Tuesday, 21 Oct 2014

Written Answers Nos. 262 - 279

Political Funding

Ceisteanna (262)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

262. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the political funding paid to each qualifying independent Deputy, Senator and political party since 2007, including leader's allowance, Electoral Act funding and the qualifying parties' staffing allocation, with a breakdown of the acceptable uses for each fund; if there has been a reduction in those allocations in line with the reduction of public spending since the arrival and exit of the troika; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Parliamentary Activities Allowance (formerly known as the Party Leader's Allowance) is provided for in the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act, 1938, as amended, most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices)(Amendment) Act, 2014.

The allowance is paid to the parliamentary leader of a qualifying party in relation to expenses arising from the parliamentary activities, including research, of the party. Payments are made in respect of members of the party elected to Dáil Éireann and members elected/nominated to Seanad Éireann at the last preceding general election or a subsequent bye-election or, in the case of Seanad Éireann, nominated to it after the last preceding general election. The legislation also provides that payments may be made to a member of Dáil or Seanad Éireann who is elected other than as a member of a qualifying party.

The conditions governing entitlement to payment of the allowance are set out in the Act. The primary restriction in the Act on the use of the allowance is that it may not be used in respect of election expenses. The allowance is non-taxable and is paid monthly in arrears into a bank account specified by the beneficiary of the allowance.

The legislation provides that each party leader must prepare a statement of expenditure for the allowance, to have it audited by an independent auditor and furnish it with the auditor's report to the Standards in Public Office (the Commission) Commission. Based on the accounts submitted, the Commission is required to make a report in relation to the use of the Parliamentary Activities Allowance and cause a copy of the report to be laid before the Oireachtas.

Following a review of the allowance and a consultation process with leaders of qualifying political parties, qualifying independent members and with the Standards in Public Office Commission, I provided for certain amendments to the allowance under this year's Act.

The Act provided for a reduction of 10% in the rates of the allowance with effect from 1 July of this year, representing an estimated full year Exchequer saving of €0.84 million. Furthermore, with effect from 1 July, the same audit and reporting provisions that apply to parliamentary leaders now also apply to independent members in receipt of the allowance. For the first time, all independent members have to record and account to the Commission for expenditure from the allowance, all of which is to be expended in respect of parliamentary activities, including research.

The total amounts paid to each qualifying party and independent member from 1 January 2007 to 30 September 2014 are as follows:

Party	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	Sept. 2014
Fianna Fáil	€2,730,839.76	€2,867,494.65	€2,915,876.00	€2,871,363.60	€1,746,500.88	€1,674,402.96	€1,674,402.96	€1,213,943.22
Fine Gael	€2,435,377.93	€2,845,636.90	€2,921,385.00	€2,909,462.34	€2,579,029.69	€2,678,402.64	€2,687,388.61	€1,950,256.76
Labour	€1,399,650.66	€1,536,056.85	€1,564,039.00	€1,499,736.06	€1,634,607.19	€1,789,782.96	€1,789,782.96	€1,287,905.70
Progressive Democrats	€308,167.94	€185,080.70	€47,223.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Sinn Féin	€297,321.50	€326,078.34	€332,846.00	€335,424.57	€933,875.54	€1,084,353.96	€1,084,353.96	€786,156.72
Socialist Party	€22,408.31	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€120,902.86	€137,080.00	€74,360.42	€78,184.18
Green Party	€347,518.10	€371,893.05	€383,509.00	€426,378.00	€75,583.10	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
People Before Profit	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€120,902.86	€143,040.00	€143,040.00	€103,704.00
Total	€7,541,284.20	€8,132,240.49	€8,164,878.00	€8,042,364.57	€7,211,402.12	€7,507,062.52	€7,453,328.91	€5,420,150.58

