Written Answers Nos. 141-148
141. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a ten to twelve week delay in Garda Vetting for participants in the TÚS Programme in view of the fact that there were previous assurances that there was a two week turnover for applicants for garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40910/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to note that in order to observe equity and fairness in respect of all applicants for Garda vetting, the standard procedure is that all applications are processed in chronological order from their date of receipt. Accordingly, there is no specific protocol in place for the management of vetting applications pertaining to TÚS Programme participants. Any vetting process will take a certain minimum period of time to complete. Seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can, however, result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. The current processing time for vetting applications is eight weeks. I am acutely aware of the need to keep processing times to a minimum. An improvement in these processing times is expected in the near future.
142. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions taken and convictions secured in respect of illegal moneylending activity in recent years; the penalties that applied on those convictions, if any; the penalties available in law on conviction; and if he will confirm when the last conviction took place for such activity in an Irish Court. [40953/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOffences relating to illegal money lending are currently provided for in Part VIII of the Consumer Credit Act 1995. Persons who engage in money lending and who do not hold the necessary licence granted by the Central Bank are committing an offence under section 98 of the Act, which provides for a prohibition on engaging in the business of money lending without a licence. A person who is found guilty of an offence under the Act is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.
I am informed that the latest available figures provided by the Courts Service indicate that no prosecutions for such an offence have been recorded over the past five years and that information is not readily available as to when the most recent conviction for such activity took place. There are also a number of provisions in the criminal law which may be of relevance in particular circumstances, for example, section 10 and section 11 of the Non-fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 and section 17 the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 which provide for a range of offences including offences relating to harassment, extortion and demanding money with menaces. While these criminal law measures are being utilised, it should be noted that these offences have wider implications than money lending and there is no information available as to their use specifically with regard to money lending activities.
With regard to these matters I am assured by the Garda authorities that where offences under section 98 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 are disclosed, and are reported to An Garda Síochána, the matter will be the subject of investigation under the direction of the local District Officer, with relevant expert assistance available from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. As I stated before, I would, therefore, strongly encourage those who may have information concerning the operation of unlicensed money lenders in particular circumstances to make that information available to An Garda Síochána who will take all measures open to them to enforce the law in this area.
143. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision on an appeal for asylum will issue in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41022/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister on whether such status should be granted. If an application for asylum has been made by the persons concerned, the Deputy may be aware that it is not the practice to comment on applications that are pending.
144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40777/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Paul Kehoe, also performs the role of Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. No statutory powers have been delegated to Minister Kehoe in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence.
145. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Defence if he still provides staff with the option to take career breaks on one year or more; if not, can this be considered as a cost saving initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40857/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current arrangements in place regarding career breaks are set out in Department of Public Expenditure & Reform Circular 18/98, amended by Letter to Personnel Officers dated 3 March 2008, which are available on www.personnelcode.gov.ie. The career break scheme is subject to the operating requirements of Departments not being adversely affected or to undue additional expenditure not being incurred. The Department of Defence considers applications for career breaks having regard to the circular and to its business needs and staffing requirements. The Department of Defence currently has eight staff on career breaks.
146. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide clarification on the reasons a specific individual was deemed ineligible to join the Defence Forces; if he will provide clarification on the illness and conditions that would prevent a successful application to the Defence Forces; if there is a register or list of such; if a specific named condition will render a person ineligible for enlistment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40941/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe day-to-day administration of recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the individual to whom you refer was found to be below the medical standards for entry to the Permanent Defence Force when examined by a Board of two Military Medical Officers on 6 June 2012. However, on receipt of supporting correspondence, the individual’s application was reviewed by the Medical Board. The Board was of the view that it could not justify a reversal of its original decision on the basis of the information contained in the correspondence. Consequently, the individual is ineligible for enlistment in the Defence Forces School of Music.
There is no list of illnesses or conditions which result in an applicant being ineligible for enlistment. Physical and medical standards are of general application for entry to the Permanent Defence Force. These are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and have regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces.
147. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the proposals if any he has to assist the pig sector through the series of difficulties at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40771/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agri-food sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. Prices have continued to increase during 2012 and are currently at record levels, some 12.53% ahead year on year, or 18c per kilo higher.
I am aware of the concerns currently being expressed by the sector, particularly with regard to producer returns and the loose sow housing welfare requirements applicable from 1 January 2013. On the latter point, European legislation requires the change in sow housing. To facilitate compliance, an on-farm investment aid scheme (TAMS) – the Sow Housing Welfare Scheme was introduced under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013. €13 million has been made available under this scheme. Following discussions with producers and the evidence of the initial stages of the scheme, my Department modified and improved some elements of the scheme. Grant-aid is now available at a rate of 40% to eligible producers with a maximum investment ceiling of €500,000 for the first sow house, with further amounts of €300,000 for each of the next three houses. The closing date for applications has being extended to 31 October 2012 in order to alleviate pressures arising from delays in obtaining planning permission. This scheme is in addition to earlier Sow Welfare Schemes which delivered over €6 million to successful applicants. A number of applications have already been approved and I strongly encourage pig producers who have not yet done so to submit their applications to my Department as soon as possible.
While prices, production and export volumes have grown in recent years, high feed costs, most notably cereals and compound feed remain an issue. Pig producers are especially affected by the increase in cereal prices since June 2009, given that cereals account for 75% of feed. From a National perspective, the ‘Food Harvest 2020 Report ’, which was published in July 2010, sets out the vision for the future of the food industry including the pig sector. The Report targets a 50% increase in the value of output by 2020. This is a target set by the industry for itself. I am personally chairing a High Level Group to ensure that the steps necessary to facilitate the development of the sector are taken. My Department and its agencies will, along with industry, play a central role in this regard. For example Teagasc, through its Moorepark pig research facility and the provision of FETAC courses in pig production and benchmarking pig herd performance, plays a critically important role in improving productive capacity at farm level.
In so far as international trade in Irish pigmeat is concerned, I have been extremely active in developing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build the kind of confidence in Irish production and control systems that provide a platform for long term trading relationships in the future. Furthermore, we have hosted inspection visits from a number of other countries and negotiations are continuing with a view to opening new markets and expanding the presence of Irish pigmeat in existing markets. In addition Bord Bia continues, through its marketing and promotional activities, and through the pigmeat quality assurance scheme, to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and third country markets.
Pigmeat remains the most consumed meat internationally and indeed in 2011, exports of Irish pigmeat to non-EU markets increased by 25% to 43,000 tonnes. International markets continue to present considerable prospects for Irish pigmeat and I am confident that we are positioning ourselves to benefit from these opportunities. I can assure the Deputy that my Department and its agencies will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure that it can continue to develop and grow in accordance with the targets in the Food Harvest 2020 Report.
148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the statutory powers that have been delegated to Ministers of State in his Department; and the date on which the statutory powers were delegated. [40774/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine I retain overall responsibility for all the functions of my Department. Statutory powers and duties in relation to food safety, horticulture, forestry and the greyhound industry were delegated to the Minister of State in my Department as set out in the Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (SI No 283 of 2011) on 14 June 2011.
