Written Answers Nos 31-60
31. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the role her Department will undertake in supporting the work of community groups on our offshore inhabited islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10121/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Deputy is referring in his Question to the new arrangements for certain non-Gaeltacht inhabited islands.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have been in contact with my colleagues, Minister Alan Kelly and Minister of State Ann Phelan, with regard to the continuation of some services that had been delivered under the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) on these islands. As a result of the agreement reached, I am pleased that my Department will be in a position to deliver a revised funding approach towards community development on the non-Gaeltacht islands with effect from 1 April 2015. A total sum of €300,000 will be available for the remainder of the year, being the balance of the overall allocation of €400,000 approved for 2015.
While I am aware that SICAP, the successor programme to the LCDP, will operate within all local authority areas, the funding from my Department will assist with the delivery of other essential services for these island communities. My Department will seek to enhance this delivery into the future through engagement with the communities on the relevant islands.
32. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of bog relocations that have been completed; the number where alternative locations have been sourced that will meet the demand for relocation; the number where alternatives have yet to be sourced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10185/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra3,064 applications have been received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation. Of these, 781 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs. Relocation is a complex process in terms of:
- investigating suitable sites for turf quality and quantity;
- the infrastructure/drainage works required;
- establishing the number that can be accommodated on the site;
- the cost and feasibility of land purchase or lease; and
- possible planning and Environmental Impact Assessment requirements.
Notwithstanding this complexity, progress in relocating turf cutters to non-designated bogs is being achieved in a number of cases and arrangements have been made to date as regards:
- Clara Bog special area of conservation in Co. Offaly, where 25 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated on Killeranny Bog; and
- Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog special areas of conservation in Co Galway, where 23 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated on the Islands Bog and Killasolan Bog.
Works have been undertaken on Lemanaghan Bog in County Offaly with a view to facilitating turf cutters from Moyclare Bog. Works have also been completed at Cloonabricka Bog in County Galway to facilitate additional cutters relocating from Carrownagappul and Curraghlehanagh Bogs.
It is expected that 12 turf cutters can be accommodated at Lemanaghan Bog and 8 turf cutters can be accommodated at Cloonabricka Bog from 2016.
Progress has been made to relocate a small number of individual turf cutters to bog plots in County Westmeath and County Galway.
Potential relocation sites had been identified for each of the remaining raised bog special areas of conservation where relocation may be required. When relocation sites have been assessed as suitable, my Department has been seeking expressions of interest from turf cutters with a view to them moving to these sites. In 2014, my Department wrote to over 250 turf cutters, from 14 special areas of conservation, seeking expressions of interest in relocating to specific non-designated bogs. It is expected to continue the process this year.
However, for a number of these special area of conservation sites, the relocation site identified may not be suitable or may not have the capacity to cater for the number of turf cutters who may wish to relocate there. In such cases, and in the context of the finalisation of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, my Department is considering the available options in terms of relocation and the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. Under Article 6.3 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the site. Under Article 6.4 of the Directive, consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation for imperative reasons of overriding public interest.
Given the clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of turf extraction on raised bogs, it will only be possible to utilise the provisions of Article 6.3 in a small number of cases. Similarly, the flexibility provided for under Article 6.4, if required, will only be applicable to a small number of sites.
33. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide this Government's detailed plan for a national strategy in the remit of arts, culture, and heritage and the funding that has been allocated for its implementation. [10174/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to the delivery of the country's first ever national cultural policy - Culture 2025 - and will be initiating a wide-scale consultation process to ensure that all stakeholders and members of the public can make their views know. With this in mind, a draft discussion paper is currently being finalised, which I hope to publish shortly. As the purpose is to set out the high-level aims and policies in the area of culture for the period up to 2025, the issue of funding does not arise.
34. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí sásta leis an moladh ón bhFochoiste atá ag plé leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge go mbeidh 10% de na hoibrithe poiblí in ann gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an bpobal i gcoitinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10199/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI gcomhréir leis an ngealltanas a tugadh i gClár an Rialtais, rinne mo Roinn athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Ag eascairt as an athbhreithniú sin, thóg an Rialtas cinneadh anuraidh Bille a dhréachtú chun leasuithe a dhéanamh ar an Acht. I gcomhréir le polasaí an Rialtais, cuireadh Ceannteidil an Bhille faoi bhráid an Chomhchoiste um Chomhshaol, Chultúr agus an Ghaeltacht. Foilsíodh tuarascáil an Chomhchoiste maidir leis na Ceannteidil ar an 24 Feabhra agus tá na moltaí atá inti á meas agam faoi láthair.
