Written Answers Nos. 481-501
481. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if works due to be completed by the end of September at a Garda Station (details supplied) in County Cork have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43341/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the maintenance works in question have been completed at the station referred to by the Deputy.
482. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that folio No. 39430F Dealing No. D 2007PS034074 G has been lodged with the Property Registration Authority since 2007, five years ago and the sale cannot be completed until the property is registered; the reason that such an issue takes five years to deal with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43424/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.
The Deputy will be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round.
I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.
483. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the progress that has been made in reducing the waiting times of persons in the direct provision system as overseen by the Reception and Integration Agency of his Department. [43428/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe accommodation of asylum seekers through the direct provision system is the responsibility of RIA) who assumes this responsibility and for certain other services on a full board basis. All accommodation costs, together with the costs of meals, heat, light, laundry and maintenance are paid directly by the State. Asylum seekers in direct provision accommodation also receive a weekly cash allowance which takes account of board and lodgings and other ancillary benefits provided through the direct provision system. Asylum seekers can also apply to Community Welfare Officers for assistance to meet a particular once-off need by way of an exceptional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Payments under this category cover once-off costs such as back-to-school clothing and footwear.
Overall demand for RIA services is declining. At the beginning of 2009, RIA was accommodating an overall number of 7,002 asylum seekers. Currently, it is accommodating just under 5,000 persons, a reduction of almost 29% during this period.
In essence, RIA accommodates all those who make a claim for protection and seek accommodation until such time as they: (i) leave voluntarily; (ii) are removed – either by way of deportation or Dublin II transfer; (iii) are granted refugee status or subsidiary protection; or (iv) are granted leave to remain, either through the process set out in the Immigration Act, 1999 or by way of a special scheme such as the 2005 IBC scheme. It is not possible to specify exactly how long each person has resided in RIA accommodation. Protection applicants i.e. asylum seekers or other applicants under the immigration acts are not required to live in RIA accommodation and in many cases, may move in and out of the direct provision system as their circumstances change.
On the matter of application processing times and consequent length of time spent in the direct provision system, some cases can take significantly longer to complete owing to, for example, delays arising from medical issues or because of judicial review proceedings. All asylum applications and appeals are processed in accordance with the Refugee Act 1996 and high quality and fair decision-making in all cases continues to be a key priority at all stages of the asylum process.
For the sake of completeness, it is necessary to point out that persons who are refused a declaration under section 17 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, enter what is commonly referred to as the “leave to remain” process which generally has two elements to it: an application for subsidiary protection and further consideration to be given under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. This is separate from the asylum or refugee status determination process. The processing of cases at this point is also complex and extremely resource intensive and there are no quick or easy decisions to make. Given the life changing consequences for the persons involved, these are decisions which must be taken with the most scrupulous care and attention.
I have taken steps to speed up the processing of applications, primarily by redeploying staff from the refugee determination bodies. The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 which I intend to republish in the near future provides for the introduction of a single procedure to determine applications for protection and other reasons to remain in the State. This should substantially simplify and streamline the existing arrangements. This reorganisation of the protection application processing framework will remove the current multi-layered processes and provide applicants with a final decision on their applications in a more straightforward and timely fashion.
484. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if a person who has psoriasis would be turned down as a recruit to the Irish Defence Forces. [42638/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applicants for entry to the Permanent Defence Force must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition, or past history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his/her duties in accordance with Defence Force Regulations.
The professional advice of the medical Military Authority is that each applicant’s medical history is looked at on a case by case basis. Each individual’s medical condition is looked at taking into account a detailed/documented history of the condition, including remissions, exacerbations, and any associated conditions, the extent of the condition, and a full examination by a Medical Officer. As such, depending on the extent and severity of the condition and an assessment of how it might impact on the capacity of the individual to discharge all the duties they may be required to undertake as a member of the Defence Forces, a person who has psoriasis could be turned down as a recruit to the Permanent Defence Force.
The medical standards are of general application for entry to the Permanent Defence Force. They 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.
485. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence the reasons for which someone may be turned down for recruitment to the permanent Defence Forces. [42639/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEntry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the Cadetship Competition, Apprenticeship Competition, General Service Enlistment, or Direct Entry Competitions, which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. To apply for any of the above entry streams, applicants must meet all of the eligibility criteria, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, and/or the conditions governing a particular competition. These eligibility criteria cover residency conditions, as laid down by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, minimum and maximum age requirements, minimum education qualification and Garda Síochána security clearance.
