Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Written Answers Nos 373-395

Social Welfare Benefits Numbers

Ceisteanna (373)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

373. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons on full-time benefits who are not recorded on the live register at Bandon, County Cork for each of the past five years. [23029/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The information requested by the Deputy is collated, at county level only, by my Department annually for inclusion in the Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services report which is laid before the Dáil when published and copies lodged in the Oireachtas library. Furthermore these reports are available to the public at www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Annual-Statistical-Information-Reports.aspx.

I set out below, for the Deputy’s convenience, a tabular statement detailing the number of persons living in County Cork at the 31st of December in each of the years 2008 to 2012 and in receipt of a Social Welfare payment by payment type, where available, that are not recorded on the live register.

Recipients of Social Welfare Payments in County Cork, 2008 to 2012 (Payments not recorded on the Live Register)

Payment	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	10,916	10,755	10,623	10,509	10,325
State Pension (Contributory)	24,827	26,231	27,885	29,714	31,643
State Pension (Transition)	718	899	1,054	1,248	1,420
Widow, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension	12,500	12,737	12,868	12,976	13,076
Death Benefit	93	91	94	93	92
One Parent Family Payment(1)	8,609	9,195	9,413	5,747	5,712
Widow, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Non-Contributory Pension	184	169	176	186	170
Deserted Wife's Allowance	65	60	53	43	33
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	3,844	4,570	3,661	3,535	3,765
Farm Assist	582	757	917	957	922
Pre-Retirement Allowance	1,055	918	743	613	466
Other Supplements(2)	2,584	2,317	2,112	1,839	1,588
Deserted Wife's Benefit	857	830	791	771	741
Maternity Benefit	2,757	2,704	2,798	2,761	2,695
Health and Safety Benefit	5	3	9	8	9
Back to Education	877	1,276	1,938	2,166	2,219
Back to Work Allowance	781	643	897	1,044	986
Short-Term Enterprise Allowance	N/Avail	N/Avail	167	117	80
Part-Time Job Incentive	18	11	12	14	0
Community Employment Programme(3)	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	2,122
Tús -Community Work Placement Scheme(4)	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	531
Rural Social Scheme(5)	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	170
Disability Allowance	11,696	12,230	12,389	12,625	12,456
Blind Pension	120	122	122	129	126
Carer's Allowance	4,994	5,545	5,840	5,944	5,995
Domiciliary Care Allowance	N/Avail	N/Avail	3,430	3,488	3,560
Illness Benefit	9,379	9,820	10,228	9,384	8,331
Interim Illness Benefit	66	48	48	30	58
Injury Benefit	91	87	100	83	95
Invalidity Pension	7,251	7,061	6,797	6,632	6,601
Disablement Benefit	1,902	1,909	1,948	1,983	2,011
Incapacity Supplement(6)	111	114	114	112	111
Partial Capacity Benefit(7)	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	101
Respite Care Grant(8)	N/Avail	762	668	586	514
Carer's Benefit	245	210	200	197	208
Family Income Supplement	2,856	2,709	2,959	3,016	3,372
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance	N/Avail	N/Avail	N/Avail	19,643	18,308
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)	23	25	14	35	38
Guardian's Payment (Contributory)	63	62	61	61	57
Child Benefit (Families)	67,240	68,084	66,691	67,349	68,423
Child Benefit (Children)	129,251	131,083	126,867	128,260	130,746
Rent Supplement	8,538	10,603	10,988	10,732	9,878
Mortgage Interest Supplement	826	1,471	1,737	1,710	1,235
Local Authority Mortgage Interest Supplement	45	26	18	16	8

(1) The methodology used for the county breakdown of One Parent Family Payment recipients was revised from 2011 onwards.

(2) Includes Diet, Heating and Travel.

(3) Responsibility for the expenditure in relation to FÁS Employment and Community Schemes transferred to the Department in January 2011 and information prior to 2011 is not available.

(4) Tús commenced in early 2011.

(5) Rural Social Scheme transferred to the Department of Social Protection in September, 2010.

(6) Incapacity Supplement is paid as a supplement to Disablement Benefit

(7) Partial Capacity Benefit commenced February 2013.

