Written Answers Nos. 351-361
351. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making all public transport wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12158/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems such as the Luas are fully accessible. My Department also provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the development of a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the GDA and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 65% of Bus Éireann coaches (which are wheelchair accessible by lift) and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.
My Department also funds an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. This includes funding in 2016 for accessibility upgrade works at a number of rail stations, for accessible bus stops & bus stations and for a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme.
The Accessibility Grants Programme is being managed by the NTA on behalf of my Department. I understand from the Authority that making the rest of public transport services (including bus, rail stations and the rail fleet) fully accessible for people with disabilities would cost over €170 million.
352. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a report on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, discussions that took place at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 13 May 2016; if the leak of TTIP documents by Greenpeace was discussed; and if the rejection of CETA by the Walloon Parliament and the passing of a motion in the Dutch Parliament rejecting the provisional application of CETA were discussed. [12111/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the recent Minister’s Trade Council meeting on the 13th May 2016, the Council had an exchange of views on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the process towards signature and provisional application of the agreement. The European Commission and Member States highlighted the high quality of the agreement reached with Canada and expressed the desire to work towards signature of the agreement at the October EU-Canada Summit. The Commission announced its intention to present a Council decision on signature of CETA before the end of June 2016.
The Council was informed about the latest developments regarding the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations, including prospects for conclusion of the negotiations under the Obama administration. Member States considered that maintaining a high level of ambition in these negotiations was just as important as the ambitious timetable. They urged the Commission to advance the negotiations, whilst fully respecting its negotiating mandate and the EU interests.
The documentation referred to by the Deputy represent both the EU and the US’s negotiation positions and do not reflect the final outcome of the ongoing negotiations. The other matters referred to by the Deputy are matters for the National Parliaments of those countries.
353. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the Government is supportive of the negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership trade proposals given the serious concerns regarding them; her views on the issue of cattle hormone therapy, which is allowed in the United States but not in the European Union; and her views on how it is being dealt with in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations. [12234/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed EU-US agreement is one of a number of new style trade agreements the EU is negotiating that not only covers tariffs, services and investment but also includes regulatory coherence and cooperation. An EU-US agreement would be the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment deal, and a successful conclusion is expected to benefit Ireland more than any other EU Member State. As Ireland continues to rely on external demand and international markets for sustainable growth and market access, regulatory cooperation and reduced tariffs are essential to grow our exports. Ireland strongly supports these negotiations and is working to ensure that our interests are fully reflected in the texts of the negotiations.
One of the objectives in the EU–US Trade Agreement is greater regulatory coherence to ease red tape for firms. This will not be at the expense of consumers or lowering standards. There will be no dilution of labour or environment standards, no change to GMO regulation, no affect on the Government’s right to regulate and no interference in Public Service provision. This has been reinforced by a joint declaration from EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and the US Trade Representative Mike Froman who confirmed that U.S. and EU trade agreements do not prevent governments, at any level, from providing or supporting services in areas such as water, education, health, and social services.
Although regulatory compatibility is a key goal in the EU-US free trade agreement, it is not an objective of the negotiations to achieve mutual recognition and harmonisation of food standards between the EU and the US. Nor is there any intention on the part of the EU to abandon the precautionary principle or the EU’s system of controls along the food chain. These are deeply embedded in EU legislative policy. Indeed the “precautionary principle” is the policy driver of European policy on food safety. The Commission have also made it very clear that the EU will not change our food safety legislation under an EU-US Trade Agreement.
In the case of Hormone Treated Beef, meat from the United States would be marketable in Europe only if it is hormone free. If it has been treated with hormones, it would be prohibited for sale in the EU. This is the current position and will continue to be the case after any agreement. The Commission has made it clear that it will not countenance the importation of hormone treated meat into the EU and this is well understood by the US side. Legislation in force regarding the prohibition of hormonally active substances in livestock farming will in no way be put in question.
Owing to our position as a small open economy, Ireland’s enterprises are particularly well placed to take up opportunities to trade more easily with the US. An independent study commissioned by this Department, carried out by Copenhagen Economics, estimates that these benefits in Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. The study estimates that the benefits in Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. It suggests a boost to GDP of 1.1%, growth in Irish exports of almost 4%, increases in investment of 1.5%, and an increase in real wages of 1.5%. It estimates somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 additional export related jobs. The findings are backed up in a report by Ecorys Consultancy, published on 13th May 2016, which estimates that an EU-US free trade agreement would boost Irish GDP by 1.4 per cent.
The opportunities will be especially valuable for SMEs, given that trade barriers tend to disproportionately burden smaller firms, which have fewer resources to overcome them than larger firms. In fact, the study reported that a trans-Atlantic agreement would have a more significant positive impact on SMEs than on other types of business. The final agreement will have an entire chapter exclusively dedicated to SMEs aimed at addressing those specific constraints that might otherwise limit SMEs taking full advantage of the improved EU-US trade agreement market access.
354. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grants paid to a company (details supplied); when they were paid; if they have been refunded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11979/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2010 IDA Ireland approved a training grant for the company in question. Payments subsequently made under this approval totalled €586,873.
Under the terms of the agreement between IDA Ireland and the company, a refund to the State does not now arise. This is standard practice in the case of training grants, which are designed to equip the workforce with skills that are transferable within the relevant industry.
355. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will confirm that a sport activity and competition (details supplied) lie outside the remit of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; if she will confirm that such events are not defined as workplaces in the context of the Act; if she will confirm that the investigation of injuries and fatalities in sport is outside the remit of the Health and Safety Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12220/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (the Act), makes provision for securing the safety health and welfare of persons at work and covers all those at work including the self-employed.
