Written Answers Nos. 61 - 85
61. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection regarding the recent Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014, if fund values will be updated for deferred members of insolvent schemes; if this will apply retrospectively, that is, if deferred members who have been given a calculation of fund values will have those values increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37407/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA member of a defined benefit pension scheme has an option to either transfer their pension rights to another pension scheme or to leave their pension rights in the pension scheme attached to their former employment. If a scheme member elects to leave the pension rights in the scheme, these pension rights are preserved and revalued on an annual basis by the annual rate of CPI or 4% whichever is the lower. The Pensions rights of a scheme member are preserved from the date of the termination of employment. The issue of retrospection does not therefore arise. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 did not amend these provisions in the Pensions Act.
The revaluation provisions in the Pensions Act apply to all schemes and can only be superseded by another Act of the Oireachtas.
62. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider recognising Irish dancing as a cultural activity for the purposes of VAT rates; his plans to bring the VAT rate for Irish dancing classes into line with other cultural activities at 9%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37236/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to reducing the VAT rate applicable to Irish dancing, the VAT Directive does not allow for the application of a reduced VAT rate to dance lessons in general.
The Deputy refers to cultural activities. Paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 1 of the VAT Consolidation Act provides for an exemption for cultural services provided by recognised cultural bodies but Irish dance lessons are not provided by a recognised cultural body. I would point out that Schedule 1 does provide a VAT exemption for the promotion of, and admission to, live theatrical or musical performances where food or drink is not provided during the performances. It would appear that the admission fees to most feiseanna would benefit from this VAT exemption.
63. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Finance the number and percentage of households that have paid the local property tax in each of the postal districts in the Dublin City Council area; the average payment per household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37270/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that compliance data in relation to the Local Property Tax (LPT) is available broken down by city and county councils nationally and the most up to date figures for LPT collected in 2013 and 2014 were published in July 2014 on the Commissioners' website at: Local Property Tax Statistics July 2014 (PDF 192KB). I am also advised that the Commissioners do not break the LPT statistics down to postal district level.
The Commissioners have confirmed that by the end of December 2013, €318m had been transferred by Revenue to the Exchequer in respect of LPT and the 2014 LPT Exchequer receipts to 31 August 2014 are €363m. Exchequer receipts for LPT also include payments of Household Charge.
I am further advised by the Commissioners that they intend to publish updated compliance statistics in due course.
64. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37283/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for all years up to and including 2013 is available in the published Appropriation Accounts for the Vote on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The information in relation to 2014 is outlined in the following table:
|
Department of Finance 2014 |
Allocated budget (to 29/9/14) |
Outturn (29/9/14) |
|
Subhead |
€000 |
€000 |
|
A(i) Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
14,511 |
13,578 |
|
A(ii) Travel and Subsistence |
423 |
335 |
|
A(iii) Training, Development and Incidental Expenses |
657 |
568 |
|
A(iv) Postal and Telecommunications Services |
346 |
365 |
|
A(v) Office Equipment and External IT services |
620 |
567 |
|
A(vi) Office Premises Expenses |
343 |
234 |
|
A(vii) Consultancy and Other Services |
112 |
64 |
|
Programmes |
||
|
A - European Union and International Policy |
225 |
95 |
|
B - Financial Services Policy |
3,870 |
877 |
|
C - Fiscal Policy |
153 |
107 |
|
D - Economic Policy |
315 |
36 |
|
E - Provision of Shared Services |
324 |
20 |
|
Less Appropriations-in-Aid |
1,259 |
1,942 |
|
Net Expenditure |
20,640 |
14,904 |
65. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number and percentage of income earners that pay the higher rate of the universal social charge. [37339/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number and percentage of income earners that pay the lower rate of the universal social charge. [37340/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra67. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number and percentage of income earners who are exempt from the universal social charge. [37341/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 to 67, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated number and percentage of income earners that pay the Universal Social Charge (USC), with reference to 2015 incomes, is as set out in the following table.
|
USC Rate |
Number of Taxpayer Units |
% of Income Earners |
|
Exempt |
561,500 |
24 |
|
4% |
230,600 |
10 |
|
7% |
1,549,000 |
66 |
These figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000. There is a 2% USC rate, applicable to the first €10,036. However where an individual's total income for a year does not exceed €10,036, they are exempt from USC, thus there are effectively no cases on the 2% rate.
All figures above are estimates for 2015, using the latest actual data for the year 2012 adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are provisional and may be revised. A married couple or civil partners who have elected or have been deemed to have elected for joint assessment are counted as one tax unit.
68. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made regarding repairs to the embankment of Cromane lower, Killorglin, County Kerry, as adequate work is required to ensure that there are no repeats of flooding of homes and property as occurred in January and February; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37414/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will engage with Kerry County Council and the local community of Inchire Glenbeigh, County Kerry, for appropriate action and measures for flood defences consolidation to ensure that in the forthcoming winter that high tides and storms will not occur similar to January-February where residents endured flood damage to their properties and are living in fear of a repeat and having to temporarily vacate their homes; if he will make the necessary remedial arrangements in conjunction with Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37415/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.
The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing public infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13th December to 6th January 2014. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, up to €1,226,920 was being made available to the Council via the OPW to undertake the necessary repair works to damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure.
The estimates submitted by Kerry County Council to the DoECLG included for strengthening works at Incherea, Glenbeigh and both repair and strengthening works at Cromane Lower. However, strengthening works fall outside of the scope of the Government Decision. Only the repair element of projects such as that at Cromane Lower are covered under the allocation. The programme of works the Council submitted to the OPW detailing how it proposes to spend the total allocation of €1,226,920 included an amount of €30,000 for repairs to a coastal embankment at Cromane Lower. This programme is approved and it is a matter for the Council to progress these works.
The Council will need to address, in conjunction where appropriate with the local communities, the strengthening works at Cromane Lower and Incherea separately and outside of the current process aimed at repairs and emergency works either by utilising its own resources for this purpose or through an application for funding to the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Applications by the Council to the OPW for funding for works that fall outside of the storm damage funding envelope will be considered having regard to the relevant eligibility criteria and the overall availability of funds for flood risk management.
70. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37288/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for all years up to and including 2013 is available in the published Appropriation Accounts for the Vote(s) on the website of the Comptroller & Auditor General.