(8) The number of recipients of Respite Care Grant reported are those who are not in receipt of any other Carer's payment (Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance). There are approximately a further 65,000 Respite Care Grant recipients who qualify for payment automatically under the terms of the relevant scheme.

Community Work Initiatives

Ceisteanna (374)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

374. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the services that will be rolled out in the Cork area under the Intreo scheme. [23030/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

As the Deputy will be aware, INTREO is the name for the new service model of the Department integrating the employment services and community programmes formerly of FÁS, and the Community Welfare Services (CWS) formerly of the HSE and the income support services provided by the Department itself.

INTREO’s one-stop-shop offices includes a single integrated decision-making team that integrates and streamlines the processes formerly undertaken by the different agencies now amalgamated into the Department. Already clients are seeing the benefits of the integrated decisions process in pilot offices in terms of shorter decision times and in the reduced recourse to supplementary payments in offices where integrated decisions are in operation.

More importantly the service model is focused on existing clients to prepare for and access work opportunities. As part of this approach, the clients are asked to sign a ‘social contract’ with the Department. The client acknowledges their responsibility to work to secure employment at the earliest possible opportunity, on the understanding that failure to adhere to those undertakings may result in the reduction or withdrawal of income support payments.

To support the client in this endeavour, the most significant elements of the Intreo approach are:

i) Profiling of clients to inform the approach taken to activation (e.g. training, work experience etc)

ii) Early engagement with clients through group engagement sessions – this informs clients of options and services available to them

iii) One to one interviews with case managers to support the client develop and follow a Personal Progression Plan and to assist the client to access activation and employment opportunities.

INTREO is also refocusing the Department’s relationship with employers with a range of events at national and local level to increase the Department’s engagement with employers and to increase their recruitment of employees from the Live Register.

Pensions Reform

Ceisteanna (375)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

375. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will take steps to review the rules applicable to pension payments, whereby in a pension fund wind-up situation, existing pensioners retain their full entitlements, but workers who had not yet retired lose virtually all of their entitlements; if she will ensure that such workers are properly catered for in wind-up situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23048/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The issue of how the assets of a pension scheme are distributed on the wind-up of a pension scheme is a sensitive and complex issue and one which requires careful consideration before any change is made to the current provisions.

My officials have undertaken a detailed review of this matter. This review involved consultation with all stakeholder representatives and the engagement of consultants to advise on the matter. This review has now been completed and the outcome of the review is being considered at present.

European Court of Justice Rulings

Ceisteanna (376)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

376. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in view of the recent ECJ judgment in regard to the Waterford Crystal workers' pension entitlements, she will take steps to put in place an appropriate scheme to protect workers' pension rights when an employer becomes insolvent and the relevant pension fund to which contributions had been made is in deficit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23049/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The ruling by the European Court of Justice was in response to a reference by the High Court seeking clarification of the interpretation of European law emanating from EU Directive 2008/94EC on the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer. Following the ECJ ruling, the matter will now revert to the High Court for consideration. Given this matter remains before the courts it would not be appropriate that I comment further on any aspects of or possible issues arising from the case at this time. Careful and detailed consideration will of course be given to the ruling of the European Court of Justice and of the outcomes of the case before the High Court.

Question No. 377 withdrawn.

Child Benefit Payments

Ceisteanna (378)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

378. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make her intentions clear regarding the future of child benefit; if child benefit will be cut in order to fund additional free preschool care; if her attention has been drawn to the distress, fear and upset being caused as a result of these reports; if her attention has been drawn to the importance of child benefit in assisting families in keeping their heads above water; if she will give an assurance that child benefit will not be cut any further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23066/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Child benefit is a universal payment that assists parents with the cost of raising children and it contributes towards alleviating child poverty. The estimated expenditure on child benefit in 2013 is around €1.9 billion and it is currently paid to around 611,000 families in respect of some 1.16 million children.

The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, can be an important source of income for all families, especially during a time of recession and high unemployment. The social protection system also provides assistance to low income families with children through the payment of qualified child increases on primary social welfare payments and through the family income supplement payment. Both of these provide a level of assistance which is directly or indirectly linked with a household’s income situation.

