Written Answers Nos. 35 - 42
35. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in view of the recent apology given by the Australian Prime Minister to the victims of illegal adoptions carried out in that country in the 1960s, if an inquiry will be established into the illegal adoptions carried out here in the post-1952 period when adoption legislation was in force. [21658/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue in Ireland of illegal adoptions relates to illegal registrations, i.e. children who were given at birth to other individuals who registered these children as their own and who are now unable to access personal records and information. I have met with individuals who have found themselves in these circumstance and I acknowledge and empathise with the dilemma that these individuals are addressing. Efforts have been made by the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the HSE, within their legal remit, to facilitate the investigations that these individuals are undertaking in endeavouring to establish medical and/or identifying information about themselves. Further efforts are required to move beyond that and endeavour to trace birth parents, children and or siblings who are affected by this issue.
In consultation with the AAI and the HSE, my Department is examining legislative and administrative options in relation to accessing records which may exist. I am also examining provisions in this regard in the forthcoming Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. I have recently received further legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General in regard to complex legal and constitutional issues which have arisen during the course of drafting the Heads of Bill. These issues are currently under consideration in my Department.
When the former Adoption Board launched the National Adoption Contact Preference Register in 2005, provision was made for persons, who were party to the illegal registration of a child, to register an interest in the Register for possible future contact with another party sometime in the future. Fundamental to the success of the NCPR is that any persons with information in this regard contact the Information and Tracing Unit of the AAI. The Adoption Act 1952 provided a legal basis for adoption in Ireland and for the establishment of the Adoption Board thereby bringing order to what had been the ad hoc arrangements which had previously existed in lieu of formal adoption procedures. That Act was replaced by the Adoption Act 2010. All adoptions in Ireland since 1952 have been carried out in line with this legislation.
36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and or her Department has undertaken studies into the extent of the various forms of bullying affecting young persons; if she has in mind, the provision of specific policies to address this issue as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21807/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department has studied the various forms of bullying most commonly identified in order of prevalence and age group; the extent to which she is in a position to address the issues arising with particular reference to putting place remedial measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22074/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which the various forms of bullying have been monitored as it affects children and young persons of various ages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22078/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 195 and 199 together.
My Department is committed to evidence-based policy development and a strong comprehensive research programme is in place; this includes funded research and capacity building programmes, as well as a research infrastructure and dissemination programmes. The National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives 2011-2016 sets out a comprehensive action plan for research and data on children’s lives in Ireland and proposes a systematic, harmonised and coordinated approach across departments and agencies to achieve a better understanding of the factors influencing children’s lives.
There is a growing body of national and international evidence on the prevalence of bullying and its impact on our children and young people, on their confidence, learning outcomes, self-esteem and mental health. Two national surveys, which are Government funded, give us a national picture of the extent of bullying among children in Ireland.
The first, Growing Up in Ireland, the National Longitudinal Study of Children, which is funded through my Department, provides us with data on the proportion of nine-year olds who have been victims of bullying (40%) and with verbal bullying emerging as the most common form of bullying, followed by exclusion and physical bullying. Boys were more likely to have experienced physical and verbal bullying, while girls were more likely to have experienced exclusion. There was little difference in the proportion of boys and girls who were bullied through written messages and electronic means and these forms of bullying occurred much less frequently than the other forms in this age cohort. There was a clear overlap between children who had bullied another and children who had been victimised – these children are classified as bully victims and constituted 10% of nine-year-olds.
The second national survey, the Health Behaviour of School Aged Children (HBSC) survey, also provides us with important data on this issue. Since 1998, the HBSC survey, which is conducted every four years, provided us with trends in the proportion of children between the ages of 9 and 17 who report that they were bullied at school. Given that this is part of an international study, we can also compare rates of bullying in Ireland with rates of bullying in other countries. The latest international comparisons revealed that rates of bullying in Ireland were lower than the HBSC average (27.3% versus 29.2%). Statistically significant differences were observed across age and gender, with a higher percentage of younger children and boys reporting that they were bullied at school in the past couple of months.