The information in relation to 2014 is outlined in the following tables:
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 2014
|
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform |
Allocated budget (to 29/9/14) |
Outturn (to 29/9/14) |
|
Subhead |
€000 |
€000 |
|
A(i)Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
14,645 |
13,464 |
|
A(ii) Travel and Subsistence |
155 |
119 |
|
A (iii) Training, Development and Incidental Expenses |
450 |
357 |
|
A(iv) Postal and Telecommunications Services |
249 |
161 |
|
A (v) Office Equipment and External IT services |
434 |
700 |
|
A (vi) Office Premises Expenses |
230 |
231 |
|
A (vii) Consultancy and Other Services |
37 |
49 |
|
Programmes |
|
|
|
A - Public Expenditure and Sectoral Policy |
7,202 |
6,150 |
|
B - Public Service Management and Reform |
6,638 |
3,905 |
|
less Appropriations -in- Aid |
3,137 |
3,997 |
|
Net Expenditure |
26,903 |
21,139 |
I am also including the 2014 results to date for the Shared Services Vote and the Office of Government Procurement, two separate functions under the remit of my Department.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 2014
|
Vote 18 - Shared Services |
Allocated budget (to 29/9/14) |
Outturn (to 29/9/14) |
|
Subhead |
€000 |
€000 |
|
A(i)Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
10,595 |
8,486 |
|
A(ii) Travel and Subsistence |
26 |
14 |
|
A (iii) Training, Development and Incidental Expenses |
113 |
129 |
|
A(iv) Postal and Telecommunications Services |
373 |
191 |
|
A (v) Office Equipment and External IT Services |
1,233 |
746 |
|
A (vi) Office Premises Expenses |
201 |
122 |
|
A (vii) Consultancy and Other Services |
2 |
0 |
|
Programmes |
|
|
|
B3 - Peoplepoint Project |
3,277 |
2,553 |
|
C3 - Payroll Shared Services Project |
4,402 |
2,074 |
|
D3 - FMR Project |
2,306 |
664 |
|
less Appropriations -in- Aid |
3,247 |
1,304 |
|
Net Expenditure |
19,281 |
13,675 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 2014
|
Vote 41 - Office of Government Procurement |
Allocated budget (to 29/9/14) |
Outturn (to 29/9/14) |
|
Subhead |
€000 |
€000 |
|
A(i)Salaries, Wages and Allowances |
3,417 |
2,908 |
|
A(ii) Travel and Subsistence |
152 |
49 |
|
A (iii) Training, Development and Incidental Expenses |
212 |
58 |
|
A(iv) Postal and Telecommunications Services |
203 |
17 |
|
A (v) Office Equipment and External IT services |
401 |
221 |
|
A (vi) Office Premises Expenses |
43 |
24 |
|
Programmes |
|
|
|
A3 - Procurement Consultancy and Other Costs |
1,878 |
331 |
|
less Appropriations -in- Aid |
204 |
159 |
|
Net Expenditure |
6,102 |
3,449 |
71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the forthcoming PEACE and INTERREG Programmes; if the proposals have been submitted to the European Commission; the expenditure to be allocated for each programme, both Exchequer and EU; when the programmes are likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37335/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Government approved the PEACE IV programme and INTERREG VA programme at its meeting on 10 September 2014. The Northern Ireland Executive and Scottish Government (in the case of INTERREG programme only) also approved the programmes the following week. Both Programmes and associated documents were submitted to the European Commission by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to meet the regulatory deadline of 22 September 2014. Ireland will continue to engage with Northern Ireland and Scotland with regard to the two programmes, particularly in the context of negotiations with the Commission on the content of the programmes. Indications from the Commission suggest that the negotiation phase is likely to last between three and six months. It is estimated that calls for applications under programmes, once agreed, will open in March/April 2015.
The Final budget for the PEACE IV programme will amount to €269 million (€229 million ERDF plus 15% match funding), while the INTERREG programme will total €282m (€240 ERDF plus 15% match funding). The PEACE IV programme will focus on social inclusion and combating poverty, while INTERREG's focus is on four themes: Research & Innovation; Environment; Sustainable Transport; and Health.
72. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37286/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following tables set out the total allocated budget and actual outturns for my Department, broken down by subhead for 2011, 2012, 2013 and to end of August 2014. The funding provided by the Department through its programmes is enabling our development agencies to continue their success in helping to create record numbers of new jobs from record levels of exports.
It should be noted that the layout of Departmental subheads changed with effect from 1 January 2012, to show expenditure in the same Programme format as the Annual Output Statement (AOS) and the Statement of Strategy, with Programme subheads grouped on that basis and the existing Admin subheads, which were previously collected together under Administration, shown separately within (allocated/apportioned between) each programme.
My Department also collects receipts, which are shown at Subhead Y in 2011 and Subhead D from 2012.
As the subhead numbering sequence changes each year, the information requested by the Deputy has been shown separately for each year.