Achieving a better design of the overall system of child income supports, including child benefit, raises complex issues about the effectiveness and the efficiency of the full range of income supports currently provided to families and their children. In this context and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare, which has been tasked with recommending cost-effective solutions as to how employment disincentives can be improved and better poverty outcomes can be achieved, particularly child poverty outcomes. The Advisory Group prioritised the area of family and child income supports and its report on this issue was published in February.

This report makes important recommendations on how child benefit could be maintained as a universal payment while reforming the current system of child and family income supports so as to better target those who need these supports most. Given the range of complex issues involved, including fiscal, operational and legal considerations, as well as the implications for reforms in terms of child poverty and employment incentive outcomes, the Government has made no decision at this time on the core recommendations of the report. It is the Government’s intention that the report will now contribute to the policy debate on the matter. In considering the proposals to reform the structure of child and family income support payments, including the balance between income supports and services, such as childcare, I expect that Government will also take into account further work by the Advisory Group on the issue of social protection and taxation supports for working age persons and more general developments in the budgetary and fiscal situation.

The provision of childcare services, such as those supported by the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme, is primarily a policy matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald T.D. However, any proposal to fund additional childcare services from cuts to the child benefit scheme would require a Government decision within an overall budgetary context on which no indications can be given at the present time.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options

Ceisteanna (379)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

379. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when persons with turbary rights on a bog (details supplied) in County Laois will be granted rights at an alternative location; the number of persons still waiting for this matter to be resolved in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22167/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Fifty-five applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme have been received and acknowledged by my Department in respect of the raised bog special area of conservation referred to in the Deputy’s Question. 10 of these applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. 40 payments and 5 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of the applications received.

Bord na Móna undertook a preliminary assessment of a potential relocation site for those applicants who have expressed an interest in relocation, on behalf of my Department. On the basis of this assessment, Bord na Móna undertook a stratigraphy assessment of this site in order to get a better indication of the quality and quantity of peat there. The stratigraphy report has recently been received by my Department. An official from the Department has been in contact with a turf cutter representative from the raised bog special area of conservation in order to arrange a meeting with a view to discussing the report and other relevant issues. A reply is awaited from this representative.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (380)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

380. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when residents who were involved in cutting turf on a bog (details supplied) will receive their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22178/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Twenty-six applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme have been received and acknowledged by my Department in respect of the raised bog special area of conservation referred to in the Deputy’s Question. 5 of these applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. 6 payments have been made in respect of the applications received.

I am advised that representatives of a group of 16 of these applicants had requested that no payments or turf deliveries be made to individuals within this group until outstanding issues have been dealt with, in particular, as regards relocation to a non-designated bog. My Department has acceded to this request but is willing to process payments or deliveries of turf if any of the qualifying applicants wish to proceed.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options

Ceisteanna (381)

Nicky McFadden

Ceist:

381. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding turf-cutting at Lough Sheelin bog; if alternative bog will be provided for those who wish to continue turf-cutting; if his Department has been engaging with the Lough Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Eighty-eight applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme have been received and acknowledged by my Department in respect of Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs raised bog special area of conservation (also known as Lough Sheelin Bog). 12 of these applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog. 71 payments and 2 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of the applications received.

I am advised that Bord na Móna has undertaken preliminary assessments of five potential relocation sites for turf cutters from Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs, on behalf of my Department. On the basis of this assessment of two of the sites, Bord na Móna is to undertake a stratigraphy assessment of these sites in order to get a better indication of the quality and quantity of peat there. The assessment of the other three sites indicates that they would not be suitable relocation sites.

My Department has written to those applicants, who qualify under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme on the basis of self-certification and who have expressed an interest in relocation, updating them on the situation.

Officials from my Department met with representatives from the Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association on 9 May 2012. Replies have also been made to a number of representations from the Association. My officials would be willing to meet with representatives of the Association again if they so wish.