Internationally, a recent EU study to examine the safety of children on the internet found that 4% of children between the ages of 9 and 16 in Ireland experienced online bullying compared with an EU average of 6%. This finding is also supported by the "Growing up in Ireland" research which showed that 5% of 9 year olds experienced cyber-bullying. However, UNICEF’s recently published “Child Well being in Rich countries” (Report Card 11) highlighted a rise in bullying among Irish young people; the report stated that 28% of children in Ireland aged 11, 13 and 15 reported “being bullied at school at least once in the past couple of months.” These reports, which are available in full online, are indicative of the wealth of research on Irish children’s lives and experiences now accessible to Irish policy-makers.
The Deputy will be aware that ongoing work to implement the Action Plan on Bullying, which is being led by the Department of Education and Skills, represents a significant step in delivering on the Government’s absolute commitment to reverse these current trends. To achieve this we must work with a broad base of interests to tackle the underlying causes of bullying, including prejudice in all its forms, in a sustained manner. The Action Plan on Bullying was produced earlier this year following detailed consideration of available evidence and research on bullying. The Working Group consulted with leading academics in the field of bullying and reviewed the current best practices in bullying prevention in other jurisdictions, to develop the series of specific evidence based actions and recommendations outlined within the Action Plan. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the actions set out in the Plan are being progressed by the relevant sectors.
In terms of additional research, this includes new research on the prevalence and impact of bullying linked to social media on the mental health and suicidal behaviour among young people through the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The National Disability Authority has also agreed to conduct and support research on effective supports for children with special educational needs. In addition, my Department, along with the Department of Education and Skills, has agreed to identify and initiate further research on bullying issues as our resources permit, including the monitoring and evaluation of initiatives in schools and other sectors in order to support evidence for further policy development and decision making. This will be considered in future calls for proposals under the National Children's Research Programme.
My Department will continue to work across all sectors and services to raise awareness about bullying, its impact on children and young people and the effective measures to be taken to tackle prejudice, combat bullying and promote a safer environment for our young people.
37. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken to protect front-line youth services in view of the funding cuts experienced by the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21736/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
The savings required under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in respect of 2013 amounted to €5.393m which equated to almost a 10% reduction on 2012 funding available for the provision of youth services. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding. My Department has tried to be as equitable as possible in achieving these savings. In considering how best to manage within the reduced budgets available, organisations are being asked to consider the scope for reducing administration costs and overheads, if this is at all possible, in order to maintain the front line youth services for young people. I have met, and continue to meet with, many youth organisations and groups to try and see how we can work together to minimise the impact of these necessary savings in order to ensure that the provision of quality youth services to young people is sustained in these challenging times.
A comprehensive Value for Money and Policy Review of youth funding has been commenced in my Department and it is anticipated that the findings of this report will inform the future development of youth programmes and services. My Department is developing a new youth policy framework for publication later this year. The new youth policy framework will aim to enhance the provision of youth services and activities and it will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people in future years.
38. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a review of the European Security Strategy will be taking place in the near future; if he will outline Ireland's participation in the last review; his views on what he anticipates that Ireland's contribution will be at the next review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22113/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Security Strategy (ESS), which was approved by the European Council in 2003, outlines challenges and threats to European and international security such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, state failure and organised crime. It goes on to focus on strategic objectives for the EU, in particular the need to promote good governance beyond the borders of the Union and to advance the development of effective multilateralism through support for the United Nations. It considers policy implications for the EU in light of these threats and strategic objectives. And it concludes that the EU should become more active, more capable and more coherent. We value also its role in widening the context in which the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operates.
A review of the ESS was carried out in 2008 but made no fundamental changes to it. It did, however, broaden the challenges identified to include threats such as cyber security, climate change and pandemics. In the lead-up to the review, Ireland worked to ensure that the document remained consistent with our values and concerns. In particular, we ensured that there was a prominent reference to the pre-eminent role of the UN in the international system and that CSDP remained situated as an integral part of the EU’s broader Common Foreign and Security Policy.