Déantar foráil i gCeann 6 den Bhille go gcuirfear fo-alt nua isteach san Acht chun na poist i gcomhlachtaí poiblí a bhfuil riachtanas inniúlachta Gaeilge ag gabháil leo a shonrú i scéimeanna teanga. Eascraíonn an leasú sin as cinneadh Rialtais den 30 Deireadh Fómhair 2013 i ndáil le deireadh a chur le marcanna bónais a bhronnadh as oilteacht Ghaeilge in earcaíocht agus comórtais ardaithe céime na Státseirbhíse agus córas nua bunaithe ar inniúlacht a chur ina áit. Is í an aidhm atá leis an gcóras nua ná an líon oifigeach le Gaeilge sa Státseirbhís a mhéadú. Tá na socruithe nua á gcur i bhfeidhm sna comórtais atá á reáchtáil ag an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí d'oifigigh cléireachais, riaracháin agus feidhmiúcháin, mar aon leis an gcomórtas do phríomhoifigigh.
35. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an mbeidh ról ag an gCoimisinéir Teanga in aon pholasaí nua nó Bille chun an Ghaeilge a neartú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10198/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI gcomhréir leis an ngealltanas a tugadh i gClár an Rialtais, rinne mo Roinn athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Ag eascairt as an athbhreithniú sin, thóg an Rialtas cinneadh anuraidh Bille a dhréachtú chun leasuithe a dhéanamh ar an Acht Teanga. I gcomhthéacs an athbhreithnithe, thóg an Rialtas cinneadh nach ndéanfaí Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman, mar a bhí beartaithe.
I gcomhréir le polasaí an Rialtais, cuireadh Ceannteidil an Bhille faoi bhráid an Chomhchoiste um Chomhshaol, Chultúr agus an Ghaeltacht. Bhí éisteachtaí ag an bhFochoiste um an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge maidir leis na Ceannteidil i mí na Bealtaine seo caite. Foilsíodh tuarascáil an Chomhchoiste maidir leis na Ceannteidil ar an 24 Feabhra. Tá na moltaí atá inti, cuid acu a mholann ról an Choimisinéara Teanga a láidriú, á meas agam faoi láthair.
36. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to address the ongoing issues regarding the implementation of the ban on turf cutting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10186/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to point out that there is no blanket ban on cutting turf in Ireland. The need to curtail turf cutting has arisen in the context of the requirement to conserve legally protected sites. As set out in the draft National Peatlands Strategy, the Government has no intention of ending the traditional practice of cutting turf for a person’s own domestic use but is committed to ensuring that the law is upheld in relation to nature protection.
Since this Government has come into office, huge efforts have been made to solve the issue of the protection of Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included intense engagement with turf cutting interests, farmers, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission. A cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was introduced, comprising a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog together, with a once-off incentive payment of €500.
The draft National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan was published in January 2014. It sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. The draft plan sets out the demanding tests which must be met before turf cutting could be consented to within the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive. The final plan will clarify whether the relevant provisions of the Directive could be applicable for any particular special area of conservation and will seek to establish whether sufficient consensus can be achieved at a national level to make a successful case to the European Commission for flexibility in accordance with Article 6(4) of the Directive.
Final resolution of all issues in relation to the protection of Ireland's raised bog special areas of conservation will only be brought about by everyone working together, within the law, with my Department and with the Peatlands Council, which was established with the purpose of ensuring the input from all stakeholders.
The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on future arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 current raised bog natural heritage areas. The Review has concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. This will entail the phasing out of turf-cutting on certain natural heritage areas by 1 January 2017 and the partial or complete de-designation of certain natural heritage areas.
37. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures she will take to implement the recommendations of the recent report, The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy and, in particular, the promotion of arts within the context of employment creation and creative industries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10190/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. My Department provides significant support to the industry through its funding of the Arts Council; through capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure; and through other financial and policy supports.
I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to Irish society and to the music industry.
Last year, in response to a proposal from the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, a capital grant of €50,000 from my Department's capital budget was awarded for the purpose of introducing a digital music system to be available to all Irish musicians and to Irish broadcasters. This system will assist in directing royalties to Irish musicians.
