Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:11 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that are being taken to improve farm safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28670/12]
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 10, inclusive, answered orally.
Farm Safety
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), under the remit of my colleague Minister Richard Bruton, has primary responsibility for securing health and safety at work, particularly from an enforcement point of view. My Department is represented on the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee which is a Sub-Committee of the Health and Safety Authority. The Committee advises the Board on the direction the HSA should take in relation to farm safety. The end of this year will see the culmination of the Farm Safety Action Plan 2009-2012 which has been the main focus of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee and the organisations involved over the past three years.
My Department is very strongly committed to promoting Farm Safety in collaboration with the HSA. We have taken a number of steps over the past year in tandem with some of the other State and industry organisations to both raise awareness of the problem and educate farmers and their families on the realities and the dangers of working in this industry.
The most recent measure taken by my Department was the inclusion of a Farm Safety message with the Single Payment application packs, which were distributed in March of this year to over 130,000 farmers. This was a joint initiative between my Department, the Health and Safety Authority and the Farm Safety Partnership Committee and led to every one of those farmers receiving an individual reminder of the importance of farming safely and the potentially fatal consequences of not doing so.
The HSA produced an excellent DVD earlier this year containing testimonials from six individual farmers who provide an emotional telling of their experiences on farm which led to either fatalities or serious injury. This DVD has been widely circulated and is included in all training courses undertaken by my Department.
My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, will make the opening address at the National Farm Safety Conference next week, 21 June, in Ballincollig, Co. Cork. I opened last year's Conference at Roscommon. The National Farm Safety Conference is one of the highlights of the Farm Safety calendar and my Department is fully committed to helping raise the profile of this Conference among farmers so that the farm safety message remains high on everyone's agenda.
The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, also recently launched the Farm and Countryside Safety project, which is located in the Family Farm at Dublin Zoo. The project is supported by Agri Aware in conjunction with FBD Insurance, the IFA and ESB Networks. This programme will help to educate children about farm safety, one of the groups most at risk on farms today. The project will culminate with the production of a 2013 calendar featuring selected images of safety messages drawn or painted by children. The calendar will be sent to all primary schools in the country.
Other actions by my Department include:
The provision to all farms of a Code of Practice aimed at reducing farm accidents.
The inclusion of Health and Safety Guidelines in all Building Specifications drawn up by my Department.
The inclusion of Farm Safety in all REPS Training Courses.
A dedicated area on our website outlining the requirements on Farm Safety and practical advice on Safety on Farms.
My Department has asked Teagasc to include a farm safety element in the Dairy Discussion Groups participating in the Dairy Efficiency Programme 2010-2012.
Regular Press Statements drawing attention to Farm Safety agenda.
There is no single action or organisation that can solve this difficult problem that impacts so horrendously, on so many lives, each year. Already this year, seven people have lost their lives in farming accidents and a further five people have died in the fisheries area. This follows on two terrible years for farm safety in which 26 and 27 people died in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Since taking office, I have continuously strived to increase awareness of safety issues among farmers which I believe is the key to changing the way we all think about farm safety on Irish farms. We must all work together with the single goal of preventing farm accidents and therefore saving lives and minimising serious injuries.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:12 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider including red grouse and other wildlife birds as an agri environmental option scheme environmental option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28658/12]
Council Directive 79/409/EC on the conservation of wild birds, commonly referred to as the "Birds Directive", requires all Member States to maintain and protect naturally occurring birds in the wild. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht have designated sites known as Special Protection Areas (SPA's) to give effect to this directive in Ireland. These sites are formally notified to the European Commission and form part of a European network known as NATURA 2000 sites. The Red Grouse is one of the species that must be protected under the Directive.
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. Apart from the financial constraints, the contract periods with farmers under Rural Environment Protection Scheme and the Agri-environmental Options Scheme are well advanced and it would not be feasible to introduce new measures into those schemes at present. I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening AEOS to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale and would not propose the introduction of new measures at that stage.
However, I will consider the possibility of including measures for the protection of wildlife birds in the context of any new agri-environmental schemes that may be introduced in future following the negotiations on the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy, subject of course to resource constraints.
Commonage Division
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the review that has been carried out of dormant shareholders of commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28669/12]
It is anticipated that the review of Commonage Framework Plans, which is currently ongoing, will be completed shortly. The review is being carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, with assistance from my Department.
When completed, the review, which is being conducted at individual parcel level, will indicate both the minimum and the maximum livestock units that will have to be maintained on a given applicant's share of the commonage in order for the commonage to be maintained in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition.
As soon as the review is completed, applicants under both the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, who declare commonage lands, will be notified of the minimum and maximum stocking levels now allowed in respect of the commonage land they declare.
My Department is advised of particular shareholders in given commonages by virtue of the declarations made under the Single Payment Scheme and/or the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and, as such, does not have knowledge of dormant shareholders.
Sheepmeat Sector
Micheál Martin
Ceist:14 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to address the instability in the sheep market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28533/12]
The market performance of the sheep sector, in common with other agricultural sectors, is a function of supply and demand. The long-term future of the sector will depend on its ability to satisfy the market and in order to do this well, it much focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer. Food Harvest 2020 sets a target of 20% increase in output value for the sheep sector by 2010 and envisages that over the coming years demand for sheepmeat on the European market will outstrip production levels which should provide opportunities for exporting countries such as Ireland. This should provide the potential for better returns, provided the industry can continue the market and product diversification which has been evident in recent years.
The recommendations of the report focus on farm competitiveness and the processing sector. On the farm side, they emphasise the importance of the continuance of the application of on-farm labour efficiencies and new technologies, breed improvement and the production of a quality product. On the processing side, the focus is on efficiencies, innovation and improved product range.
While the recent decline in lamb prices gave cause of concern, it should be noted that this is broadly following the usual seasonal pattern. As we enter June, prices traditionally decline as the influx of new season lambs suppresses prices. The notable point for this year is that this seasonal pattern appears to have occurred earlier and suppressed prices for a number of weeks in May rather than the beginning of June. The main reasons for this were:
Lower demand in export markets, particularly in France;
Farmers had been retaining hoggets in the expectation of an improvement in prices. When the price improvement didn't materialise, this meant a lot of extra hoggets were delivered to the factories at the same time, which had the effect of reducing the average price.
The sector did not get as big a lift from the new season lambs as in previous years.
On the positive side, the market seems to have corrected itself and there are signs of stabilisation. The weather over the coming months will influence the demand for mid-season lamb and good weather on the continent should have the effect of boosting demand and hence prices.
In light of the recent fall in producer prices during the month of May and following consultation with the industry, Bord Bia brought forward its summer lamb promotion campaign to commence on 5 June. Furthermore Bord Bia has strengthened the TV advertising element of the campaign, by extending its duration from three to four weeks. There has been significant public investment in the sheep sector in recent years. Key supports for this sector include €7 million from the 2009 Single Farm Payment National Reserve under the Uplands Sheep Payment Scheme and €54 million for the three-year Grassland Sheep Scheme which commenced in 2010. The grassland Sheep Scheme is proving to be a valuable support mechanism in terms of improving income and confidence in the sector. The sheep fencing/mobile handling equipment scheme, which is one of five Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS), was re-opened to applications last December and the first tranche closed in February of this year. This scheme will enable many farmers in the sheep sector to complete the necessary investment works in order to maintain competitiveness and introduce increased efficiencies on their farm and so secure the future of their enterprises. All of the supports I have outlined have provided a significant incentive to farmers to maintain their production levels, which is vital for the future of a viable sheep industry in Ireland.
In addition Teagasc has allocated almost €1.5 million for sheep research for 2012. Bord Bia will also spend over €1.1 million this year on a promotional strategy for the Irish sheep sector which addresses the issue of safeguarding the future of the sector in the following ways:
By encouraging Irish consumers to buy more Quality Assured lamb.
By collaborating with its French and English counterparts in a campaign to reverse the decline in consumption of lamb on the French market, which accounts for over 50% of our exports.
By working with individual exporter to increase the amount of exports to higher value markets such as Germany and Scandinavia and thereby reduce Ireland's dependency on the French market.
I very much welcome the fact that the declining trend in numbers in our national flock is showing signs of reversal and our sheep numbers are now increasing. This reflects a growing sense of confidence amongst sheep farmers in terms of rebuilding breeding stock numbers which will ultimately lead to an increase in throughput. Whilst it is still too early to provide an accurate estimate for the 2012 lamb crop, it is estimated that it will be up in the order of 1-2%.
On another positive note, sheep meat exports to International markets almost doubled to 600 tonnes during the course of 2011. This generates a great confidence boost for Irish exporters. While almost 99% of our lamb exports are to the EU, it is always beneficial to have a wide range of outlets available and to this end my Department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to work to secure access to more third country outlets for Irish lamb.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme
Martin Ferris
Ceist:15 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an appeal system set up for farmers who lost payments under the disadvantaged areas scheme; if there will be a maximum turnaround timeframe for dealing with appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28661/12]
I can confirm to the Deputy I fully intend to have a robust appeals system for those farmers who may find themselves adversely affected by the changes to the Terms and Conditions governing the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Specifically, all applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles offorce majeure or exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
Generally speaking, insofar as the rights of farmers to appeal decisions of my Department is concerned, the Deputy will appreciate there is already a well developed system in place whereby, in the first instance, a farmer is entitled to appeal a decision internally to an official of a higher grade than that of the officer who made the initial decision, with the further right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office, which is statutorily independent of my Department. Thereafter, should the need arise, there is also the right of appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Specifically with regard to the changes to the 2012 DAS Scheme, with the budgeted expenditure being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million, I decided it would be fairer to make the necessary savings by making technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria, thereby ensuring that the aid is focused on farmers who farm exclusively in DAS areas. It will readily be acknowledged that it is these farmers who are making the more significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:
To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;
To maintain the countryside;
To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems, which, in particular, take, account of environmental protection measures.
It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, especially from an economic perspective, as it contributes to the support of in excess of 100,000 Irish farm families. Therefore, in proposing the changes in question, the intention is to better focus the Scheme, which is to the benefit of the majority of those farming in areas with recognised constraints, while at the same time attempting to cater for those genuinely prevented from achieving the revised minimums. Furthermore, every effort will be made to accommodate all active farmers who may find themselves otherwise adversely affected by the changes introduced for the 2012 Scheme.
Tuberculosis Incidence
Sandra McLellan
Ceist:16 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is any research into the impact that forestry thinning has on badger movements and the spread of TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28662/12]
As far as I can ascertain, there has been no specific research conducted in Ireland to date on the impact of forest thinning on badger movements and the spread of TB either by or on behalf of my Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the primary organisation responsible for assessing impact on and managing wild populations.
Neither has my Department identified forestry thinning, which occurs on a regular basis during the growing phase of forestry, as a particular risk for bovine TB. However, during the course of a study into the effects of major road realignment on badger movement, my Department had the opportunity to assess the impact of clear felling a portion of forest on badger movement. The badger population in that local area did not appear to have any consequential altered movement pattern. There is evidence that in Ireland badgers prefer to inhabit pasture and field ditches and that badger setts are generally only found in the margins of forests. Badgers will occupy more than one sett and regularly move between setts. In view of this, it is unlikely that forestry thinning will have a significant impact on badger movements or the spread of TB.
There is considerable research available to indicate that badgers have contributed to the spread of TB in cattle. On the basis of this research, the TB eradication programme contains a wildlife policy element, involving surveying the land and removing badgers where bovine TB is found and where badgers are implicated in the breakdown. In the context of implementing this policy, research which has been funded by my Department has found that any disruption of badger social groups resulting from the culling of badgers has not led to increased incidence of TB in cattle.
The badger removal policy has contributed to a significant reduction in the levels of the disease in cattle and badgers in recent years. The incidence of TB in cattle herds has been falling steadily over the years, from a level of 7.53% in 2000 to 4.18% in 2011 and the indications are that levels are continuing to fall in 2012. The number of reactors recorded in 2011 was, at 18,500, the lowest recorded since the TB eradication scheme was introduced in the 1950s.
Sale of State Assets
Denis Naughten
Ceist:17 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the disposal of Coillte assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28509/12]
As announced by the Government in February, consideration will be given to the possible sale of some assets of Coillte excluding the sale of land.
As I advised the Dáil Select Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine when I met with them last Thursday in relation to the Estimates for my Department, a decision has not been made to sell Coillte. We are examining options just as we are examining options in other areas. The decision in regard to Coillte was to value it in terms of the value of the timber and its forestry and the way in which that type of sale might proceed so that it would not undermine any strategic interest the State may have in the ownership of forestry or land, or the carbon sink value of forestry in the future.
A valuation of Coillte assets is accordingly being finalised by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. While I have preliminary estimates of the valuation of Coillte, more discussion with NewERA and the NTMA is necessary in this regard. When NewERA and the NTMA are satisfied they have an accurate valuation, I will submit a recommendation to the Government.
The identification of issues associated with possible options is also being undertaken as part of this exercise. Such issues include Coillte's strategic importance within the forestry sector overall, possible implications for employment, recreational access to Coillte forests and the protection of those People's Millennium Forests located in the Coillte forest estate.
No decision on the possible sale of Coillte assets will be taken until the valuation process is finalised and all associated issues considered fully.
Dairy Sector
Niall Collins
Ceist:18 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take in relation to instability in the milk market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28520/12]
Volatility in dairy prices is caused by imbalances of supply and demand in international markets, which are cyclical in nature. However, while there will always be short term fluctuations in dairy prices, the medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good. Growth in global population and wealth is forecast to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. Against that background, I believe that prospects and opportunities for the dairy sector will expand significantly over the coming years. My Department and its agencies will continue to play their part in providing an appropriate framework to support the development of this critically important industry. The best way to deal with market instability is to develop a competitive dairy sector that can deal with the challenges and benefit from the opportunities that a global market provides.
The positive medium-term forecasts are what the Food Harvest 2020 report seeks to exploit in setting out the strategic vision for the agri-food and fishing sector. From a dairying perspective, the ending of milk quotas in 2015 represents an exceptional opportunity to increase our milk output, and Food Harvest 2020 has targeted a 50% increase in milk production in the next decade. This target is ambitious but I also believe it is realistic, because the dairy sector has the capability to expand at producer and at processor level, and to exploit the significant potential in expanding international markets.
In that context, the Dairy Expansion Activation Group established to identify specific actions needed to deliver on the Food Harvest targets, has produced a Road Map setting out 55 actions required to achieve the 50% increase in milk production. All of the stakeholders are being encouragedto discharge the responsibilities assigned to them, and the responsewill bemonitored and reported on. Key areas for action include the identification of markets, the improvement of efficiency at processing level and improving production efficiency at farm level. While many of these actions will be taken at commercial level, my Department and its agencies are working with industry to provide a framework to support the necessary development. I am personally chairing the High Level Implementation Committee in order to monitor progress and take appropriate action to support the successful implementation of Food Harvest 2020.
Exports of dairy products in 2011 were valued at €2.66 billion, an increase of 17% on the previous year. Ireland already has access to markets worldwide and exports dairy products to over 80 countries. Nonetheless I am working with industry to raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and the Irish agri-food sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa and elsewhere. I have been very active in developing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build the kind of confidence in Irish production and control systems that provide a platform for long-term trading relationships in the future. As part of that effort, I recently led a trade mission to China to further develop this important relationship. I met my ministerial counterparts in the Agriculture and Quarantine Ministries to help raise the profile of the Irish agri-food industry, including the dairy sector, in China.
At farm level, it is important for producers to focus on profit rather than milk price, and therefore to focus on increasing efficiency and reducing cost. My Department provides €6 million per annum through the Dairy Efficiency Scheme to encourage the adoption of technology and best practice at farm level. This scheme will help to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to maximise their output, reduce their costs of production and increase margins. In addition, a Dairy Equipment Scheme to encourage capital investment at farm level is available under the TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme) to ensure farmers are equipped to gear up for expansion. The scheme provides grant aid for milking machines, cooling equipment and other ancillary items.
Furthermore, a number of incentives were introduced in this year's budget to encourage new farmers including a stock relief incentive for milk production partnerships, a stamp duty reduction on agricultural land and restructuring of retirement relief. Also Teagasc, which is funded by my Department, provides research, education and advice at both farm and processing level and is working closely with industry in the critically important product development area, while Bord Bia is working with operators in the sector on the development of an accredited sustainability model.
Cattle Societies
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:19 Deputy Luke “Ming” Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Irish Cattle Breeders’ Federation which was set up by his Department is his responsibility; if he is not responsible for the ICBF, with whom does responsibility lie: the budget that has been allocated by his Department in respect of the running of the ICBF; the legislation under which the ICBF was set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28545/12]
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) was established in 1997 as a cooperative and is registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies. It has been approved under EU legislation (Commission Decision 2006/427/EC) by my Department as the designated organisation to carry out performance recording, assessment of genetic value and publication of breeding values for dairy and beef cattle in Ireland. The management of ICBF is the responsibility of its Board, which is broadly representative of all sectors of the Irish livestock industry.
ICBF is in receipt of an annual grant from my Department — which this year amounts to €884,000 — to support it in carrying out the functions in respect of which ICBF has been approved. It has also been allocated €1.35m in 2012 towards projects approved under the National Development Plan.
The Federation also raises income from other sources such as a calf tag levy and charges to service providerse such as Herdbooks, AI Organisations and Milk Recording Organisations. This latter source of funding is increasing annually in recent years.
Milk Quota
John McGuinness
Ceist:20 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress he has made in the re-negotiation of the milk quota system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28542/12]
The 2008 CAP ‘Health Check' review agreed to the abolition of milk quotas in 2015, and provided for a quota increase for all Member States in the remaining years. Under those arrangements Ireland will have received an additional 9.3% in quota between 2007 and 2014. However for some countries, including Ireland, these quota increases are proving insufficient to accommodate increases in milk production which have been driven by supply and demand dynamics, and the prospect of a quota free production environment post 2015.
I have been extremely active in seeking to secure a soft landing for all Member States in the lead-up to milk quota abolition in 2015, as envisaged in the 2008 CAP Health Check agreement. I have discussed the matter extensively with other EU Agriculture Ministers, including in bilateral meetings with my Danish, French, German, Estonian and Finnish counterparts. Furthermore, officials from my Department have raised this issue at EU level meetings, and at bi-lateral meetings with other Member States. The Commission is due to prepare the second interim report on the Health Check by the end of this year and in that context we have called for it to consider measures to ensure a smooth transition to quota abolition in all countries.
To date, however, the Commission has resisted attempts to reconsider this issue, as it has resisted attempts to revisit the outcome of the 2008 CAP Health Check in an overall sense. The Commission's view is supported by a number of Member States, some of whom are firmly against any further adjustment to the Health Check agreement. It is also the case that only a minority of Member states is likely to be adversely affected by the current quota restrictions, and therefore persuading a qualified majority to agree to an adjustment of the current regime represents a significant challenge. There are currently no signs of a breakthrough in this regard.
At this point therefore, it would appear that since a majority of Member States do not support any further adjustment to the soft landing, farmers should plan for the continuation of the quota regime until March 2015.
Food Industry
Brian Stanley
Ceist:21 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible to meet the targets as set out under Food Harvest 2020 while maintaining our targets to reduce agricultural emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28664/12]
The Food Harvest 2020 report (FH2020) was developed by an industry-led committee which comprised key figures from industry, state agencies, academia and the farm bodies. The report contains the industry's strategic vision for the sector and sets ambitious targets for expansion in the decade to 2020. It contains 215 recommendations aimed at achieving sustainable growth, increased efficiency, higher productivity and competitiveness. Since becoming Minister, and as Chair of the High Level Implementation Committee for FH2020, I have whole-heartedly embraced the Food Harvest 2020 strategy and I am totally committed to ensuring its success.
The whole FH2020 strategy is built around the concept of smart green growth which means producing increased output in an environmentally sustainable way, and being able to prove this to the market. It also means embracing changes in practices at farm level to reduce the carbon footprint of the food that is being produced. Ireland's agricultural production is among the most carbon efficient in the world and our rain-fed, grass-based beef, milk and sheep production systems, which use very low cereal inputs, are making a significant contribution to tackling the challenge of sustainably increasing food output. I am confident that implementation of identified changes in practices at farm level, and application of the smart, green growth principle to agricultural production, will reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural produce.
Although there is no emissions reduction target for Irish agriculture, the sector continues to make incremental progress. However, it is recognised that the emissions reduction potential of the sector is quite limited. Since the 1990s, emissions have been falling slowly but steadily. For example, between 1990 and 2006 the amount of methane produced per kg of milk dropped by over 12%, mainly due to the rollout of technological advances in dairy production. Making better use of the land by producing more food and at the same time reducing the emissions per unit of food produced is therefore key to continued expansion.
The FH2020 High Level Implementation Committee has commissioned a team of independent consultants to carry out an environmental analysis of various scenarios involved in achieving the targets in the strategy. The analysis is to examine the following environmental issues:
biodiversity,
flora/fauna,
water, including groundwater quality,
soil,
air quality,
landscape and
climatic factors including impacts on greenhouse gas emission levels.
The consultants are scheduled to deliver an interim report by the end of July with a final report due at the end of this October. The findings of this analysis will help to inform decisions regarding national climate policy including how to meet the very challenging emissions targets that have been set for Ireland.
Common Agricultural Policy
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:22 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on what would be an acceptable level of flattening of direct payments under Common Agricultural Policy reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28667/12]
One of the proposals in the CAP reform package currently under negotiation is to move away from direct payments based on individual farm historic production references to a system based on uniform regional or national rates of payment per hectare by 2019. While I accept the need to move away from outdated historic references, I have serious concerns about the extent and pace of changes proposed by the Commission.
Extensive modelling conducted by my Department shows that the application of a national flat rate of payment per hectare would result in average gains of 86% for some 76,000 Irish farmers and average losses of 33% for almost 57,000. Similar levels of average gains and losses would occur with the application of flat rates on a regional basis. These are average percentages, and some of the gains and losses would be far larger than this. In general it is clear that the losses would be incurred by more productive farmers. This would have undesirable consequences at a time when Ireland is trying to encourage sustainable intensification in the agri-food sector, as we strive to achieve the objectives in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy.
I have been pressing for the maximum possible flexibility to be given to Member States to design payment models that suit their own farming conditions, and to adopt a more gradual, back-loaded transition process, rather than the very rapid, front-loaded approach proposed by the Commission.