In reference to any activity or sector, the Act only applies where there is a work activity or likely to be one carried out in the near future.
The Act defines a place of work as including any place (whether or not within or forming part of a building or structure), land or other location at, in or near which, work is carried on whether occasionally or otherwise. Whether or not a sports or show jumping event comes within the remit of the Authority is therefore dependant on the nature of the involvement of those participating in the event. Any person who is involved in such an event in a professional, self-employed or employee capacity is covered by the Act. For sporting events, this may include those participating in the event as well as those who may be present to provide associated services to the event.
The investigation of any injury/fatality by the Authority is dependent on whether the activity at the time of the accident comes within the remit of the Authority. As indicated, this will be directed by whether or not persons were engaged in or affected by a work activity at the time and place of the incident.
Thus, in the context of show jumping, where an injury or fatality occurs, this may be subject to investigation by the Authority where it is determined that the incident involved work activity.
356. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to request the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to review the book of quantum and to provide clarity and guidance on the compensation bands for vehicle injury claims. [12222/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is an independent statutory agency and I, as Minister, am not permitted in my executive function to interfere in any way with the day to day operations and functions of PIAB.
Section 54 of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 sets out the principal functions of the Board. Section 54(1)(b) states: ‘to prepare and publish a document (which shall be known as the ‘‘Book of Quantum’’) containing general guidelines as to the amounts that may be awarded or assessed in respect of specified types of injury’.
The Book of Quantum was last produced in June 2004 and data was sourced by independent consultants on behalf of PIAB from a number of sources including, the Courts Service, the Insurance Industry and the State Claims Agency. PIAB are currently reviewing the Book of Quantum and have engaged outside consultants to assist in this work.
PIAB hope to have the revised Book of Quantum ready as soon as possible. The Book isn’t a recommendation for compensation levels but rather a reflection of the prevailing level of awards, i.e.:
· compensation values awarded by the courts
· settlements agreed by the Insurance Industry
· settlements agreed by the State Claims Agency; and
· settlements agreed through the PIAB process.
357. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount her Department spent on funding for women's refuges in 2015. [12027/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount she has allocated to spend on women's refuges in 2016. [12028/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual or gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence are being met in the best way possible.
In 2015, Tusla provided €19.5 million in funding for the provision of domestic and sexual violence services. This funding was allocated to specialist organisations responding to domestic and sexual violence and included funding for some 60 domestic and sexual violence services throughout the country comprising:
· Over €15m for 44 organisations providing domestic violence support services, including 20 emergency refuges.
· €4m for 16 rape crisis centres.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) services have been developed as a specialist national service with a single line of accountability and a dedicated national budget of €20.6m has been allocated by Tusla to the service, in 2016.
Tusla funding for domestic violence services is allocated to emergency refuge accommodation, prevention and community-based domestic violence supports. This year, funding for these services is being maintained at 2015 levels overall, with some additional provision for emergency accommodation in the greater Dublin area and enhanced access to community based outreach services for victims.
I would like to assure the Deputy that Tusla will continue to work closely with service providers to ensure that women and children fleeing domestic violence receive all necessary emergency support.
359. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of funding school completion programmes at present and the projected costs for 2017. [12066/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of young people who are risk of educational disadvantage. The programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 37,000 children.
Since 1st January 2014, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, under the remit of my Department, has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. A review of the programme was undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute on behalf of Tusla and published in October 2015. Tusla has taken a number of actions to address the findings in the review and to strengthen the operation of the programme for the future.
Improving attendance and participation in education, particularly for vulnerable children, is an important priority for me as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The Programme for Government commits to publishing a new School Completion Strategy to further improve school completion rates, particularly in disadvantaged areas. I and my Department will work closely with the Minister for Education and Skills, in developing the new Strategy and in the context of the Government programme commitment to a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion to secure good educational outcomes for all children, especially those at risk of educational disadvantage.
The Agency has confirmed that the cost of funding the School Completion Programme this year is forecast as €24.7m. The budget for the programme in 2017 will be agreed as part of the annual Estimates and Budgetary process.
360. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if home support will be arranged through Tusla to assist persons (details supplied) given their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11922/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case. I have referred the information provided by the Deputy to the Child and Family Agency for a direct reply.
361. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the protocols for winding down youth services; why youth services are unable to hold reserve funding accounts to allow for insurance of workers and the transition of young persons to other relevant services were the youth service to close; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11934/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services by the voluntary youth sector, to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people. The voluntary youth sector involves approximately 1,400 paid staff, including youth workers and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2016, current funding of €51m has been provided to my Department for these schemes, an increase of €1.1m over 2015.
Funding is distributed by my Department in line with the rules and guidelines for public expenditure published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Circular 13/2014 sets out the requirement for the management and accountability for grants from exchequer funds.
There is an on-going requirement that savings or surpluses arising over the course of a year should be notified to my Department. Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 also provides that in certain circumstances, year-end balances may be retained by the grantee if deemed necessary to meet outstanding financial requirements, subject to certain criteria.
A youth service that is experiencing difficulty in the provision of services to young people is advised to make contact with the youth officers of the local Education and Training Board so that a meeting may be arranged promptly to address the situation.
In recent years, my Department has been in a position to provide ‘once-off’ funding to assist youth projects in certain circumstances. The youth projects came to my Department's attention through engagement with the national youth organisations, youth officers in the Education and Training Boards, through representations and submissions received and through regular meetings with youth services in the course of the year.
Officials of my Department have met, and continue to meet, regularly with many voluntary organisations and groups providing services to children and young people to see how we can work together to bring about the best possible outcomes for young people, having regard to resources available to us and to ensure that the programmes and services being provided are relevant and responsive to young people’s needs.