A payment of €1,500, index-linked, or a supply of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum is available under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme to qualifying applicants from Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs while awaiting relocation to a non-designated bog. For those applicants opting for the delivery of turf while awaiting relocation, there is flexibility in the provision of additional turf to other family members who had been cutting on the same bog plot.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (382)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

382. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total capital and current spending for each of the Gaeltachts in each of the years 2002 to 2012. [22488/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy is aware, my Department, which was established in June 2011, administers and delivers a wide range of programmes in the Gaeltacht, descriptions of which are available at www.ahg.gov.ie. Details of expenditure for Gaeltacht areas in general are available in the various annual reports published by my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta. While expenditure under these programme areas takes place throughout the Gaeltacht, it is not possible to give a county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. For example, a number of my Department’s Gaeltacht programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies that operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no detailed breakdown held by my Department on a county basis. In addition, groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not necessarily constituted on a single-county basis.

In view of the large volumes of payments and grants involved on an ongoing basis, it is not clear that it would be feasible to compile and collate the breakdown of expenditure sought by the Deputy. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I would be glad to seek to provide him with relevant information in that regard. Similarly, if the Deputy would like specific information in relation to a particular scheme, I would be glad to arrange to have any such request from him examined.

Job Creation Numbers

Ceisteanna (383)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

383. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of new jobs created as well as jobs lost for each of the Gaeltacht areas for each of the years 2002 to 2012. [22489/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. The final table provides information in respect of employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies at the end of 2012.

2002

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	288	639	-351
Mayo	92	97	-5
Galway	306	497	-191
Meath	65	52	+13
Kerry	88	69	+19
Cork	57	65	-8
Waterford	14	13	+1
Total	910	1432	-522

2003

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	371	651	-280
Mayo	124	77	+47
Galway	354	338	+16
Meath	21	23	-2
Kerry	122	96	+26
Cork	43	73	-30
Waterford	17	19	-2
Total	1052	1277	-225

2004

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	528	390	+138
Mayo	91	115	-24
Galway	278	247	+31
Meath	5	5	0
Kerry	91	92	-1
Cork	59	56	+3
Waterford	19	5	+14
Total	1071	910	+161

2005

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	286	292	-6
Mayo	121	88	+33
Galway	324	309	+15
Meath	41	5	+36
Kerry	159	95	+64
Cork	54	34	+20
Waterford	8	19	-11
Total	993	842	+151

2006

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	350	257	+93
Mayo	135	60	+75
Galway	408	351	+57
Meath	3	29	-26
Kerry	161	142	+19
Cork	102	48	+54
Waterford	27	4	+23
Total	1186	891	+295

2007

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	372	371	+1
Mayo	154	78	+76
Galway	280	276	+4
Meath	17	22	-5
Kerry	147	158	-11
Cork	58	59	-1
Waterford	10	1	+9
Total	1038	965	+73

2008

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	357	319	+38
Mayo	109	152	-43
Galway	527	368	+159
Meath	24	31	-7
Kerry	155	160	-5
Cork	80	55	+25
Waterford	17	17	0
Total	1269	1102	+167

2009

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	204	429	-225
Mayo	69	200	-131
Galway	293	416	-123
Meath	5	58	-53
Kerry	109	197	-88
Cork	22	111	-89
Waterford	8	20	-12
Total	710	1431	-721

2010

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	194	437	-243
Mayo	48	180	-132
Galway	249	284	-35
Meath	34	11	+23
Kerry	77	100	-23
Cork	98	84	+14
Waterford	4	6	-2
Total	704	1102	-398

2011

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	259	390	-131
Mayo	109	35	+74
Galway	178	238	-60
Meath	19	14	+5
Kerry	89	96	-7
Cork	68	50	+18
Waterford	12	15	-3
Total	734	838	-104

2012

County	Jobs created	Jobs lost	Net figures
Donegal	223	212	+11
Mayo	89	53	+36
Galway	235	259	-24
Meath	19	48	-29
Kerry	68	92	-24
Cork	35	58	-23
Waterford	20	4	+16
Total	689	726	-37

Employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies (2012 year-end)

County	Employment figures
Donegal	1878
Mayo	711
Galway	2730
Meath	161
Kerry	706
Cork	610
Waterford	137
Total	6933

Údarás na Gaeltachta Expenditure

Ceisteanna (384, 385, 386)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

384. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown of total spending on salaries for full-time personnel at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Galway headquarters and at the regional office in Donegal, for the period 2002 to 2012 per person, per year. [22490/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

385. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown of total spending on expenses including travel and other for full-time personnel at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Galway headquarters, and regional office employees in Donegal for the period 2002 to 2012 per person, per year. [22491/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

386. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a breakdown of fees and expenses for all board members of Údarás na Gaeltachta for 2002-2012. [22492/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 to 386, inclusive, together

The Deputy will appreciate that the details sought by him are extensive and, accordingly, it has not been possible to collate the requested information in the time available. Údarás na Gaeltachta has been requested to supply the relevant data as soon as possible and I can assure the Deputy that it will be forwarded directly to him when it becomes available.

Special Protection Areas Appeals

Ceisteanna (387)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

387. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of special areas of conservation or special protection areas appeals outstanding; the date on which each outstanding appeal was received by his Department; when it is intended to finalise these appeals; the reason for the delay with the appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22534/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

There are some 481 appeals outstanding in respect of special areas of conservation and special protection areas. The majority of these appeals are at Stage 2 of the appeals process where appellants have opted for formal hearings of their cases before the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board.

The time taken to process appeals depends on a variety of factors. These can include difficulties encountered by landowners in identifying accurately to my Department the lands they wish to have excluded from a site, the production of scientific reports and arranging formal appeal hearings at times which are suitable to all parties involved. Every effort is being made to process appeals as quickly as possible. It should be noted that the number of appeals on hand has halved in the last year or so.

The information requested regarding the date outstanding appeals were received in the Department is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. It should be noted that it will not be possible to disclose information on individual appellants for data protection reasons.

Air Services Provision

Ceisteanna (388, 389, 390)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

388. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when consultants were appointed to carry out detailed design, costing and tender documents for the construction phase of the provision of air terminals in Cluain Leacht an Abba, Cleggan and on Inisbofin; when it is expected this work will be completed; the name of the consultants appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22551/13]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

389. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date that planning permission was granted for the provision of air-terminals on Inishbofin and at Cluain Leacht an Abba, Cleggan; the date these permissions will expire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22552/13]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

390. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason that the airstrips on Inishbofin and Cleggan are not licensed and open for use by private aircraft, in view of the tourist potential of these airstrips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22553/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 390, inclusive, together.

The consultants, Malachy Walsh & Partners, were appointed by my Department on 9 February 2011 to carry out a detailed design and costing and to prepare tender documents for the construction phase of the provision of terminals at Cluain Leacht an Abba, Cleggan and on Inishbofin. Tenders for the construction phase have not been sought at this stage. Planning permission for construction of the terminals was granted on 12 December 2011 and will expire on 12 December 2016.

Since the airstrips are not open or licensed for use by the Irish Aviation Authority, landing aircraft on them is strictly prohibited. I am certain that the Deputy will agree that my Department could not stand over a situation whereby aircraft are landing and taking off without permission on State property.

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Ceisteanna (391)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

391. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22783/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the staff (whole time equivalent) of my department and the bodies under its aegis is set out in the following table.

Salary Band €	Department of Arts Heritage and Gaeltacht.	Bodies under the aegis of the Department.
0 - 20,000	22.1	42.38
20,001 - 30,000	56.44	251.99
30,001 - 40,000	195.8	327.48
40,001 - 50,000	115.99	156.63
50,001 - 60,000	77	126.92
60,001 - 70,000	49.53	58.85
70,001 - 80,000	29	53.95
80,001 - 90,000	18.8	21
90,001 - 100,000	9	17
100,001 - 125,000	5	12
125,001 - 150,000	4	2
150,001 - 175,000	0	0
175,000 - 200,000	1	0
Total	583.66	1070.2

There is no officer currently serving in the Department or the agencies earning a salary in excess of €200,000.

The provided figures exclude approximately 60 temporary seasonal staff employed by my Department on an annual basis. The total salary of each temporary seasonal staff member is less than €30,000.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (392)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

392. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political-ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisors, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22869/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy will be aware my Department was established on 2 June 2011. Overtime is not payable to officers above the grade of Higher Executive Officer, including ministerial advisors and secretaries general. Ministerial drivers are also ineligible for overtime payments. The amount of overtime, and other payments due in respect of additional attendance, in the case of each eligible political/ministerial appointee are set out in the following tables.

