Written Answers Nos. 79-85
79. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will amend legislative provisions in order that all current and former Civil Service employees who are now in civil partnerships can allocate pension entitlements to their civil partner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22578/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the terms of Section 99 of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act, 2010, all Public Service Pension Schemes now provide equal pension provisions to surviving spouses and civil partners.
The pensions of persons retiring from the Civil Service are generally covered under one of two schemes. The more recent, the "Revised" Spouses' and Children's Superannuation Scheme applies to persons appointed on or after 1st September 1984. This Scheme provides for benefits to a surviving spouse or civil partner including where the marriage/civil partnership takes place after retirement. Civil Servants who were appointed on or before 31st August 1984, and chose not to opt into the "Revised" Scheme, are members of what is termed the "Original" Spouses' and Children's Superannuation Scheme. The "Original" Scheme does not provide for benefits to be payable to a surviving spouse or civil partner where the marriage or civil partnership takes place after retirement.
I also refer to my answer to PQs No. 30991 and 30992 on 14 July 2014. The position has not changed.
80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of national monuments undergoing conservation or repair work in County Kerry; the amount allocated for each; if the work in question is being completed within the budget allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Monuments Service of the OPW is responsible for the general maintenance of the 76 National Monuments in State care in Kerry. Within the course of the normal year, works will occur at a broad range of these sites as it is determined necessary following inspection and assessment. This involves attending to seasonal issues such as grasscutting, weed spraying and bramble removal, painting and whitewashing, small general repairs and preventive maintenance including issues associated with masonry, timberwork, roofs etc. It also involves servicing the Guided Visitor sites in the District, including 4 in Co. Kerry (Ardfert Cathedral, Skellig Michael, Listowel Castle and Ross Castle), ensuring that they have adequate supplies, maintaining access, signage, fencing etc to required standards and responding to requests to repair damage and address general visitor wear and tear issues.
In general terms, these works are intended to consolidate National Monument structures in place and, where appropriate and feasible, to carry out limited conservation works to enhance the historic value and the preservation of the site. Given the antiquity of the fabric in the portfolio, a considerable amount of effort is required overall to maintain Monuments in a structurally-stable condition and this consideration demands a significant amount of ongoing effort, often continuing over a period of years.
The 2015 Business Plan for the National Monuments Service of the OPW identifies a number of specific proposed works in the Kerry area scheduled to be carried out during the year by staff attached to the National Monuments Depot in Killarney and relevant sub depots around the county. The works listed are as follows:
|
Site |
Proposed Works |
|
Ballymalis Castle |
Repair & conservation of North and West Walls. Some structural elements. Ground floor and first floor, internally and externally to be completed this year. Long-term project to conserve entire castle. |
|
Ballinskelligs Abbey, Iveragh Peninsula |
Completion of conservation works to refectory. Works to cloister elements. Minor holding works to earlier structures. |
|
Skellig Michael |
Lower Lighthouse Road retaining walls Continuing of repairs/ consolidation Advance planning for provision of public toilet |
|
Rattoo Round Tower |
Conservation & repair of round tower - currently working on exterior; interior will follow. Reinstallation of lightning conductor. |
|
Minor Projects |
|
|
Church Island Church, Lough Currane, Iveragh Peninsula |
Conservation of West Doorway Areas for re-pointing. Stabilisation of West Gable |
|
St. Brendans Oratory, Kilmalkeadar, Dingle Peninsula |
Repair of south lateral wall to dry-stone oratory following structural failure |
|
Ardfert Cathedral |
Re-instatement of graves of locals after the removal of burials from the cathedral during works. |
|
Church Island, Valentia Harbour |
Installation of landing hoops. |
|
Illaunloughan |
Reinforcement of eroded coastline to protect structures |
|
Illauntannig |
Reinforcement of eroded coastline to protect site and archaeology Erection of protective fence. |
|
Emlagh East Ogham Stone |
Minor works as deemed necessary to protect from coastal erosion. |
|
Cloghanecarhan |
Minor works planned to protect from animal damage. |
|
Ross Castle |
Minor works associated with air quality Proposed changes to accessible toilet |
Given the nature of ancient National Monument structures, particularly those of greater antiquity and fragility, it is rarely feasible to determine precisely in advance what the works or maintenance requirements will be or how much funds will be required to address them. The overall provision for National Monuments in State care in 2015 is €15.145m (including pay) of which approximately €2.44m is estimated to cover Monuments in the Killarney District which covers counties Kerry, Limerick and part of Cork. At this stage in 2015, it is estimated that the provision for National Monuments within the Vote will be adequate to meet the needs arising.