2011
|
Subhead |
Description |
Allocated Budget |
Actual Outturn |
|
- |
- |
€000 |
€000 |
|
A.1 |
Salaries, wages and allowances |
27,564 |
28,107 |
|
A.2 |
Travel and subsistence |
1,033 |
816 |
|
A.3 |
Training and development and incidental expenses |
846 |
673 |
|
A.4 |
Postal and telecommunications services |
863 |
823 |
|
A.5 |
Office equipment and external IT services |
4,256 |
3,419 |
|
A.6 |
Office premises expenses |
1,169 |
1,062 |
|
A.7 |
Consultancy services and value for money and policy reviews |
210 |
139 |
|
A.8 |
Advertising and publicity |
282 |
154 |
|
A.9 |
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
5,967 |
3,397 |
|
A.10 |
Labour Court |
2,695 |
2,442 |
|
A.11 |
National Employment Rights Authority |
6,946 |
6,642 |
|
B.1 |
Forfás - Grant for administration and general expenses |
42,877 |
34,683 |
|
B.2 |
Forfás - Pension payments arising from the financial measures (miscellaneous provisions) act |
14,417 |
9,777 |
|
B.3 |
Intertrade Ireland |
8,041 |
6,638 |
|
C.1 |
IDA Ireland - Grant for administration and general expenses |
38,577 |
37,377 |
|
C.2 |
IDA Ireland - Grants to Industry |
85,000 |
84,841 |
|
C.3 |
IDA Ireland- Grant for industrial property |
11,000 |
11,000 |
|
D.1 |
Enterprise Ireland - Grant for administration and general expenses |
84,300 |
80,600 |
|
D.2 |
Enterprise Ireland - Grant to Industry |
66,953 |
54,800 |
|
D.3 |
Enterprise Ireland - Grant for capital expenditure |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
E.1 |
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited - Grant for administration and general expenses |
2 |
- |
|
E.2 |
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited - Grants to Industry |
5,601 |
5,600 |
|
E.3 |
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited - Pension Payments arising from the financial measures (miscellaneous provisions) act |
3,516 |
2,751 |
|
F.1 |
Science Technology and Innovation Programmes |
320,670 |
302,659 |
|
F.2 |
Dublin- City of Science |
832 |
932 |
|
F.3 |
Programme for research in third level institutions |
55,563 |
57,856 |
|
G |
County Enterprise Development |
27,242 |
29,957 |
|
H.1 |
Monitoring and evaluation of EU Programmes |
89 |
16 |
|
H.2 |
Interreg Enterprise Development |
2,000 |
1,512 |
|
I |
National Standards Authority of Ireland - Grant for administration and general expenses |
6,836 |
6,336 |
|
L |
Enterprise Ireland - Temporary Employment Subsidy Scheme - Cash Limited |
4,250 |
4,250 |
|
N |
Labour Relations Commission - Grant for administration and general expenses |
5,359 |
4,959 |
|
O.1 |
Grants for Trade Union Education and Advisory Services |
874 |
874 |
|
O.2 |
Workplace Innovation Fund Promotion of Partnership |
296 |
255 |
|
P |
Trade Union Amalgamations |
10 |
- |
|
Q |
Grant to the Competition Authority |
5,116 |
3,621 |
|
R.1 |
National Consumer Agency - Grant for administration and general expenses |
6,366 |
5,499 |
|
R.2 |
National Consumer Agency - Grant for financial information and education functions |
2,000 |
1,622 |
|
R.3 |
Consumer Support |
50 |
- |
|
S.1 |
Companies Registration Office and Registry of Friendly Societies - Grant for administration and general expenses |
7,428 |
7,463 |
|
S.2 |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (Grant-in-Aid) |
1,598 |
1,442 |
|
S.3 |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
58 |
55 |
|
T |
Health and Safety Authority - Grant for administration and general expenses |
20,556 |
19,828 |
|
U |
Research |
168 |
1 |
|
V |
National Framework Committee for Work/Life Balance Policies |
2 |
- |
|
W |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
17,184 |
17,855 |
|
X.1 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
425 |
207 |
|
X.2 |
Miscellaneous payments |
1,647 |
78 |
|
X.3 |
Superannuation and Pensions for Members of the Labour Court, the Restrictive Practices Commission and the Competition Authority |
758 |
587 |
|
X.4 |
Export Credit Insurance - Refund to the Exchequer |
8 |
7 |
|
Gross Expenditure |
900,470 |
844,612 |
|
|
Y |
Appropriations-in-Aid |
55,629 |
56,085 |
|
Net Expenditure |
844,841 |
788,527 |
2012
Programme A – Jobs and Enterprise Development
|
Subhead |
Description |
Allocated Budget |
Actual Outturn |
|
- |
- |
€000 |
€000 |
|
A.1 |
Administration - Pay |
5,655 |
7,028 |
|
A.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
1,424 |
1,374 |
|
A.3 |
Forfás |
52,672 |
51,422 |
|
A.4 |
InterTrade Ireland |
8,009 |
8,164 |
|
A.5 |
IDA Ireland |
131,822 |
131,822 |
|
A.6 |
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited |
9,202 |
7,655 |
|
A.7 |
Enterprise Ireland |
155,912 |
140,187 |
|
A.8 |
County Enterprise Development |
26,386 |
30,320 |
|
A.9 |
Monitoring and Evaluation of EU Programmes |
89 |
- |
|
A.10 |
INTERREG Enterprise Development |
6,000 |
5,999 |
|
A.11 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland - grant for administration and general expenses |
6,322 |
6,245 |
|
A.12 |
Microfinance Loan Fund |
10,000 |
10,000 |
|
A.13 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
28 |
29 |
|
A.14 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
1 |
1 |
|
A.15 |
Other services |
193 |
11 |
|
A.16 |
Export Credit Insurance - refund to the Exchequer |
8 |
9 |
|
A.17 |
Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme |
501 |
239 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme A |
414,224 |
400,505 |
|
|
Programme B - Innovation |
|||
|
B.1 |
Administration - Pay |
6,086 |
4,654 |
|
B.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
2,306 |
1,585 |
|
B.3 |
Patents Office |
2,959 |
3,165 |
|
B.4 |
Science and Technology Development Programme |
314,581 |
294,867 |
|
B.5 |
Dublin- City of Science |
1,500 |
1,350 |
|
B.6 |
Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) |
57,954 |
54,705 |
|
B.7 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
16,256 |
16,254 |
|
B.8 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
1 |
1 |
|
B.9 |
Legal costs |
6 |
- |
|
B.10 |
Other services |
220 |
27 |
|
- |
Total Expenditure Programme B |
401,869 |
376,608 |
|
- |
Programme C - Regulation |
||
|
C.1 |
Administration - Pay |
11,255 |
9,365 |
|
C.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
3,058 |
2,659 |
|
C.3 |
Workplace Relations Programme |
18,203 |
17,650 |
|
C.4 |
Grants for Trade Union Education and Advisory Services – Cash-Limited |
944 |
944 |
|
C.5 |
Workplace Innovation Fund Promotion of Partnership |
226 |
67 |
|
C.6 |
Trade Union Amalgamations |
10 |
- |
|
C.7 |
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
5,697 |
3,436 |
|
C.8 |
Competition Authority |
4,654 |
3,871 |
|
C.9 |
National Consumer Agency |
7,841 |
5,752 |
|
C.10 |
Consumer Support |
47 |
47 |
|
C.11 |
Companies Registration Office and Registry of Friendly Societies - grant for administration and general expenses |
7,368 |
6,990 |
|
C.12 |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (grant-in-aid) |
1,639 |
1,476 |
|
C.13 |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
58 |
55 |
|
C.14 |
Health and Safety Authority - grant for administration and general expenses |
19,706 |
19,006 |
|
C.15 |
National Framework Committee for Work/Life Balance Policies |
2 |
- |
|
C.16 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
1,564 |
1,568 |
|
C.17 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
400 |
319 |
|
C.18 |
Legal costs |
1,064 |
433 |
|
C.19 |
Research including manpower surveys |
168 |
24 |
|
C.20 |
Other services |
