Tuesday, 12 Jul 2016

Written Answers Nos 127-142

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (127)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

127. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the total photography costs per annum for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance in tabular form; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographer used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20313/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The total expenditure by my Department on photography from 9 March 2011 to 6 July 2016 is provided in the following table:

Year	Amount spent on photography
2011 (9 March to December )	€28,069
2012	€13,449
2013	Department €6,778 EU Presidency €38,172
2014	€12,750
2015	€9,820
1 January to 6 July 2016	€12,144.68

Photography costs in my Department have reduced by over 85% from €83,398 in 2008 to €9,820 in 2015.

The use of local photographers on international trade missions is required to distribute images to the domestic media to accompany the coverage of domestic journalists who are travelling on behalf of their organisations. Utilising local agencies is cost efficient and costs are kept to a minimum. Increasingly my Department utilises its own staff to take photographs in-house, thereby reducing costs.

In relation to the EU Presidency costs - as is standard for all Presidencies there is a host photographer to capture the images for the Presidency and to distribute them around the world.

The following table lists the occasions for which photographers were used and costs associated with each occasion:

Photography Costs from 9 March 2011 to 6 July 2016

Vendor Name	Description	Cost
The Press Association	The Press Association, Nottingham	€ 139.30
Hackett's Reprographics	Visa photos for 1 of the Taoiseach's delegation for USA Mar 2011, 10 Mar 2011	€ 20.25
Maxwell Photography	1916 Commemoration 24/04/2011	€ 502.45
Maxwell Photography	SDLP 14/04/2011	€ 371.17
Maxwell Photography	Launch of Census 10/3/2011	€ 357.25
Maxwell Photography	Newly appointed Ministers 15/03/2011	€ 478.25
Maxwell Photography	Jesse Jackson 21/03/2011	€ 409.58
Maxwell Photography	Book of Condolence - Japan 22/03/2011	€ 401.42
Maxwell Photography	US Ambassador Dan Rooney 28/03/2011	€ 401.42
Maxwell Photography	Jpegs 1916 Commemoration 04/04/2011	€ 60.50
Maxwell Photography	Mass New Dail 09/03/2011	€ 508.50
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach Office Photo Call 09/03/2011	€ 538.75
Maxwell Photography	Reception New Ministers 09/03/2011	€ 391.13
Maxwell Photography	New Cabinet Meeting 10/03/2011	€ 492.17
Maxwell Photography	New Ministers Appointments 09/03/2011	€ 780.75
Maxwell Photography	The Late Dr. Garret Fitzgerald's Funeral 21-22 May 2011	€ 2,359.50
My Photobook.ie	27 May 2011 - My PhotoBook.ie	€ 140.80
Maxwell Photography	President Obama Visit 23 May 2011	€ 4,537.50
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach Enda Kenny & Church Leaders on 19 May 2011 at Government Buildings	€ 409.58
Maxwell Photography	British PM Visit to Gov. Buildings on 18 May 2011.	€ 629.50
Maxwell Photography	US Congressman on 16 May 2011. assignment covering attendance, taking colour, processing, digital contact sheet.	€ 280.42
Maxwell Photography	Hungarian Prime Minister 01-06-11	€ 409.58
Maxwell Photography	Excellence Awards 09/06/2011	€ 857.59
Maxwell Photography	North South Ministerial Council 10-6-11	€ 812.21
Maxwell Photography	President of European Council 17/6/11	€ 562.04
Maxwell Photography	President Obama Visit 23 May 2011	€ 260.15
Maxwell Photography	Obama and Cabinet Ministers 23 May 2011	€ 740.52
Maxwell Photography	Maxwells Invoice - New Ambassadors 30-6-11	€ 332.75
Maxwell Photography	Chinese Delegation	€ 357.25
Maxwell Photography	Saudi Minister 14 June 2011	€ 280.42
Maxwell Photography	Richard Haass meets Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 01/04/2011	€ 371.17
LK Photo	Costs relating to St. Patricks Day Visit to Washington 2011	€ 2,106.14
Maxwell Photography	New Sec Gen and Ian Paisley on 26/07/2011.	€ 318.84
Maxwell Photography	Meeting EU Parliament President 12 July 2011.	€ 696.05
Maxwell Photography	Strategy for International Services Industry 14-7-2011	€ 349.08
