The Trust, however, receives various grants from Government Departments for particular pieces of work it undertakes throughout the year. An annual grant for Culture Night amounting to €100,000 is also received from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

No decision has yet been made on the future of the Trust. I understand that an independent consultancy report into the operation of the Trust, commissioned by Dublin City Council, was presented to the Council in 2011. The contents of the report were circulated and discussed in detail at a City Council meeting on 3 October 2011. The City Manager has tasked the Board with examining the recommendations in the report.

Board Members:

Chairman: Daithi O'Ceallaigh

Cllr. Oisin Quinn

Cllr. Mannix Flynn

Cllr. Maria Parodi

Cllr. Kieran Binchy

Mr. Ray Yeates, Dublin City Council Arts Officer

Mr. Declan Wallace, Dublin City Council Assistant City Manager

Mr. Alan Connolly, Formerly CEO Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd

Ms Jane Daly, Irish Theatre Institute

Mr. Martin Harte, CEO, Temple Bar Traders Association

Mr. Joe Moreau, Byrne Moreau Connell Chartered Accountants

Ms Marie Ostinelli, Founder Member Business to Arts

Ms Ciara Sugrue, Dublin Tourism / Failte Ireland (Resigned, vacancy to be filled)

Mr. Dermot McLaughlin, Temple Bar Cultural Trust, CEO

Mr. Dara Connolly, Temple Bar Cultural Trust, Company Secretary

Local Authority Staff

Colm Keaveney

Ceist:

429 Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of all local authorities that plan to advertise for the position of procurement officer in the future. [27972/12]

Given the imperative to reduce costs and to increase efficiencies across local authority operations, local authorities are reducing the costs of goods and services to the sector by using the most advanced methods of procurement available through appropriate national and regional frameworks supported by ICT reporting systems. In this regard, local authorities reported savings in terms of procurement of over €26 million under the first report on the Public Service Agreement (PSA) and further significant savings will be reported in the second report on the PSA, which is due to be published soon.

In order further to improve the procurement function in the sector local authorities are establishing national and regional procurement structures to ensure that all opportunities for economies of scale and efficiencies in terms of procurement are exploited. Furthermore, I understand that each local authority has a designated person with responsibility for procurement.

Under the terms of the on-going moratorium each local authority requires sanction from my Department to fill any vacancy. I understand that procurement officers are being sourced from within existing local authority staffing resources and my Department has received no requests for the filling of these posts.

Household Charge

Clare Daly

Ceist:

430 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the properties registered for the household charge to date; the number that have been registered by persons who registered two or more properties; and the number of persons that have registered two or more properties for the household charge. [27986/12]

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless entitled to claim a waiver or otherwise exempt.

The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is administering the household charge system on a shared service/agency basis for all county and city councils. I understand, from data provided by the LGMA, that as of 8 June 2012, a total of 932,575 property declarations had been processed by the household charge bureau. 915,408 registered for payment of the charge, equating to some €92m. 17,167 residential properties have been registered for a waiver from payment of the charge.

In addition, an estimated 17,700 postal declarations have been received in the household charge bureau, which have yet to be processed due to outstanding queries; these equate to a further €1.77m. This gives a total number of 950,275 declarations made equating to over €93.5m.

The information requested in respect of the registration of multiple properties is set out in the table below:

Number

Number of properties registered to an account with two or more properties

332,900

Number of accounts with two or more properties registered

106,332

Building Regulations

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

431 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will support all residents who have to deal with pyrite ridden houses and homes. [27994/12]

The independent Pyrite Panel which I set up in September, 2011 is due to report to me shortly. On receipt of the Panel's report I will give careful consideration to its content and any recommendations it may contain in relation to options for dealing with homes affected by pyrite.

Planning Issues

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

432 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress being made to issue new guidelines to assist in allowing landowners with land along national secondary routes to obtain access for planning purposes on such roads. [28005/12]

I published, on 31 January 2012, Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Spatial Planning and National Roads aimed at ensuring that roads planning and policy, and development planning and management processes are appropriately and effectively aligned; and encouraging a collaborative approach and early engagement between planning authorities and the National Roads Authority (NRA) so that transport and land use planning considerations are taken into account at the early stages of both development plan and development management processes. This is to ensure that future development at locations on, or in the vicinity of, national roads is guided to the most suitable location and that work on Ireland's national roads network is planned for and managed in a complementary and integrated manner.

Section 2.6 of the Guidelines outline that, in exceptional circumstances with regard to the normal limitations on the provision of access for new developments to national routes, planning authorities may identify stretches of national roads where a less restrictive approach may be applied, but only as part of the process of reviewing or varying the relevant development plan and having consulted and had regard to the advice of the NRA in line with the approach set out in the Guidelines.

Tax Code

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

433 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the report of the expert group set up to advise him on the proposed property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28019/12]

An independently chaired Inter-Departmental expert group has been established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation based property tax.

The Group is expected to complete its work and make recommendations to me shortly. Following consideration of the Group's recommendations, I will bring proposals to Government on the full property tax as soon as possible. It will then be a matter for the Government to decide on the structure and modalities of the full property tax.

Local Government Fund

Joan Collins

Ceist:

434 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the date that the second quarterly payment of the local government fund for 2012 issued to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28103/12]

Joan Collins

Ceist:

435 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the date that the first quarterly payment of the local government fund for 2012 issued to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28104/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.

I assume that the Question refers to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department's contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers.

Some €651m in general purpose grants has been allocated to local authorities for 2012. In addition, local authorities will retain some €77 million in pension related deductions in 2012. I am satisfied that the general purpose allocations provided for 2012, together with the income available from other sources, will enable local authorities to provide a reasonable level of services to their customers.

The information requested is set out in the following table.

Q1 2012

Q2 2012

Arklow Town Council

20/01

02/05

Athlone Town Council

20/01

02/05

Athy Town Council

20/01

02/05

Ballina Town Council

20/01

02/05

Ballinasloe Town Council

20/01

02/05

Birr Town Council

20/01

02/05

Bray Town Council

20/01

02/05

Buncrana Town Council

20/01

02/05

Bundoran Town Council

20/01

02/05

Carlow County Council

20/01

02/05

Carlow Town Council

20/01

02/05

Carrickmacross Town Council

20/01

02/05

Carrick-on-suir Town Council

20/01

02/05

Cashel Town Council

20/01

02/05

Castlebar Town Council

20/01

02/05

Castleblayney Town Council

20/01

02/05

Cavan County Council

20/01

02/05

Cavan Town Council

20/01

02/05

Clare County Council

20/01

02/05

Clonakilty Town Council

20/01

02/05

Clones Town Council

20/01

02/05

Clonmel Borough Council

20/01

02/05

Cobh Town Council

20/01

02/05

Cork City Council

20/01

02/05

Cork County Council

20/01

02/05

D.Laoire/Rathdown Co Co

20/01

02/05

Donegal County Council

20/01

03/04 &

02/05

Drogheda Borough Council

20/01

02/05

Dublin City Council

20/01

02/05

Dundalk Town Council

20/01

02/05

Dungarvan Town Council

20/01

02/05

Ennis Town Council

20/01

02/05

Enniscorthy Town Council

20/01

02/05

Fermoy Town Council

20/01

02/05

Fingal County Council

20/01

02/05

Galway City Council

20/01

02/05

Galway County Council

20/01

02/05

Kells Town Council

20/01

02/05

Kerry County Council

20/01

02/05

Kildare County Council

20/01

02/05

Kilkenny Borough Council

20/01

02/05

Kilkenny County Council

20/01

02/05

Killarney Town Council

20/01

02/05

Kilrush Town Council

20/01

02/05

Kinsale Town Council

20/01

02/05

Laois County Council

20/01

02/05

Leitrim County Council

20/01

02/05

Letterkenny Town Council

20/01

02/05

Limerick City Council

20/01

02/05

Limerick County Council

20/01

20/03 &

02/05

Listowel Town Council

20/01

02/05

Longford County Council

20/01

02/05

Longford Town Council

20/01

02/05

Louth County Council

20/01

02/05

Macroom Town Council

20/01

02/05

Mallow Town Council

20/01

02/05

Mayo County Council

20/01

02/05

Meath County Council

20/01

02/05

Midleton Town Council

20/01

02/05

Monaghan County Council

20/01

02/05

Monaghan Town Council

20/01

02/05

Naas Town Council

20/01

02/05

Navan Town Council

20/01

02/05

Nenagh Town Council

20/01

02/05

New Ross Town Council

20/01

02/05

Offaly County Council

20/01

02/05

Roscommon County Council

20/01

02/05

Skibbereen Town Council

20/01

02/05

Sligo Borough Council

20/01

02/05

Sligo County Council

20/01

20/03

Sth Dublin County Council

20/01

02/05

Templemore Town Council

20/01

02/05

Thurles Town Council

20/01

02/05

Tipp NR County Council

20/01

02/05

Tipp SR County Council

20/01

02/05

Tipperary Town Council

20/01

02/05

Tralee Town Council

20/01

02/05

Trim Town Council

20/01

02/05

Tullamore Town Council

20/01

02/05

Waterford City Council

20/01

20/03

Waterford County Council

20/01

02/05

Westmeath County Council

20/01

02/05

Westport Town Council

20/01

02/05

Wexford Borough Council

20/01

02/05

Wexford County Council

20/01

02/05

Wicklow County Council

20/01

02/05

Wicklow Town Council

20/01

02/05

Youghal Town Council

20/01

02/05

Regeneration Projects

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

436 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will confirm that Ballymun Regeneration Limited is a department of Dublin City Council; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at the time of its formation his Department proposed that the model would be the arrangements under which the National Building Agency provides a housing construction service to local authorities and it be established under the aegis of Dublin City Council under their authority of section 8 of the Local Government Act 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28115/12]

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

437 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if Ballymun Regeneration Limited had the authority to enter into building and employment contracts on behalf of Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28116/12]

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

438 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a number of employees in Ballymun Regeneration Limited who have permanent contracts and who fully understood they were entering employment in a department of Dublin City Council; if he will ensure that the proposed reduction in numbers in the Ballymun Regeneration Limited department of Dublin City Council will be achieved by returning staff assigned from Dublin City Council, offering voluntary mechanisms to exit the public sector to those on specific purpose contracts, or redeploying or reassigning employees of the Ballymun Regeneration Limited Department to comparable roles in the public sector. [28117/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 to 438, inclusive, together.

Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) is a company limited by guarantee, and not having a share capital, established by Dublin City Council under the Companies' Acts. It was incorporated in June 1997 and is wholly owned by Dublin City Council. BRL's principal objects are, inter alia, to prepare plans for the redevelopment and regeneration of Ballymun and to act as developer/contractor for the regeneration project.

In this context, BRL acts as a disclosed agent for Dublin City Council in carrying out its brief in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of its incorporation. Dublin City Council formally appointed BRL in 1997 as agent for the achievement of the redevelopment and regeneration of the Ballymun area. In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, all contracts, including services and works contracts procured by BRL, are in the name of the company.

BRL is staffed in a number of different ways including through secondment of staff from Dublin City Council and secondments from other local authorities. These secondees remain permanent and pensionable employees of their respective local authorities. The company also recruited a number of fixed-term contract staff directly through open competition. It is a matter for BRL to determine the numbers, duration and terms of individual contracts having regard to work demands and the particular skill-sets required to plan and deliver individual projects.

Ballymun regeneration is now moving into the completion phase and all demolition and construction projects are expected to be substantially completed by 2014. In light of this, it is expected that staff numbers will decline in line with the decrease in the overall level of planning and construction activity in Ballymun.

Electoral Divisions

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

439 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to establish a constituency commission to revise the boundaries of local electoral areas in advance of the local elections in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28135/12]

Unlike for Dáil constituencies, there are no constitutional or statutory requirements in relation to the frequency of local electoral area boundary reviews. The most recent reviews of local electoral areas were carried out in 1998 and 2008. The June 2009 local elections took place on the basis of the local electoral areas enacted following the 2008 review.

The Constituency Commission which I established in July 2011 must present its report on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies to the Chairman of the Dáil no later than 29 June 2012. Following the publication of that report and having regard to its recommendations on Dáil constituencies and any related subsequent decisions by the Oireachtas I will give consideration to arrangements for the review of local electoral areas. I will also have regard to the final results of Census 2011 and to Government decisions on local government reform including the establishment of unified local authorities in Limerick and Tipperary.

Departmental Agencies

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

440 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of courses funded by the Local Government Management Agency for senior executives in local government, the cost of these courses; and the number of at tendees per council. [28168/12]

The Local Government Management Agency provides funding for senior executives in local government to participate in the Programme for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University in the U.S.

The programme is an intensive three-week executive management programme delivered by the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University. Participants are mainly drawn from the U.S. public service/local government with a small number of places available to non-U.S. participants.

The programme focuses on a range of public management areas including strategy, policy development, management controls and operations, and management of human resources. The curriculum is designed to build on the skills which experienced executives already possess.

The Local Government Management Agency provides funding for 6 senior executives to attend at a cost of $11,450 per attendee.

Local Authority Staff

Niall Collins

Ceist:

441 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail in tabular form the total amount of money paid to all county council staff broken down by county and city council area for bonuses and travel and subsistence separately in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [28172/12]

The scheme for Performance Related Awards for the Local Government Sector was suspended in 2009. No performance awards have been made since 2007. No other bonuses are paid to Local Authority employees.

Local Authority employees may submit claims in respect of travel and subsistence expenses incurred as part of their official duties in accordance with the relevant travel and subsistence circulars. All local authorities are obliged to ensure that only essential travel is undertaken and that the number of employees going on any official journey is kept to an absolute minimum. Local authorities are also obliged to ensure that related expenditure is critically appraised and monitored.

The information requested in relation to local authority travel and subsistence costs is not available in my Department as day to day operational matters are a matter for each individual local authority.

Local Authority Housing

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

442 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to arrange for extra funding in respect of the repair of serious long-term maintenance issues in local authority housing in the Dublin area which are very negatively affecting the lives of tenants. [28200/12]

Under my 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 regeneration measure for large social housing estates and flat complexes, an estate-wide remedial works scheme, a retrofitting measure aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and houses, and grants for the provision of extensions or adaptations to meet the needs of local authority tenants with a disability.

In March I announced details of the 2012 housing capital allocations to local authorities, totaling some €251.5 million. In excess of €62 million has been made available this year to support the various housing programmes being progressed in the Dublin City Council area. Routine and planned social housing maintenance works are funded under the local authority's own housing maintenance programmes.

Household Charge

Clare Daly

Ceist:

443 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on claims by a person (details supplied) citing Central Statistics Office data from the 2011 census that there are 1,994,845 housing units in the State, that 1,850,870 are liable to register for the household charge total minus social and voluntary and that 1,755,685 households are liable to pay total registered minus waivers. [28261/12]

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the household charge.

The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides for a number of exemptions and waivers from payment of the household charge. The exemptions from payment of the household charge are—

Residential properties that are part of the trading stock of a business and have not been sold or been the source of any income since construction,

Residential property owned by a Minister of the Government, a housing authority or the Health Service Executive,

Voluntary and co-operative housing,

Residential property subject to commercial rates and wholly used as a dwelling,

Residential property owned by certain charities or discretionary trusts, and

Residential property which an owner has vacated due to long-term mental or physical infirmity (e.g. elderly person that has moved into a nursing home).

The waivers which apply concern—

Owners of residential property entitled to mortgage interest supplement, and

Owners of houses in certain unfinished housing estates.

It is estimated that, having regard to exemptions and waivers, some 1.62 million residential properties are liable to the household charge.

Local Authority Housing

Robert Troy

Ceist:

444 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is any legislation in place to ensure that local authorities retain a correct balance between social and private houses when entering leasing arrangements with private landlords in private estates to ensure appropriate social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28288/12]

Leasing proposals from local authorities or approved housing bodies must demonstrate that, having regard to the concentration of other social housing in a particular development or in the general area, the leasing proposal does not conflict with the mixed income, mixed tenure dimension of the overall sustainable communities objective. Local authorities have been encouraged to improve social mix in housing areas and new delivery mechanisms, such as leasing and RAS, give them greater flexibility in this regard.

The details of the various leasing schemes are set out in Circulars and guidance documents for housing authorities. These reflect the broad objectives of sustainable communities which are at the heart of the Government's housing policy.

Rent Supplement Scheme

Robert Troy

Ceist:

445 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when will the rent allowance be transferred from the community welfare office to the local authorities. [28289/12]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): I refer to the reply to Question No. 39 on 3 May 2012.
The proposed reform of the rent supplement scheme constitutes a major development in the provision of housing services and will require careful planning and consultation with interested parties. I hope to be in a position to announce further details of the new arrangements later in the year.

Waste Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

446 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends publishing draft regulations under section 70L of the Water Services (Amendment ) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28332/12]

I published the draft performance standards for septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems for public consultation on 1 March 2012. The draft standards set out the responsibilities of owners of septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems, including requirements for the removal of sludge and ensuring the system is in working order and properly functioning. The public consultation process regarding the draft performance standards concluded on 30 March. In total 165 submissions were received. These are being assessed by my Department in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency. When this assessment is completed, I will finalise the regulations which will give legal effect to the standards.