This should be consistent with the Commission's desire to achieve a more level playing field while avoiding a disruptive level or pace of change. The "approximation" approach, by which all payments could gradually move towards, but not fully to, the average, is one alternative that I believe should be considered in this regard. The Commission's "pragmatic" proposal for redistribution between Member States is, in effect, an approximation approach and provides a useful precedent. Modelling in my Department suggests that the application of a similar system to the distribution of funds between farmers in Ireland would lead to much smaller gains and losses to individual farmers than a flat rate system, however the precise level of transfers depends on the details of the methodology used.
I have been very active in seeking allies for this position, and I have been making significant progress, particularly with a group of Member States with somewhat similar concerns. However, it should also be understood that a majority of Member States have no difficulty with the idea of flat rate payments, although they have concerns about other aspects of the proposals.
Food Industry
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:23 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied regarding the future competitiveness of the agri-food sector vis-à-vis EU member states and in a global context; if he has had any discussions with his EU partners in the context of ensuring that costs are within anticipated tolerances in order to ensure that the Irish and the European food producing sector can meet its targets within Europe and worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28629/12]
Although I am satisfied with the excellent performance of the agri-food and fish sectors since 2010 I am of course aware of the challenges which must be faced including increased cost of inputs such as fuel, feed and fertiliser as well as access to credit. As I have stated before, agri-food exports are also subject to international commodity price fluctuations as we have seen in recent months in relation to milk prices. Teagasc research suggests that producer margins will fall in 2012 compared to 2011. However, they also believe that the decline will not cause margins to go below those experienced in 2010, which overall was a good year for the agri-food sector. Fuel feed and fertilisers are global commodities that have been subject to high volatility in recent years. The EU is supporting the efforts of the G20 to deal with this volatility. One of the measures that has already been implemented is an agricultural markets information system that provides detailed information concerning stocks and potential harvest data. This will provide more certainty to international markets and help to reduce speculative pricing in the sector. Work is continuing at both the FAO and within the G20 to monitor and manage price volatility for both food and inputs to food production. Ireland must continue its discussions with its EU partners to create a CAP that meets global obligations in relation to trade and emissions while at the same time ensuring a properly functioning agricultural market for its farmers.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme
Martin Ferris
Ceist:24 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has for opening the agri environmental option scheme for land outside of special areas of conservation and commonage for farmers who have left the REP scheme 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28660/12]
I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale, including the possibility of re-opening for applications later in the year with a possible closing date for applications of end September and a commencement date of January 2013.
The full year cost of any new scheme will have to be met in 2013 and any decision to re-open AEOS will be taken in the context of the resources available and the need to remain within the agreed expenditure ceiling for my Department in 2013.
Farm Inspections
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:25 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections that have been carried out to date in 2012; if he will provide a breakdown by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28659/12]
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 must be carried out on 5% of applicants. These checks are carried out to verify that the actual area claimed in the application form corresponds to the area farmed by the farmer and to ensure that any ineligible land/features are 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 2010, in an effort to minimise duplication of farm inspections between the two Departments, my Department agreed to carry out some 1,600 nitrates inspections under the GAP regulations on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. This arrangement was retained in 2011 and will apply also in 2012.
I have set out in tabular form, data on the number of inspections conducted to date under the 2012 schemes:
|
County |
No. of Inspections |
|
Carlow |
55 |
|
Cavan |
138 |
|
Clare |
120 |
|
Cork East |
264 |
|
Cork West |
327 |
|
Donegal North |
71 |
|
Donegal South |
187 |
|
Dublin |
17 |
|
Galway East |
203 |
|
Galway West |
138 |
|
Kerry North |
165 |
|
Kerry South |
96 |
|
Kildare |
62 |
|
Kilkenny |
139 |
|
Laois |
129 |
|
Leitrim |
129 |
|
Limerick |
240 |
|
Longford |
65 |
|
Louth |
31 |
|
Mayo North |
159 |
|
Mayo South |
109 |
|
Meath |
143 |
|
Monaghan |
176 |
|
Offaly |
113 |
|
Roscommon |
151 |
|
Sligo |
78 |
|
Tipperary North |
176 |
|
Tipperary South |
227 |
|
Waterford |
178 |
|
Westmeath |
92 |
|
Wexford |
196 |
|
Wicklow East |
47 |
|
Wicklow West |
19 |
|
Total |
4,440 |
In addition my Department, carries out the inspections outlined under the Organic Farming Scheme and the Agri Environment Schemes.
In accordance with Art 12(1) of EU Regulation 1975/2006, which governs the Organic Farming Scheme, the number of inspections carried out each year shall cover at least 5% of all beneficiaries. To date 60 organic farms have been selected for inspection, as set out in the table below. A further 5% of new applications received by 15 May, 2012 will also be selected for farm inspection once approved for entry to the Scheme.
|
County |
Organics |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Clare |
3 |
|
Cork |
8 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Galway |
4 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
6 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
|
Longford |
2 |
|
Meath |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
|
Total |
60 |
My Department inspects 5% of REPS participants on an annual basis to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the REPS scheme. This year to date only 8 REPS inspections have taken place as set out below:
|
County |
No. of Inspections |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
|
Cork |
2 |
My Department inspects 5% of applicants under the Agricultural Environment and Options Scheme (AEOS) to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme. So far in 2012, my inspectors have inspected 329 farms, the breakdown of which is outlined in the table below:
|
County |
Number |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
8 |
|
Clare |
20 |
|
Cork |
22 |
|
Donegal |
22 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
|
Galway |
46 |
|
Kerry |
27 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
14 |
|
Laois |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
9 |
|
Limerick |
15 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Mayo |
33 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
6 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
|
Roscommon |
13 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
30 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Total |
329 |
Higher Education Grants
Sandra McLellan
Ceist:26 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any dealings with the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that farm land is not considered an asset during the means testing process for higher education grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28663/12]
I am very aware of the issue raised in relation to the treatment of farm assets in the proposed new capital assets test for third level grants.
It is important to note that decisions have not yet been made by Government on this matter. I have, however, conveyed my own views on this issue to the Minister for Education and Skills on a number of occasions and these discussions are continuing. I have also ensured that my Department is represented on theCapital Asset Test Implementation Group for Student Grants, and that the implications for agriculture and for agri-food policy have been fully explored with the group in order to inform any recommendations it might make.
Teagasc Rationalisation Programme
Clare Daly
Ceist:27 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the proposed closure of the Teagasc Horticultural Research Centre at Kinsealy, County Dublin, if he will provide the cost benefit analysis prepared by Teagasc which he promised in the Seanad during April. [28655/12]
As I have stated previously, this is an operational matter for Teagasc. It is responsible for the day to day running of the organisation including decisions relating to the network of offices. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and the Minister does not interfere in the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.
The decision by Teagasc to close Kinsealy is part of a significant "Change Programme" to cut costs, improve efficiencies and streamline services. The Programme involves the disposal of surplus assets, a significant reduction in the number of research and advisory locations and cuts in staff numbers. In addition to moving to Ashtown, Teagasc is also closing 40 of its 91 Advisory offices throughout the country.
Teagasc prepared a detailed Business Case on the planned move to Ashtown and are satisfied that it will give rise to significant annual cost savings with an expected payback arising from relocation savings over a 7 year period.
In current economic circumstances, it was appropriate for Teagasc to review their portfolio of assets and see how best they could be utilised for the overall good of the organisation and the agri-food sector. Their approach reflected the recommendations in the "Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Programme Expenditure" published by the previous Government that opportunities for savings should be developed by rationalising the national network of Teagasc and Department locations.
Common Agricultural Policy
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:28 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the Common Agricultural Policy negotiations will be completed under Ireland’s presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28666/12]
Given the nature of any negotiation process, it is often difficult to accurately predict not only the outcome but even the timing of an outcome. This is especially the case when the interests of 27 Member States have to be reconciled across the enormous range of issues covered by the Commission's proposals on the reform of the CAP.
It is important to note also that key CAP issues are in fact being discussed in two parallel tracks, namely:
in the CAP reform negotiations in the Council of Agriculture Ministers, and at official level in the Special Committee on Agriculture and four separate working groups, and
in the negotiations on a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) setting the EU budget for the period 2014 to 2020, which take place in the General Affairs Council and, ultimately, in the European Council.
In addition, the European Parliament will have a key role in the process and in final decision making.
As a Member State taking over the reins of the EU Presidency in January 2013, Ireland is committed to playing an active and constructive role in securing agreement on the reform of the CAP. However, to do this, three things need to be happen:
there must be progress and ultimately agreement on the MFF,
the substantial progress made during the Danish presidency regarding technical issues must continue through the Cypriot presidency, and
all three institutions — the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission — need to engage actively in the negotiating process, with a commitment to seeking workable compromise.
I have assured Commissioner Ciolos and my Member State colleagues that Ireland is willing to play a full role, both before and during our presidency, in seeking agreement on this vital issue, both for the EU and for Ireland.
Tuberculosis Incidence
Denis Naughten
Ceist:29 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the TB testing regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28510/12]
The bovine TB eradication programme includes a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing of all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, the payment of compensation for cattle removed as reactors, implementation of a range of supplementary tests such as post-derestriction and contiguous tests, a wildlife programme, and the depopulation of infected herds in some cases. These measures have proven to be relatively effective in recent years as evidenced by the significant reduction in disease levels over the past decade. For example, herd incidence has fallen from 7.53% in 2000 to 4.18% last year and reactor numbers in 2011 were, at 18,500, the lowest recorded since the commencement of the programme in the 1950s. Reactor numbers and herd incidence have continued to fall in 2012.
The eradication programme is scientifically based and my Department continues to monitor and review the effectiveness and efficiency of the programme on an on-going basis in light of experience and research. In this context, my Department reviewed the programme last year and concluded that, if we want to progress towards eradication, it was necessary to address all other potential sources of infection, including from neighbouring herds and the movement of high risk animals, in addition to the emphasis which has been placed on badgers as a source of infection in recent years. It also concluded that it was necessary to ensure that testing is conducted in a timely manner. In light of this, my Department introduced a number of changes into the TB programme earlier this year to prevent the spread of disease from infected herds to clear herds and to tighten up on overdue testing. These changes were made following a number of consultation meetings with the farming organisations.
I want to emphasise that the changes are, firstly, based on research which demonstrates that there are increased risks attached to the movement of certain animals and, secondly, that they are designed to protect clear herds from buying in high risk animals. For example, the restrictions imposed on the movement of inconclusive reactors is based on research which showed that standard inconclusive reactors which passed the re-test and moved out of the herd, subsequent to passing the test, were 12 times more likely to be TB positive at the subsequent test or at slaughter compared to all other animals in the herd. Furthermore, the new controls on the movement of animals out of herds which have been identified as contiguous to a herd experiencing an active high risk TB breakdown are based on research which showed that the risk of such herds disclosing TB is almost 3 times greater than the risk in the case of herds tested on a round test.
Following representations from the farming sector, my Department has reviewed the new arrangements. I have clarified that my Department will contact herdowners prior to restricting their herds under the contiguous testing programme and that herds which are trade restricted pending a test will not be excluded from the Russian trade. In addition, I have made a number of changes to the new arrangements such that herdowners who, having genuine reasons, negotiate a delay (up to one month) with the DVO prior to the overdue date will not have any penalties applied. In addition, herdowners who postpone their tests with the permission of the DVO or are contiguous to a high risk breakdown and are waiting for a test will be permitted to buy in animals for a limited period.
With regard to the four month period in the context of the contiguous testing programme, I have set out the position in response to the preceding Priority Question.
While I am very pleased with the improvement in the incidence of TB, my Department subjects the TB eradication programme to on-going review with a view to ensuring that there is a robust testing regime in place. The prevention of the spread of disease from infected herds to clear herds is an important factor both in achieving the goal of eradication and in continuing to secure funding from the EU. My Department will continue to review and make changes to various elements of the programme as deemed necessary in light of experience.
European Stability Programmes
Peter Mathews
Ceist:30 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in tabular form, the duration of each loan that Ireland has drawn down from the European Financial Stability Facility and European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism; the cost to the EFSF and EFSM of raising funds for each of these draw downs on the open market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28693/12]
The following tables, which have been provided by the NTMA, set out the funding operations done by the EFSM and EFSF where Ireland was a beneficiary. In some cases funding operations were done on behalf of another country at the same time and this is also indicated. The cost of funding to the lender may differ from the ultimate cost of borrowing to the borrower because of fees and other adjustments. However, as there is no interest rate margin applied by the EFSF and EFSM to Ireland, these differences are relatively minor.
Note that, in the case of the EFSF, it has moved to a pooled interest rate system, meaning that all beneficiary countries will pay the same interest rate. However, this system was established in March 2012 at which point Ireland had received loans at definitive interest rates, some of which will become part of the pooled interest rate system. This means that the two loans drawn from the EFSF before the establishment of the pooled system are at definitive interest rates whilst the balance will be based on the pooled system. As the pooled system was on an interim basis from November 2011 to end-March 2012, the first three disbursements from the EFSF in 2012 were provided on an interim basis, and will be rolled over in due course at which point they will be part of the pooled system proper. The pooled system means that the EFSF will no longer go to the capital markets to borrow specifically for Ireland and that the link between its market operations and its lending activities is no longer direct.
|
Amount of issuance |
Maturity |
Date of issuance |
Loan beneficiary/ies |
Disbursement date |
EFSM’s Cost of Borrowing(all-in yield including banking fees) |
|
€5.0bn |
04-Dec-15 |
5 Jan. 2011 |
Ireland |
12 Jan. 2011 |
2.62% |
|
€4.6bn |
04-Apr-18 |
17-Mar-11 |
€3.4bn for Ireland,€1.2bn for Romania |
24-Mar-11 |
3.28% |
|
€4.75 bn |
04-Jun-21 |
24-May-11 |
€3bn for Ireland,€1.75bn for Portugal |
31-May-11 |
3.55% |
|
€4.0bn |
04-Sep-26 |
22 Sept. 2011 |
€2bn for Ireland;€2bn for Portugal |
29 Sept. 2011 |
3.07% |
|
€1.1bn |
04-Oct-18 |
29 Sept. 2011 |
€0.5bn for Ireland;€0.6bn for Portugal |
6 Oct. 2011 |
2.50% |
|
€3.0bn |
04-Apr-42 |
9 Jan. 2012 |
€1.5bn for Ireland;€1.5bn for Portugal |
16 Jan. 2012 |
3.79% |
|
€3.0bn |
04-Apr-32 |
27 Feb. 2012 |
Ireland |
05-Mar-12 |
3.41% |
|
Amount of Issuance |
Maturity*** |
Raised on |
Details |
Disbursement date |
EFSF’s Cost of Borrowing |
|
€5.0bn |
18-Jul-16 |
25-Jan-11 |
€4.2bn of which €3.6bn disbursed |
01-Feb-11 |
2.89% |
|
€3.0bn |
04-Feb-22 |
07-Nov-11 |
14-Nov-11 |
3.59% |
|
|
Pooled issuance of €5.55bn. |
04-Feb-15 |
Diversified funding strategy |
€1.27 billion* |
12-Jan-12 |
1.725% |
|
19-July-12 |
€0.48 billion* |
19-Jan-12 |
0.2664% |
||
|
23-Aug-12 |
€1.00 billion* |
15-Mar-12 |
0.1908%* |
||
|
3-Apr-37 |
€2.8 billion |
03-Apr-12 |
See** |
*These amounts were provided on an interim basis pending the full implementation of the pooled interest rate system. From the maturity dates shown, the amounts will be provided from the pooled system.
**The EFSF funding provided to Ireland under pooled issuance comes from a variety of fundings, and the EFSF is not yet in a position to confirm their cost of funding from that pool.
***The Heads of State or Government of the Euro Area and EU Institutions in their Statement of 21 July 2011 decided to lengthen the maturity of future EFSF loans "to the maximum extent possible from the current 7.5 years to a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years".
Tax Code
Jack Wall
Ceist:31 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn the concerns of board of managements of schools in regard to the recent changes by the Revenue Commissioners in regard to relevant tax contracts and the major increase in the volume of work that such changes are creating for the voluntary boards of such schools; if his further attention has been drawn to the cost to the boards that the increased auditing is causing for the boards; if he has had any meetings with the Department of Education and Skills regarding the stated changes; if so, the result of such meetings and if he will have the matter reviewed in regard to the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28804/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) is a withholding tax system that operates in the construction, forestry and meat processing sectors. Principal contractors are defined in the legislation (section 530A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997) as including "any board or body established by or under statute ... and funded wholly or mainly out of funds provided by the Oireachtas". As such, school Boards of Management are principal contractors for the purposes of RCT.
Principal contractors, including school Boards of Management, are and always were required to deduct tax from the payments made to subcontractors and pay it over to Revenue. As it is recognised that it would be undesirable to deduct tax from compliant subcontractors, provision is made for compliant subcontractors to receive payments without deduction of tax. The need to ensure tax compliance by subcontractors is particularly important where the Exchequer is the ultimate source of the funds being paid out by school Boards of Management and other principal contractors. RCT plays an important role in ensuring tax compliance by subcontractors in these sectors.
From 1 January 2012, the Revenue Commissioners have made available a new online system for the operation of RCT that has significantly reduced the administrative burden associated with RCT. This new system offers a fast, efficient and paper free system, which has streamlined the process for the submission of information and payments to Revenue.
I am further informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are aware of the difficulty some school Boards of Management may be having in fulfilling their obligations under the RCT system. Revenue has met with the Department of Education and Skills regarding the obligations of Boards of Management under the RCT system and that further meetings are planned. In addition, local Revenue offices have been contacting Boards of Management who are likely to be in receipt of State funding for construction projects with a view to assisting them with their RCT responsibilities. Detailed guidance notes regarding the operation of RCT by school Boards of Management are being prepared and will be made available on the Revenue website and also made available to the Department of Education and Skills.
Finally, having regard to the pressures on the public finances, it is important that the RCT system is implemented correctly in order to minimise tax evasion in the construction sector particularly involving substantial State funding. The new online administrative system introduced by Revenue has significantly simplified the RCT process for principal contractors, including school Boards of Management.
Tax Yield
Finian McGrath
Ceist:32 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the percentage of money contributed by the PAYE sector and the farming community on tax if the PAYE sector pays 87% and the farmers pay 0.9%. [28828/12]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that figures of the net receipt of income tax from the PAYE, farming and other self-employed sectors in the year 2011 are as follows:
|
Tax Head |
€m |
% |
|
PAYE |
8,496.3 |
85.0 |
|
Farmers |
103.5 |
1.0 |
|
Other self-employed |
1,397.8 |
14.0 |
|
Total |
9,997.6 |
100.0 |
These figures do not take account of receipts from the USC. Neither do they take account of receipts from deposit interest retention tax and dividend withholding tax for which a breakdown between particular classes of taxpayers cannot be ascertained. Also not reflected in these figures are repayments of tax other than tax paid under PAYE or by the self-employed such as, for example, repayments made to foreign residents of tax deducted at source under various arrangements.
Payments ofwithholding tax on professional feesare included in the yield from the other self-employed.
The amounts paid by each sector must be seen in the context of the relative numbers of taxpayers in the PAYE and self-employed (including farming) sectors.
Income tax collected through the PAYE mechanism covers more than income tax on ordinary wages and salaries. It includes tax paid by directors of close companies who are akin to the self-employed as well as tax on "other income" of employees such as rent and other investment income. It also includes the tax paid under PAYE on the income from employment of farmers and other self-employed individuals.
The figures for tax yields attributed to Other Self-Employed include tax paid on income from trades and professions other than farming, together with tax paid on other income such as rent and other investment income.
Tax Yield
Gerald Nash
Ceist:33 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the monthly yield of VAT from each tax district and tax region for each month from January 2010 to May 2012 inclusive. [28845/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated net receipt for VAT (Domestic) for the year 2010 is €9,051 million and the breakdown on a county basis is set out in the table below; corresponding information is not yet available on this basis for either 2011 or 2012 to date. It should be noted that Revenue officers operate within certain geographical boundaries known as bailiwicks, which equate geographically with counties. Data on the net receipts of some taxes can be linked to bailiwicks to provide an estimated breakdown of receipts on a county basis and this had been done for the purpose of the question.
It should be noted that the liability of a trader to VAT is generally dealt with by reference to the location of the trader's registered office even though the economic activity may be carried on in another county.
I am further informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested is not available on a monthly basis and either could not be obtained or could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioners' records.
|
County |
2010 |
|
€m |
|
|
Carlow |
49.2 |
|
Cavan |
64.0 |
|
Clare |
91.2 |
|
Donegal |
96.9 |
|
Galway |
230.4 |
|
Kerry |
133.1 |
|
Kildare |
287.0 |
|
Kilkenny |
79.9 |
|
Laois |
56.0 |
|
Leitrim |
18.3 |
|
Limerick |
169.9 |
|
Longford |
20.0 |
|
Louth |
160.9 |
|
Mayo |
112.5 |
|
Meath |
185.2 |
|
Monaghan |
47.6 |
|
Offaly |
51.0 |
|
Roscommon |
39.5 |
|
Sligo |
40.9 |
|
Tipperary |
127.8 |
|
Waterford |
88.0 |
|
Westmeath |
71.5 |
|
Wexford |
115.9 |
|
Wicklow |
138.2 |
|
Dublin |
5,373.5 |
|
Cork |
743.0 |
|
Other/foreign |
459.6 |
|
Total |
9,051.0 |
|
Region |
VAT 2010 |
|
€m |
|
|
Dublin |
5,373.5 |
|
East South-East |
1,127.2 |
|
Border Midlands West |
953.5 |
|
South West |
1,137.2 |
|
Other/foreign |
459.6 |
|
Total |
9,051.0 |
Tax Yield
Gerald Nash
Ceist:34 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance the likely yield from additional capital acquisitions tax, if the following changes were made, drop the Category A threshold to €200,000, to reduce the level of business and agricultural relief to 75%, and to cap the level of business and agricultural relief at €2,500,000. [28846/12]
The current Group A tax-free threshold (for gifts/inheritances from parents to children) is €250,000. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield from reducing the Group A threshold to €200,000 is estimated to be of the order of €15 million. The Group A threshold has already been reduced by 59% from its peak level of €542,544 in early 2009. Revenue does not receive information on gifts and inheritances which currently do not have to be declared so it is not possible to estimate the potential yield if such benefits were brought into the tax net by the proposed reduction. The estimated full year yield from reducing Business Relief and Agricultural Relief from 90% to 75% would be in the region of €14 million and €35 million respectively.