Hackett's Reprographics	Product code FPP75DIG10-15, (QTY 10-15) 7x5 Digital Prints.	€ 30.76
J. Higgins Photos	Photos Taoiseach 4/5 May 2011 visit to New York	€ 303.30
Maxwell Photography	Arvato meeting with Taoiseach 21 Sept 2011.	€ 560.84
BANK OF IRELAND	19 November 2011 - www.gettyimages.com	€ 212.96
Maxwell Photography	Photocall TAOISEACH & New SDLP Leader 09/11/2011.	€ 340.92
Maxwell Photography	Photographer for the Presidential Inauguration on 11/11/2011.	€ 3,956.70
2012
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach signs Book of condolence 20 Dec 2011.	€ 371.17
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach - Christmas Media Meeting 22 Dec 2011.	€ 296.75
The Press Association	12 January 2012 - Photos of Prime Minister David Cameron with Taoiseach Enda Kenny 10 Downing Street.	€ 122.01
Maxwell Photography	British Irish council 13/01/12	€ 531.05
Maxwell Photography	Photos/Taoiseach meeting with Deputy PM Nick Clegg	€ 377.30
Maxwell Photography	Blue Star Programmes on 07/02/2012.	€ 539.36
Maxwell Photography	EU Presidency Job winning logo on 02/02/2012.	€ 687.26
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach & Tánaiste attend 'Progress to date' launch 07/03/2012.	€ 195.57
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	Launch of the Stability Treaty Website, 19 April 2012.	€ 409.63
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	Olympic Torch Photocall at Govt Buildings on 06/06/2012.	€ 268.45
QiLai	Photographer for Taoiseach's visit to China 25/28 March 2012	2,817.49
Maxwell Photography	Carers Strategy Launch in the Italian Room on 19th July 2012.	€ 439.11
LK Photos	Taoiseach's visit to US 19-21 March 2012.	€ 1,774.78
Lafayette Photography Ltd	NSMC in Farmleigh on 15/06/2012	€ 174.24
Lafayette Photography Ltd	National Day of Commemoration 08/07/2012	€ 555.75
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Olympic Reception at Farmleigh 15/08/2012 -CD of photographs	€ 330.16
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Official Photography services for visit of Secretary of State Northern Ireland on 01 Oct 2012.	€ 87.66
Michael Hudson Photos	Taoiseach's Visit to Chicago, 17 March 2012	€ 302.35
Lafayette Photography Ltd	18hrs of photography over 4 days for the JPEGs for Whos Who on the Irish Presidency Website	€ 3,168.51
2013
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	EU Conference of Presidents, Dublin Castle on 31 December 2012	€ 116.85
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd	Presidency meeting of European Parliament Leaders, Dublin Castle 29th Nov 2012	€ 430.51
Maxwell Photography	Photography Prints for Convention Inaugural Meeting on 1st Dec 2012.	€ 1,763.46
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Family photo shot, post production touch up + prints (36copies) for the EU Directors General Informal meeting (13-14/1/2013)	€ 512.62
Maxwell Photography	2 JPEG images of the Taoiseach/Cyprus President Nov 2005 - 28 Jan 2013.	€ 34.44
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Eucharistic Congress Reception Dublin Castle 1st July 2012	€ 171.01
Lafayette Photography Ltd	Visit of Secretary of State Northern Ireland on 01 Oct 2012, 18 images sent to media	€ 19.43
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Photocall for 40 years in the EU, Art Exhibition, 25 February 2013.	€ 318.54
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal Justice and Home Affairs meeting, Dublin Castle, 18/01/13	€ 1,471.99
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy visit, Dublin Castle, 9/1/2013	€ 1,645.47
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal Justice and Home Affairs meeting, session 2, Dublin Castle, 17/1/2013	€ 1,449.89
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal EU Affairs meeting, Dublin Castle 21/01/13.	€ 1,564.62
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Employment 8th Feb. 2013 Dublin Castle.	€ 817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Employment 7th Feb. 2013 Dublin Castle.	€ 1,573.31
Levon Biss Photography Ltd	Prints of Taoiseach's Time Magazine cover 26/11/2012	€ 111.95
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	31st Dec 2012 for EU Flag Raising Ceremony attended by Taoiseach at Dublin Castle.	€ 669.09
