Written Answers Nos. 54-79
54. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is being deducted the correct amount of tax on their pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6342/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, on the basis of the information currently available to them, the correct tax is being deducted from the individual concerned. I understand that Revenue have made arrangements to send a tax credit certificate to the person concerned detailing how the tax credits have been calculated. If the person concerned has any questions in relation to those credits, he can contact Revenue in the matter using the contact information provided on the certificate.
55. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief on the cost of employing a carer that costs the State for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6343/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 467 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief at the marginal rate for expenses incurred by an individual who employs a carer to take care of an incapacitated individual in their own home.
In order to assist those who prefer to source care for such individuals for provision in their own homes and to alleviate the pressure on nursing home beds, I increased the maximum amount of expenditure that qualifies for the relief in the recent Finance Act from €50,000 to €75,000 per annum.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer of the tax relief available to 'Persons Taking Care of Incapacitated Taxpayer' for the years 2007-2012 (the latest year for which figures are available) is published in the 'Costs of Credits, Allowances and Reliefs' tables on the Revenue Statistics webpage available at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html#section4.
56. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of money allocated in 2013 and in 2014 to Mayo County Council for the purposes of coastal defences and addressing coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6294/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMayo County Council did not apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2013 for any funding for the purposes of coastal defences and addressing coastal erosion.
With regard to 2014, the Government Decision of 11 February 2014 that allocated funding for repair of public infrastructure that was damaged in the period 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014 included a sum of up to €19.6m for repair of existing coastal protection and flood defences, which is being made available via the OPW. Of this sum of €19.6m, up to €4,205,000 was allocated to Mayo County Council, based on a submission made by the Council to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and a subsequent Programme of works approved by the OPW.
In 2014, the Council drew down from the OPW a total of €2,076,309 of the sum of up to €4,205,000 allocated to it by the Government Decision for repair of existing coastal protection and flood defences. The Council is continuing to progress with works and further draw down requests are expected to be submitted and processed in 2015. Provision has been included in the OPW's 2015 Vote to allow the Council to draw down the balance of its funding this year.
57. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of visitors to all heritage sites in 2014; if he will provide percentage comparisons with the 2013 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6184/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the income generated by visitors to each heritage site in 2014; if he will provide details of the staffing costs for each site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6187/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.
The information requested in relation to the visitor admissions for each site in OPW care where Guide services are provided is shown below. It should be noted that the 2014 figures have not been fully audited as yet and are therefore provisional.
|
Site Name |
Provisional 2014 |
2013 |
Difference |
% |
|
Altamont |
58,023 |
53,541 |
4,482 |
8.37% |
|
Arás |
5,197 |
