Written Answers Nos. 371 - 394
371. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that all former employees of a company (details supplied) in counties Monaghan and Dublin are awarded their full entitlements without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44922/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has 7 statutory redundancy rebate applications on hand in relation to the company concerned. These claims were submitted on–line but as yet no signed forms have been received in most cases. An application is not valid until a hard copy of the signed form is received by the Department. These claims pre-date the recent announcement with respect to this company.
To date, no applications for statutory redundancy payments have been received in respect of the recently announced redundancies at the company to which the Deputy refers.
Claims are processed in the order in which they are received.
374. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if any proceedings have been initiated against the State arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45601/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo proceedings have been initiated against the Department of Social Protection arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.
377. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding parish records. [44185/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, there is a wide range of genealogical material available in the country. In relation to my Department and the agencies under my auspices, genealogical services are provided by the National Library of Ireland (NLI), the National Archives of Ireland and through the website www.irishgenealogy.ie , which is operated by my Department.
The NLI is committed to making its collections more accessible to users. With regard to the microfilm copies of the Roman Catholic Parish Registers, the Library has a current project with a third-party supplier to produce digital images from the microfilm, with a view to enabling greater accessibility.
I am very conscious of the importance of genealogical records, particularly to those Irish abroad trying to trace their roots. My Department and the institutions are currently exploring what improvements could be made to our genealogical offering against the backdrop of The Gathering. That work is ongoing.
378. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has explored the potential of a property exchange with Bank of Ireland for the Irish Parliament Building on College Green, Dublin 2, using other buildings, properties or land in the ownership of the State; if he will consider doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44354/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra381. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to revisit the possibility of the State taking ownership of Bank of Ireland Premises, College Green in order to develop it as an art and heritage museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44585/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 381 together.
I refer the Deputies to my previous replies on this matter. As outlined in those replies, I met the Chair and Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland and had a constructive engagement on the issues.
379. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44361/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45604/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; the reforms that have taken place in this general area in the past year; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45619/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 379, 385 and 386 together.
I am advised that staff on career breaks are not included in civil and public service numbers and also that no temporary staff were engaged in either my Department or the bodies under its aegis to provide cover for staff availing of the incentivised career break (ICB) scheme.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the numbers and costs associated with those staff availing of ICBs is set out in Table 1.
Table 1: Details relating to staff availing of ICBs
|
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Number of staff on ICB* |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
1 |
|
Cost of ICB Payments (Total €216,000) |
€17,000 |
€71,000 |
€73,000 |
€53,000 |
€2,000 |
|
Salary savings in respect of staff on ICB (Total €798,000) |
€92,000 |
€263,000 |
€264,000 |
€177,000 |
€2,000 |
*Grades of staff who availed of ICB: 2 Assistant Principals; 2 Clerical Officers; 2 Conservation Rangers; 1 Staff Officer
|
National Museum of Ireland |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Number of staff on ICB* |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Cost of ICB Payments (Total €90,000) |
€5,000 |
€30,000 |
€30,000 |
€25,000 |
0 |
|
Salary savings in respect of staff on ICB (Total €292,000) |
€14,000 |
€94,000 |
€94,000 |
€90,000 |
0 |
* Grades of staff who availed of ICB: 1 Science & Arts Attendant; 1 Educational Assistant; 1 Documentation Assistant
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Number of staff on ICB* |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cost of ICB Payments (Total €39,000) |
0 |
€13,000 |
€13,000 |
€13,000 |
0 |
|
Salary savings in respect of staff on ICB (Total €132,000) |
0 |
€44,000 |
€44,000 |
€44,000 |
0 |
*Grades of staff who availed of ICB: Technical Crew (IMMA specific grade)
While there is no provision for staff on an ICB to extend their career break on its expiry I am advised that staff may apply for a further career break. I am advised that one member of staff in my Department has availed of this facility.