All applicants must also meet certain medical and physical standards, which include minimum vision, hearing and height standards. Candidates must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition or past history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his/her duties.
These physical and medical standards are of general application for entry to the Permanent Defence Force. They 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. Any candidate who fails to meet all of the eligibility criteria will not be recruited into the Permanent Defence Force.
486. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline in tabular form the commitments in the Programme for Government pertaining to his ministerial portfolio; the current status of these commitments in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42876/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe relevant specific commitments in the Programme for Government relating to Defence are: the implementation of the Defence Forces Medical Services Review as resources allow, and the initiation of a detailed legal review of the basis, structures and governance of the Red Cross in Ireland to improve its functioning in the light of changing circumstances. In March 2012, after 12 months in office, the Government published its first annual report on the progress made on the commitments in the Programme for Government. The Government intends to publish a further report next March which will set out specific progress on implementation during the second year.
The current status of implementation of the commitments relating to Defence are set out in the following table.
|
Commitment |
Status |
|
The implementation of the Defence Forces Medical Services Review as resources allow |
The recommendations of the PA Consultants Report on the restructuring of the Medical Corps have been designed to meet the demands and needs of the Defence Forces and implementation is progressing. A competition for the appointment of doctors to the Medical Corps remains open and further applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Unfortunately there has been and remains a limited response to this competition and therefore, it is accepted that it will take some time before the current target of 32 doctors in the Defence Forces can be achieved, if indeed it proves possible to reach this figure. Against this background, it has been necessary to identify alternative options for the provision of medical services to the Defence Forces, including the consideration of the outsourcing of some or all Defence Forces domestic medical services. In this regard an integrated model for the provision of the required medical services, involving both the Medical Corps and outsourced service provision is being progressed. A Request for Information (RFI) from prospective providers was issued in June to assist in evaluating options. A total of 15 proposals were received and these are currently being evaluated. |
|
The initiation of a detailed legal review of the basis, structures and governance of the Red Cross in Ireland to improve its functioning in the light of changing circumstances. |
The review of the basis, structures and governance of the Red Cross in Ireland is in progress. The outcome of the review will determine if amendments are required to be made to the legislation pertaining to the Irish Red Cross Society. |
487. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence further to previous Parliamentary Questions and correspondence in regard to a person's application (details supplied) in County Kildare, if he will provide the up to date position on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43207/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applicants wishing to join the Permanent Defence Force must complete a Garda Vetting application form and undergo the Garda vetting process.
Regarding the particular case to which the Deputy refers, the Military Authorities have advised that the last induction, to the Permanent Defence Force, from the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC) panel, prior to it being closed was the enlistment of 12 recruits to the Air Corps on 23 January, 2011. However security clearance for the named individual was not received until after offers to these 12 had been made. Consequently the named individual’s application could not be processed through the final stage of the competition.
This individual and three other candidates had been placed joint last on the DFTC panel. The individual was informed on 6 February 2012 that his application for the 2010 DFTC Recruit Competition was unsuccessful. He was advised that he could re-apply for enlistment in the Defence Forces provided he met the eligibility criteria when a competition was re-advertised.
488. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence his plans regarding Casement Aerodrome, Dublin; if he has any intention of decommissioning the aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43318/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraCasement Aerodrome Baldonnel is the principal base of the Irish Air Corps and continues to be the centre of military aviation in Ireland. There are no plans to alter the status of the Aerodrome.
489. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the amount expended by his Department on Civil Defence for 2011. [43352/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds the Civil Defence Board by way of an annual grant-in-aid payment, that amounted to €5.585 million in 2011. The main items of expenditure in 2011 are as follows.
|
Grants to Local Authorities for Civil Defence |
€2,944,244 |
|
Insurance |
€188,676 |
|
Central Purchases for Local Authority Civil Defence |
€893,675 |
|
Central Expenses |
€95,497 |
|
Central Training |
€216,302 |
|
Staff Costs |
€1,286,268 |
|
Board Members Expenses |
€36,188 |
|
Total expenditure |
€5,660,850 [1] |
[1] The total includes a carry-over in funding from 2010.
490. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence further to parliamentary question No. 443 of 2 October 2012, the reason one officer was promoted in advance of the remaining 34; the date he expects the remainder to be promoted; and the reason it took 12 months to process his instruction. [43353/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the military authorities that the officer who was promoted in advance of the other thirty four was serving in a small unit with a small number of candidates for the position. This allowed the Promotion Board to complete its work quickly. The military authorities have informed me that there are a number of factors as to why some Promotion Boards are ongoing. These factors include the availability of suitable personnel to sit on the Promotion Boards, the mandatory training requirement for all personnel sitting on the Boards and the fact that some members of the promotion Boards changed due to operational requirements, including overseas service, thus requiring the reconvening of certain Boards.
The military authorities expect that further vacancies will be filled over the coming weeks. However the Deputy should bear in mind that the value for money report on the RDF is expected to be completed shortly and that future decisions on promotions will have to reflect any relevant recommendations that this report may contain.
491. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on Common Agricultural Policy Budget 2014-2020 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42628/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe negotiations to determine the budget for the Common Agricultural Policy from 2014 to 2020 are part of wider negotiations that will decide the multi-annual financial framework, or MFF, for the EU budget for the period from 2014 to 2020. These negotiations are being conducted under the auspices of the EU General Affairs Council, attended by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. Ultimately decisions on the MFF will be taken by EU Heads of State and Government. A special meeting of the European Council has been scheduled for November 2012 for this purpose.
The overriding national priority is to safeguard CAP funding to the maximum extent possible, having regard to the reality that CAP accounts for over 80% of Ireland’s total receipts of EU funding, equivalent to about €12 billion over the 2007-2013 period. This is a whole of Government position.
The CAP is the only Heading of the Commission proposal which has been already reduced in real terms in the Commission proposal. There is pressure from some Member States to reduce CAP spending further. The Irish Government’s view is that the amounts proposed are the minimum acceptable and we will strongly resist pressure for further cuts.
In addition to determining the overall CAP budget, these negotiations will determine the mechanisms for distribution of CAP funds between Member States, co-financing rates, capping of payments and greening of the pillar 1 direct payments.
The key priority for Ireland is to retain our current levels of funding for both direct payments and for rural development.
The current Commission proposals for Pillar 1 direct payments take a pragmatic approach to redistribution and are broadly satisfactory, albeit with a small loss to Ireland. However there is no guarantee that this proposal will be the final outcome, and therefore we will continue to strongly defend our proposed allocation in the negotiations.
In addition we have serious concerns in relation to the distribution of rural development (Pillar 2) funds between Member States. The Commission has yet to table a specific proposal in respect of rural development funding, but the envisaged use of a combination of past performance and objective criteria could reduce our allocation. We are strongly resisting any such reduction. Ireland has said that the distribution of rural development funding between Member States should be based on past performance over the whole period 2007 – 2013. We take the view that any further movement from this point should: use the same methodology as the Commission has proposed for Pillar 1, i.e. adjustment of support levels per hectare of potentially eligible area, and ensure that no Member State with below-average Pillar 2 payments per hectare loses in any redistribution, and no Member state loses under both pillars.
492. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if there will be a retention of taxation incentives to help achieve growth targets by supporting farm transfer, land mobility and farm investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43980/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if taxation incentives relating to supporting farm transfer, land mobility and farm investment will be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42904/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 508 together.
Taxation policy is a matter for the Minister for Finance and will be dealt with in the context of the annual budget. However, I am aware of the importance of improving land mobility and of encouraging greater transfer of land, and of the existing challenges in this regard. In order to assist meeting the ambitious targets set out in Food Harvest 2020, new taxation measures were introduced in last year’s budget aimed at improving land mobility and farm consolidation, and encouraging transfers to younger, more progressive farmers. Stamp duty on agricultural land was reduced from 6% to 2%. In addition, half the rate (1%) is now applicable on transfers to close relatives until the end of 2014. This change substantially reduced the stamp duty payable on transfers of farm land by gift or by sale. The measure promotes inter-generational transfer, as the cost of lifetime transfer to transferees who do not qualify for the young trained farmer stamp duty relief has been reduced considerably.
Budget 2012 also restructured the retirement relief available on Capital Gains Tax in order to incentivise the earlier transfer of farm assets to the next generation, and to encourage the sale of land by those farmers with no successors.