It is not possible to estimate the yield from capping the level of business and agricultural relief at €2,500,000.
It should be noted that these estimates are based upon an assumption that there would be no behavioural impact from such changes, which could lead to a less than expected result from a change to the tax base. In addition, the realisation of any estimated yield from an increase in taxation on assets relating to property is subject to movements in the value of such assets which are currently occurring in the economy.
Tax Code
Gerald Nash
Ceist:35 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance the likely cost of the following changes to VAT rates, reducing the VAT rate on services currently charged at 9% to 5%; reducing the VAT rate on certain business services currently charged at 23% to 15%, that is accounting and legal services and reducing the standard VAT rate from 23% to 20%. [28847/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost of reducing the VAT rate to 5% on those services currently applying at the 9% reduced rate, is estimated at €330 million. The cost of reducing the standard VAT rate from 23% to 20% is estimated at €850m. With regard to reducing the standard VAT rate on certain business activities from 23% to 15%, this would not be possible under EU VAT law, with which Ireland must comply. The EU VAT Directive provides that Member States may only operate one standard VAT rate. In order to reduce the VAT rate to 15% on accounting and legal services, this would require a general reduction in the standard VAT rate from 23% to 15%. Such a move would cost over €2 billion and is not feasible in the current climate.
Special Educational Needs
Regina Doherty
Ceist:36 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way a parent of a child with reduced access to a special need assistant or has completely lost access to an SNA can make a review application or appeal the decision when the provision of SNA’s is actually given to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28696/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of such supports and the staffing resources available to my Department.
All schools had been advised to apply to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2012/13 school year by 16th March, 2012 and schools will be notified shortly by their local SENO of their SNA allocation for 2012/13, based on the number of valid applications received and the extent of the care needs of qualifying children.
The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available onwww.ncse.ie.
Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE is developing an appeals process which is intended to be in place for the 2012/13 school year.
Tax Code
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:37 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has given consideration to the additional workload that will now be placed on boards of management of schools undertaking capital works projects on foot of Revenue Commissioners decision that schools’ boards of management are to be regarded as principal contractor; if he is satisfied that boards have both the expertise and time available to them to undertake such responsibilities; if any training will be provided to schools regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28707/12]
I acknowledge the additional work associated with the additional responsibilities placed on boards of management consequent to recently introduced tax laws by the Revenue Commissioners relating to the operation of relevant contract tax at schools level. Despite the endeavours of my Department to assist school authorities cope with these changes, the matters of expertise, time and need for training in these issues are primarily and principally appropriate to the Revenue Commissioners. Accordingly queries in these matters should properly be addressed to the Revenue Commissioners.
Higher Education Grants
Anthony Lawlor
Ceist:38 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the annual review of the student support regulations and the student grant scheme for the 2012/2013 academic year in terms of nationality requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28721/12]
The Student Grant Scheme and the Student Support Regulations for the 2012/13 academic were published by my Department earlier this week.
The nationality requirements for the scheme are set out in section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2012.
The nationality requirements are currently under separate review within my Department.
School Accommodation
Alan Farrell
Ceist:39 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a report on the long term suitability of recently purchased prefabricated classrooms at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin following several engineering reports both before and after his Department mandated purchase that found that defective materials were used in their construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28722/12]
The temporary accommodation, referred to by the Deputy was considered to be in good condition and well maintained when acquired by my Department. In the period since the purchase, my Department was advised by the school of issues with the accommodation. A technical assessment has been carried out recently by Department staff and the report on the matter is being considered. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities shortly in this regard.
School Enrolments
Alan Farrell
Ceist:40 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether existing primary schools in Malahide, County Dublin, have sufficient lands to cater for projected growth within the catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28724/12]
My Department is satisfied that the existing schools in Malahide can cater for enrolments in the area in the short to medium term.
My Department will continue to monitor enrolments in the Malahide area to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.
Special Educational Needs
John Lyons
Ceist:41 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for special needs support for the 2012/2013 academic year was received in respect of a child (details supplied) who was recently diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum. [28744/12]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports including resource teaching and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, 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 had been advised to apply to the NCSE for SNA support for the 2012/13 school year by 16th March, 2012 and schools will be notified shortly by their local SENO of their resource teaching and SNA allocation for 2012/13, based on the number of valid applications received and, in the case of SNA support, the extent of the care needs of qualifying children.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available onwww.ncse.ie.
Departmental Funding
Dan Neville
Ceist:42 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 6 June 2012, if he will sanction the funding required. [28752/12]
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted additional information in support of their application. This will now be considered by my Department and a response will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.
School Staffing
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:43 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of whole-time equivalent teaching posts a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will lose in September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28767/12]
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 their available resources to meet their 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 school in DEIS, including both 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.
Telecommunications Services
Tom Fleming
Ceist:44 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the roll out of high speed broadband to all second level schools in County Kerry will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28770/12]
Tom Fleming
Ceist:45 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason County Kerry was recently omitted from a national project to bring 100 MBPS broadband to secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28795/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
A working group comprising representatives from my Department, HEAnet and the Department of Communications and Natural Resources have recommended a strategy for the roll out of 100mbps to all post primary schools. The national roll-out will be completed over three stages with 200 schools being connected by September 2012, a further 200 being connected next year and the remaining 250 schools being connected in 2014. The first 200 schools to be installed are located on a geographic basis and where possible include some of those areas which are served by poorer performing technologies.
The next 200 schools will be selected once work is complete on the re-tendering of schools under the current schools broadband programme and once the first 200 schools have been connected to the 100Mbps scheme. All post primary schools will be installed by the end of 2014.
Croke Park Agreement
Alan Farrell
Ceist:46 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress he has made in terms of planning for the expiration of the Croke Park Agreement; if any negotiations with unions have taken place regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28723/12]
The Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement is a four year agreement covering the period out to 2014. The terms of the Agreement provide for an ongoing review process. No negotiations or discussions have taken place with unions or staff representatives in relation to the expiration of the Agreement.
Performance Management Systems
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:47 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which the 2012 Performance Management and Development System cycle ends; if the newly published PMDS forms are being used during the current cycle and for interim reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28728/12]
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:48 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in view of the newly published Performance Management and Development System form which describes a Performance Management Development System of three as fully acceptable and a rating of two as needs improvement, if it is his intention to increase the qualifying threshold for an increment to three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28729/12]
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:49 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is considering implementing forced distribution as part of the rating of staff under Performance Management and Development System; and if not, the other measures he is considering to ensure that the commitments made in the Croke Park Agreement linking incremental pay to performance are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28730/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 49, inclusive, together.
The new PMDS form came into use for the 2012 cycle which commenced on 1 January 2012 and replaces the three separate Role Profile, Interim Review and Annual Review forms which were in use previously. The 2012 cycle of the Performance Management and Development System ends on 31 December 2012. The central aim of any performance management system is to support managers and employees in improving the performance of the individual and, in turn, the performance of the organisation. The most important element in how effective performance management will be in an organisation is the skills and talent of line managers. My Department is developing a range of tools to support line managers in developing good management skills. In addition to the skills of line management, it is also critical that the performance management system itself is designed in such a way as to support management and staff in delivering high performance levels.
My Department carried out a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the performance management and development system used in the Civil Service in 2010.The Evaluation of PMDS Survey 2010 identified a number of problems with how PMDS is currently operating. My Department has been working with management and unions, in accordance with commitments in Croke Park to strengthen performance management in the Civil Service, and has agreed changes to performance management. In 2011 changes were introduced aimed at improving the operation of PMDS. This involved streamlining the paperwork associated with PMDS primarily to create space for more discussion about performance between staff and managers. Critically, we are increasing manager accountability for managing performance giving a low rating to managers who do not manage the performance of their staff proactively i.e. a manager who has not been managing their staff (including the completion of PMDS for their staff) should not get a rating above 2.
My Department alongside management of the Civil Service and unions is now engaged in a process of identifying ways to improve more fundamental problems with PMDS.The Evaluation of PMDS Survey 2010 highlighted that one of the main underlying problems with PMDS is a perceived lack of fairness and consistency in the application of the system. In this regard, my Department has given a discussion paper to the unions which outlines a broad range of options aimed at improving fairness and consistency and the operation of PMDS from both a management and a staff perspective. The paper outlines possible changes to the competency framework; the ratings and the distribution of ratings; the rating scale used in PMDS; and with whom (i.e. what level of manager) the responsibility for overall fairness and consistency should lie. This paper follows on from an agreement in November 2011 that the PMDS Subcommittee of General Council (management and unions) would address all of these fundamental issues.
This discussion paper forms the basis of consultation and debate with the unions. It presents a range of options commonly used in organisations to help to ensure fairness and consistency in performance management systems. In any paper addressing fairness and consistency in performance management, one would expect to see a proposal to introduce mechanisms such as calibration or forced distribution. While there are undoubtedly a number of issues with the forced distribution option, it does facilitate management within organisations to identify and differentiate their top performers; to identify developmental needs for more moderate performers; and to identify staff whose performance is below the standard expected. The paper also contains a proposal to stop paying increments where an individual staff member gets a rating below 3. This is based on the already agreed principle in the Civil Service that increments should only be awarded on the basis of a positive assessment of performance and commitment throughout the year. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the PMDS system itself will support the improvement of individual and organisational performance across the Civil Service and that it is applied in a more fair and consistent manner.
Work Permits
Robert Dowds
Ceist:50 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason for the delay in making decisions on employment permit applications by Romanian and Bulgarian nationals; and when this may be resolved. [28708/12]
The average processing time for applications for an employment permit is circa 11 working days. This applies to all applicants regardless of nationality. Applications from Bulgarian and Romanian nationals are subject to distinct and more favourable consideration as compared to applications from nationals of countries outside of the EEA arising from the provisions of their respective Treaties of Accession to the European Union. As a result of this status, careful consideration of such nationals' applications must be given to ensure that the criteria under the employment permits schemes are accurately applied. I am informed that exceptional delays have arisen in this area over the last few months due to competing priorities and the need to address a range of complex legal issues which applicants have raised. However, I understand that decisions will issue over the course of the next fortnight in respect of any applications that have been delayed.
Business Regulation
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:51 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the date in 2012 that marks the deadline for reaching the 25% administrative burden reduction target; if it is anticipated that his Department will reach that target; the way Ireland compares to other EU countries in reaching that target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28726/12]
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:52 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, in view of the 25% administrative burden reduction programme ending this year, there are plans either by him or the European Commission to launch a further administrative reduction target or a similar scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28727/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
My Department and its Agencies have already achieved a reduction of almost 24.5% in the administrative burden imposed on business; this amounts to annual savings for business of over €204 million. I anticipate that further measures will be identified that will see the Department meeting its 25% target by the end of the year. Details of all the initiatives making up the total already achieved are available on my Department's website. Successful initiatives resulting in significant savings include:
In Company Law, savings of €82 million per annum have already been realised, more than €33 million of which are due to the work of the Companies Registration Office (CRO), as companies can submit their annual returns online via the CRO website and can now use digital signatures for the B1 Form and Accounts.
In Health and Safety Law, a total of €123 million in annual administrative savings for business has been delivered by the HSA via two key projects: the BeSMART online tool for preparing the Risk Assessment and Safety Statement (€59m), and the SMP20 Guidelines (€64m), which assist construction firms with fewer than 20 employees in establishing and maintaining an effective safety management system.
My Department also coordinates the cross-Government measurement and reduction exercise towards the 25% target by the end of 2012. A project to measure the burden imposed by regulation under the responsibility of seven Departments and Revenue was initiated in September 2011. Following completion of its measurement exercise, each participating Department must then immediately begin planning how it will achieve the remaining reductions necessary to reach the target. The first cluster of Departments are expected to report to Government with Simplification Plans by the end of this month and the remaining Departments are expected to report by the end of the third quarter.
Work is continuing to identify new areas where administrative burdens on business can be reduced and in this regard the High Level Group on Business Regulation has prioritised a number of areas for attention in its Work Programme for 2012. I understand that comparable figures are not available for all of the other Member States in the EU. However, I understand that the European Commission intends to report on its own Administrative Burden Reduction Action Programme early in 2013. This report may include a summary of the progress made by all the Member States. As far as a future EU strategy is concerned, we must await the Commission's report and its proposals in the matter.
Industrial Disputes
Brendan Smith
Ceist:53 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in relation to the need to resolve a long running dispute at a company (details supplied); if the State’s industrial relations agencies are active in trying to reach a solution to the difficulties that have arisen; the negotiations that have been conducted or are proposed; the efforts that will be made to deal with the concerns of the employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28757/12]
Workers at the Lagan Brick factory in Kingscourt, Co Cavan have been involved in a protest outside the company's premises in a dispute over the decision by the company to close its operation on 15 December last with the loss of 29 jobs. The union wanted to retain maximum employment at the plant and secure satisfactory redundancy terms for any workers that would lose their jobs. Subsequently, representatives of the company and the trade union SIPTU attended conciliation talks at the Labour Relations Commission on 10th and 16th January. These talks were reconvened on 6 February following consideration by both sides of an examination of the trading position of the company undertaken by an independent expert.
Following the 6th of February hearing, SIPTU stated that it would be seeking the intervention of the Labour Court in the dispute, following the failure to reach agreement in the LRC talks. However, I understand that Lagan Brick subsequently issued a statement to the effect that the company did not intend to pursue further negotiation with worker representatives in this matter. In a ballot conducted on Thursday 1st March, SIPTU members in Lagan Brick voted almost unanimously to take strike action in response to the company's decision not to attend the Labour Court, and that seven days' notice of strike action was served on Lagan Brick by SIPTU on 2nd March. Official strike action began on 10 March.
I understand that the parties subsequently engaged in direct discussions in an effort to resolve the dispute, with the assistance of a mediation panel under an agreed independent chairman jointly appointed by ICTU and IBEC. Unfortunately, that process also failed to reach a resolution. I regret that the parties have not been able to reach an agreement to resolve this long running dispute. I would urge the parties involved in this dispute to work together to break the current impasse by utilising the established machinery for dispute resolution, who are available to assist at short notice. In my view, the experience and expertise of the Labour Court offers the most appropriate and effective avenue for resolving such issues.
Work Permits
Denis Naughten
Ceist:54 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when a work permit will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28762/12]
My officials advise me that an Employment Permit application was received in respect of the person named on 25 May 2012. This application will be dealt with in order of date of receipt. The employment permits section is currently processing work permit applications received on 22nd May 2012 and it is envisaged that this application will be processed within the next few weeks.
Employment Appeals Tribunal
Jack Wall
Ceist:55 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when a decision by a Rights Commissioner is determined in favour of the applicant and the company refuse to recognise the decision, the time it will take for the Employment Tribunal to determine and enforce the decision in regard to the case; if he is satisfied with this period of time; the actions he has or is proposing to take to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28806/12]
The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) hears claims under 18 separate pieces of legislation, some of which are lodged as direct claims to the Tribunal and others which come to the Tribunal by way of appeal or implementation of a Rights Commissioner's recommendation/decision.
I am informed that if a Rights Commissioner decision is referred to the Tribunal for implementation, the Tribunal will endeavour to list this type of case as quickly as possible and will stream similar types of referrals together. These can be dealt with relatively quickly.
However, if either party appeals a Rights Commissioner decision, it must go before the Tribunal for a fresh hearing. The type of claim, the fact that it is contested, the date of lodgement, current resources are all factors that impact on the time to hear the case. I am informed that at the end of May 2012, the overall Dublin waiting period was 79 weeks and the overall country waiting period was 82 weeks. The Tribunal targets areas with the longest waiting period and highest level of claims outstanding in an effort to distribute its existing resources in an even handed manner.
The Tribunal increased the number of claims disposed of in 2011 by 11% against the previous year, to date 2012 continues to show an increase.
The Reform Programme I have commenced will deliver a two tier Workplace Relations structure by merging the activities of the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court into a new Body of First Instance, to be known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The appellate functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal will be incorporated into an expanded Labour Court. Substantial progress has already been made and a number of important priority actions that I identified last July have been successfully delivered within the target timescale. Work has commenced on the drafting of a Workplace Relations Bill to give effect to the new two-tier structure. The purpose of the Reform Programme is to provide a more efficient and effective system of resolving employment disputes. Substantial progress has already been made in this regard. For example, the establishment of a Workplace Relations Single Contact Portal from January this year has resulted in all complaints now being acknowledged and respondents notified within, on average, 5 working days of receipt of the complaint. In 2010 Rights Commissioner complaints were being acknowledged within an average of 80 days. This service enhancement increases the likelihood of employers and employees resolving issues sooner and has substantially reduced the backlog for certain hearings. I understand that the backlog for Rights Commissioner hearings has effectively been eliminated.
The service improvements have also been underpinned by the launch from January this year of a Single Complaint Form for all first instance workplace relations complaints. A version of this Form which can be submitted online will be rolled out in quarter 3 of this year. A Pilot Early Resolution Service commenced on 14th May this year. This service will provide the opportunity in certain cases for employers and employees to resolve issues without recourse to formal adjudication hearings, thus relieving pressure on adjudication services such as the Rights Commissioner Service and the EAT.
The two tier model now being designed will deliver a just, fair and efficient adjudication service provided by independent, professional and impartial decision-makers with a target period of three months from the time of complaint to hearing, and written, reasoned decisions within 28 working days of the hearing with published decisions. Finally, I also intend to provide for a more effective method of enforcing the awards of adjudicators.
International Agreements
Gerald Nash
Ceist:56 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the timeframe in which the assessment of the implications of the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 189 will be completed by his Department; and when this information will be reported to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [28836/12]
A preliminary assessment of the implications of ratifying the International Labour Organisation's Convention 189 on Domestic Workers is currently being finalised by my Department. This assessment includes an Article-by-Article examination of the extent to which domestic legislative provisions already provide for the rights and entitlements enunciated in each Article, as well as the extent to which any legislative amendments will be required. As I said in reply to the Deputy's PQ last week, I intend to communicate in the near future with the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Jobs Enterprise and Innovation in order to apprise the Committee of the content of the Convention and to provide an update on the process to date.
My Department's preliminary assessment, which I expect to be finalised by the end of July, will then be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for their examination. In addition, Bodies such as the Health and Safety Authority and the National Employment Rights Authority may need to be consulted on individual Articles. I will be in a position to advise the Houses of the Oireachtas following that of the Government's intentions regarding ratification.
Rent Supplement Scheme
Regina Doherty
Ceist:57 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons or families in receipt of rent supplement in County Meath, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28695/12]
There are currently 93,800 persons in receipt of rent supplement, with €436m provided in 2012. A table showing the total number of recipients of rent supplement in County Meath is set out below:
|
County |
Recipients |
|
Meath |
2,556 |
Rent Supplement Scheme
Regina Doherty
Ceist:58 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 23 May 2012, if she will provide the current information referred to that shows that there is accommodation available at the new maximum rent supplement limits in Ratoath, Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28699/12]
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 93,800 persons in receipt of rent supplement, with €436m provided in 2012.
As the Department currently funds approximately 40% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review, reflect current market conditions and do not distort the market in a way that could increase rent prices for others, such as low paid workers and students. For all counties, 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. In the case of Meath the following areas were isolated for consideration: Ashbourne; Athboy; Bettystown; Dunshaughlin; Navan; Trim; Ratoath; Kells; Laytown; Enfield; and the rest of Meath county as a whole. Current information shows there is accommodation available at the new maximum rent limits in county Meath.
Analysis of the Ratoath, Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin markets shows that there are a limited number of rental properties available in comparison to those available in the rest of the county. However, according to one of the leading property websites, some shared accommodation is available within the prescribed limits. It is important to bear in mind 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 and it must be stressed that there will be no case of homelessness from this measure.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:59 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an oral hearing will take place in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28731/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on the 13th June 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal will be referred to an Appeals Officer who may make a decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence provided, 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.
Redundancy Payments
Robert Troy
Ceist:60 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the payment of a redundancy claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and when payment will issue [28734/12]
A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned has been awarded and payment is due to issue in the coming weeks.
Rent Supplement Scheme
John Lyons
Ceist:61 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on a rent supplement application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 and if it will be processed as soon as possible. [28739/12]
An application for Rent Supplement was received on 17th February 2012. Additional information and documentation was sought, most recently on 18th April 2012, but no reply has been received to date. The Rent Supplement application cannot be further progressed until the outstanding information is received.
Job Initiatives
Gerald Nash
Ceist:62 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a detailed progress report on the implementation of the pathways to work initiative; if she will also provide an update on the issue of appointment to the initiative’s advisory board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28740/12]
The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of the new integrated National Employment and Entitlements Service is the central element in the realisation of the Government's Pathways to Work policy. Following the integration of FÁS and the Community Welfare Service into the Department, I am happy to inform the Deputy that the process of establishment is now well underway. Pilots of the new "one-stop-shop" approach are being finalised in public offices at King's Inns/Parnell Street, Tallaght, Arklow and Sligo. Subject to the outcome of these pilots it is proposed to extend the service to a further ten offices later in the year. Other discrete elements of the new service model such as customer profiling ad Group Engagements are being rolled-out in advance of the ‘one-stop-shop' implementation and I expect that, as planned, these elements will be rolled out nationwide before the end of the year.
The 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.
Back to Education Allowance
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:63 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the matter will be reviewed with a view to issuing payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28745/12]
The focus of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme is to assist those who are most marginalised and distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system.
The person in question is currently in receipt of illness benefit. The eligibility criteria for participation in the BTEA scheme require a person to be in receipt of illness benefit for at least two years prior to commencement of their approved course of study. However, if a person fails to satisfy the two year requirement on illness benefit, periods spent on other qualifying social welfare claims can be used to make up the two year qualifying period provided that at least 50% of the two years is spent on illness benefit. The 50 % rule is relaxed for persons in receipt of illness benefit and subsequently qualifies for another qualifying illness related payment.
A person in receipt of illness benefit can pursue a course of study while receiving payment without recourse to BTEA if it is medically certified that pursuit of the course will not impede his or her recovery. The records of the Department indicate that no recent application has been made for BTEA.
National Internship Scheme
Simon Harris
Ceist:64 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the requirement that participants in the JobBridge scheme must have been in receipt of social welfare for the three months prior to their internships in view of the large number of college graduates who are interested in availing of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28753/12]
The National Internship Scheme provides internship opportunities of either six or nine months for unemployed individuals on the Live Register, in organisations in the private, public and community voluntary sectors. The scheme is limited to individuals who are currently on the Live Register and have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit or are signing on for credits for at least three of the last six months.