Independent TDs	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	Sept. 2014	Total
Beverly Flynn	€23,984.07	€40,319.50	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€64,303.57
Catherine Murphy	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€159,815.84
Finian McGrath	€36,877.55	€40,317.03	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€39,437.30	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€311,074.96
Jackie Healy Rae	€36,877.55	€40,315.03	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€4,654.09	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€164,150.59
James Breen	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
Jerry Cowley	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
John Halligan	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Luke "Ming" Flanagan	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€16,535.95	€133,623.07
Marian Harkin	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
Mattie McGrath	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Maureen O Sullivan	€0.00	€0.00	€24,005.31	€41,151.96	€39,437.30	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€216,733.73
Michael Healy Rae	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Michael Lowry	€36,877.55	€40,315.03	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€39,437.30	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€311,072.96
Michael Wallace	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€75,935.16	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Mildred Fox	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
Noel Grealish	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Paddy McHugh	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
Paudge  Connolly	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
Shane Ross	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Seamus Healy	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€159,815.84
Stephen Donnelly	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Thomas Pringle	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,783.20	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,922.36
Tom Fleming	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€34,293.30	€41,151.96	€41,151.96	€29,835.24	€146,432.46
Tom Gildea	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Tony Gregory	€36,877.55	€40,315.03	€221.25	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€77,413.83
Harry Blaney	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Niall Blaney	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
Liam Twomey	€12,893.48	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,893.48
Total	€300,429.07	€201,581.62	€147,682.44	€164,607.84	€505,091.31	€652,062.60	€617,279.40	€434,229.31	€3,022,963.59

 

Independent Senators	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	Sept. 2014	Total
Mary Henry	€12,854.60	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€12,854.60
David Norris	€22,128.35	€23,345.23	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€23,112.33	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€179,070.48
Joe O'Toole	€22,128.35	€23,345.23	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€7,198.92	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€99,438.42
Feargal Quinn	€22,128.35	€23,345.23	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€23,112.32	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€179,070.47
Shane Ross	€22,128.35	€23,345.23	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€3,618.79	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€95,858.29
Eoghan Harris	€9,273.75	€23,345.23	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€7,198.92	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€86,583.82
Ronan Mullen	€9,273.75	€23,345.23	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€23,112.32	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€166,215.87
John Crown	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€15,913.40	€18,388.64	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€74,637.73
Sean Barrett	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€15,913.40	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€79,632.05
Martin McAleese	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€3,247.63	€23,382.96	€3,897.16	€0.00	€30,527.75
Fiach Mac Conghail	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€14,394.35	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€78,113.00
Eamon Coughlan	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€14,394.35	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€78,113.00
Dr Katherine Zappone	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€14,394.35	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€78,113.00
Mary Ann O'Brien	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€14,394.35	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€78,113.00
Marie Louise O'Donnell	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€14,394.35	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€78,113.00
Jillian Van Turnhout	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€14,394.35	€23,382.96	€23,382.96	€16,952.73	€78,113.00
Maurice Hayes	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Ivana Bacik	€9,274.00	€22,908.00	€5,846.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€38,028.00
Total	€129,189.50	€162,979.38	€146,143.76	€140,297.76	€208,794.15	€275,601.20	€261,109.72	€186,480.03	€1,510,595.50

Responsibility for the Electoral Acts is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Under section 17 of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended by section 50(c) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, provision is made for two payments to be made to qualified political parties.

Section 17(1)(a) of the 1997 Act, as amended, provides for a fixed payment of €126,973.81 (£100,000) to be made to each qualified party in each period of 12 months.

Section 17(1)(b) of the 1997 Act, as amended, provides for an annual sum to be shared among qualified political parties. When introduced in 2001, the legislation provided for an amount of €3,809,214 (£3,000,000) to be shared. In accordance with the legislation, the sum has increased in line with general increases in Civil Service remuneration. The current sum shared amongst qualified parties amounts to €4,948,201.68, and to €5,456,096.92 when the fixed amount referred to above is included.

Payments under section 17(1)(b) are calculated on the basis of the share of first preference votes obtained by an individual qualified party at the previous general election. These shares are calculated by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Payments are made quarterly in arrears.

The conditions attaching to payment are set out in the Act. The primary restriction in the Act on the use of the allowance is that it may not be used in respect of election expenses.