Local Authority Housing

Niall Collins

Ceist:

447 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will fund local authorities to carry out works to address internal condensation in local authority housing stock in order that this issue when it arises can be addressed satisfactorily whilst the house is occupied rather than only addressing the issue when the house is vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28336/12]

Under my 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.

My Department provides a grant of up to €15,000 per house, depending on the energy improvement achieved, for necessary works such as attic and wall insulation, the replacement of windows and external doors and the fitting of energy-efficient condensing boilers. Under this year's improvement works programme the focus will continue on returning vacant properties to productive use. Local authorities may also undertake works, out of the allocations provided, to improve the energy efficiency of occupied units, where the local authority considers this appropriate. In drawing up improvement works programmes which include the upgrading of tenanted properties, I envisage that local authorities would give priority to older houses which currently lack adequate wall and roof insulation.

I intend to review the operation of the Social Housing Improvement Works programme, including the retrofitting measure, with a view to possible changes to improve the effectiveness of the various measures.

Leader Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

448 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will commence the Leader programme in west Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28405/12]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 526 of 6 June 2012 which sets out the position in this matter.

Planning Issues

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

449 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the extention of time on planning applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28408/12]

Under section 34(9) of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2004 an applicant, within 8 weeks of receipt of the application by the planning authority, may consent in writing to an extension of the period for the planning authority to make its decision. In such a case the period for making the decision is extended for the period consented to by the applicant. I am not aware of any particular difficulties arising from the operation of this provision.

Question No. 450 answered with Question No. 413.

Postal Voting

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

451 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that there is only a 48 hour window after an election for students to register for a postal vote, his plans to change legislation in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28417/12]

Postal voting is provided for in respect of certain categories of person as specified in electoral law. Electors who are eligible for, but not already included on, the postal voters list may apply for entry on the supplement to this list and they can do this at any time. However, in accordance with electoral law, applicants must apply for inclusion on the supplement to the postal voters list not later than two days after the dissolution of the Dáil, in the case of a general election, or two days after the polling day order is made, in the case of other elections or referendums, if they wish to avail of a postal vote at that election or referendum.

While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, I have no proposals at present to change existing arrangements for inclusion in the supplement to the postal voters list. Conscious of the timeframe involved, my Department advertises the relevant supplement dates whenever there is an electoral event. In the recently held referendum on the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union, the polling day order was made on 30 April 2012 and the closing date for the supplement to the postal voters list was 2 May, 2012. My Department notified advertisements to the print media immediately on the making of the polling day order and these were widely published on 1 May 2012.

Planning Issues

Shane Ross

Ceist:

452 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he intends to introduce legislation to provide a clear definition of the proof needed to establish a public right of way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28423/12]

Shane Ross

Ceist:

453 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his view on whether the recent Enniskerry, County Wicklow, right of way ruling sets such a high standard of proof for establishing the existence of a public right of way that it effectively abolished nearly all walking routes which would have been considered rights of way up to now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28424/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 453 together.

Section 14 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for a process for the inclusion by planning authorities of public rights of way in development plans. The process provides for the referral to the Circuit Court, by the landowner affected, of a proposal to include a right of way and where the court is satisfied that no right of way exists, the planning authority may not include it in its development plan. Section 14(7) provides that "the inclusion of a public right of way in a development plan shall be evidence of the existence of such a right unless the contrary is shown".

The question of whether a public right of way exists is therefore ultimately a matter for the courts to determine.

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. Accordingly, the recent ruling regarding rights of way is not expected to have any significant impact on the existing network of permissive access routes currently available to walkers.

The State's involvement in Rural Recreation developed against the backdrop of significant difficulties at key walking destinations during the 1990s, including, inter alia, issues regarding access to trails, many of which traversed private lands. In this context, Comhairle Na Tuaithe (the Countryside Council) was established January 2004 to address the three priority issues of:

access to the countryside;

developing a countryside code; and

Developing a National Countryside Recreation Strategy.

It comprises representatives of the farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and state bodies with an interest in the countryside. From this the National Countryside Recreation Strategy was published in 2006. Access to the countryside which had proven to be an ongoing problem for private landowners, state landholders, recreational users and tourists alike has been progressed though the efforts of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the introduction of the Walks Scheme in 2008.

With regard to access to the countryside, An Expert Group reported to the then Minister in May 2007. It did not set out specific recommendations but examined existing legislation and explored the implications of introducing legislation, such as granting a right of access to recreational users. It was determined that the best way forward was to develop permissive access with the agreement of landholders The consensus approach adopted is underpinned by the principle of mutual respect between landowners and recreation users, with the acceptance of the rights of landowners over access to their land and the need of recreation users to have reasonable access to the countryside. The report by the Expert Group established to examine and make recommendations on "the Legal Issues of Land Access for Recreational Use" is available on my Department's website.http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/Rural Development/FileDownLoad,27109,en.doc.

Departmental Funding

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

454 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of correspondence (details supplied), if he will make an authoritative statement on the issues raised and if he will agree to visit all the projects that will be impacted by his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28426/12]

My Department is providing pro rata funding to support the project concerned until end June 2012, in order to allow the project and other bodies to explore alternative funding mechanisms and identify resources to deliver on the project's overall objectives beyond that date. No additional funding is being provided by my Department in respect of any mainstreamed drugs project.

I understand that my colleague, Minister Hogan, gave a commitment to assist Dublin City Council in identifying funding to support the Ballyfermot Star project only, during the second half of 2012. The framework under which this funding will be provided is currently under discussion between my Department and Dublin City Council.

Furthermore, I have been advised by Dublin City Council that the Council is meeting with the Canal Communities Project shortly in relation to funding issues.

Local Authority Charges

Dan Neville

Ceist:

455 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding principal private residence charges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28427/12]

The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which introduced the non-principal private residence charge, places the onus on individual property owners to assess their liability for the charge in the first instance. There is no obligation on local authorities to issue demands or invoices. The charge is set at €200 per dwelling and is being levied and collected by local authorities. A late payment fee of €20 for each month or part of a month the charge remains outstanding is provided for in section 6 of the Act.

A person who is ordinarily resident abroad and owns a property in the State which is not his or her main residence is liable for the charge in the same manner as a person resident in the State.

National advertising has taken place in each year since the introduction of the charge to ensure general awareness of the charge and the liability dates. Some advertising on the charge was also placed in publications/newsletters circulating in areas in which large Irish populations are residing abroad. In tandem, local authorities have undertaken their own advertising campaigns locally and have separately sent reminders to property owners registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Communications have also been issued to persons who paid the charge in respect of previous years reminding them of their possible liability for the charge.

Significant efforts are being made to ensure that property owners are aware of the charge and the liability dates. However, the charge is based on self assessment principles and it is a matter for persons with a liability to pay the charge by the due date to avoid late payment fees.

Local Authority Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

456 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the Civil Service, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms in terms of as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28789/12]

As of March 2012 there were 28,811 whole time equivalent staff employed in local authorities. The table below provides a breakdown by category. Information on the allocation of pay by category of staff is not available in my Department.

Number

Managerial

235.8

Clerical/Admin

10,172.65

Professional/Technical

3,955.89

Outdoor

11,885.58

Full Time Firefighter

1,170

Temp/Contract/Other

1,391.02

Total

28,810.94

The total number of elected members of local authorities is 1,627.

Coroners Service

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

457 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number, location and salary scale of coroners employed county by county throughout the country; the extent if any of variation in salary or scale depending on location or region; the extent to which increases in workload are provided for or shared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28105/12]

Under the Coroners Act, 1962, coroner remuneration is fixed by local authorities, with my approval, following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Coroners are graded according to their work-load, and are paid a basic fee (a "retainer") which is intended to cover administration and support costs. This is either €12,807 (Grade 3), €17,932 (Grade 2) or €21,774 (Grade 1) per annum depending on the number of deaths dealt with. There are separate fees for the Dublin Coroner (€27,595) and the Cork City Coroner (€44,152).

Coroners are also paid fees per item of service in respect of each of the three core elements of their work - the number of deaths reported to them, the number of post mortems held and the number of inquests held. This means that increases in workload are reflected in remuneration. There is no provision for sharing of workload because a coroner's jurisdiction is confined to his/her district.

The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 provides for certain reforms in coronial matters, including an amalgamation of the Dublin County and City coronial districts, as well as other districts as vacancies arise, following appropriate consultation.

The table hereunder shows each of the coroner's grade.

Grade

Carlow

Grade 2

Cavan

Grade 2

Clare

Grade 1

Cork South and West

Grade 1

Cork North

Grade 2

Donegal South West

Grade 3

Donegal North East

Grade 3

Donegal North West

Grade 2

Donegal South East

Grade 3

Galway North

Grade 3

Galway West

Grade 1

Galway East

Grade 1

Kerry North

Grade 3

Kerry South East

Grade 2

Kerry West

Grade 2

Kildare

Grade 1

Kilkenny

Grade 1

Leitrim

Grade 3

Laois

Grade 2

Limerick South East

Grade 1

Limerick West

Grade 3

Limerick City

Grade 3

Longford

Grade 3

Louth

Grade 1

Mayo East

Grade 3

Mayo South

Grade 1

Mayo North

Grade 3

Meath

Grade 1

Monaghan North

Grade 3

Monaghan South

Grade 3

Offaly

Grade 1

Roscommon

Grade 2

Sligo

Grade 1

Tipperary South

Grade 2

Tipperary North

Grade 1

Waterford East

Grade 3

Waterford West

Grade 3

Waterford City

Grade 2

Westmeath

Grade 2

Wexford

Grade 2

Wicklow West

Grade 3

Wicklow East

Grade 2

Garda Recruitment

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

458 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to recruit trainee gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28230/12]

No date has been fixed for future intakes into the Garda college or for the commencement of a recruitment competition.

What will ultimately determine the sustainable level of Garda numbers, and therefore establish when recruitment will recommence, is the level of budgetary provision that can be made for the Force. Difficult decisions will continue to have to be made, right across the public sector, in order to bring our public finances back into balance. The decision on when recruitment will re-commence will also take into account the rate of retirements in the Garda Síochána and Government targets, set in the context of the agreement with the EU and the IMF, to reduce the numbers of public servants.

Coroners Service

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

459 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter relating to the Coroners Court (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27737/12]

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

507 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to change the current system which allows for all inquests to be held in court rooms and in public; his plans to change certain inquests to be held in private; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28235/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 507 together.

Under the Coroners Act 1962, a coroner is an independent office holder with responsibility under the law for the medico-legal investigation of the circumstances of sudden, unexplained, violent and unnatural deaths.

Regrettably, there are an increasing number of cases in our society that involve suicide and that fall to be investigated by our coroners. Coroners must ensure that a proper public investigation be seen to take place in order to reassure the public as to the cause of death in all cases of reportable death. I am aware that it is the practice of our coroners to be especially sensitive in so far as is possible, to the needs of families in the handling of all inquests and particularly so where suicide may be in question. I am aware of the hurt and trauma involved for family members and relatives in all tragic death situations, but perhaps especially in regard to suicide.

I have no plans to amend the law to exclude the public from an inquest which may be investigating a death resulting from suicide.

Departmental Staff

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

460 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which his Department last sought applications from executive officers and higher executive officers for posts in visa offices overseas; if civil servants that were not Irish nationals were invited to apply for these posts; if any non-Irish staff members applied; if they were short-listed for interview; if any were placed on a panel for appointment; if any were offered an overseas appointment and if they were permitted to take up the posting and if not, the reason; if he will detail when it is expected that these posts will be advertised again and if non-Irish staff members will be allowed participate in future competitions and to take up appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27740/12]

My Department last sought applications from Executive Officers and Higher Executive Officers for posts in visa offices overseas in April 2010. The Office Notice seeking applications was issued to all staff in the grades referenced by the Deputy as well as Administrative Officers. All candidates who applied were interviewed and a panel was created.

As part of the application process all successful candidates were notified of their placement on the panel and when offered an overseas appointment were asked to produce a copy of their Irish passport. The assessment of eligibility for any post occurs, as a practice, at the point where an assignment is about to be made. During the currency of the panel established one officer who was unable to provide an Irish passport was not in a position to take up an assignment.

The present panel for overseas appointment is in place until 30 June 2013. These posts will be advertised again when the present panel expires or unless previously exhausted, provided the business case to maintain visa officers overseas remains valid. All officers in the relevant grades will be allowed apply for future competitions. The requirement to hold Irish citizenship to take up a posting in the visa offices overseas will still apply. Under the 2008 Passport Act, Irish passports, whether standard, official or diplomatic, may only be issued to Irish citizens.

Legal Matters

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

461 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will advise on a matter (details supplied). [27741/12]

The Deputy will appreciate that it is outside the scope of my functions to provide legal advice on a civil matter and it would not be appropriate for me to do so. If the person in question has safety concerns, they should be brought to the attention of An Garda Síochána. If the Deputy wishes to supply the details of the case he is referring to I will have enquiries made and respond further.

Asylum Support Services

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

462 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of and location of State-owned centres for the provision of services to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27744/12]

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

463 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly cost to the State for the supply of services in each individual State-owned accommodation centre; the name of the person or company that operates each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27745/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, is responsible for the accommodation of persons while their applications for international protection are being processed. Currently, over 5,100 persons are being accommodated throughout the State in 37 centres under contract to RIA. Of the 37 centres in the State, 7 are State owned. That is to say, while the centres are managed by private contractors under contract to RIA, the land and buildings are owned by the State. At appendix A below is a list of those 7 State owned centres showing their capacities and residents' profiles.

The Deputy should be aware that RIA has recently completed an EU tender competition for the management of these State owned centres. The relevant contracts have now been signed and are effective from 14 June, 2012. The list at appendix B indicates how these 7 centres were tendered for in terms of 'lots' and the winning contractors for those lots effective from 14 June, 2012.

The RIA does not hold past financial information on individual State-owned contracts in an easily accessible form. Relevant information in relation to these centres is being compiled and details of the costs of each of these centres will be forwarded directly to the Deputy shortly. In this respect it is important to note that, as explained in replies to previous Dáil Questions, it is not in the interest of the taxpayer that details of current individual contracts are known to the public or to other parties who are, or may be in the future, engaged in negotiations with RIA. Therefore, details of current contract rates are not provided. The policy is that the updating of the table of contracts will take place only at the end of January each year in respect of all financial information up to the end of December two years previously, e.g. at the end of January, 2012 the records are updated to end of December 2009. This policy has been upheld by the Office of the Information Commissioner.

To assist the Deputy in getting a broader picture of spending on the Direct Provision system in general terms, I set out at appendix C below a breakdown of the total of €69.459 million expended by RIA in 2011. The Deputy will note that a total of €8.258 million was spent in 2011 on the fixed costs — i.e. the costs related to the provision of management and other services — of the 7 State-owned accommodation centres and that a further €1.458 million was spent on utility and maintenance costs at these 7 centres.

Appendix AThe current State-owned centres are:

Location

Capacity

Current Resident Profile

Atlas House, McCowan Lane, Tralee, Co Kerry

90

Single Males

Johnson Marina Hotel, Dingle Rd., Tralee, Co Kerry

90

Families

Atlas House, Deerpark Rd., Killarney, Co Kerry

90

Families

Park Lodge, Park Rd., Killarney, Co Kerry

55

Single Males

Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Kinsale Road, Cork.

275

Mixed

Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre,Limerick Road, Meelick, Co Clare

250

Mixed

Athlone Accommodation Centre, Lissywoolen, Ballymahon Rd., Athlone, Co Westmeath

300

Families

Appendix BContractors for State owned centres effective from 14 June, 2012

Lots

Location

Contractors

Lot 1

Atlas House, McCowan Lane, Tralee, Co Kerry and Johnson Marina Hotel, Dingle Rd., Tralee, Co Kerry

Onsite Facilities Management (OFM) Ltd

Lot 2

Atlas House, Deerpark Rd., Killarney, Co Kerry and Park Lodge, Park Rd., Killarney, Co Kerry

Onsite Facilities Management (OFM) Ltd

Lot 3

Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Kinsale Road, Cork.

Campbell Catering Ltd t/a ARAMARK

Lot 4

Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre,Limerick Road, Meelick, Co Clare

Campbell Catering Ltd t/a ARAMARK

Lot 5

Athlone Accommodation Centre, Lissywoolen, Ballymahon Rd., Athlone, Co Westmeath

Campbell Catering Ltd t/a ARAMARK

Appendix CBreakdown of Expenditure in RIA in 2011

Type

Explanation

Spend

Commercial*

37 Centres commercially owned

€57.784m

State Owned

7 centres owned by the State

€8.258m

Self Catering

2 non direct provision commercially owned centres

€1.687m

Additional costs (including Gas, Electricity, Oil, Phone, Water, Waste, Sewerage, OPW, etc.)

Direct spending by RIA on additional costs in State owned centres

€1.458m

Pre School

Payments for wages, consumables etc. in 8 pre schools

€0.128m

Transport**

Direct spending by RIA on transport of asylum seekers on dispersals around country.

€0.068m

Miscellaneous

Payments for nappies, miscellaneous costs etc.

€0.076m

Total

€69.459m

Notes:

*This figure also includes the amount paid for the 7 commercially owned centres which were closed during 2011.

**This represents direct spending by RIA on costs in relation to transport to the Dublin reception centre and, onwards on dispersal, to accommodation centres throughout the country. Individual centres also provide transport (e.g. into local town or city) for resident asylum seekers but this cost is subsumed into the overall contract price.