Within the overall provision for National Monuments, the OPW manages any potential unforeseen emergency works which may arise, as for example, happened in 2013/14 when Dunbeg Fort was extensively damaged by winter storms.
81. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 12 March 2015, the reason that contact has not yet been made by the National Employment Rights Authority with the persons involved; if he will have this matter addressed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22591/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) has advised that arrangements have been made for an inspector to carry out an investigation in relation to wages stated to be unpaid since 2010. An appointment letter in relation to the proposed inspection of records and associated enquiries has issued to the Employer in this case.
One of the persons involved was in contact with a NERA inspector on 5th June to discuss the case. The inspector assigned to the case will keep the persons involved advised of developments.
I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter is being addressed as a matter of urgency.
82. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures being taken to provide alternative job opportunities in a town, due to the recent closure of a long-established manufacturing facility (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22659/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra83. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the supports and programmes in place to assist former employees of a major manufacturing facility (details supplied) in County Monaghan that closed recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22660/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the supports and programmes in place to assist the former employees of a major manufacturing facility (details supplied) in County Monaghan, that closed recently, to obtain alternative job opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22671/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the initiatives and measures being implemented by his Department and the State's industrial promotion agencies to provide new job opportunities, following the recent closure of a major manufacturing facility (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22672/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 85, inclusive, together.
This closure, which took effect on 29th May, is very much regretted. Following the announcement some months ago, I travelled to Carrickmacross to discuss the issue with some of the workforce there and I am very conscious of the need to pursue replacement jobs in the area.
I established an interagency group to co-ordinate the response from the State in terms of awareness of entitlements and opportunities for the affected staff of the company and, secondly, to pursue a replacement investor. This group is chaired by Enterprise Ireland and includes representatives from IDA Ireland, the Local Enterprise Office, the Education and Training Boards from Cavan/Monaghan and Louth/Meath, and the Department of Social Protection.
Initially the main work of the group has been to co-ordinate the response from the State in terms of awareness of entitlements and opportunities for the affected staff. This has been done mainly by Department of Social Protection in terms of benefits and the Educational Training Boards (ETB)/Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) in terms of courses and support for start-up businesses.
The Department of Social Protection has been very active in terms of meeting the staff in relation to that Department’s services and the Educational Training Board are pursuing relevant courses and training. Amongst the initiatives taken was that the Local Enterprise Office has facilitated several of the former staff of this company on a ‘Start your Own Business’ Course which that Office organised recently.
In relation to the second issue, finding a replacement industry for Carrickmacross, this remains a very high priority. I have been in regular contact with the IDA to ensure that everything possible is being done to market the facility abroad through their global network of overseas offices. I have also ensured that Enterprise Ireland is engaging with their existing client base of Irish-owned companies to pursue potential expansion opportunities into this plant. The building itself and the skilled workforce there, are both strong selling points.
The existing factory is not owned by the company, but has been leased from a private owner. IDA is in discussions with relevant parties to explore what will be involved in ensuring that the facility can be available for a new investor.
More generally, IDA will continue to highlight the strengths of the Border and North East regions to potential investors, and Enterprise Ireland will seek to continue to develop expansion projects by Irish companies in the area. However no specific new project has yet emerged.
Also, through the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 and the development of new Regional Enterprise Strategies over the coming months, my Department and our Agencies will intensify efforts to sustain and accelerate job growth in the regions generally. The Government’s job creation policies are already achieving solid results. The Border region, which includes County Monaghan, had an unemployment rate of 17.7% just two and a half years ago and this is now down to 10.2% according to the latest CSO data. While still unacceptably high, this represents a very solid improvement and the National trend is steadily downwards as job creation improves.