4,807 |
390 |
8.11% |
|
Ardfert Cathedral |
6,867 |
6,265 |
602 |
9.61% |
|
Athenry Castle |
11,268 |
10,056 |
1,212 |
12.05% |
|
Aughnanure Castle |
25,485 |
20,222 |
5,263 |
26.03% |
|
Ballyhack Castle |
2,471 |
1,782 |
689 |
38.66% |
|
Barryscourt Castle |
8,860 |
13,177 |
-4,317 |
-32.76% |
|
Battle of the Boyne/ Oldbridge Estate |
71,137 |
60,796 |
10,341 |
17.01% |
|
Blasket Centre |
44,074 |
42,362 |
1,712 |
4.04% |
|
Boyle Abbey |
6,927 |
5,849 |
1,078 |
18.43% |
|
Brú na Bóinne |
48,996 |
44,990 |
4,006 |
8.90% |
|
Newgrange |
139,173 |
133,616 |
5,557 |
4.16% |
|
Knowth |
58,883 |
51,138 |
7,745 |
15.15% |
|
Cahir Castle |
66,747 |
67,713 |
-966 |
-1.43% |
|
Carrowmore |
31,097 |
27,569 |
3,528 |
12.80% |
|
Casino Marino |
18,790 |
13,511 |
5,279 |
39.07% |
|
Castletown House & Parklands |
285,410 |
244,416 |
40,994 |
16.77% |
|
Céide Fields |
28,484 |
25,105 |
3,379 |
13.46% |
|
Charles Fort |
74,446 |
69,263 |
5,183 |
7.48% |
|
Clonmacnoise |
149,472 |
139,413 |
10,059 |
7.22% |
|
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre |
3,988 |
4,209 |
-221 |
-5.25% |
|
Derrynane House |
24,874 |
23,611 |
1,263 |
5.35% |
|
Desmond Castle |
10,507 |
9,205 |
1,302 |
14.14% |
|
Desmond Hall |
11,362 |
9,415 |
1,947 |
20.68% |
|
Donegal Castle |
40,626 |
39,995 |
631 |
1.58% |
|
Dublin Castle |
217,758 |
103,287 |
114,471 |
110.83% |
|
Dún Aonghasa |
121,001 |
105,539 |
15,462 |
14.65% |
|
Dungarvan Castle |
11,639 |
10,805 |
834 |
7.72% |
|
Dunmore Cave |
40,830 |
36,271 |
4,559 |
12.57% |
|
Emo Court |
12,082 |
11,397 |
685 |
6.01% |
|
Ennis Friary |
15,967 |
22,272 |
-6,305 |
-28.31% |
|
Farmleigh Estate |
402,773 |
435,476 |
-32,703 |
-7.51% |
|
Ferns Castle |
6,875 |
5,710 |
1,165 |
20.40% |
|
Gallarus Castle |
43,650 |
39,658 |
3,992 |
10.07% |
|
Garinish Island |
55,088 |
49,706 |
5,382 |
10.83% |
|
Glebe House and Gallery |
24,085 |
23,480 |
605 |
2.58% |
|
Glendalough Visitor Centre |
79,810 |
80,922 |
-1,112 |
-1.37% |
|
Hill of Tara |
11,892 |
9,600 |
2,292 |
23.88% |
|
J F Kennedy Arboretum |
92,236 |
95,356 |
-3,120 |
-3.27% |
|
Jerpoint Abbey |
23,370 |
22,097 |
1,273 |
5.76% |
|
Kilkenny Castle |
259,250 |
241,302 |
17,948 |
7.44% |
|
Kilmacurragh Gardens |
50,517 |
51,500 |
-983 |
-1.91% |
|
Kilmainham Gaol |
328,886 |
326,207 |
2,679 |
0.82% |
|
Listowel |
6,196 |
4,068 |
2,128 |
52.31% |
|
Loughcrew |
11,079 |
9,226 |
1,853 |
20.08% |
|
Main Guard |
5,774 |
5,954 |
-180 |
-3.02% |
|
Maynooth Castle |
25,268 |
23,326 |
1,942 |
8.33% |
|
Mellifont Abbey |
5,783 |
8,253 |
-2,470 |
-29.93% |
|
National Botanic Gardens |
541,946 |
550,000 |
-8,054 |
-1.46% |
|
Newmills Corn and Flax Mills |
3,476 |
3,438 |
38 |
1.11% |
|
Ormond Castle |
9,116 |
9,922 |
-806 |
-8.12% |
|
Parke's Castle |
15,423 |
16,302 |
-879 |
-5.39% |
|
Pearse Museum |
34,011 |
32,507 |
1,504 |
4.63% |
|
Pearse's Cottage |
7,206 |
4,615 |
2,591 |
56.14% |
|
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre |
135,790 |
137,755 |
-1,965 |
-1.43% |
|
Portumna Castle |
12,164 |
10,401 |
1,763 |
16.95% |
|
Rathfarnham Castle |
0 |
17,830 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Reginald's Tower |
31,029 |
26,468 |
4,561 |
17.23% |
|
Rock of Cashel |
272,503 |
255,338 |
17,165 |
6.72% |
|
Roscrea Heritage |
29,987 |
26,541 |
3,446 |
12.98% |
|
Ross Castle |
83,225 |
77,156 |
6,069 |
7.87% |
|
Scattery Island |
2,491 |
2,821 |
-330 |
-11.70% |
|
Skellig Michael |
15,315 |
13,221 |
2,094 |
15.84% |
|
Sligo Abbey |
15,309 |
13,106 |
2,203 |
16.81% |
|
St. Audoen's Church |
27,502 |
27,339 |
163 |
0.60% |
|
St. Mary's Church, Gowran |
2,002 |
2,034 |
-32 |
-1.57% |
|
Swiss Cottage |
22,802 |
22,558 |
244 |
1.08% |
|
Tintern Abbey |
13,433 |
13,206 |
227 |
1.72% |
|
Trim Castle |
76,511 |
74,724 |
1,787 |
2.39% |
|
TOTALS |
4,436,214 |
4,180,720 |
Fully audited Income and Cost figures for each individual site are not available as yet. However, the indicative comparative figures on a global basis are as follows:
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Income: 2014 |
7.94m (approx) |
*Staff costs: 2014 |
8.97 m |
|
Income: 2013 |
7.08m |
*Staff costs: 2013 |
8.67 m |
* This figure represents Guide pay only.