Garda Reserve

Niall Collins

Ceist:

464 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason no recruitment to the Garda Reserve is happening; his views on whether such recruitment would assist An Garda Síochána overcome their challenges in view of the embargo on recruitment and training of mainstream members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27763/12]

The moratorium on Public Service Recruitment does not apply to the Garda Reserve, and recruitment to the Reserve is ongoing.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that as of the 30 April, 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Garda Reserve was 921 with an additional 228 in training. The target strength of the Garda Reserve remains at 10% of the full time force and I would like to assure the House that the Government and Commissioner are fully committed to the continued development of the Garda Reserve. Members of the Garda Reserve make a valuable contribution to policing and are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and professions, and include representatives from 27 different countries. I would like to place on record my appreciation of the members of the Reserve who give of their time on a voluntary basis and for their ongoing commitment to the Garda Síochána.

Garda Reserve

Niall Collins

Ceist:

465 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will tabulate the numbers of active Garda Reserves by Garda division; and if he will detail the last date of recruitment of reserve members to each division [27764/12]

I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that as of the 30 April 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the total strength of the Garda Reserve was 921. The distribution of the Reserve throughout the state on the same date was as set out in the table below. Recruitment to the Reserve is ongoing and nationwide. The last Garda Reserve Graduation took place on 17 February 2012. All Divisions, apart from Westmeath, Roscommon/Longford, Sligo/Leitrim and DMR East, were assigned Garda Reserve members from those who graduated on that date.

Reserve Gardaí 30/04/2012

Station

Total

D.M.R. South Central

Kevin St

9

Kilmainham

7

Pearse St

26

Harcourt Tce

5

Donnybrook

8

Irishtown

3

DMR North Central

Store Street

14

Bridewell

13

Fitzgibbon Street

1

Mountjoy

16

DMR NORTH

Santry

10

Whitehall

5

Ballymun

11

Raheny

5

Clontarf

3

Howth

4

Coolock

10

Swords

9

Malahide

3

Balbriggan

7

DMR EAST

Dun Laoghaire

8

Dalkey

0

Cabinteely

0

Kill-O-Grange

0

Shankill

2

Blackrock

3

Dundrum

3

Stepaside

0

DMR SOUTH

Crumlin

7

Sundrive Road

6

Tallaght

11

Rathfarnham

5

Rathmines

9

Terenure

9

DMR WEST

Cabra

0

Finglas

14

Blanchardstown

20

Lucan

14

Ronanstown

3

Ballyfermot

2

Clondalkin

5

Rathcoole

0

Waterford

Waterford

20

Tramore

5

Dungarvan

2

Wexford

Gorey

5

Enniscorthy

11

New Ross

5

Wexford

9

Tipperary

Nenagh

2

Thurles

3

Roscrea

4

Carrick-On Suir

1

Clonmel

6

Templederry

0

Templemore

4

Cahir

7

Tipperary

4

Kilkenny/Carlow

Kilkenny

9

Muinebeag

5

Thomastown

5

Carlow

10

Tullow

2

Cork City

Anglesea Street

22

Mayfield

10

Watercourse Road

4

Togher

3

Gurranbraher

10

Bishopstown

2

Carrigaline

1

Ballincollig

0

Douglas

1

Cork North

Mallow

4

Cobh

6

Fermoy

5

Midleton

4

Cork West

Bandon

7

Bantry

3

Clonakilty

5

Dunmanway

1

Kanturk

1

Millstreet

2

Macroom

5

Skibbereen

1

Kerry

Tralee

16

Listowel

3

Killarney

7

Limerick

Henry Street

24

Mayorstone Park

7

Galbally

1

Roxboro Rd

15

Donegal

Letterkenny

12

Buncrana

5

Donegal

2

Ballybofey

5

Cavan/Monaghan

Cavan

4

Carrickmacross

3

Bailieboro

3

Castleblaney

2

Monaghan

7

Sligo/Leitrim

Sligo

11

Ballymote

2

Manorhamilton

2

Carrick-On-Shannon

2

Louth

Drogheda

16

Dundalk

12

Ardee

6

Clare

Ennis

11

Shannon

5

Kilrush

1

Killaloe

1

Mayo

Castlebar

12

Ballina

5

Swinford

3

Claremorris

4

Westport

6

Galway

Galway

31

Tuam

9

Gort

2

Ballinasloe

4

Loughrea

6

Salthill

6

Roscommon/Longford

Roscommon

8

Boyle

2

Longford

2

Castlerea

1

Granard

2

Westmeath

Athlone

6

Mullingar

12

Meath

Navan

12

Ashbourne

6

Trim

5

Kells

4

Laytown

2

Kildare

Naas

7

Leixlip

3

Athy

3

Celbridge

0

Newbridge

5

Kildare

5

Laois/Offaly

Tullamore

14

Birr

2

Abbeyleix

5

Portlaoise

7

Wicklow

Bray

6

Greystones

3

Blessington

4

Wicklow

7

Arklow

8

Total

921

Visa Applications

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

466 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a visitor’s visa will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27773/12]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a 'visit' visa for the individual referred to was approved on the 6 June 2012.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters 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.

Auctioneering Licences

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

467 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that have arisen following the implementation of the Property Services Regulation Act 2011 in relation to auctioneer’s licences which came into effect on 30 May without sufficient advance notice for various practitioners involved in the area and that many of them had already placed advertisements and incurred significant costs in renewing their auctioneers licences in respect of court sittings to be held in during the month of June and that now these cannot proceed as the matter is being dealt with through the Property Services Regulatory Authority and not through the courts and that large numbers of auctioneers and solicitors have incurred expenditure in terms of putting advertising notices in papers and so on because they had to have the notice in the papers 28 days in advance of the court sitting; if he will make some arrangement to compensate persons for costs incurred in addition to the stamp duty and that the courts will re-fund in respect of these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27774/12]

I will write to the Deputy directly on this matter in the near future.

Visa Applications

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

468 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will be allowed to remain in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27778/12]

I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the persons referred to by the Deputy met with officials from the INIS on 31 May, 2012 regarding their request to remain in the State. Their request is being examined and a decision will issue shortly.

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.

Garda Recruitment

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

469 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the next Garda recruitment programme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27780/12]

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

504 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any immediate plans to begin recruiting trainee gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28208/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 504 together.

No date has been fixed for future intakes into the Garda College or for the commencement of a recruitment competition.

What will ultimately determine the sustainable level of Garda numbers, and therefore establish when recruitment will recommence, is the level of budgetary provision that can be made for the Force. Difficult decisions will continue to have to be made, right across the public sector, in order to bring our public finances back into balance. The decision on when recruitment will re-commence will also take into account the rate of retirements in the Garda Síochána and Government targets, set in the context of the agreement with the EU and the IMF, to reduce the numbers of public servants.

Crime Prevention

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

470 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will put in place a non-administrative grant to provide for Community Alert to be established in areas of the country not serviced by a Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27789/12]

An Garda Síochána, in partnership with Muintir na Tíre, has established 1,345 Community Alert groups throughout rural Ireland, relying on the support and voluntary efforts of many individual members of the community. Funding is provided by my Department to Muintir na Tíre in relation to the employment and associated costs of a National Coordinator and Development Officers which I believe is the best use of the resources available to provide for an effective scheme.

Garda Transport

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

471 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to ensure that all rural Garda stations will continue to retain their Garda vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27800/12]

Decisions in relation to the deployment of Garda resources, including transport, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In that context the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles within each Garda Division is a matter for the Divisional Officer in the light of operational requirements.

I am informed that Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all transport resources with reference to crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level. This approach is designed to ensure that optimum use is made of available resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Garda Transport

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

472 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has new proposals to efficiently purchase all public sector vehicles at competitive rates for the Garda fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27801/12]

The provision and allocation of Garda resources, including transport, are matters for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational requirements and the availability of financial resources.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that Garda vehicles are purchased having regard to a range of criteria depending on the type of vehicle being purchased and the operational requirements for the vehicles concerned. Vehicles are required to meet the highest safety standards and have the technical and physical capacity for police work.

The Garda authorities have further advised that the National Procurement Service have recently completed a competitive procurement process for the supply of Garda vehicles and it is anticipated that a number of vehicles will be purchased in the near future.

Garda Transport

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

473 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles taken out of the Garda fleet in the period June 2009 to June, 2010, June 2010 to June, 2011 and June 2011 to June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27802/12]

Decisions in relation to the operation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that Garda patrol cars are retired for a variety of reasons, including having reached an odometer reading of 300,000 kilometres. The decommissioning of cars is carried out to ensure that all operational vehicles fully meet the safety requirements of both Garda personnel and members of the public. This is a function which is undertaken in accordance with strict standards set by the relevant manufacturers.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is as outlined in the below table:

Period

Number

June 2009 - June 2010

50

June 2010 - June 2011

222

June 2011 - June 2012

300

Garda Transport

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

474 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent on repairing Garda vehicles in the period June 2011 to June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27803/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

475 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent on repairing Garda vehicles in the period June 2010 to June 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27804/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

476 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent on repairing Garda vehicles in the period June 2009 to June 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

477 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the location at which the money was spent for the repairs to Garda vehicles; if the repairs were carried out in Dublin centrally or at various locations throughout the country; if he will provide a breakdown of the location at which the money was spent in June 2009 to June 2010, June 2010 to June 2011 and June 2011 to June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27806/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

478 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on repairing Garda vehicles in the period June 2011 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27807/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

479 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent on repairing Garda vehicles in the period June 2010 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27808/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

480 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent on repairing Garda vehicles in the period June 2009 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27809/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 474 to 480, inclusive, together.

Decisions in relation to the provision, deployment and maintenance of Garda transport are matters for the Garda Commissioner. In that regard, I am informed that from 01 June 2009, all Garda vehicles have been serviced, repaired and maintained by local main dealers. In April 2012, a contract was awarded to the Ford Motor Company for the service, repair and maintenance of the vehicle fleet and this service is carried out by local Ford service agents.

The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote. In that context I am advised by the Garda authorities that records in relation to repairs for the Garda fleet are not readily available in a format which provides a breakdown of the costs incurred by location. I am further informed that the extraction of such data would require a disproportionate use of Garda resources.

However, the Garda authorities have advised me that the costs of maintaining Garda vehicles, which include spare parts and tyres, for the periods requested by the Deputy were as outlined in the following table:

Year

Cost

01/06/09-31/05/10

€11.661 million

01/06/10-31/05/11

€13.074 million

01/06/11-31/05/12

€10.701 million

Court Accommodation

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

481 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Courts Service will make a decision regarding Dunshaughlin Court House moving to the ownership of Meath County Council in order that its facilities can be of benefit to the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27826/12]

Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and have been informed that ownership of Dunshaughlin courthouse was never vested in the Courts Service and it has not used the courthouse since 2009. The courthouse was in the ownership of Meath County Council and a decision regarding the use of the property is not, therefore, a matter for the Courts Service.

Residency Permits

Noel Harrington

Ceist:

482 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount that will be deemed as sufficient income for persons (details supplied) in County Cork hoping to retire here; if he will set out the guidelines as to the way these figures are calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27857/12]

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that there are a number of conditions that must be met before deciding on an application for permission to reside in the State of the type referred to in the Deputy's question.

In the matter of finances, it is not possible to be prescriptive as to what would be considered sufficient income because of the unique nature of each case. However, the underlying principle regarding self-sufficiency is that the foreign national would not need to avail of State funds or State funded services nor would any dependant family member who was allowed enter the State require such State benefits.

In this particular case, I understand that additional supporting information has come to the attention of INIS and they will contact the persons concerned further regarding their application.

Naturalisation Applications

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

483 Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will issue on a application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27867/12]

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, such as good character and lawful residence, and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. Considerable resources are deployed to process applications and these resources together with the necessary administrative arrangements are kept under review.

As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State 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.

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

484 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been waiting since October 2010 for their Garda vetting to be processed. [27887/12]

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person referred to was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

However, on processing the application, it was necessary to make further enquiries. The GCVU will be in contact with the registered organisation in the coming days.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

485 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27900/12]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 996 and 997 of 18 April 2012.

*996. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide, in tabular form, the names and salaries of all his special advisers including special advisers of Ministers of State; any salary increases they have received since they took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Niall Collins

*997. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide, in tabular form, details of all salary increases for special advisers requested by him or any Ministers of State in his Department; the names of the advisers and the amount requested; a list of salary increases granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Niall Collins

I propose to take Questions Nos. 996 and 997 together.

In my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality I have appointed Ms Jane Lehane and Mr. Thomas Cooney as my Special Advisers. They are both paid at the Principal Officer standard scale (€80,051 - €98,424). I have made no requests for salary increases for either individual and the only changes to their salaries have been by way of normal incremental progression.

Garda Investigations

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

486 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has been contacted by the relatives of a person (details supplied) about the Garda investigation into the death of that person in County Offaly on 8 July 1985 and the conduct of the subsequent criminal trial; his views on whether there is a need for a new Garda investigation into the case; if the case is still under investigation by the Garda; if the case is under official review; if the case has been re-examined with a view to determining whether any new prosecution should take place following the collapse of the original criminal trial; if he will consider the setting up of a commission of investigation pursuant to the Commission of Investigation Act 2004 to enable the entire circumstances of the death and subsequent investigations and trial to be independently investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27930/12]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to was the subject of investigation by An Garda Síochána, which resulted in the submission of an investigation file to the law officers, who directed that a person be charged with manslaughter and assault. At the ensuing trial directions to acquit were given by the judge.

Following the publication of an article concerning this case in October, 2010, representations were made requesting an investigation of the matters raised in it. I understand that the Commissioner arranged for a Detective Superintendent to meet the author of the article and the persons making the representations to make an assessment whether there was any evidence which was not available to the original investigation team and if further investigation was required in this case. As a result, a number of lines of inquiry were identified for examination by An Garda Síochána. I have received an update on progress on the matter from the Garda Commissioner but the examination remains ongoing and I expect to receive a final report upon its completion, at which point I will review the situation.

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

487 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the Clondalkin Towers Refugee Centre, on the Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, with information provided on the following, the total number of persons currently residing there; the number of families residing there; the number of rooms in the Clondalkin Towers Refugee Centre; the average number of persons sleeping in each room; the facilities available for each family; the average length of time persons remain there; the number of persons who have resided there in the past who have been granted asylum; the proportion of persons who have resided there in the past who have been refused asylum; and any other information which he deems relevant for an assessment of the conditions in which asylum seekers are living in at the Clondalkin Towers Refugee Centre, and if he is satisfied that these are acceptable conditions in which to accommodate asylum seekers. [27960/12]

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the Government policy of direct provision while their applications for asylum are being processed. The system provides asylum seekers with full board accommodation, free of utility or other costs.

The Clondalkin Towers Accommodation Centre, Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin is one of currently 37 centres within the RIA accommodation portfolio. There are 222 asylum seekers currently residing in Clondalkin Towers. Out of those 222 persons, there are 47 family units (i.e. parent/s with children). There are 78 bedrooms in the centre and the number of persons assigned to any particular room is based on the size of the room.

Facilities for families in Clondalkin Towers include an indoor play area, equipment for which has been grant approved by Pobal, and a preschool.

The 2011 Annual Report by RIA will shortly be published on its website —www.ria.gov.ie. This will provide, inter alia, a full overall breakdown of each centre, including Clondalkin Towers, at the end of 2011 in terms of residents’ gender, nationality and age.

Asylum seekers are not assigned to particular centres based at the stage they are at in the asylum determination system. Neither does the centre they're residing in have any bearing whatsoever on the outcome of their claim for international protection. Therefore, no statistics are maintained in relation to these aspects of the question, as to maintain such statistics would have no practical benefit.

Clondalkin Towers is one element of the system of direct provision system and dispersal and that system is one of the central features of the State's response to the asylum issue. I am satisfied that, through the coordinated service delivery under this system, the treatment of asylum seekers here is at least on a par with that of any other country and that it delivers a high standard of service and value for money to the taxpayer.

Asylum Applications

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

488 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time which an asylum seeker waits for a decision on whether or not they will be granted asylum. [27961/12]

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

489 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons granted asylum here in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. [27962/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 489 together.

The median processing time for asylum decisions in 2012 is 8 months (or 32 weeks) from date of initial application at the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. I should point out that some cases can take longer to complete due to, for example, delays arising from medical issues, or because of judicial review proceedings. All asylum applications and appeals are processed in accordance with the Refugee Act 1996 and high quality and fair decision-making in all cases continues to be a key priority at all stages of the asylum process. For the sake of completeness, I should also state that persons who are refused a declaration under Section 17 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) enter what is commonly referred to as the "leave to remain" process which generally has two elements to it; an application for subsidiary protection and further consideration to be given under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This is separate to the asylum or refugee status determination process.

The processing of cases at this point is complex and extremely resource intensive given that where an application for subsidiary protection is lodged in addition to representations for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the subsidiary protection application must be considered first to assess whether the applicant has an identifiable need for international protection. Where such an application is refused, consideration must then be given to the case in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), at which point the Minister must make a decision whether or not to make a deportation order in respect of the person. All of this must be done in strict compliance with the Constitution, together with relevant international law including the European Convention on Human Rights.

The total number of persons granted asylum for the years 2008 - 2011 was 586, 393,157 and 132 respectively. While there is not an exact correlation between the number of asylum applications and the decision date of applications, there has been a very substantial reduction in new applications over the same period and accordingly the numbers granted asylum should be seen in this context.