183 |
111 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme C |
84,087 |
73,773 |
|
|
Gross Expenditure |
900,180 |
850,886 |
|
|
D |
Appropriations-in-Aid |
53,772 |
50,342 |
|
Net Expenditure |
846,408 |
800,544 |
2013
|
Subhead |
Description |
Allocated Budget |
Actual Outturn |
|
- |
- |
€000 |
€000 |
|
- |
Programme A – Jobs and Enterprise Development |
||
|
A.1 |
Administration - Pay |
7,102 |
7,428 |
|
A.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
2,026 |
1,551 |
|
A.3 |
Forfás |
47,957 |
40,076 |
|
A.4 |
InterTrade Ireland |
8,085 |
8,106 |
|
A.5 |
IDA Ireland |
124,447 |
126,360 |
|
A.6 |
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited |
10,218 |
8,117 |
|
A.7 |
Enterprise Ireland |
146,841 |
128,041 |
|
A.8 |
County Enterprise Development |
25,893 |
29,643 |
|
A.9 |
Monitoring and Evaluation of EU Programmes |
89 |
- |
|
A.10 |
INTERREG Enterprise Development |
3,000 |
2,000 |
|
A.11 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland - grant for administration and general expenses |
5,641 |
5,641 |
|
A.12 |
Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme |
500 |
269 |
|
A.13 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
1,949 |
1,882 |
|
A.14 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
1 |
1 |
|
A.15 |
Legal Costs & Other services |
312 |
11 |
|
A.16 |
Export Credit Insurance - refund to the Exchequer |
17 |
17 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme A |
384,078 |
359,143 |
|
|
Programme B - Innovation |
|||
|
B.1 |
Administration - Pay |
4,811 |
4,950 |
|
B.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
2,319 |
1,738 |
|
B.3 |
Patents Office |
2,874 |
2,400 |
|
B.4 |
Science and Technology Development Programme |
296,993 |
286,243 |
|
B.5 |
Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) |
44,340 |
45,203 |
|
B.6 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
19,179 |
19,178 |
|
B.7 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
1 |
1 |
|
B.8 |
Legal costs & Other Services |
343 |
1 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme B |
370,860 |
359,714 |
|
|
Programme C - Regulation |
|||
|
C.1 |
Administration - Pay |
9,600 |
9,315 |
|
C.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
3,836 |
2,761 |
|
C.3 |
Workplace Relations Programme |
19,484 |
18,159 |
|
C.4 |
Grants for Trade Union Education and Advisory Services – Cash-Limited |
944 |
944 |
|
C.5 |
Workplace Innovation Fund Promotion of Partnership |
226 |
28 |
|
C.6 |
Trade Union Amalgamations |
10 |
30 |
|
C.7 |
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
5,330 |
3,124 |
|
C.8 |
Competition Authority |
5,127 |
4,478 |
|
C.9 |
National Consumer Agency |
7,360 |
5,501 |
|
C.10 |
Consumer Support |
45 |
45 |
|
C.11 |
Companies Registration Office and Registry of Friendly Societies - grant for administration and general expenses |
7,210 |
6,689 |
|
C.12 |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (grant-in-aid) |
1,568 |
1,445 |
|
C.13 |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
55 |
55 |
|
C.14 |
Health and Safety Authority - grant for administration and general expenses |
18,730 |
18,730 |
|
C.15 |
Research including manpower surveys |
280 |
1 |
|
C.16 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
1,564 |
1,534 |
|
C.17 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
315 |
165 |
|
C.18 |
Legal costs & Other Services |
994 |
88 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme C |
82,678 |
73,092 |
|
|
Gross Expenditure |
837,616 |
791,949 |
|
|
D |
Appropriations-in-Aid |
52,027 |
51,295 |
|
Net Expenditure |
785,589 |
740,654 |
2014
|
Subhead |
Description |
Allocated Budget for year |
Provisional Outturn (to end Aug) |
|
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
Programme A – Jobs and Enterprise Development |
|||
|
A.1 |
Administration - Pay |
6,568 |
4,828 |
|
A.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
2,319 |
1,693 |
|
A.3 |
Forfás |
45,486 |
25,465 |
|
A.4 |
InterTrade Ireland |
7,762 |
3,834 |
|
A.5 |
IDA Ireland |
127,607 |
53,524 |
|
A.6 |
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited |
4,030 |
1,955 |
|
A.7 |
Enterprise Ireland |
125,218 |
78,711 |
|
A.8 |
County Enterprise Development |
29,388 |
20,515 |
|
A.9 |
Monitoring and Evaluation of EU Programmes |
89 |
- |
|
A.10 |
INTERREG Enterprise Development |
3,000 |
175 |
|
A.11 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland - grant for administration and general expenses |
5,304 |
1,956 |
|
A.12 |
Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme |
1,500 |
150 |
|
A.13 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
1,949 |
1,797 |
|
A.14 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
1 |
- |
|
A.15 |
Legal Costs & Other services |
317 |
3 |
|
A.16 |
Export Credit Insurance - refund to the Exchequer |
17 |
4 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme A |
360,555 |
194,610 |
|
|
Programme B - Innovation |
|||
|
B.1 |
Administration - Pay |
4,378 |
3,303 |
|
B.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
2,635 |
1,706 |
|
B.3 |
Patents Office |
2,834 |
1,608 |
|
B.4 |
Science and Technology Development Programme |
272,103 |
132,339 |
|
B.5 |
Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) |
39,054 |
27,810 |
|
B.6 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
19,054 |
13,438 |
|
B.7 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
1 |
- |
|
B.8 |
Legal costs & Other Services |
308 |
128 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme B |
340,367 |
180,332 |
|
|
Programme C - Regulation |
|||
|
C.1 |
Administration - Pay |
8,955 |
6,462 |
|
C.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
4,337 |
1,412 |
|
C.3 |
Workplace Relations Programme |
19,663 |
12,037 |
|
C.4 |
Grants for Trade Union Education and Advisory Services – Cash-Limited |
944 |
472 |
|
C.5 |
Health and Safety Authority - grant for administration and general expenses |
17,738 |
10,426 |
|
C.6 |
Trade Union Amalgamations |
50 |
- |
|
C.7 |
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
4,672 |
2,026 |
|
C.8 |
Competition Authority |
4,955 |
3,236 |
|
C.9 |
National Consumer Agency |
7,332 |
2,862 |
|
C.10 |
Consumer Support |
45 |
- |
|
C.11 |
Companies Registration Office and Registry of Friendly Societies - grant for administration and general expenses |
7,065 |
4,463 |
|
C.12 |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (grant-in-aid) |
1,562 |
897 |
|
C.13 |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
153 |
125 |
|
C.14 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations, etc. |
1,411 |
1,349 |
|
C.15 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
220 |
44 |
|
C.16 |
Legal costs & Other Services |
998 |
68 |
|
Total Expenditure Programme C |
80,100 |
45,879 |
|
|
Gross Expenditure |
781,022 |
420,821 |
|
|
D |
Appropriations-in-Aid |
48,948 |
28,737 |
|
Net Expenditure |
732,074 |
392,084 |
73. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a single farm payment application for 2013-14 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37231/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an application to transfer 2.26 entitlements to the person named from another herd owner by way of sale on 24 April 2013. The application was rejected as the herd owner transferring the entitlements did not hold sufficient entitlements to proceed with the transfer. In this case, the entitlements were leased out to another herd owner.