59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether he expects to be in a position to meet all the targets set by his Department and other Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6217/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects reform to continue to play a role in the curtailment of expenditure, in accordance with the targets and guidelines set down and agreed with the troika across all Government Departments and relevant subordinate bodies, in the course of the next 12 months; if he is satisfied that sufficient latitude exists to encourage economic expansion and growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6219/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he can foresee any relaxation of the guidelines laid down by the troika, within which his Department is expected to operate over the course of the current year, with particular reference to the need to meet pressing but necessary expenditure of an infrastructural nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6221/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which any particular corrective measures remain to be taken in respect of curtailment of expenditure or increased expenditure to address specific needs in the course of the next five years, having particular regard to the achievements to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6222/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which savings continue to be made across each and all Government Departments, in the context of meeting targets laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6223/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 61 to 64, inclusive, together.
While Ireland is no longer subject to the Troika programme having successfully exited the EU-IMF programme of financial support in December 2013, there remain the annual deficit ceilings set out in the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP). The Government's key budgetary target for 2015 is to bring the General Government Deficit below 3% of GDP so that Ireland can exit the EDP at the end of this year.
With the recovery in the economy and the improvement in the fiscal outlook, the Government in agreeing expenditure allocations for 2015 was able to provide for targeted increases in expenditure to support the delivery of key social and economic objectives.
In this context, it is clear that fiscal policy has moved its focus away from consolidation and towards prudent prioritisation and allocation of resources with sustainable modest increases in both current and capital expenditure. The allocations provided in the Revised Estimates Volume 2015 across Government Departments for 2015, and the multi-annual expenditure ceilings published in the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2015-2017 will assist with ensuring the ongoing provision of vital public services at an affordable cost while also serving to further support the nascent but strengthening economic recovery.
It is the responsibility of Ministers and their Departments to manage within their 2015 expenditure allocations to ensure that our key deficit target for 2015 is achieved. My Department will monitor and report on expenditure trends to Government and engage with Departments in relation to managing expenditure within profile.
Economic growth requries sound and sustainable management of the public finances. Added to this, the growth-friendly environment and policies, as well as the significant public service reforms undertaken, provide the foundations for sustained economic growth.
Reforms to the way in which the public service operates will provide Irish citizens with high-quality public services that are delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The increased focus on evaluation of expenditure policies and programmes has also contributed to our ability to effectively manage and allocate resources across all areas of public policy. The forthcoming Capital Review will set out multi-annual capital expenditure ceilings for Departments, reflecting the Government's identification of the infrastructure investment which will best underpin future growth and help address pressing social requirements.
60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position, in the course of the next year, to address the increased expenditure requirements, where infrastructural deficits have been identified, which may require capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6218/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department commenced a review of the Public Capital Programme in 2014. The purpose of the review is to refresh the Government's existing investment strategy and set a new multi-annual capital envelope which addresses critical infrastructure needs and is in line with emerging Government priorities.
As part of the Estimates process, and informed by the capital review, Government has made decisions on the capital allocations for the period 2015 to 2017. These were set out in Budget 2015 with some technical adjustments and minor revisions made in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2015 (REV 2015). The new ceilings include increased expenditure for Social Housing, Transport, Education and Health in order to address infrastructure requirements in those areas.
It is a matter for individual Ministers and their Departments to decide the specific projects and programmes that will be delivered from within these allocations.
The report of the capital review is currently being finalised and I intend to publish it in the coming weeks. It will include the three year ceilings already announced along with new ceilings for the period 2018 to 2020.