Road Traffic Accidents

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

490 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of learner drivers that have been involved in fatal and serious road collisions in the years 2009 to 2012, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27983/12]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of Learner Drivers (accompanied and unaccompanied) recorded as having been involved in a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision, by year, from 2009 to 7 June, 2012.

Year

Fatal CollisionLearner Driver*

Serious Injury CollisionLearner Driver*

2012 (to 7 June 2012)

4

8

2011

11

25

2010

14

25

2009

23

30

Total

52

88

*statistics provided are provisional, operational and liable to change

Enforcement by An Garda Síochána will continue to focus on high risk behaviour such as speeding, drink or drug driving, non use of seatbelts, reckless driving, use of mobile phones while driving and on identified vulnerable road-users, including Learner Drivers. In that regard the Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána has this year conducted two specific enforcement operations targeting Learner Drivers in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and other relevant stakeholders (on 1/2 March and 19 April, 2012) and that a substantial number of cautions and proceedings arose as a result. An Garda Síochána will continue to prioritise the enforcement of road traffic legislation to ensure greater compliance by Learner Drivers.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

491 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of serious collisions that have occurred on the roads to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27984/12]

In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Illegal Immigrants

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

492 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of court proceedings against a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27990/12]

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that review proceedings were initiated on 16th April, 2012 in respect of the persons referred to by the Deputy. As the matter issub judice, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.

Citizenship Ceremonies

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

493 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the fees payable by each of the 4,000 new Irish persons in respect of the swearing in ceremony at the National Convention Centre in Dublin; the amount in fees that was paid as part of the application process prior to that; the total amount payable from this process; the amount of these funds are utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28016/12]

In June 2011 I introduced formal citizenship ceremonies for the first time since the foundation of the State. The ceremonies which are being met with universal approval and are held at no extra cost to applicants allow candidates for citizenship make their declaration of fidelity to the Irish nation and loyalty to the State and receive their certificate of naturalisation in a meaningful and dignified manner which befits the importance and solemnity of the occasion. To date, 47 such ceremonies have been held at which almost 11,000 candidates have become Irish citizens under the new procedures. On 14 June a further 4,000 persons will conferred with Irish citizenship.

The prescribed fees to be paid by applicants on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation were last increased by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 2008, which came into effect on 1 August 2008. The standard certification fee is €950 while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain circumstances when the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of refugees and stateless persons no fee is charged. The increases in certification fees were in line with inflation for the period 1993 to 2008. While the fees are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing the different categories of applicant, the certification fees do not recoup the full cost of processing the applications.

In November 2011, I signed into law Statutory Instrument 569/11, which introduced an application fee of €175 for new applications for a certificate of naturalisation. The application fee was introduced to contribute towards the costs of processing those applications that do not attract any certification fee and to reduce the proportion of invalid and ineligible applications being lodged. The Statutory Instrument also introduced a series of changes to the application forms, in particular to facilitate applicants who are the civil partners of Irish citizens. Prior to the enactment of these regulations no fee was paid in advance of a person being naturalised.

State Bodies

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

494 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost savings envisaged by the amalgamation of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority; the budget of the Human Rights Commission in 2011, the budget of the Equality Authority in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28147/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

495 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional powers to be given to the new merged body of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28148/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

509 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of staff in the new merged body of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority; the current number of staff in the Human Rights Commission; the total number of staff in the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28284/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

510 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality what the annual budget for the new merged body of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28285/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 494, 495, 509 and 510 together.

My proposals in regard to powers and functions are set out in the General Scheme of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2012, which was published on 5 June and presented to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and to which I would refer the Deputy.

Currently, the Equality Authority has 33 staff members and the Human Rights Commission has 10 staff. Persons working with the two existing organisations on the day the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission comes into being will transfer across and become its employees. As the Deputy will be aware the Working Group set up to advise me on practical issues in relation to the merger recommended that the new Commission as a priority initial task should undertake a review of its staffing needs to compile the evidence for a business case for any essential additional staff needs it may identify. While stressing the seriousness of the fiscal situation we face and the severe staffing constraints that apply across the public service, I want to reiterate my openness to have such a business case examined by my Department in as favourable a light as will be possible. The annual financial allocation for the new body will fall to be determined in the light of the Budget for the relevant years and will be announced in that context in due course.

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

496 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for Garda vetting in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and when a decision will issue. [28163/12]

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that two vetting applications in respect of the person referred to were received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. However, on processing the applications, it was necessary to make further enquiries. The GCVU will be in contact with the registered organisations in the coming days.

Crime Prevention

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

497 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will support residents (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [28180/12]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within the Raheny Garda District. The specific issues raised in the correspondence attached by the Deputy have been brought to the attention of the Garda authorities. The area is the subject of regular patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel, supported by District Detective and Drug Unit personnel and Community Policing and Mountain Bike Unit personnel, supplemented as required by Divisional Traffic Corps and Crime Task Force Units. A member of the local Community Policing Unit is allocated to the area. I am further informed that in keeping with good practice in crime prevention, the trees at the entrance to the location referred to have been cut, which should increase the level of natural surveillance and reduce the opportunity for anti-social behaviour.

Local Garda management closely monitors and keeps under review patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the local community, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. Garda management is satisfied that a comprehensive policing service is being delivered and that current structures in place meet the requirements for the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service to the residents concerned. I am further informed that the situation is being kept under review.

Traffic Management

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

498 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will support this matter (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [28183/12]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that area referred to is within the Raheny Garda District. Local Garda Management is aware of the difficulties being experienced at this junction which relate to access, parking and egress, in particular at peak drop off and collection times to a local educational establishment and peak commuter travel times for public transport services. I am further informed that there is a 'no left turn' restriction in place at the junction between 7 am and 10am during which time pedestrians are frequently dropped at the location which adds to traffic restrictions and congestion. The matter may also be compounded by local residents parking vehicles on the public road. In that regard, there are no parking restrictions/double-yellow lines in place in the locality.

I am advised that the area is the subject of patrols particularly during peak traffic periods, by the Community Garda and other Sub-District and District personnel, including Divisional Traffic Corps personnel. Fixed charge penalty notices are issued for offences contrary to the Road Traffic Acts detected in the locality. Residents are advised to report incidents to the local Community Garda should these difficulties continue and local Garda Management will continue to monitor the situation.

Garda Transport

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

499 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on fuel for Garda vehicles from 2009 to 2012, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28190/12]

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the amounts spent on fuel for Garda vehicles for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 were as outlined in the table.

Year

Expenditure

2009

€10,877,032

2010

€11,749,143

2011

€13,097,830

2012 (as at 31/05/12)

€4,532,560

Departmental Staff

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

500 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of jobs that have been advertised for the Forensic Science Laboratory in the past two years; the positions offered; if all positions were filled after the first round of advertising; if not, if they were re-advertised and subsequently filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28191/12]

No jobs have been advertised for the Forensic Science Laboratory in the period referenced.

Visa Applications

Paudie Coffey

Ceist:

501 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a visa application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28202/12]

The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on the 22 February 2012. The type of visa sought was a multiple entry visit visa. Following consideration it was the decision of the visa officer to refuse the granting of the visa sought. The visa was refused as the visa officer was not satisfied with the obligations of the applicant to return to their country of origin following the proposed visit. One suggested way in which an applicant may seek to establish obligations to return to their country of origin is by way of social ties, e.g. other family members.

It is open to the person concerned to appeal the decision to refuse the visa. An appeal must be made within two months of the date of refusal, in this instance before the 10 July 2012. Where doing so, the applicant should be in a position to address the reason(s) for the refusal. Guidelines regarding the visa appeals procedure are available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service —www.inis.gov.ie.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters 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.

Legal Services

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

502 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to transfer the current staff of the complaints section of the law society to the new legal services oversight authority proposed in the Legal Services Regulation Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28204/12]

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

503 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way it is intended to staff the new legal services oversight authority proposed in the Legal Services Regulation Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28205/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 502 and 503 together.

The position in relation to this matter remains as indicated in my written Reply to Question number 313 of 8 May 2012. I have also addressed this matter in the course of my speech and open discussion of the modernisation and reform of the legal sector at the Annual Conference of the Law Society on 14th April — the full text of the speech remains available on my Department's web-site,www.justice.ie, for ease of reference.

As I have conveyed on such previous occasions, the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority to be established under the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 will be independent of the legal professions and of the Government in the performance of its functions. This will include new and independent procedures relating to allegations of professional misconduct by either solicitors or barristers. Such complaints will be dealt with under the auspices of the Authority's Complaints Committee and supported, where appropriate, by the work of the new and independent Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal. Under the Bill, members of the public will no longer go to the Law Society or to the Bar Council and their respective disciplinary tribunals to deal with complaints, as happens at the moment, but will instead do so through the Legal Services Regulatory Authority.

The Law Society has, earlier this year, recognised that it would be "in the best interests of the public and the profession" if complaints about solicitors were no longer to be dealt with by the Society but by the new Regulatory Authority to be established under the Bill. I have commended this development because it will underpin public perceptions of impartiality in the regime governing the conduct and discipline of the legal professions to the utmost degree. The independence of the new Regulatory Authority and of its attendant complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal procedures is, therefore, fundamental to their success and to the avoidance of any perception that complaints about lawyers are being dealt with by lawyers themselves or by their representative bodies.

Under the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 the complaints systems currently operated by the legal professional bodies are to be replaced by new procedures the independence of which will have to be reflected in the relevant recruitment and appointment processes. In closing the Second Stage debate on the Bill and in my address to the Law Society of 14 April, I have confirmed that I am considering possible Committee Stage amendments to create appropriately independent procedures for the appointment of members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, its Complaints Committee and of the Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal. Similarly, I expressed the view that staff appointments to the new Authority would be better made by the Authority itself under a public competition carried out by the Public Appointments Service. While the transition to a new and independent complaints procedure under the Bill will have an impact on staff currently involved in that area it will be open to such staff — who would obviously possess the relevant skills and experience — to offer to apply for positions advertised by the new and independent Legal Services Regulatory Authority.

Question No. 504 answered with Question No. 469.

Visa Applications

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

505 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the refusal of a visa in respect of a person (details supplied) [28221/12]

The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were lodged in April 2012 and were processed in the Visa Office, Dublin. It was the decision of the visa officer on 21 May 2012 to refuse the granting of the visas sought.

The visas were refused as the visa officer was not satisfied with the obligations of the applicants to return to their country of origin following the proposed visit. One suggested way in which an applicant may seek to establish obligations to return to their country of origin is by way of social and or economic ties. The visa officer further noted that no clear link to the contact/host had been established. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website states that visit visa applicants are required to submit details of how they are known to or related to their contact host and to provide supporting evidence of this. While immigration stamps in an applicant's passport demonstrate previous entry to Ireland, this does not establish how they may be known to the present contact/host.

The Deputy may wish to note that the previous visits referred to occurred in 2008. At that time nationals of Mauritius were not required to be in possession of a visa when seeking to enter the State. The visa requirement for nationals of Mauritius entered in to force on 1 January 2010.

It is noted that the persons concerned do not propose to appeal the decisions to refuse the visas. It is, of course, open to them to lodge a fresh visa application at any time. Where doing so, the persons concerned should be in a position to address the concerns raised by the Visa Officer.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters 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.

Rights of Way

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

506 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of the Land and Conveyancing Reform Act 2009, the procedure a person must follow in order to ensure that their right of way and access to land, across lands that are not in their ownership is maintained; where the right of way must be registered; the date on which it must be registered and the way a person proves a right of way of necessity for access to particular parcels of land. [28231/12]

The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 updated the law concerning the acquisition of easements, including rights of way other than public rights of way. Parts 12 and 13 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 contain amendments to the 2009 Act and the Registration of Title Act 1964 respectively which simplify the procedures for registering easements acquired by prescription under the 2009 Act. Rules applicable to the new arrangements are set out in the Land Registration Rules 2011 (S.I. No. 559 of 2011) which have been published on the web site of the Property Registration Authority (www.prai.ie). The procedures to be followed are set out in a Practice Direction entitled ’Registration of Easements and Profits a Prendre acquired by Prescription under Section 49A’ which has also been published on the Authority’s web site.

As regards easements of necessity, the general position is that such an easement may be implied where the enjoyment and use of land would be impossible without such access and its existence is based on the presumed intention of the parties concerned.

Question No. 507 answered with Question No. 459.

Casual Trading Regulations

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

508 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the regulations that govern ice cream vans; if they are county council by-laws or national legislation; if a person is making a complaint against the proprietor of an ice cream van the governing authority other than the owner of the van that is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28262/12]

I have to inform the Deputy that my Department has no role in overseeing the regulations that govern the operation of ice-cream vans. However, I understand that the legislation which establishes the regime for the regulation of selling goods in public places is the Casual Trading Act 1995. Section 2(1) of this Act defines casual trading as "selling goods at a place (including a public road) to which the public have access as of right or any other place that is a casual trading area". Casual trading is regulated by the 88 Local Authorities who have the legal capacity to make bye laws under the Act.

Questions Nos. 509 and 510 answered with Question No. 494.

Liquor Licensing Laws

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

511 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 8 May 2012, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many groups working to address alcohol related harm have concerns regarding the use of a statutory code of practice under section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2011, particularly their concern regarding the lack of access to information and capacity to challenge licence renewals in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28369/12]

The position is that section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 provides for the adoption of codes of practice for the purpose of setting standards for the display, sale, supply, advertising, promotion or marketing of intoxicating liquor. Subsection (9) of that section states that failure on the part of a licensee to observe any provision of such a code shall not of itself render the licensee liable to any civil or criminal proceedings but such failure shall be considered as relating to the good character of the licensee for the purposes of renewal of the licensee's licence under the Courts (No. 2) Act 1986. Under the latter Act, the grounds on which objection to renewal of a licence permitting the sale of intoxicating liquor may be made include the good character of the licensee and the peaceable and orderly manner in which the licensed premises were conducted in the year ending on the expiry of the licence.

Liquor Licences

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

512 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of objections made to the renewal of a licence for the sale and supply of alcohol in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011; the number of objections which were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28370/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

513 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of objections made to the renewal of a licence for the sale and supply of alcohol in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011; the number of objections which were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28371/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.

Under the Courts (No. 2) Act 1986, the grounds on which objection to renewal of a licence permitting the sale of intoxicating liquor may be made in the District Court include the good character of the licensee and the peaceable and orderly manner in which the licensed premises of the licensee were conducted in the year ending on the expiry of the licence.

The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics.

In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that applications for renewal of licences are dealt with in the District Court. However, statistics are not compiled in the manner sought by the Deputy and the data could not be extracted without a disproportionate expenditure of staff time and resources which could not be justified in the circumstances.

Garda Operations

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

514 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of test purchases which have been undertaken by An Garda Síochána under section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 since the launch of the guidelines on 1 October 2010; the number of successful convictions which have arisen from these test purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28372/12]

In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Legislative Programme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

515 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons for the delay in the publication of the Vetting Bureau Bill in view of comments (details supplied) which stated that it would be published by the end of April; when he expects this Bill to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28373/12]

Drafting of the Vetting Bureau Bill is at an advanced stage. I expect that the Bill will be published before the summer recess. The reason for the delay in publication is due to the need to harmonise the provisions of the Bill with other impending legislation, in particular the Children First legislation and the Spent Convictions Bill. The Vetting Bureau Bill will also have impacts for a broad range of sectors and consequently required detailed consultation with the Attorney General and with a range of other Government Departments.

Garda Deployment

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

516 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will take steps to contact the Garda authorities with a view to having a replacement garda appointed to a Garda station (details supplied) in County Longford which is required, following the retirement of the local garda in February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28388/12]

The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

517 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the Garda station in Caherciveen, County Kerry; if the status of the station is being downgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28406/12]

The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

I have been informed by the Commissioner that the strength of Cahirciveen Garda station on 30 April 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 21. Cahirciveen is one of the Garda District Headquarters in the Kerry Garda Division and has a total complement of 40 Gardaí from the 305 assigned to that Division. The District is supported by 3 civilians who provide administrative and technical support to members of the Garda Síochána. These resources are augmented, when appropriate, by Gardaí from national units.

Any changes in the opening or closing of Garda stations must be highlighted by the Commissioner in his annual policing plan which is submitted to me before November of each year. The Policing Plan for 2013 has not yet been prepared and therefore it is not possible to say at this stage what it may contain although I expect that it will contain measures to address the ongoing issue of rationalisation of the Garda station network.

Departmental Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

518 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the Civil Service, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms in terms of as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28793/12]

There are approximately 22,800 staff employed by my Department and Agencies under its aegis. This includes some 13,600 members of An Garda Síochána; 3,250 Prison Officers; and 270 Probation Officers, most of whom could be described as "front-line". The above numbers are expressed as whole time equivalents.

It is not possible to provide the exact pay breakdown sought by the Deputy. However, the overall pay budget for my Department and Agencies under its aegis as published in the 2012 Revised Estimates Volume is €1,409 million which includes approximately €960 million in respect of An Garda Síochána pay, €240 million in respect of Prison Service pay and €21 million in respect of the Probation Service pay. This would equate to 87% approximately of the Justice Votes.

