Vol. 773 No. 2
8 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the most recent discussions he has held with the EC regarding his attempts to seek an extension to the derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35420/12]
24 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to address the ongoing issues regarding the implementation of the ban on turf cutting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35036/12]
28 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts he has made to resolve the outstanding issues in relation to turf cutting; the engagement he and his Department have had with the TCCA and with other stakeholders and with officials at a European level; and the way he proposes to bring the situation to a successful conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35432/12]
37 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the proposed approach by his Department to the raised bog SAC managment plan that outstanding issues be resolved over the coming 12 months and the commitment to engage with the local liaison committees, the steps being taken by him to progress this matter; if he has met with any of the local committees; if he has examined alternative proposals in local areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35433/12]
44 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if arising from ongoing difficulties through compliance with EU directives in respect of special areas of conservation and-or other environmental conservation measures, he has in mind any proposals to liaise with the EU institutions in an effort to review or minimise the negative economic impact on this economy at this particular time; if he has studied submissions made from other parts of the EU wherein pleas for such accommodation due to economic circumstances might become acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35328/12]
198 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent he has satisfactorily concluded negotiations with traditional turf cutters affected by special areas of conservation or other conservation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35779/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 24, 28, 37, 44 and 198 together.
Earlier this year, at the request of the Government, Mr Conor Skehan, Chair 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 (TCCA), 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.
In his report, Justice Quirke recommended that a national plan should be prepared to examine how the 53 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are to be protected. This recommendation was agreed to by Government and Dáil Éireann also gave unanimous support to a Private Members' Motion, which called for such a national plan to be put in place within the terms of the Habitats Directive. On the 3rd of April last, a delegation led by Minister Hogan and I 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.
The Plan will be wide-ranging, looking at the practical aspects of conserving, restoring 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 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 at national level through the Peatlands Council.
With specific regard to Question No. 8, I assume the derogation the Deputy refers to is that which was applied to raised bog SACs. In its infringement action against Ireland, the European Commission contended that the derogation granted by then Minister Síle de Valera was a contravention of EU law. Accordingly, I am advised that an extension to the derogation, or allowing for continued turf-cutting while the Plan is being prepared, is not legally possible.
While the over-whelming majority of turf-cutters on raised bog SACS have complied with the law this year, some unauthorised turf-cutting has been undertaken. Such matters will be addressed through prosecution and cross-reporting processes. The State may also pursue contractors and turf-cutters involved in damage to raised bog SACs, to meet the costs of remediating any environmental damage done.
The Government has put in place a flexible package of compensation for affected turf cutters. Those who choose to cease cutting turf completely can apply for compensation of €1,500 per annum for the next 15 years. Eligible cutters are also entitled to a one-off payment of €500 for this year. This means the total compensation package is worth €23,000, index linked and tax-free.
For those who wish to continue cutting, my Department is working to relocate turf cutters to alternative, undesignated bogs. Turf has now been cut on the first of these relocation bogs and others are being prepared, or are being identified in consultation with affected cutters. Where relocation bogs are not yet available, turf-cutters can choose between a €1,500 payment, or the delivery of 15 tonnes of turf, each year while the relocation bog is being identified, acquired and prepared for cutting. They will also be entitled to the one-off €500 payment. To date, more than 2,250 applications for compensation or relocation have been received by my Department, with payments issued to some 840 applicants to date.
My Department is maintaining ongoing contact with the European Commission in response to the infringement action and will continue to work closely with it in the development of the National Plan.
My Department is also in contact with several turf-cutting groups, seeking long-term resolutions to the issues for their particular bogs. This process will continue as part of the preparation of the National Plan. The Peatlands Council, which comprises turf-cutter, land-owner and environmental stakeholder groups, is continuing with its important work. However, given that the TCCA regrettably withdrew from the Peatlands Council last autumn and has, since March, maintained a position of non-involvement, I would again urge the TCCA to consider whether it could more effectively represent its members' interests through engaging with the Government and other relevant partners.
9 D’fhiafraigh Michael Colreavy den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta mar gheall ar an scéim a thug an tAire isteach in ionad Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge, cé mhéid fiosrúchán atá faighte ag an Roinn ag lorg an phacáiste, cén teagmháil atá déanta ag an Roinn leis na daoine sin ó shin; cé mhéid pacáiste atá roinnte amach; cad atá sa phacáiste anois. [35032/12]
Ar an 26 Aibreán 2012, d'fhógair mé an Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh a bhfuil sé mar aidhm aige an Ghaeilge a threisiú mar theanga teaghlaigh agus pobail sa Ghaeltacht i gcomhréir leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Faoin gClár seo, tá mo Roinnse ag tógáil 12 beart ar leith chun tacú le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá ag tógáil a gclann le Gaeilge nó a dteastaíonn uathu a gclann a thógáil le Gaeilge.
Mar chuid de na bearta seo, táthar ag soláthar pacáiste tacaíochta do thuismitheoirí a dhéanann teagmháil le mo Roinnse. Go dtí seo, tá 87 iarratas faighte ag mo Roinnse don phacáiste tacaíochta. Tá leabhrán sa phacáiste tacaíochta do thuismitheoirí, a bhfuil sé mar chuspóir aige comhairle phraiticiúil a chur ar thuismitheoirí maidir le páistí a thógáil le Gaeilge, chomh maith le dlúthdhiosca rannta agus leabhar rannta atá oiriúnach do pháistí. Tá obair idir lámha ag mo Roinnse faoi láthair i dtreo cur leis an bpacáiste tacaíochta seo.
10 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the initiatives he plans to bring forward to rectify the fact that Ireland is at the bottom of the EU culture programme league tables as highlighted in a recent report by Euclid International; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35426/12]
The Culture Programme is the EU support programme for organisations working in the field of culture. There are Cultural Contact Points in each of the participating countries of the EU Culture Programme. Their role is to provide information, advice and technical assistance to anyone in the country interested in applying to the EU for funding under the Culture Programme 2007-2013. The CCP in Ireland is based at the Arts Council.
Since 2007, Irish cultural organisations have been involved in 33 EU projects that have received grants in excess of €15.6m from the Culture Programme. The Irish take of these grants is estimated to be in the region of €3.3m.Recent statistics show that Ireland's participation is improving and organisations are now more likely to look to Europe for funding. Overall, the picture is optimistic for Irish application levels to gain a critical mass in the near future, judging by the increased level of interest in the past three years.
An examination of the report by Euclid International does not support the claim that Ireland is bottom of the EU Culture Programme league table. Ireland's percentage take from the Programme is broadly in line with our population size and, by the report's own admission, there are a number of difficulties in providing any definitive analysis.
11 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to ensure that the posts of CEO of Culture Ireland and the director of the National Museum are openly advertised and recruited by interview panels consisting of a majority of outside experts to ensure transparency in the recruitment process; the date on which this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35410/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, the position of Director of the National Museum of Ireland is a statutory one and is currently being filled on an acting basis. My officials are liaising with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the filling of this post on a permanent basis. When sanctioned by that Department, it is intended that the position will be filled by means of an open competition conducted through the Public Appointments Service.
In relation to the position of CEO of Culture Ireland, the Deputy will be aware that this position has recently been filled on an acting basis for a period of 15 months. In the Government's Public Service Reform Plan of 17 November 2011, Culture Ireland is listed as an entity to be critically reviewed in the context of its functions being merged into my Department. Consultations are ongoing with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard, with a view to the matter being further considered by Government at the appropriate time.
12 D’fhiafraigh Seán Crowe den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén maoiniú atá curtha ar fáil le haghaidh oideachais tríú leibhéal sa Ghaeltacht ag Roinn na Gaeltachta sna cúig bliana seo a chuaigh thart; cé mhéid a bheidh le fáil an bhliain seo chugainn. [35031/12]
Tá maoiniú gur fiú beagnach €7m i bhfoirm cúnaimh reatha agus €1.35m i bhfoirm cúnaimh chaipitil curtha ar fáil faoi scéimeanna mo Roinnse le haghaidh oideachais tríú leibhéil sa Ghaeltacht san iomlán ó 2007 i leith. Cuimsítear sa chúnamh seo na hionaid Ghaeltachta ar fad atá faoi scáth Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, a fheidhmíonn faoi Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.
Níor mhiste dom a mhiniú chomh maith gur bhunaigh mo Roinnse ciste ar leith in 2006, atáá reáchtáil i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an Údarás um Ard-Oideachas, chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil le forbairt a dhéanamh ar shainchúrsaí Gaeilge tríú leibhéal. Faoin gciste sin, tá suim iomlán de bheagnach €3.04m curtha ar fáil ó 2007 go dáta d'Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh agus d'Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Leitir Ceanainn le 3 shainchúrsa ar leith a sholáthar. Tá na cúrsaí sin á reáchtáil faoi láthair in ionaid Ghaeltachta de chuid Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge ar an gCeathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe agus i nGaoth Dobhair, Co. Dhún na nGall. Sa bhreis air sin, tá suim iomlán €370,000 íoctha leis an gcomhlacht Europus ó 2009 go dáta le sainchúrsa ar leith a sholáthar.
Níl aon chinneadh déanta ag an bpointe ama seo maidir le maoiniú reatha le haghaidh oideachais tríú leibhéil don bhliain acadúil 2012/2013.
14 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the Australian Government’s initiative regarding arts and culture, which had been designed to radically change the country’s creative landscape over a ten year period with the specific aim of creating a more enlightened, cohesive and creative citizenry; his plans to introduce a similar initiative in Ireland by way of a national cultural policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35429/12]
The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit.
The Programme for Government 2011-2016, along with my Department’s Statement of Strategy, has the overall goal of promoting and developing Ireland’s world-class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, and maximising their societal, economic and reputational value for the country.
As the Deputy will know, responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and my Department has no role to play in its executive or funding decisions.
I understand, however, that Arts Council members and staff have met their Australian counterparts on several occasions in recent years, and remain in contact with them and arts practitioners in other countries. The Arts Council continues to monitor arts developments throughout the world and adopt good practice, where practicable.
15 D’fhiafraigh John McGuinness den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid airgid a shábhálfar trí Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chur isteach in Oifig an Ombudsman, an bhfuil sé sásta le gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge le muintir na Gaeltachta. [35395/12]
45 D’fhiafraigh Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén plé atá déanta idir é féin agus an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe maidir lena chinneadh siúd faoin Choimisinéir Teanga a tharraingt siar. [35026/12]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 15 agus 45 le chéile.
D'fhógair an Rialtas ar an 17 Samhain 2011 go raibh cinneadh tógtha feidhmeanna Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman agus go raibh an cinneadh sin le cur i gcrích i gcomhthéacs an athbhreithnithe ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Tógadh an cinneadh sin mar chuid de Phlean Athchóirithe an Rialtais don tSeirbhís Phoiblí. Faoin bPlean sin, tá sé beartaithe ag an Rialtas go ndéanfar cuíchóiriú ar 48 comhlacht poiblí faoi dheireadh na bliana 2012. Ina theannta sin, bhí athbhreithniú criticiúil le déanamh ar 46 comhlacht poiblí eile faoi dheireadh na míosa seo caite.
Tá sé ráite go soiléir ag an Rialtas nach sábháil airgid amháin atáá lorg sna cúrsaí seo. Mar atá ráite ibPlean Athchóirithe an Rialtais don tSeirbhís Phoiblí, tiocfaidh na buntáistí is suntasaí as timpeallacht riaracháin níos simplí agus níos éifeachtaí a bheith ann, rud a thabharfaidh cuntasacht dhaonlathach níos fearr, níos lú dúblála agus línte freagrachta níos soiléire don saoránach.
Glactar leis, ar ndóigh, go dtagann saincheisteanna chun cinn do na heagraíochtaíéagsúla atá i gceist de thoradh na gcinntí seo agus go bhféadfadh leasuithe reachtaíochta a bheith san áireamh chomh maith. Tá coiste athchóirithe bunaithe ag mo Roinnse chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na saincheisteanna ábhartha a bhaineann leis na heagraíochtaí ar leith a thagann faoina scáth. Tá an coiste seo ag plé leis na heagraíochtaíéagsúla atá i gceist, lena n-áirítear Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, le gur féidir cinntí an Rialtais a chur i bhfeidhm ar bhealach éifeachtach agus éifeachtúil. Tá plé rialta idir mo Roinnse agus an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe i dtaca leis na hábhair seo fosta.
Tá tuarascálacha ar dhul chun cinn maidir le cur i bhfeidhm cinntí an Rialtais i gcás na n-áisíneachtaí a thagann faoi scáth mo Roinnse agus a bhfuil comhtháthú le déanamh orthu, curtha faoi bhráid na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe ag mo Roinnse le gairid. Bheinn ag súil go rachfar faoi bhráid an Rialtais arís i dtráth cuí chun dlús a chur le cur i bhfeidhm na gcinntí i gcás na n-áisíneachtaí seo, lena n-áirítear Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga. Tuigfidh na Teachtaí, ar ndóigh, nach bhfuil ar mo chumas san idirlinn bheith níos sonraí faoi na cúrsaí seo.
16 D’fhiafraigh Dessie Ellis den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid cruinniú a bhí ag na coistí ardfheidhmeannach atá ag comhordú chur chun cinn na Straitéise Fiche Bliain ón am deireanach ar thóg sé ceisteanna Gaeltachta agus cén dul chun cinn atá déanta. [35033/12]
27 D’fhiafraigh Willie O’Dea den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé na cruinnithe atá i gceist a bheith aige leis an Roinn Oideachais mar gheall ar an nGaeilge a mhúineadh ag an gcéad leibhéal agus an dara leibhéal; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [35392/12]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 16 agus 27 le chéile.
Tá struchtúir ar leith bunaithe chun an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge a sheachadadh agus eagraítear cruinnithe, de réir mar is gá, faoi na struchtúir éagsúla, lena n-áirítear Coiste Rialtais, grúpa oifigeach sinsearach, grúpa idir-Rannach agus grúpaí ardleibhéil.
Maidir leis an gCoiste Rialtais ar an nGaeilge agus ar an nGaeltacht, a bhfuil an Taoiseach mar chathaoirleach air, bhí an cruinniú deireanach den Choiste sin ar an 5 Meitheamh agus beidh an chéad chruinniú eile ann amárach. Mar a bheifí ag siúl leis, bíonn cúrsaí oideachais faoi chaibidil ag an gCoiste Rialtais ó thráth go céile.
Maidir leis an nGrúpa Idir-Rannach atá ag feidhmiú faoi mo chathaoirleacht, bhí an cruinniú deireanach den ghrúpa sin ar an 27 Meitheamh chun cur i bhfeidhm réimsí sonracha gnímh sa Straitéis a bhrú chun cinn ar bhealach comhtháite.
Chomh maith leis na grúpaí sin, tá trí ghrúpa oibre ardleibhéil bunaithe ag mo Roinnse leis na príomhpháirtithe leasmhara chun dlús a chur le feidhmiú réimsí gnímh éagsúla den Straitéis. Eagraítear cruinnithe de na grúpaí oibre sin, de réir mar is gá. Mar shampla, bhí an cruinniúdeireanach den ghrúpa oibre ardleibhéil idir mo Roinnse agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna ar an 5 Meitheamh.
17 D’fhiafraigh Gerry Adams den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid scéim teanga atá daingnithe ag an Roinn ó thús na bliana agus an féidir leis clár ama a thabhairt dúinn faoin méid atá fós le daingniú; an féidir leis liosta de na scéimeanna teanga atá imithe in éag le breis agus trí bliana a thabhairt dúinn freisin. [35023/12]
Tá trí scéim teanga daingnithe agam faoi fhorálacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla go dtí seo i mbliana. Ciallaíonn sé seo go bhfuil 107 scéim teanga san iomlán, a chlúdaíonn 192 comhlacht poiblí, daingnithe ón uair gur tháinig an tAcht i bhfeidhm. De réir fhorálacha an Achta, tá feidhm ag scéim teanga ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana ón uair a dhaingnítear í nó go ndaingnítear scéim nua, cibé acu is déanaí. Dá bhrí sin, tá feidhm i gcónaí le gach scéim teanga atá daingnithe go dtí seo ag mo Roinnse. Tá sonraí maidir leis na scéimeanna atá daingnithe go dáta, mar aon leis na scéimeanna atáá n-ullmhú faoi latháir, ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, www.coimisineir.ie.
Tá plé leanúnach ar siúl ag oifigigh mo Roinne le comhlachtaí poiblí maidir le scéimeanna teanga a ullmhú agus a aontú. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá suas le 20 dréachtscéim á bplé go gníomhach ag mo Roinnse faoi láthair agus tá mé dóchasach go ndéanfar dul chun cinn sásúil chun tuilleadh scéimeanna a aontú faoi dheireadh na bliana seo.
18 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will meet with representatives of the save Moore Street campaign to hear their concerns regarding the need to preserve the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35415/12]
19 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the consent application to build on the historic site of 14-17 Moore Street which requires his approval in order to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35438/12]
20 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there has been any further contact with the National Asset Management Agency with a view to incorporating some form of historical area connected with Moore Street and the 1916 Rising and the proposed adjacent commercial development now under the control of NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35437/12]
23 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he expects to make a decision on allowing a new development near the Moore Street national monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35413/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 20, inclusive, and 23 together.
Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street are the subject of a Preservation Order under the National Monuments Acts. The effect of the Preservation Order is that any works affecting these properties require my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended. The landowner's application to my Department for consent to proposals that envisage the retention of the buildings and the provision of a commemorative centre to the 1916 Rising is being examined. In that context, I have visited the site and met various interest groups, including relatives of the 1916 Leaders.
As part of the consent process, in accordance with the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposed Demolition of National Monuments) Regulations 2012, which I made last week, the consent applicant has been asked by my Department to submit an environmental impact statement in relation to any elements of the proposal that would involve demolition works. The Regulations introduce new provisions into the National Monuments Acts to provide for the carrying out of an environmental impact assessment in relation to any works to a national monument requiring my consent under those Acts that involve an element of demolition. Following receipt of the environmental impact statement, and having completed the prescribed consultation procedures, I will undertake a formal environmental impact assessment before making a decision on the consent application.
Any wider plans for the development of the Moore Street area would be a matter for the relevant landowners and the development authority, Dublin City Council. I have no statutory function in relation to the operations of the National Assets Management Agency.
21 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the advice he would give for alternative funding for an organisation (details supplied) which has studios in Swords, Athlone, Navan, Ashbourne, Finglas, Balbriggan and Portlaoise in view of the fact they do not qualify for funding from the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35362/12]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Priority Question No. 3.
22 D’fhiafraigh Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair a fhoilseofar an t-athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. [35022/12]
Mar thoradh ar phróiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí a reáchtáladh mar chuid den athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, fuarthas timpeall 1,400 freagra ar shuirbhé maidir le seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge ó chomhlachtaí poiblí, chomh maith le 260 aighneacht óhiliomad páirtithe leasmhara, lena n-áirítear Ranna Rialtais agus comhlachtaí poiblí eile, eagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta agus an pobal i gcoitinne. Tá anailís ar na moltaíéagsúla a fuarthas ar siúl ag oifigigh mo Roinne faoi láthair.
Táthar ag súil go bhfoilseofar tuarascáil ar an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin san fhómhar chomh maith le torthaí an tsuirbhé agus na haighneachtaí a fuarthas uathu siúd a chuir in iúl go raibh siad sásta go bhfoilseofaí iad.
Tar éis don athbhreithniú a bheith curtha i gcrích, déanfar an cás do leasú na reachtaíochta a bhreithniú agus cuirfear moltaí cuí i dtaca leis sin faoi bhráid an Rialtais.
25 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied that adequate funding remains available to facilitate the full progress of promotional requirement needed by his Department notwithstanding the budgetary restrictions necessitated to comply with the memorandum of understanding entered into by his predecessors; if he is further satisfied of his ability to ensure sustainable growth throughout the sector in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35327/12]
As the Deputy will appreciate, in the current economic circumstances, the Government is faced with difficult decisions with regard to framing budgets for expenditure. In order to ensure that the best use is made of limited financial resources and to provide a basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation, the Government embarked on a detailed Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) in 2011. The objectives of the CRE were to provide the Government with a comprehensive set of decision options:
to meet the overall fiscal consolidation objectives, both as regards spending and numbers reduction targets;
to re-align spending with the Programme for Government priorities; and
in this context, to consider new ways of achieving Government objectives in the context of public sector reform.
Within this context, my Department's allocations reflect the outcome of both the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the Review of Capital Expenditure carried out last year. While my Department's 2012 REV Allocation of €268.451m represents a 9% reduction when compared with the 2011 provisional out-turn, to the greatest extent possible, savings are being largely achieved through efficiencies rather than through reductions in services and my Department continues to place emphasis on:
supporting jobs in the film and TV sector and in the Gaeltacht;
targeting investment in priority areas in the culture and heritage sectors that will support cultural tourism as one of the most important elements of Ireland's tourism product;
complying with EU Directives, including investment in alternative solutions for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting in Special Areas of Conservation; and
supporting the built heritage, strategic developments in our National Parks and the development of our waterways in the context of the implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrew's Agreements.
I am satisfied that it will be possible to continue to make good progress and to facilitate promotional efforts appropriately, on foot of the prudent use of available funding.
26 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has been briefed by the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, on the recent discovery of asbestos in the theatre building; if he is satisfied with the proposed programmes of repair to the historic national theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35039/12]
I can confirm to the Deputy that I have been briefed in relation to the discovery of asbestos in the Abbey Theatre. Officials from my Department are in contact with the management of the Abbey Theatre on progress in relation to the asbestos removal works. I understand that the requisite removal work has been completed in respect of the Peacock Theatre area of the Abbey complex and that work will commence this week on the removal of asbestos from the Abbey auditorium. I am advised that this work, which is taking place under appropriate expert supervision, should be completed by early September. In the interim, I understand that the Abbey Theatre's production of Sean O'Casey's "The Plough and the Stars" will be relocated to the O'Reilly Theatre on Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1.
32 D’fhiafraigh Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas maidir le maoiniú leanúnach le haghaidh Eagraíocht na Scoil-eanna Gaeltachta. [35025/12]
Ceadaíodh deontas arbh fhiú€70,000 é d'Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta i mí na Samhna 2011 i leith tréimhse 6 mhíó Nollaig 2011 go deireadh mí na Bealtaine 2012. Tá€11,898 den deontas sin fós le híoc. Chomh luath is a chuirtear cuntas críochnúil don tréimhse iomlán sin faoi bhráid mo Roinne — ar cuireadh fios air ar an 29 Meitheamh 2012 — beifear in ann gníomhú mar is gá.
Tá an t-iarratas atá déanta ag Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta ar mhaoiniú don tréimhse ó Mheitheamh go Nollaig 2012 á mheas faoi láthair. Tá mo Roinnse ag fanacht ar shoiléiriú breise ón eagraíocht maidir le gnéithe áirithe den iarratas agus déanfar cinneadh chomh luath agus a bheidh an t-eolas seo ar fáil. Cuirfear san áireamh mar is cuí na forbairtí is deireanaí atá tagtha ar an gceist faoi chónascadh idir Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna.
33 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that the recent Euro Barometer Aggregate Report 2011 on Well Being ranks culture as number 8 out of 9 factors that contribute to well-being alongside the economy, civic life and the environment, his plans to ensure that culture and heritage is utilised to transform our cities and towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35430/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department's Mission Statement includes the promotion and protection of Ireland's heritage and culture. In this regard, our national cultural institutions are a key part of cultural landscape and contribute hugely to the overall well-being of our society. Through their collections, staffing and contribution to knowledge, they are essential building blocks of the cultural identity and creativity of our country.
My Department also support a number of regional museums, galleries and cultural centres throughout the country, which complement the work of our national cultural institutions. In addition to this, there are a number of specific initiatives which are designed to increase cultural participation and inclusiveness in our cities and towns. For example, for the last number of years, my Department has provided funding towards the Culture Night initiative. This initiative has continued to grow on a yearly basis and in 2011 a record 30 towns and cities throughout the island of Ireland participated, showcasing the best of our artistic and cultural heritage. Plans for Culture Night 2012 are well advanced and it is hoped that this year's event will build on the success and popularity of previous years to create a unique offering of memorable experiences involving local arts, culture and heritage communities, which will hopefully stimulate repeat visits to cultural attractions.
The National Museum also supports an active programme of loans from its collections to local and regional museums throughout the country. My Department also operates a mobility of collections scheme under which funding is made available for local/regional galleries and museums for particular costs associated with collaborative projects with the National Cultural Institutions.
On the heritage side, my Department is currently promoting the role which Ireland's heritage has to play in making our country an attractive destination for sustainable tourism and inward investment, both in terms of the operation of Ireland's national parks and nature reserves, and in terms of our unique built heritage, which distinguishes us and which makes Ireland an attractive tourist location for both visitors and Irish people themselves. Cultural and heritage tourism is one of the most important elements of Ireland's tourism product and heritage properties, including those in State care, are an important element of that attraction.
My Department provides some limited funding under a number of headings for investment in the built and natural heritage, and also supports the Heritage Council and the Irish Heritage Trust in their work in the heritage area. However, the scope to provide additional funding for the protection, conservation and development of the State's built heritage is constrained by the current national economic difficulties and the significant reduction in the public finances. My Department is, therefore, focusing on working creatively across Government and with partner bodies, such as the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Fáilte Ireland, the LEADER Programme and other heritage interests, in seeking to ensure that resources are directed towards the heritage sector. My Department will also continue to provide funding for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, in so far as resources allow.
34 D’fhiafraigh Martin Ferris den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén próiseas atá ar intinn aige chun cuí-chóiriú a dhéanamh ar na heagrais bhunmhaoinithe faoi scáth Fhoras na Gaeilge. [35024/12]
Is é Foras na Gaeilge atá i mbun na hoibre a bhaineann le cuíchóiriú a dhéanamh ar a chuid eagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe. Tá an obair seo ar siúl ag Foras na Gaeilge faoi réir na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas.
Ag an gcruinniú den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas ar an 9 Iúil 2012, rinne Foras na Gaeilge cur i láthair don Chomhairle inar tugadh léargas ar an dul chun cinn maidir le múnla nua maoinithe a fhorbairt. Nótáil an Chomhairle go bhfuair Foras na Gaeilge 167 aighneacht le linn an phróisis chomhairliúcháin phoiblí a chríochnaigh i mí Aibreáin 2012. Nótáil an Chomhairle fosta plean athbhreithnithe forfheidhmiúcháin don athbhreithniúó Fhoras na Gaeilge. Iarradh ar Fhoras na Gaeilge moltaí críochnaitheacha maoinithe a chur ar fáil ag an gcéad chruinniú eile teanga de chuid na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas.
Mar a cuireadh in iúl cheana, tá maoiniú eatramhach ceadaithe ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas do na heagraíochtaí bunmhaoinithe go dtí an 30 Meitheamh 2013.
35 D’fhiafraigh Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta sonraí a thabhairt faoi líon na ndeontas caipitil, fostaíochta, taighde agus forbartha agus staidéar féidirtheachta ina n-iomláine agus iad a bhriseadh síos de réir gach réigiúin Gaeltachta. [35030/12]
Foilsítear an t-eolas uile atá iarrtha ag an Teachta i dtuarascáil bhliantúil agus cuntais Údaráis na Gaeltachta a leagtar os comhair Thithe an Oireachtais gach bliain.
36 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans regarding the fact that the Irish Government has the worst track record at EU Council meeting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35427/12]
The period referred to in the Deputy's Question predates the formation of the current Government and my appointment as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
As the Irish Minister with responsibility for the culture elements of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (EYCS), I attend meetings of that Council grouping, as required. There have been three meetings of the EYCS grouping from 9 March 2011 to date. Of the three meetings of the EYCS Council, there was ministerial attendance at two of the meetings. The meeting which I was unable to attend coincided with Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland and I arranged that the meeting be attended in my stead by a senior official from the Permanent Representative in Brussels.
In relation to the Environmental Council, I also attend meetings when significant items relating to my Ministerial responsibilities under the Heritage remit are on the agenda. I attended this Council in December 2011 and June 2012.
40 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to protect and promote Traveller culture and heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35435/12]
While I have no statutory function in relation to traveller culture and heritage, I understand that the Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park House, near Castlebar, has staged a number of projects with travellers and, indeed, has regular engagement with the traveller community, including with St Catherine's Traveller Education Centre in Castlebar.
I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, has also made funding available for projects related to traveller heritage.
41 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific steps which the National Parks and Wildlife Service is taking to address the decimation of the corncrake population in the Shannon callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35037/12]
My Department and other Government Departments have put substantial work and funding towards the conservation of the corncrake in the Shannon Callows. This includes agri-environment payments to farmers, research into the needs of this species and cause for its decline, and grant-aid to a leading NGO to have field workers on site over the summer months for many years. The key areas used by corncrakes in the Callows were designated as a Special Protection Area, under the EU Birds Directive.
The agri-environment schemes which have been used include a Corncrake Grant Scheme, measures under REPS, the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme and further top-up payments and emergency measures. These were deemed necessary as the bird requires hay meadows or similar vegetation to live in, but nests are destroyed by cutting and so, for the bird to survive, farmers must cut the crop later than would be normal.
In spite of these measures, heavy rainfall led to flooding of the lands in the summers of 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008, causing a great decline in the population. Only the calling males can be detected: the number fell from 23 in 2005 to just 2 in 2010 and only one in 2011 and 2012.
Conservation efforts are still ongoing in this SPA. Existing contracts are being honoured in the NPWS scheme, but as the scheme budget is curtailed, no new plans are currently being entered into.
The Middle Shannon Callows SPA is unique among the Corncrake SPAs in having early and mid season cover in abundance and throughout the site. There is no need to create such cover for Corncrake. This site will continue to be monitored on an annual basis and the Corncrake Grant Scheme will be used if birds are suspected to be breeding on the Callows.
42 D’fhiafraigh Brian Stanley den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéid páiste a d’fhreastail ar na Naíonraí agus na Naíolanna Gaeltachta sna cúig bliana seo a chuaigh thart agus cé mhéid duine atá ar na rollaí acu don bhliain seo chugainn. [35034/12]
Tá an t-eolas maidir le líon na bpáistí a d'fhreastail ar naíonraí agus ar naíolanna Gaeltachta atá cláraithe le Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo. do na blianta 2008-2012 agus an figiúr measta don bhliain 2013 léirithe sna táblaí thíos.
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 (Meastachán) |
|
930 |
934 |
927 |
934 |
931 |
940 |
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 (Meastachán) |
|
280 |
380 |
420 |
400 |
400 |
450 |
43 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to publish data relating to public spending which would indicate the contribution made by the arts to combating poverty and exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35431/12]
The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit.
The Programme for Government 2011-2016, along with my Department’s Statement of Strategy, has the overall goal of promoting and developing Ireland’s world-class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, and maximising their societal, economic and reputational value for the country.
My Department is, therefore, actively engaged in promoting the benefit of arts and culture to the wider community throughout the country. Our mandate seeks to promote access to and participation in, the arts by all sections of Irish society and to support our national cultural institutions in their work to preserve, protect and present our heritage and cultural assets. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that I have no statutory function in relation to poverty and exclusion.
As the Deputy will know, responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved primarily to the Arts Council, as the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following:
to stimulate public interest in the arts;
to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts; and
to assist in improving standards in the arts.
The Arts Council is a statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, including in relation to its funding decisions. I understand that, while the Arts Council does not have any specific initiatives in place the sole purpose of which would be to combat poverty or promote social inclusion, inclusion and wide social access to the arts has long been a core value of the Arts Council The outcome of this can be seen in the Council's funding decisions across all art forms and areas of arts practice and, in particular, in the funding through Arts Participation grants and in the grants for arts activity for Young People, Children and Education. Furthermore, the Council recently considered the matter of social inclusion and has identified the twin areas of Education and of Public Access and Engagement as priorities. It is also the case that the Arts Council’s long-standing partnership with local authorities throughout the country is premised in part on the understanding that local authority arts programmes often seek to address those sections of society with little or limited access to the arts.
46 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will report on his recent allocation of €712,000 for the protection of vulnerable structures; if he will consider initiating a nationwide audit of vulnerable sites in view of the current status, for example, of sites such as the historic Belcamp College, Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35038/12]
As the Deputy will appreciate, the scope to provide financial support for the State's heritage assets is constrained by the current significant reduction in the public finances. However, my Department will continue to provide funding for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, in so far as resources allow.
In 2012, my Department is providing €500,000 in grant-aid assistance through a Structures at Risk Fund. The Fund is intended to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000-2012 and, in certain cases, works to structures within Architectural Conservation Areas. I wish to advise the Deputy that I recently approved offers of funding to 41 conservation projects in 27 local authority areas under the Structures at Risk Fund. Details of projects in receipt of grant-aid offers will shortly be available on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie.
This year, in a complementary initiative, my Department introduced a Special Projects Fund. This Fund is administered directly by my Department and is intended to assist with works to safeguard structures of significant special interest protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012. The total amount available under the Fund in 2012 is €272,000. To date, I have committed €212,000 from the fund for conservation works to the internationally important St. Fin Barre's Cathedral in Cork city.
With regard to the matter of initiating a nationwide audit of vulnerable structures, I wish to advise the Deputy of mechanisms in place centrally and locally to protect our shared architectural heritage. Under the provisions of Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012, each planning authority is required to include in its development plan a Record of Protected Structures. The making of an addition to, or deletion from, a Record of Protected Structures is a reserved function of the planning authorities. Inclusion in the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them, seek to safeguard their future and serve notice to require works to be carried out in relation to endangerment of protected structures. Section 59 of the Act provides for a planning authority to serve notice to require works to be carried out in relation to endangerment of such structures. In the context of the foregoing, my Department does not collate comprehensive information on the numbers of vulnerable sites throughout the State.
Finally, as regards current and ongoing initiatives to assist in the safeguarding of our built heritage, I would draw the Deputy's attention to several key developments.
My Department, with the assistance of an Expert Advisery Committee representing key stakeholders, is currently concluding a review of the operation of Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2012. The review examined how this legislation is operating in practice regarding the protection and management of architectural heritage from a central and local government perspective and the need, in the light of current economic circumstances, to consider alternative ways of supporting the conservation of protected structures.
Separately, in the context of the Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015, my Department is developing various policy actions which contribute to the protection and appropriate re-use of our built heritage and aims to deal with on-going strategic objectives indirectly effecting our architectural heritage such as adaptive re-use for historic properties and a forward plan-led approach to cultural heritage and urban design in our towns and cities.
47 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in view of the limited facilities at the Bishop Street building, and taking into account the Decade of Centenaries and the 2013 Gathering, he proposes new and expanded facilities to house our National Archives, to make the full archives accessible at a single location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35360/12]
49 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if any proposal regarding the use of the Central Bank of Ireland building on Dame Street, Dublin, by the Bank of Ireland plc in exchange for their relinquishing of the old Irish Houses of Parliament building on College Green, Dublin, to the State to allow use of the latter as a permanent, expanded home for the National Archives has been made to his Department; if he has engaged with the Department of Finance or Bank of Ireland management in relation to such a proposal; if any other proposal is being considered by him in relation to the State acquiring the old Irish Houses of Parliament at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35040/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 49 together.
The National Archives building at Bishop Street, along with the associated facility at the Four Courts, is the permanent home for the National Archives. While there have been issues with the Bishop Street building over the years, my Department, with the Office of Public Works (which has overall responsibility for the building), has endeavored to improve the facilities there. Over the last year, almost €700,000 has been spent to replace the roof and defective shutters to make the warehouse watertight and to upgrade the quality of storage in the Four Courts. This work is key to safeguarding the State's archives and will be the first stage of a phased improvement scheme that will maximise the internal storage capacity of the Bishop Street facility. I am currently awaiting a costed scheme from the Office of Public Works in that regard.
While I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland and had a constructive engagement — which will continue — on the potential use of the Bank of Ireland building at College Green, that building remains in the ownership of the Bank. There are no plans envisaged to re-locate the National Archives to this location, as referred to by the Deputy.
I recognise the role that our national cultural institutions, including the National Archives, can play regarding the Government's Decade of Centenaries 2012 to 2022 programme. In that context, my Department is engaged with the institutions on the development of an appropriate commemorative programme. I have also written to certain national cultural associations with a view to them contributing to the Programme and I will consult further as the programme develops.
While The Gathering event is an initiative of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am conscious of the potential of our places of natural beauty, our national monuments and our sources of genealogy for attracting the Irish Diaspora to our shores. I have no doubt that all the appropriate bodies, including the cultural institutions, will play an important role in this regard.
48 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to introduce a cultural rights framework that would have the capacity to foster self expression, self esteem, creativity and civic participation, a rights system that would have the capacity to take account of the human person, especially of those voices unheard or marginalised in our society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35434/12]
While I have no particular plans to introduce a cultural rights framework or rights system as described by the Deputy, I acknowledge that the issues referred to form part of the essence of cultural and artistic expression in this country. As the Deputy is aware, the National Cultural Institutions are a key part of the cultural landscape. Through their collections, staffing and contribution to knowledge, they are essential building blocks in the cultural identity and creativity of Ireland. While education and access are operational matters for the institutions themselves, I am aware that these issues are taken very seriously by them. Through their education and outreach programmes, the institutions strive to ensure that the collections and resources are accessible to all sectors of our society. In addition, broadening accessibility to the arts is, of course, at the heart of Arts Council policy.
50 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35504/12]
The following table sets out the subsistence and mileage expenses paid to previous Ministers and Ministers of State of this Department during the period 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011. The table also includes official mobile phone charges paid on behalf of Ministers during this period:
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D, Minister for Foreign Affairs |
|||||
|
Subsistence |
4,975 |
2,034 |
|||
|
Mobile Phone charges |
6,792 |
2,981 |
|||
|
Mr. Micheál Martin T.D., Minister For Foreign Affairs |
|||||
|
Subsistence |
3,917 |
2,805 |
— |
2,594 |
|
|
Mobile Phone charges |
1,037 |
823 |
1,461 |
105 |
|
|
Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs |
|||||
|
Subsistence |
1,598 |
||||
|
Mileage |
36,462 |
||||
|
Mobile Phone charges |
676 |
||||
|
Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs |
|||||
|
Subsistence |
1,499 |
6,145 |
1,981 |
4,310 |
314 |
|
Mileage |
13,311 |
28,467 |
21,564 |
17,242 |
3,370 |
|
Mobile Phone charges |
476 |
1,442 |
565 |
||
|
Mr. Michael Kitt T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development |
|||||
|
Subsistence |
1,077 |
880 |
|||
|
Mileage |
13,322 |
17,697 |
|||
|
Mobile Phone charges |
896 |
1,082 |
|||
|
Mr. Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development |
|||||
|
Subsistence |
903 |
||||
|
Mileage |
8,177 |
||||
|
Mobile Phone charges |
1,492 |
||||
|
Mr. Peter Power T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development |
|||||
|
Subsistence |
3,714 |
3,751 |
3,227 |
||
|
Mileage |
15,175 |
27,919 |
9,144 |
||
|
Mobile Phone charges |
1,341 |
748.00 |
1,870 |
413 |
All expenditure is paid on a vouched basis apart from subsistence and mileage expenses relating to official travel which are paid at Department of Finance rates and in accordance with normal regulations. Official mobile phone costs were paid directly by the Department to the service providers.
In addition to the above, the Department paid directly for a range of services related to the conduct of the Ministers' official business, including air fares, hotel costs, car hire, airport charges, etc.
Some of these were paid by credit card and the amounts have been accounted in the Department's Financial Management System. In the time available, it is not possible to carry out the extensive research that would be required to identify the individual amounts that used a credit card as the method of payment.
51 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the updated figures for expenditure savings relevant to his Department as outlined in last years budget document. [35644/12]
52 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide figures for any potential savings in his Department planned for the next budget. [35645/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
The Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure sets out the following expenditure ceilings and savings for the Foreign Affairs Group (Votes 27 and 28):
|
2012 (€ million) |
2013 (€ million) |
2014 (€ million) |
|
|
Total allocations for gross current expenditure |
724 |
733 |
719 |
|
Savings measures introduced in 2012 |
55 |
56 |
56 |
|
Savings remaining to be specified (cumulative) |
44 |
94 |
The savings measures introduced in 2012 will result in savings of €56m annually for each of 2013 and 2014. These savings arise from reductions in the allocations for development cooperation, support for Irish emigrants and the reconciliation and anti-sectarian funds, and from the closure of three overseas missions.
Additional savings measures to be specified for 2013 and 2014 are under active consideration and will be disclosed in due course as part of the normal Estimates process.
53 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local Government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35684/12]
Details of funding provided by my Department to local authorities are set out in the table below.
|
Date |
Amount |
Purpose of Grant |
|
|
Limerick City Council |
May 2011 |
€14,432 |
Africa Day |
|
Limerick City Council |
May 2012 |
€9,625 |
Africa Day |
|
Cork City Council |
May 2012 |
€9,200 |
Africa Day |
|
Galway City Council |
May 2012 |
€10,000 |
Africa Day |
|
Monaghan County Council |
June 2012 |
€5,500 |
Exhibition panels and public lecture on Ulster Covenant centenary |
|
Cavan County Council |
June 2012 |
€14,750 |
Exhibition, public lectures and education programme on Ulster Covenant centenary |
Africa Day is an initiative of the African Union, which celebrates African diversity and success and the cultural and economic potential of the continent. In Ireland, events to celebrate Africa Day are supported by Irish Aid, the Government's programme for overseas development.
Funding for events associated with the centenary of the Ulster Covenant was drawn from the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds.
54 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the case of persons (details supplied) if the Irish State is responsible and does its duty include verification of State documents made in Ireland but which are claimed as falsified abroad by a judicial court or authority; if he will be in a position to be able to verify genuine Irish documents on behalf of the men involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35694/12]
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can authenticate documents executed in Ireland that are to be used in other countries. Irish Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad can legalise documents executed abroad for use in Ireland. Authenticating a document simply means confirming that a signature, seal or stamp appearing on the document is genuine. Legalising a document means authenticating it for the purpose of making it acceptable to an Irish court.
Authentication and legalisation do not mean that the content of a document is accurate or that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade approves of the content.
I understand that the wife of the person detained had a meeting with our Ambassador yesterday to discuss this further.
55 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have taken place between him and the Russian Embassy to recover costs totalling €155,166.04 related to the Admiral Kuznetsov incident in February 2009; when contact was last made with the Russian Embassy regarding same; the further efforts that will be made to recover the outstanding moneys; his views on the lack of action on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35713/12]
In 2009, after the Admiral Kuznetsov incident, the issue was discussed with the authorities of the Russian Federation in Dublin and in Moscow. This issue has been raised with the Russian authorities, including at senior official level earlier this year. It is our understanding, however, that following a letter from the Admiral Commander in Chief of the Navy of the Russian Federation to the Director of the Irish Coast Guard, outlining the results of an official investigation carried out and assurances that such an incident could not happen again, the matter is considered closed by the Russian authorities.