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Visit of Presidents Barroso & Schulz at Government Buildings on 28/2/2013. - Post Production Fee	€ 257.43
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Defence Ministers 13/2/2013, Dublin Castle.	€ 817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Development & Co-operation Ministers 12/2/2013, Dublin Castle.	€ 1,559.45
M M McNally Photographer	Taoiseach's visit to Downing Street on 11 March 2013.	€ 335.03
E Hill Photography	Taoiseach's visit to Enniskillen, 11 November 2012.	€ 700.60
Peter Cavanagh Photography	Whos Who for Presidency. 27/28 Sept. 2012 & 16 Oct 2012.	€ 1,600.00
Magnum Computers	Photos of Taoiseach's visit to Cleveland, Ohio. October 2012.	€ 192.41
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Gymnich meeting - 23rd March 2013.	€ 484.58
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers at Dublin Castle 24 April, 2013	€ 1,181.62
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers at Dublin Castle 23 April, 2013	€ 1,307.04
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers at Dublin Castle on 22nd April 2013	€ 821.57
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of Ministers for Trade at Dublin Castle 18 April, 2013	€ 1,535.67
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Hunger-Nutrition Conference at Dublin Castle 15 April,2013	€ 968.41
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	ECOFIN Ministerial Informal meeting on 13/4/2013	€ 1,870.49
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Prints, Presentation Folders, Envelopes relating to Host Photography for Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministerial Informal 12 April 2013.	€ 4,126.55
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Hunger-Nutrition & Climate Change at Dublin Castle on 16th April 2013.	€ 817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Commission College meeting Dublin Castle on 10 Jan 2013 - Prints & Digital Imaging	€ 2,042.61
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Health Informal Ministerial Meeting 4th March, Dublin Castle attendance	€ 276.75
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU Presidency Team Group Shot on 01 May 2013.	€ 302.58
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Health Informal Ministerial Meeting 5th March 2013- Dublin Castle.	€ 1,134.33
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Gymich meeting 22nd March 2013, Photography & high resolution imaging	€ 1,570.00
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Ministerial Informal, Agriculture Ministers on 27th & 28th May 2013	€ 2,453.74
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Ministerial Informal - Competitiveness [Dept. DJEI ] 2nd May 2013	€ 817.91
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Informal meeting of Competitiveness - Council day on 03 May 2013.	€ 1,134.34
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Family photos of Presidency team at Government Buildings on 01 May 2013.	€ 31.38
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Presidency Liaison Officers Photos at Dublin Castle on 27 May 2013.	€ 162.01
Marty Katz Photography & James Higgins Photography	St Patrick's Day Visit, New York - 16-17 March 2013	€ 2,235.66
Maxwell Photography	North South Ministerial Meeting on 05/07/2013 at Dublin Castle Sundays F.T.P. images to Media outlets	€ 706.02
Maxwell Photography	EU Presidency staff event on 05/07/2013 at Dublin Castle - Upload of images to online gallery	€ 292.74
Maxwell Photography	Round table discussion with the Taoiseach and on Online Retailers on 06 Sept 2013.	€ 292.74
Maxwell Photography	Taoiseach's meeting with Bill Clinton at Government Buildings - 09/10/2013	€ 249.69
2014
Maxwell Photography	Extra copies of prints of the Queen & President Obama's visit, May 2011 ordered for Taoiseach	77.18
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment, Taoiseach's Address of the Nation, 15th December 2014	956.94
Maxwell Photography	Photography Services for the Convention on the Constitution final plenary meeting 22nd & 23rd February 2014	511.68
DNP Service	Taoiseach's visit to Japan, 3-4 December 2013.	244.23