While a number of staff have completed their ICBs and returned to work in the current year, the projected full year salary costs for 2013 in respect of those staff who availed of the ICB scheme are:
- €298,000 in respect of my Department;
- €26,000 in respect of the National Museum of Ireland; and
- €44,000 in respect of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
With regard to staff currently on career breaks (rather than on ICBs as set out above), the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the numbers, grades and costs associated with those staff is set out in Table 2.
Table 2: Details relating to staff availing of Career Breaks (other than ICBs)
|
Body |
Grades/numbers of staff |
2011 salary saving |
2011 Costs/numbers of replacement staff |
|
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
1 Archaeologist 1 Clerical Officer 1 Visitor Guide 1 Conservation Ranger 1 Executive Officer 1 Higher Executive Officer 1 Service Officer 1 Assistant Principal Officer |
€216,000 |
Nil (0) |
|
Arts Council |
1 Higher Executive Officer |
€65,000 |
€65,000 (1) |
|
Crawford Gallery |
1 Attendant |
€28,000 |
€28,000 (1) |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
2 Science & Arts Attendants 2 Clerical Officers 1 Librarian |
€181,000 |
€30,000 (2) |
|
Heritage Council |
1 Engineer Grade III |
€59,000 |
Nil (0) |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
1 Engineer Grade III |
€36,000 |
Nil (0) |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta* |
1 Clerical Officer |
N/A |
N/A |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
1 Executive Officer |
€37,000 |
Nil (0) |
|
Waterways Ireland * |
2 Industrial Grades |
N/A |
N/A |
*Staff referred to in these bodies commenced their career breaks in 2012, therefore no savings achieved in 2011.
380. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost in 2011 to his Department and to each body under the aegis of his Department of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44461/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costs in 2011 arising from the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003 by my Department, and also as advised to my Department by the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, are set out in the following table.
The Deputy will be aware that the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga was established under the Official Languages Act to monitor compliance by public bodies with the provisions of the Act. The Office is funded from my Department’s Vote Group and has an allocation of €650,000 for 2012.
TABLE: Cost incurred in 2011 in meeting requirements under the Official Languages Act
|
Body |
Cost |
|
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
€16,223 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Nil |
|
Heritage Council |
€9,808 |
|
Arts Council |
€64,457 |
|
National Library of Ireland |
€3,995 |
|
National Concert Hall |
€580 |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
€12,172 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
€4,000 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
€2,233 |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
€2,730 |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
€2,851 |
|
Irish Film Board |
€3,599 |
|
National Archives of Ireland |
€869 |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
€1,543 |
|
North South Implementation Bodies under the Department's Aegis |
|
|
Waterways Ireland |
€5,245 |
|
An Foras Teanga, comprising: |
|
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Nil |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Nil |
382. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44843/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 2 June 2011. The information requested in respect of my Department for the period since that date is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
With regard to bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group, the Deputy will appreciate that management of bank accounts is part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question. I am arranging, therefore, for the terms of the Deputy’s Question to be transmitted to the heads of relevant bodies with a request that they provide information, to the extent feasible, directly to the Deputy.
383. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm that he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in relation to relocation to a suitable alternate bog, which is in close vicinity to this person's home; and if steps can be taken to advance this matter whereby the person concerned is interested in relocation and not compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44926/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question has written to my Department clarifying his acceptance of a payment of €1,500 in respect of the first year of the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme and reiterating his interest in relocation to a non-designated bog.
With the assistance of Bord na Móna, my officials are currently investigating a number of potential relocation options for the raised bog special area of conservation in which this individual had been cutting turf.
384. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if any proceedings have been initiated against the State arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45589/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 1 June 2011. I can advise the Deputy that no proceedings have been initiated against my Department, since its establishment, arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.
387. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his position on the Wind Turbines Bill, 2012; if his Department has submitted its amendment list for the taking of Committee Stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44148/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a legally binding 2020 renewable energy target under the EU Renewable Energy Directive. Our target is that we must achieve 16% of all energy consumed by 2020 from renewable sources. We have set out in our National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) that we will do this through 40% renewable electricity, 10% renewable transport and 12% renewable heat, which together would amount to 16% of all energy consumed in the State.