It is of course the case that there would be a range of other staff across the Justice Sector, including administrative civil servants, many of whose roles would involve a mixture of administrative/front-line duties.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

519 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27893/12]

I have not appointed any special advisers in my role as Minister for Defence.

Ministerial Transport

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

520 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form details of the usage of the Government jet since March 2011 to date; to include the Minister, the country visited, the event attended, and the cost to the State of each journey. [28227/12]

The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The CASA maritime patrol aircraft have been used infrequently for Ministerial Air Transport missions where no MATS aircraft has been available for operational or technical reasons.

Details of usage of the Ministerial Air Transport Service from 9 March 2011 to date in 2012 are set out in the tabular statement below, and include details of the requesting Minister(s), dates of travel, mission route and Ministerial time on board. The purpose of each trip is a matter for the requesting Department and is not included in the statement. The details provided relate to requests from Government Ministers that have been approved by the Taoiseach.

The Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under each of two headings:

The direct cost, which includes costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges.

The total cost, which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft including depreciation and personnel costs.

Costs in 2011/12:

Average Direct Cost Per Hour €

Average Total Cost Per Hour €

Gulfstream

3,270

3,790

Learjet

1,940

4,200

CASA

2,800

4,210

These are average costs which take a number of variables into account. It is not possible to assign an exact cost to any particular mission.

GULFSTREAM IV (From 9 March 2011 to date)

Date

Return Date

Ministerial Time On Board (Minutes)

Route

Minister

10/03/2011

12/03/2011

185

Baldonnel - Brussels - Knock - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

15/03/2011

18/03/2011

825

Baldonnel - Washington - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / Tánaiste Foreign Affairs and Trade

24/03/2011

25/03/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

12/04/2011

12/04/2011

200

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Tánaiste Foreign Affairs and Trade / Justice and Equality / MOS Foreign Affairs and Trade

17/04/2011

18/04/2011

120

Baldonnel - Northolt - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

04/05/2011

06/05/2011

810

Baldonnel - Teteboro - White Plains - Teteboro - Knock - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

09/06/2011

10/06/2011

200

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Justice and Equality

19/06/2011

19/06/2011

100

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Tánaiste Foreign Affairs and Trade

21/06/2011

22/06/2011

300

Baldonnel - Vienna - Baldonnel

Tánaiste Foreign Affairs and Trade

20/06/2011

20/06/2011

120

Baldonnel - Northolt - Stansted - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

23/06/2011

24/06/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach

21/07/2011

21/07/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach

25/09/2011

26/09/2011

420

Baldonnel - Algiers - Oran - Baldonnel

Agriculture, Food and the Marine

29/09/2011

30/09/2011

330

Baldonnel - Warsaw - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

12/10/2011

13/10/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

22/10/2011

23/10/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Dublin

An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach

06/11/2011

07/11/2011

455

Baldonnel - Moscow - Baldonnel

Tánaiste Foreign Affairs and Trade

16/11/2011

16/11/2011

275

Baldonnel - Berlin - Frankfurt - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

30/11/2011

30/11/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Defence

07/12/2011

07/12/2011

345

Baldonnel - Vilnius - Baldonnel

Tánaiste Foreign Affairs and Trade

09/12/2011

09/12/2011

90

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach

12/01/2012

12/01/2012

120

Baldonnel - Northolt - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

25/01/2012

27/01/2012

240

Baldonnel - Zurich - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

30/01/2012

30/01/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach

08/02/2012

09/02/2012

790

Baldonnel - Teteboro - Whiteplains - Teteboro - Dublin

An Taoiseach /Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

15/02/2012

17/02/2012

835

Baldonnel - Teteboro - White Plains - Teteboro - Boston - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

23/02/2012

24/02/2012

385

Baldonnel - Berlin - Rome - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

29/02/2012

02/03/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / Finance / MOS Taoiseach

15/03/2012

21/03/2012

1050

Baldonnel - Chicago - Southbend - Whiteplains - Washington - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

12/03/2012

12/03/2012

120

Baldonnel - Northolt - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

26/04/2012

27/04/2012

200

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Agriculture, Food and the Marine / Justice and Equality

23/05/2012

24/05/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach /Tánaiste Foreign Affairs and Trade

LEARJET 2011(From 9 March 2011 to date)

Date

Return Date

Ministerial Time On Board (Minutes)

Route

Minister

13/03/2011

14/03/2011

230

Baldonnel - Shannon - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance / Environment, Community and Local Government

21/03/2011

21/03/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance / MOS Foreign Affairs and Trade

07/04/2011

09/04/2011

330

Baldonnel - Budapest - Baldonnel

Finance

16/05/2011

17/05/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance / MOS Taoiseach

20/05/2011

20/05/2011

80

Baldonnel - Cork - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach

07/06/2011

07/06/2011

100

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Agriculture, Food and the Marine

11/07/2011

12/07/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

15/09/2011

17/09/2011

290

Baldonnel - Wroclaw - Baldonnel

Finance

22/09/2011

23/09/2011

360

Baldonnel - Brussels - Wroclaw - Brussels - Baldonnel

Defence / Justice and Equality

03/10/2011

04/10/2011

200

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Finance

21/10/2011

22/10/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

26/10/2011

26/10/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

An Taoiseach / MOS Taoiseach

07/11/2011

08/11/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

24/11/2011

25/11/2011

280

Baldonnel - Poznan - Baldonnel

Public Expenditure and Reform

29/11/2011

30/11/2011

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

11/01/2012

12/01/2012

300

Baldonnel - Vienna - Baldonnel

Tánaiste (Foreign Affairs and Trade)

18/01/2012

18/01/2012

250

Baldonnel - Berlin - Baldonnel

Finance

23/01/2012

24/01/2012

250

Baldonnel - Brussels - Frankfurt - Baldonnel

Finance

26/01/2012

29/01/2012

725

Baldonnel - Naples - Tel Aviv - Naples - Baldonnel

Tánaiste (Foreign Affairs and Trade)

09/02/2012

09/02/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

20/02/2012

21/02/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

MOS Finance

24/02/2012

24/02/2012

385

Baldonnel - Tunis - Baldonnel

Tánaiste (Foreign Affairs and Trade)

08/03/2012

09/03/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Environment, Community and Local Government

12/03/2012

13/03/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

29/03/2012

30/03/2012

240

Baldonnel - Copenhagen - Baldonnel

Finance

23/04/2012

23/04/2012

200

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Tánaiste (Foreign Affairs and Trade)

01/05/2012

02/05/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

06/05/2012

07/05/2012

330

Baldonnel - Warsaw - Baldonnel

Finance

14/05/2012

15/05/2012

180

Baldonnel - Brussels - Baldonnel

Finance

CASA (From 9 March 2011 to date)

Date

Return Date

Ministerial Time On Board (Minutes)

Route

Minister

27/10/2011

27/10/2011

330

Baldonnel - Luxembourg - Baldonnel

Justice and Equality

Green Paper on Defence

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

521 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence when he will initiate the Green Paper process for the Defence Forces and which is necessitated prior to publishing the second White Paper on defence which is due since 2010; the timescale that is now envisaged for these processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28341/12]

The White Paper on Defence, published in February, 2000, provides the current Defence policy framework. As part of the process leading to the development of a new White Paper, I decided to expand the public consultative process by initiating a Green Paper on Defence. On publication, the purpose of the Green Paper will be to elicit an appropriate level of debate on Defence which will better inform the development of the new White Paper on Defence. Work is underway in this regard. A Memorandum for Government setting out the proposed approach and timeframe was circulated to cabinet colleagues and subsequently approved by Government. The Green Paper on Defence will be published at the end of 2012. Members of the public and other interested parties, including representative associations, will then be given their opportunity to submit their views on Defence policy and Defence provision. A new White Paper on Defence will be prepared and published by end 2013.

Departmental Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

522 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the Civil Service, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms in terms of as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28787/12]

The personnel of the Defence Organisation comprise members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and civil servants. The role of those personnel is to work together as an integrated team to provide the full range of defence outputs as laid down by Government. Given the wide variety of tasks performed by staff, it is not possible to categorise staff into categories as requested.

EU Programmes

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

523 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out the EU conditions on member states to open a new environmental agricultural based scheme each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27729/12]

Agri-environment measures for the programming period 2007-2013 are provided for in Council Regulation 1698/ 2005, as amended, which sets out the rules governing the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Detailed rules for scheme implementation are set out in Commission Regulations 1974/2006 and 65/2011, as amended. In practice, all agri-environment schemes must be approved by the Commission and form part of the Rural Development Programmes submitted by each Member State and approved by the Commission. The Rural Development Programmes set out overall objectives, the measures to be implemented and funding arrangements, including the level of EAFRD funding.

Ireland's Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013, as approved by the Commission currently provides for agri-environment payments under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). Farmers with designated Natura 2000 land can apply for payment under the REPS and AEOS. Details of the specific measures or schemes for which farmers may receive payment are set out in the Programme, as amended. Where a Member State intends to introduce actions other than those already approved, an application to amend the existing Rural Development Programme must be submitted to the Commission. Whereas REPS was included in Ireland's originally approved Programme, AEOS was later introduced by way of an amendment to the Programme with Commission approval.

While Ireland's Rural Development Programme provides for the possibility of opening an agri-environment scheme on an annual basis, the opening of schemes and their format is dependent on the availability of resources. Due to the on-going situation in the national finances, strict budgetary constraints remain in place and, as a result, management of the limited resources represents a very challenging situation involving difficult choices. In this context, the re-opening of a new agri-environment scheme would involve additional expenditure by the Department. I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening AEOS later in the year having regard, in particular, to the budgetary implications and I will be making an announcement on the situation in due course.

Common Agricultural Policy

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

524 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding allocated under the current Common Agricultural Policy to rural development programmes; if he will set out each measure; the amount currently spent; his views on whether all funding available from EU sources under these measures will be drawn down under the current programme. [27730/12]

Axis 1 and 2 of the Rural Development Programme are administered by my Department while Axis 3/4 is delivered by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. A broadband measure is delivered by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Details of the allocation and spend per measure under Axis 1 and 2 of the Programme up to 31 March 2012 are set out in the table below. Spending may continue under certain measures in Axis 1 until 2015. Spending under the programme is kept under constant review to ensure that draw down is maximised. The programme, like all national spending, is subject to ongoing budgetary constraints but is configured to maximise all available EU funding.

Measure No.

Measure

Allocation of Funds

Total Expenditure to 31 March 2012

Axis 1

111

Vocational Training and information actions (REPS)

5,675,440

6,844,852.73

112

Setting up of Young Farmers

12,261,081

12,883,650.00

113

Early Retirement

219,188,239

195,409,874.34

121

Modernisation of agricultural holdings

159,570,446

65,635,603.48

Total Axis 1

396,695,206

280,773,980.55

Axis 2

212

Payments to farmers in handicaps LFA

1,647,984,198

1,082,440,295.77

213

Natura 2000 payments

528,582,998

64,563,950.49

214

Agri Environment Payments

1,892,493,570

1,719,536,338.21

Total Axis 2

4,147,060,766

2,866,540,584

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Sean Conlan

Ceist:

525 Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their REP scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27733/12]

The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and has received payment of €4,721.68 in February 2010 for his first year part payment, and €8094.30 for the full second year in May 2011.

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. An on farm inspection was carried on 16th November 2011. In order to finalise the inspection, the person named was requested to complete record sheets. The record sheets were requested on three occasions, the latest being on the 4th April 2012. The record sheets were received in the Department at the end of April and the file is now being further processed in the local office. I expect this examination to be finalised shortly and, assuming that no further queries arise, that payment will issue in the near future.

Tionscail na hIascaireachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

526 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil sé i gceist aige cearta iascaigh faoi leith a thabhairt d’iascairí, mar shampla tonnáiste breise atá ina gcónaí go buan ar na hoileáin ó tharla cearta iascaigh a bheith in easpa orthu go traidisiúnta de bharr easpa céibheanna cóiriúla a bheith ar na hoileáin san am atá caite; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27768/12]

Ar bhonn stoic ag an gComhairle um Iascach gach bliain i mí na Nollag a shocraítear an Ghabháil Iomlán is Incheadaithe agus cuótaí na stoc éisc don bhliain ina dhiaidh.

Déantar bainistiú ar chuótaí éisc na hÉireann de réir an pholasaí náisiúnta agus tagann Coiste Comhairleach um Bhainistiú Cuóta Iasc Geal, ar a bhfuil ionadaithe as an tionscal, le chéile gach mí le comhairle a chur orm maidir le srianta gabhála ar chuótaí iasc geal.

Tá teacht ag gach soitheach iascaigh ag a bhfuil ceadúnas ilchineálach ar na srianta gabhála seo, lena n-áirítear úinéirí soitheach a bhfuil cónaí orthu ar oileáin. Faoi rialacháin AE tá srianta ar úsáid trealamh iascaireachta ar leith (eangach gheolbhaigh) in uiscí amach ó chósta Dhún na nGall agus is údar imní é seo d'iascairí beaga a bhí ag iascach sna huiscí seo riamh.

Ar an mbonn go mbeifí in ann a léiriú nach bhfuil ardú tagtha ar ghabhálacha trosc (ná ar stoic eile freisin iasc a bhfuil ró-iascach á dhéanamh orthu ar nós an fíogach gobach agus an faoitín) a dhéanfaí athruithe ar Rialacháin AE faoina gcuirfí deireadh le srianta reatha.

Tá obair phíolótach déanta ag BIM i gcomhar le Foras na Mara ar iascach fíogach beag agus jigeáil ar mhangaigh agus tá cás curtha chun cinn ag Éire chuig an gCoimisiún Eorpach gur cheart cead a thabhairt don chineál sin iascaigh.

Nílim cinnte an mbaineann an tagairt do "thonnáiste breise" le ceanglas ceadúnais do chóras iontrála/imeachta 100% i ndáil le hacmhainn nua sa bhflít, ar ceanglas é de chuid an AE.

I ndáil leis sin is tráchtearra intrádála tráchtála í acmhainn (i gcás tonnáiste agus kWanna) a bhíonn faoi úinéireacht phríobháideach.

Company Closures

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

527 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Dingle ice plant facility in County Kerry closed last September; if he will re-open this plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27810/12]

The Dingle Ice Plant comes under the remit of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). BIM is an independent statutory body and hence policy in relation to the operation and management of the ice plants is a matter for the Agency. The Department has forwarded the request to BIM for its consideration and for a direct reply to the Deputy.

Forestry Sector

Pat Breen

Ceist:

528 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing a forestry premium (details supplied); and when payment will issue. [27827/12]

This is a complex file involving multiple owners of the land under the contract in question. The file is being examined by the Forest Service in line with its current control checks. It is envisaged that this will be completed in the very near future, if no complications arise. Subject to no issues arising from the checks, the file will then be processed for payment in the following days.

Fish Sales

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

529 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will pay full market prices to fishermen who are part of the v-notching scheme for lobsters and who return juvenile lobsters to the sea after v-notching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27853/12]

Under the Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013, BIM pays cooperatives 55% of the market price of berried lobsters presented by co-op members for v-notching by a BIM officer and returned alive to the sea by the fishermen in order to spawn. I understand that some fisherman's co-operatives pay their members the remaining 45% of the market value of the lobster from funds derived from the subscriptions of their members, while other co-operatives do not. Where this other 45% is paid to the co-op member, he or she receives the full market value of the lobster and this makes participation in the v-notching programme a very attractive option for the co-op members. V-notching rates tend to be higher for such co-ops, but this practice also places a great strain on the finances of those co-ops, particularly if co-op membership numbers are falling.

V-notching is a very important conservation measure for the lobster stock. In those areas with particularly strong v-notching programmes, a very positive impact on the lobster stock has been noted. Lobster fishermen in those areas get a much better return for their effort. It is very much in the interests of lobster fishermen to maximise v-notching rates in their area in order to ensure the sustainability of the fishery and their livelihoods into the future.

Funding for the Operational Programme is limited by Ireland's allocation from the European Fisheries Fund and there are many demands on BIM to provide supports for many important areas of the seafood sector. BIM endeavour within the budget available to support a range of important programmes and initiatives. Taking account of the limited funding allocation available to Ireland, if the scheme was revised to provide the full market price for v-notched lobsters, BIM advise that this would lead to the budget for the scheme being used to v-notch fewer lobsters overall, which would undermine the progress of the scheme in achieving the conservation objectives set for the fishery. I am very supportive of the V-Notching Programme and would urge all lobster fishermen to recognise its importance in preserving their future livelihood and to participate fully in the Programme.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

530 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and the amount of the increase sought. [27889/12]

In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the Special Advisers that are employed in my Department. A salary increase was requested for one of the advisers based on the substantially higher salaries earned in the private sector and the particular compensation package earned prior to his appointment by the individual concerned. A single point salary of €110,000 per annum was approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Name

Title

Salary

Aine Kilroy from 18/04/2011

Special Adviser to Minister Coveney

€80,051 per annum

Ross MacMathuna from 16/1/2012

Special Adviser to Minister Coveney

€110,000 per annum

Animal Welfare Issues

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

531 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he believes the electronic tagging of sheep is operating effectively or will he agree that due to loss of tags, ear splitting (details supplied) is causing undue distress for sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/12]

I am satisfied that Ireland has made good progress with the implementation of EID requirements for sheep, in line with EU rules. This has, in fact, already been acknowledged by the EU Food and Veterinary Office. The Deputy will know that we are now moving to implement the final elements of the tagging arrangements for EID in sheep coupled with the appropriate revisions to NSIS. This is the best way of ensuring that we continue to have a robust identification and traceability system in compliance with EU rules and have improved market access for our sheep meat products. The continued co-operation of all stakeholders is important if we are to achieve a successful outcome in the implementation of EID.