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which recruitment will be approved across the public sector over the next two years, while maintaining guidelines agreed with the troika; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6224/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced in Budget 2015 that the Moratorium on recruitment to the Public Service is to be replaced in 2015 with new arrangements giving Departments greater flexibility in managing their staffing resources. This will be subject to Departments remaining within binding pay ceilings and meeting ongoing efficiency and reform objectives. My Department is currently engaging with all Government Departments in ensuring that the necessary structures and controls are in place to allow for the new framework to be rolled out. Where agreement is reached that such structures and controls are in place, formal delegated sanction will then be issued.
Once the sanction is issued, it will be a matter for Departments to manage their staffing resources, including recruitment and promotion to key services, subject to overall pay limits.
I would point out to the Deputy that there is ongoing recruitment in the Public Service. Most recently in Budget 2015, in Education, I made provision for more than 1,700 additional teachers, Special Needs Assistants and resource teachers. I similarly made provision for additional front line staff in the Health and Justice Sectors.
There are no specific guidelines agreed with the Troika with regard to recruitment into the Public Service.
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform throughout the public sector remains a component of economic policy in the context of economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6225/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Service Reform was a key element of the Government's strategic response to the crisis and remains a key part of our strategy for recovery. Reform has enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, at a time of increased demand for public services. For example, 21% more people were in receipt of a weekly social protection payment at the end of 2013 than in 2008, the number of primary school pupils increased by nearly 10% in the same period and there are over 30% more medical card holders now than in 2008.
Significant progress has been made since the publication of the Government's first Public Service Reform Plan in November 2011. Two Progress Reports on the first Reform Plan have been published - the first in September 2012 and the second in January 2014. Staff numbers have been reduced by around 10% since 2008 and the pay-bill was reduced from €17.5 billion in 2009 to a forecasted €13.8 billion in 2014, including the pension related deduction. Good progress has also been made in terms of improving productivity; more online delivery of services; development of shared services; and putting in place the structures to reform public procurement and property asset management, to name just some areas.
A new Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 was published in January 2014. While maintaining an emphasis on efficiency and reducing costs, this Plan puts a particular focus on improved service delivery and achieving better outcomes. There are over 230 specific actions set out in the Reform Plan including greater use of shared services and innovative approaches to service delivery; increased use of technology and improved engagement with service users; more efficient and effective public procurement and property management; increased accountability and transparency in public decision making; enhanced leadership and performance management; and a continued focus on building the required capacity to deliver reform and service improvements across the Public Service. A Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 will be published in March.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Taoiseach and I published a Civil Service Renewal Plan in October last year. The implementation of this ambitious three year plan will lead to very significant changes right across the Civil Service.
Overall, I am satisfied that we have made very strong progress on Public Service Reform to date and that this will remain a key element of our recovery strategy. Finally, the levels of reform that we have delivered could not have happened without the efforts and commitment of our public servants and I commend them for their contribution to date.
67. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the final costs involved in the holding of the referendum on the abolition of Seanad Éireann and the referendum on the Court of Appeal on 4 October 2014; the specific additional costs involved in having a second referendum on that date, for example the printing of ballot papers for the second vote, additional resources for the referendum commission and overtime costs for staff to count the second ballot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6282/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final cost of holding the Referendum on the abolition of Seanad Éireann and the Referendum on the Court of appeal on 4th October 2013 amounted to €14.4m. The breakdown of this cost is as follows:
|
Costs |
€ |
|
Returning Officer Costs for taking the poll and counting of votes |
€10.2m |
|
Postal Costs (primarily delivery of Polling Cards) |
€1.4m |
|
Referendum Commission Costs |
€2.4m |
|
Other Costs (including printing) |
€0.4m |
The additional or incremental costs of holding a second ballot are relatively small in percentage terms, and are primarily made up of additional Returning Officer Costs €0.4m, additional Printing and Miscellaneous costs €0.1m and Referendum Commission Costs of approximately €1.2m. The additional Returning Officer costs arise as Returning Officers get an additional 20% of their fee where there is more than one poll and Presiding Officers and Count Supervisors get an additional 10%. In total the incremenatal costs of a second poll are estimated at €1.7m or 13% more than the cost of a single poll. From a cost point of view, as you would expect, there is a significant advantage in holding more than one poll on the same day.
68. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific plans that are being, or have been, put in place by the Industrial Development Authority to market a new factory (details supplied) in County Westmeath, which is now complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6273/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by IDA Ireland that it is actively seeking an investment for the new building in Athlone and is confident of a positive outcome. As property is one of the key considerations for clients when choosing a location, the availability of suitable premises in Athlone will provide an additional positive element in the Midlands.
IDA Ireland promotes Westmeath as part of its Midlands Region, which also includes Counties Longford, Laois and Offaly. There are 35 multinational companies employing 4,032 within the Region. The Region is marketed as having a strong cluster in Medical Technology and Life Sciences and is home to many key clients, one such example being Covidien in Athlone.
Growing both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and indigenous enterprise is key to Ireland’s economic recovery. I am glad to inform the Deputy that 2014 was a record year for both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in terms of investment wins and job creation, with 7,131 net new jobs being created in IDA Ireland client companies and 8,476 net new jobs being created in Enterprise Ireland client companies.
As the Deputy is aware, the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 was launched on 29 January last. This is the fourth annual plan in a multi-year process, which began in 2012. When the First Action Plan for Jobs was launched, unemployment stood at 15.1%. Today it stands at 10.6% and we are on track to exceed our target of 100,000 additional jobs by 2016. We are now setting a goal to bring employment to 2.1 million by 2018 – 2 years ahead of our original target.
We are determined to ensure that every region will benefit from the recovery. Yesterday, along with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, I announced the details of a comprehensive new strategy to support enterprise growth and job creation at regional level. The Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative seeks to build on the success of the annual Action Plan for Jobs process by developing locally driven plans that can build on the strengths and opportunities identified in each region.
The strategy will provide up to €250 million over five years in additional funding to support regional enterprise development. This includes the roll-out of a five-year, €150 million property investment programme by the IDA to attract foreign direct investment into the regions. This programme will build on the recent investment by the IDA in a number of advance manufacturing facilities in regional locations. A further sum of up to €100 million will be available to Enterprise Ireland to support enterprises in the regions to start up, grow and export, thereby creating more jobs in regional locations.
69. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to open the business development management grant scheme, administered through Enterprise Ireland; when applications will open; the budget that might be attributed to such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6303/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from Enterprise Ireland that since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre scheme in 1989, Enterprise Ireland has approved €64 million for the development of Community Enterprise Centres in towns and villages across the country. There are currently 117 such centres across the country. The last scheme rolled out was in 2012 and 2013 when Enterprise Ireland provided funding of €2 million to support the recruitment of a total of 46 Business Development Managers.
On the wider issue of the performance of the Centres, the success levels, occupancy levels and sustainability of jobs at the Centres varies and therefore I asked Enterprise Ireland to review the operations of the Community Enterprise Centres in the context of Regional Enterprise Development and how the Community Enterprise Centres, the Local Enterprise Offices and other Regional entities might work more closely in support of business start-ups, before giving further consideration to the matter.
Earlier today the Government announced details of its 5-year, €250 million Regional Strategy, aimed at accelerating the jobs recovery in every part of the country. Action Plan for Jobs – Regional - is based on the principle that the best way to support job-creation in towns and villages across the country is to support agencies and organisations within 8 regions, to build on the particular strengths and assets of their area and drive new job-creation strategies and projects.
The Strategy is based on the successful Action Plan for Jobs model of setting out lists of actions with timelines and responsibility allocated, and then monitoring implementation.
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I will lead the initiative. Each of the 8 regions will develop its own Action Plan. It is my intention that all Regional Plans will be published or in development by July 2015.
Under the Strategy, Enterprise Ireland will launch a series of new competitive funding initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, enterprise infrastructure and job creation. The objective is to bring forward fresh collaborative initiatives to boost enterprise and job creation in the region. An initial fund of €50 million is to be made available for three competitive calls.
The first of these competitive calls, with a budget of €5 million, will focus on community-driven enterprise initiatives and how all the local players, public and private, can work together to maximise job creation.
The Community Enterprise Initiatives Fund call will be open to existing Community Enterprise Centres (CECs) and also to any other organisation or groups of organisations with innovative ideas to create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, boost innovation or enhance exports. It should be open to any credible and novel approach rather than simply replicating what has been done before.
