Written Answers Nos. 186-93
186. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether all senior appointments to taxpayer-funded positions in the public service under the remit of his Department, including appointment to State boards, should be publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3194/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternal appointments to senior positions in my Department are made in accordance with guidelines set down by the Commission on Public Service Appointments. External recruitment to such appointments would normally be a matter for the Public Appointments Service and the Top Level Appointments Committee as appropriate.
As regards appointments to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department the position is that since May 2011, a notification has been placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to such boards. On 20 December 2013 last, I placed an advertisement in the National Newspapers inviting expressions of interest. All expressions of interest lapse at the end of each calendar year.
187. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new agencies and State bodies established since 9 March 2011 under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3230/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not established any agency or State Body since 9 March 2011.
188. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of outsourcing that has been achieved in his Department since the letter sent by the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2012; the names of the outsourcing companies that have been involved; the total savings achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3261/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has, for many years, made extensive use of outsourcing to effect service delivery. Notwithstanding the relatively high pre-existing level of outsourcing by my Department, together with increased internal efficiencies garnered from increasing use of ICT in service provision and business processing, and staff availability due to radical office rationalisation, we continue, on an ongoing basis, to review service provision with a view to enlisting external providers where the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs of internal provision, bearing in mind the quality of service, effectiveness and public interest.
Since March 2012 the issuing of EU Pet Passports has been transferred to private veterinary practitioners leading to savings in staff costs of €72,000 p.a. and gross annual revenue of €100,000 - €120,000.
189. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of semi-State companies under the remit of his Department that have paid bonuses to its employees in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if he will identify these semi-State companies; the number of employees and the level of bonuses paid; his views on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3694/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently twelve State Bodies under the remit of my Department. Of these, eight are non commercial entities and four are commercial entities.
|
Non-Commercial Bodies |
Commercial Bodies |
|
Aqua licensing Appeals Board |
Bord na gCon |
|
Bord Bia |
Coillte |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
Horse Racing Ireland |
|
Marine Institute |
Irish National Stud |
|
National Milk Agency |
- |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Agency |
- |
|
Teagasc |
- |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
- |
No bonuses were paid to staff of the non commercial State Bodies for the years in question. With regards to the commercial State Bodies, my Department works within the guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to remuneration levels of Chief Executive Officers. No bonuses were paid to the Chief Executive Officers of Bord na gCon, Coillte, Horse Racing Ireland or the Irish National Stud Co Ltd for the years in question.
190. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of all moneys allocated to Waterford Regional Hospital from 2007 to 2014. [2982/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra191. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide detail on the level of funding to Waterford Regional Hospital in 2014; and the way it compares with 2013. [2983/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.
In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
192. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeframe as to when the five academic posts committed to in the Higgins report for Waterford Regional Hospital will be appointed. [2984/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need to fill the following consultant posts at Waterford Regional Hospital, two colorectal consultants, two anaesthetists and one gastroenterologist; if the positions have been advertised; and when will they be filled. [2985/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to improve cardiology services at Waterford Regional Hospital; the new posts that will be advertised and filled; and if 24/7 cardiology services will be provided at Waterford Regional Hospital as part of the roll-out of the Higgins report. [2991/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 193 and 199 together.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