The eligibility to access the National Internship Scheme is based on the overall objective of labour market policy in ensuring a pathway to appropriate employment, training and education opportunities for those on the Live Register. It is important that as employment opportunities become available they are taken up by those on the Live Register. The structure for achieving this objective is through a reinvigorated National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) which currently provides the framework for engaging with the unemployed. Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy and of the NEAP will be to keep those on the Live Register close to the Labour Market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. The Department of Social Protection continues to monitor and review the operation of the JobBridge scheme including its eligibility criteria on an ongoing basis. However, there are no current plans to review the 78 days qualifying period.
Illness Benefit
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:65 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons claiming illness benefit at the end of 2011, distinguishing those who have been claiming from between three days to six days; one week to one month; two months to three months; four months to six months, seven months to 11 months; one year to two years; three to five years; six years and ten years; more than 10 years, and if she will distinguish those claimants who were working in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28758/12]
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:66 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons who made a fresh claim for illness benefit in 2010, distinguishing those whose claim lasted from between three days to six days; one week to one month; two months to three months; four months to six months, seven months to 11 months; one year to two years; three to five years; and six years and ten years; more than 10 years; and if she would distinguish those who were working in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28759/12]
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:68 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a difference in the incidence of illness benefit claims in different sectors of the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28761/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 66 and 68 together.
Illness benefit is a payment for insured people who cannot work due to illness. A person may qualify for illness benefit if they are unable to work due to illness, satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) conditions, and are under age 66.
The tables below set out breakdowns of illness benefit claim durations (measured in claim paid days) as requested. It should be noted that in relation to claims made in 2010, figures are shown separately for ongoing (open) and completed (closed) claims.
|
Duration |
Number of Claims |
|
1 to 2 days |
371 |
|
3 to 6 days |
486 |
|
1 week to 1 month |
3,183 |
|
1 to 2 months |
4,509 |
|
2 to 3 months |
3,627 |
|
3 to 6 months |
7,088 |
|
6 months to 1 year |
9,802 |
|
1 to 2 years |
11,999 |
|
2 to 5 years |
13,389 |
|
5 to 10 years |
12,868 |
|
Over 10 years |
6,075 |
|
Total |
73,397 |
|
Duration |
Number of Claims |
|
1 to 2 days |
0 |
|
3 to 6 days |
0 |
|
1 week to 1 month |
0 |
|
1 to 2 months |
0 |
|
2 to 3 months |
0 |
|
3 to 6 months |
0 |
|
6 months to 1 year |
0 |
|
1 to 2 years |
5,678 |
|
2 to 5 years |
164 |
|
5 to 10 years |
0 |
|
Over 10 years |
0 |
|
Total |
5,842 |
|
Duration |
Number of Claims |
|
1 to 2 days |
25,572 |
|
3 to 6 days |
67,654 |
|
1 week to 1 month |
77,237 |
|
1 to 2 months |
25,716 |
|
2 to 3 months |
11,891 |
|
3 to 6 months |
13,294 |
|
6 months to 1 year |
9,413 |
|
1 to 2 years |
6,307 |
|
2 to 5 years |
76 |
|
Total |
237,160 |
The Department does not maintain data on "sector of economy" of illness benefit claims. As a result, it is not possible to distinguish between claimants working in different sectors of the economy, including the public sector. Note 1: Illness benefit is not normally paid for the first 3 days of the claim. These days are known as waiting days. There are six claim paid days in a week as no payment is made for Sundays. Note 2: In general, in respect of illness benefit claims made from January 2009 onwards, payment is limited to a maximum of 104 weeks (624 pay days).
Scheme of Statutory Sick Pay
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:67 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which she intends to publish a consultation document on the introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28760/12]
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. The report of that seminar will be published on the Department's website before the end of next week and will provide the basis for further consultations with key stakeholders.
Question No. 68 answered with Question No. 65
Redundancy Payments
Brendan Smith
Ceist:69 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if redundancy payment applications will be processed and finalised without further delay in respect of employees of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28763/12]
Twenty six redundancy lump sum claims in respect of former employees of the company concerned were submitted manually on 31 January 2012. The Department is currently processing manual redundancy lump sum claims received at the end of December 2011 and, therefore, unfortunately, it will be some time before the claims are finalised.
Scheme of Statutory Sick Pay
Seán Kyne
Ceist:70 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if an impact analysis has been conducted regarding proposals to amend the sick pay system which is of great concern to small to medium sized businesses in view of the consequences the proposals will have for job retention and or creation. [28779/12]
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.
Before any decision could be taken by Government on the possible introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme, a range of complex issues need to be examined in detail. The potential impact of such a scheme would depend on how these issues are addressed and how the scheme would ultimately be structured. A preliminary analysis based on estimates of absenteeism in the private sector indicates that if a sick pay scheme with a duration of four weeks were to be introduced, it would add about €1 per week per employee to the costs of employment. The analysis will be developed and refined as the consultations with key stakeholders progresses.
Rent Supplement Scheme
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:71 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will take place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding an application for rent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28796/12]
The claim for the person concerned has been refused as the child is being adequately accommodated by the mother. The refusal has been previously upheld by the HSE appeals office. If the person concerned wishes to appeal the decision, he must appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer who functions independently of my Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements. An appeal can be sent in writing to Social Welfare Appeals Office, D'Olier House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2.
Disability Allowance
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:72 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing will take place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding an application for disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28797/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 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 appeal in question will be referred in 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.
Customer Charter
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:73 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is a requirement that applicants for social welfare benefits fill in the boxes giving persons a choice between Mr. and Ms on their forms; the purpose of this question and the actions taken by her in the event of this box not being completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28802/12]
Customers applying to my Department for benefits or payments are asked to indicate their preferred title either by choosing one of "Mr.", "Mrs." or "Ms" or by specifying their preferred title in writing. The Irish language versions of application forms offer a corresponding choice in respect of Irish titles.
The Department's customer service standards are set out in its Customer Charter and they include a commitment to serving its customers in a fair, courteous and timely manner. When a customer indicates their preferred title, this title is used in subsequent communications sent to them from the Department as a mark of courtesy and respect.
Should a customer choose not to indicate their preferred title, this in no way affects their entitlement to any benefit or payment.
Social Welfare Appeals
Pat Breen
Ceist:74 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28812/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 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. 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.
Domiciliary Care Allowance
Billy Timmins
Ceist:75 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28823/12]
I recently announced that a review of the operation of the domiciliary care allowance scheme will be carried out over the coming months. This review will look at, amongst other things, the current application and assessment process and will identify 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 are being finalised at present and I would expect that it will get underway in the next couple of weeks.
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 it is envisaged that further consultations will be held in the context of the review.
Question No. 76 withdrawn.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:77 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when an appeal including an oral hearing will be arranged in respect of carer’s application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28849/12]
I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeal from the person concerned has not been received by that office.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
Social Welfare Appeals
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal including an oral hearing will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28850/12]
The claim for the person concerned has been refused as the child is being adequately accommodated by the mother. The refusal has been previously upheld by the HSE appeals office. If the person concerned wishes to appeal the decision, he must appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer who functions independently of my Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements. An appeal can be sent in writing to Social Welfare Appeals Office, D'Olier House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2.
Rent Supplement Scheme
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:79 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reopen, review or refer for appeal and-or oral hearing the decision that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 no longer has a housing need following a legal separation; if such decision is in accord with equality legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28851/12]
The person concerned has been in receipt of a rent supplement with effect from 1 August 2011, the date on which his housing needs assessment was completed.
One-Parent Family Payment
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:80 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which it was concluded that a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has one dependent child and was up to recently in receipt of part one-parent family allowance, is now on a three day week but apparently does not qualify for any one-parent family allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28852/12]
The one-parent family claim of the person concerned has been suspended as her means have been deemed to be in excess of the statutory limit for the scheme. A review of this case is being undertaken. The person concerned will be informed of the outcome once the review is completed.
Mortgage Interest Supplement
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:81 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum rate of rent-mortgage support available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28853/12]
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned is not in receipt of a rent supplement or mortgage interest supplement.
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:82 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of jobseeker’s allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28854/12]
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for jobseeker's allowance.
Invalidity Pension
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:83 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when appeal and-or including oral hearing will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will accept this inquiry as a basis for appeal and oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28856/12]
Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable for work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. An invalidity pension claim in respect of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that she is not considered to be permanently incapable of work. The applicant was notified of this decision and the reason for it. The person concerned requested a review of this decision. She supplied further medical evidence with the request for review which has been forwarded to a medical assessor for opinion. On receipt of this opinion the deciding officer will review the decision and the applicant will be notified of the result. In the event that the original decision is upheld, the applicant will be advised of her right to appeal the decision to the independent social welfare appeals officer.
Social Welfare Benefits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:84 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has no current income and whose spouse has no income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28857/12]
According to the records of this Department, the person concerned has not submitted an application for an exceptional needs payment. It is open to him to submit an application and a decision will be made on the completion of an examination of his circumstances.
Turbary Rights
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:85 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason he has not implemented the findings of the Quirke report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28895/12]
Earlier this year, at the request of the Government, Mr. Conor Skehan, Chairman of the Peatlands Council, convened a Peatlands Forum, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice John Quirke, and involving my Department, the IFA, the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association, Bord na Móna, and representatives of turf-cutting and environmental groups. This Forum allowed each community affected by the cessation of turf-cutting to put forward their views on the issues and follow-up steps were identified for each bog. The report on the Forum from Justice Quirke also recommended that a national plan should be prepared to examine how the 53 raised bog special areas of conservation are to be protected. This recommendation was agreed to by Government. Dáil Éireann also gave unanimous support to a Private Members' Motion, which called for such a national plan to be put in place. On the 3rd of April, I, together with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, T.D., met with EU Environment Commissioner Potoènik in Brussels, where we secured the support of the European Commission for developing a National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan. This plan will be developed over the coming 12 months.
The plan will be wide-ranging, looking at the practical aspects of conserving and managing the affected bogs and will allow solutions for turf-cutters to be explored in detail. In the context of such a plan, it may be possible to bring some flexibility, within the terms of the EU Habitats Directive, that could allow limited cutting within a small number of sites. The plan will be progressed both at local level for each site and through the Peatlands Council and my Department has been engaging with relevant communities in this regard.
Departmental Expenditure
Tom Fleming
Ceist:86 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will cancel all cuts in Gaeltacht funding until such time as the 20 year Government strategy is put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28801/12]
The20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 was published on 21 December 2010 and the Programme for Government 2011-2016 states that the Government will support the Strategy and will deliver the achievable goals proposed therein. It is recognised in the Strategy itself that it is to be implemented on a phased basis over a 20-year period. During 2011, my Department focused on the establishment phase of the Strategy by setting up the operational structures to progress its implementation.
My Department is currently focused on advancing the Gaeltacht Bill 2012, which will provide, inter alia, for a new definition of the Gaeltacht based on linguistic criteria and for Údarás na Gaeltachta to be given responsibility for the implementation of the Strategy in the Gaeltacht. Following Government approval on 12 June for the text of the Gaeltacht Bill, I hope to present the Bill to Seanad Éireann next week. The Bill will provide for a language planning process whereby language plans will be prepared on a phased basis at community level for each Gaeltacht area. This process is a key component of the Strategy to ensure that the Irish language survives as a community language in the Gaeltacht.
While all initiatives undertaken by my Department in the Gaeltacht are closely aligned with the Strategy, I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to a particular initiative, the Family Language Support Programme, which I launched in April 2012. The aim of this programme is to support Gaeltacht families who are raising, or who wish to raise, their children through Irish.
While I appreciate the significant pressure on resources at this time, I am satisfied that the funding available to my Department is sufficient to ensure that the Strategy will continue to be implemented on a phased basis in the Gaeltacht. Further information on the implementation of the Strategy is available atwww.ahg.gov.ie.
An Ghaeilge
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:87 D’fhiafraigh Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Comhionannais agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist na Cinn Chomhairimh i dtoghcháin agus i reifrinn a thabhairt faoi scáth Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [28803/12]
Comhairlítear dom gur ceist don Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil é seo sa chéad áit.
Irish Language
Tom Fleming
Ceist:88 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will commence the roll-out of the family support programme and the new scheme from his Department for families from the Gaeltacht attending Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28896/12]
The aim of my Department's Family Language Support Programme is to strengthen the Irish language as the household and community language in the Gaeltacht in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 . Under this programme, my Department is undertaking 12 specific measures to support Gaeltacht families who are raising, or who wish to raise, their children through Irish.
As part of this programme, my Department, with the co-operation of the Health Service Executive (HSE), has initiated an awareness campaign, directed at expectant parents and parents of newborn babies, regarding the advantages of raising their children through Irish. This awareness campaign is being implemented through the maternity services operated by the HSE, which service Gaeltacht areas in Co. Kerry, in addition to Gaeltacht areas in other counties.
Tom Fleming
Ceist:89 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will keep the Office of the Irish Language Commissioner independent based in the Gaeltacht and its status and power not be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/12]
As I have indicated in replies to previous Questions on this matter, a decision was taken as part of the Government's Public Service Reform Plan that the functions of the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga are to be merged with those of the Office of the Ombudsman and that the matter is to be progressed in the context of the review of the Official Languages Act 2003, which is currently being undertaken by my Department. The Reform Plan also has implications for other public bodies which come within the ambit of my Department.
Since the rationalisation and amalgamation of these various bodies raises complex issues, a Reform Committee has been established within my Department to deal with these matters. This committee is also liaising with the relevant bodies, including the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga, in order to advance the effective implementation of the Government's decision. I anticipate that a report will be brought to Government shortly on progress made in relation to this process.
Electricity Generation
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:90 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding backup generators during a power outage in respect of persons suffering from ill health (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28808/12]
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) a statutorily independent body and I do not have a function.
However, I understand from the CER that ESB Networks Customer Charter provides for the requirements of customers with special medical needs (e.g. customers relying on electrically powered life support equipment), and vulnerable customers. On occasion, ESB Networks has to interrupt supply to a customer on a planned basis, mainly where they are upgrading the networks to provide a more efficient service or where connecting a new customer requires an outage to allow them to work safely.
ESB Networks always give at least two days advance notice to customers where a planned interruption of supply is required. This notice is sent by post to all of the addresses affected by the outage. In order to ensure that they meet this target they generally send out the postal notifications two weeks before the outage date, so in practice, the majority of customers receive approximately one week's advance notification of the upcoming outage.
ESB Networks endeavours to do everything possible to reduce the disruption caused by these outages to their customers. Measures such as cancelling or postponing an outage to another date to accommodate a customer's requirements and allow alternative arrangements to be put in place are regularly taken. Staff do this by working locally with the individual, their carers or their family. In a small number of critical cases a back-up generator may be provided but it is not current policy that a back-up generator be provided in all instances where a vulnerable customer is affected by a planned outage.
Unfortunately, electricity supply interruptions are a fact of life and severe weather events are a recognised threat to electricity supplies all over the world. This type of unplanned fault on the network presents the greatest risk to vulnerable customers and where ESB Networks is aware of the special needs of any customer affected it will restore supply on a priority basis.
It is very important that any customers with special medical needs, who rely on electrically powered equipment, have their details recorded on the Special Services Register (which is maintained by all Electricity Suppliers). These customers should make contact with their Supplier to check if they are already registered correctly or, if not, to get details about the registration process.
Telecommunications Services
Tom Fleming
Ceist:91 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the roll-out of high speed broadband to all second level schools in County Kerry will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28794/12]
All post-primary schools will have a 100Mbps broadband connection installed by the end of 2014 in a project jointly funded by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and the Department of Education and Skills (DES).
The selection of schools for connection during 2012 was guided by the view that a geographical rollout will provide the project with the most economically beneficial method to achieve the project objectives. This will allow for the aggregation of backhaul links to provide the optimum solution for the schools selected. It will also allow service providers to provide the local school access connection in a cost effective manner to deliver multiple schools for similar locations at a reduced cost to the Exchequer. In identifying the most appropriate locations to deliver the first round of increased bandwidth connections it was decided to concentrate on those locations receiving the lowest average speed under the DES' existing Schools Broadband Programme.
It is expected that the first 200 second level schools in the national roll out, will be connected by October 2012. These include all second level schools in the following counties:
Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath.
The question of the scheduling of schools for connection in 2013 and 2014, including schools in County Kerry, will be dealt with at a later date, but I can confirm again that all second level schools will be provided with 100Mbps broadband by August 2014. In the meantime, the DES continues to operate its Schools Broadband Programme for all primary and post-primary schools.
Telecommunications Services
Tom Fleming
Ceist:92 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when will County Kerry receive the same level of broadband connectivity as the east coast, in view of the fact that Kerry is already at a disadvantage due to the county’s omission from the BMW regional status, and the provision of high speed broadband will help the economy, generate investment and create jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28799/12]
Ireland's telecommunications market has been liberalised since 1999 and since then has developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available on a county-by-county basis can be found on the Commission for Communications Regulation's (ComReg) website at www.callcosts.ie.
The Government has undertaken a number of initiatives to bring broadband to those parts of the country where operators have been unable to offer services on a commercial basis. In the case of one such intervention, namely the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), services are available since October 2010 from the NBS service provider, 3, to persons with a fixed residence or fixed business in each of the 1,028 Electoral Divisions (ED) designated to be covered under the Scheme. That includes 85 EDs in County Kerry, which are listed in Appendix I.
The Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) was launched last year in recognition of the fact that despite the widespread availability of broadband throughout Ireland, there still remained individual premises that were unable to receive broadband provision, due to technical difficulties such as line of sight issues. This Scheme, which is being rolled out this year, is aimed at making a basic broadband service available to those individual un-served premises in rural non-NBS areas who wish to avail of such services. My Department has received 67 eligible applications from County Kerry.
The combination of private investment and State interventions means that Ireland will meet the EU Commission's Digital Agenda for Europe target of having a basic broadband service available to all areas by 2013.
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.
|
Electoral Divisions |
|
|
AGHADOE |
ED 77002 |
|
ARDEA |
ED 77006 |
|
BAHAGHS |
ED 77009 |
|
BALLINSKELLIGS |
ED 77011 |
|
BALLYBRACK |
ED 77013 |
|
BALLYDUFF |
ED 77016 |
|
BANAWN |
ED 77026 |
|
BOOLTEENS |
ED 77031 |
|
BRANDON |
ED 77032 |
|
BREWSTERFIELD |
ED 77033 |
|
BROSNA |
ED 77034 |
|
CANUIG |
ED 77037 |
|
CAPPAGH |
ED 77038 |
|
CARKER |
ED 77039 |
|
CARRAGH |
ED 77040 |
|
CASTLEGREGORY |
ED 77043 |
|
CHURCHTOWN |
ED 77047 |
|
CLOGHANE |
ED 77048 |
|
CLOON |
ED 77050 |
|
CLOONTUBBRID |
ED 77051 |
|
CLYDAGH |
ED 77052 |
|
COOLIES |
ED 77053 |
|
COOM |
ED 77054 |
|
CORDAL |
ED 77055 |
|
CRINNY |
ED 77056 |
|
CURRAGHBEG |
ED 77057 |
|
CURRAGHMORE |
ED 77058 |
|
DARRYNANE |
ED 77060 |
|
DAWROS |
ED 77061 |
|
DEELIS |
ED 77062 |
|
DERREEN |
ED 77063 |
|
DERRIANA |
ED 77064 |
|
DOOCARRIG |
ED 77066 |
|
DROMMARTIN |
ED 77069 |
|
DROMORE |
ED 77070 |
|
DUAGH |
ED 77071 |
|
DUNQUIN |
ED 77073 |
|
DUNURLIN |
ED 77074 |
|
EMLAGH |
ED 77075 |
|
FLESK |
ED 77077 |
|
GLANBEHY |
ED 77078 |
|
GLANLEE |
ED 77079 |
|
GLANLOUGH |
ED 77080 |
|
GLANMORE |
ED 77081 |
|
GLIN |
ED 77082 |
|
GNEEVES |
ED 77083 |
|
GREENANE |
ED 77084 |
|
HEADFORT |
ED 77087 |
|
INCH |
ED 77088 |
|
KERRYHEAD |
ED 77090 |
|
KILCUMMIN |
ED 77092 |
|
KILFEIGHNY |
ED 77093 |
|
KILFLYN |
ED 77095 |
|
KILGARRYLANDER |
ED 77096 |
|
KILGARVAN |
ED 77097 |
|
KILGOBBAN |
ED 77098 |
|
KILLINANE |
ED 77105 |
|
KILMALKEDAR |
ED 77108 |
|
KILMEANY |
ED 77109 |
|
KILMURRY |
ED 77110 |
|
KILNANARE |
ED 77111 |
|
KILQUANE |
ED 77112 |
|
KILSHENANE |
ED 77113 |
|
KNOCKNAGASHEL |
ED 77118 |
|
KNOCKNAHOE |
ED 77119 |
|
LACK |
ED 77120 |
|
LACKABAUN |
ED 77121 |
|
LICKEEN |
ED 77124 |
|
LOUGHBRIN |
ED 77130 |
|
LOUGHCURRANE |
ED 77131 |
|
MARHIN |
ED 77132 |
|
MASTERGEEHY |
ED 77133 |
|
MAUM |
ED 77134 |
|
MILLBROOK |
ED 77135 |
|
MOUNT EAGLE |
ED 77139 |
|
NEWTOWNSANDES |
ED 77142 |
|
NOHAVAL |
ED 77143 |
|
RATHEA |
ED 77147 |
|
RATHMORE |
ED 77148 |
|
ROCKFIELD |
ED 77150 |
|
ST FINAN’S |
ED 77154 |
|
TAHILLA |
ED 77156 |
|
TEERANEARAGH |
ED 77159 |
|
TRIENEARAGH |
ED 77162 |
|
VENTRY |
ED 77166 |
Warmer Homes Scheme
Frank Feighan
Ceist:93 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason work under the warmer homes scheme was not completed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [28848/12]
Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and private contractors. To date the scheme has completed energy efficiency measures in over 83,000 homes.
At all times the scheme works to maximise the number of vulnerable homes to receive support, particularly when working from a limited budget envelope. The focus of efforts therefore is to prioritise homes which have not received any measures previously, maximising the number of vulnerable homes that will receive some form of improvement. Within this context, the best impact for homeowners and value for public funds can be achieved by limiting interventions to single visits per home.