A letter was issued to both parties from my Department on 14 May 2013, advising that the Transfer of Entitlements application had been rejected due to the fact that the transferor did not have sufficient entitlements to transfer to the person named.
Due to the fact that the entitlements were not transferred, no payment on these entitlements was due to be paid to the person named in respect of the 2013 or 2014 scheme years.
74. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an overpayment of a disadvantaged area aid scheme payment has been deducted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37240/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the land parcels declared by the person named revealed that some ineligible areas had been declared – farm roadway, farm building – which reduced the eligible area for Scheme payment purposes by 0.19 hectares, resulting in an overpayment of €19.02, which was recouped from the DAS payment which issued on 23 September; the full payment due was €3,349.03, which when the overpayment of €19.02 was offset, resulted in a net payment of €3,330.01 issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total legal costs to his Department for the past ten years in relation to the work of the special investigation unit; if he will confirm the settlements that were made arising from the work of the SIU; the number of court cases pending arising from investigations by the SIU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37244/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legal costs associated with legal proceedings initiated by my Department as a result of the investigations carried out by the Unit are, in general, borne by the CSSO and are a matter for that body. However, since 2004, my Department has paid €126,057 in respect of legal proceedings arising from investigations by the Special Investigation Unit. Such costs have to be seen in the context of the need to preserve the reputation of Irish agriculture and food that employs over 170,000 people and which exported €10 billion worth of food and drinks products last year.
There are 17 cases pending before the courts. In addition, a further 3 cases are the subject of Judicial Review or ongoing litigation. Settlements were reached in a small number of cases. This information is being collated and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
76. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total costs incurred to date by his Department relative to a person (details supplied); the costs for each year from the commencement of the case showing legal, Department and any other costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37245/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin my Department, functions relating to investigations and the bringing of cases to court are carried out in conjunction with other work and it is not possible to quantify the cost of individual investigations. No legal costs have been incurred by my Department to-date in respect of this case. Such costs are generally borne by the Chief State Solicitors Office and are a matter for that body.
With regard to the case in question, the media coverage of the legal settlement with Mr Fleury to-date has contained significant inaccuracies in relation to the nature of the settlement, which included a confidentiality clause binding both parties not to divulge the details of the settlement. While respecting the confidentiality clause, I want to stress that it did not provide for any compensation whatsoever to be paid to Mr Fleury. Furthermore, I can confirm that the Department’s costs in the Fleury case will be a small fraction of the exaggerated figure mentioned in the press coverage.
I want to emphasise also that the investigation into the Fleury case by the Department had no bearing on the actual settlement of the case. The settlement was agreed only following an approach by Mr Fleury’s legal team seeking a comprehensive settlement to the outstanding legal issues between him and the Department. It is also relevant to note that the Department secured a conviction in 2001 against GVM Exports Ltd, in which Mr Fleury held 50% ownership and was a Director, in respect of offences detected in the course of this investigation.
The substance of the Fleury case relates to events in 1999 at a time when Bovine Brucellosis was causing great hardship to the farming community and imposing significant costs on the Exchequer. It resulted from an investigation by the Department into the illegal movement of cattle in breach of the TB and Brucellosis eradication schemes. Following the investigation, normal legal procedures were followed involving the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Courts Service and resulted in Mr Fleury and GVM Exports Ltd being charged with offences relating to the illegal movement of cattle (i.e. without a pre-movement Brucellosis test) and other offences relating to animal identification.
The prosecution of the case was delayed for a considerable period of time over the years, largely due to challenges to the prosecutions initiated by Mr. Fleury, some of which were the subject of Supreme Court rulings, the most recent in December 2013. While the Court ruled in substance against all of his challenges, Mr Fleury had recently mounted further legal challenges to the re-activation of the prosecution and it was in this context that Mr Fleury’s legal team sought a settlement.
77. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department has taken arising from the remarks made by Judge Reynolds, in the Fanning case; if a report was prepared by his Department relative to the case, the judge's remarks and the actions of the special investigations unit; if the report will be made public; if a copy will be forwarded to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37246/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the case referred to by the Deputy, the Fannin case arose from an investigation that took place in 2009 and came before the Courts in 2013. The charges related to the alleged interference with the TB test. The investigation in this case was a joint investigation between my Department and the Gardai. Following the investigation, a file was submitted to the DPP who directed that certain charges be pursued. This case was heard before the Circuit Court. On the eighth day of the trial, the presiding Judge terminated the trial, and directed that Mr Fannin be acquitted, criticising the prosecution and the Department in particular. The key factor in concluding the trial appears to relate to confusion concerning the presentation of certain evidence, whether or not a brucellosis test had been carried out at the time of the TB test in March 2009, and the significance of this. However, this matter was not part of the Book of Evidence or the submitted prosecution case.
I initiated an internal review into how this particular case was handled within my Department. The position is that the report finds no evidence that Department staff sought in any way to mislead the court - a most serious inference carried in some commentary on the subject. A number of recommendations were made with regard to staff training, file preparation and to review current procedures of making available biological sample evidence to the defence. These recommendations are being examined currently. My Department has decided to release the report in redacted form but this decision has been appealed by a third party to the Information Commissioner.