At the end of 2011, we were at 17.6% renewable electricity, 3.6% renewable transport (biofuels) and 5% renewable heat. Together these amounted to 6.5% all energy consumed being from renewables in 2011. This means we have another 8 years within which to achieve the remaining 9.5%, which will be very challenging.
Our NREAP and the Strategy for Renewable Energy 2012-2020 published by my Department earlier this year sets out the various policies and strategies that have been put in place on renewable energy. In the electricity sector, EirGrid’s 2008
Grid25 strategy is being implemented, alongside the rollout of the Gate 3 grid connections to renewable generators.
Onshore wind will make up the bulk of the 40% 2020 renewable electricity consumption target. In this context, it is recognised that there is an important balance to be struck between renewable energy development and the possible concerns of local communities in regard to issues such as proximity, visual amenity, and noise.
Existing Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Wind Energy Development (published by the Department of Environment in 2006) State that in general, noise is unlikely to be a significant problem, where the distance from the nearest turbine to any noise sensitive property is more than 500 metres. The Guidelines also advise planning authorities to seek evidence that the types of turbines proposed in a particular development will use best current engineering practice in terms of noise creation and suppression and provide quite specific limits in the permissible increases in noise above background noise from wind energy developments in order to protect neighbouring properties.
The current system therefore provides for a degree of specificity and uniformity across all planning authorities while also leaving the final decision in the hands of the local decision makers – who have the benefit of any submissions or observations from third parties – in making their decision.
It is considered that the introduction of mandatory minimum distances set out in statute, as proposed under the Wind Turbines Bill 2012, could effectively prohibit a planning authority from considering wind energy development that may otherwise be acceptable or even desirable from a broader energy policy perspective.
Along with my ministerial colleagues in the Department of Environment, we feel that the issues raised in the proposed Wind Turbines Bill are best addressed through a targeted review of the existing guidelines rather than legislation.
In order to ensure that Ireland continues to meet its renewable energy targets and at the same time ensure that wind energy does not have negative impacts on local communities, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government – in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and other stakeholders – will undertake a targeted review of certain aspects of the Wind Energy Guidelines. This focused review will examine the manner in which the Guidelines address key issues of community concern such as noise proximity and visual amenity and any other potential impacts as considered appropriate together with exploring ways of building community support for wind energy development.
388. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44363/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are fourteen staff members in my Department that are currently on career break and the grade breakdown is as follows:
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Clerical Officer |
6 |
|
Executive Officer |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
2 |
|
Geologist |
1 |
No persons were hired to cover those on career break.
In relation to the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for the individual agency in the first instance and I have no function in this regard. I am asking the Agencies concerned to respond directly to the Deputy.
389. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of the planned launch of the 4G LTE mobile networks in Europe and particularly in the UK including Northern Ireland in the coming months, he will provide a timeframe for the expected auction of spectrum and the completion of the 4G network here. [44435/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 as amended. ComReg is currently in the process of awarding spectrum rights of use across three critical bands – the 800Mhz, 900Mhz and 1800Mhz bands – for the period 2013 to 2030. This award process is a vital step in allowing for the next generation of advance mobile services to be made available for Irish consumers and businesses, and roll out of 4G is one of the key elements of the Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August. This aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020. The process of awarding of spectrum rights is entirely a matter for ComReg and cognisant of the commercial sensitivities surrounding the process I am not in a position to comment on its progress at this time.
390. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the new national broadband plan will be delivered in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44439/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s recently-published National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed services of at least 30Mbps are available to all of our citizens and businesses well in advance of the EU’s target date of 2020, and that significantly higher speeds are available to as many homes and businesses as possible.
The Plan commits to high speed broadband availability across the country – specifically:
70Mbps – 100Mbps will be available from the commercial market operators to more than half of the population by 2015;
At least 40Mbps, and in many cases faster speeds, to at least a further 20% (and potentially as much as 35%) of the population during the lifetime of the Government; and
A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country, also during the lifetime of the Government.