The amounts paid from 1 Jan 2007 to 30 September 2014 are as follows:

Section 17(1)(a), as amended	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	Sept. 2014
Fianna Fáil	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.81	€126,973.81	€95,230.35
Fine Gael	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.81	€126,973.81	€95,230.35
Labour	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.81	€126,973.81	€95,230.35
Progressive Democrats	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Sinn Féin	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.81	€126,973.81	€126,973.81	€95,230.35
Green Party	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€126,973.80	€51,142.43	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Total	€761,842.80	€761,842.80	€634,869.00	€634,869.00	€559,037.64	€507,895.24	€507,895.24	€380,921.40
Section 17(1)(b), as amended	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	Sept. 2014
Fianna Fáil	€2,247,246.89	€2,157,897.72	€2,202,444.28	€2,202,444.28	€1,508,733.78	€1,040,882.44	€1,040,882.44	€780,661.83
Fine Gael	€1,361,733.52	€1,418,656.54	€1,447,942.56	€1,447,942.56	€1,869,664.07	€2,154,080.84	€2,154,080.84	€1,615,560.63
Labour	€665,763.21	€525,730.01	€536,582.88	€536,582.88	€909,076.40	€1,160,292.92	€1,160,292.92	€870,219.69
Progressive Democrats	€307,361.31	€141,759.19	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Sinn Féin	€467,226.64	€360,457.65	€367,898.76	€367,898.76	€502,301.67	€592,945.48	€592,945.48	€444,709.11
Green Party	€338,588.66	€243,617.98	€248,647.08	€248,647.08	€100,149.53	€0.00	€0.00	€0.00
Total	€5,387,920.23	€4,848,119.09	€4,803,515.56	€4,803,515.56	€4,889,925.45	€4,948,201.68	€4,948,201.68	€3,711,151.26

The provision of secretarial facilities for Members of Dáil and Seanad Éireann and for qualifying Parties falls under the remit of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. The current provisions are set out in the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Secretarial Facilities) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 2 of 2013).

Public Procurement Contracts Social Clauses

Ceisteanna (263)

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

263. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of a social clause project group, as established by him, and an office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40224/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

On 9 June I announced the establishment of a Social Clauses Project Group to pro-actively look at projects with a view to including social clauses to ensure those awarded contracts contribute to employment or training opportunities for long term unemployed.

The Group is chaired by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).

There are nominees from the following departments and organisations:

- a representative of the Local Government sector,

- the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation,

- the Department of Social Protection (Intreo),

- the Department of Education (Solas),

- the Health Service Executive,

- the National Roads Authority,

- the National Development Finance Agency,

- Pobal,

- the Office of Public Works, and

- the Chief State's Solicitor's Office (providing legal assistance).

Specific projects that are currently in planning and are deemed potentially suitable for the inclusion of employment opportunities and social inclusion will be identified and targeted to maximise the potential opportunities from these projects.

The expected outcomes from this pilot project are:

- the identification of suitable policy priorities to be addressed through the insertion of social clauses in public contracts;

- guidance in relation to suitable candidate project types and spend areas;

- examples of suitable contract clauses developed in conjunction with the Chief State Solicitor's Office; and,

- the design of a monitoring and reporting framework which can be applied to future projects where social clauses are to be used.

To date the Social Clauses Group has met twice; on 10 July and 11 September and priority areas have been identified and forwarded to the relevant procurement sectors with a view to identifying potential projects where social clauses can be usefully included to match the priorities of the group. The pilot project is to be reviewed after 12 months.   The Government is committed to driving an ambitious reform programme designed to modernise the public sector and improve service delivery.  Public procurement is seen as a key element of this programme, not only in terms of the potential to deliver much needed public services in a more efficient manner but also as a platform to facilitate policy in areas such as employment, training and sustainability.

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Ceisteanna (264)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

264. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the transfer of staff from the offices of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government offices in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, to the Department offices in Ballina, County Mayo, if he will ask all Departments in counties Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon to facilitate the practice of head-to-heads within their respective Departments to facilitate those in all Departments with offices in the region who may wish to move to some of the locations involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40337/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In general, individual Departments with regionalised structures have agreed arrangements in place for the transfer of staff. Staff in the grades represented by the Civil & Public Services Union (CPSU) are covered by the Central Transfer Scheme. Transfers for CPSU grades (mostly Clerical and Staff Officers) are arranged in accordance with formal procedures agreed with the Staff Side at General Council under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Civil Service.

From time to time, transfers between other grades in the Civil Service are arranged on an informal, head-to-head, basis. While Departments facilitate such moves were appropriate, the transfers are arranged between the officers seeking to move and the relevant Personnel Units and require the agreement of both Personnel Officers.