I welcome the recent publication of the IMRO report referred to in the Deputy's Question - The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy . The report highlights the impressive contribution being made to the Irish economy by the music industry and contains a broad range of recommendations for which several Ministers have responsibility.
My Department will be examining those elements of the report which are of relevance to my own areas of responsibility. In this regard, the report will also be of relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy - Culture 2025 – and I look forward to working further with the music industry as part of that process. I intend to publish a Culture 2025 discussion paper shortly, which will be an important step in opening up the debate around how we should shape the future of the arts in Ireland, including in relation to music.
38. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad airgead atá ar fáil, i mbliana, chun an Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010 - 2030 a chur i bhfeidhm; cé mhéad cruinniú den Fhochoiste Aireachta ar an nGaeilge ar fhreastail sí orthu, ó ceapadh ina hAire í; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10020/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI dtús báire, ní miste a rá go bhfuil an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge fite fuaite le gníomhaíochtaí mo Roinne thar na réimsí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta go léir. É sin ráite, cuireadh allúntas ar leith de €0.5m ar fáil don chéad uair riamh don Straitéis i Vóta mo Roinne anuraidh. Caitheadh an t-airgead sin ar ghníomhaíochtaí breisluacha ar leith chun tacú leis an Straitéis agus leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga faoi Acht na Gaeltachta. Is ar mhaithe leis na haidhmeanna céanna a chur i gcrích a chaithfear an t-allúntas méadaithe de €0.551m atá ar fáil don Straitéis i Vóta mo Roinne i mbliana.
Ón uair gur ceapadh mé mar Aire Stáit, bhí dhá chruinniú den Choiste Rialtais faoin nGaeilge agus faoin nGaeltacht ann ar a d’fhreastail mé féin agus an tAire Humphreys. Reáchtáladh an dá chruinniú seo ar an 29 Meán Fómhair agus an 8 Nollaig 2014. Táthar ag súil leis go mbeidh an chéad chruinniú eile den Choiste Rialtais ar an 30 Márta 2015.
39. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will publish the criteria for the selection of future Cities of Culture, to ensure a fair process, for all; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10194/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the selection of the European Capital of Culture is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Culture/EuropeanCapitalofCulture/htmltext,18341,en.html.
40. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the number of persons on disability allowance and disability benefit at the end of each year from 2010 to 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10604/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the attached tabular statement.
Recipients of Disability Allowance and Illness Benefit at 31 December in each of the years 2010 to 2014
|
Disability Allowance |
Illness Benefit |
|
|
2010 |
101,111 |
81,253 |
|
2011 |
102,866 |
73,397 |
|
2012 |
101,784 |
64,429 |
|
2013 |
106,279 |
58,990 |
|
2014 |
112,097 |
57,024 |
41. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons aged 65 years, currently in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit; the activation requirements attaching to such persons; if such persons are counted as unemployed in the Quarterly National Household Survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10605/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of 65 year olds currently in receipt of job seekers allowance (JA) is 2,358, a further 2,342 are in receipt of job seekers benefit (JB) and 2,483 were signing on for credits at the end of February 2015.
Where individuals exit the workforce prior to pension age they may seek the support of either the jobseeker’s benefit or jobseeker’s allowance schemes. Jobseeker's benefit is a weekly payment to people out of work and covered by social insurance and legislation provides that, subject to the person having paid 156 or more qualifying contributions and satisfying the general scheme conditions, a person whose benefit expires in their 65th year will continue to be paid benefit up until the age of 66.
Persons who are in receipt of a Jobseeker’s payment are required to be available for full-time employment and genuinely seeking work. In addition, they must comply, when requested to do so, with the Department’s activation measures. Legislation currently provides for the imposition of penalties in the form of payment reductions for refusal or failure to engage, without good cause, with these measures.
Provision was made in Budget 2014 for older jobseekers as a result of which certain compulsory criteria were relaxed for persons aged 62 and over. The following provisions took effect from 1 January, 2014 and apply to fully unemployed jobseekers on JA, JB or Credits:
i. yearly signing arrangements, and
ii. option of transferring to EFT payments, and
iii. not subject to mandatory activation measures but may avail of employment supports; and
iv. not subject to Activation-related sanctions (Penalty Rates)
The core scheme provisions continue to apply to jobseeker customers aged from 62 years and older in the same way as any other jobseeker, namely they are required to be available for full-time employment and genuinely seeking work.