Minister	€
Personal Assistant to Minister	15,907
Personal Secretary to Minister	15,226
Civilian driver	1,895
Civilian driver	1,516
Totals	34,544

Minister of State	€
Personal Assistant to Minister of State	14,983
Personal Secretary to Minister of State 1	308
Personal Secretary to Minister of State 2	9,974
Civilian driver	2,653
Civilian driver	1,137
Totals	29,055

1 40% Workingsharing pattern

2 58% Workingsharing pattern

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Ceisteanna (393)

Seán Kyne

Ceist:

393. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made to date of the various actions as set out across the nine areas of action in the Twenty Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 - 2030. [22922/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 recognises that the implementation of the various measures contained therein requires a phased approach. While my Department has the overarching responsibility for the Strategy, it is working in co-operation with other key stakeholders to implement the Strategy on an incremental basis within available resources. Priority was given during 2011 to implementing the Strategy’s establishment phase. This involved providing information about the Strategy and establishing the organisational and operational structures required for its implementation. Priority was given during 2012 to legislative matters. The enactment of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 was a significant achievement as it provides for a statutory language planning process, both within and outside the existing Gaeltacht, and for a statutory role in this regard for Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, as appropriate. Priority is being given in 2013 to instituting the language planning process in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge.

My Department is actively engaging with a wide range of key stakeholders under the auspices of an Inter-Departmental Group, which I chair, and other high-level working groups regarding the implementation of those aspects of the Strategy that are relevant to their areas of responsibility. As a result, it is envisaged that the various key stakeholders will be in a position to publish their implementation plans for the Strategy later this year. It is also envisaged that a report on the overall progress made in implementing the Strategy to date will be published later this year.

Ministerial Correspondence

Ceisteanna (394)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

394. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm having received a letter from an organisation (details supplied); if the leasing agreement required therein will be expedited and finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23046/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I can confirm to the Deputy that I am in receipt of such correspondence. I have been informed that the draft lease agreement between the parties was issued by the lessee to the solicitors for the lessor yesterday, the 13th May 2013. On confirmation of their acceptance of the lease, the formal lease will be issued to them for execution.

Fisheries Protection

Ceisteanna (395)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will develop a coherent and viable policy that will allow for the phased reopening of traditional salmon drift netting in a controlled and structured way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22213/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Fergus O'Dowd)

In 2006 following a Government decision to align with the scientific advice, indiscriminate mixed stock salmon fishing at sea was ceased. Expert scientific advice available showed that the marine survival of salmon in the North Atlantic has decreased significantly in the previous decades. It was in this context and to afford every protection to the remaining stocks that the decision to cease indiscriminate mixed stock fishing was taken.

In 2007, I understand that a Salmon Hardship Scheme of €25m was established to address any hardship experienced by affected commercial salmon licence holders. In addition, I also understand that a further €5m was allocated to a Community Support Scheme which was directed primarily at those communities where commercial salmon fishing had been a well-established activity and where its withdrawal demonstrably impacted on the economic and social fabric.

On foot of the decision to prioritise conservation the harvest of salmon by any means is restricted to those individual stocks of rivers that are judged by the scientific advice as meeting their conservation limits. Commercial fishing and recreational angling can continue only where there is a scientifically identified exploitable surplus within the genetically discrete stock in each individual river. Overall the estimate of total Irish spawning salmon over the past decade is only 52% of that in the 1970’s.

In this regard, and in the mixed stock context pertaining as stocks migrate during the at sea phase of their life-cycle, it is not possible to identify the discrete stocks of salmon emanating from individual rivers which are above their conservation limit. Such mixed stock fishing activity would be irresponsible in that the possibility of disaggregating those genetically individual river stocks (including stocks from other countries) within a large mixed migratory body of fish is impossible. To permit targeting of such mixed stocks would expose vulnerable individual river stocks, which are not meeting conservation limits, to indiscriminate and unsustainable harvesting. Consequently the question of reopening drift net salmon fishing does not arise.