Written Answers Nos. 512-530
512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the legal aid scheme will be expanded to provide free legal aid in the context of the newly formed Pyrite Resolutions Board; if he has had any discussions with the the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that Section 27 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 provides that legal aid may be available in civil proceedings conducted in the District Court, Circuit Court, the High Court or the Supreme Court. In addition the Minister for Justice and Equality, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may prescribe any other court or a tribunal for the purpose of making legal aid available. The only tribunal that has been prescribed to date is the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
I can also inform the Deputy that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government have not been in discussion with either my Department or the Legal Aid Board concerning the newly formed Pyrite Resolutions Board.
I have no plans to change the civil legal aid scheme at this time.
513. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in respect of a determination of an application for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2939/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application referred to by the Deputy was completed on 8th October, 2009 and notification of the decision taken in that application issued to the person in question on the same date. Subsequent correspondence received from the person in question indicated that the original decision letter was not received and therefore a copy of the decision letter re-issued on 4th November, 2011.
I can inform the Deputy that the application referred to by him was not granted as the person in question did not satisfy the full criteria of the Long Term Residency Scheme. However, it is open to the person in question to submit a new application to my Department for consideration. Full details of the eligibility criteria for the Long Term Residency scheme can be found on www.inis.gov.ie.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
514. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and or expected position in relation to residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2942/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned arrived in the State on 25 January 2004 and applied for asylum. The Refugee Applications Commissioner recommended that he not be declared a refugee. This decision was further upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. He was subsequently determined not eligible for subsidiary protection and, following consideration of his case under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, a Deportation Order was made in respect of him which was notified to him on 12 September 2011.
The person concerned instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 22 September 2011 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of him and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process. I should also refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 23 October 2012.
515. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is more than 70% failure rate for probate applications submitted by solicitors to the probate sections of the Courts Service; if he is reviewing the high failure rate and the operation of the current probate system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2948/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, probate is a legal process whereby a grant of representation is issued by the High Court Probate Office or District Probate Registry in respect of a deceased person's estate. The grant of representation gives legal authority to a person or persons to access the estate and administer it in accordance with the law. The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that approximately 90% of persons seeking grants of representation are represented by solicitors who prepare the necessary legal documentation. Mandatory legal requirements must be met in respect of the applications and the Probate Office or District Registry examines such documentation to ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements. The Courts Service has confirmed that documentation in over 70% of these cases is non-compliant and applications cannot be accepted until the various enquiries have been addressed. This inevitably contributes to delays for applicants and is a matter that can best be addressed by the persons submitting probate applications taking the time to ensure that documentation submitted complies with the requirements.
Examples of the reasons for rejection of papers include:
- legal entitlement to grant not established in the oath which the applicant swears to ground the application,
- documents not correctly exhibited in the oath
- documents not properly sworn,
- incorrect documents sworn to ground the application, and
- pertinent information omitted from the documents.
I have no plans at present to review the present system. However, the Courts Service has confirmed to me that the quality of initial applications has repeatedly been brought to the attention of legal practitioners. In order to promote higher quality, the Probate Office has:
- prepared checklists for practitioners,
- published guidance for completion of documentation on the Courts Service website,
- given lectures and tutorials to practitioners in the Law Society and to various Solicitors' Bar Associations,
- provided a facility whereby the Probate Officer will meet with Solicitors who are handling complex Probate cases, and
- held user group meetings where problems are highlighted.
516. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that Ireland has fully implemented the technical and financial measures to ensure the 2009 EU Framework Directive on the establishment of the European Criminal Records Information System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2960/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has approved the scheme of the Criminal Records Information Systems Bill which will give effect to the 2009 EU Framework Decision. The Bill will codify the procedures to apply in relation to the exchange of criminal records data with other states. Currently, the Gardaí routinely request records of criminal convictions of citizens from other states who are appearing before the courts in relation to offences in this State. They can also request records of convictions in other states of Irish citizens who are of interest to the Gardaí. The impact of the Framework Decision will be to ensure that all member states of the EU are automatically notified in regard to criminal convictions of their nationals or persons resident in their state. The Bill is currently being drafted and I expect to publish the Bill towards the end of 2013.
517. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of foreign nationals granted Irish citizenship during 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2962/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of Certificates of Naturalisation issued in 2012 was some 25,000 and reflects the success of measures that I introduced when I came into office in March 2011 to address the large backlog of applications pending a decision that had built up over several years. At that time there were approximately 22,000 citizenship applications awaiting decision, some 17,000 of which had been awaiting decision for in excess of 6 months and many of which had been waiting for 2-3 years or longer.
Over the past 22 months there has been a major improvement in the position, despite a significant increase in the volume of valid applications received from 12,500 in 2010 to 19,900 in 2012. More than 43,000 decisions on naturalisation applications have been made since I came into office. It is my intention that we will continue to build on this success over the coming year.
The Deputy will also be aware that alongside the improvements in processing, in June 2011, I introduced formal citizenship ceremonies for the first time since the foundation of the State. The ceremonies, which are being met with universal approval, allow candidates for citizenship make their declaration of fidelity to the Irish nation and loyalty to the State and receive their certificate of naturalisation in a meaningful and dignified manner which befits the importance and solemnity of the occasion.
518. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he intends to amend section 37(1) of the Employment Equality Act to ensure that it cannot be used to discriminate against lesbian, gay and bisexual teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2999/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply below to Parliamentary Question No. 54456 of 4 December 2012. The position is unchanged since then.
"The Government has undertaken in its Programme for Government to ensure that people of non-faith or minority religious backgrounds and publically identified LGBT people should not be deterred from training or taking up employment as teachers in the State.
I have previously expressed concern about the potential impact of section 37 of the Employment Equality Acts on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. This section is designed to allow schools and other institutions to maintain their religious ethos. It was examined by the Supreme Court in 1996 when the Employment Equality Bill of 1996 was referred to it under Article 26 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court found that it is a reasonable balancing in legislation of the different rights involved, including chiefly the right to earn a living and the rights to freedom of religion and association. I am concerned however that, in practice, the balance is not a fair one and that in practice this provision can operate in a way that is unfair to LGBT persons. I consider that an extensive consultative process and formal assessment of the options should be undertaken. It is therefore my intention to ask the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commissioners to examine the issue as a priority and to report on their views and recommendations to the two Ministers centrally concerned, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn and myself as the Minister for Justice and Equality and to the House. I am committed to bringing forward Government proposals for any necessary anti-discrimination amendment to this provision once this consultation process is completed."
519. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to recognise travellers as an ethnic group; the way he will deal with the issue of traveller ethnicity; if he has a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3002/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no immediate plans to introduce the legislation necessary for such recognition although as indicated in the past, serious consideration is being given to the issue. There is a long standing wish of many Travellers that they be granted recognition as an ethnic group but also there are some divergent views within the Traveller community.
The previous Government was of the view that Travellers are not an ethnic minority. Dialogue between staff of the Department of Justice and Equality and representatives of Traveller organisations has taken place in the past on the issue, for example, during the course of a seminar on the third State report under the Council of Europe Convention on National Minorities. In addition, the National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee, on which sit representatives of all the national Traveller organisations as well as officials of the Department of Justice and Equality, earlier last year established a sub-group specifically to consider the issue of Traveller ethnicity. Arising from the work of this group, among other things, a conference was held in Dublin Castle, supported by the Department of Justice and Equality. At this conference various aspects of the ethnicity subject were considered from a wide spectrum of opinion.
I would like to remind the Deputy that Travellers in Ireland have the same civil and political rights as other citizens under the Constitution. The key anti-discrimination measures, the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989, the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977, the Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts specifically identify Travellers by name as a group protected. The Equality Act 2004, which transposed the EU Racial Equality Directive, applied all the protections of that Directive across all of the nine grounds contained in the legislation, including the Traveller community ground. All the protections afforded to ethnic minorities in EU directives and international conventions apply to Travellers because the Irish legislation giving effect to those international instruments explicitly protects Travellers.
Consideration of this issue remains ongoing with a view to ensuring that full analysis of all aspects of the granting of ethnic status to Travellers is available to Government when coming to a decision on the matter.
521. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the quarterly figures on burglary including car theft in County Meath by town and rural areas for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3004/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
522. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a visa application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3005/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the application to which the Deputy refers is an application for a certificate of naturalisation which was received from the person in question in April 2012.
The application is at an advanced stage of processing and the applicant will be informed of my decision in due course.