Earlier this year, I initiated a review of the investigation capability of my Department in the context of ensuring that the significant investment being made in the sector in meeting its expansion plans under Food Harvest 2020 would not be put at risk by failures to meet legal obligations which might undermine Ireland’s excellent reputation for food safety and meeting the highest standards of food production. This is also vital to supporting and protecting an industry that is vital to the national economy. The outcome of the review was presented to me on 8 July when I decided on the establishment of a new Investigations Division.
The new arrangement brings all investigation capability, both internal and external, into one Division. It is up and running since July and is headed by a Senior Superintending Veterinary Officer, supported by a team of investigators, some of whom are core members of the team and others to be drawn from areas where their expertise will be beneficial to the conduct of particular types of investigations. A particular feature of the new arrangement is the governance that now surrounds the conduct of Departmental investigations. The new Investigations Division reports to an Investigations Steering Group chaired by the Assistant Secretary General responsible for Corporate Affairs and will comprise the Chief Veterinary Officer, the Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for direct payments, and the Heads of Legal Services, Internal Audit and HR. This group will, in all new cases, determine whether matters should be referred back to the relevant inspection areas of the Department for follow through, whether an investigation is warranted and if so, whether this should be conducted by the Investigations Division or referred to the Garda Síochána. This new Investigations Division includes the functions previously undertaken by the Special Investigations Unit.
In conclusion, I want to formally acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the staff of my Department who carry out investigations in sometimes very challenging circumstances, a fact I experienced first-hand last year when dealing with the equine DNA investigation which was conducted by my officers in a highly pressurised environment where their focus and sense of purpose was highly visible and extremely successful.
78. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37276/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocated budget for my Department in the years 2011-2013 is set out in Table 1. Budgets are not formally allocated to periods within calendar years, rather the annual allocation is profiled on a monthly basis for internal financial management purposes. Accordingly the allocation for full year 2014 and the profile for 2014 to end September are also included in the Table 1. Table 2 shows the outturn for each subhead for years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to end September 2014. The outturn information on the Administrative Budget expenditure is shown twice in Table 2: as a stand-alone section and also in the relevant sub-heads for each expenditure Programme. It can be noted that in respect of some of my Department’s schemes a substantial part of the expenditure and receipts normally occur in the final quarter of the year.Table 1 Allocated Budget 2011-2013 and 2014 end September Profiled Expenditure
|
- |
Budget 2011 |
Budget 2012 |
Budget 2013 |
Budget 2014 |
2014 End September Profiles |
|
- |
€,000 |
€,000 |
€,000 |
€,000 |
€,000 |
|
Gross Vote |
1,647,506 |
1,338,834 |
1,241,740 |
1,219,700 |
848,087 |
|
Gross Receipts |
373,893 |
369,632 |
240,672 |
244,797 |
148,692 |
|
Net Vote |
1,273,613 |
969,203 |
1,001,068 |
974,903 |
699,394 |
Table 2 Sub-head Outturn 2011-2013 and up to 1 st October 2014
|
- |
- |
Outturn 2011 |
Outturn 2012 |
Outturn 2013 |
2014 Exp at 1 Oct. |
|
- |
- |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
- |
- |
€,000 |
€,000 |
€,000 |
€,000 |
|
ADMINISTRATION BUDGET |
237,362 |
222,916 |
217,446 |
156,195 |
Programme A - ARGI-FOOD POLICY, DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE
|
Programme - A |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
A.1 |
Administration – Pay |
15,176 |
17,056 |
16,724 |
12,396 |
|
A.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
3,417 |
3,519 |
4,406 |
2,598 |
|
A.3 |
Research & Training |
35,190 |
32,407 |
29,568 |
11,143 |
|
A.4 |
Development of Agriculture & Food (farm grants) |
20,361 |
25,936 |
11,807 |
4,760 |
|
A.5 |
Teagasc |
120,156 |
117,060 |
110,838 |
81,800 |
|
A.6 |
Bord Bia |
27,637 |
27,120 |
27,734 |
20,073 |
|
A.7 |
Marine Institute |
24,123 |
22,449 |
21,945 |
18,345 |
|
A.8 |
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
16,738 |
16,250 |
15,929 |
11,756 |
|
A.9 |
Food Aid Donations |
9,960 |
9,960 |
10,960 |
9,960 |
|
A.10 |
Other |
14,037 |
18,098 |
22,469 |
10,329 |
|
A.11 |
Horse and Greyhound |
57,290 |
56,290 |
55,020 |
54,220 |
|
A.12 |
Beef Genomics Scheme |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,371 |
|
Total |
344,085 |
346,145 |
327,400 |
238,751 |
Programme B - FOOD SAFETY, ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE AND PLANT HEALTH
|
Programme - B |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
B.1 |
Administration – Pay |
105,868 |
100,362 |
96,837 |
70,752 |
|
B.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
29,455 |
26,746 |
25,758 |
17,046 |
|
B.3 |
Food Safety, Animal Health & Welfare and Plant Health |
121,304 |
111,316 |
90,303 |
56,341 |
|
Total |
256,627 |
238,424 |
212,898 |
144,139 |
Programme C - RURAL ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT
|
Programme - C |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
C.1 |
Administration – Pay |
41,103 |
36,885 |
34,248 |
25,911 |
|
C.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
8,781 |
8,694 |
6,794 |
5,667 |
|
C.3 |
Rural Environment Protection Scheme |
277,022 |
253,213 |
206,231 |
87,888 |
|
C.4 |
Land Mobility (Early Retirement) |
27,702 |
20,471 |
14,719 |
8,269 |
|
C.5 |
Development of Agriculture & Food (farm grants) |
40,882 |
23,475 |
16,469 |
14,778 |
|
C.6 |
Forestry |
116,459 |
112,817 |
111,153 |
98,305 |
|
C.7 |
Fisheries |
12,648 |
9,862 |
11,220 |
2,529 |
|
C.8 |
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
10,199 |
9,341 |
9,997 |
6,915 |
|
C.9 |
Other |
708 |
697 |
825 |
347 |
|
C.10 |
Haulbowline |
0 |
702 |
679 |
163 |
|
Total |
535,504 |
476,157 |
412,335 |