The applicant received attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, low energy light bulbs and energy advice from Muireas (a CBO) in October 2010 which have improved the comfort and running costs of his home. At the time however, Muireas did not provide a cavity wall insulation service. Therefore, the home of the person in question was subsequently referred to another CBO to complete the cavity wall insulation. Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented level of demand for the scheme being experienced by mid 2011, it was necessary to adjust the scheme rules to address the significant demand in homes where no works had been undertaken.
As the applicant had already received works in 2010, which included all the measures which the originally appointed CBO was in a position to deliver at that time, regrettably, it is not possible to undertake cavity wall insulation in his home under the application made in 2010.
Since the start of 2012, where a home is identified which require works beyond the capacity of the local CBO, the home is referred to a separate contractor to complete the works within one visit, thus maintaining scheme efficiency.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent tooireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
Social and Affordable Housing
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:94 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing associations and voluntary bodies that have been approved by the Housing Finance Agency to apply for loans to construct or purchase additional social housing units; the number of additional social housing units currently in any planning stage through this stream of finance; the steps he is taking to assist the large number of housing associations which have not yet been approved to raise loans by the Housing Finance Agency to become approved for this source of financing; his views on whether sufficient progress is being made in the delivery of social housing units through this model of financing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28702/12]
The Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing. Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing, but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government's objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). Delivery of new social housing by the voluntary and cooperative housing sector is identified in the housing policy statement as a key supply source into the future.
To date, the HFA has received twelve applications for Certified Borrower status and awarded status to four bodies. The Agency has received four applications for 98 social housing units in total (at a valuation of €13.4 million), two of which have been approved and the other two are pending a decision by the Agency's Credit Committee. It is envisaged that further lending will be generated for the Agency in 2012, under this Scheme, with more AHBs applying for Certified Body status and subsequent loan applications for social housing schemes.
I am conscious that the move from capital funded programmes of construction and acquisition by approved housing bodies to more revenue funded options presents challenges for them. I intend to develop an enabling regulatory framework for the sector that will provide support and assurance both to the sector itself and to its external partners as it takes on the expanded role envisaged for it in the policy statement and to underline its status as a viable and attractive investment opportunity for financial institutions. My Department is actively working with the sector on the development of a voluntary code which I expect most bodies will endorse. This code, which should be finalised and agreed in the coming months, will serve as a learning opportunity for the sector and for my Department as we develop a longer-term statutory framework that will best support the enhanced role of AHBs.
Regeneration Projects
Joan Collins
Ceist:95 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 2 November 2011, when he will provide an answer to same; his views on whether it is acceptable that Dáil Éireann must wait in excess of six months for a reply to a Parliamentary Question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28703/12]
My Department supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects to deliver integrated physical, social and economic regeneration, ranging from large-scale urban regeneration projects such as Ballymun and Limerick city to smaller estate regeneration projects in a number of regional towns around the country. Funding of €90 million has been set aside to support the National Regeneration Programme in 2012.
In 2009, over €100 million was provided by my Department to support the National Regeneration Programme. The amount of regeneration funding provided in respect of the projects referred to is set out in the following table:
|
€m |
|
|
Dublin City inner city flat complexes |
€11.5 million |
|
Tralee — Mitchel’s Crescent |
€2.25 million |
|
Sligo Borough — Cranmore |
€2.9 million |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown — Laurel Avenue |
€0.5 million |
|
Waterford City |
€8.1 million |
In the case of complex regeneration schemes, project staff are involved at every stage in the project life cycle ranging from initial socio-economic appraisal, planning and design, preparation of contract documents, procurement of services and works contracts, construction supervision and post project review. Depending on the availability of resources within individual authorities and the competencies and skill-sets required to progress projects through the various stages, project staff may be assigned to a regeneration scheme from within an authority's own staff complement or may be procured through open competition by way of fixed term or services contract. Contract staff costs may be project-specific or may, in cases such as engineering services, health and safety services contracts or other specialist service provision, relate to a number of projects under a particular regeneration scheme. Traditionally, professional fees were based on a percentage of project value/construction cost but are now generally based on fixed price/lump sum contracts.
In the case of two of the projects referred to, Cranmore and Mitchell's Crescent, a specific project team from within the local authority was assigned to the planning and supervision of regeneration projects and funding of €498,351 and €33,750 respectively, was recouped to the local authority in 2009.
Based on the information available in my Department, it is not possible with the necessary degree of certainty to disaggregate project staff-related costs in the case of recoupment claims submitted in respect of individual regeneration projects. Accordingly, my Department is working with the local authorities concerned to compile the information requested. Given the constraints on staff time and resources in the relevant local authorities and the urgent need to progress regeneration work programmes, it has not been possible to complete this task so far.
Water Services
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:96 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to the setting up of Irish Water, if he is considering a pilot scheme for the roll-out of the transitional phase; and if this will be considered on a regional river basin or local authority basis. [28747/12]
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:97 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to the setting up of Irish Water, if it is anticipated that the management partner can be sourced from skills currently within Ireland. [28748/12]
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:98 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to the setting up of Irish Water, if indigenous businesses will be considered to assist with the implementation of Irish Water. [28749/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 to 98, inclusive, together.
The Government decided in December 2011, based on the recommendations of an independent assessment, to establish a public water utility company, Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local authorities in the water services area. Following further consideration as to whether Irish Water should be established as a new entity or whether existing bodies in the Semi State sector could undertake the function, the Government decided that Irish Water should be established as an independent state owned company within the Bord Gáis Group.
The proposed public utility model represents a major change with significant implications for local government, the water industry in Ireland and its many stakeholders. Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) has key capabilities that can be brought to bear in the establishment of Irish Water, and these skills within the Bord Gáis Group will be paired with the experience and commitment to service in local authorities and the specific water and wastewater capabilities and expertise that exist in local government to build the new organisation. A phased transition is proposed to ensure continuity of service and the building of a fit for purpose organisation within a reasonable timescale.
Work is now focused on the finalisation of an implementation strategy which will address transformation planning in more detail, and will recommend appropriate transitional arrangements. The implementation strategy is being developed in collaboration with other relevant Government Departments, local authorities, BGE and NewERA. The development and rollout of the strategy will also involve co-operation with local authorities and staff to ensure that the change is managed well. The strategy will focus on maintaining the delivery of a critical public service during and following a restructuring process, and will give further clarity on the next steps that will be taken in this reform process. While the independent assessment recommended the appointment of a management partner this was in the context of the establishment of a new entity, and was prior to the decision to establish Irish Water within the Bord Gáis Group. It will now be a matter for Bord Gáis to consider the requirements for external advice having regard to the existing skills and capabilities within the Bord Gáis Group, and local authorities and the Department.
It is estimated that the overall water reforms the Government has planned will create 2,000 construction related jobs in the economy on an ongoing basis. This will be achieved through the planned roll-out of the programme of water metering which will lead to the creation of up to 2,000 jobs for the duration of the metering installation programme. A steady level of capital investment of potentially €600 million per annum in water services, facilitated through the new public utility would see this level of construction employment sustained on an ongoing basis through capital investment in new infrastructure.
Legislative Programme
Robert Dowds
Ceist:99 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects to be able to bring legislation containing provisions for a national bin waiver scheme before Dáil Éireann; the persons who will be covered by such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28766/12]
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service, a system otherwise known as "franchise-bidding."
A public consultation designed to inform the policy development process concluded in September 2011. A large number of responses were received from a broad spectrum of interests. A consensus is not apparent and, on almost all of the relevant issues, a considerable breadth of opinion was expressed. All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website,www.environ.ie.
I expect to be in a position to finalise proposals for Government in relation to household waste collection in the coming weeks. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives, including the matter of waivers.
Water Services
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:100 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the septic tank registration regulations were published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28814/12]
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 provides for the establishment of a register of domestic wastewater treatment systems. The Act also provides that I, as Minister, may make regulations setting out procedural provisions for registration, including the format of the register, the fee payable and the date by which registration should be completed. Arrangements are being put in place to facilitate the registration system including the development by the Local Government Management Agency of an on-line registration facility. When these arrangements are completed I will sign the necessary regulations to give legal effect to the procedural provisions for registration. At that stage, the relevant Statutory Instrument will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, in accordance with Section 18 of the Water Services Act 2007.
Water Quality
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:101 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the basis for his statement that Glór na Tuaithe has been irresponsible regarding water quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28815/12]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:102 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has any proof that anyone used the shell of a car as a septic tank; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all the local public representatives in Connemara have denied any knowledge of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28816/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.
Contrary to the Deputy's assertion, I did not make any comment regarding Glór na Tuaithe. Earlier this year there were reports in the national and local media claiming that a politician (who was not named in the reports) had been informed by a constituent that the constituent had installed an old car as a septic tank when he built his house two decades previously. Neither I nor my Department have any further knowledge of the matter.
Architectural Qualifications
Seán Kyne
Ceist:103 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if strong consideration will be given to amending the proposed grandfather clause for the Building Control Act 2007 which had intended to regulate the use of the title “architect” by empowering the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland but which is acting prohibitively against experienced architects who possess qualifications which were the accepted route into the profession in the past and who also have a wealth of experience arising from working in the industry for many years. [28837/12]
I have no plans to amend the registration arrangement currently provided for under Part 3 of the Building Control Act, 2007.
A number of routes to registration are provided for in Sections 14, 15, 16 and 22 of the Act having regard to the differing approaches to gaining the requisite knowledge, skills and experience adopted by individual applicants. Section 22, in particular, includes a provision to address the position of a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as being provided by Architects for the purpose of the Building Control Act 2007 for a period of ten years at the time the Act became law. This provision is transitional in nature and enables this category of persons to become registered once they have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure.
Taken in their totality the various routes to registration provided for under Part 3 of the Act represent a registration process that is open, fair and transparent.
The Act does not seek to regulate the function or role of architects. Its purpose rather is to provide statutory protection of the title Architect so that only those who are suitably qualified and registered will be lawfully entitled to use the title. Eligible persons who decline to register can continue to practice architecture and provide architectural services but they cannot use the title Architect or sign certificates to that effect.
Legislative Programme
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:104 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will bring forward legislation to ensure that it is compulsory for banks to engage with debt resolution processes in relation to distressed household mortgage debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28710/12]
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 353 of 7 February, 2012, which was as follows:
"The reform of personal insolvency law, the Heads of Bill which I have published, will involve the introduction of three new non-judicial debt settlement systems, subject to relevant conditions in each case. These are as follows:
A Debt Relief Certificate to allow for the full write-off of qualifying unsecured debt up to €20,000, after a one-year moratorium period for debtors with "no assets — no income";
a Debt Settlement Arrangement for the agreed settlement of unsecured debt of €20,001 and over with two or more creditors;
a Personal Insolvency Arrangement for the agreed settlement of both secured and unsecured debt of €20,001 to €3 million with one or more creditors.
The Personal Insolvency Bill will also continue the reform of the Bankruptcy Act 1988, begun in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 will include, critically, the introduction of automatic discharge from bankruptcy, subject to certain conditions, after 3 years in place of the current 12 years.
It is not for me to speculate as to the future conduct of any of the participants in an insolvency process. However, I am of the view that new personal insolvency laws, including the bankruptcy law reform, should provide a significant incentive for financial institutions to develop and implement realistic agreements to manage or settle debt with their customers. Such agreements should in time become the norm as the most sensible and cost-effective arrangements, particularly where the issue is one of dealing with repayment difficulties for a single major debt, secured or otherwise. These agreements could include measures to address mortgage arrears."
I have nothing further to add to that response.
Garda Transport
Patrick Deering
Ceist:105 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda patrol cars currently assigned to the Carlow district; and the way this compares with June 2010 and June 2011. [28714/12]
The provision and allocation of Garda vehicles is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified policing priorities. At Divisional level responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between Districts on the basis of operational requirements.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda patrol cars assigned to Carlow District for the periods June 2010, June 2011 and June 2012 is as set out in the attached table:
|
Period |
Number |
|
June 2010 |
12 |
|
June 2011 |
12 |
|
June 2012 |
9 |
Patrick Deering
Ceist:106 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda patrol cars withdrawn since June 2011 as a result of reaching the 300,000 km limit. [28715/12]
The provision and allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his operational priorities.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Garda vehicles are retired from the fleet for a variety of reasons including where vehicles are considered beyond economic repair, as a result of accidents and where vehicles have reached an odometer reading of 300,000 kilometres. I am further informed that it is not possible to isolate the number of vehicles which have been decommissioned upon reaching 300,000 kilometres, as the extraction of such data would require a disproportionate use of Garda time and resources.
However, the Garda authorities have advised that the total number of marked and unmarked Garda patrol cars decommissioned since June 2011 is 235.
Prison Medical Service
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:107 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if appropriate medical attention is being made available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28738/12]
The Irish Prison Service provides general health care services for the assessment, treatment and care of prisoners comparable to those available in a community primary care setting and which are appropriate to a custodial environment. Prisoners are referred to external specialist services as clinically indicated by the prison doctor and referrals are on the same basis as for citizens in the general community covered by the GMS (Medical Card) Scheme.
Having consulted with the Irish Prison Service and clinical personnel in Midlands Prison, I have been assured that the person in question is receiving the appropriate medical care which his condition warrants, including prescribed medications and ongoing engagement with specialist services. As I am sure you are aware, however, medical confidentiality is a time honoured principle of professional health care ethics and accordingly I am not at liberty to divulge information relating to a person's medical records.
Court Sittings
Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:108 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to change arrangements for Circuit Court sittings in the western circuit in the towns of Ballina, Swinford and Westport; the consultations that have taken place with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28810/12]
I wish to inform the Deputy that under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, 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 the Courts Service is currently in the process of a comprehensive review of all venues throughout the country and no court venue or office is excluded from this process.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the Service, in common with all other public sector organisations, is obliged to ensure that resources are deployed to best effect to ensure continuity of service with reduced budgets and resources. Greater flexibility in the deployment of available resources will be critical in maintaining the delivery of front line court services. The Service has indicated that its policy in considering the future operational viability of any venue is to consult with local stakeholders and that would be the case should the future of the venues at Ballina, Westport and Swinford fall for consideration in the context of the current review.
Asylum Applications
Seán Kenny
Ceist:109 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when an application to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service for subsidiary protection in the State will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [28811/12]
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 10 March 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Garda Recruitment
Seán Kyne
Ceist:110 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to recommence Garda recruitment this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28844/12]
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.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois regarding residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28867/12]
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 7 April, 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should not have a Deportation Order made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection and, following consideration of this application, it was determined that he was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 30 May, 2011.
The case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will now be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in respect of residency and entitlement to naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28868/12]
Following the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), Ms. Odutayo was notified, by letter dated 6 April 2009, of the proposal to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:113 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when it is expected that an application for naturalisation will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28869/12]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in February, 2010.
The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, 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.
Deportation Orders
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:114 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of residency status entitlement to naturalisation or the procedure yet to be followed in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28870/12]
The first named person had a Deportation Order made against him, following the refusal of his asylum application and his application for Subsidiary Protection and the subsequent consideration of his case under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999. He lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision to refuse subsidiary protection and to make a Deportation Order against him. These proceedings were settled. Arising from the settlement, the deportation order was revoked and a fresh proposal to deport letter has been issued. When a fresh application for subsidiary protection has been submitted it will be considered and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In relation to the second named person concerned, she, too, is a failed asylum applicant and had a Deportation Order made against her. The person concerned lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision to refuse subsidiary protection and the decision to make a Deportation Order against her. These proceedings were settled. Arising from the settlement, the deportation order was revoked and a fresh proposal to deport letter has been issued. When a fresh application for subsidiary protection has been submitted it will be considered and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that both persons' applications for subsidiary protection are refused, the position in the State of the persons concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the persons concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:115 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the examination and determination of residency entitlement to naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28871/12]
Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 6 March, 2008, that the then Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her two children. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of Deportation Orders or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why Deportation Orders should not be made against her and her two children. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in her case. On 22 October, 2009, the High Court refused the Judicial Review Leave Application with the consequence that the earlier decisions of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the Minister stood.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and, following consideration of this application, it was determined that the person concerned was not eligible for Subsidiary Protection in the State. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 31 May 2012.
The case of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:116 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the updated position in regard to the determination of residency eligibility for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28872/12]
The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State on 9 January, 2002 under the arrangements then in place for the non-EEA parents of Irish born children. This permission was renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid until 1 March, 2013.
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 concerned in April 2011. 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.
Asylum Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:117 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when residency will be determined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28873/12]
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 23 March 2010, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:118 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the determination of residency eligibility for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28874/12]
The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State on 3 May, 2005 for a two year period, under the revised arrangements applicable to the non-EEA national parents of Irish born children born in the State before 1 January, 2005, more commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. This permission was renewed in 2007 and again in 2010. However, as I am informed that the person concerned has been out of permission since 27 September, 2011, I would advise her to write to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) c/o PO Box 10003, Dublin 1 so as to regularise her status in the State. In this regard I would advise her to include documentary evidence to show continuous residence in the State since October, 2011. Upon receipt of the appropriate documentation, her case will be examined by the relevant officials in INIS and a decision communicated to her in due course.
Officials in the Citizenship Division of INIS inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question.
Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must—
be of full age,
be of good character,
have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years,
have, before a judge of the District Court in open court, in a citizenship ceremony or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons, allows—
(i) made a declaration, in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and
(ii) undertaken to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
In the context of naturalisation, certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include:
periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State,
periods granted for the purposes of study periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act, 1996.
Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, waive some or all of the statutory conditions in certain circumstances i.e. where an applicant is of Irish descent or of Irish associations; where an applicant is a person who is a refugee within the meaning of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees; or where an applicant is a Stateless person within the meaning of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Stateless persons.
A foreign national who is married to, or is the Civil Partner of, an Irish citizen for at least three years may apply for naturalisation under section 15A of the Irish Naturalisation and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, where they have been continuously resident in the island of Ireland for the year immediately prior to the date of their application and for two out of the four years prior to that year. The marriage or civil partnership must be subsisting and recognised under Irish law.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:119 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if documents relating to the unsuccessful application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28875/12]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Nationality and Immigration Service (INIS) that all original documents on file have been returned to the person referred to by the Deputy. Copies of the documentation have been retained to maintain the integrity of the file.
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.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:120 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the matter of examination of entitlement to residency, naturalisation and update of stamp 4 in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28876/12]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy has no application pending for residency. The person concerned was granted permission to remain for a period of five years on 5 July, 2006 on the basis of being the Spouse of an EU citizen, who was residing in the State and was exercising her EU Treaty Rights.
The grounds under which he was granted permission to remain in the State no longer apply, as his EU spouse is no longer residing in this State, exercising her EU Treaty Rights. Therefore, the permission to remain which was granted under the provisions of Directive 38/2004/EC and European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008 has now been revoked.
On 13 April, 2012 the person was informed that the Minister was proposing to make a Removal Order in respect of him under Directive 38/2004/EC and European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008. He was given the option, to be exercised within 15 working days, to make representations as to why a Removal Order should not be made against him. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Naturalisation Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:121 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/12]
The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State on 3 January, 2001 under the arrangements then applicable to the non-EEA national parents of Irish born children born in the State before 1 January, 2005. This permission was renewed on a regular basis and is currently valid until 4 October, 2012.
Officials in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) inform me that the individual referred to by Deputy submitted an application for a Certificate of Naturalisation in February 2005. It was established at the time of his application that he did not have the required 60 months reckonable residency, and as such his application was deemed ineligible. In a letter to the person dated 23 January 2007, he was informed that it had been determined that he might as of that date conform to the residency criteria. An application form to enable him to make a new application was included with the letter. However, there is no evidence that a new application was subsequently lodged.
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.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:122 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which visa or residency status can be extended in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28878/12]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for permission to remain in the State was received from the person concerned on 7th June 2012.
I understand that the person is seeking permission to remain in the State to pursue a course of studies. Applications are dealt with in chronological order and INIS will be in contact with the person shortly.
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.
Visa Applications
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:123 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28879/12]
I am informed by officials in the Visa Division of my Department that the person referred to is a Congolese national and therefore required to be in possession of a visa.
All persons who are visa required and who are not in possession of same should refer to the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie). The visa application process and procedures are available there. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the visa officer as to why the visa sought should be granted.
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.
Residency Permits
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:124 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding eligibility for residency entitlement to naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28880/12]
The person referred to in the Deputy's question currently has permission to remain in the State until 18 October 2012.
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned in March, 2006.
Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must:
be of full age,
be of good character,
have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years,
have, before a judge of the District Court in open court, in a citizenship ceremony or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons, allows—
(i) made a declaration, in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and
(ii) undertaken to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
As the person referred to by the Deputy stated that he did not intend to have his usual or principal place of residence in the State after naturalisation, which is one of the statutory conditions for naturalisation, his application was deemed ineligible. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter dated 19 May 2006.
It is also open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Milk Quota
Michael Colreavy
Ceist:125 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a final breakdown by co-op of the level by which the milk quota was exceeded and a final super levy figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28865/12]
Under the EU Regulations co-operatives were obliged to submit their final figures on the volumes of milk received during the last milk quota year and the relevant butterfat content information by 15 May 2012.
Following that, all superlevy payments must be made by the suppliers to their respective co-operatives by 1 September 2012. The co-operatives are then obliged to forward the monies to my Department by 1 October 2012 and my Department has, in turn, to submit the monies to the Commission by end November 2012.
Based on the final declarations from the co-operatives, the overall level of milk deliveries for the Milk Quota year 2011/2012 has been calculated at 1.05% above quota, taking into account the adjustment for butterfat content and for the leap year. Based on these calculations, the final super levy bill is expected to be in the region of €16.5m. The final calculation of the national position exceeds the earlier estimate by 0.36% (a little over one day's production), due to a significantly higher increase in the butterfat content in milk this year over previous years. The increase in butterfat content in 2011/12 was such that the National Butterfat adjustment factor, at 102.893%, was 20% higher than that in the 2010/11 quota year. This compares with an increase between 2009/10, and 2010/11, of just 3.5%.
This is a change to the aggregate reported production figure for the country as a whole compared to that estimated in April, and does not change the position of individual farmers, who have already been provisionally notified of their position by their co-ops.
Factors such as good weather and growing conditions and continuing improvements in genetics can lead to improvements in butterfat content from year to year. In quota year 2011/12, the increased use of ‘once a day milking' to mitigate super levy bills may have been an additional factor.