The Deputy should be aware that although EID has been a mandatory EU requirement for some years now, there does not appear to be an additional problem, in general, with lost tags as a result of its introduction. This is also the case with regard to sore and infected ears post tagging as long as appropriate practices are observed. These include correct placement of the tag in the ear, tagging at the correct time of year in order to avoid fly strike and also the disinfection of equipment and the sheep's ear prior to tagging each animal. These guidelines are outlined in a booklet that my Department is forwarding to each flock owner.

If a farmer has sheep with infected ears post tagging then he can seek veterinary advice from his own practitioner. If the advice is to remove the tag(s) then the sheep farmer should record the event in his/her farm flock register and retain the removed tags. The affected sheep should be re-identified as soon as possible after the ears have healed — correlating the new tag number to the removed tag number.

Where a farmer's experience of a particular tag type is not to their liking, they are free to use another of the nine approved suppliers.

Direct Payment Scheme

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

532 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider ensuring that all sheep inspections, particularly for hill land sheep farmers, will not be carried out during the lambing season due to the distress being caused to pregnant ewes. [28008/12]

My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payments Schemes is required to carry out annual inspections covering land eligibility and cross compliance to ensure compliance with EU regulatory requirements.

Eligibility checks for land must be carried out on 5% of applicants. These checks are carried out to verify that the actual area claimed on the application form corresponds to the area farmed by the farmer and to ensure that any ineligible land or other features are correctly deducted. Up to two-thirds of these inspections are carried out without a farm visit as the information is verified using the technique of remote sensing via satellite.

The rate of inspections for cross-compliance is 1% of applicants to whom the Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and Good Agricultural Condition (GAEC) apply. However 3% of farmers must be inspected under the bovine identification and registration requirements while 3% of sheep/goat farmers must be inspected covering 5% of the flock.

In conducting a sheep inspection, every effort is made by officials of my Department to minimise disruption to farming activities and to avoid stress to livestock on the holding. Inspection timings are organised to avoid in as far as is possible conducting inspections when lambs are young or the need to bring sheep down from the hills. Where young lambs are found particular care is taken to avoid such risks as mis-mothering.

Animal Welfare Issues

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

533 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is the case that a significant number of horses are slaughtered in abattoirs each year here; if so, if he will indicate the number that were slaughtered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; if any of these horses were registered as thoroughbreds with Horse Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28014/12]

The number of horses slaughtered in Department approved abattoirs between 2008 and 2012 is set out in the table below:

Year

Number

2008

2,002

2009

3,220

2010

7,296

2011

12,575

2012 (up to 30th April)

3,956

There are also a number of smaller horse abattoirs which operate under the supervision of local authorities — these are not included in the above table.

My Department does not keep records as to whether horses being slaughtered are registered as thoroughbreds with Horse Racing Ireland.

Harbour Fees

John Deasy

Ceist:

534 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the public consultation process will be complete regarding new charges for state-owned fishery harbours and when he expects to sign the relevant order. [28109/12]

The recently published draft new Rates and Charges Order set out the first proposed changes in almost a decade to the fee schedule for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, at Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros a' Mhíl. The draft was published following an extensive review of the existing Rates and Charges Order for the Fishery Harbour Centres that came into effect in 2003.

The 21-day period for public consultations closed on Friday 20th April and a total of 87 submissions were made by stakeholders.

Since then, all of the submissions received have been examined very closely by my Department and I expect to be in a position to finalise the new Rates and Charges Order very shortly.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

535 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue on an agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28181/12]

The person named has been informed in writing that he was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This process is under way with a view to commencing payments as soon as possible. In the event of any queries arising from these checks my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.

Departmental Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

536 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the Civil Service, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28784/12]

The 2012 salaries allocation for my Department is €184.552m. The apportionment of this allocation under the four high level goals was published in my Department's revised estimate for 2012 and is outlined in the table below:

Programme

High Level Goal

2012 Staff Numbers(Full-time Equivalent)

2012 Pay Allocation€m

Agri-food Policy, Development and Trade

To progress, in collaboration with State Bodies, the further development of agri-food sector including the Food Harvest 2020 targets

258

17.638

Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare and Plant Health

Ensure the highest standards of food safety, consumer protection and animal and plant health

1,907

104.067

Rural Economy, Environment and Structural Changes

To promote environmentally sustainable farming and fishing while supporting the rural and coastal economy

743

€39.047

Direct Payments

To provide effective and responsive delivery of schemes and service in support of farm incomes and market supports

519

€23.8

Total

3,427

184.552

Inter-Country Adoptions

Brian Walsh

Ceist:

537 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of international adoptions that have taken place since the enactment of the Adoption Act 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27822/12]

The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) has responsibility for making entries into the Register of Inter-country Adoptions. The AAI has informed me that the Authority has entered 300 adoptions in the Register of Inter-country Adoptions since 1 November 2010, the date on which the Adoption Act, 2010, commenced and the Adoption Authority of Ireland was established.

Adoption Legislation

Brian Walsh

Ceist:

538 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a draft bilateral agreement has been presented by the Russian adoption authorities to the Irish Adoption Authority for legal consideration; when she expects ongoing discussions to conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27823/12]

The Russian authorities have provided the Adoption Authority of Ireland with a copy of the draft bilateral agreement between Russia and Italy, which they proposed to use as the basis for further discussions with Ireland on a bilateral agreement. A copy of the draft agreement between Russia and the US was also provided, for information.

It is the role of the Adoption Authority to make an assessment of whether the intercountry adoption legislation and practices in a non-contracting state, in this case Russia, are in compliance with both Irish legislation and the principles of the Hague Convention. As part of this assessment the Adoption Authority has reviewed the draft agreement presented and has provided me with an initial assessment in this regard. As a result of this, the issues which may require further exploration with the Russian authorities are being considered. It is my intention to have any outstanding matters clarified as soon as possible and my Department will contact the Authority in this regard shortly.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

539 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of her special advisers; if she will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and the amount of the increase sought. [27891/12]

The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table:

Name

Whole Time Equivalent

Position

Annual Salary on appointment

Marion Mannion

1.0

Special Adviser

€80,051

Jennifer Carroll MacNeil

0.5

Special Adviser

€40,025

William Lavelle

0.5

Special Adviser

€40,025

I can confirm to the Deputy that each Special Adviser was placed on the first point of the Civil Service Principal Officer standard scale in accordance with Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions on Ministerial appointments. No requests were made in respect of an increase over and above this point.

Child Care Services

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

540 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of Dublin 15 based applications that were submitted under the child care capital programme 2012; the number of those applications that were successful from Dublin 15 and, in each case, the amount that was approved in comparison to what was requested by each applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28010/12]

The maximum grant available was €50,000 (including VAT). The aim of the funding is to provide support to child care settings to address remedial, maintenance and renovation work or to purchase equipment. Following a robust appraisal of all applications received, 290 applications were approved for funding with the average amount approved being €21,000. Of the total number of applications approved, 125 were from private child care facilities. Of the total amount approved, 63% was approved for renovation and expansion works, 25% was approved for the purchase of equipment, 11% was approved for maintenance works and 0.5% was approved in respect of professional fees associated with the capital works. The figures available to my Department are broken down in line with the city and county child care committee structures. Accordingly, the figures relating to the Dublin 15 postal district are part of the overall figure for the County of Fingal. This figure indicates that five child care services were approved for funding for Fingal. The total funding approved for these groups amounts to €34,098. The successful applications were those that represented the most complete, coherent, precise and compelling cases for funding. The investment has been directed, to the greatest extent possible, to addressing the most urgent works and supporting the quality of services making the greatest impact for disadvantaged children and communities. All applicants were notified by Pobal of the outcome. The Pobal website provides a facility for unsuccessful applicants to request by call-back information to assist them in understanding the reasons for the outcome of their applications.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

541 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the selection criteria adopted by Pobal for the child care development grant; if she will take action to address the concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28136/12]

The maximum grant available was €50,000 (including VAT). The aim of the funding is to provide support to child care settings to address remedial, maintenance and renovation work or to purchase equipment. The programme, which was administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department,is a national programme and there was no geographical basis to the appraisal process. Each application was competing on its own merits with every other application received. In appraising the applications, particular consideration was given to Applications accompanied by a HSE pre-school inspection report supporting the need for the proposed works in terms of compliance with the Pre-School Regulations; Applications best demonstrating the need for the proposed works in terms, for example, of quality improvement to the child care service; Services previously funded under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme or the National Childcare Investment Programme; Services located in or servicing areas of disadvantage; and the service's record in relation to adherence to contractual obligations under previous capital and current funding programmes.

Following a robust appraisal of all applications received, 290 applications were approved for funding with the average amount approved being €21,000. Of the total number of applications approved 125 were from private child care facilities. Of the total amount approved, 63% was approved for renovation and expansion works, 25% was approved for the purchase of equipment, 11% was approved for maintenance works and 0.5% was approved in respect of professional fees associated with the capital works. The successful applications were those that represented the most complete, coherent, precise and compelling cases for funding. The investment has been directed, to the greatest extent possible, to addressing the most urgent works and supporting the quality of services making the greatest impact for disadvantaged children and communities. All applicants were notified by Pobal of the outcome and the Pobal website provides a facility for unsuccessful applicants to request by call-back, information to assist them in understanding the reasons for the outcome of their applications. I wish to point out to the Deputy that being in receipt of previous capital funding under the child care support programmes was only one element of the criteria considered when assessing the eligibility of applicants for grant support under this programme. The reason it was included was to safeguard the substantial investment already made by the State in child care infrastructure. The overall aim of the programme was to ensure that child care services were in a position to remain open and to deliver quality childhood care and education as required under the child care programmes.

Youth Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

542 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the applications process for the €1.5 million funding for the provision of youth cafes which was announced on 13 December 2011 will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28380/12]

As part of the Government's Capital Review published in November 2011, I have secured capital funding of €1.5 million for youth projects in 2012. It is anticipated that a significant portion of this funding will be specifically allocated to youth cafés. My Department is examining options for the most effective distribution of this funding. An announcement will be made in due course in relation to how the funds will be distributed. The priority will be to ensure that the maximum impact and cost effectiveness is achieved.

State Agencies

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

543 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of vacancies in statutory bodies and advisory committees under the aegis of her Department; when she plans to fill these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28381/12]

There are four agencies funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote — the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Family Support Agency, the National Educational Welfare Board and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. I also have responsibility for the children detention schools as provided for in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001. They are also funded through my Department's Vote. There are currently two vacancies on the Board of the Children Detention Schools, the Board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland has one vacancy, the Board of the Family Support Agency has three vacancies and the Board of the National Educational Welfare Board has one vacancy. In line with the Government policy in relation to appointments to State boards, on my Department's website I have invited expressions of interest from people interested in being appointed to the Boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under the Department's aegis. The notice indicates the vacancies in the boards of the respective bodies. In making my decisions on appointments to Boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable people for the positions available, with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities, and I seek to ensure the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result. There are also several advisory committees under the aegis of my Department. The membership of the advisory committees is under regular consideration.

Departmental Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

544 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the percentage of staff working in the public sector, including in the Civil Service, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms as a proportion of the Department expenditure on salaries. [28785/12]

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department and agencies falling under the remit of my Department is set out in the following tables:

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Staffing level at end May 2012

Pay Allocation 2012

% Pay

Administrative/Clerical Staff

65%

€4.205 million

50%

Managerial Staff

30%

€3.793 million

46%

Ministerial/political Staff

5%

€0.359 million

4%

Total

130.69 members of staff

€8.357 million

100%

National Educational Welfare Board

Staffing level at end May 2012

Pay Allocation 2012

% Pay

Front Line Staff

76%

€4.461 million

69%

Administrative/Clerical Staff

15%

€0.669 million

10%

Managerial Staff

9%

€1.020 million

16%

Pension Costs

0%

€0.350 million

5%

Total

91 members of staff

€6.500 million

100%

Children Detention Schools

Staffing level at end May 2012

Pay Allocation 2012

% Pay

Front Line Staff

79%

€10.605 million

79%

Administrative/Clerical Staff

5%

€0.628 million

5%

Managerial Staff

2%

€0.583 million

4%

Services Staff

14%

€1.684 million

12%

Total

209 members of staff

€13.5 million

100%

Family Support Agency

Staffing level at end May 2012

Pay Allocation 2012

% Pay

Administrative/Clerical Staff

69%

€0.390

58%

Managerial Staff

31%

€0.286

42%

Total

13 members of staff

€0.676 million

100%

The breakdown requested by the Deputy is not readily available in respect of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children or the Adoption Authority of Ireland. I have requested the Ombudsman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Adoption Authority to respond directly to the Deputy with the requested information.

General Practitioner Services

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

545 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care as outlined in the programme for Government will be introduced; the timeframe for same; the illnesses or disabilities to be covered under the new provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27731/12]

The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing Universal GP Care within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. The Department of Health is drafting legislation to provide for the phased introduction of a universal GP service without fees in line with the commitment set out in the Programme for Government. Initially, it is intended to extend GP cover without fees to people with certain long-term illnesses. It is my intention to have the Bill published and enacted before the summer recess.

Health Services

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

546 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that all elements of a multi-disciplinary team are in place to meet the needs of a person (details supplied); if he will ensure that occupational therapy support is provided to the student as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27786/12]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Water Fluoridation

Jack Wall

Ceist:

547 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views regarding a submission on water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27980/12]

The Forum on Fluoridation advised in 2002 that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters, including issues raised in the submission referred to by the Deputy. The Expert Body advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be safe and effective in protecting the oral health of all age groups. More information is available on the Expert Body's website,www.fluoridesandhealth.ie.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

548 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to reduce the waiting times for amputees in the Cork and Kerry region who are waiting for prosthetics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27720/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

549 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is a national data base of amputees; if so, if he will provide a regional/county breakdown in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27722/12]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

550 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of county waiting times and number of current and new amputee patients waiting on sanction on prosthesis, liner, socks and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27723/12]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

551 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the breakdown of the prosthetics budget for each area; the means by which this budget is formulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27724/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 to 551, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Universal Health Insurance

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

552 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the consultation with the public and relevant stakeholders that will be carried out by his Department or by the implementation group on universal health insurance in drafting the White Paper on the topic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27727/12]

The Government is committed to fundamental reform of healthcare in Ireland which will deliver a single tier health system, supported by universal health insurance, where access is based on need, not income.

The Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance, which I established in February this year, will assist my Department in preparing a White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance (UHI) which will outline the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. Consultation with the general public and with all relevant stakeholders will be undertaken as part of the process of finalising the White Paper.

Access to Health Services

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

553 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the proposed health Act will address the current eligibility criteria for accessing healthcare services, which gives rise to significant inequalities in access to care particularly for those for whom cost is a barrier [27728/12]

The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing Universal GP Care within its first term of office.

Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. The Department of Health is currently drafting legislation to provide for the phased introduction of a universal GP service without fees in line with the commitment set out in the Programme for Government. Initially it is intended to extend GP cover without fees to persons with certain long-term illness. It is my intention to have the Bill published and enacted before the summer recess.

Health Services

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

554 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that a person who was approved for orthotics by the Health Service Executive in February 2012 and placed on a priority one waiting list will have to wait up to 18 months to receive them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27756/12]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

555 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that a person who has been approved as a priority one for a rise and recline chair in July 2011 has still not received it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27757/12]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

556 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 639 of 1 May 2012, when a decision will issue on the follow up assessment which was completed by the occupational therapist in view of the fact that the person is confined to a house without a motorised chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27758/12]

I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) replied to the Deputy on the 23rd Mary 2012 in response to the Deputy's earlier question. As this is a service matter, have requested that the HSE provide a update directly to the Deputy.

Medical Cards

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

557 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied), suffering from a progressive and incurable condition, has had a discretionary medical card withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27775/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Crisis Pregnancy Services

Clare Daly

Ceist:

558 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the regulation he will introduce to deal with groups posing as non-judgmental crisis pregnancy organisations, which are in fact a cover for anti-abortion proponents and which are dealing with vulnerable women without any safeguards or oversight. [27788/12]

While there are no plans to consider a regulatory licensing system, the approach adopted by the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme on this issue is, among other things, to further raise the public profile of State-funded crisis pregnancy services. In this regard, the Programme is working on a wide range of actions that include:

continuous promotion through the "Positive Options" campaign of the availability of free, non-judgemental and confidential State-funded crisis pregnancy counselling services. This campaign has been very effective in disseminating information on State-funded services. For example, statistics show that in 2011 72% of the target audience could recall the TV advertising. The website for this campaignpositiveoptions.ie received 68,483 visits in 2011, an increase of 37% compared with 2010, and 9,055 text messages were received requesting crisis pregnancy counselling information;

Section on the "Positive Options" website to highlight the actions of disingenuous agencies and to give guidance on how to deal with same. This section outlines the tactics used by agencies with a hidden agenda; provides questions for people to ask before they make an appointment to assess the nature of the service being provided; gives guidance on what to do during a session if people feel they are being pressurised or influenced; and provides a mechanism for people to make contact with a State-funded service or otherbona fide service;

Prominent advertising of "Positive Options" in the Golden Pages, including the regional directories, under "Pregnancy Testing and Counselling" and "Family Planning" sections. The use of a common logo for all State-funded counselling services in current editions of the Directories;

Funding of resources which provide clear objective information on the adoption process. The Programme provides information on adoption in manuals used in the training ofbona fide crisis pregnancy counsellors;

expansion of crisis pregnancy counselling services nationally by over 50% since the Programme was established in 2001;

Collation of data through State funded crisis pregnancy counselling services in relation to the level of incidence of clients attending their services who have reported previous contact with a "disingenuous" counselling service;

Piloting of a formal complaints process through the State funded Crisis Pregnancy Counselling services for capturing the experiences of young women or vulnerable adults who attend "disingenuous" counselling services and wish to make a complaint re their experience when they subsequently attend a State funded service;

Guidance for crisis pregnancy counselling services in responding to third party complaints they may receive about "disingenuous" counselling services as part of the above process;

Standardised training and up-skilling for counsellors in State-funded crisis pregnancy counselling services.

