Written Answers Nos. 71-78
71. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cé mhéid airgid atá fágtha le ceadú ag Comhar na nOileán Teo. faoin gClár Leader, miondealaithe idir Oileáin agus mórthír Chonamara agus de réir na míreanna sa gClár; cén uair a bheidh cead acu an t-airgead seo a cheadú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [20458/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a thorough examination of project activity under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) I announced, on 24 April 2013, the lifting of the embargo on project approvals. The completion of this review has facilitated the immediate issuing of RDP contracts for approximately €42 million worth of projects which have been approved by the Boards of the Local Development Companies (LDCs) and have all the necessary approvals in place.
The LDCs contracted to deliver the LEADER elements of the RDP have been allowed two weeks to notify my Department as to whether all of the projects within this €42 million are ready to proceed. Once this exercise is complete my Department will then be in a position to establish the remaining balance of funding in the RDP and will notify each LDC, including Comhar na nOilean, of their allocation to the end of the Programme. A specific amount of the funding, the amount of which will be determined as part of this final allocation process, will be allocated to Gaeltacht areas including those in Co Galway. This funding will address projects previously approved for funding by MFG as a priority with any outstanding allocations distributed by relevant LDCs to new Gaeltacht projects.
72. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to achieve the goal of eliminating long-term homelessness by 2016. [20490/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently published a Homelessness Policy Statement in which I outlined the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness. When I published the statement, I announced a set of indicators which will be used to demonstrate the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed. These indicators will give a clearer picture of homelessness in Ireland, and, in quantifying its on-going extent, will support the bringing forward of realistic and practical solutions.
While it is clear that a proportion of funding must be used to provide sufficient bed capacity to accommodate those in need of emergency accommodation, it is equally important that resources are channelled to deliver more permanent responses in a more focused and strategic way. The arrangements for devolving homelessness funding to the lead housing authority in each of the 9 regions in 2013 will seek to ensure that the measures being pursued by housing authorities reflect the housing-led approach, that actions are in place towards achieving the target of ending long-term homelessness by the end of 2016, and that evidence to support progress will be presented through the reports on the indicators. I established a high-level three-person oversight group for the purpose of reviewing the progress of the approach being advocated in the statement, reviewing progress with indicators, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions.
74. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money provided in the Estimates this year to cover costs directly related to the contribution to social partnership of various groups funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20476/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to groups to facilitate engagement with the Social Partnership process to cover costs directly related to their contribution to policy-making that is not funded by any other sources. In 2013 I am providing funding of €565,200 to the members of the Community & Voluntary pillar of the Social Partnership process. My Department provided funding of €180,000 to support the Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership in 2012. This funding was provided from the Environment Fund. The allocation for the Environmental Pillar for 2013 has not yet been finalised.
The table details the amount allocated to each group of the Community and Voluntary Pillar:
|
Name of Organisation |
2013 Allocation € |
|
Social Justice Ireland (CORI) |
73476 |
|
The Wheel |
73476 |
|
INOU |
41448 |
|
St Vincent de Paul |
41448 |
|
Disability Federation of Ireland |
30144 |
|
Irish Council for Social Housing |
30144 |
|
The Carers Association |
30144 |
|
Age Action Ireland |
30144 |
|
National Youth Council of Ireland |
18840 |
|
National Association of Building Co-Operatives (NABCO) |
18840 |
|
Childrens Rights Alliance |
18840 |
|
Irish Rural Link |
73476 |
|
National Women's Council of Ireland |
18840 |
|
Community Platform |
18840 |
|
Protestant Aid |
14130 |
|
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament |
14130 |
|
Congress Centres Network |
18840 |
|
Total |
€565,200 |
75. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an outline of his new Irish aid policy, One World One Future; when he expects this policy to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently agreed Policy for International Development, One World, One Future, sets out the principles, goals and priority areas for action which will guide the Government’s efforts in the coming years. The Policy is based on the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid last year, one of the commitments contained in the Programme for Government. In this Review, we assessed the changed context, globally and here at home, and examined carefully the evidence and experience of recent years as well as the contributions made during the public consultation period. One World, One Future will be launched tomorrow, Thursday, 2 May by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD and me. The policy will be available publicly on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Irish Aid websites. It will reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to international development and build on the solid foundation of our overseas aid programme, which has been recognised internationally for its focus on poverty and hunger, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
The new Policy will also set out clearly the Government’s intention to situate aid within the evolving international development context and to build more rounded and mature partnerships with developing countries. We will do this while maintaining the focus on the poorest, the hungry and malnourished as well as those affected by conflict, insecurity and humanitarian emergencies. We will be seeking greater prioritisation in the use of our resources, coherence across Government Departments, and full value for money, transparency and accountability in the implementation of the new Policy. Above all, we will be making a strong commitment to use our voice, our influence, and our capacity in pursuing a vision of a sustainable and just world.
76. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the residents of building (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will have to pay the property tax as it is a protected building. [20735/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI draw the Deputy’s attention to my reply to a similar Question raised by him yesterday, Tuesday 30 April, where I clarified that there is no specific exemption from LPT for protected buildings or listed buildings. Owners of these residential properties are liable to pay the tax on their properties in the same way as any other residential property owner. As LPT is a self-assessed tax, it will be a matter for the property owner to calculate the tax due based on his or her assessment of the market value of the property in question.
77. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the take up of the employment and investment incentive and seed capital scheme; the number that have availed of same; his plans to incentivise potential employers and businesses to dramatically increase the demand for this scheme which has much potential for job creation. [20787/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment and Investment Incentive (EII) and Seed Capital Scheme (SCS) commenced on 25 November 2011. Prior to this the Business Expansion Scheme (BES) was in operation. For the year 2012 the estimated cost to the Exchequer for the EII was €4m in respect of €13.4m invested by 376 investors. The cost of the BES scheme was €12.9m in respect of €31.5m invested by 984 investors and the cost of the SCS was €1.2m in respect of €3.2m invested by 58 investors.
In the recent Budget I announced a 10 point tax reform plan to help small business. One of the measures in this plan is the extension of the EII and SCS from their current expiration date of the end of 2013 to the end of 2020 in order to provide certainty to investors and companies. As these schemes are state aid schemes, the approval of the European Commission is required. In addition, I also announced the inclusion of hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation in the EII, subject to certain conditions.
The Government’s commitment to this 10 point plan is reinforced in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013. The scheme has also been publicised by the Revenue Commissioners in a leaflet entitled “Supporting Job Creation and other Enterprise Supports” and by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in a leaflet entitled “Financial Support for Irish Business”.
78. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 16 April 2013, regarding prosecutions for non filling of returns, the number of unsuccessful prosecutions since 2008, and the number of companies prosecuted, overall, defended by free legal aid since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20544/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners statistics are not maintained centrally in a manner which would enable this question to be answered in the time allowed. By way of general comment, the Commissioners have advised me that, in relation to returns filing prosecutions, the number of instances where the taxpayer/defendant was acquitted would be very low. For example, in the Dublin area, between the years 2008 and 2012 inclusive, and to date in 2013, a total of 4 taxpayers/defendants were acquitted of all charges relating to non-filing of returns. The granting of free legal aid is a matter for the courts, but the Commissioners are not aware of any instance since 2008 where a company prosecuted for non-filing of returns by the Revenue Commissioners has been granted free legal aid by the courts. The Commissioners will contact the Deputy directly with further data as soon as possible.