The final position relating to individual co-operatives will not be available until all milk quota transfers, leases and allocations of flexi milk are assigned. It is expected that this task will be completed by mid August.
Animal Welfare Issues
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:126 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide and update on the progress, if any made on an all-Ireland animal health regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28716/12]
The main objectives of the North-South Ministerial Council are to foster co-operation and to devise a common, unified animal health strategy for the island as a whole. The ultimate objectives are to establish equivalent internal arrangements with a view to achieving free movement of animals and animal products within the island. There is ongoing co-operation through the dedicated working groups established under the North/South arrangements of which the hosting of the international vaccination expert's scientific symposium in Belfast in May is one recent example. The ultimate goal of freer animal movement on the island will be progressed when the new EU Animal Health law which is expected to be presented to Council and Parliament by the end of 2012, is adopted.
I also very much welcome the Northern Ireland proposal to establish a body with a similar remit to that of Animal Health Ireland. There is clearly an all Ireland recognition of the potential to improve the competitiveness of the farming sector through tackling production diseases. I am encouraged by the approach being adopted by the Northern Ireland body to BVD eradication, which creates the basis for a coordinated programme to eradicate BVD from the island of Ireland.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme
Nicky McFadden
Ceist:127 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers were notified of the changes to stocking levels and eligibility for this year’s disadvantaged area payment in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28719/12]
Nicky McFadden
Ceist:128 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is entitled to disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28720/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together.
The purpose of the changes announced to the 2012 Terms and Conditions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is to achieve the required savings, prompted by the budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Scheme being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million. It will be appreciated, therefore, that advance notification of such proposed changes would be self-defeating.
However, In order to make these savings, it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria, rather than simply apply an across-the-board cut, by reducing the maximum payable area, or reducing the rates of aid payable, or both. Choosing to opt for the technical adjustments ensures that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:
To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;
To maintain the countryside;
To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.
Rather than simply apply an across- the-board cut to the rates payable or reduce the maximum payable area as a means to achieving these savings, I decided that real efforts should be made to focus the Scheme on those farmers who are most actively contributing to achieving the aims of the Scheme, namely, ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities, maintaining the countryside and maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental protection measures.
While changes are being introduced in respect of the minimum stocking density requirements, specific provision is being made for those farmers who had a stocking density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of adherence to an agri-environmental measure, such as a Commonage Framework De-stocking Plans, Rural Environmental Protection Schemes (REPS) or Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).
All applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
Forestry Sector
Patrick Deering
Ceist:129 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the forestry payment for 2011 and 2012 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [28736/12]
The above mentioned person has been notified of remedial works that are required on his plantation in order to bring the plantation up to the standard required by the Forest Service under his forestry contract. The client has also been informed that, upon completion of the works, he must submit a revised species map to the Forest Service. At that point the Forest Service will re-inspect the plantation and, if it is then up to the required standard, premium payments will recommence.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme
Sean Conlan
Ceist:130 Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has not received an agri-environment options scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28746/12]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling €826.55 issued in respect of 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
Payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme year is subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. These checks have been successfully completed. However an issue arose in respect of a land parcel declared which requires digitisation. This is being dealt with by My Department at present and once satisfactorily resolved the application will be further processed. Payment will issue at the earliest opportunity once all validations have been successfully completed.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme
Tom Fleming
Ceist:131 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reverse the decision that will have serious implications for up to 10,000 farmers in respect of the qualifying criteria for the disadvantaged areas scheme whereby a 0.15 stocking rate per hectare for three consecutive months was sufficient in 2011, he is now proposing to increase the 2011 stocking rate to 0.3 units per hectare to qualify for 2012 and 2013; if he will clarify to the matter at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28754/12]
The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million. In order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:
To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;
To maintain the countryside;
To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.
Rather than simply apply an across the board cut to the rates payable or reduce the maximum payable area as a means to achieving these savings, I decided that real efforts should be made to focus the Scheme on those farmers who are most actively contributing to achieving the aims of the Scheme, namely, ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities, maintaining the countryside and maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental protection measures.
While changes are being introduced in respect of the minimum stocking density requirements, specific provision is being made for those farmers who had a stocking density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of adherence to a recognised agri-environmental Measure. Specifically, such applicants will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that participation in such an environmental Scheme resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
Question No. 132 withdrawn.
Teagasc Rationalisation Programme
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:133 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the cost benefit analysis report on the closure of the Kinsealy Teagasc facility, County Dublin is to hand yet; and when he intends to publish the document and report on it to Dáil Éireann. [28764/12]
As I have stated in previous replies on this matter, the decision to close Kinsealy Research Centre is an operational matter for Teagasc. They are responsible for the day to day running of the organisation including decisions relating to the network of offices. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and the Minister does not interfere in the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.
I understand Teagasc has prepared a detailed Business Case on the rationale for closing Kinsealy and transferring staff and activities to Ashtown Research Centre. They are satisfied that the move will give rise to significant annual cost savings with an expected payback arising from relocation savings over a 7 year period. The Deputy may wish to contact Teagasc directly for further information.
Milk Quota
Joe Carey
Ceist:134 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if personal interview or specific farm visits are considered as part of the rigorous assessment process in relation to the allocation of milk quota from the new entrants scheme as administered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28765/12]
My Department has received about 270 applications for consideration under this year's New Entrants to Dairying Scheme. The applications, which have been examined in my Department for eligibility, are currently being distributed to the members of the Assessment Panel for consideration. The Panel hope to be in a position to recommend a list of suitable applicants by mid August.
While the Detailed Rules of the Scheme provided for the possibility of a meeting with the Panel it is not availed of, nor has the Panel visited any farm lands for reasons of practicability and to avoid significant delays in the process.
Applicants are required to submit detailed Business Plans and the Panel has a substantial volume of detailed documentation with which to base a decision.
I am satisfied that this system has functioned well and that it ensures each application is subjected to a detailed and entirely objective assessment necessary for the successful operation of the Scheme.
Agriculture Scheme Penalties
Tom Fleming
Ceist:135 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown by county of the penalties applied to farmers by number and by size of penalty under the single farm payment, disadvantaged areas and rural environment protection schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28838/12]
I regret the delay in responding to the Deputy.
The data sought by the Deputy is set out below in respect of the 2009 and 2010 Schemes. The data in respect of the 2011 Schemes will be made available when it is finalised later in the year.
|
County |
No. of Applicants — Late Penalty Reduction Applied |
Value — Late Penalty Reductions Applied |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
Value — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Penalty |
Value — Overclaim Penalty |
|
Carlow |
8 |
€2,179 |
32 |
€6,041 |
7 |
€6,134 |
|
Cavan |
23 |
€3,254 |
162 |
€26,532 |
47 |
€30,747 |
|
Clare |
24 |
€5,236 |
262 |
€41,153 |
50 |
€42,398 |
|
Cork |
54 |
€7,734 |
717 |
€137,232 |
137 |
€119,228 |
|
Donegal |
36 |
€3,936 |
679 |
€93,014 |
197 |
€96,337 |
|
Dublin |
6 |
€730 |
33 |
€4,325 |
6 |
€2,593 |
|
Galway |
100 |
€16,474 |
671 |
€84,768 |
181 |
€86,703 |
|
Kerry |
32 |
€4,704 |
525 |
€50,189 |
116 |
€36,014 |
|
Kildare |
26 |
€6,736 |
94 |
€24,150 |
25 |
€27,424 |
|
Kilkenny |
19 |
€5,690 |
172 |
€35,115 |
23 |
€30,602 |
|
Laois |
12 |
€2,611 |
177 |
€40,682 |
38 |
€40,406 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
€1,513 |
183 |
€16,031 |
43 |
€17,888 |
|
Limerick |
39 |
€8,451 |
289 |
€69,145 |
62 |
€71,965 |
|
Longford |
20 |
€2,240 |
233 |
€28,071 |
66 |
€24,889 |
|
Louth |
12 |
€1,623 |
84 |
€12,731 |
22 |
€9,108 |
|
Mayo |
53 |
€5,569 |
964 |
€101,187 |
260 |
€104,709 |
|
Meath |
59 |
€14,161 |
208 |
€41,045 |
56 |
€49,747 |
|
Monaghan |
13 |
€2,248 |
263 |
€43,862 |
84 |
€50,993 |
|
Offaly |
26 |
€5,551 |
134 |
€21,510 |
33 |
€16,681 |
|
Roscommon |
25 |
€2,876 |
375 |
€51,128 |
85 |
€56,967 |
|
Sligo |
23 |
€4,104 |
209 |
€30,232 |
49 |
€28,075 |
|
Tipperary |
32 |
€4,150 |
360 |
€76,379 |
59 |
€63,299 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
€1,638 |
108 |
€24,976 |
25 |
€25,234 |
|
Westmeath |
14 |
€2,822 |
189 |
€45,855 |
54 |
€63,334 |
|
Wexford |
21 |
€3,572 |
122 |
€17,532 |
20 |
€11,143 |
|
Wicklow |
15 |
€4,606 |
90 |
€18,548 |
25 |
€21,903 |
|
Total |
719 |
€124,409 |
7,335 |
€1,141,432 |
1,770 |
€1,134,522 |
|
County |
No. of Applicants — Late Penalty Reduction Applied |
Value — Late Penalty Reductions Applied |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
Value — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Penalty |
Value — Overclaim Penalty |
|
Carlow |
10 |
€2,537 |
67 |
€54,084 |
15 |
€121,618 |
|
Cavan |
52 |
€15,075 |
316 |
€47,362 |
71 |
€46,777 |
|
Clare |
34 |
€6,178 |
488 |
€79,456 |
86 |
€56,547 |
|
Cork |
79 |
€43,353 |
1,030 |
€402,164 |
208 |
€463,658 |
|
Donegal |
61 |
€12,200 |
782 |
€136,245 |
208 |
€211,394 |
|
Dublin |
11 |
€5,283 |
39 |
€13,518 |
11 |
€21,272 |
|
Galway |
101 |
€23,629 |
802 |
€149,220 |
173 |
€170,583 |
|
Kerry |
48 |
€12,735 |
630 |
€128,346 |
118 |
€145,472 |
|
Kildare |
23 |
€8,081 |
87 |
€40,408 |
18 |
€24,400 |
|
Kilkenny |
23 |
€17,898 |
251 |
€60,889 |
32 |
€60,576 |
|
Laois |
12 |
€3,652 |
205 |
€52,361 |
31 |
€46,779 |
|
Leitrim |
23 |
€12,102 |
300 |
€32,259 |
58 |
€35,649 |
|
Limerick |
44 |
€37,515 |
311 |
€76,970 |
57 |
€103,381 |
|
Longford |
21 |
€7,661 |
196 |
€25,240 |
53 |
€28,314 |
|
Louth |
13 |
€2,167 |
91 |
€19,524 |
24 |
€19,787 |
|
Mayo |
77 |
€23,881 |
1,193 |
€118,116 |
245 |
€115,078 |
|
Meath |
35 |
€15,931 |
229 |
€234,190 |
48 |
€176,349 |
|
Monaghan |
21 |
€9,474 |
236 |
€109,896 |
63 |
€125,989 |
|
Offaly |
19 |
€4,499 |
215 |
€73,624 |
47 |
€176,820 |
|
Roscommon |
35 |
€6,680 |
428 |
€77,807 |
85 |
€77,640 |
|
Sligo |
30 |
€6,705 |
241 |
€34,755 |
68 |
€40,205 |
|
Tipperary |
40 |
€37,659 |
482 |
€192,331 |
72 |
€215,187 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
€4,415 |
129 |
€59,328 |
22 |
€62,561 |
|
Westmeath |
19 |
€3,055 |
231 |
€36,971 |
45 |
€29,859 |
|
Wexford |
28 |
€7,341 |
213 |
€53,003 |
37 |
€59,902 |
|
Wicklow |
18 |
€14,985 |
172 |
€29,938 |
25 |
€28,698 |
|
Total |
891 |
€344,689 |
9,364 |
€2,338,001 |
1,920 |
€2,664,493 |
|
County |
No. of Applicants — Late Penalty Reduction Applied |
Value — Late Penalty Reductions Applied |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
Value — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Penalty |
Value — Overclaim Penalty |
|
Carlow |
6 |
€590 |
10 |
€164 |
8 |
€1,794 |
|
Cavan |
20 |
€4,032 |
139 |
€3,813 |
74 |
€20,572 |
|
Clare |
22 |
€6,881 |
196 |
€4,700 |
74 |
€11,115 |
|
Cork |
24 |
€9,158 |
272 |
€6,939 |
145 |
€30,868 |
|
Donegal |
40 |
€4,741 |
533 |
€12,449 |
298 |
€77,067 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
€0 |
7 |
€180 |
5 |
€681 |
|
Galway |
119 |
€21,359 |
665 |
€15,737 |
260 |
€58,877 |
|
Kerry |
43 |
€15,735 |
385 |
€10,061 |
170 |
€28,395 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
€388 |
17 |
€346 |
21 |
€2,737 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
€4,926 |
65 |
€1,505 |
43 |
€6,242 |
|
Laois |
9 |
€1,923 |
75 |
€1,871 |
53 |
€13,594 |
|
Leitrim |
19 |
€3,850 |
190 |
€4,720 |
67 |
€11,176 |
|
Limerick |
30 |
€5,006 |
153 |
€3,967 |
69 |
€13,736 |
|
Longford |
21 |
€5,967 |
176 |
€4,489 |
88 |
€17,873 |
|
Louth |
3 |
€169 |
29 |
€594 |
25 |
€2,603 |
|
Mayo |
50 |
€4,109 |
844 |
€18,913 |
359 |
€61,472 |
|
Meath |
11 |
€746 |
53 |
€998 |
33 |
€3,745 |
|
Monaghan |
17 |
€1,763 |
275 |
€6,825 |
123 |
€24,406 |
|
Offaly |
18 |
€1,858 |
67 |
€1,323 |
50 |
€7,525 |
|
Roscommon |
26 |
€2,487 |
357 |
€9,280 |
122 |
€31,141 |
|
Sligo |
27 |
€3,624 |
215 |
€5,457 |
93 |
€17,451 |
|
Tipperary |
17 |
€3,738 |
191 |
€3,678 |
86 |
€19,200 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
€435 |
29 |
€743 |
34 |
€7,237 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
€3,038 |
113 |
€2,505 |
66 |
€15,684 |
|
Wexford |
9 |
€319 |
34 |
€567 |
20 |
€3,176 |
|
Wicklow |
12 |
€7,907 |
40 |
€916 |
41 |
€8,146 |
|
Total |
573 |
€114,749 |
5,130 |
€122,738 |
2,427 |
€496,512 |
|
County |
No. of Applicants — Late Penalty Reduction Applied |
Value — Late Penalty Reductions Applied |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
Value — Overclaim Adjustment Applied (Not Penalty) |
No. of Applicants — Overclaim Penalty |
Value — Overclaim Penalty |
|
Carlow |
2 |
€137 |
22 |
€529 |
11 |
€8,331 |
|
Cavan |
48 |
€6,405 |
209 |
€5,193 |
101 |
€28,657 |
|
Clare |
34 |
€3,129 |
297 |
€8,234 |
108 |
€22,036 |
|
Cork |
36 |
€3,286 |
361 |
€9,707 |
213 |
€68,346 |
|
Donegal |
60 |
€8,083 |
547 |
€14,239 |
289 |
€60,421 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
€0 |
6 |
€139 |
5 |
€805 |
|
Galway |
108 |
€13,732 |
621 |
€15,913 |
268 |
€86,314 |
|
Kerry |
38 |
€5,255 |
339 |
€8,738 |
161 |
€42,545 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
€2,531 |
18 |
€425 |
16 |
€2,117 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
€4,389 |
75 |
€1,661 |
41 |
€10,562 |
|
Laois |
8 |
€2,443 |
80 |
€1,906 |
50 |
€9,204 |
|
Leitrim |
24 |
€6,170 |
252 |
€6,436 |
121 |
€34,141 |
|
Limerick |
18 |
€3,514 |
115 |
€2,660 |
72 |
€22,410 |
|
Longford |
17 |
€874 |
152 |
€4,199 |
71 |
€12,655 |
|
Louth |
5 |
€578 |
42 |
€891 |
38 |
€7,390 |
|
Mayo |
61 |
€6,611 |
949 |
€24,508 |
338 |
€67,388 |
|
Meath |
10 |
€1,411 |
54 |
€1,084 |
34 |
€6,083 |
|
Monaghan |
27 |
€5,740 |
206 |
€5,248 |
92 |
€36,244 |
|
Offaly |
9 |
€1,046 |
97 |
€2,070 |
78 |
€13,919 |
|
Roscommon |
33 |
€4,870 |
391 |
€10,070 |
147 |
€44,945 |
|
Sligo |
30 |
€5,927 |
206 |
€5,341 |
121 |
€29,555 |
|
Tipperary |
24 |
€5,067 |
179 |
€3,999 |
107 |
€23,368 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
€941 |
41 |
€908 |
18 |
€5,695 |
|
Westmeath |
20 |
€3,064 |
135 |
€3,058 |
69 |
€20,016 |
|
Wexford |
8 |
€348 |
63 |
€1,273 |
27 |
€6,689 |
|
Wicklow |
15 |
€8,318 |
90 |
€2,101 |
44 |
€5,063 |
|
Total |
659 |
€103,867 |
5,547 |
€140,527 |
2,640 |
€674,897 |
|
County |
No. of Scheme Penalties |
Net Amount of Scheme Penalties |
No. of Cross Compliance Penalties |
Net Amount of Cross Compliance Penalties |
|
Carlow |
39 |
€16,657 |
2 |
€339 |
|
Cavan |
73 |
€15,126 |
8 |
€2,314 |
|
Clare |
79 |
€22,783 |
6 |
€518 |
|
Cork |
334 |
€92,273 |
20 |
€6,091 |
|
Donegal |
224 |
€71,687 |
16 |
€2,408 |
|
Dublin |
17 |
€9,383 |
0 |
€0 |
|
Galway |
488 |
€91,454 |
29 |
€7,028 |
|
Kerry |
366 |
€87,679 |
20 |
€2,210 |
|
Kildare |
71 |
€9,440 |
7 |
€379 |
|
Kilkenny |
34 |
€8,675 |
3 |
€279 |
|
Laois |
153 |
€54,543 |
6 |
€663 |
|
Leitrim |
158 |
€42,681 |
1 |
€98 |
|
Limerick |
109 |
€45,744 |
9 |
€1,150 |
|
Longford |
92 |
€31,574 |
7 |
€753 |
|
Louth |
26 |
€8,369 |
2 |
€621 |
|
Mayo |
319 |
€61,587 |
7 |
€644 |
|
Meath |
71 |
€28,277 |
5 |
€866 |
|
Monaghan |
58 |
€20,229 |
7 |
€1,956 |
|
Offaly |
131 |
€20,801 |
3 |
€181 |
|
Roscommon |
99 |
€18,825 |
1 |
€39 |
|
Sligo |
92 |
€22,689 |
3 |
€502 |
|
Tipperary |
171 |
€46,553 |
20 |
€9,039 |
|
Waterford |
94 |
€68,228 |
22 |
€4,050 |
|
Westmeath |
127 |
€36,044 |
3 |
€507 |
|
Wexford |
98 |
€33,257 |
12 |
€1,608 |
|
Wicklow |
86 |
€20,817 |
6 |
€654 |
|
Total |
3,609 |
€985,374 |
225 |
€44,897.88 |
|
County |
No. of Scheme Penalties |
Net Amount of Scheme Penalties |
No. of Cross Compliance Penalties |
Net Amount of Cross Compliance Penalties |
|
Carlow |
25 |
€8,276 |
6 |
€1,052 |
|
Cavan |
67 |
€16,153 |
13 |
€741 |
|
Clare |
109 |
€20,646 |
4 |
€154 |
|
Cork |
321 |
€84,509 |
27 |
€3,754 |
|
Donegal |
144 |
€23,474 |
7 |
€961 |
|
Dublin |
8 |
€11,969 |
1 |
€38 |
|
Galway |
385 |
€61,011 |
23 |
€2,908 |
|
Kerry |
287 |
€78,011 |
13 |
€1,615 |
|
Kildare |
12 |
€5,071 |
2 |
€450 |
|
Kilkenny |
73 |
€17,315 |
9 |
€1,913 |
|
Laois |
81 |
€20,055 |
12 |
€1,127 |
|
Leitrim |
116 |
€27,407 |
9 |
€504 |
|
Limerick |
53 |
€23,128 |
12 |
€2,433 |
|
Longford |
29 |
€13,233 |
5 |
€424 |
|
Louth |
28 |
€1,458 |
3 |
€445 |
|
Mayo |
286 |
€61,751 |
15 |
€2,244 |
|
Meath |
94 |
€27,714 |
6 |
€590 |
|
Monaghan |
95 |
€10,663 |
4 |
€661 |
|
Offaly |
84 |
€19,198 |
4 |
€91 |
|
Roscommon |
87 |
€17,997 |
8 |
€1,007 |
|
Sligo |
52 |
€10,767 |
4 |
€151 |
|
Tipperary |
175 |
€22,269 |
35 |
€6,652 |
|
Waterford |
78 |
€21,256 |
19 |
€4,820 |
|
Westmeath |
38 |
€14,090 |
5 |
€607 |
|
Wexford |
148 |
€38,222 |
23 |
€6,203 |
|
Wicklow |
27 |
€3,265 |
8 |
€1,189 |
|
Total |
2,902 |
€658,911 |
277 |
€42,735 |
|
Calendar Year Penalty* |
Value of Penalties |
|||||||
|
County |
1%-2% |
3%-4% |
5%-8% |
9%-14% |
15%-20% |
>20% |
SPS |
DAS |
|
Carlow |
5 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
€11,736 |
€749 |
|
Cavan |
14 |
6 |
10 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
€23,517 |
€7,522 |
|
Clare |
15 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
€11,556 |
€3,050 |
|
Cork |
58 |
23 |
47 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
€128,858 |
€4,369 |
|
Donegal |
28 |
15 |
10 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
€24,357 |
€4,698 |
|
Dublin |
14 |
7 |
9 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
€49,146 |
€1,069 |
|
Galway |
43 |
27 |
34 |
0 |
17 |
6 |
€87,291 |
€19,131 |
|
Kerry |
20 |
15 |
10 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
€20,023 |
€6,239 |
|
Kildare |
25 |
12 |
16 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
€31,330 |
€497 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
5 |
11 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
€57,542 |
€3,392 |
|
Laois |
15 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
€27,319 |
€3,050 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
€7,817 |
€1,720 |
|
Limerick |
10 |
10 |
19 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
€74,995 |
€7,098 |
|
Longford |
10 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
€52,021 |
€8,626 |
|
Louth |
7 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
€20,606 |
€1,061 |
|
Mayo |
18 |
15 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
€17,437 |
€3,523 |
|
Meath |
14 |
8 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
€22,428 |
€584 |
|
Monaghan |
14 |
12 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
€23,016 |
€7,982 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
€32,974 |
€1,712 |
|
Roscommon |
16 |
11 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
€10,657 |
€2,814 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
€4,032 |
€1,925 |
|
Tipperary |
18 |
27 |
30 |
0 |
8 |
6 |
€68,682 |
€7,181 |
|
Waterford |
23 |
11 |
18 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
€48,008 |
€3,189 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
10 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
€12,668 |
€1,880 |
|
Wexford |
29 |
21 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€47,968 |
€1,019 |
|
Wicklow |
9 |
14 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
€7,048 |
€1,363 |
|
Total |
439 |
292 |
322 |
5 |
102 |
41 |
€923,032 |
€105,443 |
*An applicant can breach across multiple SMRs or inspections but these will be represented by a single Calendar Year Penalty
|
Calendar Year Penalty* |
Value of Penalties |
|||||||
|
County |
1%-2% |
3%-4% |
5%-8% |
9%-14% |
15%-20% |
>20% |
SPS |
DAS |
|
Carlow |
8 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
€30,216 |
€1,846 |
|
Cavan |
35 |
6 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
€19,199 |
€5,531 |
|
Clare |
7 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
€12,918 |
€2,291 |
|
Cork |
88 |
29 |
45 |
3 |
18 |
1 |
€203,527 |
€12,291 |
|
Donegal |
18 |
13 |
15 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
€42,764 |
€5,296 |
|
Dublin |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€4,019 |
€235 |
|
Galway |
45 |
24 |
38 |
2 |
23 |
5 |
€92,821 |
€19,804 |
|
Kerry |
28 |
21 |
24 |
2 |
12 |
3 |
€65,139 |
€14,571 |
|
Kildare |
15 |
7 |
14 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
€18,455 |
€1,204 |
|
Kilkenny |
18 |
8 |
19 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
€54,265 |
€3,927 |
|
Laois |
10 |
3 |
15 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
€107,129 |
€6,533 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
€7,886 |
€2,406 |
|
Limerick |
24 |
22 |
23 |
3 |
38 |
3 |
€129,370 |
€17,167 |
|
Longford |
7 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
€37,714 |
€6,327 |
|
Louth |
10 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
€36,226 |
€2,419 |
|
Mayo |
21 |
15 |
17 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
€20,196 |
€5,242 |
|
Meath |
32 |
13 |
11 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
€41,680 |
€1,012 |
|
Monaghan |
13 |
7 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
€8,456 |
€3,218 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
€49,011 |
€3,607 |
|
Roscommon |
27 |
5 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
€36,643 |
€4,459 |
|
Sligo |
15 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
€3,092 |
€1,496 |
|
Tipperary |
58 |
45 |
38 |
1 |
27 |
8 |
€247,657 |
€16,944 |
|
Waterford |
23 |
25 |
31 |
4 |
12 |
3 |
€144,081 |
€8,693 |
|
Westmeath |
11 |
12 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
€22,245 |
€2,662 |
|
Wexford |
58 |
33 |
34 |
0 |
11 |
5 |
€227,797 |
€11,170 |
|
Wicklow |
16 |
14 |
22 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
€48,736 |
€5,570 |
|
Total |
612 |
334 |
420 |
23 |
195 |
46 |
€1,711,242 |
€165,921 |
*An applicant can breach across multiple SMRs or inspections but these will be represented by a single Calendar Year Penalty
|
County |
1%-2% |
3%-4% |
5%-8% |
9%-14% |
15%-20% |
>20% |
|
Carlow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Common Agricultural Policy
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:136 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that sufficient commitment exists throughout all EU member states to the retention of the Common Agricultural Policy and further development of the EU food industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28881/12]
There is good support from my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers for the Common Agricultural Policy and recognition of the importance of EU agriculture in the context of Europe's economic and industrial recovery. This importance was acknowledged in the conclusions by the Heads of State and Government at the spring 2010 European Council and continues to be accepted by my Ministerial colleagues at each successive meeting of the Agriculture Council. Proof of that commitment can be found in the fact that the CAP is 50 years old this year and it continues to be the only genuinely common policy in the EU.