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for the visit of the Spanish on the 6th March 2014	519.06
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for the visit of the German Prime Minister on the 7th March 2014	396.06
Maria Photography	Taoiseach's visit to Abu Dhabi & Dubai, January 2014.	2695.8
Dan Hallissey Photography	Taoiseach's visit to Boston, 16 March 2014.	506.77
Marty Katz Photography	Photography for Taoiseach Enda Kenny & delegation's trip to Washington DC on 13 & 14 March 2014	1740.64
Maxwell Photography	Official Photography at State Funeral of the late Albert Reynolds 23rd Aug 2014 at Mansion House and Donnybrook Church	2841.3
James Higgins Photography	Photographs of the Taoiseach's visit to New York on 17 March 2014.	252.71
Dowlings Pharmacy	Passport photos for Pat Shelly 04 Sep 2014	6
Boots Chemist	Photo's for Taoiseach 13 July 2014	2.1
Getty Images International	EU, All About Jobs campaign, purchase of iStock photo subscription for 3 months, 7th Oct 2014	207.87
Maxwell Photography	Photography for North South Ministerial Council on 3rd Oct 2014, Dublin Castle.	547.35
CreativeShot Photography	United Irish Cultural Center - San Francisco 4 June 2014.	753.07
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU - Photography of Minister Ged Nash at 2 events in Carlow 26th November 2014	491.14
2015
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	EU - 10 Low Resolution images from Minister Ged Nash events in Carlow 26 November 2014	124.85
Getty Images International	EU 'All About Jobs campaign' purchase of monthly iStock photo subscription for January 2015	€207.87
Department of Foreign Affairs	Photographs of the Taoiseach Enda Kenny attending Youth Reception - Irish Consulate New York September 2014	€198.68
Mr John Kingman	Photography for Taoiseach's visit to New York, 22-24 September 2014.	€317.89
Getty Images International	All About Jobs - purchase of one year iStock subscription for stock photos for All About Jobs section of Merrion St, 25 Feb 2015	€1,966.77
Dowlings Pharmacy	Dowlings Pharmacy - Passport photos 26 Feb 2015	€6.00
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Photography costs for the visit of Mr. Manuel Valls Prime Minister of France to Government Buildings 24 April 2015	€160.00
Mac Innes Photography Ltd	Photography costs for the visit of Mr. Manuel Valls Prime Minister of France to Government Buildings 24 April 2015	€181.50
Marty Katz Photographer	St. Patrick's Day 2015. Taoiseach's visit to Washington, DC, USA. 16-17 March 2015.	€2,459.34
Allison Shirref Photographer	Taoiseach's visit to Atlanta, USA, 13 & 14 March 2015.	€1,112.10
Lensmen & Associates	Minister J. Deenihan TD photoshoot with Soyna O'Sullivan on 30 April 2015 at Government Buildings	€553.50
Conor McKeown Photographer	Photographer for US Ambassador's visit to Castlebar - April 2015	€120.00
Maxwell Photography	Photography costs for Data Protection Event on 2 July 2015	€447.72
Maxwell Photography	Photography Assignment for State Funeral of Thomas Kent - 18 September 2015	€1,475.80
Fotogioberti Studio	Taoiseach's photos with PM Renzi, 10 July 2015.	€488.00
1 January to 6 July 2016
Maxwell Photography	Extra copies of Ceann Comhairle with Queen, taking during her visit to Ireland in 2011	€17.22
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for Flag-Raising Ceremony, 1 January 2016	€644.52
Getty Images International	All About Jobs - purchase of one year iStock subscription for stock photos for All About Jobs section of Merrion St, from 18th February 2016 to 18th February 2017	€1,966.77
M M McNally Photographer	Photographs of the Taoiseach's visit to London, 9 November 2015.	€278.47
AM Photography	Photographs of the Taoiseach's visit to Paris, France, 9 September 2015	€250.00
Maxwell Photography	Photography assignment for Commemoration Ceremony and Parade and Kilmainham Gaol Wreath-Laying Ceremony, Easter Sunday 27 March 2016	€3,099.60
Irish Gallery of Photography Ltd	Photograph presentation for State Reception Dublin Castle 27th March 2016	€4,674.00
Lensmen & Associates	Photography assignment for Interfaith Ceremony and Unveiling of Remembrance Wall, Glasnevin, Sunday 3 April 2016	€430.50
Maxwell Photography	Photographs of new Cabinet at first meeting, 11 May 2016	€783.60

