Written Answers Nos. 489-511
489. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence 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. [44364/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra494. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence 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. [45607/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra495. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence 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. [45622/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489, 494 and 495 together.
The current arrangements in place regarding career breaks for civil servants are set out in civil service circular no. 18/98 as amended by Letter to Personnel Officers of 3 March 2008 which are available on www.personnelcode.gov.ie . There are currently six members of staff of my Department availing of the Career Break Scheme under circular 18/98.
The agencies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board and the Army Pensions Board. No staff attached to these agencies are currently on a career break.
A total of eight staff in my Department availed of the incentivised career break scheme that was introduced in 2009. The cost of this scheme since its introduction is €281,898. The cost in 2011 was €94,885. The estimated net saving for the period 2009-2012 (comprising salary foregone, less career break payment) is €700,000 approx. No staff were temporarily hired to fill the vacancies arising as a result of the career breaks.
Of the eight staff that availed of the Incentivised Career Break Scheme, seven have completed their career break. One individual was granted a career break extension while another was granted special leave without pay. Three individuals have resumed duty in this or other Departments while two individuals have yet to resume duty. The full-year cost of staff returning from the incentivised career breaks to the Department in 2013 is estimated at €100,000 inclusive of the employer’s PRSI contributions. While staff are on career breaks, they are not included in the numbers serving in the Department.
Policy decisions on the career break scheme are made centrally and are a matter for the Minister for Public Service and Reform.
490. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current situation regarding recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44378/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecruitment to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is ongoing. The current budgetary provision provides for approximately 30,000 paid training mandays. In 2011 and 2012, I sanctioned paid training mandays to include support for the training of new recruits to the RDF. This was sufficient to train approximately 400 recruits during 2011 and 2012. The Military Authorities currently manage recruitment in this context.
491. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the extra 600 vacancies in the Defence Forces; the context under which the agreement was made that the number of serving cadre be 9,500; the cost implications for the recruitment of 600 army personnel; the reason the €85 million from the closure of barracks was ringfenced to be spent on the defence sector meanwhile barracks were being closed across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44618/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has decided to accept my recommendation that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe this is the optimum strength required to fulfil all roles currently assigned by Government. The Military Authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 August 2012, the latest date for which details are available, was 8,838 thus requiring the recruitment of approximately 600 personnel to maintain the agreed Permanent Defence Force strength of 9,500. This recruitment of approximately 600 personnel will be achieved within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.
The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective in the ongoing defence modernisation programme and has been recommended in many reports over the past number of years. This was a key consideration of Government in addressing barrack closures as releasing personnel from security and support functions enables the operational capacity of the Defence Forces to be maintained notwithstanding the fall in strength.
For example military personnel occupied on security and support functions within the four barracks closed on 30th March 2012 have been released for operational duties leading to an efficiency gain of around €5 million per annum. In addition, there are direct cash savings of approximately €1.3 million per annum arising from savings on utilities, maintenance and security duty allowances in the four barracks.
Since 1998 a total of 14 barracks have been closed. The total amount realised to date in terms of sales of surplus property is approximately €84m. This, together with income of approximately €18m from the sale of other smaller military properties and married quarters has been re-invested in providing equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. This approach is in line with the 2000 White Paper on Defence and the Government decision of February 2000 which approved the use of revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to military requirements for investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.
492. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence 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. [44846/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA list of Bank accounts, along with their purpose, operated by my Department and agencies within the remit of my Department, excluding accounts held locally by units of the Reserve Defence Force, is set out in the table below:
|
Bank Name and Address |
Purpose of Bank Account |
|
Allied Irish Bank, 1 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 |
Office of the Ombudsman |
|
Allied Irish Bank, 219 Crumlin Road, Dublin 12 |
Local Purchases - Ordnance Base W/Shops, Logs Base DFTC, Curragh Camp |
|
Allied Irish Bank, 4 West Beach, Cobh, Co Cork |
Local Purchases - Technical Stores Naval Base |
|
Allied Irish Bank, Old Youghal Road, Mayfield, Cork |
Local Purchases - Provisions & Repair/Maintenance, Naval Service Reserve Southern Group |
|
Allied Irish Bank, South Main St., Naas, Co Kildare |
Local Purchases – Communications and Information Services Base Workshops Connolly Bks., Curragh |
|
Bank of Ireland, 112 Mobhi Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 |
Nordic Battle Group (Local Purchase) |
|
Bank of Ireland, 175 Lr. Rathmines Rd., Dublin 6 |
Brigade Cashier Eastern Brigade |
|
Bank of Ireland, Arran Quay, Dublin 7 |
Local Purchases - School of Catering |
|
Bank of Ireland, Arran Quay, Smithfield, Dublin 7 |
Equitation School - Expenses at Horse shows |
|
Bank of Ireland, Arran Quay, Smithfield, Dublin 7 |
Equitation School - Prizemoney account |
|
Bank of Ireland, Carrigaline, Co Cork |
Payment of Imprests to Naval Diving School |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account - Officers of the PDF |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account - Civil Servants |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account - Other Ranks |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account - Civilian Employees |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account – Pensions |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account – Reservists |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account for the payment of the Departments Goods and Services |
|
Bank of Ireland, Industrial Estate, Mervue, Galway |
Electronic transfer account for the payment of Travel & Subsistence Expenses |
|
Bank of Ireland, Newbridge, Co Kildare |
Brigade Cashier DFTC |
|
Bank of Ireland, Pearse St., Athlone, Co Westmeath |
Brigade Cashier Western Brigade |
|
Bank of Ireland, Rathcoole, Dublin 22 |
Payment of Subsistence to MATS |
|
Bank of Ireland, Rathcoole, Dublin 22 |
G IV Contingency Fund |
|
Bank of Ireland,32 South Mall, Cork |
Brigade Cashier Southern Brigade |
|
Permanent tsb, Rathmines, Dublin 6 |
Local Purchase - Provisions & Repair/Maintenance, Naval Service Reserve Eastern Group |
|
Permanent tsb, Unit 19, Liffey Valley SC, Quarryvale, Dublin 22 |
Local Purchases - Main Technical Stores, Baldonnel |
|
Afghanistan International Bank (AIB), Kabul, Afghanistan |
Overseas Local Purchases - Irish Contingent NSE, ISAF |
|
Deutsche Bank AG F/M, Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina |
Overseas Local Purchases - Irish Contingent NSE, EUFOR |
|
FransaBank Sal, Naqoura, Lebanon |
Overseas Local Purchases - Irish Contingent NSE, UNIFIL Lebanon |
|
Raiffeisen Bank Republic of Kosovo |
Overseas Local Purchases - Irish Contingent NSE, KFOR |
The amount of banking charges paid by my Department in 2011, along with an estimate for 2012, on bank accounts in Ireland and in overseas locations are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Overseas Bank Accounts |
Irish Bank Accounts |
Total Bank Charges |
|
2011 |
€2,089 |
€588 |
€2,677 |
|
2012 (Estimated) |
€2,000 |
€500 |
€2,500 |
Bank accounts are operated in a number of overseas locations to fund local expenditure on EU and UN missions and these attract the bulk of the total banking charges. The costs exclude bank charges in respect of the eight local purchase accounts. This information is held locally and is consequently not readily available.
There was €13 incurred in bank charges by Coiste an Asgard in 2011. This account has since been closed. Bank charges of €17 were incurred by the Office of the Ombudsman of the Defence Forces and a similar amount is estimated for 2012.
The Department operates eight bank accounts to fund our payments to suppliers, employees and pensioners. The agreement with the bank provides that transaction charges are not levied on the understanding that free credit balances will be held in the accounts for a minimum of 1 day.
Some 99% of payments to employees and 88% of payments to pensioners made by my Department are made electronically. All payments to suppliers made by my Department and agencies under my remit are made electronically, as are all employee expenses payments.
493. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence 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. [45592/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo legal proceedings have been initiated against my Department arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.
496. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44270/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 15th May 2012.
In order to comply with EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection.
This inspection and related processes have now been completed. Accordingly, the application is being progressed with a view to payment under both SPS and DAS issuing shortly.
497. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive disadvantaged area scheme payment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44077/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 15 October to the nominated bank account of the person named.
498. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a disadvantaged area scheme payment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44078/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 15 October to the nominated bank account of the person named.
499. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payment has issued in full for agri environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44083/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The application was selected for an on the spot Single Payment inspection, this resulted in a 5% Cross Compliance penalty being imposed on the AEOS payment in respect of the 2010 scheme year. Following the deduction of the 5% Cross Compliance penalty, the full payment of €692.11 issued for 2010.
Similar checks are carried out in respect of payment for the 2011 scheme year. These checks have been successfully completed and full payment totalling €4,371.34 issued in respect of 2011 in July 2012.
I expect 2012 payments to commence later this year.
500. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44143/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2012 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 1 May 2012, following processing of which an overclaim was identified in respect of one land parcel. My Department has already been in written contact with the applicant on the matter. Accordingly, the application cannot be further processed until a response has been received.
501. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2012 disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44153/12]
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. Immediately a decision is reached on this application, the person concerned will be notified in writing. Should the decision be negative, a fully independent appeals procedure is available.
502. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale he applied when making cuts to the various farming schemes. [44156/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme requires applicants to farm a minimum of three hectares and comply with minimum stocking density requirements. While the changes introduced in respect of the 2012 Scheme, necessitated by the budgetary situation, included a requirement to have had a stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, provision was made for those who did not achieve this minimum to apply for derogation, on specific conditions. Of the 10,000 farmers eligible to apply, almost 9,500 availed of the opportunity; to date, almost 80% of the cases decided upon have been successful. Those who have not been successful are being afforded the opportunity of appeal to the DAS Appeals Committee, under independent chairmanship of Mr Padraig Gibbons.
Faced with the need to make budgetary savings for the current financial year and, mindful of the difficulties faced by those most dependent on the support which the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme provides, I chose to make technical adjustments to the Scheme terms and conditions, designed to better focus the aid on those contributing most to achieving the aims of the Scheme namely, ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities, maintaining the countryside and maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental protection measures.
REPS is an agri-environment measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. It is designed to encourage farmers to go beyond basic good farming practice and to farm in a way that benefits the landscape, biodiversity and water quality. Every member state must have an agri-environment measure and REPS is co-funded by the EU at the rate of 55%. The scheme has proven to be very popular with Irish farmers and confirms their commitment to farming to the highest environmental standards, a commitment I might add, that fits very comfortably with the vision of smart, green, growth as set out in my Department’s Food Harvest 2020 strategy statement.
I remain committed to supporting farmers who choose to farm to environmentally friendly practices and to ensuring that these farmers are rewarded for their efforts Under EU Regulations. In this regard I recently announced the reopening of AEOS with funding of €20m annually, with scheme documentation now available on the Department’s website.
Payment rates in an agri-environment scheme must be justified mainly by reference to income forgone and additional costs incurred by the farmer because of the nature of his or her undertakings. Also up to 20% of an additional payment may be justified by what are called “transaction costs”. Given the state of the public finances, in finalising my Department’s estimates for 2012, I had no option but to announce a 10% cut in the rate of payment to existing REPS 4 applicants. This cut, which will apply to 2012 payments onwards, will be based on a cut to the transaction cost of participating farmers from €28.03 to €5.60 on each hectare that a transaction cost is paid.
503. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will disclose the claimants of area aid from 1 January 2005 to 1 April 2012 in respect of land that was rented by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44214/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have arranged for one of my Department’s officials to make direct contact with the Deputy in relation to his query about the rented land.
504. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44215/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 15 October to the nominated bank account of the person named.
505. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44216/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs processing of the application of the person named has recently been completed, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
506. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44217/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 15 October to the nominated bank account of the person named.
507. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44218/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is an applicant under the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes.
In order to meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. As soon as the inspection and related processes are completed, the application concerned will be progressed.
508. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44219/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs processing of the application of the person named has recently been completed, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
509. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44220/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is an applicant under the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes.
In order to meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. As soon as the inspection and related processes are completed, the application concerned will be progressed.
510. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantage area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44221/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 23 April 2012. However, payment has not yet issued as, at this stage, it has not been possible to verify that one of the Terms and Conditions governing the 2012 Scheme, relating to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units per forage acre declared, has been satisfied. Once it has been possible to verify that this requirement has been met, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
511. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantage area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44222/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Terms and Conditions governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, a person must, amongst other requirements, occupy and farm, in their own right and at their own risk, a minimum of three hectares of forage land. As the person named does not meet this requirement, no payment is due.