The Deputy will wish to be aware that the International Conventions UNCLOS and MARPOL, which inform the Sea Pollution Act 1991, covers these types of circumstances and specifically state that their provisions do not apply to warships. In the case of the Admiral Kuznetsov, as a naval vessel, the usual rules on pollution, as pertaining to commercial vessels, do not apply.
56 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of his stated commitment to climate justice at the UN last year, the input he is having in the drafting of the heads of a climate Bill by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. [35768/12]
In January of this year, my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan TD, issued a work programme for the development of a national climate policy. In accordance with this work programme, he will issue the Heads of a Climate Bill, by the end of 2012, for consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, following Government approval. I will be contributing actively to Government consideration of the draft Heads of a Climate Bill. As I stated at the United Nations last year, climate change is already having an enormous effect on the lives and the livelihoods of some of the poorest people in the world.
At the country level through our aid programme, Irish Aid, we have witnessed the effects of climate change on the ground. Through our development work, particularly in relation to our work to combat hunger, we have sought to provide assistance to help farmers and communities adapt to the changing environmental context. Through our support for pro-poor agricultural research we are assisting farmers become more productive through enhancing farm methods and improved seed varieties. We are scaling up many agricultural supports that deliver on both hunger and climate objectives, such as conservation agriculture, agro-forestry, crop diversification and the development and promotion of drought resistant crop and livestock varieties.
Irish Aid will continue strengthening its engagement on environment and climate change issues to safeguard the progress made to date in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and to protect the world's poorest communities from the increasing impacts of adverse weather events and growing environmental challenges. In this regard I would note that my Department has excellent co-operation with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, which is the Department with lead responsibility in relation to Ireland's climate change response. In the context of the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid, I am determined that this will continue in the future.
57 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 22 May 2012, the outcome of his raising the human rights issues in Western Sahara with the Moroccan Government during the Universal Periodic Review of Morocco which took place at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in May; the extent of his dialogue with both Morocco and France in trying to support the principle of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35851/12]
The 2nd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Morocco took place on 22 May 2012. Under the UPR process, each UN member state is subjected to a thorough review of its human rights record by the UN Human Rights Council approximately every four years. Ireland participates actively in the process, and submits questions and recommendations where appropriate to States undergoing review. In the course of the review of Morocco, Ireland raised its concerns about the human rights abuses in Western Sahara in particular reports of arbitrary arrest, detention and mistreatment of human rights defenders. Ireland recommended that independent and impartial inquiries should be carried out with respect to allegations of mistreatment in detention, and also recommended the inclusion of a broader human rights monitoring mechanism in the mandate of MINURSO, the UN peace-keeping mission in Western Sahara.
Morocco accepted Ireland's first recommendation with respect to inquiries into allegations of mistreatment in detention but rejected the recommendation of including a human rights monitoring mechanism in the mandate of MINURSO. The formal adoption of the report of Morocco's review is expected to take place during the 21st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in September 2012.
I regard the UPR process as an invaluable tool in raising standards and increasing awareness of human rights. While I regret that Morocco is not yet willing to accept the inclusion of a human rights monitoring mechanism in the mandate of MINURSO, I believe that its engagement with Human Rights Council special procedures is indicative of a greater willingness to engage with the international community on issues of mutual concern and also points to the gradual process of reform generally underway within the country which is to be welcomed and should be encouraged.
Ultimately, the most effective solution to the human rights issues arising in Western Sahara lies in a political resolution. Ireland continues to fully support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, and the continuing engagement of the United Nations in the search for a political solution in the territory based on the principle of self-determination. Regular contact is maintained by my Department with both the Moroccan Embassy and with the Polisario Representative in Ireland as regards developments in the Western Sahara while the issue is also regularly discussed with EU Partners in the relevant Council instances in Brussels. The EU also maintains an active dialogue with Morocco on political and human rights issues, including the Western Sahara.
While there had not been any breakthrough in a series of negotiations held earlier this year, I was encouraged that the two parties were engaging in dialogue with each other. The two sides were due to meet again in June and July for informal negotiations. I regret that these talks have not gone ahead as it is only through dialogue and engagement that the two sides will reach a political solution. I would encourage both parties to renew its engagement with the informal negotiations under the mandate of the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross.
58 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 on 22 May, if he has had any further contact with officials in Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State, the Minister for Justice and the prison authorities, in relation to the human rights issues of prisoners being held in prison in Northern Ireland, particularly Maghaberry Prison and the case of the prisoner who had been moved to Hydebank Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35852/12]
I have discussed this case with the Secretary of State on a number of occasions, most recently last week when we reviewed a number of issues. I have been assured that the process which has led to the prisoner's detention fully adhered to the law and that advice was sought from an independent body to verify that this action was pursued in a correct manner. The NIO has confirmed that a Royal Prerogative of Mercy was given to the prisoner on 30 April 1980 but that this pardon was only granted in respect of a sentence of twenty years for conspiracy to cause an explosion and was not granted in relation to the sentence of two terms of life imprisonment related to the Old Bailey bombing. On 22 February this contention was upheld by the Parole Commission which ruled that the prisoner is subject to life license in respect to the two life sentences. I understand that the prisoner's legal representatives are currently exploring the further legal avenues available to the prisoner to appeal this decision.
I have also raised concerns surrounding the health of the prisoner with the relevant authorities. The prisoner has been moved to the medical wing of Hydebank Prison and more recently to hospital for medical treatment. My officials are in regular contact with the authorities in Northern Ireland, relevant MLAs, human rights NGOs and others closely following this case. I will continue to raise my concern as appropriate with the relevant authorities.
59 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35873/12]
60 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35892/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.
Details of the number of Advisers currently appointed to support me in the performance of my duties as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State for European Affairs are provided in the table below.
|
Office |
Position |
|
Office of the Tánaiste |
1 Chief Adviser; 1 Economic Adviser |
|
Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade |
1 Special Adviser |
|
Minister of State for European Affairs |
1 Special Adviser |
Details of the number of Advisers appointed to Ministers and Ministers of State serving at the Department of Foreign Affairs over the period 2007 to 2011 are set out in the following table.
|
Minister |
Position and duration of appointment |
|
Minister Micheál Martin, TD |
1 Special Adviser: May 2008 to January 20111 Special Adviser: May 2008 to May 2010 September 2010 to January 2011 |
|
Minister Dermot Ahern, TD |
1 Special Adviser: September 2004 to May 20081 Press Adviser: September 2004 to May 2008 |
|
Minister of State Dick Roche, TD |
1 Special Adviser: June 2007 to March 2011 |
|
Minister of State Peter Power, TD |
1 Special Adviser: May 2008 to March 2011 |
61 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to update the law governing the area of money-lending in view of the increase in the number of persons who are borrowing money at exaggerated interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35492/12]
There is already a comprehensive licensing scheme in place for moneylenders. I would refer the Deputy to Part VIII of the consumer Credit Act 1995 (as amended) for detailed information in this regard. I have no plans to amend this legislation. Moneylenders have to apply to the Central Bank annually to have their licences renewed. Section 93 of the Act sets out the Central Bank's powers in relation to the grant or refusal of a moneylender's licence. I am advised by the Central Bank that the appropriate moneylending application form (new or renewal) must be completed and returned to the Bank with a number of items for review and consideration.
A Moneylender's licence granted by the Central Bank is specific to that moneylender, in that each individual moneylender's licence outlines the specific products that the moneylender offers, the APR for each product and the total cost of credit for each product. Before applying for a moneylender's licence, an applicant must give notice of this intention in a local or national newspaper, published in Ireland and circulating in the District Court area that the applicant intends to engage in the business of moneylending. The Central Bank may refuse to grant a moneylender's licence if, in the opinion of the Bank, the cost of the credit to be charged is excessive or, if any of the terms and conditions attaching thereto are unfair. This decision may be appealed to the Circuit Court.
62 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned at the large daily exchanges of punts to euros that are occurring at the Central Bank of Ireland as documented in a spreadsheet (details supplied); if he can indicate if the Garda Síochána or anti-money laundering compliance unit have investigated this practice at any time since 2002; if he is concerned that the monetary proceeds of criminality or money laundering from before the introduction of the euro could be slowly filtered through this exchange process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35598/12]
67 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have investigated the practice of the large daily exchanges of punts to euros that are occurring at the Central Bank of Ireland as documented in a spreadsheet (details supplied) at any time since 2002; if he is concerned that the monetary proceeds of criminality or money laundering or undeclared income from before the introduction of the euro could be slowly filtered through this exchange process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35599/12]
68 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if persons exchanging sums of punts into euros at the Central Bank of Ireland are provided with euro currency in the form of cash or in a cheque; if the Central Bank of Ireland has considered issuing exchanged euros in the form of drafts or cheques; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35635/12]
69 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if there is a daily limit on the amount of punts that be exchanged by a person at the Central Bank; if a person’s identity is recorded when they make a transaction at the Central Bank; if he will describe the controls in place at the Central Bank to ensure punts being exchanged for euros are not the proceeds of money laundering or criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35660/12]
71 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Central Bank does not provide a breakdown of the list of individual transactions of exchanges of punts to euros on a daily basis; if the sums involved in each transaction are recorded by employees of the Central Bank of Ireland when they occur; if each transaction is recorded, if he will provide the list of individual transactions that occurred in 2011, and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35692/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 67 to 69, inclusive, and 71 together.
I have been informed by the Central Bank that amounts up to the value of IR£1,000 can be exchanged for euro on the same day subject to checking by the Central Bank for authenticity of the IR£ bank notes. Amounts in excess of IR£1,000 will be accepted by the Central Bank, however value in euro will not be provided in exchange on the same day. A receipt will be issued pending verification/authentication of the bank notes. Payment is processed electronically into the bank account of the lodging party for the appropriate amount. Where bank account details are not provided, a cheque may be issued for the value of the redeemed notes.
Persons exchanging amounts in excess of IR£1,000 are required to complete an exchange form. With effect from 01 July 2012, all lodgments irrespective of value must be accompanied by an identification document. All bank notes are checked for authenticity prior to exchange. The Central Bank informs An Garda Síochána of lodgments or attempted lodgments where the Bank knows or has sufficient reasons to believe that a criminal offence has been or is being committed.
The details of exchanges below IR£1,000 are not captured in an automated system. The details relating to the value of cash received are amalgamated into bulk figures on a daily basis for accounting purposes. Records of individual transactions are not maintained. Transactions in excess of IR£1,000 are not exchanged for cash but are paid into a bank account or by cheque. The Central Bank retains a list of individual transactions including amount, payment date and name of payee. For these reasons it is not possible to provide an individual transaction breakdown as requested by the Deputy. However, I have asked the Central Bank to provide details of individual transactions over IR£1,000 for a number of days since 1 January 2011 which show the highest levels of daily transactions. I will write to the Deputy further on this.
I also understand from the Central Bank that the exchange process is currently under review and that this review will be finalised prior to year end. An objective of the review is to reduce the threshold for cash payments significantly from the current level of IR£1,000. This will lead to a much higher proportion being paid electronically with full audit trail.
The Deputy also asked about investigations carried out by the Revenue Commissioners, the Garda Síochána and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there has been no general investigation initiated by them into the practice of the exchange of Irish Punts into Euro at the Central Bank. I am informed that Revenue's audit and investigation activity is largely driven by risk analysis assessment of the potential tax or duty loss arising from any given activity.
Procedures put in place by the Central Bank limit the amounts of currency that can be immediately converted by any individual. Amounts in excess of that limit are normally lodged to the individual's bank account. In addition, as noted earlier in my reply, the Central Bank has recently introduced more stringent identification criteria for individuals lodging IR£ for conversion to Euro. Revenue has robust inspection powers in relation to the investigation of an individual's bank account when it has reason to suspect that tax evasion is taking place. In this context I am satisfied that Revenue's risk analysis approach will adequately address any potential for tax evasion arising from these currency exchanges.
I am awaiting information from the Garda Síochána regarding investigations carried out by them. I will write to the Deputy when I have this information. The Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality has no function in this area.
63 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will liaise with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to prevent the loss of VAT income to the State through reclaimed VAT on losses incurred in below cost selling of alcohol products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35922/12]
With regard to the VAT treatment of below cost selling, VAT is a tax on the value added to a supply, and the collection and recovery of VAT takes place at each stage of the chain of supply from manufacturing to retailer. Under EU and domestic VAT rules traders who are registered for VAT collect VAT on the goods and services that they sell. In turn such traders are entitled to recover the VAT they incur on their business inputs used in the purchase or production of goods or delivery of services. Consequently, if there is a decrease in value at any stage in the process the trader is entitled to a refund of the excess of VAT incurred over that collected. In this case, where a retailer is in a situation of net VAT gain as a result of below cost selling, this is not a loss to the Exchequer or an additional benefit to the retailer, it is merely how VAT is charged.
64 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given, notwithstanding the creation of the loan guarantee scheme, to the creation of a new national development bank with a remit similar to the role previously filled by the ACC and ICC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35489/12]
The Government announced the establishment of the Strategic Investment Fund in September 2011. The SIF will channel commercial investment from the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) towards productive investment in the Irish economy. As well as money from the NPRF, the SIF will seek matching commercial investment from private investors and target investment in areas of strategic significance to the future of the Irish economy.
I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency, as Manager of the National Pensions Reserve Fund, that the NPRF announced in November 2011 a commitment of €250 million to a new Irish infrastructure investment fund which is seeking up to €1 billion from institutional investors in Ireland and overseas and which will invest in infrastructure assets in Ireland, including assets designated for disposal by the Government and commercial State enterprises and also new infrastructure projects. Marketing of this fund in Ireland by Irish Life Investment Managers and abroad by AMP Capital commenced in the first quarter of 2012. Normally the period from commencement of marketing of an investment fund targeting illiquid assets to closure of financial commitments by investors in such a fund can extend up to one year. In parallel, AMP Capital, the infrastructure manager of the fund, has commenced a process of building a pipeline of appropriate investment opportunities.
The NPRF has also committed €450 million to finance the national roll out of domestic water meters subject to certain conditions. In addition, the NPRF is actively supporting the development of the market for venture capital in Ireland through its continued participation in Innovation Fund Ireland in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland. On 15 March 2012, the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation announced the commencement of the second call for expressions of interest from appropriately qualified international venture capital managers.
Further involvement of the NPRF in the SIF is expected to require the amendment of the investment policy of the NPRF, which is set out in the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000. Officials of my Department are liaising with the National Treasury Management Agency, which is the Manager of the NPRF, in identifying and drafting the necessary amendments to the legislation and I expect to bring forward proposals for amending legislation as soon as possible once that work is completed.
65 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Finance the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35503/12]
In the time available, it has not been possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy. Every effort is being made to collate the information and I will reply directly to the Deputy when this process is completed.
66 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 10 July 2012, if the details of both reviews and any recommendations will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35595/12]
I have been advised by the Central Bank that the Bank will assist the Irish Payments Services Organisation (IPSO) in the development of terms of reference for the review and will consider the outcomes in conjunction with IPSO. Both the Central Bank and IPSO agree that they should be open and transparent with the findings where it is practical to do so e.g. the anonymity of member institutions will have to be protected. In relation to the review of the IT failure in Ulster Bank, the Central Bank will be working in conjunction with the Financial Services Authority in the UK, which is the lead regulator for the Royal Bank of Scotland group, of which Ulster Bank is a corporate member. The decision to make public the findings of that review will be a matter for the UK Authority.
70 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35683/12]
In the period in question my Department did not spend money in relation to the structures of local Government.
72 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter in relation to inheritance tax for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35727/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no provisions which allow the offset of Stamp Duty against inheritance tax. If the person concerned wants further information on inheritance tax he should contact: Capital Acquisitions Tax Unit, South West Region, Revenue House, Blackpool, Cork. Phone: 021-6027069. Email: corkcatqueries@revenue.ie.
73 Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Finance if arrangements are in place for tax rebates for multinationals who are involved in the drinks industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35730/12]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no arrangements in place for VAT rebates for multi-nationals who are involved in the drinks industry. However, under the VAT system, as governed by the EU VAT Directive, all traders who are registered for VAT collect VAT on the goods and services that they sell. In turn such traders are entitled to recover the VAT they incur on their business inputs used in the purchase or production of goods or delivery of services. VAT is a tax on the value added to a supply and the collection and recovery of VAT takes place at each stage of the chain of supply from manufacturing to retailer. Consequently, if there is a decrease in value at any stage in the process the trader is entitled to a refund of the excess of VAT incurred over that collected.
74 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of money paid by each of the banks for the years under the terms of the bank guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35753/12]
I assume the Deputy's question relates to the Credit Institutions Financial Support Scheme 2008 (CIFS Scheme) which was in operation between 30 September, 2008 and 29 September, 2010, and the Eligible Liabilities Guarantee Scheme (ELG Scheme) which came into operation on 9 December, 2009 and has a current issuance end-date of 31 December, 2012. The total fees received to date for the years 2008-2012 from the covered banks in respect of both the CIFS and ELG Schemes amount in total to €3.107bn which does not include interest accrued. This amount comprises €758.4m in respect of the CIFS Scheme and €2,348.5m in respect of the ELG Scheme.
A breakdown of fees paid by year for each of the covered banks can be seen in the tables below.
|
€millions |
IL&P |
BoI |
AIB |
IBRC |
EBS |
Total |
|
2010 |
95.9 |
275.5 |
299.3 |
149.9 |
34.2 |
854.8 |
|
2011 |
172.9 |
448.7 |
464.8 |
81.4 |
62.6 |
1,230.4 |
|
2012 |
37.9 |
107.9 |
95.8 |
9.9 |
11.8 |
263.3 |
|
Total |
306.7 |
832.1 |
859.9 |
241.2 |
108.6 |
2,348.5 |
|
€millions |
IL&P |
BoI |
AIB |
Anglo |
EBS |
INBS |
Postbank |
Total |
|
2008 |
— |
32.3 |
— |
37.9 |
— |
— |
0.004 |
70.20 |
|
2009 |
35.4 |
138.1 |
174.7 |
94.8 |
9.7 |
23.8 |
0.020 |
476.52 |
|
2010 |
14.8 |
68.3 |
58.3 |
54.9 |
5.9 |
8.8 |
0.015 |
211.01 |
|
2011 |
— |
— |
— |
0.7 |
— |
— |
— |
.70 |
|
Total |
50.2 |
238.7 |
233.0 |
188.3 |
15.6 |
32.6 |
0.039 |
758.43 |
The fees are determined by the EU Commission and are subject to change in accordance with EU State Aid requirements.
75 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Finance the Revenue that would have been raised if the corporation tax rate had been 17.5% for each of the past five years; if he will give an estimate of the revenue that would be raised if a temporary levy of 5% were to be added to the current corporate tax rate of 12.5% as a measure to address the current economic situation for a period of five years after which time the rate would return to 12.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35786/12]
The Taoiseach, I and other Members of the Government have repeatedly expressed the Government's commitment to the retention of the 12.5% rate. In that context, I see no point in undertaking the hypothetical exercise suggested by the Deputy. It is possible to provide an estimate on a straight line basis assuming that the proposed levy would apply to the same taxable income of all companies to which the current standard rate of corporation tax rate applies. However in reality it is impossible to estimate the level of additional tax revenue that would be realised due to behavioural change on the part of taxpayers as a consequence of such a measure which would be a significant factor given the scale of the increase suggested in the question.
Estimating the size of the behavioural effects of a change of this nature is difficult but it would be significant. An OECD multi-country study found that a 1% increase in the corporate tax rate reduces inward investment by 3.7% on average. In other words, it would take only a 2.5% increase in the rate (to 15%) to decrease Ireland's inward investment by nearly 10%. This assumes the average applies across the board but in fact the effect is likely to be more extreme for Ireland.
Recent research by the OECD also points to the importance of low corporate tax rates to encourage growth. In ranking taxes by their impact on economic growth, corporate tax was found to be most harmful. In other words, governments seeking additional tax revenues would be advised to consider increasing all other types of tax (property, consumption and income) before increasing corporate taxes.
The very major importance to Ireland's international competitive position of maintaining the standard 12.5% rate of corporation tax in the current climate must also be borne in mind. Ireland, like other smaller member states, is geographically and historically a peripheral country in Europe. A low corporate tax rate is a tool to address the economic limitations that come with being a peripheral country, as compared to larger core countries. It would be difficult to justify a temporary levy in the context of Ireland's consistently strong view that it will not change its corporation tax strategy. Even a marginal change would undermine both our long held stance on this issue and the certainty of business, domestic and international, in our resolve to maintain that position.
76 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the number of firms of solicitors that are on the National Asset Management Agency panel of solicitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35790/12]
77 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the number of firms of solicitors that have received work from National Asset Management Agency since they were appointed to the panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35791/12]
78 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the firms of solicitors that have received work from National Asset Management Agency since the panel of solicitors was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35792/12]
79 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases that have been referred by National Asset Management Agency to those firms of solicitors who have received instructions from it in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35793/12]
80 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the number of firms of solicitors on the National Asset Management Agency panel that have not yet received any instructions from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35794/12]
81 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the reason National Asset Management Agency has not used all of the firms of solicitors on the NAMA panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35795/12]
82 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the number of firms of solicitors in Connacht that are on the National Asset Management Agency panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35796/12]
83 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance the work, if any, that has been given to solicitors on the NAMA panel in Connacht in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35797/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 to 83, inclusive, together.
I am advised by NAMA that a list of all tenders run by it and the results of the tenders are available on its website, www.nama.ie. NAMA operates three legal panels from which it procures services as and when required:
Legal Due Diligence Panel (Issue date: 31st of July 2009)
Enforcement and Refinancing Panel (Issue date: 31st March 2010)
Corporate Legal Services Panel (Issue date: 22nd September 2011)
The list of firms on each panel is available at www.nama.ie/procurement/.
It is not clear as to which Panel the Deputy is referring. On the presumption that the questions relate to the Legal Due Diligence Panel, NAMA advises that:
The appointment by the NTMA of the 64 legal firms to that legal panel was carried out in advance of the establishment of NAMA. It was made in contemplation of due diligence work which would be carried out by NAMA in respect of the acquisition of relevant bank assets from institutions participating in the NAMA scheme. At that time, the NTMA did not have a clear view of the resources that would be required to fulfil that task. Accordingly, it made clear that the making of any such appointment would not necessarily mean that a successful appointee would subsequently be engaged. This was specified in clause 3.1 of that agreement.
As it transpired, the vast bulk of loans (and corresponding debt exposures) acquired by NAMA were highly concentrated in a relatively small number of debtors whose secured lending arrangements were both complex and expansive. NAMA formed the view that it required the assistance of certain specialist firms on its panel who, in NAMA's view, had the resources, expertise and experience to deal with those arrangements. That is not to say, however, that NAMA only relied on such firms in the due diligence process. As the process progressed, NAMA engaged firms of all sizes and representing a geographic spread. However, it should be noted that over 90% of the property collateral securing NAMA loans was based in a small number of counties: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth.
While NAMA was aware of having the resources of the entire appointed panel at its disposal, it did not actually need to engage all on that panel for a variety of reasons. Amongst these, NAMA engaged a number of solicitors to work with it directly, in-house, in carrying out the legal due diligence function, which brought significant efficiencies and acquired knowledge within the Agency. NAMA also, in conjunction with the participating institutions, refined the due diligence process to enable NAMA to limit the legal resources it required.
The work for which this panel was formed is now substantially complete and those on the Panel will be notified of its termination in due course.
In relation to due diligence work carried out for NAMA from its inception to end-March 2012, please be advised of the following fees paid, which formed part of a response to a previous parliamentary question on the matter:
Due Diligence Costs
Due diligence costs are costs that NAMA has incurred upon acquiring the portfolio of loans from the Participating Institutions. The Loan valuation model used by NAMA to acquire the loans makes an allowance for due diligence costs as a reduction from the acquisition value of the loans and as a result NAMA recovers the majority of its due diligence costs from the Financial Institutions.
a) Legal due diligence (from inception to March 31st, 2012)
Legal due diligence costs are recovered from the Financial Institutions through a reduction in the acquisition value.
|
Legal due diligence |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total €’000 |
|
Hogan Lovells International LLP |
1,279 |
1,046 |
134 |
2,459 |
|
Allen & Overy LLP |
922 |
633 |
12 |
1,567 |
|
Arthur Cox |
1,033 |
419 |
96 |
1,548 |
|
Dillon Eustace |
709 |
428 |
5 |
1,142 |
|
Maples and Calder |
553 |
550 |
0 |
1,103 |
|
Beauchamps Solicitors |
289 |
702 |
77 |
1,068 |
|
Byrne Wallace |
605 |
418 |
0 |
1,023 |
|
Matheson Ormsby Prentice |
339 |
622 |
33 |
994 |
|
Eversheds O’Donnell Sweeney |
380 |
214 |
20 |
614 |
|
LK Shields Solicitors |
377 |
196 |
0 |
573 |
|
Arthur Cox Northern Ireland |
165 |
193 |
91 |
449 |
|
Gartlan Furey Solicitors |
39 |
304 |
0 |
343 |
|
Ronan Daly Jermyn Solicitors |
116 |
202 |
0 |
318 |
|
Eugene F Collins |
269 |
0 |
0 |
269 |
|
Gore & Grimes Solicitors |
61 |
198 |
7 |
266 |
|
Andrew Crean-Lynch Solicitors |
67 |
63 |
64 |
194 |
|
O’Flynn Exhams Solicitors |
70 |
100 |
0 |
170 |
|
Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors |
0 |
153 |
0 |
153 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
64 |
21 |
34 |
119 |
|
A&L Goodbody Solicitors |
0 |
69 |
28 |
97 |
|
Tods Murray |
42 |
23 |
0 |
65 |
|
William Fry Solicitors |
60 |
0 |
0 |
60 |
|
Ogier |
6 |
35 |
0 |
41 |
|
Campos Ferreira Sa Carneiro |
27 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
|
Cains |
0 |
11 |
0 |
11 |
|
R. John McBratney (Exper Reviewer) |
24 |
-14 |
0 |
10 |
|
Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Mourant Ozannes |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
7,497 |
6,591 |
599 |
14,687 |
b) Property due diligence (from inception to March 31st, 2012)
Property due diligence costs are recovered from the Financial Institutions through a reduction in the acquisition value.
|
Property due diligence |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total €’000 |
|
Donal O'Buachalla & Co Ltd |
329 |
873 |
0 |
1,202 |
|
Colliers International Dublin |
444 |
524 |
19 |
987 |
|
Lisney Ltd |
293 |
567 |
11 |
871 |
|
Jones Lang Lasalle Ltd -Dublin |
330 |
428 |
2 |
760 |
|
Knight Frank LLP |
266 |
490 |
3 |
759 |
|
WK Nowlan & Associates |
327 |
406 |
16 |
749 |
|
Lambert Smith Hampton |
111 |
578 |
2 |
691 |
|
HWBC Ltd |
210 |
418 |
3 |
631 |
|
Savills Commercial (Ireland) Ltd |
52 |
456 |
105 |
613 |
|
CB Richard Ellis |
278 |
283 |
50 |
611 |
|
Bannon Commercial Property Consultants Ltd |
229 |
301 |
3 |
533 |
|
Irish & European |
70 |
417 |
7 |
494 |
|
Cushman and Wakefield |
56 |
355 |
65 |
476 |
|
DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald |
75 |
391 |
40 |
506 |
|
Rooney Auctioners & Chartered Surveyors |
82 |
327 |
6 |
415 |
|
GVA Grimley Ltd |
142 |
231 |
0 |
373 |
|
Drivers Jonas Deloitte |
106 |
208 |
0 |
314 |
|
Cohalan Downing |
71 |
203 |
0 |
274 |
|
Gerlad Eve LLP |
32 |
190 |
0 |
222 |
|
Colliers International Belfast |
53 |
158 |
5 |
216 |
|
Osborne King Commerical Property Consultants |
30 |
175 |
0 |
205 |
|
BTW Shiells Commerical Property Consultants |
39 |
143 |
5 |
187 |
|
Frazer Kidd & Partners |
44 |
85 |
22 |
151 |
|
DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald Ltd - Cork |
11 |
59 |
0 |
70 |
|
Colliers International USA |
44 |
18 |
2 |
64 |
|
CB Richard Ellis Hotels |
2 |
34 |
6 |
42 |
|
Savills Commercial (UK) Ltd |
25 |
8 |
0 |
33 |
|
J Sheils Planning & Enviornmental Ltd |
0 |
23 |
0 |
23 |
|
Lisney Ltd (Belfast) |
0 |
16 |
0 |
16 |
|
CB Richard Ellis (GBP) Ltd |
14 |
0 |
44 |
58 |
|
DTZ McCoombe Pierce |
12 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
|
Knight Frank (Dublin) |
0 |
9 |
10 |
19 |
|
CB Richard Ellis (France) Valuation |
0 |
11 |
0 |
11 |
|
Savills Immobilien Beratungs-Gmbh (Berlin) |
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
CB Richard Ellis Inc |
0 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
|
Colliers International London |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Cushman and Wakefield of Florida Inc. |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
CBRE sr.o (Czech Republic) |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Savills Consultores Inmobiliarios |
0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
DTZ Debenham Tie Leung |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
David White Valuations |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
CB Richard Ellis (Srbija) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
CBRE NI (Northern Ireland) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
3,791 |
8,403 |
433 |
12,627 |
c) Loan Valuation and related due diligence (from inception to March 31st, 2012)
Loan valuation and related due diligence costs are recovered from the Financial Institutions through a reduction in the acquisition value.
|
Loan Valuation & related due diligence |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Total €’000 |
|
Enrst & Young |
1,521 |
6,867 |
33 |
8,421 |
|
PriceWaterhouseCoopers |
3,858 |
3,662 |
6 |
7,526 |
|
Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP |
2,214 |
4,410 |
450 |
7,074 |
|
FTI Consulting Ltd |
881 |
2,676 |
770 |
4,327 |
|
UHY Hacker Young LLP |
659 |
2,096 |
986 |
3,741 |
|
Lisney Ltd (Belfast) |
9,132 |
19,711 |
2,244 |
31,087 |
84 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if there is a system of targeted spending from revenue collected in respect of each of the following taxes (details supplied); if so, if he will provide a breakdown of same in respect of each of these tax revenues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35856/12]
Generally speaking all revenues of the State, including tax revenues are paid into the Central Fund. They are not assigned to specific areas of expenditure but rather form part of the pot from which overall Exchequer expenditure is funded. However, it is the case that receipts from both the Household Charge and Motor Tax are directed to the Local Government Fund, rather than the Central Fund.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform published the Revised Book of Estimates (REV) for 2012 in February. The REV sets out the voted expenditure allocations for every Government Department and Office.
A breakdown of expenditure from the Local Government Fund is shown on page 114 of the 2012 REV. It should be noted that €46.5 million of the estimated proceeds from the Budget 2012 increases in Motor Tax in 2012 are due to be paid over to the Central Fund from the Local Government Fund this year.
Similarly, receipts from PRSI are allocated to the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) and the National Training Fund (NTF), rather than the Central Fund. The bulk of receipts go to the SIF. Spending from the SIF is directed to benefit schemes. A complete breakdown of expenditure from the SIF can be found in the 2012 Further Revised Estimate for the Department of Social Protection. It should be noted that as the income of the SIF is presently insufficient to cover all of its expenditures, a subvention is required from the Exchequer to meet the shortfall. Expenditure under the NTF supports training and the identification of skills needs. A breakdown of NTF expenditure can be found on page 133 of the 2012 REV. It should be noted note that the estimated income from contributions on the NTF in 2012 has been revised to €300.8 million.
Both PAYE and Universal Social Charge (USC) receipts form part of income tax and are paid into the Central Fund. They are therefore available, along with other sources of tax revenue, non-tax revenue and capital receipts as well as the funds sourced from borrowing, to fund overall Exchequer expenditure.
85 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35872/12]
86 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35891/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
In my Department, I have appointed Mary Kenny and Eoin Dorgan as special advisers. The salary for both special advisers has been €83,337 per annum since their appointment.
My predecessor, the late Brian Lenihan, TD appointed two special advisers as follows:
Ms Cathy Herbert (appointed in May 2008): Salary €107,485. Ms Herbert was not a member of the civil service pension schemes. Payments not exceeding 11% of her salary were made on her behalf to a pension fund in respect of her superannuation contributions.
Dr. Alan Ahearne (appointed in March 2009): Salary €135,000. Dr. Ahearne was a member of the pension scheme of NUI Galway, from which body he was on secondment to the Department of Finance. Payments not exceeding 11% of the difference between his NUIG salary and the additional amount he received in respect of his position were made on his behalf to a pension fund in respect of superannuation contributions.
87 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full list of all those paid over €100,000 with public money including semi-States; if he will also provide a breakdown by Department and by semi-State detailing the number in each area achieving these earnings and their salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35903/12]
88 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide full lists and details on all those paid with public money in State and semi-State sector whose salaries breach the salary cap, naming the persons, the salary amount and the reasons the cap was breached in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35904/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
Any matters relating to remuneration for public service employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
89 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the specified income limit required to effect an approved retirement fund before 75 years of age in connection with additional voluntary contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35915/12]
Under the regime of flexible options on retirement first introduced in 1999, the options to invest in an ARF or to receive the balance of a pension fund in cash (after payment of the "tax-free" lump sum and subject to tax, as appropriate) are subject to conditions. The conditions include the requirements that the individual be over 75 years of age or, if younger, that the individual has either a guaranteed level of pension income ("specified income") actually in payment for life at the time the option is exercised or, alternatively, (if the individual does not wish to purchase an annuity) that he or she place a maximum set-aside amount or the remainder of the pension fund, after taking the "tax-free" lump sum, if less, into an Approved Minimum Retirement Fund (AMRF). Finance Act 2011 increased the guaranteed level of pension income required from the previous fixed amount of €12,700 introduced in 1999, to a variable amount equal to 1.5 times the maximum annual rate of the State Pension (Contributory) at the time the option is exercised, bringing the "specified income" limit to €18,000 per annum at present. Equally, the maximum set aside amount for investment into an AMRF was changed from a fixed level of €63,500 to a variable amount equal to 10 times the maximum annual rate of State Pension (Contributory) —€119,800 at present. These changes were made in the context of the extension of the flexible (ARF) options on retirement to all main scheme benefits from Defined Contribution pension arrangements. These and related changes were signalled in the National Pensions Framework document published in March 2010.
The purpose of the "specified income" limit is to ensure, before an individual has unfettered access to their remaining retirement funds via an ARF, or the cash option mentioned above, that they have the security of an adequate guaranteed income in their own right throughout their retirement. A further change introduced in Budget and Finance Act 2011 is that the specified income test can be met at any time after retirement and before age 75 and not just at the point of retirement as was the case previously.
To qualify as "specified income", the pension or pensions' income must actually be in payment — pensions anticipated at some time in the future cannot be brought into the reckoning until they commence to be paid. As the specified income requirement is essentially a personalised test, only guaranteed pensions income paid to the individual in his or her own right can be taken into account. Pensions paid directly to the spouse of an individual or pensions/allowances received on behalf of a spouse or dependant may not be included.
I have no plans to adjust the "specified income" limit at this time. However, I have received a number of representations about the scale and timing of the increase in the limit introduced in Finance Act 2011 and I will examine these matters again without prejudice in the context of next year's Finance Bill.
90 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the target to train a further 800 computer software professionals to NFQ Level 8, if he will consider the expansion of cost effective ways of training computer software professionals that meet industry needs in a shorter period of time than it takes to achieve a level 8 qualification (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35706/12]
The joint industry Government ICT Action Plan published earlier this year establishes a target of doubling the annual output of lecel 8 ICT graduates to 2,000 by 2018. In recognition of the fact that it will take time for recent increases in demand for STEM programmes to convert into increased graduate it also provides for a number of measures to increase the supply of domestic skills in the short term. 750 level 8 places have already been made available this year on intensive graduate skills conversions programmes with industry placements. Graduates will be available in early 2013. In addition, 530 people with ICT qualifications at level 8/9 have just graduated from the first phase of Springboard 2011. A further 2,200 places on ICT programmes from certificate to masters degree level were also announced at the end of May as part of the second phase of Springboard and details are available at www.springboardcourses.ie. The selection of providers to deliver the ICT conversion programmes and the new round of Springboard programmes was determined following open competitive tendering processes which were open to all public, private and not for profit education and training providers.
In relation to other levels of provision, FIT is funded annually by FÁS in accordance with the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations. Funding for 2012 was approved by the FÁS Board at "up to €950,000". FIT does not directly deliver training. It recruits trainees who receive tailor-made curricula, suitable for these learners, delivered by FÁS or the VECs.
91 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding cuts to Church of Ireland schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35483/12]
This Government recognises the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant or reformed church background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos while at the same time ensuring that funding arrangements are in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
With regard to the fee-charging Protestant schools, an arrangement exists whereby funding is provided by my Department to the Secondary Education Committee (SEC), an organisation run by the churches involved in managing the Protestant secondary schools. The SEC then disburses funds to the Protestant fee-charging schools on behalf of pupils who would otherwise have difficulty with the cost of fees and who, in the absence of such financial support, would be unable to attend a second level school of a reformed church or Protestant ethos. Funding amounts to €6.5 million annually. This fund ensures that necessitous Protestant children can attend a school of their choice. There are no changes proposed in respect of the Protestant block grant.
92 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the establishment of a technological university in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35490/12]
A clear four stage process and criteria for designation as Technological University was published in February of this year. Institutions proposing to merge and apply for designation as technological universities, including those in the South-East will need to submit a formal expression of interest within a six month period and will be advised within a further six months whether they can proceed to the second stage for designation. The drafting of legislative proposals to provide for the amalgamation of Institutes of Technology and the establishment of Technological universities will be advanced in tandem with the designation process as part of the work which is underway on implementing the higher education strategy.
93 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35501/12]
The table below sets out the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within my Department on subsistence for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive. This table also includes unvouched expenses paid to Ministers and Ministers of State within that period.
There were also some subsistence expenses that were discharged by credit card. In this regard, the total amounts of Ministerial subsistence expenses discharged by credit card during the period in question are set out on a separate table attached herewith.
In relation to mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, the position is that my Department provides mobile phones/Smartphones to Ministers and Ministers of State for use in the course of their official duties. The attached breakdown of costs details costs in respect of mobile phones and Smartphones issued by my Department to Ministers and Ministers of State during the period from 2007 to March 2011.
The information provided contains details of mobile phone charges incurred by Ministers and Ministers of State together with details of mobile phone costs recouped from those Ministers. It includes the total costs of,
a) service charges (line rental and data allowances), and
b) usage charges (calls, texts, internet, roaming charges, etc.) and
c) VAT applicable on the total value of these elements.