Public Relations Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (128)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

128. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach to provide, broken down per annum, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office in tabular form; the external public relations firm used; and to outline the internal departmental policy with regard to employing external groups. [20314/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The following table provides details of external public relations firms employed by my Department from 9 March 2011 to 6 July 2016:

Year	Name of Consultant	Purpose of Consultancy
2012 and 2013	Caroline Erskine, Media and Public Affairs Consultant	To assist in the implementation of the communications plan for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Associated Projects
2013 and 2014	Q4 Public Relations	Support for the Convention on the Constitution

My Department ensures that it gets best value for money in the procurement of all goods and services and keeps to a minimum the engagement of public relations firms. In the cases set out above, the use of external public relations firms was limited to work carried out for Ireland's EU Presidency in 2013 and the Constitutional Convention.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (129)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

129. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach to provide per annum all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011 in tabular form; the costs per report; the company involved; and the title of the report and the publication date. [20315/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The following table details the external consultant reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011.

Name	Costs	Date of Commission	Date of Publication	Consultant
Health and Safety Statement 2011	€1,270	2011	2011	QTS Limited
Health and Safety Statement 2012	€1,270	2012	2012	QTS Limited
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Assessment and Disabled Access Review	€307	2013	2013	QTS Limited
Health and Safety Statement 2013 and Risk Assessment	€1,783	2013	2015	QTS Limited
Local Diaspora Toolkit	€14,300	2015	2015	Clinton Institute, UCD

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Ceisteanna (130)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

130. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach the number of staff dedicated to managing Ireland's response to the decision of the UK to exit the European Union; the structure of this team; how it will work with teams in other Departments; who has overall responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20338/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

In early 2015 I established a new Division in my Department to focus specifically on relations between Ireland and Britain including bilateral issues that arise in the context of the EU-UK debate. This Division is working very closely with the EU Division in my Department which plays a central role in relation to the EU aspects of this issue.

My Department co-ordinated preparations across government for the result of the UK referendum on EU membership to ensure that a clear contingency framework was in place to deal with the outcome of the UK referendum when it became known.

Structures are in place to co-ordinate EU/UK issues on a whole-of-government basis. These will be kept under review and strengthened as necessary. They include: the Cabinet Committee on EU Affairs and the EU Senior Officials Group which supports it; an Inter-Departmental Senior Officials Group on UK-EU relations; and a consultative group of external stakeholders, including ICTU, IBEC and other business representative groups and relevant NGOs.

The North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council will also be important coordinating mechanisms as will the Joint Ireland-UK Secretaries General-Permanent Secretaries group which oversees a bilateral Ireland-UK policy programme.

My Department will continue to play a central role in managing a whole-of-government response to the outcome of the UK EU referendum.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (131)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

131. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the amount of pre-financing by programme his Department has applied for with regard to the current phase of EU funding programmes; the amount that is likely to be reimbursed to the European Commission; the reasons this money will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20586/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department does not administer any EU funding programmes. Accordingly, it has not applied for any pre-financing under the current phase of EU funding programmes.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (132)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

132. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of positions on the boards of bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of vacant positions; when each vacancy occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20691/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I make appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB) of which there are 34 and 8 members respectively. Appointments are made in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006, SI 603 of 2010 - National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010; and Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993.

In the case of the NESC, I appoint 20 members specifically on the basis of nominations from organisations or interests set out in the Act, up to 6 public servants, and up to 8 independent members. The independent members are mainly from the academic sector.

The Statistics Act 1993 provides for a National Statistics Board of 8 people, i.e. the Director General of the Central Statistics Office, ex-officio, and 7 other members of whom 2 must be Assistant Secretaries from the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance. Of the remaining five, I nominate two persons and three are nominated by organisations considered representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under the Act.

There are currently no vacancies on the NSB. The five year term of the NESC has now expired and consideration as to the next steps and future composition is ongoing.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (133)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

133. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Taoiseach when all outstanding vacancies on State boards will be filled. [20717/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I make appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB). Appointments are made in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006, SI 603 of 2010 - National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010; and Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993.

There are currently no vacancies on the NSB. The five year term of the NESC has now expired and consideration as to the next steps and future composition is ongoing.