Retirement relief was restructured in order to encourage farmers around the normal retirement age, who have successors, to transfer their land and holdings to young, innovative, ambitious, prospective farmers. This measure encourages an improvement in the age profile of farmers, and should ensure that farmland is put to more productive use.
It should be noted that there has been no change to the very important 90% agricultural relief on Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT). This means that farms worth up to €2.5 million will continue to be fully exempt from CAT with regard to transfers to a child.
493. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42597/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2012.
However, payment has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding of the person concerned has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements, which have been notified to all Scheme applicants. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
494. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42608/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in September 2009 and received full payments for the first two years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Administrative checks in respect of 2011 payments have been completed and the 75% payment amounting to €5636.03 was made on 8 October 2012. The 25% balancing payment will also issue shortly.
495. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the changes that have been made to the agri environment options scheme as announced on 26 September from previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42721/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the re-opened Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) which I announced recently with funding of €20m will be available on the Department’s website in the next day or two. The scheme will operate largely on the same basis as in previous years with the same measures and the same payment rates. However, I have also decided to introduce some new provisions. There will be a provision under the new scheme for the Grey Partridge under the Wild Bird Cover action in sites identified by NPWS in West Offaly. In addition, the existing Corncrake Measure will be available in sites in Donegal and Mayo.
The closing date for applications is 30 November and my aim is to ensure that all applications are processed with a view to approving the new participants in the scheme with effect from 1 April 2013.
496. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the reason the hedgerow and tree elements of the agri environment options scheme have been removed under the scheme launched on 26 September 2012; the estimated numbers affected by such a move; the estimated savings from this move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42722/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have decided that the re-opened Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) will operate largely on the same basis as in previous years and that the same measures and rates of payment will be available, including the measures providing for hedgerow and tree planting. Details of the scheme which I announced with funding of €20m will be available on the Department’s website in the next day or two. The closing date for applications is 30 November and my aim is to ensure that all applications are processed with a view to approving the new participants in the scheme with effect from 1 April 2013.
497. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will outline the planting requirement under previous agri environment options schemes; the details of the planting requirement; if that requirement has been satisfied; the figures he has to clarify that the requirements were satisfied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42723/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe targets for the Tree Planting Standard/Whips and the Planting of New Hedgerows measures under the agri-environmental schemes are set out in the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13. In the case of the Tree Planting Standard/Whips measure, the target is 9,043 trees. Under the 2010 and 2011 Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) a total of 259,915 trees have been delivered. The target set for the Planting of New Hedgerows measure is 236,636 metres while a total of 1,270,334 metres have been delivered.
498. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when disadvantaged area aid payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42732/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme on 10/05/12.
Following validation, a dual claim arose on one of the parcels included in this application. My Department has already made contact with the person concerned with a view to resolving the issue and is awaiting further information. When this has been received, the matter can be progressed and, immediately a decision is reached, the person concerned will be notified in writing.
If the applicant is not satisfied with the eventual outcome, a fully independent appeals procedure is available.
499. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when payment of disadvantaged area aid will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42735/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Currently, this applicant is one of a number, whose cases are impacted by a requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who have applied for a derogation in this regard. This application had not been determined in sufficient time to enable payment with the first tranche on 26 September. However, immediately a decision is reached, the person concerned will be notified in writing. Should the decision be negative, a fully independent appeals procedure is available.
500. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment of their single farm payment and their REP scheme 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42737/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment of the 50% advance under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme is due to commence on 16 October, with balancing payments scheduled to begin on 1 December. I can confirm that the application under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme, received from the person named on 20 April 2012, has been processed, with the advance payment scheduled to issue with the initial tranche of payments.
The person named commenced REPS 3 in March 2006 and received full payments for the entire five years of their contract under REPS. The contract under REPS 3 expired on 28 February 2011. The person named is now an AEOS (Agri-Environmental Options Scheme) participant.
501. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will report on recent proposals to upgrade Howth Harbour, County Dublin; if he will outline the planned enhancements; the cost of the project and the proposed public tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42796/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraHowth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres (FHC) for which my Department is responsible.
Notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, I am happy to be able to advise that I have allocated funding of €1.5 million towards maintenance, development and upgrading works at the Howth Fishery Harbour Centre as part of my Department's Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme 2012.