In 2012 EU Foreign Ministers again looked at the possibility of revising the ESS. It was decided, however, that an examination of particular emerging threats would be more appropriate at this time. Following on from this, and at the initiative of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ministers have discussed a number of such issues, including energy security, water and conflict, space and security and the implications of climate change for international security. In its current Presidency role, Ireland is working to prepare Council Conclusions in support of the ongoing development of a cybersecurity strategy for the EU.
Debate continues about refinement of the ESS and the development of a broader foreign policy vision for the EU which goes beyond strict security concerns. For example, four Foreign Ministers – those of Sweden, Poland, Italy and Spain – are proposing the development of a global foreign policy strategy for the EU. This is being taken forward by four think-tanks in the EU which hope to present proposals this month for a future “European Global Strategy”. Ireland is happy to play its full part in any such debates.
39. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the discussions with New Hampshire State officials that the Embassy of Ireland in Washington had on their recent visit to New England; if he envisages that any new links will be established, either with the diaspora, in terms of trade or otherwise, between the US State and here in the near future [21901/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ambassador to the United States, Michael Collins, accompanied by the Consul General for the New England area, Michael Lonergan, visited New Hampshire on April 26 where they met with Governor Maggie Hassan in the State capital, Concord. Ambassador Collins and Governor Hassan discussed a number of issues of mutual interest to Ireland and New Hampshire, focusing heavily on trade and investment. The Ambassador also extended an invitation to the Governor to visit Ireland at some point in the future.
Later the Ambassador gave a public lecture on “Ireland and the EU: Economic Challenges and Recovery” at Saint Anselm College in the State’s largest city, Manchester to an audience drawn from the area’s business, political, academic and Irish American communities and answered a number of questions.
New Hampshire has strong historical links to Ireland, with over 280,000, or over one-fifth of the state’s population, claiming Irish ancestry. Such strong Diaspora connections are a tangible asset in developing Irish trade and investment links in the region. A number of Enterprise Ireland client companies have also opened offices recently in New Hampshire as an initial gateway to the United States marketplace. I hope this recent visit encourages further development of economic relations between New Hampshire and Ireland.
40. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of travel and subsistence both foreign and domestic claimed by each junior Minister and Secretary General in his Department for the period 2007 to date in 2013; the number of staff appointed by each Minister and junior Minister in his Department or constituency office and their relevant cost including travel and subsistence in each case for the period 2007 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amounts claimed by each Junior Minister and Secretary General in my Department for travel and subsistence and details of the number of staff appointed by each Minister and Junior Minister in my Department or constituency office to include costs for the period 2007 – 2013 are set out in the tables below. My Department is fully compliant with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel and also operates its own detailed internal travel guidelines which ensure cost effective travel practices. The central aim of the Departmental travel policy is to minimise official travel costs and achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with effective discharge of official duties. As the Deputy is aware the role and functions carried out by special advisors are set out in Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, TD
2011 to date
|
- |
2011 Salary |
2012 Salary |
2013 Salary |
Travel & Subsistence |
|
Chief Adviser (1) |
101,272 |
167,421 |
64,393 |
1,288 |
|
Economic Adviser (1) |
122,214 |
154,465 |
59,410 |
1,196 |
|
Special Adviser (2) |
50,130 |
82,348 |
32,488 |
1,637 |
|
- |
9,643 |
30,683 |
820 |
|
|
Personal Assistant (2) |
38,691 |
65,896 |
25,162 |
- |
|
49,625 |
63,865 |
25,339 |
- |
|
|
Personal Secretary (2) |
27,805 |
45,781 |
16,728 |
- |
|
- |
4,109 |
9,130 |
- |
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michéal Martin, TD
2008 – 2011
|
- |
2008 Salary |
2009 Salary |
2010 Salary |
2011 Salary |
Travel & Subsistence |
|
Special Adviser (2) |
60,883 |
109,830 |
194,478 |
7,824 |
3,591 |
|
59,787 |
106,214 |
72,969 |
- |
1,886 |
|
|
- |
- |
46,552 |
6,449 |
- |
|
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
28,944 |
49,029 |
88,017 |
13,203 |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
21,516 |
39,267 |
77,014 |
5,649 |
313 |
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern, TD
2004 – 2008
|
- |
2007 Salary |
2008 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
Press Adviser (1) |