The information also details the costs recouped by my Department in respect of personal usage i.e. non-official calls, texts, internet usage, roaming charges plus VAT during this period.
|
Description |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
Total |
|
|
Minister |
Subsistence |
— |
493.83 |
469.51 |
732.36 |
112.46 |
1,808.16 |
|
Unvouched Expenses |
13,344.50 |
13,674.14 |
12,803.57 |
2,168.34 |
— |
41,990.55 |
|
|
Minister of State |
Subsistence |
— |
216.53 |
527.12 |
175.28 |
— |
918.93 |
|
Unvouched Expenses |
12,694.92 |
12,128.48 |
11,673.47 |
1,987.64 |
— |
38,484.51 |
|
|
Totals |
26,039.42 |
26,512.98 |
25,473.67 |
5,063.62 |
112.46 |
83,202.15 |
Note: Unvouched Expenses paid as part of salary and ceased in March 2010.
|
Payroll Year |
Person Reference And Name |
Pay Code And Description |
Value SUM |
|
2001 |
0895725 — W O‘DEA |
14 — Expense Allowance |
907.65 |
|
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
4664.80 |
||
|
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
-441.16 |
||
|
2002 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
5597.76 |
|
|
Person Total: 10729.05 |
|||
|
2001 |
0899704 — M WOODS |
14 — Expense Allowance |
6083.46 |
|
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
1922.76 |
||
|
2002 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
6159.00 |
|
|
Person Total: 14165.22 |
|||
|
2002 |
0906743 — NOEL DEMPSEY |
14 — Expense Allowance |
7217.66 |
|
2003 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
13344.50 |
|
|
2004 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
10778.25 |
|
|
Person Total: 31340.41 |
|||
|
2002 |
0907057 — SILE DE VALERA |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
6064.24 |
|
2003 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
12128.48 |
|
|
2004 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
12594.96 |
|
|
2005 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
12128.48 |
|
|
2006 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
11462.08 |
|
|
Person Total: 54378.24 |
|||
|
2004 |
0912085 — MARY HANAFIN |
14 — Expense Allowance |
2997.81 |
|
2005 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
13344.50 |
|
|
2006 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
13344.50 |
|
|
2007 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
13344.50 |
|
|
2008 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
5132.50 |
|
|
Person Total: 48163.81 |
|||
|
2007 |
0916595 — SEAN HAUGHEY |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
12128.48 |
|
2008 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
12128.48 |
|
|
2009 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
11724.74 |
|
|
2010 |
19 — Expense Allowance Mos |
2108.10 |
|
|
Person Total: 38089.80 |
|||
|
2008 |
0920398 — BATT O‘KEEFFE |
14 — Expense Allowance |
7698.45 |
|
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
843.19 |
||
|
2009 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
12864.46 |
|
|
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
-60.89 |
||
|
2010 |
14 — Expense Allowance |
2299.75 |
|
|
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
-131.41 |
||
|
Person Total: 23513.55 |
|||
|
Cost Centre Total: 220380.08 |
|
Cost Centre Desc Current: (All) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Payroll Year |
Person Reference And Name |
Pay Code And Description |
Value SUM |
|
2001 |
0895725 — W O‘DEA |
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
-441.16 |
|
9046 — Retro Expense Allow Mos |
2143.37 |
||
|
Person Total: 1702.21 |
|||
|
2001 |
0899704 — M WOODS |
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
1922.76 |
|
Person Total: 1922.76 |
|||
|
2002 |
0907057 — SILE DE VALERA |
9046 — Retro Expense Allow Mos |
99.96 |
|
Person Total: 99.96 |
|||
|
2007 |
0916595 — SEAN HAUGHEY |
9046 — Retro Expense Allow Mos |
566.44 |
|
2009 |
9046 — Retro Expense Allow Mos |
-51.27 |
|
|
2010 |
9046 — Retro Expense Allow Mos |
-120.46 |
|
|
Person Total: 394.71 |
|||
|
2008 |
0920398 — BATT O‘KEEFFE |
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
843.19 |
|
2009 |
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
-60.89 |
|
|
2010 |
9040 — Retro Expense Allowance |
-131.41 |
|
|
Person Total: 650.89 |
|||
|
Cost Centre Total: 4770.53 |
|
Supplier site |
Invoice amount |
Amount paid |
Sub only |
Withheld Amount |
Invoice num |
Description |
Invoice date |
Payment method |
Payment number |
Payment batch name |
Payment date |
Invoice entered by |
Section name |
|
OFFICE |
0.00 |
231.69 |
0 |
T&S51249 |
T & S 05/04/10 — 04/05/10 |
26-May-2010 |
CHECK |
37542572 |
375T&S280510DD |
28-May-2010 |
COBRIEN |
||
|
OFFICE |
231.69 |
231.69 |
13.71 |
0 |
T&S51850 |
T & S 05/04/10 — 04/05/10 |
30-Jun-2010 |
CHECK |
37543197 |
375T&S090710FG |
09-Jul-2010 |
COBRIEN |
|
|
OFFICE |
189.28 |
189.28 |
189.28 |
0 |
T&S52625 |
T & S 29/04/10 — 23/06/10 |
06-Aug-2010 |
CHECK |
37543991 |
375T&S120810FG |
12-Aug-2010 |
COBRIEN |
|
|
OFFICE |
94.64 |
94.64 |
94.64 |
0 |
T&S53620 |
T & S 21/06/10 — 23/09/10 |
04-Oct-2010 |
CHECK |
37544551 |
375T&S071010DD |
07-Oct-2010 |
COBRIEN |
|
|
OFFICE |
112.46 |
112.46 |
112.46 |
0 |
T&S55919 |
T & S 18/10/10 — 13/12/10 |
07-Jan-2011 |
CHECK |
37545767 |
375180111TSFG |
18-Jan-2011 |
COBRIEN |
|
Supplier site |
Invoice amount |
Amount paid |
Sub Only |
Withheld Amount |
Invoice num |
Description |
Invoice date |
Payment method |
Payment number |
Payment batch name |
Payment date |
Invoice entered by |
Section name |
|
OFFICE |
1098.61 |
1,098.61 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S41557 |
T&S Brus 21-22/5, China 19-25/10 & Nurenberg 5-6/11/08 |
12-Dec-2008 |
CHECK |
37531214 |
375T&S171208 |
18-Dec-2008 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
493.87 |
493.87 |
493.87 |
0 |
T&S41898 |
T&S 09/06/08-21/11/08 |
23-Dec-2008 |
CHECK |
37531528 |
375T&S231208 |
24-Dec-2008 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
73.12 |
307.65 |
73.12 |
0 |
T&S45783 |
SUBS 24.11.08 — 22.12.08 €73.12 |
28-Jul-2009 |
CHECK |
37537305 |
PMG375T&S280709-85289 |
30-Jul-2009 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
234.53 |
307.65 |
234.53 |
0 |
T&S45784 |
T&S 8.1-3.4.09 SUBS 234.53 |
28-Jul-2009 |
CHECK |
37537305 |
PMG375T&S280709-85289 |
30-Jul-2009 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
52.44 |
524.24 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S45554 |
T & S Prague 22-24/3/09 |
14-Jul-2009 |
CHECK |
37537628 |
375T&S060820091 |
10-Aug-2009 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
70.19 |
524.24 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S45518 |
T & S Bahrain 31/1-5/2/2009 |
10-Jul-2009 |
CHECK |
37537628 |
375T&S060820091 |
10-Aug-2009 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
77.67 |
524.24 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S45814 |
T & S Brussels 11-12/5/09 |
28-Jul-2009 |
CHECK |
37537628 |
375T&S060820091 |
10-Aug-2009 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
129.77 |
524.24 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S45813 |
T & S Paris 8-9/7/09 |
28-Jul-2009 |
CHECK |
37537628 |
375T&S060820091 |
10-Aug-2009 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
194.17 |
524.24 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S45553 |
T & S Brussels 15-16/2/09 |
14-Jul-2009 |
CHECK |
37537628 |
375T&S060820091 |
10-Aug-2009 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
28.18 |
28.18 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S47624 |
T & S Riyadh 22-24/9/09 |
16-Nov-2009 |
CHECK |
37539626 |
375T&S201109FG |
20-Nov-2009 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
128.25 |
128.25 |
128.25 |
0 |
T&S47993 |
T&S 18/9/09 — 23/10/09 |
01-Dec-2009 |
CHECK |
37539859 |
375T&S031209DD |
03-Dec-2009 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
33.61 |
33.61 |
33.61 |
0 |
T&S48369 |
T&S 27/11/09 |
15-Dec-2009 |
CHECK |
37540201 |
375T&S171209DD |
17-Dec-2009 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
180.84 |
180.84 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S48189 |
T & S Brussels 25-26/11/2009 |
02-Feb-2010 |
CHECK |
37540982 |
375T&S050210FG |
05-Feb-2010 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
135.88 |
135.88 |
135.77 |
0 |
T&S49393 |
T&S 30/11/09 — 21/12/09 |
05-Feb-2010 |
CHECK |
37541069 |
375T&S100210DD |
10-Feb-2010 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
73.12 |
307.65 |
0.00 |
0 |
30-MAR-10 |
RE-ISSUE OUT OF DATE T&S 24/11/08-22/12/08 |
30-Mar-2010 |
CHECK |
37541821 |
375060410FG |
06-Apr-2010 |
R GROGAN |
Finance Unit Tullamore |
|
OFFICE |
234.53 |
307.65 |
0.00 |
0 |
31-MAR-10 |
RE-ISSUE OUT OF DATE T&S 8/1-3/4/09 |
30-Mar-2010 |
CHECK |
37541821 |
375060410FG |
06-Apr-2010 |
R GROGAN |
Finance Unit Tullamore |
|
OFFICE |
88.45 |
599.36 |
88.45 |
0 |
T&S50465 |
T & S 30/04/09 — 21/05/09 |
13-Apr-2010 |
CHECK |
37541924 |
375T&S160410FG |
16-Apr-2010 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
116.03 |
599.36 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S50201 |
T & S Riyadh 15-18/1/2010 |
12-Apr-2010 |
CHECK |
37541924 |
375T&S160410FG |
16-Apr-2010 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
119.98 |
599.36 |
47.32 |
0 |
T&S50468 |
T & S 20/01/10 — 05/02/10 |
13-Apr-2010 |
CHECK |
37541924 |
375T&S160410FG |
16-Apr-2010 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
274.90 |
599.36 |
129.58 |
0 |
T&S50466 |
T & S W/E 13/04/09 — 08/09/09 |
13-Apr-2010 |
CHECK |
37541924 |
375T&S160410FG |
16-Apr-2010 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
33.61 |
33.61 |
33.61 |
0 |
T&S50696 |
T&S 22/02/10 |
26-Apr-2010 |
CHECK |
37542180 |
375T&S290410FG |
29-Apr-2010 |
M DUNNE |
|
|
OFFICE |
516.55 |
516.55 |
0.00 |
0 |
T&S51154 |
T & S Tokyo & Korea 10-14/3/2010 |
24-May-2010 |
CHECK |
37542688 |
375T&S090610FG |
09-Jun-2010 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
|
|
OFFICE |
33.61 |
33.61 |
0.00 |
0 |
18-AUG-2010 |
RE-ISSUE OUT OF DATE T&S27/11/09 |
18-Aug-2010 |
CHECK |
37544082 |
375200810FG |
20-Aug-2010 |
R GROGAN |
Finance Unit Tullamore |
|
OFFICE |
524.24 |
524.24 |
0.00 |
0 |
27-SEP-2010 |
Re Issue in lieu of Out Of Date PO |
27-Sep-2010 |
CHECK |
37544505 |
375300910DD |
30-Sep-2010 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
International Section — Nth/Sth |
|
OFFICE |
0.00 |
524.24 |
0.00 |
0 |
37628 (3) R |
Re Issue in lieu of out of date POs |
05-Oct-2010 |
CHECK |
37544623 |
375111010FG |
11-Oct-2010 |
P CUNNINGHAM |
International Section — Nth/Sth |
|
1,398.11 |
|
Supplier site |
Invoice amount |
Amount paid |
Sub Only |
Withheld Amount |
Invoice num |
Description |
Invoice date |
Payment method |
Payment number |
Payment batch name |
Payment date |
Invoice entered by |
Section name |
|
OFFICE |
3374.81 |
3,374.81 |
0 |
T&S29721 |
T&S 12/12/2006 — 01/02/2007 |
22-Feb-2007 |
CHECK |
37502828 |
375T&S230206 |
26-Feb-2007 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
5491.72 |
5,491.72 |
0 |
T&S30751 |
TRAVEL 02/02/07 — 28/04/07 |
10-May-2007 |
CHECK |
37506071 |
375T&S100507 |
11-May-2007 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
1013.01 |
1,013.01 |
0 |
T&S31643 |
T&S 25/05/2007-14/06/2007 T=1013.01 S=0.00 |
10-Jul-2007 |
CHECK |
37509101 |
375T&S110707 |
12-Jul-2007 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
4760.84 |
4,760.84 |
0 |
T&S33006 |
MILAGE FROM 20/6 TO 28/9 |
09-Oct-2007 |
CHECK |
37513304 |
375T&S101007 |
11-Oct-2007 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
3297.40 |
3,297.40 |
0 |
T&S35228 |
T&S 29/09/2007 — 31/12/2007 |
17-Jan-2008 |
CHECK |
37517945 |
375T&S210108 |
22-Jan-2008 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
4721.13 |
4,721.13 |
0 |
T&S36334 |
T&S 01/01/2008 — 29/02/2008 |
13-Mar-2008 |
CHECK |
37520060 |
375T&S140308 |
18-Mar-2008 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
3172.07 |
3,172.07 |
0 |
T&S37749 |
T&S 01MARCH2008 -- 07MAY2008 |
28-May-2008 |
CHECK |
37523087 |
375T&S290508 |
30-May-2008 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
216.53 |
216.53 |
216.53 |
0 |
T&S39309 |
T&S 09MARCH07- 24NOVEMBER07 |
13-Aug-2008 |
CHECK |
37526885 |
375T&S140808 |
15-Aug-2008 |
WHUGHES |
|
|
OFFICE |
63.60 |
63.60 |
0 |
T&S39455 |
Brussels 15-16/2/07 |
28-Aug-2008 |
CHECK |
37527464 |
375T&S030908RG |
03-Sep-2008 |
PCUNNINGHAM |
||
|
OFFICE |
300.86 |
300.86 |
0 |
T&S39459 |
T&S Moscow 15-19/3/07 |
29-Aug-2008 |
CHECK |
37527574 |
375T&S080908 |
09-Sep-2008 |
PCUNNINGHAM |
||
|
OFFICE |
4928.25 |
4,928.25 |
0 |
T&S40219 |
T&S 13MAY2008 -- 29SEP2008 |
13-Oct-2008 |
CHECK |
37528937 |
375T&S141008 |
15-Oct-2008 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
638.63 |
638.63 |
527.12 |
0 |
T&S42049 |
T&S 14/01/2008 — 17/11/2008 |
09-Jan-2009 |
CHECK |
37531708 |
375T&S120109 |
13-Jan-2009 |
WHUGHES |
|
|
OFFICE |
3938.93 |
3,938.93 |
0 |
T&S42312 |
T&S 29SEP2008 -- 31DEC2008 |
19-Jan-2009 |
CHECK |
37532030 |
375T&S200109 |
21-Jan-2009 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
532.81 |
532.81 |
0 |
T&S42332 |
T&S Bruss 13-15/2, 20-21/11 &Warsaw 15-18/3/08 |
20-Jan-2009 |
CHECK |
37532153 |
375T&S260109 |
27-Jan-2009 |
PCUNNINGHAM |
||
|
OFFICE |
5069.78 |
5,069.78 |
0 |
T&S44117 |
T&S 01/01/2009 — 20/04/2009 |
01-May-2009 |
CHECK |
37534771 |
375T&S060509 |
07-May-2009 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
1067.47 |
1,067.47 |
0 |
T&S44219 |
BALANCE OF TRAVEL DUE 01/01/02009 — 20/04/2009 |
07-May-2009 |
CHECK |
37534803 |
375T&S070509 |
08-May-2009 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
3086.49 |
3,086.49 |
0 |
T&S46655 |
T&S 21/04/2009 — 31/08/2009 |
16-Sep-2009 |
CHECK |
37538425 |
375T&S16092009 |
17-Sep-2009 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
2718.50 |
2,718.50 |
0 |
T&S48096 |
T & S 01/09/09 — 23/11/09 |
04-Dec-2009 |
EFT |
1016318 |
375101209TSEFT |
10-Dec-2009 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
120.44 |
120.44 |
120.44 |
0 |
T&S49541 |
T & S 06/02/09 13/11/09 |
16-Feb-2010 |
EFT |
1019217 |
375220210TSEFT |
22-Feb-2010 |
WHUGHES |
|
|
OFFICE |
145.98 |
145.98 |
0 |
T&S50001 |
T & S Paris 7-8/10/09 |
11-Mar-2010 |
EFT |
1020217 |
375190310TSEFT |
19-Mar-2010 |
PCUNNINGHAM |
||
|
OFFICE |
4829.75 |
4,829.75 |
0 |
T&S50336 |
T & S 24/11/09 — 23/03/10 |
06-Apr-2010 |
EFT |
1020925 |
375120410TSEFT |
12-Apr-2010 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
2512.16 |
2,512.16 |
0 |
T&S51882 |
T & S 24/03/10 — 21/06/10 |
01-Jul-2010 |
EFT |
1024065 |
375070710TSEFT |
07-Jul-2010 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
2220.45 |
2,220.45 |
0 |
T&S53449 |
T&S 22/06/10 — 11/09/10 |
24-Sep-2010 |
EFT |
1027913 |
375300910TSEFT |
30-Sep-2010 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
3227.93 |
3,227.93 |
0 |
T&S55641 |
T & S 12/09/10 — 13/12/10 |
17-Dec-2010 |
EFT |
1036509 |
375231210TSEFT |
23-Dec-2010 |
WHUGHES |
||
|
OFFICE |
54.84 |
232.59 |
54.84 |
0 |
T&S55682 |
T & s 15/03/10 — 18/06/10 |
20-Dec-2010 |
EFT |
1036671 |
375241210TSEFT |
24-Dec-2010 |
WHUGHES |
|
|
OFFICE |
72.32 |
232.59 |
0 |
T&S55646 |
T & S Brussels 18-19/11/2010 |
17-Dec-2010 |
EFT |
1036671 |
375241210TSEFT |
24-Dec-2010 |
PCUNNINGHAM |
||
|
OFFICE |
105.43 |
232.59 |
0 |
T&S55649 |
T & S Paris 3-5/11/10 |
17-Dec-2010 |
EFT |
1036671 |
375241210TSEFT |
24-Dec-2010 |
PCUNNINGHAM |
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 (to 1st March) |
|
|
Ministers |
Nil |
€1,630.80 |
€2,888.88 |
€430.46 |
Nil (1st Quarter) |
|
Ministers of State |
€1,630.50 |
€758.50 |
€661.57 |
€334.00 |
Nil (1st Quarter) |
|
Mobile Phone |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
Overall Totals |
|
|
Ministers |
Total (incl. VAT |
3,979.12 |
5,157.68 |
3,533.42 |
3,128.77 |
457.11 |
16,256.10 |
|
Recouped (incl VAT) |
Nil |
137.58 |
200 |
50 |
Nil |
387.58 |
|
|
Ministers of State |
Total (incl. VAT |
826.17 |
983.25 |
1,120.66 |
1,238.84 |
277.72 |
4,446.64 |
|
Recouped |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
94 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher in a temporary capacity may be granted to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35563/12]
The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements in schools for the 2012/2013 school year can also be affected by changes in their enrolment, the impact of budget measures and the reforms to the teacher allocation process. As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014. The detailed arrangements are set out in the Department's Staffing Circular 0007/2012 and is available on my Department's website. The staffing circular also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are also contained in the staffing circular 0007/2012.
The school referred to by the Deputy appealed their allocation of mainstream teaching posts for the 2012-2013 school year. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board considered the case at its meeting on 18th and 19th April 2012 and refused the appeal. The Board of Management of the school has been notified accordingly.
The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
95 Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which has applied for major capital funding; the timeframe for completion of works; the work that has yet to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35627/12]
My Department has received an application for an extension from the school in question which has been assigned a Band 3 rating in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.
The Deputy will appreciate, that in view of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand, it is not possible to indicate at this point when a project for the school in question will be progressed.
96 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of the UCD nursing class of 2011 who, due to a delay, did not have their exams graded and results received, until January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35675/12]
The position is that under the Universities Act, 1997, universities are academically independent and the Department of Education and Skills does not have any function in the day to day operational affairs of such colleges. It would not therefore be open to me to intervene with the authorities in UCD regarding a matter relating to examination procedures in the University. Issues concerning entitlement for payment for additional nursing qualifications fall within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health.
97 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35681/12]
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Vote 25) has overall responsibility for Local Government funding. This includes responsibility for Dormant Accounts funding, which facilitates, inter alia, the grant aiding of schemes relating to educational and social disadvantage. The Vote of my Department (Vote 26) facilitates Dormant Accounts funding concerning the tackling of educational disadvantage. The principle underpinning Dormant Accounts funding is that it is Exchequer neutral. Such funding disbursed from my Department's Vote is accordingly offset by receipts from the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). The NTMA is responsible for managing the Dormant Accounts Fund and pays over receipts to an appropriations in aid subhead in my Department's Vote, making the expenditure net neutral. In 2011 and to the end of June 2012 Dormant Accounts funding totalling €1.67 million was paid out by my Department. The funding was made up of: €1.160 million to support Institute of Technology Access Programmes; €0.484m Limerick DEIS (Delivering Equality of opportunity In Schools) schools (current funding) €0.014m Limerick DEIS schools (capital funding); €0.012m in respect of pre-school initiatives.
98 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills the Higher Education Authority accredited courses that are currently assessed using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; his plans to align all third level foreign language courses with the CEFRL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35695/12]
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) is a reference tool developed by the Council of Europe to assess the achievement of learners of foreign languages. While programmes of education and training provided by the universities and Institutes of Technology lead to awards which are aligned to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), those awards have not been systematically referenced to the CEFRL.
The proper alignment of language courses and awards to the CEFRL is a complex process as there is no natural comparison between national qualifications frameworks and language reference tools like CEFRL, and this needs to be considered in formulating a principled approach. It should also be borne in mind that the CEFRL has been designed based on research into European languages and therefore is not automatically applicable to all languages. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), the body responsible for the NFQ, has undertaken some work in transposing the NFQ and the CEFRL and it is intended to progress this further following the establishment of the new Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (QQAAI).
99 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail for the past ten years the percentage of leaving certificate students who took one foreign language and those who took two foreign languages, including, if possible, which level they took; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35697/12]
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
I wish to inform the Deputy that statistics in relation to the Leaving Certificate examinations (2000-2011) including the number of school leavers who completed the Leaving Certificate can be downloaded from State Examinations Commission website:- www.examinations.ie/statistics. Data on the 2012 examination and the number of entrants will not be available until mid-august.
100 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered ways to increase the number of Irish student study placements in the BRIC countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35698/12]
The Government's international education strategy encourages education institutions to promote outward mobility of staff and students as part of their own institutional internationalisation strategies.
Many education institutions already provide opportunities for some of their students to spend a period of time studying overseas, including in partner institutions in some of the BRIC countries. These institutional initiatives supplement the significant opportunities provided by the European Union's Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 which, each year, allows thousands of Irish students to study for a period in another European country.
At national level, the Farmleigh Fellowship, which has received substantial support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise Ireland, is providing Irish graduates with experience of doing international business in Asia and will build a critical mass of professionals who will spearhead a greater business, political and cultural engagement between Ireland and the region. The Fellowship was established in 2009 by a group of Singapore based Irish business people following the 2009 Global Irish Economic Forum at Farmleigh House. The programme provides an opportunity for up to 25 Irish graduates each year to work with Irish and multinational companies in Asia while pursuing a joint MSc from UCC and Nanyang Business School in Singapore.
101 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider setting national targets for Irish work and study placements in European countries to aid development of language skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35699/12]
I accept the desirability of promoting work and study placements in European countries in order to acquire expertise, including linguistic competency. Considerable numbers of Irish students are currently studying or working abroad.
National targets are a feature of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) of the European Union, which is designed to promote educational mobility in the European Union for study and work-placement. The Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 (LLP) comprises a range of programmes supporting cross-border mobility, networking and sharing of best practice. With an overall budget of nearly €7 billion for 2007 to 2013, the Lifelong Learning Programme enables individuals at all stages of their lives to pursue learning opportunities across Europe. Ireland receives some €10m annually from the LLP. The Programme will end in 2013. A new programme will be introduced in 2014, to run until 2020. Under the proposals of the European Commission for the new programme, the number of participants is expected to double.
The Government's international education strategy also encourages education institutions to promote outward mobility of staff and students as part of their own institutional internationalisation strategies.
102 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to build up the development of soft skills and competences within second and third level education and training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35700/12]
I am currently leading the reform of the Junior Cycle. A Framework for the revised Junior Cycle has been prepared. It contains 24 Statements of Learning which students should experience during their junior cycle. These 24 statements will provide the basis for school planning and evaluation. They will involve not only the combination of curriculum components (subjects and short courses) but also other key skills across all areas of learning.
The six key skills of Junior Cycle are ‘Managing Myself, Staying Well, Communicating, Being Creative, Working with Others, Managing Information and Thinking'. These key skills very much concentrate on soft skills and competences.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Teaching Council, which has statutory responsibility for the review and accreditation of programmes of initial teacher education, published criteria and guidelines for initial teacher education providers in 2011. These will form part of a consultation process. They form a bridge between the Council's policy and the development and implementation of reconceptualised programmes of initial teacher education in Higher Education Institutions, providing clarity for HEIs to enable them to ensure that their programmes meet the Council's accreditation requirements.
The National Strategy for Higher Education places a strong emphasis on the value of generic skills for the preparation of Irish graduates for the workplace and for their role as citizens. Skills identified by the ongoing OECD AHELO project due to report in March 2013 that should be incorporated into undergraduate education include analytic reasoning; critical thinking; written communication; leadership and team working skills. The Strategy recommends that higher education institutions explicitly address generic skills in their provision. Implementation of the Strategy is under way and is being overseen by a high level group chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. The implementation plan and progress reports are available on www.education.ie.
103 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve the supply of domestic foreign language capability to act as a boost to enterprise activity and export potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35701/12]
104 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to develop a national foreign language education policy with a five to ten year vision to provide an integrated and coherent approach to foreign language teaching in all learning contexts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35702/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
The Department's policy, detailed in the Government's National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, is that pupils will learn two languages, English and Irish in primary schools. The Strategy is being implemented since its publication in July of last year. There are no plans in the current budgetary situation to extend the range of languages available as part of the curriculum in post-primary schools but substantial changes will occur in the teaching of languages as a result of the curriculum changes that will take place as part of the reform of the Junior Cycle. The languages English, Irish, French, German, Spanish and Italian will continue to be offered as part of the curriculum at junior cycle. At senior cycle, the languages English, Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Arabic will continue to be offered. The availability of Transition Year and the option of school developed short courses proposed as part of junior cycle reform will provide opportunities for schools to provide additional languages, if they wish to do so. A number of developments are also ongoing which should help to ensure that there is greater coherence to language teaching including foreign language teaching. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is developing an integrated language curriculum for primary schools in the context of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. While the focus of this curriculum will be on English and Irish, it should help children to transfer skills acquired in one language to other languages and so establish a sound foundation for the learning of a foreign language in post-primary school. As part of junior cycle reform, it is expected that the syllabuses for the foreign languages currently available will be revised and that students will reach proficiency in one of these languages. At senior cycle, the syllabuses for French, Spanish, German and Italian have been reviewed within a common framework and are expected to be finalised during the 2012/2013 school year following a process of consultation with relevant parties.
Apart from curricular languages, studied and examined in the Leaving Certificate examination, as noted above, the State Examinations Commission provides examinations in a range of non-curricular languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but students may opt to be examined in these languages under certain conditions. The conditions, for the candidates in the Leaving Certificate examinations, include:
they must be from a member state of the EU
they must speak the language in which they opt to be examined as a mother tongue
they are following a programme of study leading to the Leaving Certificate and
they are taking the Leaving Certificate examination in English
For 2012 Leaving Certificate Examination there were 1,495 entries for 16 such European languages. The availability of the complete suite of languages will help to improve the supply of domestic foreign languages. Almost 12% of our post-primary students are of nationalities other than Irish and a number of them would have a mother tongue that is not English.
105 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to scale up the supply of foreign language skills being taught at third level, in particular for emerging market languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35703/12]
Students at third level currently have access to a wide range of foreign language courses that can be taken as core subjects or in combination with a range of other disciplines. Information on all language courses, including those relevant to emerging markets, is available on the Qualifax website www.qualifax.ie.
In addition, almost 150 new part time higher education places on foreign language courses have been made available under Springboard 2012.
The issue of the supply of foreign language skills was also addressed in a report published by Forfás and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs last month. The recommendations in this report, Key Skills for Enterprise to Trade Internationally, will provide a valuable input to considerations around the further development of foreign language provision in third level institutions.
106 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35728/12]
The NCSE has notified all schools of their allocation for the 2012/13 school year of resource hours for low incidence special needs. The arrangements for how schools access these resource hours in teaching posts are set out in the Department Staffing Circular 0007/2012. Under these arrangements a network of over 2,500 full-time resource posts has been put in place in close to 1,700 base schools throughout the country. The list of these schools and the criteria used to select them is set out in the published circular.
These resource posts are allocated on a permanent basis and the teachers in them will undertake NCSE approved (low incidence) resource hours in the base schools or in neighbouring schools. Schools that are unable to access these hours will be allocated mainly temporary part-time posts. It is also open to schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, to make an application for a full-time temporary resource post.
The school referred to has been allocated 85.85 resource (low incidence) hours by the NCSE and is the base school for 2 resource posts.
107 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a mechanism in place for a person who is above the income threshold for the higher education top up grant to have the application considered on hardship grounds; if there is any mechanism in place to appeal a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35759/12]
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.
It is not possible to allow grant aid where reckonable income exceeds the prescribed limits, regardless of individual circumstances.
If the applicant is unhappy with the decision in relation to his grant application he/she may appeal the decision of the grant awarding authority to its appeals officer.
Where the appeals officer decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department or the independent appeals board, as appropriate.
108 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his liaisons with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs regarding putting the Children’s First guidelines on a statutory basis; if this will impact on single teacher schools; if he will put extra staffing resources into such schools when legislation on the guidelines is enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35764/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs published the Heads of the Children First Bill on the 24th April last. I fully support this Bill, the purpose of which is to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory basis.
Last autumn, my Department published updated Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools based on the updated Children First 2011. These along with the Department's vetting requirements already address, on a non-statutory basis, the requirements and obligations arising from Children First 2011 and they apply to all primary and post-primary schools, irrespective of size.
As the Deputy will also be aware, following its publication, the Heads of Bill was sent to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consultation with key stakeholders to take place before the Bill is finalised. My Department is also liaising on an ongoing basis with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the how the proposed legislation will impact on the schools system and to ensure, as far as possible, that its implementation at school level will complement the updated child protection procedures in place within the education sector.
109 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider restrictions imposed on students planning to attend their preferred post-primary school that has an existing bus service suitable to the student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35765/12]
Changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme were announced in Budget 2011 and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme.
The main change to the current scheme means that from the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for all pupils newly entering a post primary school will be determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest Post-Primary Education Centre having regard, as heretofore, to ethos and language.
In general, existing eligible and catchment boundary children including those who are not attending their nearest post primary centre will retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances.
Siblings of these children and other children who are not attending their nearest school may apply for school transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school, having regard for ethos and language.
110 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary school students in Dublin 5, 13 and 17 who avail of the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35840/12]
Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Schemes, on behalf of my Department, has advised that in the school year 2011/12 over 3,000 primary and 900 post primary children were issued with tickets for school transport in the greater Dublin area. These figures include children with special educational needs.
The breakdown of these figures by individual postal areas is not readily available.
111 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce computer science into the second level curriculum in view of the recent international surveys showing a weakness in the Irish educational system in mathematics and closely related subjects like computer science; if the informal computer science initiative for young persons being taken by a Minister in his Department will be extended into mainstream curricula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35848/12]
The curriculum in schools is devised on the basis that ICT is not a subject but rather a tool to be integrated into the teaching and learning of all subjects. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has developed an ICT framework which sets out a structured approach to ICT in curriculum and assessment. This sets out the types of learning appropriate for students during the period of compulsory education, and provides a guide to teachers for embedding ICT across the curriculum. Therefore, it is not time bound.
The overall implementation of ICT in schools is supported by the National Centre for Technology in Education which provides for extensive training and guidance for schools on the integration of ICT into teaching and learning. To further support teachers in using ICT in the curriculum, the NCCA developed the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the Primary School Curriculum: Guidelines for Teachers as a supporting document to the Primary School Curriculum 1999. The guidelines were launched by the Department of Education and Science (DES) in 2004.
I am currently leading the reform of the Junior Cycle. A Framework for the revised Junior Cycle has been prepared. It contains 24 Statements of Learning which students should experience. One of the Statements of Learning aims to ensure that all students "use ICT effectively and ethically in learning and in life".
The reform will allow for the introduction of optional school developed short courses of 100 hours duration. This will provide a new opportunity for schools to progress the provision of short courses to enhance students' ICT skills which will be embedded in all their learning. Such courses could include software programming and coding, if a school so chooses. One of my Minister of State's has established a CoderDojo programme in his constituency. The content of such a programme, for example, could be considered by schools to form part of a new short course.
In addition ICT will be an area of essential learning which all students will be required to experience, and Managing Information and Thinking will be embedded in subjects as a core skill. There is also a Transition Year option in relation to Having Fun with Computer Programming and Games and, under the ICT Action Plan, this is being expanded nationally.
112 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent on State subsidies to private fee paying schools in 2011/2012; the projected amount that will be paid to private fee paying school for the 2012/2013 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35850/12]
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following documents.
Further to the details included in the documents an additional €28,183.62 of Assistive Technology grants issued to Fee Charging Schools in the 2011/12 school year.
|
School No. |
School Address |
Total Gross Teachers |
Total Gross Clerical Officers |
Total Gross SNAs |
||
|
60030V |
Blackrock College |
Blackrock |
Co Dublin |
3,045,751.00 |
39,453.36 |
49513.55 |
|
60040B |
Willow Park School |
Rock Road |
Blackrock |
861,415.00 |
||
|
60090Q |
Rathdown School |
Glenageary |
Co Dublin |
1,150,765.00 |
||
|
60100Q |
Castleknock College |
Castleknock |
Dublin 15 |
1,646,405.00 |
82150.84 |
|
|
60120W |
Mount Sackville Secondary School |
Chapelizod |
Dublin 20 |
1,742,855.00 |
73881.22 |
|
|
60130C |
Loreto Abbey Secondary School |
Dalkey |
Co Dublin |
2,022,685.00 |
||
|
60140F |
Mount Anville Secondary School |
Mount Anville Rd |
Dublin 14 |
1,938,629.00 |
44473.75 |
|
|
60160L |
Notre Dame Secondary School |
Upper Churchtown Road |
Dublin 14 |
755,624.00 |
22284.54 |
|
|
60180R |
Christian Brothers College |
Monkstown Park |
Dun Laoghaire |
1,630,167.00 |
46319.1 |
|
|
60240J |
Loreto College Foxrock |
Foxrock |
Dublin 18 |
1,851,601.00 |
34299.54 |
52535.26 |
|
60250M |
Holy Child Secondary School |
Military Road |
Killiney |
1,025,268.00 |
||
|
60260P |
St Joseph Of Cluny |
Bellevue Park |
Ballinclea Rd |
1,265,373.00 |
75874.28 |
|
|
60272W |
The Kings Hospital |
Palmerstown |
Dublin 20 |
2,251,521.00 |
39,453.36 |
45281.71 |
|
60320H |
St Columba’s College |
Whitechurch |
Dublin 16 |
970,099.00 |
139076.67 |
|
|
60321J |
Rockbrook Park School |
Edmondstown Road |
Rathfarnham |
381,210.00 |
25174.35 |
|
|
60340N |
Loreto High School |
Beaufort |
Grange Rd |
1,870,303.00 |
30506.94 |
|
|
60381E |
Sutton Park School |
St Fintans Road |
Sutton |
1,241,663.00 |
22584.3 |
|
|
60520P |
Belvedere College S.J |
6 Great Denmark Street |
Dublin 1 |
2,990,420.00 |
39453.36 |
66331.67 |
|
60530S |
Gonzaga College |
Sandford Road |
Ranelagh |
1,810,663.00 |
||
|
60540V |
Catholic University School |
89 Lower Leeson Street |
Dublin 2 |
1,301,431.00 |
||
|
60560E |
St Marys College |
Rathmines |
Dublin 6 |
1,360,311.00 |
||
|
60561G |
St Michaels College |
Ailesbury Road |
Dublin 4 |
2,041,780.00 |
25287.87 |
|
|
60570H |
Terenure College |
Templeogue Road |
Terenure |
2,206,757.00 |
29964.47 |
|
|
60590N |
St Conleths College |
28 Clyde Road |
Ballsbridge |
873,181.00 |
||
|
60630W |
St Killians Deutsche School |
Roebuck Road Clonskeagh |
Dublin 14 |
1,500,694.00 |
||
|
60640C |
Sandford Park School Ltd |
Sandford Road |
Ranelagh |
856,251.00 |
25287.87 |
|
|
60650F |
St Andrews College |
Booterstown Ave |
Blackrock |
3,374,442.00 |
120659.21 |
|
|
60660I |
St Patricks Cathedral G.S |
St Patricks Close |
Dublin 8 |
617,884.00 |
||
|
60670L |
The High School |
Zion Road |
Rathgar |
2,343,978.00 |
77722.5 |
|
|
60820E |
Loreto College |
53 St Stephens Green |
Dublin 2 |
1,690,023.00 |
26285.32 |
|
|
60892G |
The Teresian School |
12 Stillorgan Road |
Donnybrook |
647,625.00 |
||
|
60910F |
Alexandra College |
Milltown |
Dublin 6 |
1,761,763.00 |
34,347.84 |
27989.71 |
|
60930L |
Rosemont School |
Temple Road |
Blackrock |
313,236.00 |
||
|
61010U |
Wesley College |
Ballinteer |
Dublin 16 |
2,788,463.00 |
108830.82 |
|
|
61020A |
Stratford College |
1 Zion Road Rathgar |
Dublin 6 |
714,364.00 |
27258.96 |
|
|
61080S |
Royal School Cavan |
College Street |
Cavan |
940,926.00 |
101662.33 |
|
|
61570M |
Kilkenny College |
Castlecomer Road |
Kilkenny |
2,601,469.00 |
39335.94 |
31,739.87 |
|
61680T |
Newbridge College |
Newbridge |
Co. Kildare |
2,558,611.00 |
58,117.41 |
|
|
61720F |
Clongowes Wood College |
Naas |
Co Kildare |
1,395,432.00 |
||
|
61811I |
St Gerard’s School |
Thornhill Road |
Bray |
1,506,569.00 |
||
|
62060R |
Bandon Grammar School |
Bandon |
Co Cork |
1,958,094.00 |
99,615.09 |
|
|
62370J |
Midleton College |
Midleton |
Co Cork |
1,288,256.00 |
22,284.54 |
|
|
62520C |
Christian Brothers College |
Sidney Hill |
Wellington Road |
2,472,867.00 |
7,530.47 |
|
|
62570R |
Presentation Brothers College |
The Mardyke |
Cork |
2,408,810.00 |
||
|
62690E |
Scoil Mhuire |
2 Sidney Place |
Wellington Road |
1,317,368.00 |
10,157.26 |
|
|
63300Q |
Wilson’s Hospital School |
Multyfarnham |
Co Westmeath |
1,442,775.00 |
22,183.17 |
|
|
63870L |
Drogheda Grammar School |
Mornington Rd |
Drogheda |
992,044.00 |
51,155.22 |
|
|
63920A |
Dundalk Grammar School |
Dundalk |
Co Louth |
1,834,224.00 |
18,283.20 |
|
|
64150F |
Glenstal Abbey School |
Murroe |
Co Limerick |
608,089.00 |
||
|
64310B |
Villiers Secondary School |
North Circular Road |
Limerick |
2,160,091.00 |
20,205.32 |
|
|
64420I |
Franciscan College |
Gormanstown |
Co Meath |
1,206,731.00 |
||
|
64830E |
Monaghan Collegiate School |
Corlatt |
Monaghan |
956,973.00 |
67,785.23 |
|
|
65010R |
Newtown School |
Waterford |
Co. Waterford |
1,151,461.00 |
||
|
65190W |
Sligo Grammar School |
The Mall |
Sligo |
1,499,382.00 |
56,338.52 |
|
|
65410K |
Cistercian College |
Roscrea |
Co. Tipperary |
869,346.00 |
34,347.84 |
|
|
68071G |
St John Scottus Secondary School |
74/76 Morehampton Road Donnybrook |
Dublin 4 |
566,785.00 |
38,597.94 |
|
|
Total |
86,580,903.00 |
260,691.24 |
1,850,930.48 |
|
ROLL NUMBER |
SCHOOL NAME |
2012 |
SEPT-DEC 2011 |
TOTAL |
|
60030V |
BLACKROCK COLLEGE DUBLIN |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60040B |
WILLOW PARK SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60090Q |
RATHDOWN SCHOOL |
€4,389.12 |
€10,241.26 |
€14,630.38 |
|
60100Q |
CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€65.98 |
€65.98 |
|
60120W |
MOUNT SACKVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60130C |
LORETO ABBEY, DALKEY |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60140F |
MOUNT ANVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60160L |
NOTRE DAME DES MISSIONS, UPPER CHURCHTOWN ROAD |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60180R |
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE, DUNLAOIGHAIRE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60240J |
LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL, FOXROCK |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60250M |
HOLY CHILD KILLINEY, MILITARY ROAD KILLINEY |
€0.00 |
€67,571.25 |
€67,571.25 |
|
60260P |
ST JOSEPHS OF CLUNY, BELLEVUE PARK, BALLINCLEA ROAD |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60272W |
THE KINGS HOSPITAL, PALMERSTOWN |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60320H |
COLLEGE OF ST COLUMBA, WHITECHURCH |
€0.00 |
€27,551.90 |
€27,551.90 |
|
60321J |
ROCKBROOK PARK SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60340N |
LORETO HIGH SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60381E |
SUTTON PARK SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60520P |
BELVEDERE COLLEGE, GREAT DENMARK STREET |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60530S |
GONZAGA COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60540V |
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60560E |
ST MARYS COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60561G |
ST. MICHAELS COLLEGE, AILSBURY ROAD |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60570H |
TERENURE COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60590N |
ST CONLETHS COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€72,300.00 |
€72,300.00 |
|
60630W |
ST KILLIANS GERMAN SCHOOL, CLONSKEAGH |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60640C |
SANDFORD PARK SCHOOL LTD |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60650F |
ST ANDREWS COLLEGE, BLACKROCK |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60660I |
ST PATRICKS CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, ST PATRICKS CLOSE |
€103,300.64 |
€0.00 |
€103,300.64 |
|
60670L |
THE HIGH SCHOOL RATHGAR |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60820E |
LORETO COLLEGE, ST STEPHEN’S GREEN |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60892G |
THE TERESIAN SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
60910F |
ALEXANDRA COLLEGE, MILLTOWN |
€0.00 |
€5,006.44 |
€5,006.44 |
|
60930L |
ROSEMONT PARK SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
61010U |
WESLEY COLLEGE, BALLINTEER |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
61020A |
STRATFORD COLLEGE, RATHGAR |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
61080S |
ROYAL SCHOOL CAVAN |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
61570M |
KILKENNY COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
61680T |
DOMINICAN COLLEGE NEWBRIDGE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
61720F |
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
61811I |
ST GERARDS |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
62060R |
BANDON GRAMMAR SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
62370J |
MIDLETON COLLEGE |
€17,455.88 |
€187,543.79 |
€204,999.67 |
|
62520C |
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE 62520C |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
62570R |
PRESENTATION BROTHERS COLLEGE, MARDYKE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
62690E |
SCOIL MHUIRE, 2 SIDNEY PLACE, WELLINGTON RD, CORK |
€293,750.12 |
€27,467.00 |
€321,217.12 |
|
63300Q |
WILSON’S HOSPITAL |
€0.00 |
€62,414.82 |
€62,414.82 |
|
63870L |
DROGHEDA GRAMMAR SCH., MORNINGTON RD, DROGHEDA |
€1,709,636.94 |
€748,629.36 |
€2,458,266.30 |
|
63920A |
DUNDALK GRAMMAR SCHOOL |
€1,192,121.97 |
€14,049.42 |
€1,206,171.39 |
|
64150F |
GLENSTAL ABBEY SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
64310B |
VILLIERS SECONDARY SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
64420I |
FRANCISCAN COLLEGE MEATH |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
64830E |
MONAGHAN COLLEGIATE, CORLATT |
€0.00 |
€45,083.88 |
€45,083.88 |
|
65010R |
NEWTOWN SCHOOL |
€196,002.24 |
€146,624.59 |
€342,626.83 |
|
65190W |
SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL, THE MALL |
€13,500.00 |
€4,263.00 |
€17,763.00 |
|
65410K |
CISTERCIAN COLLEGE |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
68071G |
JOHN SCOTTUS SECORNDARY SCHOOL |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€3,530,156.91 |
€1,418,812.69 |
€4,948,969.60 |
113 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Skills the salary scales for national school teachers and principals in two, three and four teacher schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35857/12]
114 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Skills the allowances for national school teachers and principals in two, three and four teacher schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35859/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.
Teachers in all schools are paid on an incremental salary scale.
All teachers employed before 1 February 2012 receive an allowance appropriate to their qualifications.
Principals are paid an allowance in respect of the duties attached to this post.
In addition there are other allowances which may be paid to teachers depending on the type or category of schools in which they are employed. An example is a teacher teaching in a Gaelscoil who may be paid an allowance for teaching through the medium of Irish.
The details of the incremental salary scale, qualification allowances, principal allowances and other allowances and their values are outlined in the following Circulars.