The Deputy will be aware that following a review of the Decentralisation Programme conducted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2012, the Government decided to consolidate the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government's business operations in the West at its offices in Ballina, Co Mayo.

I understand from my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that this process is well advanced with the majority of Tubbercurry staff already relocated to Ballina. The remaining staff are due to relocate in early November. I understand that the approach described above is working well and that a number of staff from the Tubbercurry office have already been facilitated with reassignments to other Government offices in Co Sligo and surrounding areas, and this will continue as necessary and where possible. 

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Ceisteanna (265)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

265. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form, the number of civil servants from his Department who have designated a County Mayo venue as their preference for a transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40338/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that there are currently no civil servants in my Department, or in any organisation or body under the aegis of my Department who have designated a County Mayo venue as their preference for a transfer.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Ceisteanna (266)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding funding for damaged coastal areas (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40416/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

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 Office of Public Works (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 was approved, and it is a matter for the Council to prioritise and progress these works and to draw down the funding that was allocated. An application to draw down part of the funding was submitted by the Council last week and this is currently being processed. The application did not include an amount for drawdown in relation to the repair work for the embankment at Cromane Lower.

The Council will need to address the strengthening works at Cromane Lower and Incherea separately and outside of the current process aimed at storm repairs and emergency works only.

Public Sector Staff Data

Ceisteanna (267)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

267. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the staffing level across the public sector and the expected staffing level at the end of 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The number of staff in the Public Service at the end of Quarter 2, 2014 was just over 288,000.

As announced on Budget day last week, new arrangements will be put in place for 2015 to govern how public services are staffed.  The Moratorium is being lifted and there will be no centrally dictated limits on staffing levels.  Instead, there will be a level of autonomy and flexibility to allow public service managers to respond to service needs, within overall pay ceilings.  Where sectoral managers make savings - for example, by recasting the grade mix or reassigning duties or introducing more efficient work practices - such savings can now be reinvested in expanding services, including hiring more staff.   In addition to this, extra funding was provided in Budget 2015 to allow for the recruitment of 1,700 new teachers and special needs assistants for the classroom, and a further 200 new Gardaí.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (268)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

268. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of criminal prosecutions which have been brought by National Employment Rights Authority in respect of breaches of employment legislation in each of the past five years; the number of these prosecutions that resulted in convictions; the average fine imposed for breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39770/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The tables contain details of the recorded prosecutions activity for NERA between 2009 and 2013. An asterisk indicates that the information sought is not available.

Prosecutions initiated as a result of NERA Inspections

Year	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Total prosecutions brought	*	*	*	*	85
Convictions	16	25	28	27	76
Total Fines	€19,129	€27,689	€70,000	€59,235	€97,050
Average Fine per Conviction	€1,196	€1,108	€2,500	€2,194	€1,277

Prosecutions initiated as a result of referrals from the Labour Court for non-compliance with Labour Court Orders

Year	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Total prosecutions brought	*	*	*	*	50
Convictions	11	7	40	39	8
Total Fines	€12,100	€20,700	€74,808	€85,797	€12,800
Average Fine per Conviction	€1,100	€2,957	€1,870	€2,200	€1,600

In 2011 and 2013, a large number of the prosecutions in train by NERA in respect of non-compliance with Labour Court Orders had to be struck out as a result of High Court decisions which found that the legislation underpinning the enforcement of certain collective agreements was unconstitutional.

NERA aims to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary. While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (269)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

269. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of allegations of bogus self-employment or subcontracting that have been made to the National Employment Rights Authority over the past five years; the number that were investigated; the number of allegations that were confirmed; the findings that were made; the action that was subsequently taken; if an employer has ever been convicted or penalised in any way for bogus subcontracting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40128/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

It is not within the remit of NERA to make determinations regarding the employment status of individuals vis-à-vis employment or self-employment. This is a function of the Department of Social Protection (Scope Section) who make decisions in relation to the insurability of employment and the appropriate class applicable where the matter is called into question and the Revenue Commissioners who equally make decisions concerning the correct employment status of individuals. The matter can also be determined by the Courts.