The criteria in any such competition will be announced by Enterprise Ireland, but the typical criteria will include:
- Promoting a culture of entrepreneurship locally and regionally;
- Developing capacity to start up and scale companies; filling gaps in enterprise facilities;
- Building on existing strengths or opportunities, e.g. developing a sectoral opportunity where there is a competitive advantage
- Devising a credible plan to deliver added value in jobs and start-ups and increased level of exporting / potential exporters
- Commitment of matching finance
- Bringing originality in approach, objectives, leverage of other stakeholders
- Leveraging off other enterprise support (Mentoring, funding, networks)
- Promoting public and private partnership, e.g. alignment/collaboration with others players (e.g. LEO, ETB, HEIs, Chambers etc.)
I believe this is a significant challenge and a significant opportunity for the Community Enterprise Centres, in collaboration with others, to deliver new businesses and jobs in their locality.
70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the independent value for money assessments his Department has scrutinised, in order to sanction the co-funding for the operational programme for fisheries and aquaculture, in view of the limited employment created by aquaculture, in comparison to the tourism and angling industries. [6247/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is presently finalising a new Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Regulation (508/2014). I will be publishing a detailed consultation document and Strategic Environmental Assessment for public consultation in the next month or so, with a view to submitting the new Programme to the Commission by May this year for its consideration and adoption. As required by the EMFF Regulation, an independent ex-ante evaluation is being conducted by consultants on behalf of my Department. That evaluation is still ongoing and the consultants’ report will be published in due course. In addition the Programme document itself will set out details of arrangements to subject expenditure programmes to ongoing evaluation in accordance with the Public Spending Code published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Co-funding of the Programme by the Exchequer is a pre-requisite for availing of the €147.6 million EMFF funds allocated to Ireland. The EMFF funds are allocated by the Commission in accordance with the five envelopes identified in article 13 of the EMFF Regulation. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has sanctioned in total €93.9 million in Exchequer co-funding for the Programme and this was similarly allocated on the basis of those five envelopes. Funding for aquaculture is not separately identified in that process.
The sustainable development of aquaculture is part of the Common Fisheries Policy and the EMFF is specifically intended to support that policy. When I publish the consultation draft of the Programme shortly, my proposals on how the funds should be best used in the national interest and in the interests of the seafood industry as a whole will become clear. I will welcome all views at that point on the extent to which our resources should be directed towards aquaculture development. The Deputy may also wish to note that projects relating to tourism and angling may potentially benefit under the Programme.
71. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a rural environment protection scheme payment appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6161/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and has received payments for the entire six years of his contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the administrative checks in 2013 an issue was discovered in relation to the reclassification of 5.78 ha. of Natura lands requiring the subsequent clawback of moneys based on the difference between the higher and lower rate of payment. A letter issued in September 2013 advising the person named of the clawback amounting to €1,318.42 and of the right of appeal. The person named appealed this decision and this decision is currently under review in my Department.
72. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the European Fisheries Fund, or its successor, the European Maritime Fisheries Fund, provide funding support for fishermen, who are no longer involved in fishing, to retrain in an alternative maritime activity; specifically in respect of a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 under the European Fisheries Fund (1198/2006) is providing funding to Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) to in turn aid projects that support the development and diversification of the economy in coastal communities. Support is potentially available from the six FLAGs for fishermen who are no longer involved in fishing to retrain in an alternative maritime activity. I understand from Bord Iascaigh Mhara that the person named has already availed of such supports from FLAG South East for two training courses to assist him in finding employment in the offshore sector.
I am presently finalising a new Seafood Development Programme under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and I expect to launch a €241 million Programme later this year, after it is adopted by the Commission. I will be publishing a detailed consultation document and Strategic Environmental Assessment for public consultation in the next month or so, with a view to submitting the new Programme to the Commission by May this year. I will welcome all views during that consultation on the extent to which the Programme should in the future assist with matters such as the training referred to by the Deputy.
73. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a 2013 land parcel information system review on an application for a single farm payment in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6179/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the land parcels declared by the persons named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the land parcels declared by the persons named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the persons named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. This check confirmed an area over-declaration of 3.6% in the area declared by the applicant for the 2013 Single Farm Payment Scheme. This over-declaration resulted in a reduction between 3% and 20% to the area payable under the 2013 Single Farm Payment Scheme. The applicant was notified in writing of the outcome of the inspection on 5 December 2014 and advised of the right of appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee. The persons named have not availed of this right to date.
74. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regrading a forestry road grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6182/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application by the person named was submitted online by his registered forester on 2 February 2015. Once the necessary supporting documentation has been received and the application is complete it will be assessed, which may include consultation with statutory bodies and the general public. He will be notified as soon as his application for approval to build the road has been determined.
75. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 15 January 2015, the specific services and-or data that were provided by the Marine Institute to Bord Iascaigh Mhara for the Galway Bay licence application; the services and-or data of these that were provided by the Marine Institute from in-house resources; the services and-or data of these that were provided from outside the Marine Institute; and the number of staff of the Marine Institute that were involved in providing scientific services and-or data to Bord Iascaigh Mhara in relation to this application. [6244/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am assuming the Deputy meant to refer instead to Question No. 99 of 15 January 2015 and the subsequent direct response to the Deputy from the Marine Institute. Matters concerning services provided by the Institute to Bord Iascaigh Mhara are operational matters for the board of the Institute. I will forward the Deputy’s question to the Institute for direct reply.
76. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 15 January 2015, if the delay in deciding on the application by the Marine Institute on the Galway Bay licence amounts to the recognition by him that this application is going nowhere; and that giant fish farms cannot succeed in Irish waters. [6245/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously indicated to the Deputy the application in question is currently under consideration by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. A determination in respect of the application will be made as soon as possible following completion of the necessary assessment process.
As the application is under active consideration as part of the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
77. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the independent value for money assessments that have been commissioned by his Department to assess the previous and forthcoming operational programmes for fisheries and aquaculture. [6246/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the present Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 under the European Fisheries Fund Regulation (1198/2016), ex-post evaluation of the Programme is by law a matter for the European Commission. My Department was responsible for carrying out an interim evaluation of the Programme. This was conducted by independent consultants and published in 2011 and is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/fisheries/marineagenciesandprogrammes/seafooddevelopmentinireland/InterimEvaluationSeafoodDev180612.pdf
In addition, a value for money review of the 2005-2008 decommissioning schemes was conducted in 2011 in accordance with the then Department of Finance Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative. The report of the Review was published on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/publications/2012/FishVFMFinal310112.pdf
My Department is presently finalising a new Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Regulation (508/2014). I will be publishing a detailed consultation document and Strategic Environmental Assessment for public consultation in the next month or so, with a view to submitting the new Programme to the Commission by May this year for its consideration and adoption. As required by the EMFF Regulation, an independent ex-ante evaluation is being conducted by consultants on behalf of my Department. That evaluation is still ongoing and the consultants’ report will be published in due course. In addition, the Programme document itself will include an evaluation plan and this will set out details of arrangements to subject expenditure programmes to ongoing evaluation in accordance with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform’s Capital Appraisal Guidelines.
78. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of jobs that will be created if he agrees to licence the proposed marine harvest fish farm at Shot Head, County Cork; and if the promised jobs are sufficient to justify the damage to the bay's environment from this proposed fish farm. [6248/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe licence application referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries ( Amendment ) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. The process of assessment will take full account of applicable National and EU legislation and will reflect the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of the application.
As the application is under active consideration as part of the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
79. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo) faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste do 2009, 2010 agus 2011 agus faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair do 2009, 2010, 2011 agus 2012; cén fáth go bhfuil moill leis na híocaíochtaí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [6251/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI dtaca le Ceisteanna Parlaiminte eile ar an ábhar seo, tá íocaíochtaí maidir leis an Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair agus le Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste do na blianta 2009, 2013 agus 2014 seolta cheana féin díreach chuig cuntas bainc ainmnithe an duine ainmnithe. Tháinig ceisteanna eile chun solais fad a bhí iarratais a fuarthas maidir leis na blianta 2010, 2011 agus 2012 á bpróiseáil. Réitíodh na ceisteanna sin le déanaí agus seolfar íocaíocht díreach chuig cuntas bainc ainmnithe an duine ainmnithe go luath.