Chronic Disease Prevention Programme

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

559 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the proposals being worked on regarding a national disease plan and the progress of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27797/12]

A number of clinical programmes to manage the care of people living with long term conditions have been developed by the HSE. These include programmes for cardiovascular disease (Acute Coronary Syndrome, Heart Failure and Stroke), respiratory disease (Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)), diabetes, cancer and primary care. Focusing on these existing programmes will be the Chronic Disease Prevention Programme which has recently established by the HSE.

The Chronic Disease Prevention Programme is proposing to concentrate on three suggested key areas as follows:

Ensure that people at known high risk of recurrence of illness or death through CVD, diabetes, respiratory or cancer conditions, receive an evidence-based programme of care in primary care and hospital.

To detect people not previously identified with risk factors which place them at high risk of illness or death. These may be risk factors common to cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory, and cancer, and initiate an evidence-based programme of care in primary care and, to a lesser extent, in hospital.

To address the high population burden of risk factors for chronic disease in Ireland through measures open to the HSE and also in association with other stakeholders.

In addition a current priority for my Department is the development of a national plan in relation to the issue of rare diseases. EU proposals on rare disease, which Ireland fully supports, recommended the development of plans or strategies preferably by the end of 2013. We are now well advanced in developing this work.

In April 2011, I established a National Steering Group to develop a policy framework for the prevention, detection and treatment of rare diseases based on the principles of high quality care, equity and to be patient centred.

An integral part of an effective policy framework will be the development of a dedicated HSE clinical programme which the HSE has agreed to establish. I understand that arrangements are currently being made by the HSE to put in place management and clinical leads for the new National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases.

The steering group is also consulting with stakeholders in preparation for the final phase of the plan's development. A consultation day was held yesterday and an online survey facility is available on the HSE's website for the next five weeks. I expect the plan to be submitted to me later this year.

Palliative Care for Children

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

560 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that there are approximately 350 child deaths and more than 1,400 children living with life limiting or threatening conditions in Ireland each year, if he will consider State funding for LauraLynn House, Ireland’s only children’s hospice, based at the Children’s Sunshine Home, Leopardstown, Dublin [27799/12]

The Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care (2001) published in 2001, highlighted the need for a review of children's palliative care services. A Palliative Care Needs Assessment for Children was undertaken and the results published in 2005. The findings of the needs assessment in Ireland were consistent with those undertaken in other countries.

A key finding of the assessment was that the preferred location for caring for children with life limiting conditions is the family home, with parents receiving adequate professional support. Following on from the Report, ‘Palliative Care for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions' — A National Policy was launched in March 2010. Ultimately, this policy aims to ensure that all children with life-limiting conditions will have the choice and opportunity to be cared for at home. In line with the key findings of the Palliative Care Needs Assessment for Children, this policy prioritises community based care for palliative children.

The priorities for Palliative Care for this year are as set out in the agreed HSE Service Plan 2012. As the specific issue raised by the Deputy is, in the first instance, a matter for the HSE, I have referred the question to the Executive for direct reply.

Respite Care Services

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

561 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the respite services currently in place for the population of County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27828/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Medical Cards

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

562 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he or the Health Service Executive have issued new directions or guidelines in relation to discretionary medical cards; the number of discretionary cards issued, renewed or declined on a monthly basis since January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27829/12]

I have issued no such direction. As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

563 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his plans to include the drug Pradaxa in the drugs refund scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27830/12]

Anthony Lawlor

Ceist:

620 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Health Service Executive to have completed its assessment of resources to provide for the long-term use of the drug Pradaxa to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (details supplied) [28395/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 620 together.

Pradaxa is available under the GMS Scheme, the Drug Payment Scheme and other community drugs schemes for the prevention of blood clots in adult patients who have undergone elective hip replacement surgery or elective knee replacement surgery.

The HSE is assessing the availability of resources to provide for the long term treatment with Pradaxa for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. This is a complicated process with long term implications. The HSE wrote to all GMS doctors and community pharmacy contractors in November 2011 to clarify the position in relation to Pradaxa. The HSE will continue to update healthcare professionals in relation to the matter.

The HSE does not intend to disturb established therapeutic regimens for patients whose treatment with Pradaxa for the prevention of stroke was initiated prior to the clarification.

Services for People with Disabilities

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

564 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of adults registered with an intellectual disability in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27831/12]

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

565 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the statistics for the number of children with an intellectual disability registered in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27833/12]

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

566 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the support facilities available in County Meath for young adults over the age of 18 years with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27836/12]

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

567 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the facilities in place in County Meath to support families with young adults over the age of 18 years with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27839/12]

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

570 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the sports and recreational services available for children with an intellectual disability in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27861/12]

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

571 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the sports and recreational services available for adults with an intellectual disability in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27862/12]

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

572 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the respite services and supports for children and adults with an intellectual disability available in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27863/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 to 567, inclusive, and 570 to 572, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy's questions relates to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

568 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of organisations in County Meath that support young adults with intellectual disabilities that are funded directly by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27840/12]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

569 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the new dialysis unit at Mayo General Hospital will be fully operational; the reasons for the delay to date in opening the unit; the number of dialysis patients from County Mayo that are currently attending hospitals in County Galway for dialysis; the number that are being accommodated in Mayo General Hospital; if an evening shift has been introduced as an interim measure in the renal dialysis unit in Mayo General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27846/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Questions Nos. 570 to 572, inclusive, answered with Question No. 564.

Services for People with Disabilities

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

573 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of day care services in place for children and adults with an intellectual disability in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27864/12]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services

Patrick Nulty

Ceist:

574 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if community mental health services in Dublin north, Dublin central and Dublin west Health Service Executive catchment areas have been put in place in line with a Vision for Change to deal with the impact of reduced bed capacity and the reconfiguration of these catchment areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27870/12]

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Paschal Donohoe

Ceist:

575 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Health when surgery will be performed on a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27874/12]

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 improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.

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 hospital involved.

Health Services

Jack Wall

Ceist:

576 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not allowed transfer their clinic appointments in view of the financial gain plus the time factor of travel involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27880/12]

As this is a service related matter it has been referred to the HSE for a direct reply.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

577 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the amount of the increase sought. [27898/12]

The following is a breakdown of the information requested:

Name of Adviser

Title

Salary

Mark Costigan

Press Adviser

€92,672

Sean Faughnan

Special Adviser

€80,051

In respect of Mr Sean Faughnan, an amount of €112,672 was initially sought representing a salary of €92,672, (the maximum of the Principal Officer — Standard scale) plus an additional €20,000 in recognition of the additional costs arising for Mr. Faughnan in accepting a short term Dublin appointment given that he lived in Galway. A total salary of €80,051 was approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in this case.

There have been no salary increases granted since the two individuals took up their positions.

Hospital Services

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

578 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Health the changes he will make to the management of hospitals in the mid-west region; his views on a statement by a person (details supplied) that the proposed changes will result in rampant managerialism and inevitable failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27978/12]

Safe, high-quality health care is a fundamental principle of the reform programme.

A key element of this is the proper management of hospitals. The establishment of Hospital Groups followed by Hospital Trusts to manage public hospitals is a key element of the reform of the health service in Ireland. Last December I announced new management arrangements for two groups of hospitals in the West and Mid West.

This week I announced that Professor Niall O'Higgins had been appointed as Chair of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Group. In addition, Mr Noel Daly has been appointed to the role of Chair the Galway Roscommon University Hospital Group. The term of the appointments is for three years and the boards of the groups will be established initially on a non-statutory basis.

These appointments are entirely in keeping with the reform programme as well as with the recommendations of the HIQA report into Tallaght Hospital — ‘Report of the investigation into the quality, safety and governance of the care provided by for patients who require acute admission'.

The two new hospital group Chairmen will have key roles in the development of effective corporate and clinical governance structures for the groups along with the quality and safety of systems of care in place for patients of the hospital groups. Central to this will be overseeing the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the HIQA report in relation to Tallaght Hospital.

Mental Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

579 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his policy regarding admitting persons with a combination of psychiatric and additional problems to psychiatric units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27987/12]

This Government strongly supports the implementation of the 2006 Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy —A Vision for Change. The intention is to continue with the closure of the old psychiatric hospitals and move from the traditional institutional based model of care to a patient-centred, flexible and community based mental health service, where the need for hospital admission is greatly reduced, while still providing in-patient care when appropriate.

A range of services are provided to cater for all types of mental illness from common conditions such as depression to acute psychosis. Care and treatment for such illnesses is available through GPs, HSE mental health services and in-patient services as appropriate.

Conditions such as personality disorders, addictions to drugs or intoxicants are not grounds on their own for admission to a psychiatric unit. However, persons with such conditions who also have a mental illness do have access to the appropriate psychiatric services.

Ambulance Service

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

580 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in detail the eye sight standard required to become a blue light driver as required for the role of a trainee emergency medical technician with the Health Service Executive’s national ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27989/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Nursing Home Services

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

581 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant beds in public and private nursing homes in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27998/12]

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

582 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding day care beds and respite care in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27999/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 582 together.

As this is a service matter, both questions have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. However, I would like to advise the Deputy that neither the Department nor the Executive routinely collates information on the number of vacant beds in the private nursing home sector.

Medical Cards

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

583 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if it is the policy of the Health Service Executive not to formally write to unsuccessful medical card applicants notifying them of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28001/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Schemes

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

584 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health when will the MS drug Gilenya be available on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28006/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

604 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the date the MS drug Gilenya will be available on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28182/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 604 together.

The manufacturer of Fingolimod (Gilenya®) has submitted an application to the HSE for the product to be reimbursed through community pharmacies under the High-Tech Drug Scheme. The list of medicinal products provided under the High-Tech Drug Scheme is reviewed on a regular basis. The application in respect of the product in question is currently under consideration.

Home Help Service

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

585 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will review and increase the home help allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the serious health circumstances involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28015/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services

Clare Daly

Ceist:

586 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will guarantee that there will be no further cuts in personal assistant services in 2013. [28023/12]

Pending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planing process for 2013 it is not possible to predict the funds available and the service levels to be provided in 2013.

Water Fluoridation

Clare Daly

Ceist:

587 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will conduct a comprehensive report on the use of fluoride in the water supply here and a cost benefit analysis regarding same [28024/12]

The Forum on Fluoridation advised in 2002 that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters.

The Expert Body confirms that, based on the review of all previous and current international and national scientific data, the balance of this scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be effective for protecting the oral health of all age groups. The EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), published its ‘Opinion on critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water' in May 2011. The main conclusions of the SCHER report are that there are no known health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU. There is also extensive evidence in Ireland from a series of national, regional and cross-border studies conducted between 1984 and 2006 that fluoridated drinking water substantially improves the dental health of children and adults.

My Department has no plans to conduct a cost benefit analysis on the policy of fluoridation. Policy on this issue is guided by international studies, which indicate that the cost of water fluoridation is a small fraction of the savings in dental treatment costs.

Home Help Service

Clare Daly

Ceist:

588 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the circumstances in which Fingal Home Care Services notified a number of their clients of an immediate cessation of services due to budget cuts, and that these services were withdrawn with no notice, leaving families in dire straits; and if he will explain the steps he intends to take to ensure that this does not take place again and that service levels are restored [28025/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Jack Wall

Ceist:

589 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding hospital treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28028/12]

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 improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.

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 hospital involved.

Medical Cards

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

590 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a request for review of a decision to grant a person a general practitioner visit only card made in January 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28098/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Home Help Service

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

591 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the hours of home help in County Donegal per local health area. [28110/12]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

592 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the service level agreement between the health service executive and bluebird carers in County Donegal; if there is a minimum standard of training required for those employed through bluebird; if this is equivalent to the training and standards required for those employed by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28111/12]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

593 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there is a best practice guideline for home help support; if so, the steps the health service executive is taking to ensure that bluebird and other private agencies are complying with these standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28112/12]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

594 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if there has been a reduction in the hours of home help workers employed by the health service executive in County Donegal as a result of the service level agreement with bluebird care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28113/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 to 594, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

595 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason he is continuing to employ more outside consultants to deal with the hospital waiting list problem; if it would make more sense to hire more nurses, particularly Irish nurses who have trained, are highly skilled and want to work in their own country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28119/12]

My Department has a small number of Performance Improved Specialists within the Special Delivery Unit. Whilst every effort is made to draw on the relevant expertise of these individuals and other staff working within the health service, including nurses, there are occasions when specialist external technical advice and expertise is required in order to assist in the delivery of performance improvement measures or other specific projects.

Every effort is made to keep this at a minimum and to ensure that value for money is achieved. Provision is also made to ensure that the appropriate knowledge transfer takes place so that improvements can be sustained without recourse to further external consultants.

Public Procurement Contracts

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

596 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28120/12]

My Department, and specifically the Special Delivery Unit, is entering the final stages of contract agreement with two preferred bidders. On completion of this process I expect to be able to announce details of the contract award including the cost, and most importantly, the benefits to the health care system in the near future.

Health Service Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

597 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a senior adviser to the special delivery unit is believed to spend much of his time in the United States despite the fact that he has been given a three year contract worth €480,000 until December 2014; the amount of time each year during the course of this contract will be spent here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28122/12]

I take it that the Deputy is referring to Dr. Martin Connor, who has been appointed to provide expert advice to the Department of Health and, in particular, the chief operations officer of the SDU. Dr. Connor's appointment is for a period of three years, commencing in December 2011 and ending in December 2014, and which appointment follows on from a successful earlier appointment for a period of six months in 2011. Specifically, Dr. Connor has been engaged to provide expert advice and research analysis in relation to:

the development of a new monthly performance management and improvement process;

ongoing improvement in hospital pressure monitoring and capacity planning systems;

the development and implementation of a results-oriented accountability framework;

the development of management information and escalation systems and processes to align activity and performance of the health system with policy priorities;

the achievement, on a phased basis, of a 6-hour ‘patient experience time' in unscheduled (emergency) care;

improvement in processes for timely and equitable access to outpatient services;

gradual reductions in the waiting times for scheduled (elective) inpatient treatment;

related areas, such as the development of hospital trusts, social care networks and primary care integration.

The advices and analysis provided by Dr. Connor and taken into account by the SDU have already shown significant results: by the end of 2011, very significant progress had been made on SDU initiatives on unscheduled care in emergency departments (EDs); the cumulative number of patients waiting on trolleys was 27% lower than in the previous year. This reduction has continued and the first four months of 2012 show a reduction by 17% overall in the numbers of people on trolleys in EDs in the first four months of 2012, compared to the first four months of 2011. In regard to scheduled care, at the end of 2011 all hospitals with the exception of Galway/Merlin Park had achieved the 12 month maximum waiting time target set by the Minister in July 2011. At the end of May 2012, a total of 203 patients were waiting in excess of 12 months, a reduction of 78% since January 2012.

Dr. Connor is a renowned international expert, with a proven record in health service transformation. I believe that he has the exceptional knowledge and skills needed to guide the Special Delivery Unit in the next phases of its work and to assist it in successfully meeting the complex challenges that lie ahead in improving performance and building capacity in the healthcare system.

Hospital Services

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

598 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 can expect urgent heart treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28139/12]

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 improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.

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 hospital involved.

Health Services

Peter Mathews

Ceist:

599 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health his plans to intervene in a case in respect of a person (details suppled) who requires additional personal assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28126/12]

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Water Fluoridation

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

600 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health his plans for a review of fluoride in Irish public water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28137/12]

The Forum on Fluoridation, which was established by the Minister for Health and Children in 2000, advised in 2002 that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. The Expert Body advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be safe and effective in protecting the oral health of all age groups. I have no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.

Medical Cards

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

601 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28156/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Help Service

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

602 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the decision to reduce the home care hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; if he will reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28171/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Service Staff

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

603 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 640 of 22 May 2012 if start dates have been agreed yet for the three posts in question; if he will confirm the start dates. [28173/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Question No. 604 answered with Question No. 584.