New Pay Scales for New Appointees to Teaching in 2011 Introduction
1. The Minister for Education and Skills wishes to inform vocational education committees, management bodies and teachers of the application of revised rates of salary and allowances for new appointees to teaching from 1 January 2011 onwards.
2. As part of Budget 2011 the Government has applied a 10% reduction in the pay of new entrants to the public service (referred to in this Circular as "new appointees") and all new appointees to the entry grades of the public service must start at the first point of the relevant pay scale with effect from 1 January 2011.
Application of new pay rates
3. The 10% reduction in pay applies to basic pay, allowances and the supervision and substitution payment.
(a) Basic Pay:
The 10% reduction applies to basic pay on all points of the incremental salary scale. Daily and hourly rates for casual and non-casual teachers in the primary sector and hourly rates for casual and non-casual parttime teachers in the post-primary sector have also been reduced. The revised rates are set out in an Appendix to this Circular and can be accessed by clicking here.
(b) Allowances:
The 10% reduction also applies to all allowances with the exception of promotional allowances; ie special duties, assistant principal, deputy principal and principal allowances.
New Appointee to teaching
4. The new pay rates apply to all teachers who are new appointees appointed on or after 1 January 2011.
5. Where a person gave service in an analogous teaching position before 1 January 2011 (including those currently on an approved leave of absence), s/he will not be regarded as a new appointee to teaching. In addition, a person with a written offer of employment before 1 January 2011 will not be regarded as a new appointee. In these cases, the person will be assigned to the appropriate pre-1 January 2011 scale and allowances, and incremental credit for approved teaching service and non-teaching experience which is deemed relevant will be awardable.
6. Where a teacher who is retired and is in receipt of a pension returns to teaching on or after 1 January 2011, s/he will start on the first point of the post 1 January 2011 incremental salary scale.
Incremental credit
7. All new appointees to teaching will start on the first point of the post 1 January 2011 incremental salary scale. The Government has decided that all new appointees to entry grades (subject to the criteria set out above) will start at the minimum point of the new reduced scale.
8. However, incremental credit may continue to apply for relevant recognised service (e.g. recognised teaching service in another EU Member State). Similarly, those who leave the system will be able to reckon such previous relevant service on re-entry.
Circulation
9. Please ensure that copies of this Circular are provided to the Board of Management/Vocational Education Committee and its contents are brought to the attention of all teachers in your employment including those on leave of absence.
10. This Circular can be accessed on the Department's website under http://www.education.ie.
11. All enquiries regarding this Circular should be e-mailed to teachersna@education.gov.ie OR payroll@education.gov.ie
Dalton TattanPadraig Maloney
Principal OfficerPrincipal Officer
Teachers/SNAs Terms and ConditionsPayroll
June 2011June 2011
|
Pay Scales for new appointees appointed on or after 1 January 2011 |
|
|---|---|
|
TEACHERS' COMMON BASIC SCALE |
|
|
No. |
Pay Scale |
|
1 |
€27,814 |
|
2 |
€28,775 |
|
3 |
€29,737 |
|
4 |
€30,702 |
|
5 |
€32,198 |
|
6 |
€3,168 |
|
7 |
€34,136 |
|
8 |
€36,576 |
|
9 |
€37,795 |
|
10 |
€39,251 |
|
11 |
€40,700 |
|
12 |
€42,160 |
|
13 |
€43,380 |
|
14 |
€44,996 |
|
15 |
€44,996 |
|
16 |
€44,996 |
|
17 |
€47,225 |
|
18 |
€47,225 |
|
19 |
€47,225 |
|
20 |
€47,225 |
|
21 |
€50,170 |
|
22 |
€50,170 |
|
23 |
€50,170 |
|
24 |
€50,170 |
|
25 |
€53,423 |
|
Qualifications |
Amount |
|
1. (a) (i) H. Dip. in Ed. (Pass) |
€532 |
|
(ii) Higher Froebel Cert. |
€532 |
|
(b) (i) H. Dip. in Ed. (1st or 2nd Hons) |
€1,112 |
|
(ii) Ard Teastas Gaeilge |
€1,112 |
|
(c) Primary Degree (Pass) |
€1,658 |
|
(d) Masters Degree by thesis or exam (Pass) |
€4,426 |
|
(e) Primary Degree (1st or 2nd Hons) |
€ 4,426 |
|
(f) Masters Degree (1st or 2nd Hons) |
€4,946 |
|
(g) Doctors Degree |
€5,526 |
|
Only one of the allowances at (a) or (b) may be held together with one of the allowances (c) to (g) |
|
|
2. (i) *An Teastas i dTeagasc na Gaeilge le honoracha |
€3,850 |
|
(ii) *Higher Diploma in Education (1st or 2nd Hons) |
€3,850 |
|
(iii) *Primary Degree (Pass) together with at least 3 years approved experience in commercial, industrial or other approved occupation |
€3,850 |
|
(iv) Diploma for Teachers of Deaf Diploma for Teachers of Blind |
€2,193 |
|
Diploma for Teachers of Mentally and Physically Handicapped Children |
|
|
OTHER ALLOWANCES |
|
|
1. Rural Science Teachers (for organisation and development of education activities outside formal class instruction) |
€1,658 |
|
2. Itinerant Domestic Science Teachers |
€1,658 |
|
3. Teaching through Irish |
€1,424 |
|
4. Gaeltacht Grant payable to teachers in the Gaeltacht other than those in receipt of an allowance equal to 10% of scale salary |
€2,757 |
|
5. Island Allowance |
€1,658 |
|
6. Special allowance payable to teachers in Comprehensive Schools |
€2,224 |
|
Untrained Teachers’ Rate |
|
|
Z01 |
€24,619 |
|
Allowance for Teachers with 35 years’ service |
€2,091 |
|
Allowance Payable to Teachers in the Prison Service Honorarium |
€4,296 |
|
SECONDMENT ALLOWANCES |
|
|
CATEGORY 2 |
€15,143 |
|
CATEGORY 3 |
€11,831 |
|
CATEGORY 4 |
€9,117 |
|
Allowance payable to teachers of apprentices in Dun Laoghaire and Co. Cork VECs |
€8,766 |
|
Secure Unit Allowance/ Disturbed Adolescent Allowance 100% |
€1,976 |
|
Hourly and daily rates of pay for part-time and substitute teachers |
|
|
Primary daily rate casual (qualified teacher) |
€164.26 |
|
Primary daily rate (unqualified) |
€115.12 |
|
Primary hourly rate (qualified) on payroll |
€32.21 |
|
Primary hourly rate (qualified) paid by grant |
€36.60 |
|
Primary hourly rate (unqualified) |
€26.07 |
|
Post-primary hourly rate casual (qualified) |
€40.10 |
|
Post primary hourly rate (unqualified) |
€36.76 |
|
Supervision and Substitution |
|
|
Hourly rate |
€43.04 |
*Payable only to teachers who were in receipt of an allowance of £110 (pre July 1968) and who did not qualify for a higher allowance at 1. above
Appendix II
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a newly qualified teacher who has never worked as a substitute teacher — Which pay scale will I start on?
Only service given in a teaching position pre-1 January 2011 will count as prior service for eligibility for pre-2011 pay scales. If you have not served in a teaching position (including as a substitute) before 1 January 2011 you will be offered a contract at the new pay rates and conditions. You cannot receive incremental credit for any training prior to entry to teaching.
I am a teacher who worked in Ireland as a substitute teacher in 2001 but I have been in the UK for the past number of years — Which pay scale will I start on?
You worked in a teaching position prior to 1 January 2011. You will therefore be offered a contract at pre-2011 pay rates and conditions. Your service as a qualified and registered teacher in the UK will be reckonable for incremental credit purposes.
I am a teacher who worked in the EU for the past number of years. I have never worked in a teaching position in the public service in Ireland but am due to start in May 2011 — Which pay scale will I start on?
You are a new appointee to teaching. You will begin on the first point of the January 2011 payscale. Recognised teaching service in another country prior to your first entry to teaching in Ireland is reckonable subject to certain conditions.
I am a qualified and registered teacher who has prior public sector experience as a Lecturer. I will begin teaching in May 2011 — Which pay scale will I start on?
You are a new appointee to teaching. You will therefore be offered a contract at January 2011 pay rates and conditions. This applies also to teachers who are moving to take up a post in other positions (eg Special Needs Assistants, administrators, etc). You may be entitled to certain incremental credit in respect of your lecturing service.
I have been employed as a teacher in the private sector for 5 years. I will begin teaching in the public sector in May 2011 — What will my starting salary be?
You are a new appointee under the recent Government Decision. You will therefore be offered a contract at the first point of the January 2011 pay rates and conditions. You may be entitled to incremental credit subject to certain conditions.
I am a teacher who was employed with a Vocational Education Committee since September 2005. I resigned from my post with the VEC in November 2010. I expect to take up a teaching post in a Voluntary Secondary school in September 2011. Which pay scale will I be paid on?
You worked in a teaching position prior to first of January 2011. You will therefore be offered a contract at pre-2011 pay rates and conditions if you resume teaching in a voluntary secondary school in September 2011. Your service as a qualified and registered teacher with the VEC will be reckonable for incremental credit purposes.
Circular Pay 0004/2010
To the Management Authorities of Primary, Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools and the Chief Executive Officer of each Vocational Education Committee
|
POINTÍ AR AN SCÁLA(POINTS ON SCALE) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
1 |
€32,599 |
€30,904 |
|
2 |
€33,753 |
€31,972 |
|
3 |
€34,909 |
€33,041 |
|
4 |
€36,068 |
€34,113 |
|
5 |
€37,865 |
€35,775 |
|
6 |
€39,030 |
€36,853 |
|
7 |
€40,193 |
€37,929 |
|
8 |
€43,124 |
€40,640 |
|
9 |
€44,588 |
€41,994 |
|
10 |
€46,337 |
€43,612 |
|
11 |
€48,078 |
€45,222 |
|
12 |
€49,831 |
€46,844 |
|
13 |
€51,297 |
€48,200 |
|
14 |
€53,239 |
€49,996 |
|
15 |
€53,239 |
€49,996 |
|
16 |
€53,239 |
€49,996 |
|
17 |
€55,916 |
€52,472 |
|
18 |
€55,916 |
€52,472 |
|
19 |
€55,916 |
€52,472 |
|
20 |
€55,916 |
€52,472 |
|
21 |
€59,453 |
€55,744 |
|
22 |
€59,453 |
€55,744 |
|
23 |
€59,453 |
€55,744 |
|
24 |
€59,453 |
€55,744 |
|
25 |
€63,361 |
€59,359 |
|
Is ceadmhach d’oide an liúntas (f) nó (g) a fháil chomh maith le ceann amháin ar bith de na liúntais (a) go dtí (e) Either of the allowances (f) or (g) may be held together with any one of the allowances (a) to (e). |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
1. (a) Bunchéim (pas) Primary Degree (Pass) |
€1,939 |
€1,842 |
|
(b)Máistirchéim de thoradh tráchtais nó scrúdaithe (Pas) Masters Degree by thesis or Examination (Pass)) |
€5,177 |
€4,918 |
|
(c)Bunchéim (onóracha den chéad, den dara nó den tríúr grád) Primary Degree (1st, 2nd or 3rd Honours) |
€5,177 |
€4,918 |
|
(d)Máistirchéim (onóracha den chéad nó den dara grád) Master’s Degree (1s or 2nd honours) |
€5,785 |
€5,496 |
|
(e)Dochtúirchéim(Doctor’s Degree) |
€6,463 |
€6,140 |
|
(f)(i)Ard-Teastas in Oideachas (Pas)(Higher Diploma in Education) (Pass) |
€622 |
€591 |
|
(ii)Ard-Teastas Froebel(Higher Froebel Certificate) |
€622 |
€591 |
|
(g)(i)Ard-Teastas in Oideachas (onóracha den chéad nó den dara grád) Higher Diploma in Education (1st or 2nd Honours) |
€1,301 |
€1,236 |
|
(ii)Ard-Teastas Gaeilge |
€1,301 |
€1,236 |
|
2. Liúntas i gcás oidí le bunchéim (pas) agus Ard-Teastas in Oideachas (onóracha den Chéad nó den dara grád) go raibh liúntas de réir £110 (€140) iníoctha leo roimh 1 Iúil, 1968Allowance payable to teachers with a Primary Degree (Pass) and the Higher Diploma in Education (1st or 2nd honours) who, prior to 1 July 1968 were in receipt of an allowance of £110. (€140) |
€ 4,503 |
€ 4,278 |
|
LIÚNTAS (ALLOWANCE) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
(i)Múineadh trí Ghaeilge (Teaching through Irish) |
€1,666 |
€1,583 |
|
(ii)Deontas Gaeltachta (Gaeltacht Grant) |
€3,224 |
€3,063 |
|
(iii)Liúntas Teagaisc ar Oileáin (Island Allowance) |
€1,939 |
€1,842 |
|
(iv)Liúntas i leith Teastais(a) d’Oidí na nDall(b) d’Oidí na bPáistí Bodhra(c) d’Oidí na bPáistí le Bac Fisciúil nó le Meabhairghalar Allowance for Diploma for(a) Teachers of Deaf Children(b) Teachers of Blind Children(c) Teachers of Mentally and Physically Handicapped Children |
€2,565 |
€2,437 |
|
(v)Liúntas Speisialta do mhúinteoirí i Scoileanna Cuimsitheacha (ceaptha roimh 1.1.1987) (Special Allowance payable to teachers in Comprehensive Schools (appointed before 1.1. 1987)) |
€2,601 |
€2,471 |
|
(v)Liúntas Leanaí (Children’s Allowance) |
€115 |
€113 |
|
(vi)Liúntas le haghaidh múinteoirí ag a bhfuil 35 bliain de sheirbhís gafa acu (Allowance for teachers with 35 years service) |
€2,446 |
€2,324 |
|
(vii)Liúntas Rúnaí an Bhoird Bhainistíochta (Secretary Board of Management Allowance) (payable on a personal basis to Principals of Comprehensive schools who held the allowance prior to the implementation of Agreed Report 3/06) |
€2,949 |
€2,802 |
|
(viii)Liúntas a dhíol do phríomh oidí a bhíonn ina rúnaithe do Bhoird Bhainistíochta Allowance for Principals who act as Secretary to Board of Management (Agreed Report 3/06) |
||
|
School EnrolmentClárú Scoile |
||
|
-<101 |
€551 |
€523 |
|
101-300 |
€828 |
€787 |
|
301-500 |
€1,104 |
€1,049 |
|
501-700 |
€1,381 |
€1,312 |
|
700 + |
€1,655 |
€1,572 |
|
(ix)Liúntais Iasachta (Secondment Allowances) |
||
|
Aicme 2(Category 2) |
€17,711 |
€16,825 |
|
Aicme 3(Category 3) |
€13,838 |
€13,146 |
|
Aicme 4(Category 4) |
€10,663 |
€10,130 |
|
(x)Riail 87 (Ard-Teastas Froebel) Rule 87 (Higher Froebel Cert) |
€1,510 |
€1,435 |
|
AICME (CATEGORY) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
I |
€9,800 |
€9,310 |
|
II |
€10,981 |
€10,432 |
|
III |
€12,882 |
€12,238 |
|
IV |
€15,116 |
€14,360 |
|
V |
€17,584 |
€16,705 |
|
VI |
€20,088 |
€19,084 |
|
VII |
€22,512 |
€21,386 |
|
VIII |
€24,962 |
€23,714 |
|
IX |
€26,765 |
€25,427 |
|
X |
€28,628 |
€ 27,197 |
|
XI |
€31,343 |
€29,776 |
|
XII |
€33,179 |
€31,520 |
|
XIII |
€36,729 |
€34,893 |
|
XIV |
€37,926 |
€36,030 |
|
XV |
€41,136 |
€39,079 |
|
XVI |
€42,922 |
€40,776 |
|
XVII |
€44,704 |
€42,469 |
|
AICME (CATEGORY) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
I |
€3,967 |
€3,769 |
|
II |
€5,192 |
€4,932 |
|
III |
€6,863 |
€6,520 |
|
IV |
€8,603 |
€ 8,173 |
|
V |
€10,287 |
€9,773 |
|
VI |
€12,046 |
€11,444 |
|
VII |
€13,738 |
€13,051 |
|
VIII |
€15,400 |
€14,630 |
|
IX |
€16,710 |
€15,875 |
|
X |
€17,987 |
€17,088 |
|
XI |
€19,964 |
€18,966 |
|
XII |
€21,188 |
€20,129 |
|
XIII |
€23,837 |
€22,645 |
|
XIV |
€24,355 |
€23,137 |
|
XV |
€26,610 |
€25,280 |
|
XVI |
€27,635 |
€26,253 |
|
XVII |
€28,649 |
€27,217 |
|
AICME (CATEGORY) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
I |
€9,800 |
€9,310 |
|
II |
€10,981 |
€10,432 |
|
III |
€12,882 |
€12,238 |
|
IV |
€15,116 |
€14,360 |
|
V |
€17,584 |
€16,705 |
|
VI |
€20,088 |
€19,084 |
|
VII |
€22,512 |
€21,386 |
|
VIII |
€24,962 |
€23,714 |
|
IX |
€26,765 |
€25,427 |
|
X |
€28,628 |
€27,197 |
|
XI |
€31,343 |
€29,776 |
|
AICME (CATEGORY) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
I |
€3,967 |
€3,769 |
|
II |
€5,192 |
€4,932 |
|
III |
€6,863 |
€6,520 |
|
IV |
€8,603 |
€8,173 |
|
V |
€10,287 |
€9,773 |
|
VI |
€12,046 |
€11,444 |
|
VII |
€13,738 |
€13,051 |
|
VIII |
€15,400 |
€14,630 |
|
IX |
€16,710 |
€15,875 |
|
X |
€17,987 |
€17,088 |
|
XI |
€19,964 |
€18,966 |
|
RÉIMSE POINTÍ (POINTS RATING) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
Faoi (under) 150 |
€7,011 |
€6,660 |
|
150-299 |
€7,086 |
€6,732 |
|
300-449 |
€8,580 |
€8,151 |
|
450-599 |
€10,067 |
€9,564 |
|
600-749 |
€11,808 |
€11,218 |
|
750-899 |
€13,738 |
€13,051 |
|
900-1099 |
€15,697 |
€14,912 |
|
1100-1299 |
€17,586 |
€16,707 |
|
1300-1499 |
€19,500 |
€18,525 |
|
1500-1699 |
€20,911 |
€19,865 |
|
1700-1949 |
€22,364 |
€21,246 |
|
1950-2199 |
€23,826 |
€22,635 |
|
2200-2449 |
€25,249 |
€23,987 |
|
2450 agus níos mó (and over) |
€26,635 |
€25,303 |
|
RÉIMSE POINTÍ (POINTS RATING) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
Faoi (under) 150 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
150-299 |
€3,099 |
€2,944 |
|
300-449 |
€4,051 |
€3,848 |
|
450-599 |
€5,362 |
€5,094 |
|
600-749 |
€6,717 |
€6,381 |
|
750-899 |
€8,030 |
€7,629 |
|
900-1099 |
€9,413 |
€8,942 |
|
1100-1299 |
€10,735 |
€10,198 |
|
1300-1499 |
€12,032 |
€11,430 |
|
1500-1699 |
€13,055 |
€12,402 |
|
1700-1949 |
€14,053 |
€13,350 |
|
1950-2199 |
€15,014 |
€14,263 |
|
2200-2449 |
€15,961 |
€15,163 |
|
2450 agus níos mó (and over) |
€16,824 |
€15,983 |
|
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
|
Príomhoide Cúnta (Assistant Principal) |
€8,968 |
€8,520 |
|
Oide le Dualgais Speisialta (Special Duties Teacher) |
€3,967 |
€3,769 |
|
Grád A (Grade A) |
€7,011 |
€6,660 |
|
Grád B (Grade B) |
€3,099 |
€2,944 |
|
Liúntais i leith Special Functions Allowance |
||
|
1 |
€2,660 |
€ 2,527 |
|
2 |
€4,051 |
€ 3,848 |
|
3 |
€5,362 |
€ 5,094 |
|
4 |
€6,717 |
€ 6,381 |
|
5 |
€7,011 |
€ 6,660 |
|
Liúntais i Feidhmeanna Speisialta Úasghrádaithe (Upgraded Special Functions Allowances) |
||
|
1 |
€3,400 |
€ 3,230 |
|
2 |
€5,192 |
€ 4,932 |
|
3 |
€6,863 |
€ 6,520 |
|
4 |
€8,603 |
€ 8,173 |
|
5 |
€8,968 |
€ 8,520 |
|
Stiúrthóir Aosoideachais (post cúraim féinmhaoinithe páirtaimseartha um Aosoideachas Director of Adult Education Self-financing part-time Adult Education (Post of responsibility) |
||
|
A |
€3,967 |
€ 3,769 |
|
B |
€5,192 |
€ 4,932 |
|
C |
€6,863 |
€ 6,520 |
|
D |
€8,603 |
€ 8,173 |
|
E |
€10,287 |
€ 9,773 |
|
F |
€12,046 |
€ 11,444 |
|
G |
€13,738 |
€ 13,051 |
|
H |
€15,400 |
€ 14,630 |
|
I |
€16,710 |
€ 15,875 |
|
J |
€17,987 |
€ 17,088 |
|
K |
€19,964 |
€ 18,966 |
|
L |
€21,188 |
€ 20,129 |
|
M |
€23,837 |
€ 22,645 |
|
Liúntas iníoctha do Phríomhoidí scoileanna a dhéanann clár Páirtaimseartha um aosoideachas a thairiscint (C.L. 46/00) (Allowance payable to Principals of schools offering Part-time adult education programme (C.L. 46/00)) |
€1,710 |
€1,625 |
|
Liúntas iníoctha do Phríomhoidí 5 Phobalscoil as ról bainistíochta i gCoimpléisc Spóirt (AR2/01) (Allowance payable to Principals of 5 Community schools for management role in Sports Complexes (AR2/01)) |
€5,074 |
€4,820 |
|
Scalaí Muinteoir Neamhoilte (Untrained Teacher’s Scale) |
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
Z01 |
€28,794 |
€27,354 |
|
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
|
Ráta Lae Cáilithe (Qualified Daily Rate) |
€206.72 |
€195.33 |
|
Ráta Lae Neamhcháilithe (Unqualified Daily Rate) |
€134.64 |
€127.91 |
|
Hourly rate for casual qualified part-time teachers on payroll (inclusive of 22% holiday pay) |
€39.00 |
€36.96 |
|
Hourly rate for casual qualified part-time teachers paid by grant (inclusive of 22% holiday pay) |
€44.33 |
€41.99 |
|
Hourly rate for casual unqualified part-time teachers paid by grant (inclusive of 22% holiday pay) |
€30.49 |
€28.97 |
|
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
|
Hourly Rates for casual Qualified Part-Time Teachers (inclusive of 22% holiday pay |
€49.60 |
€46.85 |
|
Hourly Rates for casual Unqualified Part-Time Teachers (inclusive of 22% holiday pay) |
€42.99 |
€40.85 |
|
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
|
(i) Múinteoirí Eolaíochta faoin Tuath (chun gníomhaíochtaí oideachais a eagrú agus a fhorbairt lasmuigh de theagasc rang fhoirmiúil) Rural Science Teachers (for organisation and development of education activities outside formal class instruction) |
€1,939 |
€1,842 |
|
(ii) Múinteoirí Tís Taistil (Itinerant Domestic Science Teachers) |
€1,939 |
€1,842 |
|
(iii) Íocaíochtaí speisialta do EPTanna faoi Chlásal 7.1 de Chiorclán 38/89 & 39/89 (AR2/98) (Special payments to EPTs under Clause 7.1 of Circular Letters 38/89 & 39/89 (AR 2/98))An Líon Blianta Seirbhíse Inríofa — Bunscála Coiteann(No. of Years Reckonable Service — Common Basic Scale) |
||
|
1 |
€329 |
€313 |
|
2 |
€659 |
€626 |
|
3 |
€989 |
€940 |
|
An Líon Blianta Seirbhíse Inríofa — Scála Múinteoirí Coláiste (No. of Years Reckonable Service — College Teacher Scale) |
||
|
1 |
€410 |
€390 |
|
2 |
€826 |
€785 |
|
3 |
€1,237 |
€1,175 |
|
An Líon Blianta Seirbhíse Inríofa — Scála Léachtóra 1(No. of Years Reckonable Service — Lecturer 1 Scale) |
||
|
1 |
€580 |
€551 |
|
2 |
€1,156 |
€1,098 |
|
3 |
€1,731 |
€1,644 |
|
(iv) Íocaíochtaí speisialta do TWTanna faoi Chlásal 3 de Chiorclán Uimh. 34/89 (AR2/98) (Special payments to TWTs under clause 3 of Circular Letter No 34/89 (AR 2/98))An Líon Blianta Seirbhíse Inríofa — Bunscála Coiteann(No. of Years Reckonable Service — Common Basic Scale) |
||
|
1 |
€659 |
€626 |
|
2 |
€1,318 |
€1,252 |
|
3 |
€1,980 |
€1,881 |
|
4 |
€2,638 |
€2,506 |
|
5 |
€3,297 |
€3,132 |
|
An Líon Blianta Seirbhíse Inríofa — Scála Múinteoirí Coláiste (No. of Years Reckonable Service — College Teacher Scale) |
||
|
1 |
€826 |
€785 |
|
2 |
€1,648 |
€1,566 |
|
3 |
€2,473 |
€2,349 |
|
4 |
€3,297 |
€3,132 |
|
5 |
€4,123 |
€3,917 |
|
An Líon Blianta Seirbhíse Inríofa — Scála Léachtóra 1(No. of Years Reckonable Service — Lecturer 1 Scale) |
||
|
1 |
€1,156 |
€1,098 |
|
2 |
€2,309 |
€2,194 |
|
3 |
€3,466 |
€3,293 |
|
4 |
€4,619 |
€4,388 |
|
5 |
€5,771 |
€5,482 |
|
(v) Liúntas iníoctha le múinteoirí de phrintísigh i gCoistí Gairmoideachais Dhún Laoghaire agus Chorcaí (Allowance payable to teachers of apprentices in Dun Laoghaire and Co Cork V.E.C.s) |
€10,253 |
€9,740 |
|
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
|
Incrimint Fadseirbhíse (Long Service Increment) |
€1,555 |
€1,477 |
|
Liúntas Difreálach Speisialta íoctha le hIar-Ollúna Choláistí Ullmhúcháin (Special Differential Allowance paid to Ex-Preparatory College Professors) |
€3,011 |
€2,860 |
|
Rátaí Pearsanta Liúntas Príomhoidí (Personal Rates of Principals Allowance) |
||
|
€7,011 |
€6,660 |
|
|
€7,011 |
€6,660 |
|
|
€7,011 |
€6,660 |
|
|
€7,011 |
€6,660 |
|
|
€7,310 |
€6,945 |
|
|
€7,449 |
€7,077 |
|
|
€8,796 |
€8,356 |
|
|
€8,937 |
€8,490 |
|
|
€9,546 |
€9,069 |
|
|
€9,640 |
€9,158 |
|
|
€10,344 |
€9,827 |
|
|
€11,750 |
€11,163 |
|
|
Liúntais Phearsanta dá dtagraítear in Alt 2 de C/L 50/70(Personal Allowances referred to in Paragraph 2 of C/L 50/70) |
||
|
€2,700 |
€ 2,565 |
|
|
€5,296 |
€ 5,031 |
|
|
€6,160 |
€ 5,852 |
|
|
€6,884 |
€ 6,540 |
|
|
€7,792 |
€ 7,402 |
|
|
€8,937 |
€ 8,490 |
|
|
€10,071 |
€ 9,567 |
|
|
€11,641 |
€ 11,059 |
|
|
€12,489 |
€ 11,865 |
|
|
€13,736 |
€ 13,049 |
|
Ó (FROM)01/09/2008 |
Ó (FROM)01/01/2010 |
|
|
(i) Táille (Honorarium) |
€5,024 |
€4,773 |
|
(ii) Múinteoir Maoirseoireachta (Supervising Teacher)Méid an Aonaid (Múinteoirí WTE)(Size of Unit (WTE Teachers)) |
||
|
1-6 |
€8,968 |
€ 8,520 |
|
7-9 |
€13,738 |
€ 13,051 |
|
10-12 |
€16,710 |
€ 15,875 |
|
13-16 |
€21,188 |
€ 20,129 |
|
16+ |
€24,355 |
€ 23,137 |
|
(iii) Múinteoir Ionaid Maoirseoireachta (Deputy Supervising Teacher) |
€8,968 |
€8,520 |
|
(iv) Múinteoir Cúnta Maoirseoireachta (Assistant Supervising Teacher) |
€3,967 |
€3,769 |
115 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature of the arrangements between a third level college and company (details supplied); the recourse available to students who have been adversely impacted by the financial collapse of the company involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35862/12]
I understand that the students of the Pilot Training College (PTC) in Waterford undertake a 3 year BSc (Hons) in Airline Transport Operations in conjunction with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). There are 8 students currently on this course.
PTC is responsible for the recruitment of students onto the programmes and students pay course fees directly to that company, not to WIT.
I further understand that on behalf of the students WIT has sought to obtain clarity from PTC on the arrangements it intends to put in place to ensure students can complete their study and has also asked PTC for an undertaking that, in the event that it fails to resume the course in full, it is in a position to refund all fees paid by the students to the Company.
116 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35870/12]
Two Special Advisers were appointed to assist me in carrying out my functions and advise me on educational policy. In accordance with the terms of the Ethics in Public Office Acts copies of the appointees' contracts of employment together with details of their qualifications were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 28 October 2011.
117 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35889/12]
The following is a list of special advisers that served during the tenure of the last three Ministers at this Department. As allowed for under the staffing guidelines for Ministerial Offices Ms. Coughlan had three special advisers as in addition to her ministerial portfolio she held the office of Tánaiste:
Mary Coughlan, T.D.An Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science23rd March 2010 to 9th March 2011
Appointees Michael Shovlin,Special Adviser Dermot Murphy,Special Adviser Sean Perry, Press Adviser
Batt O'Keeffe, T.D.Minister for Education and Science7th May 2008 to 23rd March 2010
Appointees Deirdre McDonnell, Special AdviserBernard Mallee, Special Adviser
Mary Hanafin, T.D.,Minister for Education and Science29th September 2004 to 7th May 2008
Averil Power, Special Adviser,Geraldine Butler, Press Officer
118 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the proposed reforms of public procurement to support Irish firms and to allow greater access by Irish small and medium enterprises to public contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35704/12]
I am aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Current guidelines (Circular 10/10) issued by my Department require public bodies to promote participation of SMEs in the award of public contracts. The guidance also highlights practices that are to be avoided because they can unjustifiably hinder small businesses in competing for public contracts. The key provisions of the guidance include:
supplies and general services contracts with an estimated value of €25,000 or more to be advertised on the www.etenders.gov.ie website;
less use of "restrictive" tendering procedures and greater use of "open" tendering;
ensuring that the levels set by contracting authorities for suitability criteria are justified and proportionate to the needs of the contract;
sub-dividing larger requirements into lots where this is practical and can be done without compromising efficiency and value for money.
The National Procurement Service (NPS) is responsible for producing annual statistical information in relation to above-EU threshold procurement activity by the Irish public sector and for providing these statistics to the European Commission. For works contracts the threshold is €5 million; for supplies and service contracts awarded by Government Departments the threshold is €130,000 and for the remainder of public bodies the threshold is €200,000. The threshold for supplies and service contracts of entities operating in utility sectors (water, energy, transport and postal) is €400,000. On average 5000 tenders for the procurement of goods, services and works are advertised on eTenders every year.
I am informed by the NPS that the latest information for above-EU threshold contracts is for 2010. In that year, the State spent €3.3billion on above threshold contracts of which only 8.7% went to non-domestic companies.
In terms of overall procurement budget (approximately €14 billion in 2010), the NPS estimates that approximately 5% of the overall spend went to non-domestic suppliers.
The development of policy in relation to public procurement has to be seen in the context of a set of rules agreed by European Member States which have the aim of creating a transparent and competitive single market for public procurement contracts. It is a basic principle of EU law that between citizens and businesses within the Union there should not be discrimination on grounds of nationality. Therefore it would be a breach of the rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on grounds of nationality and there are legal remedies which may be used against any public body infringing these rules.
The importance of procurement policy becomes apparent when one sees that each year public authorities across the European Union spend 18% of GDP or approximately €2.3 trillion on goods, services and works. In this context, it is important to realise that the open market regime offers critical opportunities for Irish companies to win business abroad. In this regard, Enterprise Ireland and Intertrade Ireland offer training and support to businesses in order to raise awareness of public procurement opportunities and to improve the capacity of indigenous firms to compete effectively for these opportunities.
119 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to issue social procurement provisions and guidelines to Irish public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35705/12]
The rules on awarding public contracts have provisions which allow the specification of social criteria, such as the requirement for employment of long term unemployed, as a condition in the performance of the contract. Any such provision must be compatible with EU law, i.e. they must be made known to all interested parties and must not restrict participation by contractors from other Member States. Subject to this, contracting authorities have the discretion to apply such conditions, as appropriate.
I understand that the National Procurement Service is currently looking at developing guidance for contracting authorities in relation to the use of such social clauses.
120 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of funding that has been requested from the Office of Public Works to address recent flood damage in west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35789/12]
The Office of Public Works is currently considering funding applications totalling €1.3m received from Cork County Council on the 4th July, 2012, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works Scheme, to address recent flooding in Clonakilty, Glanmire and Douglas. In relation to Clonakilty in West Cork, the amount of funding applied for is €1.2m. The applications are being assessed in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
In addition, Clonakilty is as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the South West Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study and the application will be considered having regard to this study.
121 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35508/12]
As the Deputy will be aware my Department was only established in 2011 and would therefore not have any such records.
122 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of capital spending by the Exchequer for each of the last ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35530/12]
The information sought by the Deputy is published in the annual Revised Book of Estimates and is also available in the statistical databank on my Department's website at http://databank.per.gov.ie/.
Over the past decade many of the economy's key infrastructural deficits were addressed through a large capital investment of over €60 billion in infrastructure through Exchequer capital expenditure. In recent years, it has been necessary to prioritise public spending and scale back the public capital programme in order to bring the public finances under control.
In November of last year, I published "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework" which outlined the five year Exchequer Capital Framework out to 2016. This Framework was published following a Government-wide review of the public capital programme led by my Department. The Framework sets out a significant tranche of Exchequer investment over the next five years, and is designed to address critical infrastructure deficits, aid economic growth and provide much needed social infrastructure. It will be complemented by the investment plans I announced yesterday which will be largely predicated on using non-Exchequer sources of funding to support the first Phase of a new PPP Programme of projects in key areas of infrastructure.
123 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated total level of capital spending by the Exchequer for 2012. [35531/12]
In November of last year I published the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework" which outlined the five year Exchequer Capital Framework out to 2016. This Framework was published following a Government wide review of the public capital programme led by my Department. The Framework sets out a significant programme of Exchequer investment over the next five years, and is designed to address critical infrastructure deficits, aid economic growth and provide much needed social infrastructure. It will be complemented by the investment plans I announced yesterday which will be largely predicated on using non-Exchequer sources of funding to support the first Phase of a new PPP Programme of projects in key areas of infrastructure.
In 2012, just under €4 billion has been provided for the Exchequer capital programme. At the end of June 2012 capital expenditure by Departments was just over 7% behind profile. This is not unusual as variances can often rise to 10 or 12% at this time of year. Based on information supplied by Departments, I expect most areas to be on profile at year end.
124 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the sale of State assets; the assets he expects to be sold this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35537/12]
I would draw the Deputy's attention to my announcement of February 22 last in which I outlined the shape and scale of the asset disposal programme that is to be pursued.
In brief, the programme that was agreed by Government in February consists of:
The sale of Bord Gáis Éireann's energy business (but not including BGÉ's gas transmission or distribution systems or the two gas interconnectors, which will remain in State ownership); and
The sale of some of ESB's non-strategic power generation capacity;
Consideration is also being given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, but not Coillte's land holdings; and the sale of the State's remaining shareholding in Aer Lingus, when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price to Government.
Significant progress has been made on this programme since I made that announcement: a request for proposals issued recently in regard to the procurement of advisers for the BGE Energy transaction; the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has prepared a package of ESB's non-strategic power generation assets to be brought to market and this has been endorsed by Government; in the case of Coillte, the Government has determined that a concession for the harvesting rights will be proposed for sale. Nevertheless, I do not envisaged that any of these transactions will be underway before the end of this year.
Ryanair has made a formal bid for Aer Lingus and I am advised that, under the takeover rules of the Irish Takeover Panel, Aer Lingus is now in "offer period". I do not, therefore, propose to comment further on Aer Lingus at this time.
125 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35688/12]
My Department has not incurred any expenditure in respect of structures of local Government in 2011 or to date in 2012.
126 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35877/12]
127 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35896/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.
I do not have political advisers in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, I have appointed two special advisers in my Department.
The Department formally came in to existence on 6 July 2011 and the question of predecessors does not apply.
128 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions he is taking to tackle in view of the very high unemployment rate in County Waterford, combined with the Industrial Development Agency figures that the south east was the only region to record a record decline in the number of people employed in IDA supported companies in what was a record-breaking year for the agency; if he will provide the trade figures for County Waterford and the south-east region from the years 2009 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35900/12]
129 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions he is taking to tackle the high unemployment rate in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35907/12]
130 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps his Department have engaged in to promote job creation in the south-east region which continues to have an unemployment rate significantly higher than the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35488/12]
140 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action he is taking in view of the high unemployment rate in County Waterford, combined with the Industrial Development Agency figures that the south east was the only region to record a record decline in the number of people employed in IDA supported companies in what was a record breaking year for the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35902/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 to 130, inclusive, and 140 together.
As a result of the Talk Talk closure in Waterford in September last, I launched the South East Employment Action Plan, which contains targeted actions to address the specific unemployment problems affecting the South East region. This Plan was published in late 2011.
I met with all the agencies, local authorities, CEBs, education institutions and other local representative groups from the South East at the end of last year. That meeting of the new South East Forum, to drive the implementation of this Action Plan was the first time that a group of that nature had met collectively with the focus solely on what can be done to improve the region's fortunes. I organized a second meeting of this group last month in Waterford, where we reviewed progress to drive the implementation of the Plan. It was agreed that a series of further specific actions would be developed by the relevant bodies. I intend convening another meeting of the Forum later this year.
In fact, I am pleased to say that there has been significant progress in developing employment in the South East region in the last 6 months. Following my direction to assign a clear priority to the region, IDA company site visits there in the first six months of 2012 were greater than the total for 2010 and 2011, which is a very positive indicator of future progress in attracting Foreign Direct Investment to the area.
IDA has been very active in seeking to win additional investment for Waterford. That Agency's overseas offices continue to target and engage with relevant companies to highlight the attractiveness of the Talk Talk facility as a potential opportunity for a Greenfield investment or as an expansion opportunity. IDA has developed a prospectus on the Waterford facility particularly focusing on the workforce skills sets and the facility’s suitability as a modern call centre. This has been circulated to IDA’s international network of offices.
In February 2012, the first phase of the €23m Belview Strategic Water Supply Scheme was officially opened. This scheme will facilitate industrial development and job creation in Waterford and the wider region. The total investment for this phase of the scheme is €13m, of which a significant amount was provided by IDA Ireland.
With regard to Enterprise Ireland (EI), there have also been a number of positive developments, including between 2011 and 2012 (to date) EI has approved almost €17 million to support a range of in-company and other enterprise related activities in the South East region and Eight High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) were approved in the South East region in 2011 — the highest ever figure in the region. Funding totalled €1.6 million.
Significant announcements by EI in the South East region recently include the following: The Eishtec Call Centre has expanded significantly and now employs 230 staff, well ahead of their planned development. In June 2012, Dawn Meats announced that it had won a five year contract with McDonald’s Ireland. The deal has led Dawn Meats to invest €14.5 million in a new purpose built, state of the art, beef processing facility in Carroll’s Cross, Co Waterford, creating 65 new jobs. In addition, over 100 construction jobs have been created during the construction phase of the facility, which commenced in December 2011. In June 2012, Danone Baby Nutrition announced an investment of €20 million in its Wexford manufacturing plant, to meet growing demand for its products across the European market. This investment will create approximately 45 new jobs. Eirgen a Waterford based drugs Manufacturer announced in June 2012 that it will create 30 new jobs. The South East Competitive Feasibility Fund, launched in January 2012, is a €200,000 fund. Over 40 applications were received with 14 high quality projects approved. Each start-up will receive individual one-to-one mentoring with the South East Business Innovation Centres. Further EI supports will be considered as each feasibility project evolves. In June 2012 the Pilot Innovation Graduate programme was launched in conjunction with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). EI clients in the region will employ graduates for 18 months to work on innovation projects in companies which are designed to enhance the innovation performance and capability in those companies. The graduate will receive a postgraduate diploma (level 9). It is intended that the Pilot, placing 15 graduates, will commence shortly. EI’s Potential Exporters Division was launched to prepare Irish companies to develop their exports. Workshops are being organised throughout the country, with one having been held in Waterford in May last, with 49 companies participating.
The FUSE Initiative is a two year initiative that was started by Enterprise Ireland but is run and driven by entrepreneurs from throughout the Southeast region. The intention is that it will ignite business growth in the region by harnessing the energy and skills of all entrepreneurs through their participation in a variety of projects that are all focused on job creation and business growth. To date it has over 200 members, many very significant employers from the region. Further Enterprise Ireland Initiatives include five Community Enterprise Centres having been approved for funding for a full-time Business Development Manager and, separately, there has been a high take-up of the EI Innovation Voucher Scheme in Waterford.
On a wider theme, there is a need to develop ‘new' sectors in the Region and to upgrade the skills base in general. The enterprise development agencies will adopt a ‘spotlight on Waterford and the South East Region' to the end of 2012, implementing such actions as; Continuing to focus on the sustainability and growth opportunities through intense engagement with client companies in the South East Region. Building on the potential in the Cleantech & Lifesciences sectors for the Region. Continuing to pursue opportunities for Waterford in the areas of Cloud computing, e-games, international and financial services, e-commerce and other content businesses, building in particular on the evaluation and research strengths in the Region.