The Quarterly National Household Survey is carried out by the Central Statistics Office. Measures of unemployment from the QNHS are based on International Labour Office (ILO) definitions. To be ‘ILO unemployed’ a person must in the week before the survey be without work but available for work and have recently taken specific job-search steps. These classifications are based on self-declaration by the individual respondent, rather than his/her situation in respect of welfare payments. In recent quarters, the number of people reported as unemployed at ages 65 and over has been less than 1,000.
42. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the exact criteria for the training support grant from her Department nationwide, with particular emphasis on hazard analysis and critical control points training within the catering sector. [10607/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder national and EU regulations, food business operators must put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. The regulations requires that food business operators must ensure that food handlers are supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity, that those responsible for the development and maintenance of the procedure have received adequate training in the application of the HACCP principles and to ensure compliance with any requirements of national law concerning training programmes for persons working in certain food sectors.
While the primary obligation falls to food business operators, occasions arise where a jobseeker may wish to maintain their current level of HACCP certification and where there is a prospect of re-entering employment. In such circumstances, financial support can be provided by the Department through the Intreo services. Financial support is not available to employers or food business operators to provide such training or certification.
43. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the logic behind ending child benefit for children who turn 18 years of age but who are still in full-time secondary school education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10613/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild benefit is a monthly universal payment made to families with children, which assists all parents with the cost associated with raising children. The Government is conscious that child benefit is an important source of income for all families. Child benefit is paid to around 616,000 families in respect of some 1.17 million children, with an estimated expenditure of around €1.9 billion in 2014. Child benefit as a “universal” payment is paid in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children up to their 18th birthday who are in full-time education or who have a disability.
Budget 2009 provided for the reduction of the age for which child benefit is paid from under 19 years of age to under 18 years of age. A value for money review of child income supports, published by the Department of Social Protection in 2010, found that the participation pattern of children in education supports the 18 year age limit for child benefit.
For families on low incomes there are a number of provisions to social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- qualified child increases (QCIs) with primary social welfare payments
- family income supplement (FIS) for low-paid employees with children
- The back to school clothing and footwear allowance for low income families.
Therefore, I have no plans to make any changes to the age threshold for child benefit.
Budget 2015 increased child benefit by €5, from €130 to €135 per month or €60 per annum. In addition, the new Back to Work Family Dividend for long-term unemployed jobseekers with children and One Parent Family Payment recipients will enable these families to retain the child-related portion of their social welfare payment on a tapered basis over two years.
These measures recognise the sacrifices that families made during the economic crisis and their continuing difficulties. They are in line with the commitment in the Statement of Government Priorities for a new deal on living standards for hard-pressed families. Strategically, the measures will increase the pace of the progress in helping people back to work, boost the recovery, reduce welfare expenditure in the long-run, and, most importantly, help the families in question to build a better financial future for themselves
44. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the outcome of her officials' discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a pension plan for community employment supervisors; when they will report back, which they had previously indicated would be by January 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10650/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment Supervisors are employed by sponsors in the community and voluntary sector. Department officials are in ongoing discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the matters raised. Trade Union officials, notably SIPTU and IMPACT will be kept updated on proceedings.
45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears of job seekers allowance will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10659/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned made a claim for jobseeker's allowance in Newbridge local office on 6 February 2015 and received her first payment on 3 March 2015. As supplementary welfare allowance was in payment from 22 January 2015, payment of arrears does not arise.
47. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite approval for a domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; the dates on which the allowance will be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10690/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary care allowance is awarded from the month following receipt of the application. An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on 10 February 2015. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the person concerned. It can currently take 10 weeks to process an application for DCA.
49. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the criteria for carer's allowance; if she will broaden the criteria to include family members and friends who are providing full-time care but who are not living with the care recipients; the number of persons in receipt of the carer's allowance and-or the respite care grant in tabular form, by male and female, in 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015. [10741/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Allowance (CA) is a payment to people on low incomes who are looking after a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). To be entitled to CA the applicant must be providing full-time care and attention to a person in need of care who does not normally live in an institution. The qualifying criteria for CA do not exclude family members/friends who are providing full-time care but not living with the care recipients. However, where the carer lives apart from the care recipient, it is essential that a suitable method of communication is in place between their respective homes. In all cases, whether the carer is resident with the care recipient or not, the deciding officer must be satisfied that full-time care and attention is both required by the care recipient and being provided by the carer. In addition, the CA applicant must be habitually resident in the State and satisfy a means test.