250,772 |
Programme D - EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF CLIENT FOCUSED SCHEMES AND SERVICES
|
Programme - D |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
D.1 |
Administration – Pay |
27,670 |
23,247 |
24,294 |
16,931 |
|
D.2 |
Administration – Non Pay |
5,892 |
6,407 |
8,385 |
4,894 |
|
D.3 |
Market Supports Operational Costs |
17,609 |
21,181 |
19,326 |
6,657 |
|
D.4 |
Income Support in Disadvantaged Areas |
233,757 |
206,303 |
201,830 |
157,021 |
|
D.5 |
Other |
136 |
149 |
175 |
4 |
|
Total |
285,064 |
257,287 |
254,010 |
185,507 |
|
- |
Expenditure |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
Gross Expenditure |
1,421,280 |
1,318,013 |
1,206,643 |
819,169 |
E - RECEIPTS
|
E |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
E.1 |
Recoup of Salaries |
761 |
995 |
729 |
171 |
|
E.2 |
Forfeit Depos & Secs |
736 |
636 |
197 |
986 |
|
E.3 |
Refunds Vets Fees |
15,247 |
15,232 |
14,983 |
12,161 |
|
E.4 |
Receipts Vet Fees LvExp |
1,646 |
1,215 |
1,440 |
431 |
|
E.5 |
Dairy Inspect Fees |
5,685 |
5,096 |
5,484 |
3,958 |
|
E.6 |
Receipts from Sale Vaccines |
1,277 |
989 |
894 |
649 |
|
E.7 |
Receipts Seed Testing |
1,698 |
2,235 |
2,186 |
1,434 |
|
E.8 |
Receipts BTE |
5,780 |
5,194 |
5,413 |
5,039 |
|
E.9 |
Land Commission |
410 |
1,005 |
723 |
277 |
|
E.10 |
Other Receipts |
2,652 |
1,585 |
1,490 |
992 |
|
E.11 |
Market Intervention |
1,056 |
1,275 |
0 |
0 |
|
E.12 |
Inter Stock Losses |
1,086 |
0 |
1,443 |
1,366 |
|
E.13 |
EAFRD |
346,368 |
294,428 |
171,595 |
0 |
|
E.14 |
Veterinary Fund |
19,566 |
18,898 |
14,067 |
76 |
|
E.15 |
Other Guarantee Receipts (Agriculture) |
1,044 |
1,012 |
913 |
550 |
|
E.16 |
Other Guarantee Receipts (EAGF Fisheries) |
919 |
9 |
10 |
0 |
|
Closed |
NDP Structural Receipt (2000/2006 programme) Capital |
3,316 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
E.17 |
Fines/Forfeitures for Sea Fishery Offences |
249 |
197 |
210 |
193 |
|
E.18 |
Foreshore Act / State Property Act Receipts |
120 |
111 |
86 |
71 |
|
E.19 |
EU Receipts Conservation & Mgt of Fisheries |
379 |
1,167 |
225 |
900 |
|
E.20 |
Aquaculture Licence Fees |
689 |
972 |
452 |
271 |
|
E.21 |
EU FIFG Receipt Aquaculture Development |
0 |
1,399 |
1,991 |
0 |
|
E.22 |
EFF Receipt |
0 |
6,960 |
0 |
0 |
|
E.23 |
Pension Levy |
19,199 |
17,646 |
17,217 |
9,478 |
|
- |
Receipts |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
Gross Receipts |
429,883 |
378,256 |
241,748 |
39,003 |
|
- |
Net Expenditure |
991,397 |
939,757 |
964,895 |
780,166 |
79. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an area based payment for 2014 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37388/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants’ holdings are required to satisfy a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. As the holding of the person named has not yet satisfied the annual average minimum requirements, payment has not issued. Immediately the holding of the person named is confirmed as having satisfied the minimum stocking requirements, the file of the person named will be further processed with a view to payment issuing as soon as possible thereafter, provided all other Scheme requirements have been satisfied.
80. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding planting of lands in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37413/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appeal by the person named was received on 25 September 2014 and is currently being processed. He will be notified of the outcome as soon as the appeal has been determined.
81. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Defence the steps his Department is taking to monitor a US court hearing (details supplied); the contact he has had with the Lebanese Authorities regarding the range of charges which the person at the centre of the US court hearings may face if extradited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37224/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter to which the Deputy is referring is the case of the deaths of Private Thomas Barrett and Private Derek Smallhorne who were murdered, and Private John O’Mahony who was seriously injured while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on 18 April 1980. In July 2014 the alleged perpetrator, Mr. Mahmoud Bazzi, was arrested by the United States of America’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for administrative immigration violations. He was held in custody by the US authorities until his immigration court hearing in Detroit, on 11 August. During the hearing Mr. Bazzi admitted that he entered the United States in 1994 without proper documentation. Mr. Bazzi will be deported to Lebanon and remains in Enforcement and Removal Operations custody pending his removal from the United States. No date was set in court for his removal. My Department is in contact with the Irish Embassy in Washington, who are monitoring the situation.
I have been in contact with the Lebanese Government Authorities to seek their support and that of the Lebanese Government for every possible assistance to initiate an investigation into this case and to mount a legal action against the alleged perpetrator when he is deported to Lebanon, should such action be feasible.
The Irish Government is committed to continuing to do everything possible to pursue justice for both men who lost their lives in the line of peacekeeping duty, and stands ready to provide whatever assistance possible to the Lebanese authorities in progressing this issue.
82. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the total allocated budget for his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the actual outturns in each of his Department subheads at the end of 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37280/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy relating to the allocation and outturn of Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence) at subhead level in 2011, 2012 and 2013 is available for viewing under “Accounts of the Public Services” on http://www.audgen.gov.ie. The 2014 allocation and expenditure to end August 2014 by subhead for Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence) is provided in Tables 1 and 2 below. In addition, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform publishes user-friendly information of this type on its databank which is accessible at http://www.per.gov.ie/databank/.