In relation to assistance for micro-enterprises, Waterford County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have primary responsibility for the delivery of State support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector in the Waterford region. The CEBs support the sector in the start-up and expansion phases and stimulate enterprise potential at local level. Through the provision of both financial and non-financial support the CEBs are central in assisting many micro-enterprises in developing their growth potential and, in developing into strong export entities where they have sufficient mass to access the services of Enterprise Ireland. For the first six months of this year, it is very encouraging to note that Waterford City and Waterford County CEBs have, between them, supported the creation of a total of 58.5 new jobs. Waterford IT and Carlow IT formally launched their New Frontiers programmes on April 12th. Recruitment is well underway with a high level of interest. The programme is aimed at emerging entrepreneurs and is funded and has been developed by Enterprise Ireland.
I am pleased that Science Foundation Ireland has funded 8 research awards to Waterford IT valued at €308,000.
In relation to export data, this is not broken down by region, so it is not possible to provide specific trade figures for County Waterford for the years in question.
We must accept that the reality is that the structural challenges that the South East region faces have built up over many years and will not be reversed with a simple set of actions. What is required is to build a stronger enterprise base in the region as a whole. There are challenges for all agencies in the region to help build up the region's competitive advantage and then to promote it in a coordinated manner.
131 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35506/12]
The Deputy has referred to a number of categories of expenditure and I propose to deal with each category individually. In the time available and due to the way the information is recorded on my Department's Financial Management system, I have presented the information by Minister and will provide the information by year as requested by the Deputy when this becomes available to me.
With regard to subsistence, I am interpreting the Deputy's question as relating to subsistence paid by my Department to Ministers and Ministers of State from the 1 January 2007 up to 9 March 2011; details of subsistence paid in this regard are set out in Table 1 below.
The Deputy is also seeking indications of the portion of the subsistence that are both vouched and unvouched for each year. Hotel costs and subsistence costs are aggregated on my Department's Financial Management System and it is not feasible, therefore, to identify separately the vouched/unvouched aspects of the subsistence paid since 2007.
The original payment method, whether by cash or credit card, is not captured by my Department's Financial Management System as it is not material to the reimbursement of subsistence expenses incurred and borne in the first place by the individual.
|
Dates of Office |
Total Subsistence |
|
|
Minister Michael Ahern |
Jan 2007 to May 2008 |
€11,022.00 |
|
Minister John McGuinness |
June 2007 to April 2009 |
€13420.52 |
|
Minister Tony Killeen |
June 2007 to March 2010 |
€1,353.42 |
|
Minister Micheál Martin |
June 2007 to March 2010 |
€6053.27 |
|
Minister Billy Kelleher |
June 2007 to March 2011 |
€13,666.16 |
|
Minister Mary Coughlan |
May 2008 to March 2010 |
€6,891.79 |
|
Minister Jimmy Devins |
May 2008 to April 2009 |
€2,498.66 |
|
Minister Dara Calleary |
April 2009 to March 2011 |
€2,740.45 |
|
Minister Conor Lenihan |
April 2009 to March 2011 |
€2,664.27 |
|
Minister Batt O’Keeffe |
March 2010 to Jan 2011 |
€3,545.63 |
|
Total |
€63,856.17 |
With regard to the second element of the Deputy's question relating to mobile phone communications my Department has paid directly to mobile phone providers an amount of €65,762.73 on behalf of the Ministers and Ministers of State.
The Deputy's questions also refers to recouped expenses and I have set out in Table 2 below the amount paid in Ministerial Allowances, by Minister and Minister of State in the period.
|
Dates of Office |
Total Ministerial Allowance € |
|
|
Minister Michael Ahern |
Jan 2007 to May 2008 |
17,633.92 |
|
Minister John McGuinness |
June 2007 to April 2009 |
23,022.34 |
|
Minister Tony Killeen |
June 2007 to March 2010 |
6,558.49 |
|
Minister Micheál Martin |
June 2007 to March 2010 |
18,974.04 |
|
Minister Billy Kelleher |
June 2007 to March 2011 |
32,156.32 |
|
Minister Mary Coughlan |
May 2008 to March 2010 |
23,245.87 |
|
Minister Jimmy Devins |
May 2008 to April 2009 |
11,473.61 |
|
Minister Dara Calleary |
April 2009 to March 2011 |
9,763.55 |
|
Minister Conor Lenihan |
April 2009 to March 2011 |
9,776.32 |
|
Total |
152,604.46 |
Further, during the period expenses in the amount of €47,426.02 covering official entertainment and business meetings were incurred in respect of the Offices of Ministers and Ministers of State by my Department. It not possible to identify from my Department's Financial Management System the amount that directly related to the Ministers as opposed to costs incurred by the Offices of the Ministers.
132 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to tackle youth unemployment; if there are various strategies adopted for the various regions of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35536/12]
The Government is tackling unemployment generally through the twin strategies of the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. The aim of the Action Pan for Jobs is to support the creation of 100,000 net new jobs by 2016, while the objective of Pathways to Work is to provide those who are unemployed with the appropriate training and skills to avail of the job opportunities which will arise as the economy recovers. Many young people will benefit from the opportunities provided through these programmes.
The 2012 Action Plan for Jobs contains over 270 measures to be delivered across all 15 Government Departments and 36 State agencies. My Department and its agencies play a central role in the delivery of approximately 60% of those measures, and have a supporting role in many other actions.
Pathways to Work includes various training, education and work experience initiatives delivered by the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Social Protection. Under Pathways to Work, the Department of Social Protection is committed to supporting over 85,000 job placement, work experience and Back to Education beneficiaries this year, including through the JobBridge internship programme.
The Department of Education and Skills will provide over 450,000 education and training places this year across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors. These places will include provision for school leavers, although the long-term unemployed are a priority target.
The new €20 million Labour Market Education and Training Fund will also include specific provision for those under 25 years of age.
Both the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work are national programmes. However, they will have an impact at regional level. This year to date, the IDA has announced the creation of over 5,000 new positions, with Limerick, Galway, Cork, Dublin, Sligo, Dundalk, Kildare and Mayo all benefitting from job announcements. Enterprise Ireland has also made job announcements in relation to companies in Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Dublin and Galway.
133 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding statutory sick pay. [35550/12]
I am aware of the concerns raised in the correspondence to the Deputy that transferring responsibility for the payment of employees' sick pay to employers will add to the cost of doing business. I have received similar views from a number of business organisations and individuals on the matter.
The Government is concerned about the extent of dependence on State-funded sickness benefit schemes and we need to examine ways in which to reduce this dependence. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who has policy responsibility for the sick pay scheme, held a consultative meeting earlier this year to discuss potential changes to the scheme in Ireland. However, no decision has yet been taken on the matter.
Proposals for a statutory sick pay scheme would impact on competitiveness and employment. The evidence of this impact will need to be weighed against the potential for savings in terms of reduced absence due to sickness. I will therefore carefully scrutinise any proposals which develop from this consultation phase and their impact on jobs and competitiveness, and I will contribute fully to the Budgetary process within Government.
In the meantime, along with my Government colleagues, I am actively addressing a number of specific cost issues affecting business — and particularly small businesses — through the Action Plan for Jobs. These include reforming the statutory wage setting mechanisms, and encouraging professional service providers to supply price quotations in advance of providing services. I have also been examining the potential for Government Departments and agencies to reduce or freeze their charges to business. A number of Departments and agencies have agreed to reduce or freeze a range of charges arising from this exercise.
134 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on proposals to amend sick pay conditions on employers in view of the impact that it will have on all businesses, employment and job creation and the wider development of growth in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35556/12]
The Government is concerned about the extent of dependence on State-funded sickness benefit schemes. Expenditure on total short-term and long-term illness and disability payments increased from €1.1 billion in 2001, to €2.7 billion in 2011.
Earlier this year, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, initiated a consultation process to discuss potential changes to the sick pay scheme in Ireland. However, any proposals for changes to the scheme would be a matter for the Budgetary process, which will be considered in due course by the Government.
I am aware of the concerns raised by employer representatives that transferring responsibility for the payment of employees' sick pay to employers will add to the cost of doing business. In this context, any such proposals would impact on competitiveness and employment. The evidence of this impact will need to be weighed against the potential for savings in terms of reduced absences due to sickness.
I will carefully scrutinise any proposals which develop from this consultation phase and their impact on jobs and competitiveness, and I will contribute fully to the Budgetary process within Government.
135 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local Government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35686/12]
My Department did not make any grant payments to any of the structures of local Government in 2011 or to date in 2012.
136 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider working closely with the small and medium enterprise sector to highlight the value of foreign language capability in developing export growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35696/12]
Driving export growth is central to our economic recovery and is a key focus of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs. In March 2012, Enterprise Ireland (EI) established the Potential Exporters Division, as one of the key measure in the Action Plan for Jobs. Its role is to stimulate greater activity within companies across all regions and to reorient those demonstrating real growth potential from the domestic to the international market place.
From Enterprise Ireland's perspective, exporting companies need to continuously assess and develop their capabilities in a broad range of areas including inter-cultural communications and Cultural Awareness including language skills with priorities in German, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Russian.
The lack of foreign language skills among some Irish companies can be an inhibitor to their ability to secure and grow new customer opportunities, and deepen business opportunities with existing customers, suppliers, partners and key buying influencers in non-English speaking markets.
The Key Skills for Enterprise to Trade Internationally Report published by Forfás and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) on 22 June 2012, highlighted that Ireland’s SME base lags behind the rest of Europe in terms of their awareness of the need for foreign language skills to accelerate international growth opportunities and that, over recent years, the supply of graduates with foreign language skills has diminished.
Enterprise Ireland was closely involved in the assessment of the future skills needs in this area and the above Report's preparation through its membership of the steering group and arranging the participation on the Group of a number of its client companies. Enterprise Ireland strongly supports the recommendations of the Report in relation to the development of strategic marketing capability amongst its SME client companies and the call for Ireland to further strengthen our multi-lingual workforce.
Against this background, Enterprise Ireland continuously witnesses the positive impact on credibility and sustained export growth for those Irish companies that have invested in bringing the language skills into the company or developing them within.
One of Enterprise Ireland's current initiatives is the Graduates 4 International Growth Programme (G4IG), which is focused on matching graduates with Irish companies seeking to develop in international markets. G4IG supports companies through the recruitment, assessment and training of graduates in International Business.
Graduates are recruited on an 18 month contract of which 6 months is spent in Ireland undergoing academic and on the job training followed by 12 months in an overseas market. Graduates participating on this Programme have, through their overseas placements, the opportunity to enhance and strengthen their language and inter-cultural skills to the benefit of the sponsor companies as well as improve their own capabilities.
G4IG will remain the primary focus for EI in this regard, and is meeting the demand from Irish companies currently for this support (128 graduates were placed in the first two phases of programme). Phase Three of the Programme is currently under way with a target of 80 graduates to be placed in Irish companies from September 2012 onwards.
137 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of State funding provided by Industrial Development Agencies under the aegis of his Department to a company (details supplied); if this company has been recently audited; if he is satisfied that the State’s investment in this company is secure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35860/12]
I understand from Enterprise Ireland that, in 2010, the agency provided financial support of €440,000 in the form of repayable preference shares to the company concerned. In addition, in 2008, the agency provided an eBusiness management initiative grant of €19,775 for the development of the company's website and a trade fair grant of €5,250.
The company have filed audited accounts for 2010 with its 2011 Annual Return to the Companies Registration Office. The 2012 Annual Return is not due until later this year.
The agency is in regular contact with the company and has offered to provide any assistance to the company that it can in order to assist the business.
I understand that the company is applying to the High Court today for the appointment of an Examiner and it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this stage.
138 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35875/12]
There are currently two Special Advisers serving in my Department and both report to me as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
139 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35894/12]
The following table shows the number of political advisers employed by my predecessors in each of the past five years:
|
Date |
Minister |
Number of Political Advisers |
|
Jan 2007-May 2008 |
Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
2 |
|
May 2008-March 2010 |
Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D. Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
3 |
|
March 2010-Jan 2011 |
Mr. Batt O’Keeffe, T.D. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation |
2 |
|
March 2011-present |
Mr. Richard Bruton TD Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
2 |
Question No. 140 was answered with Question No. 128.
141 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will liaise with the Department of Justice and Equality to consider introducing a ban on below cost selling of alcohol products and also to prevent the loss of VAT income to the State through reclaimed VAT on losses incurred in below cost selling of alcohol products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35923/12]
Since the repeal of the Restrictive Practices legislation, no statutory basis exists for me, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, to make a minimum pricing order.
I am aware of concerns raised about the high level of consumption of alcohol and the consequential detrimental effects caused to individuals and to society in general, particularly from a health aspect. Government's response will be informed by the findings of the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which was published earlier this year.
Issues relating to VAT are a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
142 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing maternity benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [35557/12]
All claims for Maternity Benefit received after the 6 month time period provided for under Section 241(2) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, are considered late claims. Provision is made under legislation to allow payment of a late claim where there is good cause.
A Maternity Benefit claim form (MB10) was received from the person concerned on 13th February 2012 in respect of her daughter, born on 5th July 2011. When a claim is received outside the permitted 6 month period the claimant must have "good cause" for the delay in making her claim.
Initially, the claimant did not provide the Department with any reason which is considered "good cause" and her claim was disallowed.
The claimant appealed this decision and has cited current financial hardship and illness as reasons why the Department should accept her late claim. Provisions are in place to accept a late claim for the reasons of financial hardship or incapacitation provided the Department is satisfied that such is the case. Unfortunately, she did not provide sufficient evidence which would support her claim.
A Department official was in direct contact with the claimant by telephone on 11th July and has explained to her what supporting documentation would be required by my Department so that her claim can be reviewed. Upon receipt of the documentation to support her claim for financial hardship and incapacitation the persons claim will be reviewed immediately.
143 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer’s allowance claim will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35455/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
144 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on the rate on disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35457/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20th September 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 16th March and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
145 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection when the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow regarding their PRSA pension will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35459/12]
A claim for PRSA contributions under the Insolvency Payments Scheme was received in respect of the person concerned. There were some outstanding queries in relation to the claim which have now been addressed and the claim has recently been paid.
146 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing has been held by the social welfare appeals office in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35473/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
From about early 2009 the number of appeals received by that Office has increased dramatically and by 2011 had more than doubled from an average of 15,000 pa to 32,000. A further 18,826 have been received for the first half on this year. The pressure placed on the office by this rapid increase in workload has resulted in unacceptable delays for our customers.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but she will be informed when arrangements have been made.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
147 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within her Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by her Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35509/12]
The amounts spent by previous Ministers of my Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses are set out in the following table:
|
Amount (€) |
||||||
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
1/1/2011 to 9/3/2011 |
Totals: |
|
|
Subsistence |
470 |
1,300 |
253 |
291 |
0 |
2,314 |
|
Mobile Phone Communications |
2,617 |
3,556 |
3,468 |
2,232 |
322 |
12,195 |
|
*Unvouched Expenses Allowance |
13,388 |
12,904 |
12,804 |
3,220 |
0 |
42,316 |
*These payments were discontinued on 1/4/2010.
There were no recouped expenses claimed during this period.
The subsistence amount of €2,314 is an unvouched expense and is for payments in respect of overnights, ten hour and five hour daily allowances. None of the charges concerned were incurred using a credit card. The €12,195 for mobile phone communications is a vouched expense. The subsistence and mobile phone communications amounts were all discharged directly by my Department.
148 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment under the mortgage interest supplement scheme will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35520/12]
The person concerned has been asked to produce further documentation in relation to her claim for mortgage interest supplement and on receipt of the requested documentation her claim will be processed.
149 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their application for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35521/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
150 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); if the reassessment of recently submitted medical evidence has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35527/12]
The person concerned was refused carer's allowance on the ground that the care recipient is not so disabled as to require full time care and attention as prescribed in regulations. He was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review or appeal. Additional medical evidence was received and forwarded to the Department's medical assessor for further consideration.
Once the review is completed in this case the person in question will be notified directly of the outcome.
151 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the application will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35529/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question. In the interests of fairness and equity, applications for carer's allowance are dealt with as far as possible in order of the date they are received in the Department.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
152 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on an application for carers’ allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35542/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
153 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue on an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35546/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
154 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35547/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
155 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35548/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 12th 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 case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
156 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the arrangements for the statutory sick pay conditions by employers in view of the impact it will have on employment and job creation and the costs to businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35555/12]
I am acutely conscious of the pressures facing employers in the current economic climate with regard to employment retention and costs to business.
In relation to the possible introduction of a scheme of statutory sick pay, a range of complex issues need to be addressed before any decision could be taken by Government on the matter. These include the extent of coverage; the duration of payment; the rate of payment; compensation mechanisms for employers where appropriate; and how to ensure that a scheme of statutory sick pay would be enforced and policed.
The impact of introducing a statutory sick pay scheme would be contingent on how all of these issues are addressed and how such a scheme would ultimately be structured but 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.
I can assure the Deputy that all of the issues around statutory sick pay will be discussed in the course of the wider process associated with the preparation of Budget 2013 and any decisions which might be taken by Government on the possible introduction of such a scheme will be considered in that context.
157 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35558/12]
Despite a thorough search of our records we have no trace of an application for disability allowance from the person concerned. An application form and information booklet for disability allowance has been sent directly to him today. He should complete and return this form in the freepost envelope provided, upon receipt of which, his entitlement will be examined.
His spouse is currently in receipt of jobseeker's benefit at the maximum basic weekly rate plus an adult dependent allowance and an allowance for 2 dependent children.
158 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35559/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In relation to the free travel aspect of your enquiry, the carer's allowance applicant will be entitled to a single status free travel pass if she is awarded carers allowance; the care recipient is entitled to a new free travel companion pass and this has issued to her by post on 13th July 2012 — a free travel companion pass allows any one person aged over 16 to accompany the pass holder for free.
159 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money spent upgrading and making amendments or changes to the offices layout, fixtures, fittings and so on by her Department to accommodate the transfer of staff from FÁS; if she will provide this information on an office by office basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35561/12]
Staff and services were integrated in to my Department from FÁS with effect from 1st January 2012. This involved the transfer of 742 staff and 54 Employment Service Offices to my Department. It has not been necessary to carry out any refurbishment or upgrade to any of the 54 buildings to accommodate this transfer.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to establishing a new National Employment and Entitlements Service as part of its drive to implement more efficient and effective delivery of services to unemployed people and others. This will involve changes in how members of the public interact with the Department's staff and will require changes in offices layout, fixtures and fittings in the Department's local offices. Plans are currently being developed in that regard. The associated costs are not related to the transfer of staff who were formerly employed by FÁS per se but the staff concerned will be part of the improved service delivery arrangements.
160 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions being undertaken by her Department in support of implementation of the EU Commission’s Youth Opportunities Initiative to address youth unemployment. [35591/12]
Young people who are unemployed, once they have been on the Live Register for three months, are referred to the employment service of my Department for a guidance interview and additional support under a case management approach. This is designed to identify and address specific difficulties the young person faces in securing employment (e.g. by referral to appropriate training or other supports).
The Department is currently moving to profiling of newly unemployed people when they enter the Live Register, as a basis for immediate referral of those most needing assistance. This should allow young people facing particular difficulties to be directed to appropriate supports earlier in a spell of unemployment than was possible heretofore.
More generally, young people leaving education with Leaving Certificate or higher qualifications who face difficulty in finding work can register with the employment service for assistance with job search. In these cases, access to training and other labour market programmes is not made available for a period (4-6 months) after leaving education. This is to ensure that labour market programmes are not seen to encourage exit from education.
Where early school leavers (under 18 years and with no Leaving Certificate) seek to register with the employment service, the emphasis is on encouraging such young people to stay on at school and complete the Leaving Certificate. Where this is established not to be possible (based on written evidence from their school or parents that they have officially left school or by referral by the Educational Welfare Board), they are considered eligible to register with the employment service. Due to their lack of/or low qualifications, they may be referred, without a four-month waiting period, to suitable training programmes, such as Community Training Centres or Youthreach, which are specifically designed for early school leavers.
163 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35625/12]
The current differentiation in the treatment of a spouse/partner's income from employment and self-employment for the purposes of jobseeker's allowance has existed for many years, as has the non-eligibility of the self-employed for family income supplement. I note the concerns put forward by the Deputy's correspondent in this regard. However, any changes to the current arrangements would need to be considered from the broader policy perspective and in a Budgetary context.
I also note that the person involved states that his income from self-employment in the current year has declined. In the case of jobseeker's allowance, the relevant legislation provides for the assessment of all income in cash and any non-cash benefits which the person or his or her spouse/partner may reasonably expect to receive during the succeeding year. The legislation also provides that where the income in the coming 12 months is not ascertainable otherwise, the income for the last 12 months shall be assessed.
However, account may also be taken of the potential for significant upward or downward variations in income from one year to the next. This could arise, as would appear to have now happened in the case in question, where a self-employed person lost a contract and was unlikely to find a similar substitute contract in the coming year. In this regard, it is recognised that the present downturn in the economy is having a significant impact on many self-employed persons and the consequent reduction in their income and activity levels should be reflected in any assessment of their means from self-employment for jobseeker's allowance purposes.
If this is the situation in this instance, the spouse/partner of the self-employed person should contact the relevant local office of this Department and request a review of entitlement based on changed circumstances. In addition it is open to the individual, if they are dissatisfied with the means assessed, to appeal any such decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
164 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35640/12]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer decision on 17th July 2011.
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.
165 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35642/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
166 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the number of employees with respect to whom employers are paying PRSI at the rate of 10.75% and the total this raised in 2009, 2010, 2011 and in March 2012 respectively. [35652/12]
167 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the number of employees with respect to whom employers are paying PRSI at the rate of 4.25% and the total this raised in 2009, 2010, 2011 and in March 2012 respectively. [35653/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.
The pay of individual employees can vary from week to week, with the result that over the course of a year employers' PRSI in respect of any individual employee may be paid at the higher rate in some weeks and at the lower rate in other weeks. In any given week, employers' PRSI is paid at the lower rate in respect of approximately one third of employees and at the higher rate in respect of two thirds of employees.
The total yield from each of these categories is not separately identified by the Revenue Commissioners, who collect the great bulk of PRSI on behalf of the Department. However, it is estimated that at present 96% of the total employers' PRSI yield is derived from employments in respect of which the higher rate is payable, with the remaining 4% being derived from employments in respect of which the lower rate is payable. As the lower rate of employers' PRSI was halved with effect from 1st July 2011, the proportion derived from employments in respect of which the lower rate was payable was somewhat higher in 2009, 2010 and to a lesser extent in 2011.
For completeness, the number of persons in Social Insurance Class A in 2009 and 2010 is tabulated below, broken down by gender. The total income of the Social Insurance Fund was €7,298 m. in 2009, €6,710m. in 2010 and €7,543m. in 2011.
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
2009 |
1,148,204 |
1,112,101 |
2,260,305 |
|
2010 |
1,106,604 |
1,097,171 |
2,203,775 |
168 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a detailed reply regarding the status of a disablement benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35661/12]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, partially allowed the appeal of the person concerned and decided that the assessment of the appellant's loss of faculty of 5% for life should be revised to 10% for life. The person was notified of this outcome by letter dated 25 February 2012. A reply to previous questions, 353 and 358, on 12 June 2012 incorrectly stated the appeal had been disallowed rather than partially allowed, as the person was seeking an assessment of 20%. The Social Welfare Appeals Office wish to apologise for this confusion.
The person has now submitted further medical evidence and the case is being reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of this new evidence and he will be notified of the outcome of this review, when completed.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
169 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35664/12]
The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) entitlements of some 115,350 families in respect of 205,125 children have now been automatically established with reference to their primary scheme entitlement, with no application form required. Letters have issued to the people identified in this way, informing them of their entitlement and notifying them that payment will issue this week.
Customers who do not receive an automated payment are required to complete an application form which will be processed from a centralised unit in the Department. A text message acknowledging receipt of application forms will issue this year to everyone who submits a claim form.
An application form has been received from the person concerned and will be processed shortly. I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to process applications promptly.
170 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a respite care grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35668/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28 April 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 in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
171 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the potential anomaly regarding persons who have effectively finished their working life and have been made redundant at the age of 65 years or a short time beforehand; they may be claiming jobseeker’s allowance benefit and are not allowed to change over to the State pension transition year payment. [35674/12]
The Deputy will be aware of the sustainability issues regarding pensions in Ireland and the pension reform measures underway to try to address some of these issues including the raising of State pension age which has already been provided for in primary legislation.
Currently, the State pension (transition) is available to those who fulfil the qualifying criteria and the normal rules continue to apply for those transferring over from another social welfare payment.
As part of the pension reform measures underway, this will change in 2014. While the current State pension age of 66 remains, the State pension (transition) which applies for one year for persons of age 65 will cease from 2014. Thereafter, State pension age will increase to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028.
In relation to pension reform, as Irish society has changed, pensions policy has evolved to reflect these changes. A key focus of mine has been to ensure that the State pension is sustainable in light of demographic changes and the associated increases in pension costs. This challenge is compounded by the wider need for sustainable public finances. Our primary consideration in making the changes we have made to reform pensions has been to ensure that pensions are adequate and the system is on a financially sound and sustainable footing.
For those with an income need social welfare schemes will continue to be available, for those who fulfil the eligibility criteria.
I can confirm that a forum to consider the retirement and longer working considerations which may result from the changes to State pension age is currently being scheduled by my Department. The purpose of this forum is to enable the representatives of the various government departments, social partners and other interest groups to engage and consider the issues involved.
We will always continue to provide the normal supports to those who can't, for whatever reason, continue working or find themselves in financial difficulty.
172 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local Government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35689/12]
The Department of Social Protection makes grants to two bodies that operate under its aegis, namely the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board, and also to a limited number of external bodies. The tables below detail the expenditure on such grants for the periods referred to by the Deputy.
|
Organisation |
Grant € |
|
Citizens Information Board |
45,113,622 |
|
Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
218,000 |
|
Northside Community Law Centre |
350,000 |
|
Pensions Board |
400,000 |
|
Organisation |
Grant € |
|
Citizens Information Board |
46,797,622 |
|
Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
200,000 |
|
Northside Community Law Centre |
295,000 |
|
Pensions Board |
400,000 |
173 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal against the decision not to grant invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary and if she will expedite a response. [35710/12]
An application for invalidity pension, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on 7 September 2011. In light of additional medical evidence submitted, the case was reviewed by another Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that person concerned was unsuitable for invalidity pension. Notification of the Deciding Officers decision, which remained unchanged, issued on 16 February 2012.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that a letter of appeal was received in that office on 6 June 2012. In the normal course, an appeal against the decision of a Deciding Officer must be made within 21 days of a decision being notified. Appeals received outside of this time limit may be accepted at the discretion of the Chief Appeals Officer. This limit is not rigidly enforced but in view of the length of time which has elapsed since the person concerned was notified the decision and in the absence of any explanation for the failure to make the appeal within the prescribed time, it was considered that the acceptance of an appeal would not be warranted at this late stage.
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.
174 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if carer’s allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [35711/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
175 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if regulations will be issued to ensure that rent supplement applicants will be issued both a deposit and a month's advance rent by their community welfare officer if the applicant’s landlord demands same and will not otherwise allow an applicant to take up the tenancy; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that unless a CWO will assist applicants in this way that many are being driven into the hands of exploitative moneylenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35731/12]
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short-term assistance and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 92,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided €436 million in 2012.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential once-off cost, such as a payment of a rent deposit, which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources.
There is no automatic entitlement to an exceptional needs payment and each application is determined by the person administering the scheme based on the particular circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need. Such payments are confined to occurrences which the person administering the scheme considers to be unexpected, unforeseen or exceptional.
Multiple rent deposits are not generally paid to the same person and every effort is made to ensure that only one payment is made. If the landlord or tenant terminates the tenancy, the tenant can use the returned deposit to secure a new tenancy.
Payment of rent supplement in advance may be made at the discretion of the Department's representative in exceptional circumstances based on the individual needs of the customer. This flexibility ensures that individuals with particular needs can be accommodated within the scheme. Accordingly, it is not proposed to issue further instructions to officers administering rent supplement.
176 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection when a redundancy claim in respect of a person (details supplied) will be processed and payment granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35734/12]
A redundancy lump sum claim in respect of the person concerned was received at the end of May 2012. The claim will be processed as soon as possible.
177 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer’s allowance application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [35775/12]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for carer's allowance from the person in question.
On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of the case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
178 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she maintains that rent assistance is provided to 40% of households that rent, when the evidence from Census 2011 is that there are 475,000 households that rent in the State of which approximately 315,000 are shown as privately rented, which would indicate the 98,603 households the Minister says claim rent assistance comprise 31% of the rented market; and if it is the case that it is 31%, is the Minister concerned that cutting support by an average of 13% in one year to just 31% of households in the rented market will lead to hardship for that part of the rented market as a result of a sudden and significant reduction in purchasing power, compared with the majority of the market which competes for the same properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35835/12]
The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support, to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The 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 approximately 92,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided a sum of €436 million for 2012.
The most up to date market data available at the time of the December 2011 review indicated that rent supplement tenancies constituted 40% of the overall private residential rented market. The initial results on housing in Ireland were published by the Central Statistics Office in its summary report "This is Ireland, Highlights from Census 2011 Part 1". The Department is awaiting the publication of the Central Statistics Office report on housing in Ireland in August 2012 which will explore this issue in greater depth. The summary report indicates that while the percentage levels of rent supplement tenants may have reduced, it is clear that the Department continues to fund a significant proportion of the private sector rented market. It is therefore essential that State supports 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.
The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.
25,000 rent supplement claims, which represents over 27% of total claims, have been awarded this year indicating that it is possible to secure accommodation within the revised limits.
The Department is continuing to monitor the impact of the rent limits.
179 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently review the greatly reduced level of funding allocated to an addiction rehabilitation programme (details supplied) which will have a very negative effect the level of service offered by the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35847/12]
Management of the Community Employment project in question have been in discussion with the Department, and officials met with them on 30th May 2012 to discuss the level of funding being approved.
At the meeting, further clarification was sought from the project regarding the exact amount of funding required, and this information has since been received by the Department.
Since then, the Department's financial review of the Community Employment Scheme has been concluded, and the exact amount of funding available to the project has been approved and has been communicated to management of the project.
The Department has received an appeal regarding the level of funding approved, which is currently being processed and management of the project will be notified of the outcome, in due course.
180 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give urgent consideration to the problems outlined in correspondence (details supplied) regarding difficulties facing young persons in relation to homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35854/12]
The €100 rate of jobseeker's allowance was introduced for claimants aged under 20 in April 2009, and this rate was applied to claimants aged up to 21 from December 2009. The €100 rate does not apply certain categories of claimant including:
claimants with a qualified child;
those transferring to Jobseeker's Allowance immediately after exhausting their entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit;
those making a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance where that claim is linked to a Jobseeker's Allowance claim made within the previous 12 months to which the maximum personal rate applied;
those transferring directly to Jobseeker's Allowance from Disability Allowance;
certain people who were in the care of the HSE during the period of 12 months before he or she reached the age of 18.
A rate of €144 applies to claimants aged 22-24. The adoption of these measures reflected the need to encourage more young jobseekers to improve their skills by either pursuing further study or accessing a labour market programme.
Receiving the full adult rate of a jobseekers payment without a strong financial incentive to engage in education or training can lead to welfare dependency. While many young people with low levels of education and training were able to get work in construction and other areas when the economy was doing well, they are likely to find it much harder to get work over the course of the next few years. The measures encourage young jobseekers to improve their skills and remain active in the labour market in order to avoid the risk of becoming long-term unemployed and will help them to progress into sustainable employment on a long-term basis. Where a person is in receipt of a rate of jobseeker's allowance described above and he or she participates in a course of education, training, community employment, rural social scheme or Tús, the full normal rate of payment applicable to that course or scheme applies without any reduction for persons aged under 25.
I understand that the Deputy has been contacted with regard to these measures following a campaign by Focus Ireland. Officials of the Department met with Focus Ireland in May 2012 in relation to their concerns. These are being examined and further discussions are planned.
More generally, it may be noted that the Department's role with regard to persons who are homeless is mainly income maintenance. Under the social welfare system, homeless people have entitlements to the full range of social welfare schemes, including supplementary welfare allowance and associated supplements, subject to the normal qualifying conditions. The Department, through its work in the Homeless Persons Unit and the Asylum Seekers and New Communities Unit provides assistance to people in sourcing the most appropriate accommodation available. In addition, prison and hospital in-reach services are provided to explore accommodation options and, where necessary, liaise with local authorities to identify and source the most appropriate accommodation available for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This ensures that, where possible, people are diverted away from homeless services and towards community-based supports.
181 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by her or her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35878/12]
183 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by her predecessors in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35897/12]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 181 and 183 together.
Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection I have appointed one special advisor, Mr. Edward Brophy, and one press advisor, Ms Kathleen Barrington.
Details of the advisers appointed by my predecessors in the past five years are shown in the following table.
|
Minister |
Period in office |
Special Adviser |
Press Adviser |
|
Martin Cullen |
14/06/2007-07/05/2008 |
None |
Michelle Hoctor |
|
Mary Hanafin |
08/05/2008-23/03/2010 |
Averil Power |
Geraldine Butler |
|
Eamon Ó’ Cuiv |
24/03/2010-08/03/2011 |
Padraic Ó’ hUiginn |
Michelle Hoctor |
182 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an oral hearing appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35880/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 28th April 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 on 8th June 2012 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.
185 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the high unemployment rates in County Waterford, the action she will take to tackle same; if she will consider fast tracking the roll out of the pathways to work in County Waterford and the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35909/12]
My Department is establishing a new National Employment and Entitlements Service, as provided for in the Programme for Government, which will integrate employment and benefit payment services within the Department. This is a key element of the Government's Pathways to Work Strategy. I would like to stress that the Pathways to Work policy is not a policy working in isolation from other actions. The Government launched its Action Plan for Jobs with a view to creating a net additional 100,000 jobs over the next five years. Pathways to Work is a complementary policy designed to support people currently on the live register to access those jobs.
The roll-out of NEES offices has always been envisaged as a multi-annual programme of change within my Department in relation to how the Department provides its services. The full schedule for the roll-out of NEES offices has not been finalised but, mindful of the unemployment rate in the county, Waterford will be given full consideration for inclusion in the Programme at the earliest possible date.
186 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection given the assurances that she has given Dáil Éireann that no person will become homeless due to changes in rent supplement, if she will outline the research undertaken by her to ensure that this statement is well-founded. [35912/12]
There are approximately 92,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided a sum of €436 million for 2012. New maximum rent limits were introduced, from January 1 2012, following analysis of the most up-to-date market data available. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.
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. 25,000 rent supplement claims, which represents over 27% of total claims, have been awarded this year, indicating that accommodation can be secured within the new limits.
Community based Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants are continuing to ensure that their accommodation needs are met and that the residence is reasonably suited to their residential and other needs.
The Department continues to monitor the impact of the rent limits.
187 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to engage in European projects that can showcase the value of heritage here; if he intends to develop a new empowering and community led enabling approach to the management and conservation of our heritage assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35833/12]
My Department's principal objectives as regards our shared national heritage are to:
promote the role which Ireland's heritage has to play in making Ireland an attractive destination for sustainable tourism and inward investment, and
provide for the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage in accordance with best practice and legal requirements both nationally and internationally.
My Department, in delivering the continued protection, conservation and enhancement of our shared national heritage, does so within a multi-stranded framework and set of mechanisms based on various legislative provisions. Central to this task is the continued engagement by my Department, relevant agencies and local authorities with communities and the active assistance of the owners of our national heritage assets. This is a core activity of the Heritage Council in particular.
My Department provides some limited funding under a number of headings for investment in the built and natural heritage, and also supports the Heritage Council and the Irish Heritage Trust in their work in the heritage area. My Department is focused on working creatively across Government and with partner bodies, such as the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Fáilte Ireland, the EU-funded Rural Development Programme (formerly LEADER) and other heritage interests, in seeking to ensure that resources are directed towards the heritage sector.
As Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am seeking to develop a number of initiatives which can contribute to the protection and appropriate re-use of our built heritage and the on-going challenges facing our architectural heritage, such as the adaptive re-use for historic properties and a forward plan-led approach to cultural heritage and urban design in our towns and cities.
In this regard, my Department is currently engaged in developing a specific heritage-led Historic Towns Initiative in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and the Heritage Council. My primary objective with this initiative is to ensure that the participating towns have access to and an understanding of appropriate guidance to assist them in best conserving their heritage assets and, in so doing, underpin the sustainability of their community and local economy. It is my hope that meeting these goals will also, by extension, significantly enhance the visitor experience, thus helping to maximise the potential positive contribution of tourism to each of these towns and their respective hinterlands. I expect that the initiative, once fully developed by the end of 2012, will be piloted in at least three towns in 2013. The initiative is informed by the experience of related interventions in other Member States for example under the EU INHERIT (2005-2007) and HerO (2008-2011) programmes.
Ireland, represented by my Department and the Heritage Council, is also an active participant in the EU Joint Programming Initiative on Cultural Heritage and Global Change (JPICH) — specifically through the vehicle of the Joint Heritage European Programme (JHEP). Funding from this programme is partly used to provide a full-time project manager at the Heritage Council, dealing directly with the heritage organisations of 25 EU Member States and other JPI Associated Countries. Thus, Ireland is directly involved in shaping the priorities and agenda for heritage-related research in Europe, contributing to the formation of a Strategic Research Agenda for Cultural Heritage in all participating States. Participation in the JPICH is an important step in establishing Ireland as a key player in European-level collaborative projects relating to Cultural Heritage and in establishing an effective network of European heritage partners.
Finally, my Department regularly engages in the EU LIFE+ programme, in association with other Departments, agencies and NGOs, for the purpose of protecting and restoring our natural heritage, in particular habitats and species. LIFE funding requires that projects have a substantial awareness raising component. Current projects in which my Department is involved as funder and/or participant include removal of invasive non-native plant species from Lough Corrib and the canals; and restoration and improvement works on the Mulkear River.
188 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the arrangements and events that are planned by the Government to mark the centenary of the First World War and the role of Irish soldiers in that conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35487/12]
On behalf of the Government, I am developing a national commemorative programme for the period from 1912 to 1922. Although centred on the Easter Rising, the commemorative programme will seek to reflect all the political, economic, social and cultural issues of this historic decade. The significance of the First World War for Ireland, Britain and the British Empire, Europe and the wider world will be appropriately reflected in the commemorative programme.
The current programme of annual commemorative events relating to World War I will be complemented by special commemorative initiatives in each of the centenary years from 2014 to 2018. Alongside these formal commemorations organised by national and local authorities, I would hope that there will be many other events taking place in memory of particular actions, units and anniversaries.
The experiences of the Irish soldiers in the war will be examined and their service and achievements acknowledged. The transformative effects of the war on society will also be examined. I anticipate that the impressions of the First World War as recorded in literature and the visual arts will also form part of any commemorative endeavour.
189 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35497/12]
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established on 2 June 2011, following substantial Departmental reconfigurations and the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to provide meaningful comparative information for the period sought by him.
190 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the regional support fund for the film industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35646/12]
194 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the specific policy that exists for the development of the film industry outside of Dublin/Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35767/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 194 together.
The Irish Film Board (IFB) is the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry and I have no responsibility in relation to its day-to-day operational matters, including policies and the allocation of resources to support programmes, as referred to by the Deputy.
I understand that the IFB no longer operates a specific regional support scheme and that all supports for production funding are now allocated from one scheme, covering all of the country. Details in this regard are available on the IFB website at www.irishfilmboard.ie.
191 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of budget the Irish Film Board has given to its own board members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35654/12]
The Irish Film Board (IFB) is the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry and I have no responsibility in relation to its day-to-day operational matters. The allocation of support to projects, including projects that members of the board of the IFB may have an interest in, is accordingly a matter for the IFB itself.
Details of any support provided to projects with which members of the board have an association are detailed in its annual reports, as are its recusal policies for dealing with such applications. These are available on the IFB website at www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/reports/.
Copies of the published IFB's annual reports are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
192 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35677/12]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website, www.ahg.gov.ie. My Department’s gross allocation for this range of programme and measures in 2012 is €268.451 million. The following table provides a breakdown of the 2012 allocation of funding in each of my Department’s programme areas:
|
Programme Area |
2011 provisional out-turn |
REV Allocation 2012 |
|
Arts, Culture and Film |
€147.224 million |
€132.379 million |
|
Heritage |
€50.351 million |
€48.545 million |
|
Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Islands |
€50.507 million |
€44.780 million |
|
North-South Co-Operation |
€46.385 million |
€42.747 million |
|
Total |
€294.467 million |
€268.451 million |
In view of the wide range of my Department's schemes and programmes, and the very large volumes of payments and grants thereunder on an ongoing basis, I am not satisfied that the work involved in compiling and collating the breakdown of expenditure sought by the Deputy would be feasible or justified. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I would be glad to seek to provide him with relevant information in that regard.
193 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the declaration under regulation 3(1)(A) of the European Communities Wildlife Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (S.I. No. 254 of 1986) allows for derogation to control both feral and wood pigeons for crop protection and in case of feral pigeons the declaration allows for an additional month of control for that purpose; if he will outline the rationale for this distinction bearing in mind that wood pigeons would seem more likely to cause crop damage than feral pigeons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35712/12]
All wild birds are protected under the European Community Birds Directive. Member States may derogate from this protection where certain wild bird species are causing damage to crops, livestock, flora and fauna or represent a threat to public health or to air safety. Pursuant to regulation 3(1)(a) of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986, I recently signed declarations for the 12-month period from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013 which allow certain wild bird species to be controlled in certain situations. There is no difference in the time period allowed for the control of woodpigeon and feral pigeon. These declarations may be accessed through the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, www.npws.ie.
195 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he expects to be in a position to ensure the availability of adequate resources for the promotion of all aspects of the arts in the coming year with particular emphasis on strategic expenditure which is likely to attract maximum support and contribution from the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35776/12]
204 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he expects to be in a position to support directly or indirectly statutory and-or voluntary groups involved in artistic productions at national or local level having particular regard to the availability of matching financial support from the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35785/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 204 together.