In relation to other vacancies, it is the functional responsibility of each Minister to make appointments to State boards. In addition, information is available at www.stateboards.ie.

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Ceisteanna (134)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

134. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he has arranged for a team to commence bilateral negotiations with the United Kingdom regarding the fallout for Ireland of Brexit; if there is a team in the UK working on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20835/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Irish and British Officials met in Dublin on 30 June following a commitment that I and Prime Minister Cameron made to early bilateral engagement at senior official level on key issues arising in the context of the result of the UK's EU referendum.

This initial engagement allowed for consideration of the best approach to continuing to work together on agreed priority areas within the British-Irish relationship in the context of forthcoming negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

Priority issues discussed included:

- The Common Travel Area and borders and customs issue that might arise;

- Northern Ireland and North/South Issues;

- Bilateral security co-operation.

It was agreed that further detailed work on a number of identified aspects will be required in the coming weeks and months. These and other policy issues will be coordinated through mechanisms such as the Common Travel Area forum, the Good Friday Agreement and engagement between UK Permanent Secretaries and Irish Secretaries General established under the Joint Statement on Ireland-UK bilateral relations in 2012.

Citizens Assembly

Ceisteanna (135)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

135. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Taoiseach the reason he is not including any politicians in the Citizens Assembly; the process for selection of the chair, executive and members of this assembly; and the timelines for same. [21371/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Membership of the Citizens' Assembly will consist of 100 persons: 99 citizens entitled to vote at a referendum, randomly selected so as to be broadly representative of Irish society by a polling company commissioned for that purpose, plus a Chairperson. A Resolution approving the calling of the Assembly is scheduled to be debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas this week, as will the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2016, the purpose of which is to permit use of the electoral register in the selection of the citizen members. Politicians are not being included as members of the Assembly so as to allow for as broad a representation as possible from the general public; however, Assembly Reports will of course be debated in the Oireachtas.

The secretariat for the Assembly will be drawn from the civil service. As regards the Chairperson, I will be consulting with the Government and Opposition Leaders.

It is intended that the first meeting of the Assembly will take place in October.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (136)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

136. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach the cost of agency and or locum staff hired by his Department for each of the years 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21673/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The total cost of agency staff hired by my Department for the years 2011 to 2015 is €10,399.82. This relates to a temporary contract cleaning service.

Departmental Websites

Ceisteanna (137)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

137. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Taoiseach if his Department's website is accessible to persons with a disability; if the accessibility of this website is regularly reviewed to take account of new and emerging technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21685/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department has two active websites, www.taoiseach.gov.ie and www.merrionstreet.ie and is committed to achieving a minimum conformance level Double-A with the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and complying with the National Disability Authority Accessibility Guidelines. Both of the sites utilise a state of the art Content Management System that promotes content compliance with disability and accessibility standards and formats. My Department also utilises an online toolset that constantly monitors the websites for broken links, misspellings and accessibility issues. Any issues identified are resolved on a regular basis in order to maintain/improve the sites' accessibility.

Family Reunification Policy

Ceisteanna (138)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

138. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action she and her EU counterparts are taking to ensure unaccompanied minors, who are universally acknowledged to have a right to reunification, receive due process and do not remain separated for an inhumane length of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20648/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. In announcing the Programme, the Government recognised the importance of addressing the position of unaccompanied children. However, as indicated in previous responses to parliamentary questions, the pace of the relocation programme in Ireland and across the European Union has been hampered by significant operational delays and technical issues due to the sheer numbers involved and other logistical difficulties that have arisen at the 'hotspot' locations in Italy and Greece.

A team of officials from my Department, including the Director of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, travelled to Greece last month to meet with Irish embassy officials and relevant Greek authorities both to signal Ireland's tangible willingness to assist and to identify ways of addressing the obstacles that have arisen. The outcome of that visit has been very positive and the Greek authorities have now confirmed that, within the coming months, they will be able to increase significantly the overall numbers available to Ireland.