Table 1: Vote 35 (Army Pensions)
|
Subhead |
Description |
2014 Allocation €’000 |
2014 Expenditure (end- Aug) €’000 |
|
A.1. |
Administration - Pay |
70 |
48 |
|
A.2 |
Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes & payments in respect of transferred Service |
210,620 |
142,720 |
|
A.3 |
Wound and disability pensions, allowances and gratuities to or in respect of former members of the Defence Forces |
9,400 |
5,526 |
|
A.4 |
Payments to Dependants of Veterans of the War of Independence |
600 |
389 |
|
A.5 |
Compensation Payments |
200 |
4 |
|
A.6 |
Medical appliances & travelling & incidental expenses |
100 |
32 |
|
Gross expenditure |
220,990 |
148,719 |
|
|
Appropriations-in-Aid |
5,600 |
3,238 |
|
|
Net Expenditure |
215,390 |
145,481 |
Table 2: Vote 36 (Defence)*
|
Subhead |
Description |
2014 Allocation €’000 |
2014 Expenditure (end-Aug) €’000 |
|
A.1. |
Administration - Pay |
17,951 |
11,611 |
|
A.2 |
Administration – Non-Pay |
5,102 |
1,754 |
|
A.3 |
Permanent Defence Force Pay |
422,466 |
257,121 |
|
A.4 |
Permanent Defence Force Allowances |
35,279 |
21,487 |
|
A.5 |
Reserve Defence Force – Pay, etc. |
3,150 |
1,306 |
|
A.6 |
Chaplains & Clergymen – Pay and allowances |
1,225 |
804 |
|
A.7 |
Civilians attached to Units |
32,370 |
17,081 |
|
A.8 |
Defensive Equipment |
26,500 |
12,409 |
|
A.9 |
Air Corps – Equipment & Expenses |
14,100 |
9,936 |
|
A.10 |
Military Transport |
10,950 |
5,237 |
|
A.11 |
Naval Service Equipment & Expenses |
36,600 |
43,487 |
|
A.12 |
Barrack Expenses and Engineering Equipment |
13,800 |
8,053 |
|
A.13 |
Buildings |
13,877 |
7,063 |
|
A.14 |
Ordnance, clothing & catering |
14,970 |
6,053 |
|
A.15 |
Communication & Information Technology |
6,340 |
3,308 |
|
A.16 |
Military Training |
1,950 |
896 |
|
A.17 |
Travel & Freight Expenses |
2,568 |
1,450 |
|
A.18 |
Medical expenses |
2,600 |
1,648 |
|
A.19 |
Lands |
1,000 |
700 |
|
A.20 |
Equitation |
860 |
558 |
|
A.21 |
Compensation & associated costs |
5,000 |
2,558 |
|
A.22 |
Miscellaneous Expenditure |
3,066 |
1,215 |
|
A.23 |
Costs arising from Ireland’s participation in the EU’s CSDP |
996 |
1,089 |
|
A.24 |
Civil Defence |
4,240 |
2,316 |
|
A.25 |
Irish Red Cross Society |
869 |
684 |
|
Gross expenditure |
677,829 |
419,824 |
|
|
Appropriations-in-Aid |
36,638 |
23,415 |
|
|
Net Expenditure |
641,291 |
396,409 |
*Includes capital carryover and military archive project allocation
83. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Irish Sign Language and the ISL community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37259/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish sign language" and this process has already commenced. The National Disability Authority (NDA) facilitated consultations with the Deaf Community in Ireland in 2012 at my Department's request in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of deaf people and submissions received from them were considered for inclusion where possible and appropriate in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (NDSIP) which was published in July 2013.
As part of the follow-up to that initiative, the first special themed meeting of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) focussed on the issue of Irish Sign Language on November 28, 2013. This meeting brought together representatives of relevant Departments, the NDA, the Deaf Community and other relevant stakeholders with a view to further progressing the implementation of the NDSIP in this regard.
The meeting reviewed the current situation across Government Departments and their Agencies with regard to promoting recognition of Irish Sign Language including in-service provision and provided the Deaf Community with the opportunity of presenting their experience of interaction with the Public Sector. It also provided a useful opportunity to examine mechanisms which could promote the further use and recognition of Irish Sign Language and understand practical implications for service users. Further to this meeting, the Deaf Community prepared a report to reflect their views on key actions and priorities. This report was submitted for consideration in the second quarter of this year. The intention is that the recommendations from this report will be reflected in the NDSIP where practicable, through the incorporation of new actions and related performance indicators and timelines as appropriate. Progress on all relevant actions will then be monitored as part of the Implementation Plan monitoring process.
The focus therefore remains on the identification of mechanisms for the further promotion and recognition of Irish Sign Language with a view to promoting and supporting its use, thereby improving service delivery on the ground, rather than on its designation as an official language.
I might add that the existing supports for use of Irish Sign Language in Ireland give a level of recognition and practical measures equal to, or above that, in countries which have formally recognised sign language.
84. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the campaign by the Irish Deaf Society to have the Irish Sign Language recognised to ensure equality for deaf persons in Irish society; if the Government has plans to recognise the Irish Sign Language as an official language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37328/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish sign language" and this process has already commenced. The National Disability Authority (NDA) facilitated consultations with the Deaf Community in Ireland in 2012 at my Department's request in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of deaf people and submissions received from them were considered for inclusion where possible and appropriate in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (NDSIP) which was published in July 2013.
As part of the follow-up to that initiative, the first special themed meeting of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) focussed on the issue of Irish Sign Language on November 28, 2013. This meeting brought together representatives of relevant Departments, the NDA, the Deaf Community and other relevant stakeholders with a view to further progressing the implementation of the NDSIP in this regard.
The meeting reviewed the current situation across Government Departments and their Agencies with regard to promoting recognition of Irish Sign Language including in-service provision and provided the Deaf Community with the opportunity of presenting their experience of interaction with the Public Sector. It also provided a useful opportunity to examine mechanisms which could promote the further use and recognition of Irish Sign Language and understand practical implications for service users. Further to this meeting, the Deaf Community prepared a report to reflect their views on key actions and priorities. This report was submitted for consideration in the second quarter of this year. The intention is that the recommendations from this report will be reflected in the NDSIP where practicable, through the incorporation of new actions and related performance indicators and timelines as appropriate. Progress on all relevant actions will then be monitored as part of the Implementation Plan monitoring process.
The focus therefore remains on the identification of mechanisms for the further promotion and recognition of Irish Sign Language with a view to promoting and supporting its use, thereby improving service delivery on the ground, rather than on its designation as an official language.
I might add that the existing supports for use of Irish Sign Language in Ireland give a level of recognition and practical measures equal to, or above that, in countries which have formally recognised sign language.
85. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will introduce a pre-clearance scheme for non-visa required elderly dependent relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37226/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the policy document published by my predecessor at the end of 2013, in respect of family reunification, outlined the rationale for moving to a system where applications for such residence were considered before the person travelled to the State whether through the visa system or via pre-clearance in the case of those who are not visa required. It was particularly highlighted in the case of elderly dependent relatives. I support that view. However such a pre-clearance requirement is still some way off as there are operational and technological issues that would have to be addressed first. In the meantime such applications are dealt with in accordance with the other relevant guidelines set out in the policy document.