Government policy on the arts is set out in the Programme for Government. In the context of the 2012 Estimates, I continued my endeavours to maximise ongoing Government support for the arts and culture sector. For 2012, the Exchequer allocation to the Arts Council, which is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts, is €63.241 million. I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts sector. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and my Department has no role to play in its executive or funding decisions. Within the current economic constraints, our investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever due to the employment intensity of the sector. The arts are a significant economic contributor and employer in their own right and they are also important building blocks for those economic policies the Government has identified as crucial for our economic recovery. The arts underpin policies in attracting foreign direct investment, in the creation of an imaginative labour force, in establishing an innovative environment in which the creative and cultural industries can thrive and in cultural tourism.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to "work with stakeholders in the Arts community to develop new proposals aimed at building private support of the Arts in Ireland exploring philanthropic, sponsorship or endowment fund opportunities". It may interest the Deputy to know that in May, I announced the introduction of a new philanthropic initiative on a pilot basis for arts and culture organisations. The initiative — the Philanthropy Leverage Initiative — is designed to encourage philanthropic sponsorship and endowment funding of the arts from private sources. The initiative, established with funding of €230,000 for 2012, will be managed by my Department and will provide an incentive to arts organisations to proactively seek new and multi-annual relationships with sponsors which deliver private sector financial support, thereby increasing overall funding available to the arts. It will be available across projects of varying scale, geography and art forms. Funding under this initiative will be available to not-for-profit organisations for arts programming projects. Organisations will have to procure matching funds and complete their drawdown in 2012. Matched funding cannot come from public funds or from any public sector organisation. Funding will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis until the overall ceiling of €230,000 has been reached. Further details are available on my Department's website, www.ahg.gov.ie.
The Leverage Initiative will run in parallel with a second initiative — the Philanthropy Capacity Building Initiative — which is operated by the Arts Council. Under this initiative, the Arts Council will provide one-to-one professional advice and direct funding support to a number of selected organisations to help them build and resource their capacity to attract philanthropic giving. This initiative will be delivered over two years and will be conditional on performance. In developing this complementary programme, the Arts Council has identified that it is vital for organisations to develop, agree and implement an effective fundraising strategy, and to properly resource that fundraising function. This is vital if organisations are to be supported by the State in diversifying their funding base.
196 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has carried out an evaluation of the impact of various Natura 2000 or other national or EU inspired conservation measures with a view to a determination as to whether any review might be possible in the context of the need to generate economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35777/12]
197 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he can take to address the matter of nationally generated conservation measures having particular regard to the need to ensure that the totality of conservation measures in this country do not become the basis for economic disadvantage in the context of other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35778/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.
In implementing and applying measures for the protection of our natural environment, I am very much aware of Ireland's economic needs. In accordance with the principles of sustainable development and our EU legal obligations, my aim is to ensure that parameters are set by which economic development can take place, whilst safeguarding those ecological resources, which underpin thousands of existing and potential jobs in a number of sectors. The 2008 report —The Economic and Social Aspects of Biodiversity — Benefits and Costs of Biodiversity in Ireland— considered a number of key sectors, including agriculture, forestry, infrastructure development, and climate change. The report established a marginal value of biodiversity to Ireland of at least €2.6 billion per annum, with the true value likely to be much higher if other areas such as the benefits to human health are taken into consideration. Ireland’s ecological capital is fundamental to the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism sectors and is vital for sustaining societal services such as clean water, productive soil and clean air. Rather than seeing ecological protection as a burden which impedes economic growth, it should be looked at as a prerequisite to maintaining and growing key economic sectors.
The foundation of much of the legislation to protect our natural environment is found in EU Law. Directives on Environmental Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Nitrates, Shellfish Waters, Water Framework and Environmental Liability, to name a few, all play their part in ensuring that the benefits that we derive from our ecological resources, and sometimes undervalue or fail to recognise, are considered and safeguarded in our decision making processes. As Minister, I have particular responsibilities for the implementation of the Birds Directive and Habitats Directive in Ireland. Under these Directives, all EU Member States have agreed to contribute to the conservation of the EU's most threatened birds, natural habitats and species. This includes a requirement to designate and protect Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for endangered habitats and species. An area corresponding to approximately 14% of the land area of the State has been put forward for designation as SACs or SPAs. For EU 27, the figure is approximately 18%.
All Member States have similar obligations under these Directives and must operate within the same parameters of EU law. It is, therefore, unlikely that adherence to the requirements of the Directives will result in competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis other Member States. There are mechanisms within the framework of the Directives for derogations to general protective provisions to be applied, where necessary, if certain conditions can be met. In this context, it is possible to take economic considerations into account. Ireland has also designated a further number of sites under the Wildlife Acts as Natural Heritage Areas. While the protection of these sites is largely governed through national legislation, the requirements of the Habitats Directive and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive also have implications in their conservation and management. It is not unusual among Member States to protect some sites under national legislation, and others as SACs or SPAs under EU law. I am not aware of any evidence that such designations are the source of economic or competitive disadvantage.
199 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number and location of bogs throughout the country which are the subject of special areas of conservation or other conservation measures, the extent to which such affected bog lands are owned by locals with traditional turbary rights, the public sector or other private investors; whether he has studied the extent to which the relevant conservation measures have affected each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35780/12]
200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number and location of bogs in County Kildare which are the subject of special areas of conservation or nationally generated conservation measures; the extent to which such affected bog lands are owned by locals with traditional turbary rights, the public sector or other private investors; whether he has studied the extent to which the relevant conservation measures have affected each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35781/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.
Some 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SACs) have been designated for reasons of environmental protection under the EU Habitats Directive and 75 raised bog natural heritage areas (NHAs) have been designated under national law in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Acts. Some 50 blanket bog SACs and 73 blanket bog NHAs have also been designated. There are two raised bog SACs and two raised bog NHAs in County Kildare. Details of all raised bog and blanket bog SACs and NHAs, including those in County Kildare, can be found on my Department's website, www.npws.ie. The Government has put in place a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog SACs. This scheme now comprises a payment of €1,500 per year, index linked, for 15 years or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. An additional once-off payment of €500 for qualifying turf cutters will be provided where legal agreements are signed with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Commercial turf extraction has been prohibited on raised bog SACs and NHAs for some time. Private sector operators have received compensation for losses incurred arising from these restrictions. My Department has also operated a voluntary bog purchase scheme since 1999 and has completed sales for over 1,000 applicants under this scheme. In 2010, the then Government decided that turf cutting should come to an end on raised bog NHAs at the end of 2013. However, in accordance with the current Programme for Government, the situation regarding the 75 raised bog NHAs will be reviewed in conjunction with the Peatlands Council. I anticipate that the review will be completed prior to the commencement of the cutting season in 2014. I am advised that blanket bogs are less sensitive to the effects of turf cutting than raised bogs and a general cessation of turf cutting will not be required in these sites. My Department will shortly undertake further survey work in Ireland's blanket bogs with a view to putting in place management arrangements where such activities may continue, without compromising the conservation value of the sites, and in compliance with EU legal requirements.
201 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he hopes to be in a position to continue to protect heritage houses and sites throughout the country having regard to the resources available to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35782/12]
202 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent if any to which he or his Department has identified and addressed any potential threats to protected or listed sites or buildings, the action taken to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35783/12]
203 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number and location of any heritage houses, sites or locations deemed to be under threat from whatever source in each of the past three years to date, the action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35784/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 to 203, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 486, 487, 492 and 495 of 6 June 2012.
Further to my reply on that occasion, I wish to advise the Deputy that I recently approved offers of funding to 41 conservation projects in 27 local authority areas to a total value of €500,000 under the Structures at Risk Fund of my Departments 2012 Built Heritage Capital Programme. Details in this regard will shortly be published on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie.
205 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish the cost benefit analysis of either the merger of any of the national cultural institutions, their absorption into his Department or any reorganisation of their functions; if he has examined the costs and efficiency of his Department and examined transferring any of the remit or functions of his Department to any of the institutions; if he will make available a copy of any policy paper he has published as a basis for public consultation and the details of the public consultation he has undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35858/12]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government announced a series of rationalisation measures in the Public Service Reform Plan on 17th November 2011. Certain of these measures that relate to National Cultural Institutions funded from my Department's Vote Group are currently being advanced, as required under the Reform Plan. These include the following:
Combine Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland, while retaining separate identities;
Merge National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission into the National Library, while maintaining separate identities; and
Examine the issue of shared services and the board structure of both the National Library and the National Museum.
As the Deputy will also be aware, the priorities set out in the Programme for Government for the rationalisation of State agencies provide that such rationalisation must be cost effective and lead to a more transparent, accountable and efficient public service. The Deputy will appreciate, however, it is not possible at this stage to outline projected savings for each body to be rationalised. However, the implications arising have been under examination within my Department with a view to identifying savings, as well as opportunities for efficiencies and more effective service delivery. This process has involved consultations by my Department with each of the relevant institutions. In addition, I have met the Chairs of the various institutions involved in this process in order to afford them an opportunity to express their views on the actions in the Government's Public Sector Reform Plan. Meetings have also taken place with a range of stakeholders and interested parties on these issues. My Department has taken into consideration the various proposals put forward by the institutions and other interests.
I have sent my proposed approach on the implementation of the Government Decisions on the rationalisation of the relevant national cultural institutions to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in recent days. As this will be subject to consideration by Government, I am not in a position at this juncture to go into the matter in any detail. I was, of course, able to give the House an insight into my overall thinking on these matters during the recent Private Members' Debate.
206 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35866/12]
207 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35885/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011. Two special advisers are currently appointed to my office, one with effect from 7 June 2011 and the other from 2 April 2012. No special advisers have been appointed in the case of the Minister of State at my Department.
208 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35499/12]
Information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the tables:
|
Name |
Year |
Subsistence € |
Expenses € |
Mobile Phone € |
|
Eamon Ryan |
June 2007-Dec 2007 |
1,134 |
0 |
1,545 |
|
Jan 2008-Dec 2008 |
2,605 |
0 |
1,170 |
|
|
Jan 2009-Dec 2009 |
938 |
0 |
1,474 |
|
|
Jan 2010-Dec 2010 |
0 |
580 |
1,096 |
|
|
January 2011 |
0 |
0 |
211 |
Minister Ryan had the use of a Garda driver and car for his period in office.
|
Name |
Year |
Subsistence € |
Expenses € |
Mobile Phone € |
|
Tony Killeen |
June 2007-Dec 2007 |
289 |
12 |
201 |
|
Jan 2008-May 2008 |
986 |
3,059(includes €2,980 mileage expenses) |
160 |
|
|
Sean Power |
May 2008-Dec 2008 |
812 |
17,722 (all mileage expenses) |
575 |
|
Jan 2009-Apr 2009 |
86 |
16,386 (includes €16,054 mileage expenses) |
1,090 |
|
|
Conor Lenihan |
Apr 2009-Dec 2009 |
232 |
69 |
0 |
|
Jan 2010-Dec 2010 |
452 |
49 |
0 |
|
|
Jan 2011-Mar 2011 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Minsters of State Killeen and Lenihan were also assigned to another Department whilst Minister of State Power was solely assigned to this Department.
As the Minister of State assigned to my Department in the period April 2009 to March 2011 was also assigned to the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment no mobile phone costs or mileage costs were incurred by my Department during that period.
Mileage expenses were paid to Ministers of State in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines. All other expenses recouped were vouched.
Subsistence payments to Ministers and Ministers of State were paid on the same basis as for civil servants. Expenditure on mobile phone communications were discharged directly by the Department in respect of the Minister and Ministers of State. In the time allotted it has not been possible to identify which expenditure was discharged by credit card. I will supply this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
209 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an independent inquiry or investigation will be carried out into the adherence by a company (details supplied) to the transfer of undertakings regulations 2003 and also to the award and operation of the contract; if the security of employment and 12 month wage freeze as agreed between the unions and the company will be extended to all employees of Bord Gáis Networks Services Works Contract; the reason different terms and conditions are being offered to those in different regions; the reason the deal negotiated for the Dublin based transferred employees is much better than that offered to those elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35523/12]
The award of the Networks Services and Works Contract to Balfour Beatty CLG is an operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) and consequently I have no statutory function in this matter.
BGÉ has advised that following the contract award, issues arising from the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations and the transfer of employees from one entity to another are a matter between Balfour Beatty CLG and the individual outgoing contractors.
I have requested BGÉ to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
210 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that Bord Gáis are compliant with the Late Payments in Commercial Transactions Regulations 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35524/12]
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) and one in which I have no statutory function.
BGÉ has advised that all the relevant legal and contractual provisions with respect to the Late Payments in Commercial Transactions Regulations 2002 are being complied with by the company.
211 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain the circumstances surrounding the underground gas explosion that occurred during the commissioning of the new Bord Gáis pipeline between Midleton in County Cork and Ballyporeen in County Tipperary; the safeguards that are in place to prevent a reoccurrence of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35525/12]
212 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he and the Commission for Energy Regulations will confirm that a site specific explosion protection document is in place for each site on the Bord Gáis Network as required under regulation 169 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, S.I. No. 299 of 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35526/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.
The matters raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Bord Gáis Éireann (BGÉ) regulated in accordance with the safety regulatory framework established by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and I have no function in this regard.
BGÉ is the owner of the national gas transmission and distribution systems and is mandated with the development and maintenance of the natural gas network under the Gas Act 1976.
The CER is the statutorily independent body charged with all aspects of the licensing of transmission and distribution operators. A key legal responsibility of the CER is to promote the safety of natural gas for customers and the public generally.
The CER's remit also includes specific responsibility for natural gas safety. The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 empowered the CER to regulate from a safety perspective undertakings involved in gas transmission, distribution, storage, supply and shipping. The CER has established a natural gas safety regulatory framework, including a system for the inspection and testing of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines.
The CER places obligations on undertakings to ensure that any safety risks associated with their operations are reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. BGÉ's transmission and distribution operations are subjected to ongoing audit and inspection by the CER. Additionally, BGÉ reports quarterly to the CER on a comprehensive range of safety performance indicators, to verify that all operations are in compliance with the overall natural gas regulatory framework.
BGÉ develops, operates and maintains Ireland's natural gas network under a CER regulated Safety Case regime. The CER has a comprehensive audit regime to monitor compliance with Safety Case requirements. I understand that the CER has approved Safety Cases covering the operation and maintenance of the gas network. BGÉ manages gas network maintenance and safety programmes using procedures in accordance with the Safety Cases under the CER Gas Safety Regulatory Framework and the requirements of the Health and Safety Authority. BGÉ prepares Risk Assessments for each major gas site or installation.
The incident referred to by the Deputy occurred in May 2010 as the relevant BGÉ subsidiary, Bord Gáis Networks (BGN), was inspecting the Curraleigh West to Midleton pipeline prior to bringing the pipeline into operation. The gauge used in the inspection showed evidence of having been subjected to abnormally high temperatures. I am advised that there was no evidence of an explosion and the underground pipeline was not breached. Further testing was carried out and the line has been re-tested on a number of subsequent occasions and is operating satisfactorily.
Following this incident, BGN commissioned an independent external review of procedures and, based on the review findings, made amendments to technical commissioning and purging procedures. The national Gas Safety Committee continues to supervise ongoing BGN analysis into the technical issues involved, which the Committee has determined was not a pipeline integrity issue.
In addition, BGÉ also applies a Safety Management System, Technical Audit and Inspection and Training Programmes across all activities of its networks business inclusive of its own staff, business partners and contractors used for Network maintenance and safety works.
Safety is BGÉ's first priority and the company is committed to ongoing development and maintenance of the gas networks and systems to ensure safety and to deliver continuous safety improvement and performance. I have every confidence in BGÉ's priority commitment to safety and in its safety and emergency response service. There is never room for complacency however, and BGÉ itself is engaged in a constant process of safety review and enhancement working with CER.
213 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects the geothermal legislation to be passed and when his Department will be open for applications for licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35655/12]
The general scheme of a Geothermal Energy Development Bill was published in July, 2010 along with the associated Regulatory Impact Assessment. Both these documents are available on the Department's website.
Geothermal energy is a new area of legislative endeavour which will create a legislative framework to facilitate the exploration for and development of geothermal energy resources. It will provide significant support to the geothermal energy sector with considerable security of tenure for potential investors. The Bill sets out an approach to the licensing of exploration for, and exploitation of, geothermal energy. It is modelled on the approach taken in respect of minerals exploration and development, but also deals with a range of ancillary issues such as entry onto land.
Drafting of the Bill with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is ongoing. Many of the provisions of the Bill are based on aspects of the Minerals Development Bill, particularly in relation to exploration licensing, which I expect to bring to the House before year-end. I would expect therefore that the Geothermal Energy Development Bill will follow to be published later this year or early next year. The progress of the Bill will be dependent on the schedule of legislation before the Oireachtas.
214 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35679/12]
Details of payments by my Department to local authorities for the period in question are set out in the following Table. These related to a variety of programmes including Information and Communications Technology (Metropolitan Area Networks), Capital Mining Works, Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource (INFOMAR).
|
Local Authority |
January to June 2011 € |
July to December 2011 € |
January to June 2012 € |
Total € |
|
Cavan County Council |
0 |
203 |
908 |
1,111 |
|
Clare County Council |
0 |
25,000 |
0 |
25,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
0 |
246,041 |
0 |
246,041 |
|
Dublin City Council |
919 |
310 |
464 |
1,693 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
53 |
106 |
110 |
269 |
|
Fermanagh District Council |
5,980 |
0 |
0 |
5,980 |
|
Galway County Council |
0 |
532,911 |
0 |
532,911 |
|
Kerry County Council |
0 |
132,488 |
0 |
132,488 |
|
Louth County Council |
0 |
726 |
369 |
1,095 |
|
Meath County Council |
0 |
0 |
450 |
450 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
0 |
149,194 |
0 |
149,194 |
|
North Tipperary County Council |
435,231 |
896,545 |
0 |
1,331,776 |
|
South East Regional Authority |
63,382 |
52,867 |
0 |
116,249 |
|
Shannon Broadband Ltd * |
0 |
100,000 |
63,261 |
163,261 |
|
Totals |
505,565 |
2,136,391 |
65,562 |
2,707,518 |
*Partnership involving Shannon Development, Limerick City and County, Clare, North Tipperary and Offaly County Councils.
215 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35868/12]
216 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35887/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
There are two Special Advisers employed in my Department. Both were appointed by the Government on my behalf. My predecessor who was assigned to the Department in June 2007 also employed two Special Advisers. One Special Adviser was appointed to various Ministers of State who served in my Department from June 2007 to March 2011.
217 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are plans to introduce stricter licensing controls in the aftermath of the Phoenix Park concert on 7 July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35535/12]
Section 230 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, which came into operation on 11 March 2002, provides that a licence is required in respect of the holding of an event, or class of event, prescribed under Part 16 of the Planning and Development (Licensing of Outdoor Events) Regulations, 2001. These Regulations, which received the positive approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas, include requirements such as:
(a) publication of a notice of intention to apply for a licence;
(b) notification of prescribed persons or bodies;
(c) form and content of an application for a licence;
(d) plans, documents and information to be submitted with an application;
(e) bodies to be consulted in relation to a licence;
(f) enabling submissions and observations to be made within a prescribed time;
(g) requiring an applicant to submit further information in respect of their application; and
(h) the time within which a decision on an application must be made.
The prescribed bodies required to be consulted are: (a) the relevant Chief Superintendent of An Garda Síochána; (b) the relevant Health Board; or (c) any county council, county borough corporation, borough corporation or urban district council (other than the local authority to whom the application is made), the area of which will be affected by the event.
The regulations also provide that a local authority may consult any other body, not being a prescribed body, in relation to an application where it considers it appropriate, and that the local authority may take whatever measures it considers necessary, including the convening of meetings or taking of oral submissions, to seek the views of any person in regard to the application.
Section 231 provides that where an application is made in accordance with the regulations, the local authority may decide to grant the licence, grant the licence subject to such conditions as it considers appropriate or refuse the licence. Conditions subject to which a licence is granted may relate to, inter alia, the following: (i) securing the safety of persons at the place in connection with the event; (ii) the provision of adequate facilities for the health and welfare of persons at the place in connection with the event; (iii) the maintenance of public order; and (iv) the display of notices for persons attending the event as to their obligations and conduct at the event.
Following events at the recent concert in the Phoenix Park, I anticipate that the relevant licensing authority, Dublin City Council, will be reviewing this event, in consultation with the promoters and other bodies as appropriate, to see what lessons should be learned and whether changes to the licensing system are necessary. My Department will be in contact with the council in this regard.
218 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that persons will be able to pay any future household or property charges through their local post office in order to provide them with easy options of payment and also ensure the viability of, in particular, rural post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35468/12]
An independently-chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group was established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation-based property tax.
The Group has recently completed its work and submitted its report to me. The approach to the report will be considered by the Government in due course.
The household charge is on a self-assessment basis and it is a matter for an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January, 2012 to determine if he/she has a liability and, if so, that person is required to declare that liability by completing the household charge declaration form and to pay the household charge by 31 March, 2012.
There is a range of options available for persons to pay the household charge. An online system www.householdcharge.ie is in place in the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to enable homeowners to pay the household charge by credit/debit card. In addition, homeowners can make payment by cheque, postal order, credit or debit card by completing the relevant payment details on the declaration form and posting it to Household Charge, PO Box 12168, Dublin 1.
A bureau is in place in the LGMA to administer the charge on a shared service/agency basis for all local authorities. In addition, all county/city councils have been requested to have arrangements in place for persons to attend their principal offices to pay the household charge. An Post has assisted in broadening the number of local outlets where the household charge declaration form is available and the form has been available outside the counter in the network of 1,152 local post offices.
219 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the local authorities that negotiated the purchase price for social housing under Part 5 of the 2000 Planning and Development Act in advance of the houses being constructed; the local authorities who negotiated the purchase price on completion of the development; if those local authorities who pre negotiated a price paid above market value; the number of houses involved and the locations of same; if there are contractual obligations still outstanding in relation to pre-negotiated prices; if so, the number of units and the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35470/12]
The information requested is not available in my Department. Local authorities were centrally involved in the delivery of social and affordable housing within the legislative framework provided by Part V of the Planning and Development Acts and in line with the guidance of my Department.
220 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm, on a county by county basis, the cost of overtime paid to local authority staff for 31 March 2012, the last day for registration payment of the household charge. [35474/12]
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Accordingly, the details sought in the question are not available in my Department.
221 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria a local authority considers in deciding on a person’s application for inclusion on their housing list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35484/12]
Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 dealing with social housing support, and the related Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011, were commenced on 1 April 2011. These provide a standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing.
A household may apply to the housing authority for the functional area—
where it normally resides — this would include a household residing in rented accommodation, or
where it has a local connection.
The Regulations require a housing authority, in determining if a household has a local connection, to have regard to whether a household member:
lived in the area for a continuous 5 year period at any time in the past;
is employed in the area or within 15 km of the area;
is in full-time education, or attending specialist medical care in the area;
has a relative (defined in the Regulations) living in the area for 2 years or longer.
A household meeting either the residence or local connection criterion may specify up to three areas of choice in any housing authority in the county (including city) concerned. At least one of these choices must be in the functional area of the housing authority of application. Qualified households will appear on the waiting lists of each of the housing authorities in respect of which they have expressed areas of choice.
A housing authority may also decide at its discretion to consider an application for social housing support from a household that does not meet these residence or local connection criteria. In such a case, the household may express areas of choice within the functional area of that authority only.
222 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35502/12]
Details of the travel and subsistence claims, mobile phone costs and other expenses recouped by Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 are set out below.
|
Year |
Minister/Minister of State |
Travel & Subsistence |
Mobile Phone Costs |
Other Recouped Expenses |
|
2007 |
Minister, Dick Roche |
€1,086.84 |
€2,985.28 |
Nil |
|
Minister, John Gormley |
€2,484.54 |
€1,061.49 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Batt O’Keeffe |
€34,237.03 |
€2,985.28 |
€45.90 |
|
|
Minister of State, Noel Ahern |
€20,389.91 |
€1,166.18 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Tony Killeen |
€18,958.19 |
€1,839.92 |
€235.79 |
|
|
2008 |
Minister, John Gormley |
€1,697.09 |
€3,585.96 |
€122.75 |
|
Minister of State, Batt O’Keeffe |
€45,933.91 |
€1,703.75 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Michael Finneran |
€26,944.40 |
€781.68 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Michael Kitt |
€21,266.28 |
€1,279.77 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Tony Killeen |
€22,292.62 |
€1,637.53 |
Nil |
|
|
2009 |
Minister, John Gormley |
€2,154.07 |
€4,258.87 |
Nil |
|
Minister of State, Michael Finneran |
€36,573.27 |
€2,172.76 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Michael Kitt |
€16,674.44 |
€618.84 |
Nil |
|
|
2010 |
Minister, John Gormley |
€2,721.04 |
€4,228.81 |
Nil |
|
Minister of State, Michael Finneran |
€26,886.30 |
€3,058.5 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Ciarán Cuffe |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
2011 |
Minister, John Gormley |
Nil |
€520.16 |
Nil |
|
Minister, Eamonn O’Cuiv |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Michael Finneran |
€16,398.54 |
€1,002.70 |
Nil |
|
|
Minister of State, Ciarán Cuffe |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Travel and subsistence expenses are paid on the basis of recoupment claims submitted by an individual Minister or Minister of State, in accordance with the relevant circulars issued by the Department of Finance. The mobile phone costs outlined above were discharged directly by the Department, except in the case of Minister Gormley in 2007 and 2008 when the Department paid €416.77 and €545.22 in the respective years for such costs recouped to the Minister on the basis of a vouched claim. The other recouped expenses detailed above are entertainment costs incurred directly by the Minister or Minister of State where reimbursement was subsequently sought on the basis of vouched claims.
None of the costs outlined above were discharged on Departmental credit cards.
223 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the outcome document adopted by world leaders at the summit in Rio, Brazil, is addressing the fact that the levels of consumption exceed the planet’s physical capacity and are being used disproportionately in developed and developing worlds; and the way next year’s Irish EU presidency with contribute to the matter of sustainable development. [35552/12]
I welcome the fact that Heads of State and Government and high level representatives, following a prolonged and difficult negotiation process, achieved an agreement at the recent Rio+20 Conference. Of course, there are areas of the outcome document — The Future We Want — where the EU would have hoped for a more ambitious outcome. Nevertheless, if implemented properly, it provides a firm basis for working with our international partners to achieve global sustainable development, including poverty eradication.
The Conference secured renewed political commitment for sustainable development, and also recognised the need to promote sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems while facilitating ecosystem conservation, regeneration, restoration and resilience in the face of new and emerging challenges. The Conference outcome acknowledged the important role of an inclusive green economy in achieving sustainable development and eradicating poverty. The decision taken to develop Sustainable Development Goals was also a key outcome.
Fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume goods are essential to the achievement of sustainable development. One of the most important outcomes of Rio+20 was the decision to adopt the voluntary 10 — year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production. The objective of these programmes is that all countries will promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, with developed countries taking the lead, having regard to the principles set out in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in 1992.
Ireland will play a central role in progressing the work required to deliver on the outcomes agreed at Rio during our forthcoming EU Presidency, commencing on 1 January 2013. In this capacity, Ireland will, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, guide and influence the implementation process through co-ordination and development of EU positions in various fora at EU and UN levels. Implementation of the agreement in Ireland will be carried forward in the context of the recently published Framework for Sustainable Development, Our Sustainable Future, which was Ireland's main national contribution to Rio+20. The delivery of the measures outlined in Our Sustainable Future will require a collective approach involving the active participation of all key sectors and civil society generally. A High Level Inter-Departmental Group on Sustainable Development will coordinate and drive overall implementation of the Framework and will report progress to the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Green Economy, chaired by the Taoiseach.
224 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the registration arrangement currently provided for in the Building Control Act 2997 in respect of the grandfather clause relating to practically trained persons providing architectural services here; if he is prepared to allow the Architects’ Alliance of Ireland the opportunity to address this issues; the way this may be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35560/12]
I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. To date 31 practically trained persons have been deemed eligible for inclusion on the register of architects. Of these, 6 underwent the technical assessment process and 25 underwent the register admission examination.
My Department has received extensive correspondence from practically trained architects in recent years and has responded in considerable detail to the various positions put forward. While I and my Department will be happy to consider any further concerns that members of the Architect's Alliance of Ireland may wish to raise in relation to this matter, I would equally encourage members of the Alliance to pursue the routes to registration which are currently open to them with a view to joining the small but growing number of practically trained architects already on the register.
225 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his position regarding the role of chartered architectural technologists under the proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012, which in its current format will have a direct impact on their right to carry out their professional activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35628/12]
Earlier this year I released for public consultation proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations which will provide for:
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met; and
(b) the lodgement of drawings at both commencement and completion of construction, demonstrating how the building has been designed and built to comply with all parts of the Building Regulations.
The regulations as proposed require, among other things, that the owner of a proposed building or works must assign a competent professional to inspect and certify the proposed building or works. The assigned person must be an Architect or a Building Surveyor named on a register maintained in line with Part 3 or Part 5 respectively of the Building Control Act 2007 or be a Chartered Engineer named on the register maintained under Section 7 of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act 1969.
It is envisaged that the assigned person will inspect and certify the building or works in line with a Code of Practice which is currently being prepared and which will be published, following consultation with industry stakeholders, in advance of the implementation of the proposed regulations.
The proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations will now be reviewed by my Department in the light of the submissions received during the public consultation process, which closed on 24 May 2012, with a view to having a final set of Regulations prepared and signed into law in the coming months.
The Building Control Act 2007, among other things, provides at parts 3 and 5 respectively for the registration of persons entitled to use the title of Architect and Building Surveyor. A variety of routes to registration as either Architect or Building Surveyor are provided for, having regard to the academic qualifications, professional attainment and practical experience of prospective candidates for registration. I understand that a number of members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) have already successfully applied for registration on the register of Architects. Depending on their academic qualifications, professional attainments and practical experience members of CIAT may also be eligible for registration on the register of Building Surveyors. I would encourage members of CIAT interested in signing certificates of compliance to explore and pursue the routes to registration which may be open to them having regard to their own professional background.
226 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of the Private Residential Tenancies Board in securing determination orders against landlords for retaining deposits; the role the PRTB plays in retaining deposits; if the PRTB gives support to tenants pursuing determination orders in the courts, the future steps he intends taking on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35629/12]
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. Under section 12 (1)(d) of the Act a landlord is obliged to promptly refund deposits unless, and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, rent or other charges or taxes are owing or there is damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear.
My Department conducted a review of the Act in 2009 and the incorrect retention of deposits by landlords was identified in the review process as one of a range of issues that merited specific attention. In July 2011 the Government approved the drafting of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2011 and I anticipate its publication in the coming days. The Programme for Government 2011 commits to the introduction of a deposit protection scheme and it is important that action in this regard is taken in the context of a strong evidence base. I have therefore asked the PRTB to commission analysis-based research on such a scheme and to report back to me with recommendations. I understand that the PRTB has recently awarded the tender for this research and I expect that the Board will revert to me with detailed research and recommendations in Autumn 2012.
The Act provides for the enforcement of determination orders, where such have not been complied with, by application to the Circuit Court by either a party to the determination order or by the Board itself. Given the discretionary nature of this power, the Board exercises it in the context of the circumstances pertaining to each case.
227 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of local authorities in verifying that only certified septic tanks are installed in accordance with current building regulations; if he is satisfied with the role of the local authorities in fulfilling their responsibilities; his position on establishing a national register of certified septic tank suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35630/12]
Robust arrangements are in place to deliver on the public policy imperative of preserving the quality of Ireland's water resources in keeping with the EU Water Framework Directive. Local authorities have an effective role to play in this regard through the enforcement of performance standards for wastewater treatment and disposal systems set out under Part H of the Building Regulations, which work in tandem with the planning system and the water quality and waste management codes to provide comprehensive protection of water quality.
The design and installation of wastewater treatment systems for single houses is addressed in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Code of Practice in respect of Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (2009). On foot of a comprehensive review and public consultation, Part H (Drainage and Wastewater Disposal) of the Building Regulations and its accompanying Technical Guidance Document H (TGD H 2010) were amended in the latter half of 2010 to reflect the relevant parts of the EPA's Code of Practice.
In relation to the use of septic tanks in particular, TGD H 2010 states that "Septic Tanks must conform to I.S. EN 12566 Part 1 or 4 including their national annexes and comply with the EPA Code of Practice — Section 7."
The national annexes were recently completed and published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, in consultation with my Department and others. They set out clearly the performance required by septic tanks when used in Ireland, and tested in accordance with I.S. EN 12566 Parts 1 or 4.
Suppliers of septic tanks must be in a position to produce certification to confirm that their product has been tested in accordance with I.S. EN 12566 Part 1 or 4 and meets the performance requirements set out in the national annex to the standard. Once a supplier can do this, it is not clear what further purpose a national register of certified septic tank suppliers would serve.
Part H/TGD H 2010 came into full effect, following the expiration of the normal planning-related transitional arrangements, on 1 June 2012. I am satisfied that the arrangements now in place are reasonable and appropriate and I have no plans to revisit them at this point.
228 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise if his decision to wind up the Dublin Docklands Development Authority will impact upon the status of section 25 planning schemes, both adopted and under preparation; and if there will be any corresponding impact on planning permissions granted following the preparation of relevant planning schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35633/12]
On 31 May, I announced that the Government had decided that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority is to be wound up, taking account of its precarious financial outlook as well as the findings of the C&AG's Special Report on the Authority. However, it is envisaged that the Authority will remain in place for a transitional period under a new Executive Board chaired by the Dublin City Manager, Mr. John Tierney, to allow the Authority to progress elements of ongoing work and to make the necessary preparations for the migration to new arrangements to be decided by the Government.
Over the coming months, the Authority will be focusing on managing some important ongoing business that needs to be progressed to completion; in parallel with this work, the Government will finalise the appropriate arrangements for ensuring a continued, concerted focus on the Docklands regeneration initiative, with a particular emphasis on:
maintaining and enhancing the Docklands brand and international marketability as an attractive and prime location for investment and high-value development;
providing for an appropriate set of "fast-track" planning procedures,
continuing to involve the local community and the business sector in the regeneration project, and
facilitating job creation.
In developing appropriate "fast-track" planning procedures, the Government's intention is to facilitate a seamless transition to the new arrangements and it will be taking due account of the status of the current Planning Schemes and of planning certificates issued under such Schemes, pursuant to section 25 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 in its considerations.
229 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether there is a link between construction on the Corrib gas line and algal bloom found in the sea water in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35634/12]
According to the Marine Institute the accumulation of an algal bloom is a naturally occurring phenomenon and is not associated with pollution or any human induced activity. My Department understands that the Marine Institute's monitoring programme will continue to sample and monitor the algal bloom which has been occurring along the north west coast during the past two weeks and that updates will be provided on the Institute's website at www.marine.ie and on local radio.
230 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding maintenance of sewers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35673/12]
Section 43(3) of the Water Services Act 2007 places responsibility for the maintenance and renewal of a connection on the owner of a premises in order to:
Prevent a risk to human health and the environment,
Facilitate water conservation and the proper and effective management of water services, and to
Prevent the infiltration or exfiltration of water and waste water.
The term "connection" includes a service connection for water supply or drainage of waste water up to the outer edge of the boundary to the curtilage of the premises. In other words, a householder is responsible for all water supply and drainage pipes and accessories on or under his or her property. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine a complaint about how a local authority carries out its executive and administrative functions. Details of how a member of the public can make a complaint to the Ombudsman's Office are available at www.ombudsman.gov.ie or at Lo-call 1890 223030.
231 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35682/12]
The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on Accounts of the Public Services 2010: Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (Chapter 22) sets out detailed information relating to both the sources and application of funds from central government (including my Department) to local authorities in respect of the period 2007 to 2010.
The following table details some €1.96 billion provided by my Department to local authorities in the full year to end December 2011:
|
Expenditure Category |
2011 |
|
€ million |
|
|
Housing |
|
|
Social housing provision and support |
482 |
|
Local authority estate regeneration and remedial works |
174 |
|
Private housing grants |
68 |
|
Other supports |
4 |
|
Subtotal |
728 |
|
Environmental services |
|
|
Water services |
462 |
|
Waste management |
10 |
|
Recycling |
12 |
|
Other environmental measures |
18 |
|
Subtotal |
502 |
|
Local services |
|
|
Library service |
7 |
|
Fire and emergency services |
13 |
|
Miscellaneous services |
4 |
|
Subtotal |
24 |
|
Local Government Fund |
701 |
|
Total |
1,955 |
232 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the delay in releasing the overview analysis of the responses to the public consultation on climate change that were due to be released at the end of June and when will the analysis now be released. [35756/12]
233 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is still committed to the time frame outlined in his roadmap for climate policy, including the publication of heads of a climate Bill in 2012; the progress made to date on his roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35757/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
I am committed to the terms of the Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation published in January 2012, including the commitment to issue Heads of a Climate Bill by the end of this year.
In terms of progress on the Programme to date, the public consultation was completed on schedule. It attracted a very strong response, within excess of 600 submissions received. My Department is at an advanced stage in working through these submissions and an overview will be made available online as soon as possible.
The Secretariat to the National Economic and Social Council have submitted their interim report. As indicated in the Programme, I intend to release the report and formally invite views from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht by the end of September 2012. I foresee a central role for the Joint Committee in the policy development process, most importantly on the critical issue of coming to a clear national understanding of how to meet our binding EU and wider international mitigation commitments, as well as pursuing national objectives in a low-carbon global economy.
234 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an estate (details supplied) in County Cork is included in the list of 770 developments of site resolution plans by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35758/12]
Details of individual Site Resolution Plans (SRPs) are maintained by the local authorities concerned and my Department does not collate information in this regard.
SRPs are a key tool in resolving issues associated with unfinished housing developments. Such plans enable developers to work with local authorities, financial institutions, NAMA and residents in determining how best to pursue resolution of problematic sites. The process also entails working with stakeholders in identifying the best long-term solution for developments in terms of their configuration, use of vacant buildings and ownership. Such solutions should also take account of the best interests of residents.The first Annual Progress Report of the NCC, published by my Department on 5 July, confirmed that, through the use of the SRP process, 211 estates have now been completed and issues are now resolved. On a further 523 estates, plans are now in place and in many of these cases work has commenced and significant progress will be achieved over the coming months. I anticipate that this progress will be reflected in the 2012 National Housing Development Survey now underway.
235 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of funding that has been requested from Cork County Council to address the flood damage to Clonakilty town and surrounding areas. [35787/12]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 166 of 11 July 2012 which outlines the position in this matter.
236 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current progress by Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council on the Malahide Road/Clare Hall town centre realignment or bypass; if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to plan and construct the realignment to permit the remediation and completion of the Belmayne and Newtown section of the north fringe as per the DCC and Fingals LAPs for the district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35841/12]
The issue of road realignment or bypass is a matter for the planning authorities concerned pursuant to their functions as planning authorities under planning legislation, taking account of roads and transport policies and legislation for which the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is responsible, and the policies of the relevant agencies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
In discharge of my role as a statutory consultee on draft local area plans under the Planning Acts, my Department will make observations to the relevant planning authorities as appropriate.
237 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider establishing a strategic development zone for the north fringe of Dublin City and south fringe of Fingal County to oversee the full remediation and completion of the district as a first class new urban region for the counties concerned; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the non-statutory North Fringe Forum urgently needs SDZ management status to strengthen its coordinating and invigilation role carried out since 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35845/12]
Specific responsibility for the planning and delivery of the North and South Fringe development rests, respectively, with Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council. Dublin City Council adopted its Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017 and Fingal County Council adopted its Fingal Development Plan 2011-2017 both of which set out statutory objectives for the development of the North and South Fringe, respectively.
A North Fringe Cross-Authority Forum established in 2004 continues to monitor progress in the implementation of the North Fringe Framework Development. Meetings continue to be held on a cross-authority basis at which a wide range of issues relating to the planning and delivery of the North Fringe development are discussed and actions taken.
Furthermore, Dublin City Council recently published a draft Local Area Plan (LAP) for Clongriffin-Belmayne (North Fringe) which is currently on public consultation until 1 August 2012. I also understand that Fingal County Council intend to publish a draft LAP for Baldoyle-Stapolin and a draft LAP for Portmarnock South for public consultation later this year.
On the basis of the ongoing cooperation within the statutory framework of the existing development plans, and the proposed local area plans, I do not believe that a strategic development zone is a necessary vehicle to deliver on areas such as the North and South Fringe.
238 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has concluded his deliberations with regard to the structure of the Government’s new house property tax; when he will be in a position to make an announcement to Dáil Éireann; if that tax will impact on the existing second home tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35846/12]
An independently-chaired Inter-Departmental Expert Group was established to consider the structures and modalities for an equitable valuation-based property tax. The Group has recently completed its work and submitted its report to me. The approach to the report will be considered by the Government in due course.
239 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a submission (details supplied) regarding the Crookstown sewerage scheme, County Kildare. [35855/12]
Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes small public sewerage schemes such as this one, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997.
The selection and approval of individual schemes for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocation provided is, therefore, a matter for the local authorities, Kildare County Council in this case.
240 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of unfinished estates managed by the National Asset Management Agency and other banking institutions, including foreign banks, and if he will provide a breakdown by category 1-4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35864/12]
Data on the quantity, location and nature of housing developments managed by the National Asset Management Agency are matters for that agency and are not within the remit of my Department. However, my Department understands that, while there is no overall figure covering all categories of such unfinished developments, the following outlines the current situation regarding Category 3 and 4 developments:
|
Category |
No. of Developments |
|
Category 3: |
137 developments |
|
Category 4: |
29 developments |
|
Total: |
166 developments |
Data regarding Unfinished Housing Developments under the direct control of banks, including foreign banks, change on a daily basis depending on the financial status of insolvent developers. The data on these estates are not reported to my Department and are therefore unavailable.
The National Housing Development Survey 2012, which my Department is currently carrying out, will provide a more complete picture of all unfinished housing development sites across all categories.
241 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35871/12]
242 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35890/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.
I have appointed two Special Advisers to my office. Both were appointed in accordance with the Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 31st Dáil and sanctioned by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, where appropriate. My colleague Minister of State O'Sullivan, who, as a Minister of State who regularly attends Cabinet, may appoint a maximum of two Special Advisers, has appointed one special adviser and is currently arranging for the appointment of a second adviser. Minister of State Mr. Fergus O'Dowd has no special advisers appointed in my Department. Former Minister of State Penrose appointed one special adviser during his tenure at my Department. Former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, who served as Minister at the Department from June 2007 to January 2011 appointed four special advisers. One of these advisers was Programme Manager for the Green Party and while his salary was paid from the Department's vote he was based in the Department of the Taoiseach. During the same period no Minister of State assigned to the Department appointed any Special Advisers.
243 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received an update from the Garda Commissioner into the investigation of fraud at Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35471/12]
The Garda Commissioner has advised me that the Garda investigations in relation to Anglo Irish Bank are substantially complete. A number of Garda investigation files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions and her independent directions are awaited. A full investigation team remains employed at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation to conduct necessary follow up enquiries. The Garda Commissioner has assured me that this work is receiving absolute priority.