Where complaints are received in relation to bogus self-employment or bogus sub-contracting, they are forwarded to the Revenue Commissioners and/or the Department of Social Protection for investigation either solely by the recipient or jointly with NERA e.g. specific complaints in relation to abuse of the sub-contracting or RCT system is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.

NERA maintains statistics in relation to the number of complaints and the source of the complaint e.g. from an employee or employer or a trade union. NERA prosecutions relate to breaches of employment law or employment permit legislation.

Enterprise Ireland Funding

Ceisteanna (270)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

270. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total payments to each company by Enterprise Ireland and on a county basis in tabular form for each year from 2003 to 2013, inclusive; the amount of payment to each company in each specific year; the purpose of each payment and the job creation record of each recipient company in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40388/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The question posed by the Deputy requires a significant volume of information to be gathered and correlated by Enterprise Ireland and it has not been possible to provide the information within the timeframe concerned. However, I will provide the necessary information, when it is provided by Enterprise Ireland, to the Deputy as soon as possible in written format.

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Ceisteanna (271)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

271. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil servants in his Department who have designated a County Mayo venue as their preference for a transfer; the numbers who have moved to the county in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40899/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

In response to the Deputy’s question, I can advise that my Department does not have offices in County Mayo and has had no transfer requests from staff to move to County Mayo.

Rural Development Programme Projects

Ceisteanna (272)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

272. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if compensation is available for persons whose land has been designated for hen harrier under the targeted output scheme, as proposed under the rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39790/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The targeted scheme referred to by the Deputy is a proposed new measure under the Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020. The EU Commission is now considering Ireland’s draft Programme. The Targeted Output scheme will include an expansion of the existing Burren Farming for Conservation Project, as well as new measures targeting the preservation of the freshwater pearl mussel. There will also be a competitive element to select additional projects on foot of a public call for proposals, and this may well result in new projects being brought forward in hen-harrier areas.

However, the main vehicle for supporting the conservation of the hen harrier in the context of the RDP will be through GLAS. Applicants for GLAS whose land has been designated for hen-harrier will be given priority access to the scheme. It is envisaged that all farmers who undertake the required action for hen-harrier on their lands will receive a payment rate of €370 per hectare, subject to a maximum payment of €5,000 per holding.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (273)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

273. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the 2014 disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39873/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Processing of the Disadvantaged Areas application of the person named has recently been finalised, with payment due to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (274)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

274. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a disadvantaged areas scheme payment has not been made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited due to the hardship being experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39880/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Processing of the Disadvantaged Areas application of the person named has recently been finalised, with payment due to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Scéim Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste

Ceisteanna (275)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

275. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste, 2014 le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth go bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [39892/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Rinneadh iarratas an duine ainmnithe faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntásite a phróiseáil le déanaí agus eiseofar íocaíocht go luath díreach chuig cuntas bainc ainmnithe an té sin.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (276)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

276. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the disadvantaged areas payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39973/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Payments under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme began issuing, on target, on 24 September. Payment has not yet issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment issuing to the person named at the earliest possible date thereafter, provided all other Scheme requirements have been satisfied.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (277)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

277. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive the disadvantaged areas payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39980/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Processing of the Disadvantaged Areas application of the person named has recently been finalised, with payment due to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (278)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

278. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any agricultural payments have ever been made in regards to land with certain folio numbers (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39982/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Claims have been made on applications for the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme for land contained on folios DL12878, DL43554, DL33697 and DL33693. There are no records of any claim on the land on folios DL13470f and DL71280f under the two schemes mentioned above.

Pet Farms

Ceisteanna (279)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

279. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures for registration of pet farms which are open to the public that would include species of animals and wildlife that are not native; if he will provide details of the inspection procedures; the agency responsible for the registration; the compliance requirements that operators must adhere to and any other information that he deems necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39983/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy will be aware that anyone who keeps farmed animals (cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry) or equines must register their premises with my Department. In addition, under the Balai Directive 92/65/EEC, premises which trade exotic animals must be approved by my Department and are subject to an annual animal health audit. I am finalising legislation to require that farms on which farmed animals are kept for display purposes be registered separately with my Department. As part of this process, an inventory of non-farmed animals kept for display will also be required.