I recently chaired a meeting of the high level Task Force established to oversee the implementation of the IRPP during which an approach to taking unaccompanied minors (most likely from Greece) was discussed. This issue is now under further consideration by the relevant agencies and Departments, including Tusla, the Child and Family Agency under the auspices of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and officials from my own Department.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care of unaccompanied minors in the State. As part of its multi-disciplinary assessment of the needs of separated children in its care, the possibility of family reunification is also examined.

I continue to work proactively with my colleagues in Europe to ensure that Ireland and the European Union responds comprehensively to all aspects of the ongoing migration and refugee crisis. I share the concerns of the Deputy in relation to unaccompanied minors as an especially vulnerable group and I expect this issue to remain high on the agenda at EU level.

Disability Act Employment Targets

Ceisteanna (139)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

139. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on whether Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 is working in practice; the way in which persons with a disability may apply for positions within the public service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20777/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets a statutory 3% target for employment in the Public Sector. The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports each year on progress made towards the target. The most recent report published in 2015 shows that at the end of 2014, 3.5% of staff employed in public sector bodies are people with disabilities. This is an increase from 3.4% in 2013 and is the fourth successive year of exceeding the 3% target.

These provisions are being strengthened in the context of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. The Strategy was launched on 2 October 2015, and sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. It is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment. The Strategy's six strategic priorities are to:

- Build skills, capacity and independence;

- Provide bridges and supports into work;

- Make work pay;

- Promote job retention and re-entry to work;

- Provide coordinated and seamless support;

- Engage employers.

The Strategy contains commitments in relation to:

- An increase in the public service employment target of people with disabilities on a phased basis from 3% to 6%.

- Special public service competitions for people with disabilities and the opening up of alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities.

- The provision of an NDA-assisted employer helpline to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities.

Responsibility for special public service competitions for people with disabilities rests with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The implementation of the Strategy will be subject to regular monitoring, and there will be a review and renewal every three years. The Strategy Implementation Group will publish its first Annual Report before end-2016.

Legal Aid

Ceisteanna (140)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

140. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to either introduce a system of legal aid for small limited liability companies or to legislate to allow companies to represent themselves before the courts given that the system as currently constructed places a requirement on small companies to have legal representation, but without a system in place of legal aid for such small companies. [20477/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I can inform the Deputy that section 5(1) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 states that the principal function of the Legal Aid Board is, inter alia, to provide legal aid and advice in civil cases to persons who satisfy the requirements of the Act. The Board has always interpreted the word ‘persons’ to mean natural persons only and not to include legal persons. Section 29(1) of the Act requires that a person satisfy certain financial eligibility criteria set out in Regulations. The financial eligibility criteria that are set out in the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 – 2013 clearly contemplate a natural person’s income and resources being assessed and do not contemplate the assessment being in relation to a legal person.

There are no plans at present to introduce legal aid for the type of commercial enterprise referred to but the situation is kept under review in my Department.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Ceisteanna (141)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

141. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date of completion for the review instigated by her, in conjunction with the Garda Síochána authorities on the effectiveness of the community closed-circuit television scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20552/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to providing investment in CCTV systems at key locations along the road network and in urban centres.

I am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders. With this in mind, I instigated a review last year of the effectiveness of the Community CCTV Scheme in conjunction with the Garda authorities. The Garda evaluation of community CCTV systems highlights the fact that CCTV is an effective deterrent to the commission of crime and that the presence of CCTV cameras helps to reduce fear among members of the public and provides a sense of safety and security.

While acknowledging its role as part of wider crime prevention strategies, the Garda evaluation also notes that community based CCTV systems have been of significant assistance in both the prevention and detection of criminal activity throughout the country.

I am currently developing proposals to give effect to the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment to provide investment in CCTV systems and the Garda evaluation is informing the development of those proposals.

The Deputy may also be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, made an announcement in September 2015 in relation the provision of CCTV in rural areas which is to be funded from the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (142)

Josepha Madigan

Ceist:

142. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the visa application of a person (details supplied) will be processed and the person advised of the outcome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20555/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application referred to by the Deputy was received by the Visa Office in Dublin on 09/09/2015. Each case is examined on its individual merits and some cases take longer than others depending on their complexities. A decision will be issued to the applicant in this case as soon as possible.

The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the INIS Visa Office ([e-mail]).