244 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if persons are waiting up to a year to receive a hearing date for emergency maintenance applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35475/12]
246 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times, on average, maintenance application cases are adjourned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35479/12]
247 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for the hearing of maintenance cases at Phoenix House family law circuit courts, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35480/12]
248 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider creating an emergency interim system to address the high number of unheard maintenance applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35481/12]
249 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will quantify the backlog of family law hearings in each of the circuits of the District and Circuit Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35482/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 246 to 249, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Courts Service Act 1998, management and administration of the courts, which includes the provision of statistics, is a matter for the Courts Service while the allocation of the business of the courts, scheduling of cases and management of lists are the responsibility of the judiciary and in particular the presidents of the courts. The Deputy will also be aware that judges are, subject to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
In the context of the Deputy's questions it should be noted that judicial retirements and promotions to other courts in the latter half of 2011 and earlier this year gave rise to up to 15 vacancies on the Circuit Court and the District Court. These vacancies, combined with absences due to illness and Tribunal work, added significantly to the already heavy workload of those courts and did give rise to added delays. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Government has moved as quickly as possible to fill the vacancies and both courts now have a full complement of judges appointed.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware that the Government, at its meeting on 17 July 2012, approved, in principle, proposals for a number of major reforms to our courts structures which will, in due course, require the holding of a Constitutional referendum. The proposed reforms would, if approved by the People in a referendum, facilitate the establishment of a new separate Family Courts structure.
In the meantime, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised me that statistics are not maintained on the number of adjourned maintenance applications. The manner in which an application is dealt with by the court is obviously a matter for the presiding judge. However I am assured that the Courts Service works closely with the judiciary to ensure that all cases are dealt with as quickly as possible.
The Courts Service has also informed me that urgent applications are dealt with at the next court sitting. In many Districts routine applications are dealt with at the next sitting in the area although this can vary considerably from one District to another. I understand that the new President of the District Court, who took up her appointment on 17 July, intends to assess all backlogs and waiting times with a view to seeing how cases can be dealt with more quickly.
The Deputy has enquired in particular about the position in relation to maintenance applications in Dublin Circuit Family Court and the Service has informed me that such cases are dealt with as part of proceedings related to an application for divorce or judicial separation. The normal waiting time in that court for motions related to maintenance is between two and five weeks. The Service has also indicated that it is not aware of a high number of unheard maintenance applications. If the Deputy wishes to contact my office with further details I will have enquiries made. Finally, the Courts Service has provided a detailed breakdown of the waiting times for Family Law hearings at Circuit and District Court levels which is as set out in the following tables.
|
Office |
Family LawContested |
Family LawNon-contested |
Family LawAppeals |
|
Carlow |
12 |
Next sitting |
12 |
|
Carrick on Shannon |
6 |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Castlebar |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Cavan |
9 |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Clonmel |
9-12 |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Cork |
3-6 |
Next sitting |
3-6 |
|
Dublin |
4 months |
4 weeks |
1-5 |
|
Dundalk |
9 |
3 |
6 |
|
Ennis |
6 |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Galway |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Letterkenny |
18 |
Next sitting |
12-18 |
|
Limerick |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Longford |
6 |
Next sitting |
3-6 |
|
Monaghan |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Mullingar |
6-9 |
Next sitting |
3-6 |
|
Naas |
24 |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Portlaoise |
12-18 |
Next sitting |
3-6 |
|
Roscommon |
9 |
Next sitting |
3-6 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
Next sitting |
6 |
|
Tralee |
3-6 |
Next sitting |
3-6 |
|
Trim |
12 |
6 |
3 |
|
Tullamore |
6-9 |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Waterford |
6-12 |
3-6 |
12 |
|
Wexford |
27-30 |
Next sitting |
6-10 |
|
Wicklow |
9 |
6 |
9 |
|
Family LawDomestic ViolenceApplications* |
Family LawMaintenance/GuardianshipApplications |
|
|
Athlone |
2 |
4 |
|
Ballina |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Bray |
1-3 |
3-6 |
|
Carlow |
12 |
12 |
|
Carrick on Shannon |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Castlebar |
Next sitting |
6 |
|
Cavan |
Next sitting |
12 |
|
Clonakilty |
2-4 |
2-4 |
|
Clonmel |
4-8 |
8-12 |
|
Cork |
24 |
24 |
|
Derrynea |
Next sitting |
3 |
|
Donegal |
Next sitting |
4 |
|
Dublin |
10 |
10 |
|
Dundalk |
1 |
3 |
|
Ennis |
2 |
4 |
|
Galway |
1 |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
2-4 |
4-8 |
|
Letterkenny |
4 |
13-17 |
|
Limerick |
3-5 |
8-12 |
|
Longford |
1 |
4 |
|
Loughrea |
Next sitting |
4 |
|
Mallow |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Monaghan |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Mullingar |
Next sitting |
4 |
|
Naas |
2 |
8 |
|
Nenagh |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Portlaoise |
Next sitting |
8-12 |
|
Roscommon |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Sligo |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Tralee |
4 |
4 |
|
Trim |
4-8 |
6-8 |
|
Tullamore |
Next sitting |
4 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
12 |
|
Wexford |
Next sitting |
6-8 |
|
Youghal |
Next sitting |
4-8 |
*Urgent interim applications are dealt with immediately i.e. on next sitting day in every District.
245 Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the District and Circuit Courts are short of appointed judges; if he will provide specific details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35476/12]
Under statute the authorised number of judges on the Circuit Court is a President and 37 judges while the District Court is comprised of a President and 63 judges. Judicial retirements and promotions to other courts in the latter half of 2011 and earlier this year gave rise to up to 15 vacancies on the Circuit Court and the District Court. These vacancies, combined with absences due to illness and Tribunal work, added significantly to the workload of those courts. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Government moved as quickly as possible to fill the vacancies and both courts now have a full complement of judges.
250 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35507/12]
It is not possible to provide the detailed information sought in the time available. A response will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.
251 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has had any discussions with An Garda Síochána to examine the possibility of arming members of the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35538/12]
While the traditional unarmed character of the Garda Síochána is one of its key strengths, there are, of course, situations where an armed capability is required.
Currently just over 3,500 members of the Garda Síochána, around 25% of the force, are authorised to carry firearms. These include members of the Emergency Response Unit, the Regional Support Units and all members of the detective branch.
The carrying of firearms by Garda personnel is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
252 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of refurbishment works at Ballygar Garda station, County Galway; when the building will be re-opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35540/12]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is progressed in co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for capital expenditure in respect of Garda accommodation.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a contract for repair works in respect of Ballygar Station has recently been awarded by the Office of Public Works and that the relevant works are expected to be completed within a month.
253 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when works on a Garda station (details supplied) in Dublin 1 will be complete; if he will further advise when the station will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35541/12]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is progressed in co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for capital expenditure in respect of Garda accommodation.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the project referred to by the Deputy will be progressed in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources within the Vote for the Office of Public Works.
254 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on a person’s naturalisation application (details attached) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35544/12]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 657 of Wednesday, 6 June 2012. The position remains as stated.
Reply to Parliamentary Question 657 of 6 June 2012
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in October 2009. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, 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.
255 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the groups and organisations he has consulted with in relation to the issue of the recognition of Travellers as a distinct ethnic group. [35587/12]
256 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the possibility of the Government recognising travellers as an ethnic group. [35588/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.
During the course of the examination by a working group of the UN Human Rights Council of Ireland's report to that Council, prepared under the Universal Periodic Review procedures of the Council, my colleague, Minister Shatter, was asked, among many other matters, about the position of Travellers in Irish society.
One delegation specifically recommended that Ireland should recognise Travellers as an ethnic minority while other interventions were of a more general nature.
Minister Shatter replied that serious consideration is being given to granting such recognition.
I am aware of the long standing wish of some Travellers that such status be granted and that the previous Government was of the view that Travellers are not an ethnic minority.
I am aware that dialogue between staff of my Department and representatives of Traveller organisations has taken place in the past on the issue, as during the course of a seminar on the third State report under the Council of Europe Convention on National Minorities. In addition, the National Traveller Monitoring and Advisery Committee, on which sit representatives of all the national Traveller organisations as well as officials of my Department, earlier this year established a sub-group specifically to consider the issue of Traveller ethnicity.
It is not for me as Minister for State to anticipate a decision of Government. I can say that consideration remains ongoing and it is intended that the question will be before the Government for decision as soon as possible.
257 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35687/12]
I wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible to provide the information in the time available. I will write to the Deputy on this matter in the near future.
258 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether section 3(9) of the Firearms Act 1925, which permits the Garda authorities to take up to three months to make a decision on the renewal of a firearm certificate is unfair on the applicant who must lodge an application in renewal exactly three months before expiry of the existing certificate, which is the earliest time permitted under the Act, in order to be sure that they do not end up potentially being in possession of a firearm without a current certificate through no fault of their own, should the Garda take the full three months as allowed by the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35708/12]
I can inform the Deputy that the following subsections of Section 3 of the Firearms Act, 1925 as substituted by Section 43 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 provide that:
(8) The holder of a firearm certificate may apply for renewal of the certificate within three months before it ceases to be in force.
(9) A decision on an application for a firearm certificate or its renewal shall be given within 3 months from the date on which the applicant submitted a completed application form.
An application for renewal does not require the applicant to submit the renewal form exactly three months before expiry, but anytime within three months before it ceases to be in force. There is therefore an onus on each applicant for renewal to submit his/her renewal form in good time so that their firearm certificate renewal application is processed in good time. The legislation provides for an applicant to have his/her renewal application assessed up to three months before his/her existing certificate expires.
I understand from the Garda Authorities that the first renewals of three year firearm certificates commence on 1st August 2012 and planning for this phase has been ongoing for many months. Each current holder of a firearm certificate will receive a Firearms Renewal Form (FCR) three months prior to the expiry of their current firearm certificate. The renewal form will include all relevant details and the form provides for the firearm owner to make any changes in their circumstances (for example referees, general practitioner etc) before submitting the signed form to their local Garda Station.
I am informed that all of the shooting organisations and representative groups in the State have been fully briefed on the renewal processes by the Garda Firearms Policy Unit and information on the renewal requirements of each firearm owner is available on the Garda Website www.garda.ie.
259 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will explain the way section 3(9) of the Firearms Act allows a firearms licence holder to apply for renewal of their firearms certificate three months before expiry of the existing certificate whereas section 9(6)(c) of the same act only allows for the same application to be made one month before expiry and if he will confirm which provision is the correct one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35709/12]
I can inform the Deputy that section 37 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 amended section 9(6) of the Firearms Act 1964 to provide for the deletion of the reference to a one month period for the application for renewal of a firearm certificate before the expiry of the certificate. Accordingly, section 3(9) of the Firearms Act 1925, as amended, which provides that a decision on an application for a firearm certificate or its renewal shall be given within 3 months from the date on which the applicant submitted a completed application form, is the relevant provision.
260 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 393 of 10 July 2012, the education and training that will be provided in Sligo to a person (details supplied), in view of the fact that they will have to forgo a place in Dublin and if transferring a person in these circumstances is proportional and necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35714/12]
The full details of this case are as explained in my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 393 of 10 July 2012. Given the extent of the advance notice provided to the person concerned that she was to be dispersed outside Dublin, the stated intention of RIA to transfer her to Sligo in August is a proportional action. It has been open to this person, in conjunction with the Dun Laoghaire Refugee Project (DRP) which is sponsoring her place in a two year Social Care course in Inchicore College to begin in September, to explore the possibility of alternative similar education courses in the Sligo area in the new school year.
Since my response of 10 July, 2012, further medical representations have been received in this case and have been referred by RIA to the independent medical referee for his opinion. The matter will be considered further when his opinion is to hand.
261 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on citizenship for a person (details supplied). [35717/12]
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 May, 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence.
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
262 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider if the regulations that apply to pawnbrokers will similarly be applied to cash for gold outlets; or if other appropriate consumer protection legislation will be put in place to regulate the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35732/12]
I can inform the Deputy that on 19 June 2012 I published a report on the criminal justice aspects of the cash for gold trade which was prepared by my Department. I have stated that while the relevant criminal justice law is adequate to deal with the transactions in question, it is arguably inconsistent that there are rules and regulations that apply to pawnbrokers for the protection of the public and that similar rules do not apply to cash for gold outlets.
I have formally requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence to consider the content of the report, that it considers holding hearings on the issues raised in the report, that it obtains the views of all relevant interested parties and that it makes such report and recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas and to Government as it deems proportionate and appropriate in the public interest.
263 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consult with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on a visa application (details supplied). [35763/12]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application from the person concerned for permission to remain in the State based on her relationship with an Irish person is currently being processed by them. In this regard, on 24 May, 2012 and again on 4 July, 2012 INIS made a request to the person's legal representative for dated documentary evidence of this relationship. No reply has been received to date, however, I understand that documentation was received on 16 July, 2012 from the Irish partner of the person in question and that INIS will be in touch with this person shortly about the application.
I shouldremind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to also seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
264 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question ref. 25744/12 of 23 May 2012, (details supplied) in relation to Whitehall Garda station, Dublin, if he is in a position to reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35772/12]
The Deputy will recall that Question No. 25744/12 was tabled by him to the Minister for Finance. In the circumstances the provision of a reply on my part does not arise.
265 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of investigations carried out into alleged human trafficking since the introduction of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008; the number of potential victims of trafficking identified; the number of prosecutions that have commenced; the number of trafficking victims who have received the period of recovery and reflection as defined in the 2008 Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35834/12]
I can inform the Deputy that since the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 came into effect there have been 244 investigations carried out into alleged human trafficking. 258 potential victims were identified and 15 prosecutions for human trafficking related offences were commenced. In addition, in 2009, as a result of interstate cooperation between the Romanian and Irish authorities, 3 persons were prosecuted in Romania for trafficking related offences committed in Ireland. 19 potential victims of human trafficking who had no other permission to remain lawfully in the State were granted a period of recovery and reflection under the Administrative Immigration Arrangements for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking.
An Garda Síochána are pro-active in attempting to detect any breach of the provisions of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 and investigates all allegations of human trafficking with a view to identifying potential victims and perpetrators.
Over the past few years strong legislative, administrative and operational measures have been put in place to combat and prevent trafficking in persons. The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008, with penalties of up to life imprisonment for human trafficking, has greatly strengthened the law in this area. A dedicated Anti-Human Trafficking Unit was established in my Department in 2008 with the purpose of ensuring that the State's response to human trafficking is co-ordinated and comprehensive. This led to the production of a National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Persons. In addition to the dedicated Unit in my Department there are 3 other dedicated Units in State Agencies dealing with the issue — the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit in the Garda National Immigration Bureau; the Anti-Human Trafficking Team in the Health Service Executive and a specialised Human Trafficking legal team in the Legal Aid Board. Dedicated personnel are also assigned to deal with the prosecution of cases in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office. There are a wide range of training and awareness raising activities on-going and extensive consultation structures exist with Non-Governmental Organisations, International Organisations and State Agencies.
More detailed statistical information on the nature and extent of human trafficking in Ireland and information on prosecutions and convictions are available in the Annual Reports on Trafficking In Human Beings in Ireland for 2009, 2010 and 2011 on the web site www.blueblindfold.gov.ie at the What is Being Done? / Data Strategy section.
266 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of horses in the Garda mounted unit; his plans to increase this number; the number of dogs in the Garda dog unit; his plans to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35836/12]
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
267 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of intoxilser machines in each Garda divisional headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35837/12]
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
268 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to stations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35838/12]
The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no function in the matter. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Coolock, Raheny, Howth and Clontarf Garda Stations, by rank, on 31 May 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table hereunder:
|
Station |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
Total |
Reserve |
Civilian |
|
Coolock |
1 |
4 |
12 |
98 |
115 |
10 |
11 |
|
Raheny |
1 |
2 |
6 |
58 |
67 |
5 |
6 |
|
Howth |
0 |
1 |
6 |
33 |
40 |
4 |
1 |
|
Clontarf |
0 |
1 |
8 |
66 |
75 |
3 |
1 |
269 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received a detailed report from the Garda Commissioner regarding the trouble which occurred in the Phoenix Park on the 7 July last; if the promoters and relevant local authorities and the Office of Public Works officials were interviewed; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the number of successful convictions secured to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35839/12]
As I set out in my response to the Deputy on 17 July 2012 (Question No. 535), An Garda Síochána is reviewing what happened at the concert in question. An initial meeting was held with the concert organisers last week and it was agreed that both organisations will carry out a more in depth review regarding all aspects of the event. The fact is that the arrangements which were in place on the Saturday night did not prevent the type of behaviour which took place.
The Garda Commissioner has undertaken to let me have a full report following that review and I can assure the Deputy that I am determined any lessons will be taken fully into account in future planning and risk management of such events.
Insofar as arrests are concerned, I am informed that 148 incidents were reported in connection with the event in question and 33 persons were arrested. The majority of the incidents remain under investigation. One person has been charged with offences of assault, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, 1997 and several offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1996 and was remained in custody.
270 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35876/12]
271 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35895/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
I appointed two Special Advisers in 2011. Three Special Advisers were appointed by my predecessors during the period in question, one in 2007 and two in 2008.
272 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda Commissioner’s plans to deal with the outstanding 4,170 warrants in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35913/12]
273 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a detailed list of the of all outstanding warrants in the Meath district by warrant type, date of issuing of the warrant; the number of these warrants that are against the same defendant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35914/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently set out my views with respect to the number of outstanding warrants at a national level and the position with respect to outstanding warrants in Meath must also be seen in this context.
It is, of course, inevitable that at any given time there will be a significant number of warrants awaiting execution nationally. Unavoidably, even in the most straightforward cases there must be some lapse of time between the issue of a warrant by the court and its execution by An Garda Síochána. Apart from the huge volume of warrants which are issued nationally, there can be a multiplicity of reasons why warrants can take time to execute and, in some cases, they can prove ultimately unenforceable. It is the case that many individuals can be subject to multiple warrants and a number of the subjects of the warrants are taking every step open to them to try to avoid arrest through moving from address to address and so on.
While it is clearly important that An Garda Síochána take all possible action to ensure that warrants are executed as quickly as possible, it should be borne in mind that the vast majority of warrants do not relate to violent or the more serious categories of offence. In fact, most of the warrants which are recorded as unexecuted are penal warrants, which relate to the payment of fines with imprisonment arising as a consequence of failure to pay. 93% of penal warrants at a national level are associated with Road Traffic Acts, public order and theft offences.
Moreover, I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána give priority to the execution of warrants in respect of serious crime and will continue to do so.
Subject to the caveats I mention below, and insofar as the Meath Garda Division is concerned, I am informed by the Garda authorities that, on 13 July, 2012 PULSE recorded a total of 4,102 executable warrants, comprising of 653 bench warrants, 83 committal warrants, and 3,366 penal warrants outstanding in that Division. I am also advised that It is not possible to provide information in relation to the number of warrants against the same defendant as this would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.
In relation to the figures provided by An Garda Síochána, I should say that I have been advised that they are operational and liable to change.
Of its nature, the figure for outstanding warrants recorded by PULSE at any given time reflects an accumulation of old warrants which has arisen over the years. Warrants will continue to show on PULSE until such time as they are recorded as being finally disposed of and, given that some of the warrants in question are outstanding for many years, I am concerned that the total figure for outstanding warrants as shown on PULSE may not be a reliable indicator of the number of ‘live' warrants which are enforceable which are on hand.
In the circumstances, I have asked the Garda Commissioner to consider at a national level whether there may be a better way of maintaining statistics which gives a more realistic indication in relation to any backlog of warrants that arises. I have also asked him to report to me again in six months time on the situation in relation to unexecuted warrants and indicated that if he has any recommendations in relation to legislative or administrative action open to me as Minister which would assist in this area I will, of course, consider them.
While genuine difficulties can arise where it does not prove possible to enforce a warrant, it is obviously important that systems are in place to ensure that warrants are enforced as quickly as possible. I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that at present there is an Inspector in each Garda District in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and each Division outside the DMR tasked with managing the execution of warrants, and other issues relating to them. In addition, specific members of the Force are tasked with their execution. An Garda Síochána continually liaises with other agencies, including Government Departments, to locate individuals sought on warrant. This has resulted in the provision of addresses, other than those provided on the warrants, for many persons sought. In particular, Garda warrants personnel regularly liaise with the Irish Prison Service and the Courts Service to ensure the timely exchange of relevant information regarding persons sought for the service of warrants.
I am also advised that there is a warrants working group in place which facilitates liaison between the various stakeholders, including the Court Service and the Prison Service and which works to identify, address and prevent difficulties in the warrants process. The work of the group is ongoing and relevant recommendations for the improvement of systems are being implemented on an ongoing basis.
The Garda Commissioner has assured me that both he and his senior management team are closely monitoring the situation with a view to ensuring that warrants are executed as expeditiously as possible.
There seems little doubt that the outstanding warrants figures for previous years reflected partly the situation which then obtained in relation to the use of imprisonment in cases of non-payment of fines, a practice which I think most people now regard as highly undesirable. Since the commencement of section 14 of the Fines Act 2010, a Court is now obliged to take into account the means of the person before imposing a fine. This measure combined with other provisions such as the use of community service, payment by instalment and use of attachment of earnings should, when fully operational, have very beneficial effects on the number of warrants which the Gardaí are called on to enforce.
274 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently supervised in the community under a post release supervision order under Part 5 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of persons currently in breach of conditions under this part of the Act; if he will provide a regional breakdown of these figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35917/12]
I can inform the Deputy that there are 49 offenders being supervised in the community on post release supervision orders under Part 5 of the Sex Offenders Act, 2001. I am advised by the Probation Service that two of these individuals are in breach of their conditions and in the process of being returned to court.
The regional breakdown is as follows:
|
Region |
No. |
|
Dublin North and Northeast |
14 |
|
Dublin South and Wicklow |
16 |
|
Midlands and Southeast |
5 |
|
Southwest; and West |
9 |
|
Northwest and Westmeath |
5 |
275 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who must currently comply with Garda registration under Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001;the number of persons currently in breach of conditions under this part of the Act; the corresponding figures on a Garda divisional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35918/12]
The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive series of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons. Part 2 of the Act makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements. The provisions of the Act also extend to any offenders convicted abroad of the same range of sexual offences who enter the State.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, to 12 July, 2012, there were 1,204 persons subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Act. I am also informed that there have been 33 prosecutions for offences contrary to Part 2 of the Act to date in 2012. At an operational level, it is not Garda policy to provide such information on a Divisional basis or in a manner that might lead to the identification of individuals.
All offenders subject to the notification requirements are monitored by the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit (SOMIU) at the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Unit is supported by Garda Inspectors nominated in each Garda Division throughout the State. I am confident that the appropriate level of monitoring is carried out by An Garda Síochána and that all breaches of the requirements which come to notice are pursued.
276 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will publish and implement legislation establishing a statutory code of practice for the purpose of setting standards for the display, sale, supply, advertising, promotion and marketing of alcoholic liquor including setting out the classes of intoxicating liquor, classes of licensed premises and types of license to which the code will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35920/12]
277 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 is being enforced regarding price and quantity promotion of alcohol intended to drive general sales in retail outlets; if he is prepared to implement section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 or to bring forward new legislation to end the display and sale of alcohol products including wine in mixed trading premises; his views on whether the sale of alcohol including wine should be structurally separated from grocery and other products in mixed trading outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35921/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
The position is that section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2011 provides that the Minister for Justice and Equality may prepare and publish a code of practice or approve a code of practice drawn up by any other body for the purpose of setting standards for the display, sale, supply, advertising, promotion or marketing of intoxicating liquor and such code may apply as respects a class or classes of intoxicating liquor, a class or classes of licensed premises, or a type of licence.
A voluntary code of practice on the sale and display of alcohol products in mixed-trading premises was drawn up and agreed between the mixed trading sector and the Departments of Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform as an alternative to section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008. The Code includes provisions in relation to advertising of alcohol products by mixed trading outlets. A new body — Responsible Retailing of Alcohol in Ireland Ltd (RRAI) — was established by the mixed trading sector to oversee implementation of the Code. On receipt of the third Compliance Report on the RRAI Code in October last, I launched a public consultation process inviting views on the Report and, more generally, on the voluntary approach to implementing structural separation of alcohol products in such premises.
Arising from the consultation process, I am not in favour of retaining the voluntary RRAI Code. The choice, therefore, lies between implementation of section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 or implementation of a statutory code of practice under section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011. I expect to be in a position to seek Government approval for my proposals in relation to future arrangements for the display and sale of alcohol products in mixed trading outlets in the coming weeks.
With regard to codes of practice more generally the Report of the Steering Group on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which was published earlier this year, includes a recommendation in relation to the development of legislation and statutory codes of practice on the advertising of alcohol. I understand that this recommendation is being considered by the Department of Health in the context of the development of an Action Plan to address the Steering Group's recommendations.
The position regarding section 16 of the 2008 Act is that draft regulations to restrict certain alcohol promotions have been drawn up but have not been made to date pending agreement on a joint North/South approach to restricting such promotions. During discussions earlier this year with the Minister for Social Development in Northern Ireland, Nelson McCausland, MLA, we reached agreement on the need to develop a joint North/South approach to restricting such promotions and on the desirability of having the necessary arrangements in place by the end of this year.
278 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will introduce legislation to require mandatory identification for all purchases of alcohol products regardless of age or other measures he may think appropriate to address the serious problem of secondary purchasing of alcohol by adults for minors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35924/12]
The position is that section 32 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (as substituted by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003) prohibits any person from purchasing intoxicating liquor for delivery to, or consumption by, a person under the age of 18 years, or delivering intoxicating liquor to such a person. It is not unlawful for such a person to purchase or deliver intoxicating liquor for consumption by a person under the age of 18 years in a private residence with the explicit consent of that person's parent or guardian.
Furthermore, section 7 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides that when granting a certificate in respect of a spirit, beer or wine off-licence, the District Court may impose a condition that a CCTV system be installed. This provision was included in the 2008 Act with a view to deterring people from loitering in the vicinity of off-licences and to combating secondary purchasing.
I am not convinced that the introduction of mandatory identification would be feasible or effective in an effort to combat secondary purchasing. Framing legislation to deal with the supply of alcohol to under 18s presents a particular challenge. It must seek to accommodate cases where a parent permits supervised consumption of alcohol by a 17 year old within the family environment while, at the same time, combatting situations where alcohol is purchased by an older sibling, or some other third party, for unsupervised consumption by under-18s in public parks or other outdoor locations.
The Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which was published earlier this year, considered the issue of secondary purchasing of alcohol by adults for minors but did not make any recommendations for further legislation in this area. I am however prepared to give serious consideration in the context of the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill to any reasonable and workable proposal to tackle secondary purchasing.
279 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider introducing a requirement for a national responsible trading certificate following a dedicated training programme for all alcohol retailers and their staff before an alcohol licence or an off-licence permit can be renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35925/12]
The position is that while a certain amount of server training is provided in both the on-trade and the off-trade sectors, there are no statutory training standards or training requirements for staff involved in the sale of alcohol at present.
The Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which was published earlier this year, contains many recommendations and policy options in relation to regulating and controlling the supply of alcohol including a recommendation that the Department of Health establish standards for server training programmes in the on-trade and off-trade sectors. I understand that this recommendation will be considered as part of the development of an Action Plan for Alcohol by the Department of Health and proposals on alcohol-related issues will go to Government shortly.
The Report also recommends that the participation by licensees and staff in such programmes should be a condition of the licensing process. I will consider this recommendation in the context of the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill.
280 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will introduce legislation or enforce existing legislation to ensure that all alcoholic products can be traced to where they were sold following the successful trial of this procedure in areas like the Santry district of the Dublin Metropolitan Region North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35926/12]
The Government Alcohol Advisery Group considered the feasibility of regulations to require the labelling of alcohol containers in its 2008 Report. Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides for the making of regulations specifying particulars to be affixed to containers in which intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption off licensed premises which would enable the licensee and the licensed premises concerned to be identified. However, no such regulations have been made to-date for reasons outlined in the Group's Report.
The Group noted that while the labelling of alcohol containers was an attractive idea, significant challenges would need to be overcome in order to render it effective in practice. These challenges arose under two headings.
Firstly, practical difficulties would arise at retail level in cases where several individual containers were packaged together for sale, e.g. an enclosed six-pack of bottles; a plastic-wrapped tray of cans; or a wooden box containing bottles of wine. This raised the question of whether an appropriate label could be attached earlier in the supply or distribution chains rather than at the point of sale. The Group noted that attaching such labels to containers at an earlier stage might be simpler but it could create logistical difficulties for importers and distributors. Moreover, in the case of imports from EU countries, such additional labelling requirements could be regarded as infringing internal market rules relating to free movement of such goods.
Secondly, from an enforcement perspective, it was clear that possession by an underage person of a labelled container would not in itself constitute proof that the alcohol in the container has been illegally supplied to that person by the licensee whose particulars appeared on the container. The labelled container could have been taken from the family home or have been sold to a person over the age of 18 in good faith before being passed on to the person in possession of it. Indeed a container might have changed hands several times before coming into possession of the underage person.
The Group also noted that according to answers already given to parliamentary questions on the subject, issues relating to the evidential value of being found in possession of a labelled container had been raised during discussions on implementation of the 2003 Act with the Office of the Attorney General. That Office had expressed serious doubts about the evidential value of being found in possession of a labelled container and the overall effectiveness of any regulations that might be made under section 22 of the 2003 Act.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the trial referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.
For the reasons set out above, I do not intend to make regulations under section 22 of the 2003 Act. I am however prepared to give serious consideration in the context of the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill to any reasonable and workable labelling proposal that would not give rise to the difficulties outlined in the 2008 Report and in that context I will examine the Garda report on the trial referred to by the Deputy when it is received.
281 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the law regarding the open consumption of alcohol in cities and towns and, for example, on public transport; his views on the level of open consumption of alcohol in streets across the country as well as on public transport and at public amenity open spaces including parks and beaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35927/12]
The position is that local authorities have the power to make bye-laws in relation to the consumption of alcohol in public places. With regard to public transport, the Revenue Commissioners can issue a licence for the sale of alcohol in a railway restaurant car for consumption in that car. Other than that the consumption of alcohol on public transport is not permitted.
Under section 37A of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as inserted by section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, where a Garda suspects that a person is under 18 years of age and that that person, or anyone accompanying that person, is in possession of alcohol for consumption by a person under 18 years in a place other than in a place used as a private dwelling, the Garda may seek an explanation and if not satisfied with the reply, he or she may seize the alcohol. The Garda may also seek the name, address and age of the person suspected to be under 18 years of age. It is an offence for a person, when requested by a Garda, to refuse to give his or her name, address and age or to hand over the bottle or container, with a fine of €500 on summary conviction.
Moreover, section 8A of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as inserted by section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, provides that a member of the Garda Siochana may, in certain circumstances, seize and remove intoxicating liquor in a bottle or other container from any person regardless of age. The powers of the Gardai under this section also include power to request the person to give his or her name and to leave the place concerned in a peaceable and orderly manner. These powers may be exercised where the Garda believes that the person concerned is acting in a place other than a private dwelling in a manner that is causing, or is likely to cause, a nuisance or annoyance to others or is, or is likely to be a danger to persons or property or to cause a breach of the peace. As with section 37A, failure by a person to cooperate with a request to hand over the alcohol or to give his or her name and address is an offence with a maximum fine of €500. The maximum fine in the case of a failure to comply with a direction to desist from their activities or to move on is €1,000.
I am concerned at the incidence of street violence and anti-social behaviour. There is little doubt that much of this is fuelled by excessive drinking, as well as the use of illegal drugs.
An Garda Síochána is using the strong legal powers available under the Public Order Acts and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts to keep our streets as safe as possible, including prosecutions where appropriate. As set out above, the powers available include the seizure of alcohol to prevent under age drinking in public places and to forestall public disorder or damage to property. Gardaí may also issue fixed charge notices for the offences of intoxication in a public place and disorderly conduct in a public place. These are a more efficient use of Garda resources and avoid court proceedings when an offender pays the penalty.
I am in regular contact with the Garda authorities about these matters and these contacts will continue.
However, this problem is not simply a matter of law and order. Rather, it requires action by parents, educators and those who sell alcohol, not only in public houses, but right across the retail sector. I have indicated that, in the coming months, I intend to put in place additional regulations which will curb the level of excessive drinking.
282 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the identity and addresses of the successful contractors supplying services to the State in the seven State owned asylum seeker centres following the recent competition; the length, cost and duration of each contract; the date on which the contracts are up for renewal; the number of small to medium sized companies and if they are Irish or European who were successful in obtaining a contract for the supply of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35930/12]
283 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 16 May 2012, if he will clarify the issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35931/12]
284 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new permanent jobs that have been created through the awarding of contracts following the recent competition in the State-owned Reception Integration Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35932/12]
285 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the incentives that are given to small indigenous businesses to tender for contracts to provide management and services in State-owned Reception Integration Agency centres; if he will direct, encourage and advise his officials in the procurement area of RIA to facilitate and assist small indigenous Irish or European companies, in competing against large non-EU American corporate subsidiaries, which have recourse to unlimited expertise and financial backing from the parent company; if he will give an assurance that taxpayer moneys earned from Government contracts, remain in the Irish economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35933/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 to 285, inclusive, together.
These questions relate to a recent tender competition in respect of the management of seven State owned asylum accommodation centres. The competition was carried out by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, which is charged with responsibility for accommodation of asylum seekers while their application for protection in the State is being processed. Currently, RIA accommodates over 5,000 asylum seekers in 37 centres throughout the State. All of these centres are managed by private companies under contract to RIA but in the case of seven of those centres, the subject of these questions, the land and buildings are owned by the State.
Contracts were awarded in June 2012 following an EU wide tender process in respect of the seven centres. The Request for Tender (RFT) for the provision of management, catering and other services at these centres was published by RIA in late 2011. The tender was split into 5 lots and the contracts were awarded as follows:
|
Lot |
Description of Lot |
Awarded to: |
|
1 |
Atlas House, Tralee& Johnson Marina, Tralee |
OFM Ltd,Laccamore,Abbeydorney,Tralee,Co. Kerry |
|
2 |
Atlas House, Killarney& Park Lodge, Killarney |
OFM Ltd,Laccamore,Abbeydorney,Tralee,Co. Kerry |
|
3 |
Kinsale Road Accommodation CentreCork |
Campbell Catering Ltd t/a Aramark Ireland,Northern Cross Road,Malahide Road,Dublin 17 |
|
4 |
Knockalisheen Accommodation CentreMeelickCo Clare |
Campbell Catering Ltd t/a Aramark Ireland,Northern Cross Road,Malahide Road,Dublin 17 |
|
5 |
Athlone Accommodation CentreLissywoollen,Athlone |
Campbell Catering Ltd t/a Aramark Ireland,Northern Cross Road,Malahide Road,Dublin 17 |
As specified in the RFT, the contracts were awarded for a period of 3 years. All contracts came into force on 15 June 2012 and are scheduled to conclude on 11 June 2015. If all contracts run for the entire contracted period, the overall value will be approximately €18 million, plus VAT.
OFM Ltd falls into the category of a ‘small or medium sized' (SME) company. In relation to the clarification sought in the ‘details supplied' with Question No. 35931/12, I am advised by RIA that Campbell Catering Limited is owned by ARAMARK Ireland Holdings Limited (AIHL). AIHL is the Irish holding company in the international ARAMARK group. ARAMARK Corporation is the holding company of the group and the ultimate holding company of Campbell Catering Limited. Campbell Catering Limited is the only company in the ARAMARK group which provides services directly to the RIA to operate State owned centres. ARAMARK Ireland is headquartered in Dublin, with regional offices in Belfast, Limerick and Cork. The company has had a presence in Ireland since 2005 when ARAMARK first invested in Campbell Catering Limited, a well known Irish food service company which was founded in 1967. ARAMARK reports that it has invested over €60 million in its operations in Ireland since 2009 and employs over 4,000 people directly nationwide.
Rules governing EU tender competitions are designed to create an integrated market across member states and the companies listed in the table above were legitimately entitled to participate in that tender competition. Plainly, given that the services provided are in the nature of accommodation, food, heat, light etc. it is evident that much of the expenditure by the winning contractors is within the State. How profits are to be used by any company arising from Government contracts, whether indigenous or not or whether or not they arise from services to asylum seekers or any other kind of service, is a matter for the company itself consistent with the financial laws of this State.
The Deputy should note that RIA is not an employer of any staff member working in any asylum seeker accommodation centre, even State-owned centres. In relation to those companies who won the contracts, as shown in the table above, a condition of the RFT was that they complied with the TUPE provisions of Council Directive 2001/23/EC of 12 March 2001 which deals with the safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of transfers of undertakings etc. This means that those employees covered by the TUPE regulations remain employed in the centres concerned although, plainly, in centres which have a new management company, management personnel will change. To RIA's knowledge, no new net permanent jobs were created through the awarding of contracts following this competition.
The Department of Finance circular 10/10, "Facilitating SME Participation in Public Procurement", which is available on www.etenders.gov.ie, sets out positive measures that contracting authorities are required to take to promote SME involvement in a manner that is consistent with the principles and rules of the existing public procurement regulatory regime. I am advised that RIA took steps to ensure that SMEs were not discouraged from competing in the competition. Indeed, the majority of the tenderers responding to this RFT could be classed as SME’s. RIA is satisfied that this competitive processes was carried out in a manner that facilitated increased participation by SME’s and was legal, transparent, and secured optimal value for money for the taxpayer.
286 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Defence the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35500/12]
It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the necessary information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy once it has been compiled.
287 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local Government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35680/12]
The following amounts were paid to Local Authorities by my Department during the periods in question:
|
Charge |
2011€’000 |
1st June 2011-31st May 2012€’000 |
|
Water |
740 |
692 |
|
Refuse |
10 |
3 |
|
Fire Brigade |
4 |
7 |
In addition, the Civil Defence Board which operates under the aegis of my Department is responsible for the payment of certain annual grants to Local Authorities. These grants cover the recoupment by Local Authorities of some 70% of their annual expenditure on Civil Defence activities and amounted to €3.11m in 2011 and €3.21m in the 12 month period 1st June 2011 to 31st May 2012.
288 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35869/12]
289 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35888/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
I have not appointed any political advisers in my role as Minister for Defence. The political advisers appointed by my predecessors are set out in the table below:
|
Name |
Job Title |
|
Mr. Declan RyanMs Derval Monahan |
Special AdviserSpecial Adviser |
|
Name |
Job Title |
|
Mr. Derek MooneyMs Suzanne Coogan |
Special AdviserSpecial Adviser |
290 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the places available in agricultural colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35485/12]
This is an operational matter for Teagasc, the Agriculture Food and Development Authority. Teagasc is the main education provider of further education courses for the agri-food sector and through its long-standing association with the Institutes of Technologies and the University sector it is also significantly involved in the delivery of degree-level programmes. Teagasc's education courses are provided through its own network of colleges, regional education centres and in collaboration with three privately-owned colleges. In addition, Teagasc provides specialised training to the agri- food and service sectors as required and also enjoys an extensive involvement in adult education.
I understand Teagasc is aiming to provide for an increased intake of 640 students at the 6 Agricultural colleges, which is an increase of 24 on last year's numbers. The planned intake for 2012 represents the physical limit of the colleges. Although colleges are managing with a deficit of teachers, I understand that Teagasc has taken a number of measures; including the redeployment of advisory staff and subcontracting the delivery of specific education modules across a number of colleges and local centres to respond positively to the demand for places in the colleges.
There has been a very large increase in recent years in the demand for places in Ag colleges, something which will reflect the increased positivity towards the Agri food and farming sectors generally and I welcome this. I have been in a position to provide the flexibility within the overall numbers ceilings to allow for 6 additional teachers this year. While the question of additional resources into the future must have regard to the need to reduce public service numbers and this requires all public bodies to comply with annual ceilings on staff numbers and to reallocate or reorganise work or staff accordingly. The situation in Teagasc will be closely monitored.
291 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any extra milk quota available to those suppliers facing large super-levy bills as a result of their dairy herds being restricted by reason of disease in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35491/12]
Earlier this year my Department made temporary allocations of milk quota, on the basis of recommendations received from the independent Appeals Tribunal Panel, totalling some 25m litres from the National Reserve to almost 1,000 milk suppliers who applied under this Department's Animal Disease Scheme. Given the significant pressures on milk quotas in the last Milk Quota year my Department is not in a position to make any further quota available for this Scheme.
292 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portions that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35496/12]
The amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State on various expenses for the period 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 is as follows. All expenses were vouched.
Subsistence Expenses€47,694
Mobile Phone Expenses€28,969
Official Vouched Expenses€249,041
293 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35534/12]
The person mentioned commenced in REPS 3 in September 2006 and received payments for the full five years of their contract. The Year 5 payment issued on 27th January 2011 for the amount of €3,198.10. However, following a later compliance inspection in the August 2012 a 100% clawback was imposed on 08th September 2011 amounting to €3,198.10 for failure to keep "field boundaries, hedgerows and stonewalls on a map included in Agri-environmental Plan retained at indicated". An appeal by the person named was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office on 7th March 2012. This file has been assigned to an Appeals Office and the case is currently under review. A decision will issue shortly from the Appeals Office.
294 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the accounts that greyhounds tested positive for prohibited substances at two live hare coursing events recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35551/12]
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the controlling body for breeding and coursing of greyhounds under Section 26(2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. In that role, it has sole legal authority to control all activities in these areas.
Notwithstanding the above, my Department, in conjunction with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) meet annually with the ICC in the form of a monitoring committee to review and preview any operational issues that arise or are foreseen relating to coursing meetings. Additionally veterinary staff from my Department and staff from the NPWS carry out a number of monitoring inspections during the coursing season to verify compliance with rules regarding animal welfare and compliance with licences issued by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
As my Department has responsibility for controlling the manufacture, supply and use of animal remedies in order to protect human and animal health and animal welfare, this monitoring committee is a forum where any relevant issues in these areas, as referred to by the Deputy can be discussed.
295 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in expediting a decision on a rural environment protection scheme appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35663/12]
The person mentioned commenced in REPS 3 in December 2006 and received payments for the first 4 years of the contract period. Following a compliance inspection, a 100% penalty was imposed on 17th August 2010 amounting to €6,814.00 for failure to keep "listed habitats not retained as specified". An appeal from the person named was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office in Portlaoise on 19th July 2011. An Oral Hearing which was arranged for 29th February 2012 and again for 23rd May 2012 was cancelled by the person named due to ill-health. The person named contacted the Agriculture Appeals Office on 4th July 2012 to ask for the Oral Hearing to be re-scheduled. The Agriculture Appeals Office failed to make contact by telephone with the person named on 9th and 11th July 2012. Further contact will be arranged with a view to re-scheduling the Oral Hearing to a mutually acceptable date.