During the preparation of the National Broadband Plan, the commercial market operators indicated that they expect to provide 70Mbps to 100Mbps services to 50% of the population by 2015. The precise areas to be provided with those services will be determined by the commercial market operators.
One of the first steps in delivering on the 30Mbps and 40Mbps commitments will be the completion of a formal national mapping exercise to determine the exact position in relation to commercial service providers’ existing and planned broadband services throughout the country, including in County Meath. Preparatory work has commenced within my Department to expedite this task.
The mapping exercise will identify the areas of the country where there is market failure in the provision of high speed broadband services. It will also identify where the market is expected to succeed in the delivery of high speed broadband over the coming years. This process is expected to take several months to complete and until then the precise areas of the country which will require State intervention will not be known. Rollout will be targeted to commence in 2014, when the mapping, State Aids and procurement processes are complete and when the current contract for the National Broadband Scheme expires.
I would reiterate that the Government remains committed to the delivery of the speeds referred to above, to ensure that all parts of Ireland, including County Meath, have access to modern high speed broadband services.
391. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost in 2011 to his Department and to each body under the aegis of his Department of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44463/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department spent €5,514 approximately in translation and interpretation costs in 2011. In addition there would have been an element of expenditure related to Irish language requirements across a range of expenditure areas e.g. salaries, printing of reports and statutory instruments, maintenance of website, etc. that is not broken down separately.
In relation to the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for the individual agency in the first instance and I have no function in this regard. I am asking the Agencies concerned to respond directly to the Deputy.
392. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to incidences in County Donegal whereby RTE teletext is not available without a Saorview box, which is contrary to what is being communicated through public information adverts which state that a set-top box is not required if a household has access to SKY television or UPC; if he will clarify whether or not RTÉ Teletext is available without a Saorview box; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44632/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the availability of the Aertel teletext service, RTÉ must agree terms with individual network operators for retransmission of this service.
In relation to these services on UPC, I have been informed that RTÉ and UPC have agreed terms and are working together to make the Aertel teletext service available across all UPC digital customers. It is hoped the service will be ready to go live in November 2012.
In relation to UPC’s analogue customers (who are unaffected by the digital switchover), RTÉ will continue to make its analogue Aertel service available.
In relation to SKY, I have been informed by SKY Ireland that SKY has not carried the RTÉ teletext (analogue) service since RTÉ joined the platform in 2002.
According to RTÉ, terms have not been agreed with SKY in regard of broadcast of Aertel Digital.
393. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Saorview box (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44649/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL), a wholly owned subsidiary of RTÉ, developed the technical specification for SAORVIEW set top boxes and put in place the approvals process for such equipment to be classified as ‘SAORVIEW approved’.
The cost of SAORVIEW set top boxes, like any other television equipment, is a matter for manufacturers, suppliers and retailers and not a process in which I, as Minister have a legislative function.
In comparing costs of set top boxes with those in Belfast, it must be understood that the UK is using a different, older technology than SAORVIEW. A more direct comparison to a SAORVIEW set top box is a Freeview High Definition (HD) box, which retails from €70.
394. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider an immediate ban on the hydrofracking process because the risks outweigh the benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44659/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October of last year, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct research and advise on the environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing as a means of extracting natural gas from underground reserves.
In May 2012, the EPA published its preliminary research into the environmental aspects of shale gas extraction in the form of a small desk based study, which was carried out by the University of Aberdeen.
The study provides an introduction to the environmental aspects of fracking including a review of regulatory approaches used in other countries and areas for further investigation and research such as geological principles of relevance in fracking and shale gas extraction, potential environmental impacts and establishing best environmental practice.
While the study is a preliminary study it will inform the development of the terms of reference for a much more detailed research study to be commissioned by the EPA later this year. The terms of reference for this more extensive research are currently being drawn up by a steering group including representatives from the EPA and my Department.
The outcome of the further research to be commissioned by the EPA will assist in a robust scientific based assessment of any future application proposing the use of this technology.
I can confirm that until there has been time to consider the second stage of the EPA research, the use of hydraulic fracturing in exploration drilling will not be authorised.