My own view is that food security in the European Union is the essence of what the new Common Agricultural Policy is about. Growing populations and increasing demand for protein-based foods, which is what we predominantly produce in Ireland through the dairy and meat industries, present a significant opportunity not only to continue, as the EU has been, to promote a sustainable way of producing food from an environmental and climate point of view but also to produce greater volumes of food. I will continue to make the case for sustainable intensification of food production, which is what agriculture should be all about.
Food Industry
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:137 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his EU colleagues expect the EU food-producing sectors to contribute to world food production in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28882/12]
The Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture adopted by the Ministers of Agriculture of the G20 in June 2011 underlined that to feed a world population expected to exceed 9.3 billion by 2050, agricultural production will have to increase between 50 and 70 percent, and by almost 100 percent in developing countries. The EU is a large food-producing bloc and must play its part in ensuring that there is sufficient food to feed not just its own citizens but the world. For its part, Ireland has a strategy for food production in place, Food Harvest 2020, which outlines our plans for food production over the coming decade. This industry developed report envisages a strategy of smart green growth. The targets agreed by the industry include increasing output from the sector by 33%, increasing value-added by 40% and increasing exports to €12bn per annum. There are also targets within each sector, including a proposed 50% increase in milk production. I have also ensured that the targets are being monitored, and progress is tracked through the ‘Milestones for Success' reports that are being produced for that purpose.
In summary, food security in the European Union is the essence of what the new Common Agricultural Policy is about. Growing populations and increasing demand for protein-based foods, which is what we predominantly produce in Ireland through the dairy and meat industries, present a significant opportunity not only to continue, as the EU has been, to promote a sustainable way of producing food from an environmental and climate point of view but also to produce greater volumes of food. I will continue to make the case for sustainable intensification of food production, which is what agriculture should be all about.
Food Industry
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:138 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date towards safeguarding the Irish and EU food industries in the context of World Trade Organisation discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28883/12]
The WTO Doha Development Round talks are stalled at present and the prospects for conclusion of an agreement are uncertain at this point in time. Nevertheless, I will continue to maintain pressure to secure an acceptable outcome from these negotiations that does not undermine the development of the European and Irish agrifood sectors.
Farming Cost Increases
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:139 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has received communications from the Irish Farmers Association and other farming representative bodies in the matter of the rising costs associated with the industry; the extent to which the main features of such cost increases have been identified; if he expects any amelioration in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28884/12]
I am of course in regular contact, both directly and through correspondence, with farming representative bodies, as are my officials, and I am aware of the challenges faced by farmers, including increased cost of inputs such as fuel, feed and fertiliser as well as access to credit. Fuel and energy costs are a major part of overall costs for farmers. One of the long-standing measures in place to assist them with these costs is the reduced cost of marked gas oil (also known as green diesel). An additional relief in relation to carbon tax was also introduced as part of budget 2012, reflecting the Programme for Government commitment.
Other costs are also affected by price volatility in a global marketplace. While farmers received higher prices for their product in 2010 and 2011 than they did in 2009, they are also paying higher prices for inputs and their margins are being squeezed. Teagasc research suggests that producer margins will fall in 2012 compared to 2011. However, they also believe that the decline will not cause margins to go below those experienced in 2010, which overall was a good year for the agrifood sector.
As higher input costs and price volatility are global issues they must be addressed at a global level. That is why the G20 has developed a number of measures, such as the agricultural markets information system (AMIS), to limit speculation and improve the information available to farmers when they are making decisions about production. In tandem with this, Ireland must continue its discussions with its EU partners to create a CAP that recognises the challenges faced by farmers.
Food Exports
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:140 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which food exports to the EU and worldwide have increased in each of the past five years to date; if particular issues have presented which might show a need for renewed efforts arising from emerging competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28885/12]
Ireland's food and beverage exports are outlined in the table below. As you can see, both 2010 and 2011 were very good years for Irish agriculture. However, 2009 was a particularly bad year and I am conscious that in a global marketplace there are many challenges can cause difficulties for Irish farmers.
In 2010 a detailed analysis of the agriculture sector led to the production of Food Harvest 2020, which is a strategy for the sector over the coming decade. This ambitious plan envisages strong growth in the sector. In particular it is expected that milk production will increase by 50%,but also that output from the sector should increase by 33% and the value of exports to should rise to €12bn per annum. Disruption in global markets, such as the current economic crisis, trade embargoes or political unrest, can all adversely impact on our ability to export our produce. However, the Irish agriculture and food sector has shown itself to be extraordinarily resilient and innovative in finding new markets, as was shown recently with the highly successful trade mission to China. I am confident that we will deal with challenges as they arise and continue to export our high-quality produce all over the world.
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2011/2010 |
|
|
Dairy Products and Ingredients |
2,364 |
2,290 |
1,948 |
2,273 |
2,665 |
+17% |
|
Beef |
1,570 |
1,590 |
1,427 |
1,573 |
1,805 |
+15% |
|
Prepared Foods |
1,824 |
1,494 |
1,281 |
1,375 |
1,540 |
+12% |
|
Beverages |
1,409 |
1,237 |
1,067 |
1,152 |
1,220 |
+6% |
|
Seafood |
359 |
335 |
332 |
371 |
420 |
+13% |
|
Pigmeat |
370 |
354 |
294 |
336 |
395 |
+18% |
|
Edible Horticulture and Cereals |
252 |
265 |
198 |
193 |
210 |
+9% |
|
Poultry |
244 |
204 |
185 |
203 |
210 |
+3% |
|
Sheepmeat |
184 |
167 |
163 |
163 |
180 |
+10% |
|
Live Animals |
170 |
148 |
213 |
245 |
205 |
-16% |
|
Total Food and Drinks |
8,746 |
8,084 |
7,108 |
7,884 |
8,850 |
+12% |
|
% Change on Previous Year |
+5.39% |
-7.57% |
-12.07% |
+10.92% |
+12.25% |
|
|
% of Total Exported to the EU |
76% |
76% |
79% |
78% |
75% |
Milk Quota
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:141 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full extent of benefits or otherwise likely for the dairy sector after the abolition of milk quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28886/12]
The decision to abolish milk quotas with effect from 1st April 2015 was made in the context of the CAP Health Check in 2008. Ireland strongly supported their abolition, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities.
The ending of milk quota regime represents an exceptional opportunity to increase milk output, and the Food Harvest 2020 Report has targeted a 50% increase in milk production in the period to 2020. This target is ambitious but I also believe it is realistic because the dairy sector has the capability to expand at producer and at processor level. The Dairy Expansion Activation Group, which was established to identify specific actions needed to deliver on the Food Harvest target, has produced a Road Map setting out 55 actions required to achieve the 50% increase in milk production. All of the stakeholders are being encouraged to discharge the responsibilities assigned to them, and the response will be monitored and reported on. Key areas for action include the identification of markets, the improvement of efficiency at processing level and improving production efficiency at farm level. While many of these actions will be taken at commercial level, my Department and its agencies are working with industry to provide a framework to support the necessary development, and I am personally chairing the High Level Implementation Committee, in order to monitor progress and take appropriate action to support the successful implementation of Food Harvest 2020.
More than 85% of Irish dairy production is exported, and the price of milk in Ireland is ultimately determined by global demand and supply. Last year exports of dairy products were valued at €2.66 billion, an increase of 17% on the previous year. Ireland currently has access to markets worldwide and exports dairy products to over eighty countries and I am working with industry to further raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and the Irish agri-food sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa and elsewhere.
Milk production volumes are, to a great extent, determined by market demand and by price considerations. While the dairy sector has experienced severe volatility in product prices in recent years, primarily caused by an imbalance of supply and demand in international markets, the medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good. Growth in global population is forecast to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. Against that background, I believe that prospects and opportunities for the dairy sector will expand significantly over the coming years and I can assure the Deputy that my Department and its agencies will continue to play their part in providing an appropriate framework to support the development of this critically important industry.
While the supply management arrangements that currently exist will no longer apply after 2015, I am confident that the processing industry will work with the milk producers to ensure a coherent and thriving dairy industry post quotas that will exploit the undoubted potential in existing and new markets, maximize efficiency at production and processing levels and respond effectively to market demand.
Food Safety Standards
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:142 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which meat, poultry or other food imports are subject to the full extent of Irish and EU traceability standards; if checks have shown any exceptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28887/12]
Food production and traceability in the countries of the European Union operate in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. Imported product of animal origin from a country outside of the EU is subject to controls operated by the FVO. Such product must come from a country recognised and approved by the EU as having animal health, welfare, hygiene and production controls equivalent to those on the EU.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), under the aegis the Minister for Health, has overall responsibility for the enforcement of traceability standards in Ireland. This includes the enforcement of traceability standards. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. This work is subject to regular audit by both the FSAI and the FVO. Any breaches in traceability standards would be highlighted in such audits.
Food Labelling
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:143 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that food labelling continues to reflect accurately the origin and standard of production as required under legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28888/12]
Food production and labelling in the countries of the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states, including Ireland, are required to implement controls to ensure compliance by Food Business Operators. These controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU.
Beef labelling in particular is subject to comprehensive regulations concerning the identification of bovines and the labelling of their meat. These provisions were introduced in the wake of the BSE crisis to improve traceability and food security throughout the sector. The recent EU Food Information for the Consumer Regulation has extended these origin labelling requirements to other meats such as pigmeat and poultry and impact assessments will be carried out by the Commission prior to the preparation of detailed rules on the new requirements.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
As part of the official controls in food businesses, consideration is given to legislative requirements, the requirements of the service contract between the official agencies and the FSAI, regional / local sampling plans and national surveillance programmes. Also included in these inspections are checks on compliance with national labelling regulations in producers, processors, retail and catering as appropriate. Labelling inspections are carried out as part of normal routine food safety inspections.
Animal Welfare Issues
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:144 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has received correspondence from the pig producing sector with particular reference to the likely impact arising from costs associated with animal welfare legislation which requires extra expenditure and compliance by the end of the current year; if he will use his good offices to ensure that the industry is capable of meeting such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28889/12]
The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agrifood sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. The industry faces a number of challenges in the short and medium term and my Department will continue to assist the sector to resolve these issues.
New EU Animal Welfare rules set down new standards in relation to the housing of sows and these are due to come into force on 1 January 2013. A significant number of producers have undertaken the necessary work required in order to upgrade their facilities in order to comply with the new rules. Teagasc has estimated that approximately 36% of pig units, housing some 44% of the sow population are presently compliant with the provisions.
My Department is aware of the scale of the challenge facing pig farmers in respect of the new requirements. To this end, the Department introduced a Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) for Sow Welfare in June 2010. Grant-aid is available at a rate of 40% to eligible producers with a maximum investment ceiling of €300,000, i.e. a maximum grant of €120,000. A total of €13 million has been provisionally allocated to this scheme under the rural development Programme. It follows two earlier schemes in 2005 and 2007 and payments of €6.2 million have already been made under these schemes. At present, approximately 47 applications for grants worth some €4 million have been received under the current scheme.
My Department has written to all pig producers to remind them of the new requirements, and is monitoring the situation closely.
Fishing Industry Development
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:145 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the fishing industry to develop over the next four years with particular reference to likely fish catches under various species headings and the anticipated added value to processing arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28890/12]
The levels of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quotas for each fish stock each year are determined at the December Council of Fisheries Ministers. The Council makes decisions based on scientific advice from ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas), and also on the views of the STECF (the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries), which gives the Commission its views on the economic and social impacts of the scientific advice. The decisions made annually take account of the available scientific advice and the results of various external international fisheries negotiations and cannot be predicted in advance.
Both Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012 recognise that most of the growth and employment potential in the seafood sector is in the areas of processing and aquaculture. Food Harvest 2020 aims to increase employment in the seafood sector as a whole, from 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020 and to increase revenue from €700 million to €1 billion by 2020.
On 25 May I announced €3.2 million in grants to 21 seafood processing companies to support investments worth €15.5 million in 2012. These investments are projected to generate over 142 additional jobs and increased sales of value added seafood products of nearly €44 million by 2015. These plans add to investment worth €7 million by 21 companies in 2011 and further investment worth €2.7 by 8 companies in 2010. Together these forward looking developments are setting a clear path to achievement of the value adding potential of the seafood sector, as identified in Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012.
The aquaculture sector is crucially important in achieving our value adding targets for the seafood processing sector as it has the potential to significantly increase raw material supply, independent of the annual TAC and quota negotiations and to provide significant direct and indirect employment in peripheral coastal communities. To achieve that potential, BIM is promoting the development of 3 deep sea salmon farms. It is expected that each farm will be capable of producing up to 15,000 tonnes of Irish organic farmed salmon annually, valued at €102 million.
Beef Sector
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:146 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is aware of possible inflation in the beef sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28891/12]
Cattle prices are determined by supply and demand dynamics in the marketplace. The deadweight price for the benchmark (R3) steer category at start of June was €4.01/kg (excl. VAT) compared to €3.52/kg for the same period in 2011. The average steer price so far this year is 18.5% higher than last year. This trend reflects low supply availability as evidenced by reduced cattle throughput at Department-approved meat plants. Although more recent figures on calf registrations in 2011 show a likely reversal in this trend in 2013.
The export dependence of the Irish beef industry means that external market developments largely determine Irish cattle prices. At present, trade for prime beef is being boosted by ongoing tight supplies in both domestic and key export markets. Strong export demand is also generated by favourable exchange rate movement between sterling and the euro which continues to underpin the competitiveness of Irish beef exports. Currency movements have made it more attractive for Irish beef processors to ship product to our main export market.
Beef prices are currently performing strongly in the UK where producers are receiving the equivalent of €4.23/kg (dw excl. VAT), on average, for R3 prime males whereas the average of the EU-15 beef producing countries is €3.80/kg. Tight domestic supplies to date in 2012 (UK cattle throughput is down 8%) and lower availability in Ireland have contributed to a 23% price increase (in euro terms) over the past 12 months.
In its latest short-term outlook for the beef sector published in February 2012, the European Commission is forecasting that overall beef and veal consumption in the EU will fall over the next 2 years owing to supply constraints and high prices. An ongoing decline in the size of the EU beef herd over the past 4 years is expected to persist in the short run. Carcass prices for all categories of cattle and live animals are expected to remain high throughout 2012 as a result of limited supply availability and competition for earlier marketed cattle to offset high feeding costs.
Current price levels in the Irish beef sector must be understood in the context of the economic variables outlined above. High weanling prices over the last 2 years have helped to stabilise the national herd and have encouraged producers to expand their herds. As with any product, however, prices can fluctuate for a range of reasons. The current high prices have injected confidence into the beef sector and allowed farmers to reinvest in the businesses. The prospects for the remainder of the year appear positive to the extent that supply constraints would indicate a relatively stable price outlook but the demand side in the EU remains particularly uncertain given the fragile macroeconomic environment.
Pigmeat and Sheep Sectors
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:147 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to review the future prospects for pigmeat and lamb industries with particular reference to market share and costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28892/12]
The market performance of the sheep and pork sectors, in common with other agricultural sectors, is a function of supply and demand. The long-term future of the sectors will depend on their ability to satisfy the market and in order to do this well, they must focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer.
Sheep sector
Food Harvest 2020 sets a target of 20% increase in output value for the sheep sector by 2010 and envisages that over the coming years, demand for sheepmeat on the European market will outstrip production levels which should provide opportunities for exporting countries such as Ireland. This should provide the potential for better returns, provided the industry can continue the market and product diversification which has been evident in recent years.
The recommendations of the report focus on farm competitiveness and the processing sector. On the farm side, they emphasise the importance of the continuance of the application of on-farm labour efficiencies and new technologies, breed improvement and the production of a quality product. On the processing side, the focus is on efficiencies, innovation and improved product range.
There has been significant public investment in the sheep sector in recent years. Key supports for this sector include €7 million from the 2009 Single Farm Payment National Reserve under the Uplands Sheep Payment Scheme and €54 million for the three-year Grassland Sheep Scheme which commenced in 2010. The grassland Sheep Scheme is proving to be a valuable support mechanism in terms of improving income and confidence in the sector. The sheep fencing/mobile handling equipment scheme, which is one of five Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) was re-opened to applications last December and the first tranche closed in February of this year. In addition Teagasc has allocated almost €1.5 million for sheep research for 2012. Bord Bia will also spend over €1.1 million this year on a promotional strategy for the Irish sheep sector. All of the supports have provided a significant incentive to farmers to maintain their production levels, which is vital for the future of a viable sheep industry in Ireland.
In light of the fall in producer prices during the month of May and following consultation with the industry, Bord Bia brought forward its summer lamb promotion campaign to commence on the 5th June. Furthermore Bord Bia has strengthened the TV advertising element of the campaign, by extending its duration from 3 to 4 weeks.
I very much welcome the fact that the declining trend in numbers in our national flock is showing signs of reversal and our sheep numbers are now increasing. This reflects a growing sense of confidence amongst sheep farmers in terms of rebuilding breeding stock numbers which will ultimately lead to an increase in through-put. Whilst it is still too early to provide an accurate estimate for the 2012 lamb crop, it is estimated that it will be up in the order of 1-2%.
Pig Sector
The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agrifood sector with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. Ireland is more than 150% self-sufficient in pigmeat with the result that export values reached almost €400 million last year, an increase in value of 18% compared to 2010. Export volumes of Irish pigmeat totalled 168,000 tonnes in 2011, some 14% higher than the previous year. Finished pig supplies at export meat plants stood at almost 2.85 million head for the year, almost 10% higher than 2010, reflecting an 8% rise in the breeding herd combined with improved on-farm productivity. The industry supports over 7,000 jobs in farming, milling, processing and ancillary services.
From a National perspective, the Food Harvest 2020 Report targets a 50% increase in the value of output by 2020 and factors such as improvements in sow productivity and growing the size of the national herd will help to meet this target. Through the TAMS scheme, my Department is providing critical investment support for operators to assist them in meeting new sow welfare standards from 1st January 2013. In addition, Teagasc, through its Moorepark pig research facility and the provision of FETAC courses in pig production and benchmarking pig herd performance, plays a critically important role in improving productive capacity at farm level.