97,469 |
38,230 |
6,829 |
|
Special Adviser (1) |
107,117 |
37,048 |
3,816 |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
63,478 |
26,274 |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
57,980 |
23,527 |
- |
Minister for State for European Affairs, Ms. Lucinda Creighton, TD
2011 to date
|
- |
2011 Salary |
2012 Salary |
2013 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Lucinda Creighton |
- |
- |
- |
34,917 |
|
Special Adviser (1) |
29,649 |
63,146 |
24,629 |
5,146 |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
2,992 |
52,201 |
20,236 |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
23,705 |
42,149 |
16,099 |
- |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
22,779 |
35,649 |
12,184 |
418 |
|
25,902 |
36,912 |
12,003 |
1,092 |
Minister for State for European Affairs, Mr. Dick Roche, TD
2007 - 2011
|
- |
2007 Salary |
2008 Salary |
2009 Salary |
2010 Salary |
2011 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Dick Roche |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
97,853 |
|
Special Adviser (1) |
47,729 |
93,251 |
98,521 |
92,496 |
29,938 |
2,707 |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
28,107 |
53,700 |
54,840 |
51,389 |
20,449 |
12,124 |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
25,022 |
46,745 |
47,240 |
44,475 |
14,102 |
46 |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
19,058 |
38,484 |
43,051 |
36,129 |
8,321 |
60,842 |
|
16,517 |
41,458 |
44,502 |
35,316 |
8,141 |
50,438 |
Minister for State for European Affairs, Mr Noel Treacy, TD
2004 - 2007
|
- |
2007 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Noel Tracey |
- |
37,884 |
|
Special Adviser (1) |
43,282 |
1,582 |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
23,081 |
- |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
14,924 |
8,027 |
|
14,924 |
7,155 |
Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello, TD
December 2011 to date
|
- |
2011 Salary |
2012 Salary |
2013 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Joe Costello |
- |
- |
- |
8,518 |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
- |
45,224 |
20,603 |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
- |
49,346 |
19,777 |
- |
Minister of State for Trade and Development, Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, TD
2011
|
- |
2011 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Jan O’Sullivan |
- |
11,580 |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
38,759 |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
34.777 |
- |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
23,736 |
2,809 |
|
22,743 |
3,003 |
Minister of State for Development Cooperation, Mr. Peter Power, TD
2008 - 2011
|
- |
2008 Salary |
2009 Salary |
2010 Salary |
2011 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Peter Power |
- |
- |
- |
- |
65,911 |
|
Special Adviser (1) |
51,225 |
93,267 |
89,825 |
28,518 |
- |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
32,219 |
69,534 |
61,563 |
21,842 |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (2) |
25,436 |
49,403 |
24,164 |
5,653 |
- |
|
- |
3,554 |
27,535 |
4,008 |
- |
|
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
21,504 |
37,085 |
9,099 |
- |
13,698 |
|
21,504 |
39,764 |
35,858 |
7,960 |
28,082 |
|
|
- |
11,346 |
38,024 |
7,283 |
12,552 |
Minister of State for Development Cooperation, Mr. Michael Kitt, TD
2007 - 2008
|
- |
2007 Salary |
2008 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Michael Kitt |
- |
- |
33,110 |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
29,851 |
- |
- |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
24,494 |
- |
- |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
- |
- |
8,572 |
|
17,152 |
- |
9,801 |
Minister of State for Development Cooperation, Mr. Conor Lenihan, TD
2004 - 2007
|
- |
2007 Salary |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
MoS Conor Lenihan |
- |
9,080 |
|
Personal Assistant (1) |
20,113 |
926 |
|
Personal Secretary (1) |
27,294 |
- |
|
Civilian Driver (2) |
14,924 |
1,820 |
|
16,250 |
5,107 |
Secretaries General - Travel and Subsistence
|
- |
Date |
Travel and Subsistence |
|
David Cooney |
2009 - to date |
11,127 |
|
Dermot Gallagher |
2007 - 2009 |
16,066 |
41. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the impact on the small and medium enterprises sector in charges to bank changes including interest rates changes, over the past two years; and the steps taken by his Department to address this matter with the banking sector. [21935/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy and will play a vital role in the recovery of employment growth in our country. It is also very conscious of the costs faced by SMEs in doing business and one of the aims of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 is to reduce controllable costs of doing business. I have no statutory function in relation to business interest rate decisions made by individual lending institutions at any particular time. The decisions financial institutions operating in Ireland make on the interest rates they charge to customers are commercial decisions for the institutions concerned. Interest rates are determined by a broad range of factors including ECB base rates, deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment, and an institution’s overall funding.
42. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21939/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government agreed with the recommendation of the “Thornhill Group” – the expert group that advised on the design of the Local Property Tax (LPT) – that the tax should be centred on the principles of equity, transparency and simplicity. It was also considered that a universal liability should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions. In making its recommendations for exemptions and for deferrals, the group had regard to the following criteria:
- Ability to pay;
- Reliefs create costs which have to be paid for, either by taxpayers who do not benefit from the relief or by reductions in public expenditure;
- Reliefs should be designed to address clear economic and social policy needs;
- Care needs to be taken in designing relief to ensure they are targeted based on need, and there are not unintended and inequitably distributed gains;
- The LPT is intended to be a tax on the benefit from ownership of a residential property;
- Such residential properties have monetary and non-monetary values which are independent of incomes;
- And that the LPT is not assessed on incomes.
While there are few exemptions from the charge to LPT, an exemption is available where a residential property was previously occupied by a person as his or her sole or main residence and has been vacated by the person for 12 months or more due to long term mental or physical infirmity and is not occupied by any other person. The system of deferrals outlined in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, as amended, is targeted at cases of need, and has reference to income stressed home owners, allowing enhanced deferrals where there is low income and liability to mortgage interest. A liability for LPT will arise where a person owns a residential property on the liability date, which is 1 May 2013 for the year 2013. The LPT is a self-assessed tax and therefore liable persons are obliged to calculate the tax due based on their assessment of the market value of their property, file their return by the relevant deadline and pay the tax due. The tax is in place for a half year in 2013 and for a full year from 2014 onwards.
Revenue has put in place a wide range of payment options to enable liable persons to select the one that best suits their circumstances, to will allow them to pay their LPT liability in full, or to pay by instalments in various ways, including by deduction at source from certain Department of Social Protection payments. This is intended to assist with budgeting by allowing liable persons to pay the tax in equal instalments.
For liable persons who choose not to make an LPT Return, the Revenue Commissioners have a duty, in the interests of fairness and equity to those who are compliant, to take effective follow-up action to recover the tax from the non-compliant. This may mean that tax clearance certificates will not be issued where there is failure to pay LPT. I believe the vast majority of people will want to be compliant with the LPT, as they are with other taxes legislated for by the Oireachtas. Revenue is making it as easy as possible for people to comply with their obligations to submit an LPT return and either make arrangements to pay their LPT charge or avail of a deferral of the charge if they are eligible.
For individuals on low incomes or whose only income is from the Department of Social Protection, the LPT legislation provides for the possibility to defer the charge to LPT in certain cases where specified conditions are met. The deferral system focuses on ability to pay the tax and is based on the income of the liable person, with increased limits where there is liability to mortgage interest. A person who qualifies for full deferral can opt to defer 100% of the LPT liability. A person who qualifies for partial deferral can opt to defer 50% of the liability and must pay the balance of LPT. In all deferral cases interest will be charged on LPT amounts deferred at a rate of just under 4% simple interest per annum. This is half the rate of interest that applies in cases of non-compliance with LPT and other taxes, where a daily rate of 0.0219% - just under 8% per annum – is applied to the outstanding amount from the payment date to the date the tax is paid. The deferred amount, including the interest, will attach to the property and will have to be paid before the property is sold or transferred.
The Government does not propose at this time to introduce a wealth tax but all taxes and potential taxation options are constantly reviewed.