The information requested by the deputy is set out in the following table:
Number of recipients of Carer’s Allowance by gender
|
Year |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
2015* |
13,622 |
46,684 |
60,306 |
|
2014 |
13,376 |
46,004 |
59,380 |
|
2013 |
12,742 |
44,394 |
57,136 |
|
2012 |
11,187 |
41,022 |
52,209 |
*At end of February 2015
Number of recipients of Respite Care Grant by gender
|
Year |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
2014 |
14,590 |
60,669 |
75,259 |
|
2013 |
13,963 |
58,758 |
72,721 |
|
2012** |
909 |
3,392 |
4,301 |
**The number of recipients of respite care grant reported in 2012 are those not in receipt of any other carer’s payment (carer’s allowance, carer’s benefit, and domiciliary care allowance). There were approximately a further 65,000 respite care grant recipients who qualified for payment automatically under the terms of the relevant scheme. Respite care grant is payable on the first Thursday of June, therefore 2015 statistics are not yet available.
50. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding corporation tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10599/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first instance, this is a matter for the Northern Ireland Authorities and the Westminster Government.
However, as I have outlined in recent answers to similar questions, it is well known that Ireland is a supporter of fair tax competition and the OECD has consistently stated that a low corporation tax rate combined with a broad base is the best way to encourage economic growth, while still maintaining tax revenues.
Ireland would be fully supportive of any measures which would make the Island of Ireland, as a whole, more competitive but a low stable corporate tax rate is only one piece in the competitiveness jigsaw.
A reform of the Northern Ireland corporation tax rate has the potential to generate benefits on both parts of the island.
51. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when a new chief executive officer of Allied Irish Banks will be appointed; the steps that have been taken to date in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10610/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the announcement of the resignation of Mr David Duffy, the attention and focus of AIB has turned to recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer. With that in mind, I agreed at a meeting with the Bank's Chairman, Mr Richard Pym, that it is in AIB's best interest that the process to recruit a new Chief Executive would begin without delay with a view to having someone with the calibre, skills and drive to lead AIB in place by end Q2 2015.
Since this meeting AIB has completed the recruitment of external consultants and has also advertised the role on the bank's website. Mr Pym has also agreed to keep me updated as the selection process develops and is confident that the board will be in a position to recommend a new Chief Executive to me within the coming months.
52. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason the period of time non-executive directors may serve on the board of the Central Bank of Ireland's regulated institutions has been extended beyond the previous limit of nine years as set out in the Corporate Governance Code for Credit Institutions and Insurance Undertakings 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10611/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Corporate Governance Code for Credit Institutions and Insurance Undertakings, 2010, did not include a limit as to how long either an executive or non-executive director may serve on the board of a credit institution.
Section 7.13 of the 2010 Code required board memberships to be reviewed at least every three years and required a review of the membership of individual directors who were members of the board for nine years or more.
The intention of the nine year review requirement in Section 7.13 of the 2010 Code was to require an assessment of independent non-executive directors to determine if they could still be considered independent after this period of time on the board. It was not to require membership reviews of all directors, which are required on a more frequent three year basis.
The rationale for an independent non-executive director's continuance was required to be assessed against the criteria for independence. This review was to be conducted on an annual basis once the nine year threshold had been reached by an independent non-executive director.
The 2010 Code was reviewed in 2013 and the Corporate Governance Code for Credit Institutions and Insurance Undertakings, 2013, made a number of changes to clarify the requirements.
The 2013 Code, like the 2010 Code, does not include a limit as to how long either an executive or non-executive director may serve on the board of a credit institution.
Section 7.14 requires board memberships to be reviewed at least every three years while Section 7.15 requires a review of the membership of an independent non-executive director who is a member of the board for nine years or more. This review must subsequently be carried out annually.
53. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 17 February 2015, if he will indicate which of the meetings listed he was personally in attendance at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10614/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 17 February 2015, if he will provide similar information for 2013, and which of these meetings he was personally in attendance at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10615/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together.
The list below sets out meetings with private equity firms since the beginning of 2013 attended by Department of Finance officials. As previously stated, the topics discussed at these meetings would have been varied, ranging from broad interests in investment in Ireland to discussions regarding NAMA, IBRC, the REIT framework, the construction sector and direct lending, among other topics. In addition, senior officials attend group meetings and conferences arranged by investment banks and stockbrokers as well as presenting at conferences.