As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
523. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a visa in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3015/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Visa application referred to by the Deputy was lodged at our Embassy in Singapore on 15 January 2013 and has been forwarded to the Visa Office of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) in Dublin to be processed. I understand that the necessary supporting documentation is in transit to that Office and, when it is received, a decision on the application can be expected within 10-15 working days.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
524. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of Gardaí who are currently stationed in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3019/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Donegal Division on 31 December 2012 (the latest date for which figures are readily available) was as set out in the table. There were also a total of 28 Reserve Gardaí and 29 civilians attached to the Donegal Garda Division on that date. Divisional resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.
|
District |
Station |
Gda |
Sgt |
Insp |
Supt |
C/Supt |
TOTAL |
|
BALLYSHANNON |
BALLINTRA |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
BALLYSHANNON |
37 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
45 |
||
|
BUNDORAN |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
DONEGAL TOWN |
27 |
5 |
32 |
||||
|
MOUNTCHARLES |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
NA CEALLA BEAGA |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
Total |
76 |
13 |
1 |
1 |
91 |
||
|
BUNCRANA |
BUNCRANA |
44 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
53 |
|
|
BURNFOOT |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
CARNDONAGH |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
CLONMANY |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
MALIN |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
MOVILLE |
4 |
4 |
|||||
|
MUFF |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
Total |
60 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
72 |
||
|
GLENTIES |
AILT AN CHORRÁIN |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
AN BUN BEAG |
12 |
2 |
14 |
||||
|
AN CHARRAIG |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||
|
AN CLOCHÁN LIATH |
10 |
2 |
12 |
||||
|
ANAGAIRE |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
ARD AN RÁTHA |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
GLEANN CHOLM CILLE |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
NA GLEANNTA |
15 |
3 |
1 |
19 |
|||
|
Total |
43 |
8 |
1 |
52 |
|||
|
LETTERKENNY |
BALLYBOFEY |
21 |
2 |
23 |
|||
|
CARRIGANS |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
CASTLEFIN |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
CONVOY |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
LETTERKENNY |
87 |
14 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
107 |
|
|
LIFFORD |
13 |
2 |
15 |
||||
|
NEWTOWNCUNNINGHAM |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
RAPHOE |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
Total |
135 |
22 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
163 |
|
|
MILFORD |
AN CRAOSLACH |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
AN FÁL CARRACH |
8 |
1 |
9 |
||||
|
CARRAIG AIRT |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
DÚN FIONNACHAID |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
KERRYKEEL |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
KILMACRENNAN |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
MILFORD |
24 |
1 |
1 |
26 |
|||
|
MÍN AN LÁBÁIN |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
RAMELTON |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
RATHMULLEN |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
Total |
45 |
3 |
1 |
49 |
|||
|
Divisional Total |
|
359 |
56 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
427 |
525. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 766 of 6 November 2012, the progress made to date in relocating staff; his plans to relocate staff to vacant offices of the Property Registration Authority in Roscommon town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3034/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 766 of 6 November 2012, the lease for the Setanta Centre accommodation expires in March 2013. The 84 staff of the Property Registration Authority (PRA) currently located in that accommodation will be re-located before the expiry of the lease. The Office of Public Works has identified accommodation in the Irish Life Centre, Dublin 1. However, it is unlikely that the proposed location will be sufficient to accommodate all PRA staff currently in the Setanta Centre and some staff will have to be re-located to Chancery Street.
Furthermore, as indicated in the previous reply, it was decided, following the Government Review on the viability of all decentralisation projects that the PRA should remain in situ in the new premises located at the Golf Links Road, Roscommon. The building was originally designed to accommodate 230. Given the on-going moratorium on recruitment, redeployment programmes and the ongoing reduction in staff numbers required under the Employment Control Framework (ECF), it is unlikely that the PRA will be in a position to locate the planned number of staff in Roscommon in the foreseeable future.
In view of these circumstances, the PRA continues to work with the Office of Public Works to ensure the optimum utilisation of the accommodation by other suitable public sector occupants. A small number of staff from the Roscommon Enterprise Board has been occupying part of the accommodation for some months now. In early February, approximately 50 staff from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine will re-locate to the Golf Links Road building. The PRA will continue to work with the Office of Public Works to seek opportunities to fully maximise the occupancy in this building by other State bodies.
527. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of staff employed by the Courts Service; the grades and location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3142/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the total number of serving staff in the Courts Service is 1,006, which equates to 945 full time equivalent posts. The following table sets out a breakdown by grade and location.
|
Grade |
Location (number) |
Total |
|
Secretary General |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
Dublin (5) |
5 |
|
County Registrar |
Dublin (1), Donegal (1), Cavan (1), Louth (1), Leitrim (1), Cork (1), Waterford (1), Limerick (1), Kerry (1), Mayo (1), Clare (1), Galway (1), Wicklow (1), Carlow (1), Kilkenny (1), Kildare (1), Wexford (1), Laois (1), Westmeath (1), Offaly (1) Longford (1), Meath (1), Roscommon (1) |
23 |
|
Taxing Master |
Dublin (2) |
2 |
|
Property Arbitrator |
Dublin (2) |
2 |
|
Principal Officer |
Dublin (27) Cork (1) Mayo (1) Kildare (1) |
30 |
|
Master of the High Court |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
General Solicitor |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
Dublin (66), Donegal (1), Cavan (1), Monaghan (1) Louth (1), Leitrim (1), Cork (3), Waterford (1), Limerick (2), Sligo (1), Tipperary (2), Kerry (1), Mayo (1), Clare (1), Galway (3), Wicklow (2), Carlow (1), Kilkenny (2), Kildare (2), Wexford (1), Laois (1), Westmeath (2), Offaly (1), Longford (1), Meath (1), Roscommon (1) |
101 |
|
Librarian |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Assistant Solicitor |
Dublin (4) |
4 |
|
Engineer Grade II |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Dublin (84), Donegal (3), Cavan (1), Monaghan (1), Louth (1), Leitrim (2), Cork (16), Waterford (1), Limerick (4), Tipperary (2), Kerry (1), Mayo (4), Clare (1), Galway (2), Sligo (1), Wicklow (1), Kildare (2), Wexford (1), Westmeath (1), Longford (1), Laois (2), Roscommon (1), Offaly (2), Meath (1) |
136 |
|
Executive Legal Officer |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Assistant Librarian |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Stenographer |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
Dublin (82), Donegal (5), Cavan (4), Monaghan (6), Louth (7), Leitrim (2), Cork (19), Waterford (5), Limerick (8), Tipperary (4), Kerry (5), Mayo (6), Clare (4), Galway (8), Sligo (4), Wicklow (7), Carlow (3), Kilkenny (5), Kildare (9), Wexford (4), Westmeath (6), Longford (1), Laois (3), Roscommon (2), Offaly (5), Meath (4) |
218 |
|
Staff Officer |
Dublin (8), Louth (1), Cork (2), Waterford (1), Kerry (1), Mayo (1), Carlow (1), Westmeath (1), Meath (1) |
17 |
|
Clerical Officer |
Dublin (132), Donegal (8), Cavan (4), Monaghan (3), Louth (5), Cork (34), Waterford (6), Limerick (13), Tipperary (10), Kerry (6), Mayo (8), Clare (3), Galway (15), Sligo (3), Wicklow (6), Carlow (2), Kilkenny (4), Kildare (6), Wexford (6), Westmeath (3), Longford (3), Laois (3), Roscommon (3), Offaly (2), Meath (5) |
293 |
|
Court Messenger |
Donegal (1), Cavan (1), Louth (1), Waterford (1), Limerick (1), Tipperary (1), Kerry (1), Mayo (1), Clare (1), Galway (1), Sligo (1), Wicklow (1), Kilkenny (1), Kildare (1), Wexford (1), Westmeath (1), Longford (1), Laois (1), Offaly (1), Meath (1) |
20 |
|
Senior Research Asst. |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Temporary Research Asst. |
Dublin (1) |
1 |
|
Judicial Clerk |
Dublin (2) |
2 |
|
Judicial Researcher |
Dublin (8) |
8 |
|
Judicial Assistant |
Dublin (21) |
21 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer |
Kerry (1) |
1 |
|
Head Services Officer |
Dublin (2) |
2 |
|
Services Officer |
Dublin (22), Donegal (1), Louth (1), Cork (1), Limerick (1), Mayo (1), Clare (1), Galway (1), Wicklow (1), Kilkenny (1), Meath (1) |
32 |
|
Usher |
Dublin (42) |
42 |
|
Crier |
Dublin (32) |
32 |
|
Cleaner |
Dublin (5) |
5 |
|
Total |
1,006 |
528. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Defence the number of immediate or extended family members employed by his Department; the names and remuneration in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2896/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe only person employed by me in my role as Minister for Defence is my personal assistant, who is not related to me.
529. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the new procedures the Government have introduced for appointments to State boards. [3572/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Boards under the aegis of the Department of Defence when the Government took office were the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The Civil Defence Board was identified in the Public Service Reform Plan as a body to be abolished. I appointed an interim Board as a temporary measure from 2011 and in this context none of the positions were advertised, nor was the Chairman interviewed by an Oireachtas Committee. Legislation was passed by the Oireachtas in December 2012 for the dissolution of the Board and the transfer of its functions back to the Department of Defence.
The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act, 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairman and the non-military ordinary member are appointed by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
The position of Army Medical Corps ordinary member became vacant due to retirement in 2011, and I appointed Commandant Adam Lagun to the Board on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff. As the Army Pensions Act 1927 specifies that one of the ordinary members must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps, this position was not publicly advertised. Details of Commandant Lagun’s appointment to the Army Pensions Board were published in the Iris Oifigiúl on 13 January 2012.
In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. No appointments have been made since that decision was taken and the Board will be dissolved shortly.
All appointments to Boards under the aegis of my Department are in accordance with the relevant legislation or regulations.
530. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the number of actions targeted at the agri food sector that were undertaken in 2012 as per the Action Plan for Jobs 2012; if he will name the actions concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2575/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2012 Action Plan for Jobs included 17 Actions which have specific reference to the agri-food and fisheries sectors. Details are set out it the following table.
|
No. |
Action |
|
1 |
Promote ‘coopetition’ projects within the food industry, encourage B2B business, facilitate mentoring by larger food companies of smaller companies. |
|
2 |
Ensure completion of industry projects awarded aid under the Dairy, Beef and Sheepmeat Funds and ensure the implementation of a range of additional major company expansion projects approved over the last 24 months. |
|
3 |
Attract graduate talent into marketing roles within the food industry in line with the targets set out in Food Harvest Milestones for the Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship. |
|
4 |
Work closely with the industry to develop their plans to deal with the increasing supply of raw material projected in Food Harvest 2020 and support the development of increased scale and value added processing. |
|
5 |
Drive the technology capability of the industry, and progress the establishment of further industry and thirdlevel research collaborations in the food sector, taking into account the outcome of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise. |
|
6 |
Review the Food for Health Ireland collaborative research centre and develop a plan for future support. |
|
7 |
7 Implement incentives and measures to improve skills, farm structure and scale set out in Budget 2012. |
|
8 |
8 Progress the development/licensing of large scale offshore finfish aquaculture sites in line with the road map set out in Food Harvest 2020 Milestones report. |
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9 |
Involve more food businesses in the Teagasc Food SME Technology Support Programme which targets start-up companies, growing enterprises and artisan food producers. |
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10 |
Win additional foreign investment from multinational food companies and assist food multinationals already in Ireland to win more projects. |
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11 |
Research, map and add to the food incubation space potentially available in industry and State agencies for use by existing and new food entrepreneurs. |
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12 |
Complete DAFM, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia scoping exercise on the market potential for delivery of new food and nutritional products and models of service to older people. |
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13 |
Create over new 150 jobs in the seafood sector by 2014 through the expansion of 18 seafood processing companies with investment supported by grant aid from BIM. |
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14 |
Run a number of business market development ventures, including two significant projects in 2012. |
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15 |
Achieve Food Harvest 2020 milestone targets for participation in Enterprise Ireland’s Lean services and the Leadership4Growth CEO Programmes for food companies. |
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16 |
Ensure continued industry participation in the implementation and review of the strategic research agendas (SRA) for food and primary agriculture Food Research Ireland and Stimulating Sustainable Agricultural Production through Research and Innovation(SSAPRI) |
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17 |
Fund further collaborative interinstitutional research in line with Food Research Ireland and SSAPRI, to help underpin the sector and deliver the growth targets in Food Harvest. |
All of these actions were progressed by my Department with the active collaboration of the Enterprise Ireland, Teagasc, Bord Bia and BIM. Progress was monitored on an ongoing basis by the Food Harvest 2020 High Level Implementation Committee, which I chair.
