Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:117. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out the cost of building the wall and car park at the front of an abbey (details supplied) in County Meath. [8823/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOffice of Public Works Expenditure
Ceisteanna (117)
Freagraí scríofa
The cost of building the wall and carpark at Bective Abbey, Navan Co. Meath, which is completed, was €200,591.06, which includes OPW staff wages of approx €125,000.
Office of Public Works Properties
Ceisteanna (118)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:118. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 29 January 2014, if the Office of Public Works has responsibility for the old Land Commission schemes that were not taken in charge by the public trustee (details supplied); if it is the case that the Office of Public Works does not have responsibility for these embankments if he will confirm precisely who has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8642/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works does not have legal responsibility for the maintenance of former Land Commission embankments in County Kerry or elsewhere around the country. The only exception to this is when a former Land Commission embankment is incorporated into an OPW flood relief scheme. This is the case with the Maine Scheme at Garrane, North of Killorglin where OPW are currently undertaking emergency works.
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to PQ number 68 of 29 January that following the abolition of the Land Commission, a Public Trustee administers a fund that was intended to provide for maintenance of the former Land Commission embankments. It has since been made known to me that this Public Trustee is only responsible for 98 individual trusts with embankments or sluices. There is, as previously stated little, if any, funds remaining for maintenance of any of these structures. My Office is not aware of who, precisely, is responsible for the balance of these embankments but maintenance works have, in some places, been carried out on them by the relevant landowners.
It is a matter for Kerry County Council in the first instance to assess coastal protection issues in the locations concerned.
It is open to the Council to submit applications for works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for these locations. If applications are received, they will be considered in light of the Scheme criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
Data Protection
Ceisteanna (119)
Niall Collins
Ceist:119. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has established an information officer, if this person is in charge of developing and implementing data protection in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8749/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While my Department does not have a formal role of Information Officer, it is registered as a data controller and data processor, fully complies with the relevant data protection legislation and and has a nominated contact person to whom members of the public may address any applications for access to their personal data.
Coastal Protection
Ceisteanna (120)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:120. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding extensive storm damage to coastal-based businesses. [8875/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works does not have responsibility for the maintenance of the coastal area mentioned by the Deputy. OPW does not have a role regarding losses or damages to businesses.
Job Losses
Ceisteanna (121)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:121. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to set out his views on the impact the reduction in staff numbers from 22 employees to four in recent years in an office (details supplied) has had on the work of the office; if he will conduct an assessment of the way this might be impacting on the sales of precious metals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8659/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Assay Office is an independent test-laboratory, set up by Royal Charter in 1637, in which I as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation have no direct day to day role or responsibility.
Data Protection
Ceisteanna (122)
Niall Collins
Ceist:122. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has established an information officer, if this person is in charge of developing and implementing data protection in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8747/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's Freedom of Information Officer provides assistance to persons who wish to apply for access to information under the Freedom of Information Act 1997, as amended. This post was created following the coming into effect of the Freedom of Information Act in 1998 to ensure that the Department can effectively comply with its obligations as set down under the Act.
In addition, my Department has an assigned Data Protection Officer whose responsibilities include developing and implementing a data protection regime as well as providing assistance to persons who wish to apply for access to information regarding their own personal data. The Data Protection Officer also ensures the safeguarding the privacy rights of individuals in relation to the processing of personal data, in both paper and electronic formats, as set out in the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003.
Currently the responsibilities of Freedom of Information Officer and Data Protection Officer are held by different officers of the Department.
Work Permit Applications
Ceisteanna (123)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a person and spouse (details supplied) in Dublin 1 qualify for a work permit or work permit renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8780/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no record in my Department of a Work Permit application in respect of the persons named by the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension Appeals
Ceisteanna (124)
John O'Mahony
Ceist:124. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on invalidity pension appeal; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8604/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 9th January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
Invalidity Pension Appeals
Ceisteanna (125)
Dan Neville
Ceist:125. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on an invalidity pension application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [8608/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 13th January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 28th January 2014 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.