* Meetings which were attended by the Minister.
|
Firm |
Meeting Dates |
|
Albourne Partners Hedge Fund Conference |
25/09/13* |
|
Apollo |
14/03/13*; 27/03/13; 10/05/13; 17/07/13*; 13/08/13; 16/12/13 |
|
Ardstone Capital |
19/12/13 |
|
Baupost |
04/03/13; 18/04/13 |
|
Blackrock |
11/04/13; 09/07/13; 24/09/2013 |
|
Blackstone |
16/04/13; 17/04/13; 16/07/13; 30/09/13 |
|
Davidson Kempner |
05/06/13 |
|
Hibernia REIT |
11/12/13 |
|
ING (Hosting a number of Dutch investors) |
14/05/13 |
|
Kennedy Wilson |
27/02/13; 15/05/13; 14/12/13 |
|
Kildare Partners |
10/12/13 |
|
Kinsale Capital |
14/05/13 |
|
Kish Capital |
04/03/13 |
|
KKR |
18/07/13 |
|
Lone Star |
21/05/13; 16/05/13; 13/08/13; 18/12/13 |
|
Macquarie Capita l |
15/03/13 |
|
Marathon Assest Management |
22/05/13 |
|
Moore Capital |
08/02/13 |
|
Ontario Investment Fund |
22/02/13 |
|
Sankaty |
02/12/13 |
|
Starwood Capital |
17/05/13 |
|
Firm |
Meeting Dates |
|
Angelo, Gordon Europe LLP |
30/05/14 |
|
Apollo |
13/02/14 |
|
Ardstone Capital |
30/10/14 |
|
Broadhaven |
09/09/14; 24/10/14; 09/01/15 |
|
Canyon Capital |
17/10/14 |
|
Capital International |
06/11/14 |
|
Cardinal Capital |
26/09/14 |
|
CarVal |
18/06/14 |
|
Cerberus |
28/03/14 |
|
Corsair |
24/09/14; 19/11/14 |
|
Davidson Kempner |
26/03/14; 01/07/14 |
|
Highfield Capital |
29/09/14 |
|
Kildare Partners |
13/05/14; 18/09/14 |
|
King Street Capital |
10/09/2014* |
|
KKR |
26/02/14; 16/07/14* |
|
Lone Star |
23/01/14*; 28/01/14; 08/05/14*; 26/11/14* |
|
Moore Capital |
16/01/14 |
|
Ping An |
11/02/15 |
|
Soros |
30/10/14 |
55. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the meetings he or officials of his Department have had in 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015 with representatives of advocacy on behalf of distressed mortgage holders and persons whose mortgages have been or may be sold to third parties; if he will indicate those meetings in which he was personally in attendance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10616/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on a reasonable search of the material available in my Department in respect of meetings held with the main consumer advocacy groups, the meetings held between my officials and representatives of advocacy are shown below. I was not personally in attendance at any of these meetings.
Meeting with Brendan Burgess 16 April 2013.
Meeting with Brendan Burgess and a University College Cork academic 10 December 2013.
Meeting with David Hall Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation (IMHO) 7 February 2014
Meeting with Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) 17 September 2014.
Meeting with New Beginnings 11 December 2014.
Meeting with Stepchange 10 February 2015
These meetings do not include informal discussions in the margins of other events/engagements.
56. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance his views on amendments to the property tax legislation to take account of person who are also paying an estate management fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10619/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a local property tax is part of a broader approach to the taxation of property. The aim is to replace some of the revenue from transaction based taxes, which have proven to be an unstable source of Government revenue, with an annual recurring property tax, which international experience has shown to be a stable source of funding.
The Government decided that the LPT should be centred on the principles of equity, transparency and simplicity; and that a universal liability should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions and reliefs. Limiting the reliefs available allows the rate to be kept to a minimum for those liable persons who do not qualify for relief.
Properties in managed estates, to which management fees apply, would have been purchased by their owners in the knowledge that they would be taking on commitments to partake in, and to fund, the management of the estate, and that it was the intention that many such estates would not be taken in charge by local authorities, nor would it be appropriate for local authorities to do so.
Management fees in these estates can include services such as refuse collection, maintenance of common areas as well as a sinking fund for certain repairs to the buildings, depending on circumstances. These are costs which homeowners in other households have to fund themselves for their own properties.