296 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35676/12]
The following tables show details of total expenditure by my Department in excess of €20,000 to all local authorities for 2011 and 2012 to date. It would take an excessive amount of staff resources to provide the full detail for all payments below that amount which mainly relate to service charges, planning applications and maintenance costs on piers and harbours on behalf of this Department.
|
Payee |
Description |
Total Paid |
|
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€70,637.36 |
|
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL |
Repair of slipways and piers |
€60,771.75 |
|
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€131,409.11 |
|
|
CORK CITY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€144,427.22 |
|
CORK CITY COUNCIL |
Water rates and Pier repairs |
€64,648.35 |
|
CORK CITY COUNCIL Total |
€209,075.57 |
|
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL |
Work on harbour repairs and maintenance |
€476,919.77 |
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€108,389.58 |
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL |
R+D FOOD |
€24,607.00 |
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates |
€22,064.76 |
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€631,981.11 |
|
|
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates, Sewage Licence, Labour Charges, Planning Charges for Harbours and Offices |
€215,960.61 |
|
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates and harbour maintenance |
€23,252.07 |
|
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€239,212.68 |
|
|
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€391,616.39 |
|
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL Total |
€391,616.39 |
|
|
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€187,902.70 |
|
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates and harbour maintenance of roads railing signage etc. |
€164,097.79 |
|
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€352,000.49 |
|
|
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€26,479.06 |
|
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€26,479.06 |
|
|
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates and harbour maintenance of slipways, roads railing, signage, etc. |
€138,486.01 |
|
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€99,771.07 |
|
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€238,257.08 |
|
|
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€63,160.95 |
|
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€63,160.95 |
|
|
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€92,790.93 |
|
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Forest Support Schemes (Forest Owners) |
€87,075.00 |
|
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€179,865.93 |
|
|
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€96,582.67 |
|
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€96,582.67 |
|
|
LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€14,706.07 |
|
LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€14,706.07 |
|
|
LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€361,802.48 |
|
LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL Total |
€361,802.48 |
|
|
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€152,294.85 |
|
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€152,294.85 |
|
|
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€27,876.85 |
|
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€27,876.85 |
|
|
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL |
Repair of Pier |
€138,750.00 |
|
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€79,932.08 |
|
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€218,682.08 |
|
|
MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€35,703.65 |
|
MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€35,703.65 |
|
|
OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€48,067.55 |
|
OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€48,067.55 |
|
|
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL |
Repair of Pier and slipway |
€147,648.00 |
|
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€44,897.96 |
|
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€192,545.96 |
|
|
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€187,872.00 |
|
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€187,872.00 |
|
|
TIPPERARY NTH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€65,123.86 |
|
TIPPERARY NTH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€65,123.86 |
|
|
TIPPERARY STH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€78,675.41 |
|
TIPPERARY STH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€78,675.41 |
|
|
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates and Repair of Pier |
€175,062.23 |
|
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€37,790.11 |
|
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates and fire services |
€35,191.98 |
|
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€248,044.32 |
|
|
WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€53,129.00 |
|
WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€53,129.00 |
|
|
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates and Repair of Pier |
€84,555.00 |
|
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€38,136.00 |
|
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€122,691.00 |
|
|
WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€155,823.80 |
|
WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€155,823.80 |
|
|
Grand Total for 2011 |
€4,522,679.92 |
|
Payee |
Description |
Total Paid |
|
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€51,744.00 |
|
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€51,744.00 |
|
|
CORK CITY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€49,302.90 |
|
CORK CITY COUNCIL Total |
€49,302.90 |
|
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€95,377.82 |
|
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€95,377.82 |
|
|
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates |
€59,448.84 |
|
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€59,448.84 |
|
|
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€56,634.08 |
|
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL Total |
€56,634.08 |
|
|
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€60,323.62 |
|
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€60,323.62 |
|
|
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Repair of Pier and slipway |
€152,448.53 |
|
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€152,448.53 |
|
|
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€51,574.49 |
|
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€51,574.49 |
|
|
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL |
Water rates |
€20,462.95 |
|
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€20,462.95 |
|
|
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€46,716.69 |
|
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€46,716.69 |
|
|
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€74,418.26 |
|
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€74,418.26 |
|
|
LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€184,317.56 |
|
LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL Total |
€184,317.56 |
|
|
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€92,682.43 |
|
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€92,682.43 |
|
|
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€117,500.01 |
|
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€117,500.01 |
|
|
MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€35,110.61 |
|
MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€35,110.61 |
|
|
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€22,512.72 |
|
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€22,512.72 |
|
|
TIPPERARY NTH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€33,961.13 |
|
TIPPERARY NTH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€33,961.13 |
|
|
TIPPERARY STH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€40,599.91 |
|
TIPPERARY STH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€40,599.91 |
|
|
WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL |
Control of Horses |
€45,676.31 |
|
WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL Total |
€45,676.31 |
|
|
Grand Total for 2012 (up to 16th July) |
€1,290,812.86 |
297 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the agri-industry blueprint for developing Food Harvest 2020 will meet the requirements of the habitats directive, to ensure that the plan, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, will not have a significant effect on or adversely affect the integrity of any protected site under European law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35740/12]
Food Harvest 2020 is a strategy that was developed by an industry-led committee whose wide membership included representatives of the food and drink industry, state agencies, academia, farm bodies and other interested stakeholders. As a strategic policy document, it is not in the category of plan or project under the provisions of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC that would require "appropriate assessment" of impact on a particular site or sites. Implementation of many of the key measures needed to achieve the growth figures set out in the report is a matter for private sector actors including industry and individual farmers, while co-ordination of the State contribution to Food Harvest 2020 is overseen by a High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), which I chair. This Committee consists of representatives from Bord Bia, Teagasc, Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Enterprise Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and this Department.
The HLIC decided it would be appropriate that an analysis of environmental impacts should be undertaken to inform the implementation of measures by all relevant actors including those in the private sector. The committee recognised that the broad targets in the report might be achieved in a variety of ways and determined that the environmental analysis should be of various possible scenarios related to their realisation. It is felt that this type of analysis is appropriate to the high level strategic nature of the report.
An independent team of consultants has been appointed to carry out the work and is due to present an interim report in the coming weeks with a final report due in October. The analysis will substantially follow the process of strategic environmental assessment as set out in Directive 2001/42/EC. It will include the likely impacts of achieving the targets, through a number of scenarios, on:
biodiversity,
flora/fauna,
water, including groundwater quality,
soil,
air quality,
landscape and
climatic factors including impacts on greenhouse gas emission levels.
The outcome of this analysis will be important in informing future more detailed plans, programmes and projects related to achievement of the broad targets in Food Harvest 2020, including whether appropriate assessment is required of any such proposals under the Habitats Directive. The Department is facilitating public consultation for the process, and in this regard details of the consultation were posted on the Department's website on 11 May 2012 and advertised in the Irish Independent on 16 May 2012 with a closing date of 28 June 2012. On request, this closing date was subsequently extended to 6 July 2012. This represents a consultation period of some eight weeks. The closing date for submissions was set originally for the end of June in order to allow sufficient time for the consultants to properly consider submissions before the finalisation of their interim report but, of course, any further submissions received will also be forwarded to the consultants.
298 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm receipt of an application for milk quota for a new entrant from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the number of applications received under this scheme in 2012; when a decision will issue regarding successful applications; if he will outline the process by which applications will be scored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35773/12]
In February 2012 my Department announced details of the 2012 Scheme for the Allocation of Milk Quota to New Entrants to Dairying, with a closing date of 4th May 2012. Approximately 270 applications were received in my Department before this deadline. These applications were subject to a preliminary examination to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria as set out in the Detailed Rules of the Scheme. All valid applications, including that received from the person named, have been submitted to the Assessment Panel for examination and it is expected that the Panel will have completed its work by mid August, at which time I hope to announce the results of the Scheme.
The Assessment Panel will base its decisions on the contents and quality of the applications submitted, taking account of educational qualifications, experience and the quality of the Business Plan and other factors.
299 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35865/12]
In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the information requested in respect of Special Advisers employed in my Department since 9th March 2011.
|
Name |
Title |
|
Fergal Leamyfrom 11/4/2011-9/9/2011 |
Special Adviser to Minister Coveney |
|
Áine Kilroyfrom 18/4/2011 |
Special Adviser to Minister Coveney |
|
Ross MacMathunafrom 16/01/2012 |
Special Adviser to Minister Coveney |
300 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35884/12]
In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the information requested in respect of Special Advisers and Press Advisers employed in my Department for the past five years.
|
Name |
Title |
|
Dermot Murphy from 29/10/2004-06/05/2008 |
Special Adviser to Minister Mary Coughlan |
|
Michael Shovlinfrom 02/05/2006-07/09/2007 |
Press Adviser toMinister Mary Coughlan |
|
Sean Perry from 23/01/2008-06/05/2008 |
Press Adviser to Minister Mary Coughlan |
|
Stiofan Nuttyfrom 01/11/2007-11/02/2010 |
Special Adviser to Minister of State Trevor Sargent |
|
Dermot M Ryan from 07/05/2008-31/12/2010 |
Special Adviser to Minister Brendan Smith |
|
Philip Hannon from 07/05/2008-09/03/2011 |
Special Adviser to Minister Brendan Smith |
301 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in expediting a decision on a rural environment protection scheme scheme appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/12]
The person mentioned commenced in REPS 3 in October 2006 and received payments for the first 4 years of the plan.
Following a Compliance Inspection, a 100% penalty was imposed on 3rd May 2011 for the amount of €3,058.32 as a result of an "adjustment for area change". An appeal was received on 17th November 2011 by the Agriculture Appeals Office in Portlaoise. Following examination of this case a decision was reached and was conveyed in a letter issued to the person named by the Appeals Officer on 26th June 2011 in which the Appeals Officer allowed the appeal against the penalty. Arrangements have now been made to implement the Appeals Office decision and payment will issued to the person named very shortly.
302 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the contact persons and details for foster families on the northside of Dublin, that is Dublin 3, 5, 9 and 17, as they are experiencing problems and delays with the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35741/12]
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
303 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the numbers of social work teams employed by the Health Service Executive nationally for the past five years; the number of social workers, social work team leaders, principal social workers, aftercare workers, access workers, child care workers, family support workers and administration staff employed within these social work teams for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35494/12]
My Department has sought the information requested by the Deputy from the HSE. I will provide the Deputy with the information when it becomes available.
304 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that mandatory reporting of child protection concerns will increase the number of referrals to social work teams, the extra resources beyond current commitments under the Ryan report that will be made available to social work teams to ensure the on going ability to adequately respond to such reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35495/12]
The Deputy will be aware that Children First has operated on the basis of voluntary compliance since it was first published by the then Department of Health and Children in 1999. Indeed, a number of submissions to the Joint Committee on Health and Children as part of its recent examination of the draft Heads of the Children First Bill emphasised the progress which has already been made in implementing Children First in a wide range of organisations. Significant resources have been put in place to support the implementation of Children First and in the case of the HSE and An Garda Síochána, Children First has formed an integral part of their existing operations and practices. The HSE has provided training, information and advice on the implementation of Children First throughout the HSE, voluntary and community sector.
In the draft legislative proposals on Children First it is proposed that organisations working with children appoint a Designated Officer. It is proposed that the Designated Officer, along with certain named professionals, will have statutory responsibility to report information about abuse to the HSE. To assist Designated Officers and certain named professionals make a determination as to whether to report abuse, a ‘Guidance for Reporting of Abuse' is to be developed by my Department. This Guidance will deal with issues such as definitions, thresholds and appropriate routes for the reporting of abuse. The Guidance will assist designated officers and professionals named in the legislation, in considering a number of factors to see if the concern reaches the threshold of a report under the legislation. This approach is intended to ensure that only those cases which require an assessment by the HSE are brought to its attention.
As regards the allocation of resources, this will be a matter to be considered both in the context of the establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency and the Regulatory Impact Analysis which will accompany the preparation of relevant legislation.
305 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within her Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by her Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35498/12]
The question is not applicable to my Department as it was only established on 2nd June 2011. Matters relating to the former Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs should be referred to the Department of Health.
306 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a community child care subvention scheme or the new community child care subvention scheme will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35553/12]
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community child care not-for-profit services to enable them to charge reduced child care rates to low income and disadvantaged families. Community child care services qualify for grant aid on the basis of the level of service they provide and the profile of the parents benefiting from their service. Because of the current budgetary situation no new places are available to service providers seeking to enter this programme in 2012. However, in exceptional circumstances where a participating service closes or opts out of the programme, a new applicant may be considered to take up the vacated place in the programme if they are in a position to meet the child care need arising.
307 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by her Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35678/12]
Particulars relating to the annual spend, including grant payments, since 2011 on the structures of local Government are currently being compiled by my Department and the relevant information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
308 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when each of the child care audits in Roscommon, Waterford and Dublin commenced, were completed and report finalised; the individual who completed each audit; the number of children involved in each audit; the number of cases and families deemed at risk in each audit; the number of cases and families where further information was required to make a determination in each audit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35719/12]
I understand from the HSE that the Roscommon audit commenced in September, 2010, the Waterford audit commenced in February, 2011, and the Dublin audit commenced in May, 2011. All have end-April, 2012 as the completion date.
The HSE intends to publish a composite report of the findings of the audits. This report is not yet finalised but a final draft is with the Office of the National Director for Children and Family Services. I expect it to be submitted to me in September of this year.
The author of the report is Ms. Lynne Peyton, Consultant in Children's Services and Social Care.
309 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by her or her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35867/12]
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued detailed guidelines on the staffing of Ministerial Offices which include salary limits for persons appointed to the position of Special Adviser, Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary and Civilian Driver. All Ministerial appointments in my Department are in line with these guidelines. There are three special advisers in my Department, two of whom work 50% patterns.
310 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by her predecessors in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35886/12]
The question is not applicable to my Department as it was only established on 2nd June 2011. Matters relating to the former Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs should be referred to the Department of Health.
311 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a speech therapy service will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35638/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
312 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to consider introducing a ban on below cost selling of alcohol products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35922/12]
367 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when legislation will be introduced to facilitate minimum alcohol pricing measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35929/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 367 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Substance Misuse Strategy, was published earlier this year. It contained many recommendations and policy options in relation to tackling the over-consumption of alcohol in Ireland. Among the suggested options was the introduction of minimum pricing. A proposal on this and other alcohol-related issues has been prepared for Government. It includes a strong recommendation on the introduction of minimum pricing to deal with the problems associated with low-priced alcohol. A decision of the Cabinet is awaited.
313 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if he can provide any reassurances to school leavers with an intellectual disability who are concerned that when they will not be able to attend any further training opportunities once they leave school; his plans to insure that they will have access to a course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36435/12]
362 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he has provided sufficient resources for supports for young people with an intellectual disability; his views on press reports that up to 400 young people with this disability may not secure support funding for training and residential placements from September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35849/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 362 together.
Day services for adults with disabilities provide a network of support for over 25,000 people who have a wide spectrum of need, ranging from those with severe and profound disabilities who are likely to need long-term specialist service provision to people with lower support needs and greater potential for community participation and inclusion. The HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, service users and families to identify the needs of young people with disabilities who are due to complete their second level education. The aim is to address the needs of individuals in the following ways: Health-funded day services; FÁS-funded vocational training; Approval to extend education placement for a specified time.
Over 660 places are required for school leavers in 2012 and around 390 places in respect of those who are completing their RT course this year. To date, suitable placements have been identified for 514 school leavers and 321 RT graduates. This year, disability services are required to cater for demographic pressures such as new services for school leavers from within their existing budgets. In previous years demographic funding was provided to meet this need. 2012 budgets have been reduced by 3.7% and the moratorium on staff recruitment gives rise to additional challenges in service provision.
Service providers and the HSE have come together under the auspices of National Consultative Forum to identify how the needs of individuals who require day and rehabilitative training places can be responded to within available resources. The National Consultative Forum recognises that the key to ensuring that available resources for people with disabilities are used to best effect is through constructive collaboration between non-statutory providers and the HSE. There are already many excellent examples of collaborative working between service providers and the HSE in innovatively responding to the needs of individuals.
The HSE and disability service providers have commenced the process of notifying families if a place is available or if the individual is to be placed on a waiting list. Where a service has yet to be identified parents/guardians are being advised that: the young person would be placed on a waiting list;the family would be kept informed of progress; and the HSE and the disability agency understood that this was a challenging time for families and would continue to explore all available options.
Every effort is being made to achieve an equitable and sustainable outcome to address the current difficulties in providing an appropriate service to each individual. However, the Health Service as a whole has to operate within the parameters of funding available to it and given the current economic environment this has become a major challenge for all stakeholders, including the HSE, voluntary service providers, services users and their families.
314 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35505/12]
The information requested by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
315 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the way Kenmare Community Hospital, County Kerry, is progressing; the work that has been done to date; if the project is on time and within budget; when the facility is due to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35522/12]
Delivery of health care facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
316 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the number of people who have been treated for asthma or breathing related illness in Letterkenny General Hospital from June 2011 to June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35532/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
317 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the increase in the level of suicides in Ireland, by 7% in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35539/12]
Dealing with the current high levels of suicide and deliberate self harm is a priority for this Government. Suicide is a tragedy that we are constantly working to prevent and also working to give more support to the families affected. Reach Out our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention sets out a series of specific actions and calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in order to foster cooperation between health, education, community, voluntary and private sector agencies. There are up to 20 voluntary organisations part-funded by the HSE who are providing excellent prevention, intervention and post-intervention support services including phone help-lines and web based support.
The National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is implementing the Reach Out Actions in a four way strategy — delivering a general population approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention; using targeted programmes for people at high risk of suicide; delivering services to individuals who have engaged in deliberate self harm and providing support to families and communities bereaved by suicide. The annual budget for this work has been increased by this Government to over €12 million.
A wide range of awareness and training programmes are also available including safeTALK and ASIST which trains participants to become more alert to the possibility of suicide in their community. NOSP has also piloted a system of Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses working with Emergency Departments and GPs which will be rolled out nationally this year.
The special allocation of €35m for mental health which was announced in Budget 2012 will be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services and to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems.
318 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the annual investment in audiology services by the Health Service Executive excluding voluntary organisation funding for 2011. [35564/12]
319 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the annual investment in audiology services by the Health Service Executive excluding voluntary organisation funding to date in 2012. [35565/12]
320 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the estimated annual investment in services by the Health Service Executive was €11.3 million excluding voluntary organisation funding, as published in the HSE National Audiology Review Report of February 2011. [35566/12]
321 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the annual investment in respect of the amount spent on administration, wages and hearing devices. [35567/12]
322 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the average unit cost of a hearing aid purchased by the Health Service Executive. [35568/12]
327 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when the most recent waiting lists for audiology services were compiled. [35573/12]
328 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an audiology assessment. [35574/12]
329 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a hearing aid fitting. [35575/12]
330 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a follow-up appointment after their hearing aid has been fitted. [35576/12]
331 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who received an audiology assessment from the Health Service Executive in 2011. [35577/12]
332 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who received an audiology assessment by the Health Service Executive to date in 2012. [35578/12]
333 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were fitted with a hearing aid by the Health Service Executive in 2011. [35579/12]
334 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were fitted with a hearing aid to date in 2012. [35580/12]
335 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who received a follow-up appointment after their hearing aid was fitted by the Health Service Executive in 2011. [35581/12]
336 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who received a follow-up appointment after their hearing aid was fitted by the Health Service Executive to date in 2012. [35582/12]
337 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he concurs with the findings of the NARC report that many audiology services in Ireland are substandard. [35583/12]
338 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he is committed to doubling the existing indicative annual investment of €11 million as recommended in the NARC report in order to deliver the required services. [35584/12]
339 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the progress made on the implementation of the individual recommendations of the NARC report, and the cost of this to date. [35585/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 to 322, inclusive, and 327 to 339, inclusive, together.
The report of the HSE National Audiology Review Group was published in April 2011. The Group has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations to address the inconsistencies and inadequacies in audiology services. Recommendations currently being pursued by the HSE's Audiology Clinical Care Programme include the following; five clinical leads including a National Clinical Lead are being recruited; Universal Newborn Hearing Screening(UNHS) is now in place in the HSE South and will be rolled out in Dublin Mid Leinster and Dublin North East in September 2012; the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) Service is to be rolled out to six new sites commencing in October 2012; work has been initiated on reconfiguration of services to deliver better clinical governance and efficient care pathways; ten MSc in audiology students are being sponsored and it is hoped they will join the HSE workforce in September 2013; other training is also being supported for staff involved in UNHS follow up and the BAHA service; procurement processes for equipment for the BAHA service and the UNHS programme have been completed; workforce planning and career structure proposals are being developed.
The National Audiology Review Group Report estimated the annual investment in HSE audiology services at €11.3m. An additional €989k was invested in 2011 and an additional €2.71m in 2012. Business cases for additional posts and funding will be prepared as part of the HSE estimates process.
The budget for hearing aids is €2m per year. The HSE is currently completing a national procurement process for hearing aids and equipment and considers it inappropriate to make information available on the average cost of hearing aids purchased due to commercial sensitivity. The estimated salary costs for the audiology service is €4.5m. Information on administration costs is not readily available and is difficult to determine given that staff are shared across services.
The HSE is not in a position to provide accurate data as requested by the Deputy on waiting lists or on persons fitted with hearing aids, persons who received an audiology assessment or persons who received follow up appointments during 2011/2012. The business case for a new National Patient Management System is being progressed which will allow easy access to waiting times, facilitate the validation of waiting list activity and monitor productivity.
323 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the staff working in the audiology services by work commitment, for example administrative, clinical and technical. [35569/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
324 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians-audiologists working in the adult audiology services only. [35570/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
325 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians-audiologists working in the paediatric audiology services only. [35571/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
326 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians-audiologists providing both adult and paediatric audiology services. [35572/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
340 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a personal assistant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35593/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
341 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be reimbursed for medical expenses incurred due to his old card being ceased while awaiting for medical card application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35596/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
342 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on a medical card approved by the appeals office on the 1 May 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied); when the card will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35632/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
343 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the method used to calculate the optimum level of fluoridation chemicals to be administered to drinking water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35641/12]
The calculation of the amount of fluoride to be added to water to obtain the optimal fluoride concentration is a mathematical formula which takes into account the concentration of the fluoridating agent and the volume of the water to be treated. The basic formula is then adjusted to allow for existing background fluoride levels in order to provide that the fluoride concentration of the water is in line with the statutory requirement.
344 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the extraordinary delay for routine paediatric cardiac appointment in Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35643/12]
The Special Delivery Unit (SDU) is working to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF. During 2012, the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a maximum wait time for children of 20 weeks for an elective inpatient or day case procedure.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
346 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not been processed fully even though the person is only in receipt of farm assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35657/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
347 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange that the contact person in the Health Service Executive advocacy unit (details supplied) in Dublin 9 make available a copy of her report which she has been trying to retrieve since 15 May 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35658/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
348 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the total cost of the Mental Health Tribunal section of the Mental Health Commission each year since 2007 and a breakdown of the expenditure for the last year for which such figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35659/12]
Expenditure on Mental Health Tribunals since 2007 is as follows:
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2007 |
9,840,944 |
|
2008 |
9,755,372 |
|
2009 |
9,802,618 |
|
2010 |
7,887,565 |
|
Expenditure |
|
|
Fees |
6,365,516 |
|
Travel and Subsistence |
500,405 |
|
Salaried Consultant psychiatrists |
859,625 |
|
Other costs |
162,019 |
The Financial Statements for the Mental Health Commission, which includes expenditure on Mental Health Tribunals, is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas annually.
349 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35685/12]
Funding for community based drugs projects supported by Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces is channelled through a number of Government Departments and State agencies, including certain local authorities. A full breakdown of the grants by local authority area relating to the 2011 financial year and the period January to June 2012 is set out in the table.
The attention of the Deputy is drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council ceased to operate as a channel of funding for my Department this year. An alternative funding agency has been identified for each of the nine projects concerned, seven of which have transferred to the HSE, while the remaining two projects have been assigned to the City of Dublin VEC and the Canal Communities Partnership respectively. The project previously funded through Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has not been allocated funding in 2012.
|
Council |
Jan-June 2011 |
July-Dec 2011 |
Jan-June 2012 |
|
Dublin City |
164,346.67 |
164,328.67 |
0.00 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County |
30,500.00 |
30,500.00 |
0.00 |
|
Fingal County |
111,823..00 |
90,823.00 |
97,948.00 |
|
Laois County |
1,000.00 |
0.00 |
1,500.00 |
|
Offaly County |
2,384.00 |
2,768.00 |
2,000.00 |
|
Westmeath County |
96,138.00 |
70,832.00 |
82,780.00 |
|
Total |
406,191.67 |
359,271.67 |
184,228.00 |
350 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to incorporate screening for gestational diabetes into the maternity and infant care scheme in view of the fact that the condition is going undiagnosed and untreated in a significant proportion of expectant mothers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35733/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
351 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide advice to a family with a member suffering from Alzheimer’s who is leaving the St. John of Gods but still needs to be in supervised care [35742/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
352 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the salaries and expenses of all Health Service Executive executives and managers receiving more than €100,000 per annum. [35746/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
353 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the savings to the Exchequer which would be made by applying charges based on the full economic cost for the use of beds in public and voluntary hospitals in the State for the purposes of private medical practice. [35747/12]
Since 1 January 2012 the charges for patients who chose to be treated on a private basis in public hospitals have increased by between 3% and 5% depending on the category of hospital. The increase in charges is in keeping with the long-standing policy of moving towards recovering the full economic cost of providing treatment to private patients in public hospitals. It is anticipated that the increased charges will yield additional revenue in the region of €18 million in 2012. The current 2012 charges and the 2011 charges are set out in the following table.
|
Hospital Category |
Private Accommodation |
Semi-Private Accommodation |
Day-care |
||||
|
2012 |
2011 |
2012 |
2011 |
2012 |
2011 |
||
|
1 |
HSE Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
€1,046 |
€1,017 |
€933 |
€889 |
€753 |
€732 |
|
2 |
HSE County Hospitals, Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
€819 |
€789 |
€730 |
€693 |
€586 |
€564 |
|
3 |
HSE District Hospitals |
€260 |
€260 |
€222 |
€222 |
€193 |
€193 |
354 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the estimated savings which would be made by implementing a full programme of generic substitution and reference pricing of medicines. [35748/12]
The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 which was published on Friday, the 13th of July, will introduce a system of reference pricing and generic substitution for prescribed drugs and medicines. These reforms will promote price competition among suppliers and ensure that lower prices are paid for these medicines resulting in savings for taxpayers and patients.
It is not possible, at this juncture, to provide accurate figures regarding potential savings resulting from reference pricing, as these depend on various factors including prevailing prices, number of competitors, availability of substitute products, and market dynamics.
355 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the amount collected in prescription charges for medical card prescriptions in 2011 and the amount collected in 2012. [35749/12]
€27.604 million was collected in respect of prescription charges in 2011 and €14.716 million in 2012 (January to June).
356 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total Health Service Executive spend on the hiring of agency staff between June 2011 and June 2012. [35750/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
357 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total cost of over-time payments by the Health Service Executive between June 2011 and June 2012. [35751/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
358 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current total annual cost of payments to hospital consultants under the various consultants’ contracts, broken down by category of contract. [35752/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
359 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if the consultants’ report evaluating the various proposed potential sites for new national children’s hospital will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35761/12]
As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bórd Pleanála, received on 23 February 2012, to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The aim of the Review was to consider all the possible options for the earliest possible delivery of a new children's hospital. The Group has now presented its report to which I am giving careful consideration before bringing to Government. It is my intention to publish the Group's report in due course.
360 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been reached with regard to the provision of capital funding to build Corduff Health Centre, Dublin 15; and if a detailed plan is in place setting clear timeframes as to when this project may be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35762/12]
The proposed Capital Plan 2012-2016 requires my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I have approved the Capital Plan 2012-2016 and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is being sought. Details of the plan will be published by the HSE following its approval.
361 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the bed capacity of Naas General Hospital; the current number of beds available; the extent to which financial constraints are impacting on services at the hospital; the projected bed numbers required to serve the expanding population in County Kildare and the capacity at Naas General Hospital to meet this demand; the level of funding that would be required to overcome current limited bed spaces; the models the Health Service Executive use to estimate the additional extra costs that will be incurred by the Exchequer due to the current delays to patients access the hospital at this time; the way the current delays compare with similar delays over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35766/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
363 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35874/12]
I have engaged Mr. Mark Costigan as my Press Adviser and it is my intention to appoint Ms Maureen Windle as my Special Adviser on a two thirds basis.
Ms Maev Ann Wren is engaged by Minister Roisin Shortall as Special Adviser on a half time basis and this is reflected in her approved salary.
364 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive have any psychiatric patients in accommodation outside this jurisdiction; if so the number of same; if it is short term or long term and the annual cost. [35881/12]
As service referrals are made within each catchment area by the treating Mental Health Clinician and not at a national level the HSE does not routinely gather the information requested by the Deputy. However, following a recent Freedom of Information request the following information was collected by the HSE which provides details on the total numbers of service users being cared for abroad and the total annual cost for 2011:
|
Number of service users from the mental health service being treated abroad for their mental illness |
Annual cost to the mental health service* |
|
11 |
€2,242,354* |
*There were considerable variations in the length of time individuals were placed abroad.
Treatment outside the jurisdiction is only considered when there is no suitable facility or where specialist skills are clinically indicated but unavailable here in Ireland.
365 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35893/12]
There is no grade of political advisor. However, the information in relation to special advisor appointments by my predecessors is set out below:
|
Year |
No. of Special Advisers |
|
2010 |
3 |
|
2009 |
4 |
|
2008 |
6 |
|
2007 |
7 |
|
2006 |
4 |
366 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if home help hours will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35911/12]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
368 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in validation of radiography qualifications in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35934/12]
For the purposes of the Directive, a regulated profession is defined as a professional activity access to which is subject, directly or indirectly, by virtue of legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions to the possession of specific professional qualifications. Where statutory registration does not exist for a profession in Ireland, non-Irish qualifications are assessed for their equivalence to the Irish entry-level qualifications required to work in the Health Service Executive. The process provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the qualifications of an applicant against those required to practise in Ireland on condition that the professional practice is the same in both countries. In the case of radiography qualifications, the process is administered on behalf of my Department by the National Validation Office of the Health Service Executive (NVO) which is advised by the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT).
In the case of the person to whom the Deputy refers, I am advised that the NVO and my Department are awaiting clarification on certain aspects of the application from the IIRRT. When this clarification is received, my Department will be in touch with the applicant.
369 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, like full-time taxi drivers, part-time taxi drivers will be required to provide a yearly tax clearance certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35647/12]
As part of the transfer of responsibility for licensing SPSV drivers from An Garda Síochána to the NTA, the Taxi Regulation Review Report includes Action 6 as a medium term action. Action 6 states that an annual declaration process will be introduced whereby SPSV licence holders will have to complete an annual declaration form confirming their tax status, social welfare benefits status, insurance and other employment details. The 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.
370 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the payment of speeding fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35861/12]
Parts 3 and 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provide for a number of enhancements to the current fixed charge and penalty point systems, including, in section 44 of that Act, a final option of payment in relation to a fixed charge offence for certain road traffic offences on receipt of a Court summons, not later than 7 days before the date specified in the summons on which the charge is to be heard by the Court. It also provides that where such a payment is made, proceedings in respect of the alleged offence will be discontinued and the person need not attend the Court on the day specified in the summons.
My Department, the Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Courts Service are in consultation to ensure that the required supports, both administrative and technical, are in place for the commencement of Parts 3 and 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, including section 44, as soon as possible.
371 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of firms of solicitors on the Road Safety Authority panel of solicitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35460/12]
372 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of firms of solicitors that have received work from the Road Safety Authority since they were appointed to the panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35461/12]
373 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the firms of solicitors that have received work from the Road Safety Authority since the panel of solicitors was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35462/12]
374 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the volume and number of cases that have been referred by the Road Safety Authority to those firms of solicitors who have received instructions from it in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35463/12]
375 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of firms of solicitors on the Road Safety Authority panel that have not yet received any instruction from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35464/12]
376 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Road Safety Authority have not used all of the firms of solicitors on the legal panel that it put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35465/12]
377 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of firms of solicitors in Connacht on the Road Safety Authority panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/12]
378 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work, if any, that has been given to the solicitors on the Road Safety Authority panel in Connacht in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35467/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 to 378, inclusive, together.
The subject matter of these questions is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the questions to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
379 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses, with indications given to the portion that are both vouched and unvouched for each year from 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 inclusive; the extent of such expenditure that was discharged directly by his Department on behalf of the Minister concerned; the extent to which the expenditure was discharged by credit card directly by or on behalf of the Minister involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35510/12]
The amount spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State within my Department on subsistence, mobile phone communications and recouped expenses is outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
Minister/Minister of State |
Subsistence/ recouped expenses |
Mobile Phones |
Total spent |
|
2007-2010 |
Minister Noel Dempsey, T.D. |
€40,061 |
€5,694 |
€45,755 |
|
2010 |
Minister of State Ciaran Cuffe, T.D. |
€1,665 |
Not applicable |
€1,665 |
|
2008-2009 |
Minister of State Noel Ahern, T.D. |
€27,577 |
€2,005 |
€29,582 |
|
2007 |
Minister of State Pat the Cope Gallagher, T.D. |
€23,531 |
€4,731 |
€28,262 |
|
2007 |
Minister Martin Cullen, T.D. |
€7,209 |
Not applicable |
€7,209 |
The monthly expenses paid to Ministers in accordance with Oireachtas rules are not vouched. The figures for the years in question are:
2007 —€13,881
2008 —€26,771
2009 —€17,625
2010 —€2,000
In addition some travel and subsistence allowances paid at the rates specified by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are not vouched. None of the expenditure was incurred by Departmental credit card.
380 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the stage of the plans to regulate use of and speed of tractors on public roads, as there is particular concern in the farming community over the proposed 20% reduction in speed limit and the exclusion of tractors from motorways, bearing in mind the knock on effect this will have on costs to this crucial industry. [35528/12]
I am currently examining proposals in relation to the use of agricultural and works vehicles on Irish roads and I will announce my decision in due course. I am conscious that there are a number of different views on this matter and will bear them in mind as part of the decision making process.
381 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role of the Irish Aviation Authority in relation to a company (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35639/12]
The Pilot Training College Waterford (PTCW) is a privately owned and operated flight training college. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility for approving flight training organisations in Ireland. In this regard their primary functions are the oversight of the safety, quality and standard of the training being delivered, the conduct of examinations and flight tests and I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply in relation to their functions. However, I would like to note that I have agreed with the IAA that the IAA will fund the flight costs of those self-financing students in Florida who have an existing contract with PTCW and who wish to leave the USA. I will also give consideration to a bonding /insurance scheme in future to provide financial protection for students of flight training organisations; however, such a scheme would most likely be on a voluntary basis.
The IAA is endeavouring to ensure that the students affected will be able to avail of alternative training arrangements. It has also indicated that it will strive to facilitate the crediting of all flight and ground training carried out to date in Florida towards the students' final qualifications.
382 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to reducing the number of speculators in the taxi industry by limiting any person’s ownership of a licence to one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35648/12]
383 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to using funds recently transferred to the National Transport Authority from the taxi regulator to reducing the number of taxi drivers through a licence buy back scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35649/12]
384 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that his proposal to prevent the transferring of taxi licences from one owner to another is legally sound; if there is an issue to do with legitimate expectation in view of the fact that purchasers are expected to be able to resell the licences when they purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35650/12]
385 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35656/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 to 385, inclsuive, together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry and is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report. The Review Report makes no recommendations on limiting the ownership of a taxi licence as mentioned. Instead the Report focuses on a package of measures designed to enhance standards and encourage professional drivers to operate in the sector.
I have no plans to introduce any financial incentives for individuals to exit the taxi market such as those measures suggested by the Deputy. The use of licence fee income is a matter, for the NTA in the first instance, subject to the requirements of section 50 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.
In the case of licence transferrability , a major anomoly was identified in that taxi licences issued prior to January can be sold or transferred on one occasion. It was considered that it was necessary to move away from a system whereby a licence will have value in itself — a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be traded on the open market. Action 14 of the Review Report proposes the introduction of a prohibition on the transferability of taxi vehicle licences such that all taxi vehicle licences will be unique to the person to whom the licence has been issued and cannot be transferred or sold to another individual. The legal aspects of the proposal are being examined as part of the implementation process.
I would not be in favour of slogans or other displays on taxis that could be perceived, rightly or wrongly, as inviting the customer to discriminate on racial grounds.
386 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the total annual spend, including all grants, by his Department on all structures of local government here for 2011, and also for June 2011 to June 2012. [35690/12]
The total amount paid in 2011 by my Department to Local Authorities was €21,153,558. A breakdown of the expenditure is as follows:
Smarter travel and carbon reduction —€7,425,607; Grants for sporting bodies and provision of sports and recreational facilities —€4,388,496; and Grants for provision and renovation of swimming pools —€9,339,455.
The total amount paid to Local Authorities from June, 2011 to June, 2012 was €24,275,671. A breakdown of the expenditure is as follows:
Smarter Travel and carbon reduction —€7,193,209; Grants for sporting bodies and provision of sports and recreational facilities —€6,656,943; and Grants for provision and renovation of swimming pools —€10,425,519.
Payments are also made by agencies of my Department to Local Authorities including funds distributed by the National Roads Authority on my behalf in relation to regional and local roads. I will ask the agencies to provide details to the Deputy.
387 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he will be dealing with the 23% of oversupply in the taxi industry. [35743/12]
388 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the nine year rule is destroying the livelihood of full time taxi drivers. [35744/12]
389 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason full time independent taxi drivers were excluded from the review body. [35745/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 to 389, inclusive, together.
As part of the Taxi Regulation Review in 2011, the independent consultants, Indecon, were engaged to carry out an economic analysis of the taxi market. The Indecon analysis indicated that a problem of over-supply caused by fall in demand in the previous 3-4 years was not being matched by a corresponding level of market exit.
The Taxi Review Group agreed that the future approach to taxi regulation was to improve standards and to strengthen enforcement of the taxi regulations and did not justify imposing quantitative restrictions on the sector. The programme of reform outlined in the Report is designed to raise standards and to curb non-compliance thereby leading to a level playing field for legitimate operators in the sector. It is intended that the effect of the Report reforms will be to assist in tackling contributory factors to oversupply in the sector and to create a more vigorously regulated market that will reward legitimate operators and give consumers more confidence in the taxi market.
The Taxi Review Group was composed of representatives from the key stakeholder groups — representing consumers and the taxi industry, including dispatch operators, full-time taxi drivers and vehicle licence holders.
As to the so-called "nine year rule", last year the National Transport Authority (NTA) carried out a public consultation on vehicle standards, which included vehicle age. The outcome of the consultation was made available for the consideration of the Taxi Regulation Review Group. Action 10 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report proposes that existing vehicles in the fleet prior to 1st January 2009, should be allowed to operate until they are a maximum of 14 years of age, subject to passing a roadworthiness test and an NTA licence renewal assessment at six monthly intervals for vehicles that are nine years or older. Action 10 is being implemented by the NTA.
390 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding that has been requested by Cork County Council to address the damage caused to the road network by recent flooding in west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35788/12]
In the past few days my Department received a preliminary estimate of the cost of damage caused by the severe weather event of 28th June last. The communication stresses that the figures supplied are estimates and may not be complete.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The 2012 regional and local road grant allocations have now been allocated and there are no further funds available at this time from which an additional allocation could be made. In addition, my Department does not set aside funding in its budget to cover expenditure resulting from severe weather. Instead, local authorities are provided with flexibility, where possible, to amend their Regional and Local Road Grants to accommodate remedial works. I can confirm that I will facilitate any request by Cork County Council to amend its Programme for 2012 to accommodate rehabilitation works on the roads damaged by the recent floods and the deferral to 2013 of less critical works.
391 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Swim Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland are private organisations, the reason they receive State funds; if they are then accountable to him for the use of the funds; the annual salaries of the CEOs and officials in Swim Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35853/12]
Swim Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland are independent, autonomous bodies. The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, which includes responsibility for dealing with the recognised sporting organisations and the allocation of funding to same.
I am informed by the Irish Sports Council that the allocation of funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) is based on a detailed application form and is for core funding and programmes such as Women in Sport and the High Performance Programme. NGBs are accountable to the Irish Sports Council in respect of the grants allocated to them by the Council, which must be expended on an agreed programme only.
I have no official function in relation to the remuneration of personnel within the organisations mentioned by the Deputy. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for a more detailed response in relation to the funding provided by them to Swim Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
392 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by him or his Department [35879/12]
393 Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the number of political advisers employed by his predecessors in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35898/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.
Two political advisers or Special Advisers are employed in my Department.
The number of such advisers employed during each year of my predecessor's term of office is as follows:
2007: 3
2008: 3
2009: 3
2010: 3
2011 (to March): 3
It should be noted that for 2010 and 2011, these figures include a Special Adviser to a Minister of State.
It should also be noted that for a period in 2009-2010, one of the advisers was on maternity leave and a temporary replacement, not counted separately above, was appointed.
394 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the financial disadvantage faced by the road maintenance section of Kildare County Council in respect of maintenance costs for its intensive network of secondary and minor roads funding for which is affected by the existence of several motorways which are the responsibility of the National Roads Authority; if he will re-examine the extent to which he will address the issues arising from the imbalance of maintenance funding available for minor roads by the virtue of being directly adjacent to the motorways which are separately funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35908/12]
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 working in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Similarly the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Act. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
State grants for regional and local roads are intended to supplement authorities' own funds. The allocation of funds from my Department, and previously from the Department of the Environment, has evolved over time to reflect changes in programmes and in the availability of funding. In recent times programmes have been changed or amalgamated to provide flexibility to the local authorities to meet their individual needs and to react to local issues and events. All of the works on regional and local roads which are funded by my Department are in the first instance prioritised by individual local authorities.
Every effort is made by my Department to ensure that the allocation to individual county councils is equitable in terms of the length of road within each county and the usage of such roads.
395 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is committed to the three year PSO contract for Donegal Airport, and does he envisages the continuation of this vital service to Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35910/12]
In accordance with EU regulations, my Department provides subvention for the provision of scheduled air services on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) route between Donegal and Dublin. The contract, which was awarded following an EU public tendering process, is for the three year period commencing on 3 November 2011.
Consideration of any new contract which may be entered into when the existing contract expires in November 2014 will depend on a number of issues including the use of the PSO service under the current contract and the availability of Exchequer funding.