Health Services

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

605 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the cuts drug services funded through the Health Service Executive will have to absorb. [28189/12]

The budgets for all HSE Addiction Services were reduced with effect from 1st January 2012. Across the HSE areas, budget reductions varied from between 2% in HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Area to 5.5% in HSE Dublin North Eastern Area. In HSE Southern and Western Areas, reductions averaged 3.6%.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

606 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on each waiting list for each speciality at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the average waiting time for each speciality; the steps being taken to reduce same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28193/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

607 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in the past 12 months that presented at accident and emergency in the Mater, Blanchardstown and Beaumont respectively;the number of these patients seen and the number presented again in that period [28206/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

608 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has developed contingency plans to deal with the extra demand anticipated at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, County Louth, in view of the continuing plans to downgrade services at Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry as a direct result of cutbacks introduced by the Northern Ireland Administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28214/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Procedures

Simon Harris

Ceist:

609 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in establishing a referral procedure for children looking to undergo the selective dorsal rhizotomy operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28223/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Simon Harris

Ceist:

610 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide after care for children who have undergone the selective dorsal rhizotomy operation in view of the fact that the Health Service Executive is considering providing this under the treatment abroad scheme; if these services will also be available to children who have previously fundraised privately to avail of this operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28224/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

611 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if and when locum cover will be put in place in a hospital (details supplied) in County Leitrim [28276/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Health Services

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

612 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he is considering a new national heamochromatosis strategy in view of the estimated significant number of the population affected by this illness; if it is true that recommendations from a 2006 study on heamochromatosis here still have not been implemented including the establishment of data on the annual fatality rate of the illness here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28278/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

613 Deputy Luke ’Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his plans for a facility (details supplied) in County Leitrim; if this supervised residential unit is to close; if so, the schedule for same; the arrangements being put in place to cater for the seven residential clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28287/12]

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

614 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the up to date position regarding the proposal to provide a medical assessment unit at Monaghan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28331/12]

The group, which included two members of the public (Service User Panel Representatives) was established and independently chaired by a specialist in public health medicine and work commenced in October 2011. The group also included a consultant general physician in medicine and a Monaghan general practitioner. The group committed itself to establishing if there was a clinical need for an MAU in Monaghan Hospital, as well as establishing the projected cost of running this unit.

The initial period for the study was six weeks. The group was granted an extension, resulting in an overall time scale of 13 weeks for the study and the submission of the final report.The Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Group General Manager has received the final report.

I have received the report and it has been referred to the Acute Medicine Programme for review.The outcome of this review is currently awaited.

Health Service Expenditure

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

615 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the total amount of money spent on legal fees by the Health Service Executive in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28343/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

National Children’s Hospital

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

616 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to his statement in Dáil Éireann that the National Assets Management Agency had written to him identifying 11 potential sites for the new children’s hospital, some of which he thought might have use for hospitals of a different nature, the location of those sites; which of the sites have other potential; if the Irish Glass Bottle site or the Elm Park site are included in either list; and the possible future uses that have been identified. [28344/12]

As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bórd Pleanála, received on 23 February 2012, to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The aim of the Review was to consider all the possible options for the earliest possible delivery of a new children's hospital . During the course of its deliberations, the Group received submissions from many different Groups. The Group has now presented its report, which I intend to consider carefully before bringing to Government.

As I have previously stated, a number of potential sites were identified by NAMA, details of which cannot be provided for reasons of debtor confidentiality. NAMA advises that it is at all times open to proposals which can contribute to the achievement of broader social and economic objectives and has committed to giving first option to public bodies on the purchase of property which may be suitable for their purposes.

Substance Misuse

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

617 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 613 and 614 of 21 February 2012, the progress that has been made regarding the development of an action plan arising out of the findings and recommendations of the national substance misuse steering group published on 7 February 2012; when this action plan will be finalised and presented to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28366/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

618 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the progress made in progressing the commitment made at the conference on alcohol misuse in January 2012 to work with the Northern Executive on the introduction of minimum pricing on an all-Ireland basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28367/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

619 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to discuss the recommendations in the national substance misuse strategy report to introduce statutory codes on alcohol advertising and marketing under section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and in view of the fact that the BAI is developing new general commercial and children’s communications codes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28368/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 617 to 619, inclusive, together.

Officials are working on this Action Plan, which will also include proposals on developing a broadcast code to address alcohol advertising and marketing to children, along with legislation on minimum unit pricing of alcohol based on the recommendation in the Steering Group's report; and in this regard, there are both plans to discuss the former with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, and proposals for the latter to conduct joint research with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) in Northern Ireland. The objective of this research would be to model the potential impact of various different levels of minimum unit prices for alcoholic products in both jurisdictions and officials from both Departments have met to discuss this policy matter.

Question No. 620 answered with Question No. 563.

Health Services

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

621 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate a dental service in Kenmare, County Kerry (details supplied). [28396/12]

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Service Staff

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

622 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the percentage of staff working in the health sector, that he deems to fall into the category of frontline staff, administrative, management, elected representative and any other relevant categories; and the way the pay budget is allocated across these categories in percentage and real terms as a proportion of the health sector spend on salaries. [29024/12]

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

623 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of public money spent on the visit of the Olympic torch to this country particularly on security and other costs and the budget from where it came. [28175/12]

My Department has committed to provide funding of up to €25,000 to the Olympic Council of Ireland towards the costs associated with the Olympic Torch Relay's visit to Dublin.

Departmental Expenditure

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

624 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of public money spent on the visit of the Olympic torch to this country particularly on security and other costs and the budget from where it came. [28176/12]

My Department has committed to provide funding of up to €25,000 to the Olympic Council of Ireland towards the costs associated with the Olympic Torch Relay's visit to Dublin.

Sports Capital Programme

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

625 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application for sports capital funding in respect of a club (details supplied) [27759/12]

The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed. The closing date for online applications was 5pm on Friday, 1st June 2012.

Any organisation that applied under the Programme should receive an acknowledgement of their application before the end of July 2012.

Departmental officials have started processing all applications received. This process will take some time, due to the volume of applications and the detailed information contained in each one. As a result, I do not expect to be able to announce the list of successful applicants before the late autumn or early winter 2012.

State Airports

Clare Daly

Ceist:

626 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the recent threat of redundancies by a company (details supplied) which was successful only last February in a tendering process overseen by the Dublin Airport Authority for a bar space in terminal one of Dublin Airport; if he will consider directing the DAA to in future insist that successful bidders for commercial space in Dublin Airport adhere to the pay and conditions of pre-existing staff who are transferred under TUPE laws [27765/12]

I have no statutory function in relation to this issue. It is a matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the DAA and have asked them to reply to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

National Car Test

Heather Humphreys

Ceist:

627 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the national car test of vintage lorries; if vintage cars and tractors are subject to an NCT; the reasons these vehicles are subject to an NCT in view of the fact that they are generally used at charity events and for recreational use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27848/12]

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is carried out by Applus+, since January 2010, under a contractual arrangement with the RSA.

Vehicles registered prior to 1 January 1980 remain exempt from NCT testing. There are no plans at present to apply the NCT to vintage cars registered prior to 1980. Any changes would be the subject of a public consultation process conducted by the RSA and any recommendation would be submitted to me for approval.

In accordance with the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004 (SI 771 of 2004), all commercial vehicles over one year old (including vintage lorries) must complete a roadworthiness test and have a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness if used in a public place. There is no exemption for older vehicles but these vehicles are tested to the standards that the vehicles concerned were originally designed to meet. This is to ensure that all commercial vehicles, regardless of age are maintained to a minimum standard of roadworthiness.

Currently there is no requirement for the roadworthiness testing of tractors used in a public place.

Ministerial Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

628 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and the amount of the increase sought. [27904/12]

There are two special advisers in my Department. Mr. Brian Murphy, who is a Special Adviser and Mr. Nick Miller, who is a Press Adviser. The remuneration of Mr. Brian Murphy, my Special Adviser is €105,837, which is an increase from €80,051 granted on an exceptional basis. The salary awarded to Mr. Miller as my Press Adviser is €80,051.

Question No. 629 withdrawn.

Departmental Agencies

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

630 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person that holds the marketing and or advertising contract for Tourism Ireland; the location of the office; the number of staff in the office; the amount of funding the agency receives from Tourism Ireland; and where the advertising or marketing production work is subsequently contracted out to and by whom. [27931/12]

The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Road Traffic Accidents

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

631 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that there were 67 fatal road collisions this year compared to 66 in the same period last year; his views on the fact that road deaths are unfortunately rising again with only four less deaths now compared to the same period in 2011; if he is considering a reinvigorated road safety campaign to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27982/12]

The overall stated objective of the current Road Safety Strategy is to reduce the number of road fatalities to no greater than 60 fatalities per million population by the end of 2012, an average of 21 fatalities per month or 252 fatalities per annum.

In 2010 the number of road fatalities was 212, an average of 18 road fatalities per month. 2011 witnessed the lowest recorded number of road fatalities ever on Irish roads at 186, since records began back in 1959. This is an average of 16 road fatalities per month. The number of road fatalities at the 8th June 2012 at 75 is the same as on this date last year.

A report recently published by the European Commission shows that Ireland has moved ahead of Germany on road safety performance and has significantly closed the gap on the leading countries. The report shows that road fatalities in Ireland dropped by 13% between 2010 and 2011 and as a result Ireland has moved up one place to 5th in the road safety rankings in the EU with 42 fatalities per million. The EU average in 2011 was 62 fatalities per million population.

While Ireland, with a 48% reduction in road fatalities between 2001 and 2010, has become established as one of the safest countries in the EU, the better countries have also improved their road safety performance and have set the new standards for which we must now strive. The current Road Safety Strategy will finish this year and the Road Safety Authority is developing the next Strategy that will include measures to ensure that Ireland continues to improve our road safety perfomance for the remainder of the decade and beyond.

Driving Licences

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

632 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the standard of eye sight required to hold a driving licence for Classes E, B, C1, C, D1, D, M and W; if he will set out any changes to the required standard in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27988/12]

The eyesight requirements for driving licences are set out in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Learner Drivers) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 537 of 2006), as amended by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 471 of 2008) and by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 544 of 2010). Irish law in this regard conforms to requirements set out in European legislation. The current Regulations relating to eyesight, as set out in S.I. No. 544 of 2010, represent the transposition into Irish law of Council Directives 112 and 113 of 2009.

The Regulations divide licences into two groups in respect of eyesight standards. The first covers licences to drive vehicles of category A1, A, B, EB, M or W. The principal requirement in this group is binocular visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0.5 when using both eyes together. The horizontal visual field should be at least 120 degrees, the extension at least 50 degrees left and right and 20 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 20 degrees.

The second group relates to licences to drive vehicles of category C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED. In these cases the principal requirement is visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0.8 in the better eye and at least 0.1 in the worse eye. The horizontal visual field with both eyes should be at least 160 degrees, the extension at least 70 degrees left and right and 30 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 30 degrees.

The Regulations contain further details regarding particular illnesses and conditions. As the Regulations are publicly available, I would advise the Deputy to consult them directly.

Bus Services

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

633 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy for Bus Éireann buses using the M50 or passing near an M50 exit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28012/12]

The NTA are responsible for the licensing of Public Bus Passenger Services.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Driving Licences

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

634 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Road Safety Authority when introducing new visual standards for driving in December 2010 which are very much in keeping with those of the UK Driving and Vehicle Licensing Authority did not also afford grandfather rights in ease of the situation for those who have been driving very well with monocular vision for a considerable period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28021/12]

The revised eyesight standards introduced in 2010 were not determined by the Road Safety Authority. They were introduced through the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 544 of 2010) which, in turn, represent the transposition into Irish law of European legislation, and specifically of Council Directives 112 and 113 of 2009.

The Directives in question set different standards, including standards for monocular vision, for two groups of licence classes. In the first group — categories A1, A, B, EB, M or W — a competent medical authority must certify that monocular vision has existed for sufficiently long to allow adaptation, and that the field of vision in the eye meets the requirement. After recent loss of vision in one eye, there should be an appropriate adaptation period of a minimum of 6 months, during which driving is not allowed. After this period, driving is only allowed following a favourable opinion from vision experts.

For the second group of licences — categories C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED — after substantial loss of vision in one eye, there should be an appropriate adaptation period of a minimum of six months during which the subject is not allowed to drive. After this period, driving is only allowed after a favourable opinion from vision experts.

The Irish Regulations for both groups follow the requirements of EU legislation. Where an individual has had sufficient time to adapt to monocular vision, they should have no difficulty in receiving the appropriate certification from a qualified practitioner. However, they would need to receive such certification rather than carrying it over from a previous licence.

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

635 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person returning to Ireland to start in a new job with both an Irish and an English provisional driving licence and having completed 40 hours of driving instructions in England all logged cannot use these lessons as part of the requirements for a driving test here; his plans to change this situation and to ensure that driving lessons taken in England will be recognised here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28129/12]

Under measures which I introduced last year as part of the Graduated Driver Licensing system, learner drivers in Ireland must now take a course of twelve mandatory lessons before doing the driving test. The requirements are set out in the Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Learner Permit Holders) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 173 of 2011).

The Regulations specify in detail the contents of the required lessons, and also that these lessons must be taken with an Approved Driving Instructor, i.e. a person entered in the Register of Approved Driving Instructors maintained under Regulation 17 of the Road Traffic (Driving Instructor Licensing) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 203 of 2009). These Regulations are aimed,inter alia, at guaranteeing standards over which Ireland has control in terms of the lessons covered and the qualifications of the instructors. As matters stand, all learners are required to take the same set of lessons with an instructor whose qualifications we can verify. Lessons taken in another jurisdiction, while they may be of use to the learner, do not meet these requirements, and of course do not take account of particular aspects of driving in Ireland, such as Irish Rules of the Road or signage rules.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

636 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person who has approximately 40 hours driving instruction in the United Kingdom is required to undertake 12 one hour lessons prior to taking the driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28153/12]

Under measures which I introduced last year as part of the Graduated Driver Licensing system, learner drivers in Ireland must now take a course of twelve mandatory lessons before doing the driving test. The requirements are set out in the Road Traffic (Courses of Instruction) (Learner Permit Holders) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 173 of 2011).

The Regulations specify in detail the contents of the required lessons, and also that these lessons must be taken with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), i.e. a person entered in the Register of Approved Driving Instructors maintained under Regulation 17 of the Road Traffic (Driving Instructor Licensing) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 203 of 2009). These Regulations are aimed,inter alia, at guaranteeing standards over which Ireland has control in terms of the lessons covered and the qualifications of the instructors. As matters stand, all learners are required to take the same set of lessons with an instructor whose qualifications we can verify. Lessons taken in another jurisdiction, while they may be of use to the learner, do not meet these requirements, and of course do not take account of particular aspects of driving in Ireland, such as Irish Rules of the Road or signage regulations.

Bus Services

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

637 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total number of quality bus corridors which are not currently being used by Dublin Bus as part of a scheduled route; the total length of roadway which these unused quality bus corridors are taking up; and if he has any plans to direct the relevant authorities to open up unused quality bus corridors to motorists while they are not in use by Dublin Bus. [28170/12]

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to QBCs, bus lanes and other traffic management issues come under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in liaison with relevant local authorities and I have no function in such matters. In light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Colm Keaveney

Ceist:

638 Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed cancellation of the daily bus service from Tuam to Galway via Corofin (route 417) which has been advanced by the National Transport Authority; if this cancellation has been proposed and the justification has been used for it; if proper weight was given to the public service responsibility of Bus Éireann to environmental concerns; and his general policy in respect of public transport. [28186/12]

The NTA are responsible for the licensing of Public Bus Passenger Services and the pso contract with Bus Éireann for bus services.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Fáilte Ireland

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

639 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Fáilte Ireland is no longer doing chef training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28194/12]

The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply from the agency within ten working days.

Rural Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

640 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the national integrated rural transport scheme; when information on it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28333/12]

I established the National Integrated Rural Transport Committee (NIRTC) last April to oversee and manage a partnership approach to implementing integrated local and rural transport. The Committee which is chaired by the National Transport Authority, is drawn from organisations representing key stakeholders inlcuding rural transport groups, the HSE, Pobal, Local Authorities, Bus Éireann and policy makers from relevant Departments.

Since its establishment the Committee has been meeting monthly to ensure momentum is maintained in addressing the many complexities associated with local and rural transport service provision. The structure of RTP Groups, the nature of local and RTP operations and the extent of HSE and school transport services varies across different areas. Consequently, the NIRTC has established sub-groups to examine the four key areas of health related transport services, school transport services, logistics e.g. trip-booking systems, ticketing, information, and appropriate structures to support integration. The sub-groups are, where appropriate, involving other stakeholders in their work and are seeking input from relevant sources.

A key aspect of the work of the sub-groups will be to identify constraints or high level impediements to integrated local and rural transport, along with recommendations on how these should be managed or overcome.

The output from the sub-groups will also inform the design of the model areas which are to be developed. These model areas will, with an evidence based approach, test how integrated local and rural transport services can best operate to achieve greater synergies, better meet identified transport needs and deliver increased value for money for the Exchequer.

This new approach which is endorsed by Government is the first time that a national focus and coherence has been brought to the delivery of an integrated rural transport service. This reflects the importance that the Government attaches to the contribution that a carefully designed and efficient rural transport service based on local needs, will make to overcoming social exclusion in rural areas.

Road Safety

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

641 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the safety of the N24 at Oola bridge County Limerick; his views on whether traffic measures in place at the bridge are ensuring the safety of motorists. [28400/12]

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Within is capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Barr