Revenue from the LPT accrues to local authorities and supports the provision of local services. Local authorities provide a broad range of services in the public realm, which benefit the wider community. The proper functioning of these services are important for the well-being of every community and household. These include: fire and emergency services; road maintenance and cleaning; street lighting; spatial and development planning and other similar services; regulatory and inspection functions and business support services, as well as libraries, parks, and other recreation and cultural public amenities. The benefits of these services accrue to all members of society.
A requirement to pay management fees is not relevant in determining whether a property is subject to the LPT. Accordingly, whilst those who are liable for management fees to property management companies may be exempt from LPT for another reason, or may be entitled to avail of a deferral arrangement under the provisions contained in the legislation, there is no specific exemption for the payment of management fees. There are no plans to change the basis of liability to LPT.
57. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views on treating assistance dogs for autistic children, in the same way as guide dogs for blind persons in terms of the taxation system. [10629/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere a blind person maintains a trained guide dog, a sum of €825 per year is allowable in computing the gross eligible health expenses. This is the equivalent of a tax credit of €165 and is only available in respect of fully trained guide dogs.
The qualification criteria for granting this additional relief is that the individual must be entitled to the Blind Person's Tax Credit under section 468 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 and also provide written confirmation from the Irish Guide Dogs Association that he or she is the registered owner of a trained guide dog.
To qualify for the Blind Person's Tax Credit, an individual or the individual's spouse or civil partner must have impaired vision to an extent specified in the legislation and certified by an eye specialist, i.e. a medical practitioner with an additional qualification in Ophthalmic Medicine or Ophthalmic Surgery, or a registered Optometrist. A doctor's certificate is not sufficient.
Relief in respect of health expenses is allowed in accordance with the provisions of section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. In order to qualify for relief an individual must show that he or she has incurred health expenses for the provision of health care. For the purposes of section 469 "health care" is the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation or treatment of an ailment, injury, infirmity, defect or disability.
Given that there is a requirement for certification by a qualified practitioner in order to obtain the Blind Person's Tax Credit, the use of a fully trained guide dog to alleviate the disability is deemed to constitute a health expense and it is on this basis that this additional relief for health expenses is allowed.
I understand that autism assistance dogs are primarily trained to act to improve the behaviour of the child by promoting calmness and providing companionship. While these benefits are well testified, a medical basis that would bring such effects under the health legislation does not exist. Thus, the provision of assistance dogs for children with autism does not constitute the incurring of health expenses in the provision of health care as required by the legislation.
To allow relief for expenses incurred in this context would inevitably lead to calls for similar treatments, therapies or pet companions to qualify for tax relief, which would be outside the scope of the health expenses relief scheme.
58. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide data on all legislation enacted by his Department since March 2011 and the total number of amendments tabled by him. [10638/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI set out below a list of the primary legislation proposed by my Department since March 2011, which has been enacted:
1. Finance (No. 2) Act 2011
2. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011
3. Insurance (Amendment) Act 2011
4. Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) Act 2011
5. Finance (No. 3) Act 2011
6. European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan facility (Amendment) Act 2011
7. Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Act 2012
8. Finance Act 2012
9. Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Act 2012
10. European Stability Mechanism Act 2012
11. Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012
12. Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012
13. Credit Union and Co-Operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012
14. Credit Reporting Act 2013
15. Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Act 2013
16. Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013
17. Irish Banking Resolution Corporation Act 2013
18. Finance Act 2013
19. Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act 2013
20. Finance (No. 2) Act 2013
21. Central Bank Act 2014
22. National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014
23. Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Act 2014
24. European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Act 2014
25. Finance Act 2014
26. Central Bank (Amendment) Act 2015
27. Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Act 2015
In the time available it has not been possible to collate all the information requested in relation to the number of amendments to these Acts. However, the requested information will be collated and forwarded to the Deputy in writing.
59. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the cost of extending to the self-employed an earned income tax credit equivalent to the PAYE tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10646/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer of extending the PAYE credit to the self employed and proprietary directors is estimated at €470 million in a full year.
These figures are estimates for 2015 from the Revenue tax forecasting model using the latest actual data for the year 2012, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are, therefore, 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.
60. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the cost of reducing the 11% universal social charge rate for the self-employed to 8%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10647/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated first and full year cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the Universal Social Charge surcharge of 3% on self-employed income in excess of €100,000 is €54 million and €125 million respectively.
All figures above are estimates for 2015, using the actual data for the year 2012 (the latest year for which data are available) adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are provisional and may be revised.