Pigmeat remains the most consumed meat worldwide and I consider that the substantial trade surplus in pigmeat in Ireland and the measures being taken to improve efficiency and market access leave us well placed to avail of developing opportunities in international markets.
In so far as international trade in Irish pigmeat is concerned, my Department has been extremely active in developing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build the kind of confidence in Irish production and control systems that provide a platform for long term trading relationships in the future.
And of course Bord Bia continues, through its promotional activities, and through the pigmeat quality assurance scheme, to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and third country markets.
Prices during 2012 have been above the corresponding levels in both of the previous years. At the end of last month, prices were almost 9/c per kilo ahead year on year, which equates to an increase of more than 6%.
Inter-Country Adoptions
Brendan Smith
Ceist:148 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the proposal to provide for inter-country adoptions between Ireland and Kazakhstan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28735/12]
With effect from 1 November 2010, inter-country adoptions can be effected with other countries which have ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention) or with countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. Kazakhstan has ratified the Convention.
Over the past 18 months the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) has written to its counterpart Central Authority in Kazakhstan on three separate occasions to begin the process of developing an administrative agreement for intercountry adoption. The Authority advises me that to date there has been no reply from the Kazakhstani authorities to any of the contacts made by the AAI. The Authority continues to indicate that it is open to discussing the issue of intercountry adoptions with its Kazakhstani counterparts at any time, and the most recent correspondence from the AAI was in March of this year. I understand that an official of the Irish Embassy in Moscow recently presented a copy of the previous correspondence to, and raised the issue of intercountry adoption with, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan. I understand the Kazakhstani authorities hosted a meeting on intercountry adoption on the 11th of May. I would like to point out that at no stage were the AAI, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs or the Embassy contacted by the Kazakhstani authorities regarding the meeting. While it is, of course, a matter for each country to decide with whom it co-operates, as soon as the issue came to the attention of my Department, official contact was made with the Embassy in Moscow in this regard. The Embassy officials in Moscow are endeavouring to secure feedback from this meeting to assess its relevance for progress towards an administrative agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and Kazakhstan.
The Embassy has been asked to request information from the relevant authorities on the position for Irish couples hoping to adopt from Kazakhstan as soon as possible. In the interim the AAI is currently completing a review of Kazakhstan's adoption legislation.
Children in Care
Patrick Nulty
Ceist:149 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number, if any, Irish children who in the care of the State are being accommodated currently outside of the Republic of Ireland; the locations at which they are being accommodated; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28771/12]
Currently there are 10 children, on High Court detention orders, detained in specialised units overseas, 8 in the UK, 2 in Nebraska. These placements allow for access to specialised therapeutic services or where a secure place is urgently needed and one is not available here. Three children are in Scotland, four children are in Northampton and one child is in Peterborough.
The cost is approximately €6,685 per child per week for children in Scotland.
The cost for St. Andrew's, Northampton is stg £6,300 per child per week.
The cost for St. Claire's, Peterborough is stg £6,300.
The cost for Boystown, Nebraska is $2,600 per child per week.
In addition to the 10 children in secure placements, there are a further 22 children in non-secure placements abroad. These placements consist of a combination of relative/foster care and residential placements.
Preschool Services
John Lyons
Ceist:150 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to pursue another round of capital funding for preschool child care provision in 2013 or in the near future in view of the large number of applications for 2012. [28826/12]
The total funding available under the programme was €6 million and following an appraisal process 290 applications were approved for funding.
All programme funding is considered in the context of the annual estimates and budgetary process and it is not possible to advise the Deputy in advance of these discussions in relation to programmes that will be funded in 2013.
Inter-Country Adoptions
Seán Kyne
Ceist:151 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the progress made to date of securing a bilateral agreement to facilitate inter-country adoptions between Ireland and Russia. [28894/12]
Adoptions from Russia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013. As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention and there appears to be no immediate prospect that this will happen. Therefore, future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bilateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State.” Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.
A delegation comprised of representatives of the Adoption Authority and officials from my Department held exploratory meetings with the Russian authorities in December of last year. The delegation visited Russia in relation to preliminary discussions around the potential for a bilateral on intercountry adoption. This was a follow up to previous discussions which took place earlier in the year, on the initiative of the Russian authorities.
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 bilateral 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.
Water Fluoridation
Regina Doherty
Ceist:152 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he has ever carried out or intends to carry out a study of the levels of fluoride in our food and drink; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28733/12]
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 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.
In 2005, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion on the tolerable upper intake for fluoride from the diet. This concluded that the safe upper limit for fluoride intake from all food sources, including water, for adults is 120µg per kilogram of body weight per day.
A study by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Total Diet Study (TDS) published in 2011, shows that the average exposure of Irish consumers to fluoride from food is 9µg per kilogram of body weight per day. This represents 7.5% of the safe upper limit of 120µg per kilogram of body weight per day. If exposure to fluoride from drinking water is included it represents 23.9% of this value on average. The FSAI aims to start the second Irish TDS later this year. This will also include an analysis of fluoride in food.
National Carers Strategy
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:153 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to publish the carer’s strategy; the reason for the delay in publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28809/12]
The development of a National Carers Strategy to support carers and to address issues of concern is a key commitment in the current Programme for Government.
The Strategy will address the needs of informal and family carers. It will be conceptual and visionary and will establish a number of high-level principles, goals and objectives and a road map to implementation. The State already faces challenges in maintaining existing levels of services from within limited resources and the Strategy is being developed in that context. The Strategy will not be an operational plan but will set the strategic direction for future services and supports for carers in recognition of their role and contribution to maintaining children, adults and older people with physical or mental health difficulties in their own homes.
While issues relating to carers span a number of different Departments, the Taoiseach has allocated responsibility for co-ordination of the preparation of the Strategy to me with the support of the Minister for Social Protection.
Work on developing the Strategy is on-going and a consultation process with other Departments took place in early 2012. A draft was completed at the end of March as a basis for final consultations with other Departments and with national organisations representing carers. Carers organisations made formal observations at the end of May. It is hoped that a draft will be completed for submission to Government during the Summer.
Health Service Allowances
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:154 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if mileage allowances have been cut for Health Service Executive staff working in the community in the Cavan-Monaghan area; when this was introduced; the projected savings to be made; if an analysis of the impact on patient care has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28701/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Simon Harris
Ceist:155 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress made to date in introducing legislation to deal with the area of assisted reproduction and in particular, surrogacy, in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28709/12]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department is examining policy proposals in the area of Assisted Human Reproduction and related practices in Ireland. I will be examining the proposals with a view to submitting them to Government later this year.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Clare Daly
Ceist:156 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 678 of 22 May 2012, if he will provide the number of the 70 patients awaiting live donor transplantation are pre-emptive; the number, if any, of those 70 who are private patients; the reason for the delay; when he intends to clear the backlog and if the Health Service Executive communicated effectively with live donors regarding same [28713/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Home Help Service
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if extra home help will be provided in respect of persons (details supplied ) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28717/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medicinal Products
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:158 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the legislation, regulations and guidelines currently in place pertaining to the use of psychiatric, psychostimulant, psychotropic drugs such as ritalin and prozac on minors; if he is satisfied that these regulations ensure that only drugs which have been adequately and independently tested in clinical trials are prescribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28725/12]
Medicines must be authorised by the Irish Medicines Board or at European level, by the European Commission, before they are marketed in Ireland. A company wishing to market a medicine, makes an application including clinical trial safety, efficacy and pharmaceutical quality data. These data are reviewed by the competent authority and if the risk/benefit balance of the medicine is considered positive, the medicine receives a marketing authorisation.
There is substantial EU legislation and guidelines on the content and format of applications and specific legislation covering medicines intended for use in children including information on the clinical trial data required.
In addition to being controlled as a prescription medicine, Ritalin (methylphenidate) is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988. As a controlled drug, it is an offence to supply or possess methylphenidate except in accordance with a prescription, licence or other authority.
Ritalin is indicated as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 years and over when remedial measures alone prove insufficient. Treatment must be under the supervision of a specialist in childhood and/or adolescent behavioural disorders. Patients should be evaluated at commencement of treatment and be continuously monitored.
Prozac (fluoxetine) is controlled under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) and is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe depression in children and adolescents aged 8 years and above that are unresponsive to psychological therapy. Treatment should be initiated and monitored under specialist supervision.
The safety and efficacy of Prozac was reviewed by IMB in consultation with the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency in 2006. The safety and efficacy in the approved indications was considered positive and the currently authorised product information reflects these data.
The IMB continues to review the safety of authorised medicines and takes appropriate regulatory action when necessary. The authorised product information for Ritalin, Prozac and other medicines is available from the IMB website:www.imb.ie.
Health Services
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:159 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an assessment will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, with a view to identification of the most appropriate treatment facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28750/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Sandra McLellan
Ceist:160 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health when a review of further information will be considered in respect of a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28751/12]
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.
John O'Mahony
Ceist:161 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [28756/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:162 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects hospital trusts to be established nationwide; if he expects services to be rationalised or cut as part of this move; the appointees to the hospital groups established; the salaries of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28772/12]
The establishment of hospital trusts is an important stepping stone towards the introduction of universal health insurance which is the ultimate destination of the Government's reform programme. The rationale behind the establishment of hospital groups and trusts is to support increased operational autonomy and accountability for hospital services in a way that will drive the optimum service reforms. Performance improvement must be at the heart of the national reform programme: the creation of hospital groups and trusts is integral to a stronger and more systematic process of performance management for hospitals.
Earlier this week, I announced the appointment of Professor John R Higgins to work with the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) in the role of Chair of a Strategic Board to assist the Department of Health in the design and establishment of Hospital Groups. As Chair, he will have a key role in progressing the creation of Hospital Groups initially and, ultimately, Independent Hospital Trusts.
I have also announced the appointments of Mr Noel Daly as Chair-designate of the Galway Roscommon University Hospital Group and Professor Niall O'Higgins as Chair-designate of the Mid-Western Regional 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. I intend that the Chairs will be remunerated subject to the normal conditions. The two new hospital group Chairmen, working in consultation with the Chair of the Strategic Board, will have key roles in the development of effective corporate and clinical governance structures for their hospital groups along with the quality and safety of systems of care in place for patients of those hospital groups.
Departmental Bodies
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:163 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if representatives from Nursing Homes Ireland will be appointed to the fair deal review body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28773/12]
The Department of Health will be seeking tenders through the public procurement process for the carrying out of the review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
In advance of that, the Department will be carrying out a public consultation to inform the review. Nursing Homes Ireland, and any other interested parties, will have an opportunity to feed into the review through that consultation process.
Departmental Bodies
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:164 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference of the oversight group to supervise implementation of the Health Information and Quality Authority report on Tallaght hospital, Dublin; the membership of this group; the fees to be paid to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28774/12]
The terms of reference of the oversight group for the recommendations of the HIQA report, as well as the administrative issues about which the Deputy is enquiring, are under consideration. The membership of the group is being finalised and the group will meet shortly. The terms of reference will remain draft until the group has had the opportunity to consider them.
National Children’s Hospital
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:165 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to make a decision on the location of the new children’s hospital; if he will publish the Dolphin review group report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28775/12]
As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bord 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. I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention to publish the report in due course.
Health Service Executive Funding
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:166 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the deficits of each hospital to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28776/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Service Executive Funding
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:167 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the services he has instructed the Health Service Executive to cut in order to get its books in order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28777/12]
The Health Sector is facing very significant financial challenges in 2012 and 2013. The HSE's National Service Plan was prepared in the context of the challenges faced by the health services this year in terms of reduced staffing levels, and a reduced budget, combined with increasing demand for services. It also took account of additional funding being invested this year in areas such as mental health services, primary care, the National Clinical Care Programmes and children's services.
The budget reductions, along with the structural changes being implemented are posing a serious financial challenge to the HSE, and the Executive is reporting a deficit in Vote terms of €169m at the end of May. Based on the current rate of drawdown on the Vote it is projected that there will be a deficit of €450-500m in 2012. As set out in the National Service Plan, the HSE will seek to reduce and eliminate budget deficits while minimising the impact on front line services by fast tracking new, innovative and more efficient ways of using reducing resources. New models of care will be introduced across all services, which will treat patients at the lowest level of complexity and provide quality services at the least possible cost. The roll-out of the National Clinical Care Programmes and Special Delivery Unit initiatives will also deliver greater productivity.
The HSE has set out a number of further measures to address the emerging financial situation. These include:
Requiring hospitals to bring activity levels back in line with targets set out in the National Service Plan;
Reducing use of agency staff; and
Implementing reforms under the Croke Park agreement to achieve more cost effective use of human resources.
The Board of the Executive has been provided with a range of cost containment plans which have been submitted to the Department. Following my Department's assessment of the plans, I intend to bring proposals on the matter to Government.
An independent financial expert has also been appointed to carry out a review of the HSEs financial performance management and control systems and it is intended that he will report back to the Secretary General of the Department by the end of June.
Medicinal Products
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:168 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has not yet approved reimbursement of the drug gilenya; his views on whether the drug provides life-changing benefits for MS patients; the reason there has been a lack of adherence to the criteria and timescales surrounding the reimbursement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28778/12]
Joanna Tuffy
Ceist:172 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue in respect of an application to make available the medicine known as gilenya fingolimod for MS sufferers, under the long term illness scheme in view of the fact that this drug has already been approved by the European Medicines Agency and has been on the Health Service Executive reimbursement list for some months now but has not yet been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28825/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 172 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.
Medical Cards
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:169 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28813/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
General Practitioner Services
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:170 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding general practitioners charging for taking blood samples from patients with a medical card; if his attention has been drawn to the extent of this practice and the steps he is taking to have this any other inappropriate charging ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28820/12]
Section 11 of the General Medical Services (GMS) GP Capitation Contract, which was introduced in 1989, provides that the medical practitioner shall provide for eligible persons, on behalf of the Health Service Executive, all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess.
General Practitioners (GPs) who hold General Medical Services (GMS) contracts with the HSE must not seek or accept money from medical card or GP visit card holders for services covered under the GMS contract. In circumstances where the taking of blood is necessary to either:
(a) assist in the process of diagnosing a patient; or
(b) monitor a diagnosed condition;
the GP may not charge the patient if they are eligible for free GMS services.
At my request, the HSE has written to all GMS GPs reminding them of their obligations under their contract in respect of services such as phlebotomy and advised them that charges should not be applied for such services.
The HSE is encouraging eligible patients who believe they have been inappropriately charged by a GP for routine phlebotomy services to seek a refund from the GP in question. Alternatively, they may wish to follow up with the HSE and the matter will be fully investigated. Formal complaints will be dealt with through the HSE's Consumer Affairs Service.
It is appreciated that because of the nature of the GP/patient relationship, it may be difficult for patients to make such complaints. Where public representatives are made aware of GPs charging GMS patients in error, they may wish to notify the HSE directly.
The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a new GMS GP contract with an increased emphasis on the management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It is envisaged that the new contract, when finalised, will focus on prevention and will include a requirement for GPs to provide care as part of integrated multidisciplinary Primary Care Teams. Officials in my Department are in consultation with the HSE with a view to drawing up a new contract. The appropriate arrangements in relation to phlebotomy services and other such services will be considered as part of the new contract.
Health Service Expenditure
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:171 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his estimate of the total sum expended by the population on health services, including Exchequer funding, contributions to health insurance providers and direct payments by patients to general practitioners and to all other private health service providers; if he will provide the breakdown of the total by each of the above headings and any other outlay headings that occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28821/12]
The most recent data on total expenditure on health in Ireland, which includes both public and private, refers to 2010 and is compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This indicates total expenditure of €14,334 million of which €9,964 million relates to public expenditure and €4,370 million to private expenditure. The latter figure includes expenditure on private health insurance (€1,817 million) and out-of pocket expenses (€2,489 million). Further breakdown on types of private health expenditure are not routinely available from the CSO.
In the interpretation of these figures it should be noted that the OECD data differs from the Revised Estimates figures for funding of the health group of Votes. e principal reason for this is that, to enable international comparability, the OECD excludes spending on a range of matters such as personal social services. It includes a much smaller amount related to spending by the Department of Social Protection on medical benefits. The Revised Estimates for the Public Services show expenditure for the health group of Votes in 2010 of €15,178 million.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 168.
General Medical Services Scheme
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:173 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he addresses as a matter of urgency the medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28827/12]
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.
Prescription Statistics
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:174 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form the number of prescriptions issued under the GMS and community drug schemes in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28829/12]
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:175 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form the number of items dispensed under the GMS and community drug schemes in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28830/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
The numbers of prescriptions issued and items dispensed under the GMS and community drug schemes in each of the past five years are set out in the table below:
|
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
|
Number of prescriptions issued |
18,737,510 |
17,508,000 |
16,333,000 |
15,648,000 |
14,780,000 |
|
Number of items dispensed |
70,890,230 |
68,186,000 |
66,950,000 |
64,762,000 |
59,953,000 |
Notes: (i) Number of prescriptions issued relates to GMS only. (ii) Data sources: Primary Care Reimbursement Service's Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments for years 2007 to 2010 and HSE's Performance Report (Supplementary) December 2011 for 2011.
Controlled Drug Sales
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:176 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of drugs prescribed under the GMS and community drug schemes in 2012; the way this compares with the cost in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28831/12]
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:179 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the proportion of the projected cost of drugs prescribed under the GMS and community drug scheme which relate to payment to manufacturers; the proportion which relates to wholesale distributors and retail pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28834/12]
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:180 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the projected cost to the State of payments under the drug payment scheme in 2012; the way this compares to each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28835/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 179 and 180 together.
HSE expenditure on drugs and non-drug items (dressings, etc.) under the GMS and community drug schemes for the years 2007 to 2011, including mark ups and dispensing fees for pharmacists and wholesalers, is set out in the following table:
|
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
|
Cost of drugs prescribed under the GMS and community drug schemes |
€1,851,930,928 |
€1,910,628,331 |
€2,010,085,866 |
€1,903,914,612 |
€1,746,983,378 |
Note: Data source for 2007 to 2010 — Primary Care Reimbursement Service's Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments. Data source for 2011 — Primary Care Reimbursement Service (unpublished data).
The relevant figures for the Drug Payment Scheme (which are included in the above table) are set out in the following table:
|
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
|
Cost of payments under the drug payment scheme |
€142,410,824 |
€173,440,000 |
€263,470,000 |
€315,030,000 |
€310,110,000 |
Note: Data source for 2007 to 2010 — Primary Care Reimbursement Service's Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments. Data source for 2011 — Primary Care Reimbursement Service (unpublished data).
In 2011, the cost associated with wholesale distribution under the GMS and community drugs schemes was €128,814,961, the total cost of fees paid to community pharmacy contractors was €345,509,388 and the cost of retail mark-up paid to community pharmacy contractors was €39,189,521. The balance of €1,338,417,058 represents the ex-factory cost of drugs and non-drug items plus applicable VAT.
The published HSE Performance Report for January 2012 gives a projected cost for GMS and community drugs schemes in 2012 of €1,745,736,000, including €162,910,000 for the Drug Payment Scheme. A breakdown of projected costs associated with wholesale distribution is not available. The projected cost of pharmacy fees under the GMS is €263,108,000. The projected cost of retail margins and fees under the DPS and LTI is unavailable. There is no retail margin under GMS.
Prescription Charges
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:177 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card patients who are paying the maximum €10 a month charge for prescription medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28832/12]
The information sought is currently being collated by the Health Service Executive and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Medical Cards
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:178 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in tabular form the number of full medical cards in issuance at the end of each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28833/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Questions Nos. 179 and 180 answered with Question No. 176.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:181 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28859/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Care of the Elderly
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:182 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any extra home help hours will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28860/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:183 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if it will be possible to enable the social worker currently dealing with a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to continue dealing with the case after July next in view of the particular circumstances in the household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28861/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Cards
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:184 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to refuse a medical card and refer for appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28862/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
John O'Mahony
Ceist:185 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to an application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28893/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Taxi Regulations
Anthony Lawlor
Ceist:186 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to date regarding the taxi review to deal with short-term and medium-term measures to tackle tax and social welfare non compliance and illegal operations; if enhanced co-operation between the National Transport Authority, the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28697/12]
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003 and is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report.
I understand from the NTA that work is progressing on all 46 Actions proposed and eight of the short-term actions have been implemented to date. Delivery of the actions concerning the enhanced level of information and data exchange between the NTA, the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners has been completed. In addition, the collaboration between the Garda Síochána and the NTA has been strengthened towards more effective ‘on-street' and a greater level of ‘off-street' compliance and enforcement as proposed under action 24 of the Review Report.
The timetable for implementation of the remaining actions is set out in the Review Report with short-term actions to be implemented this year and medium-term actions to be implemented after 2012. The NTA makes quarterly reports on progress to the Taxi Advisory Committee which includes representation from the key stakeholder groups including representatives of consumer interests and the taxi industry.
Public Transport
Tom Fleming
Ceist:187 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate the possibility of providing a bus service between Dublin Airport and County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28800/12]
The NTA is responsibility for Bus Passenger Route Licensing.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
Road Network
Robert Dowds
Ceist:188 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update as to when building work on a grade separated junction at Newlands Cross, N7, will commence; the length of time it will take to construct and the plan for its construction [28818/12]
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. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Driving Tests
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:189 Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider asking the Chartered Institute of Logistics in Transport which administers the transport management CPC governing the educational requirement for those wishing to become transport managers to address the lack of course providers based in Sligo and the fact that there was no course provided there in the past two years (details supplied). [28819/12]
I am informed by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, which is responsible for overseeing the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) course and examination, that demand for the CPC has fallen by 67% since 2005. The number sitting exams in the country in 2011 was 402, and in 2010 was 517, spread over three exam sessions per year. Demand per region is therefore quite low — in Sligo in particular, there were 7 candidates in total for the examination in 2010 and 4 candidates in 2011. Despite the low numbers, I understand these candidates had their courses provided in Sligo, at times which suited them. This year to date there are no candidates in Sligo for the CPC examination.
Given the relatively low numbers of candidates generally, it is not possible for every town to have its own resident course provider. The current service for Sligo is provided by a person based in Galway, and I understand that the Institute is satisfied that the CPC course service currently provided for the Sligo region is suitable to meet the demand there.