Written Answers Nos. 148-156
148. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a decision has been made on the status of lands (details supplied) and the requested transfer of these lands to South Dublin County Council; and the timeframe for the completion of this transfer. [21745/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's previous question on this matter I stated, on 8th June 2016, that the examination of the legal issues in relation to the waiving of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform’s interest in the land at Knockmitten Park, in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, to South Dublin County Council, was substantially complete, and that the matter was expected to be finalised shortly. I can now inform the Deputy that the Minister's interest in this land was waived to South Dublin County Council by Deed of Waiver under Section 31 of the State Property Act, 1954 on 21st June 2016. I understand that South Dublin County Council are now pursuing the registration of this property with the Property Registration Authority.
149. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the procedures in place to assist persons who suffer from dyslexia when undertaking an aptitude test for a State position. [21894/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Services (PAS) is an independent statutory body which provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil and public service under licence from the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). As a public body established under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004, PAS is also obliged, under section 34(1)(b) of that Act, to ensure that "standards of probity, merit, equity and fairness" apply to all of its recruitment and selection work. These binding standards are set out in the Code of Practice for Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service, as published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments.
Competitions advertised by PAS are open to all applicants (including people with disabilities) who fulfil the eligibility requirements set out at that time. PAS carefully considers all requests for reasonable accommodations. In considering such requests, PAS is conscious of the rights of people with dyslexia and of the obligations on PAS to observe those rights and to act in accordance with the provisions of the relevant equality legislation.
To assist PAS in considering request for reasonable accommodations in a fair and balanced way, candidates are asked to submit evidence in support of their request. PAS will consider letters or reports from relevant professionals which clearly indicate the severity and the type of accommodation(s) that may be relevant to the person. For example, candidates may be afforded extra time and/or alternative formats in order to complete the Assessment tests.
150. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of a bridge (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21759/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I will instruct departmental officials based in the region to investigate this area with a view to resolving the issue.
151. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of conservation rangers employed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and the number of vacant conservation ranger posts that exist as of July 2016. [21727/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that there are 68 Conservation Rangers employed in the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department. Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is currently engaged with the Public Appointments Service with a view to holding an open competition in the Autumn to create a Conservation Ranger panel.
152. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of the 70 full time jobs announced for 2016 supported by the Heritage Council that will be allocated to the west to support the range of heritage programmes in County Galway. [21741/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Heritage Council is funded by my Department, it is a statutorily independent body and, as such, I have no role in respect to the matter referred to. Officials in my Department have clarified with the Heritage Council that the 70 jobs involved relate primarily to supports for existing heritage jobs and have requested the Council to make direct contact with the Deputy’s office to clarify the matter.
153. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will declare10 to 25 Moore Street, Dublin 1 a national monument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21781/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe buildings referred to by the Deputy are the subject of ongoing proceedings in the Court of Appeal that relate, inter alia, to their monumental status under the National Monuments Acts. As the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate for me to act in any way or to comment further on the matter at this time.
154. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21729/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health when he will activate Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 to allow same-sex partners to be legally recognised as parents on a child's birth certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21796/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 186 together.
When the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 was enacted in April last year, it was indicated that Parts 2 and 3 of the Act, which deal with donor-assisted human reproduction, would not be commenced for at least a year following enactment. This period of time will provide an appropriate transition period and ensure that people currently undergoing donor-assisted human reproduction treatment could continue that treatment and to give fertility clinics time to prepare for the new regulatory framework.
This transition period is a practical and pragmatic administrative solution to facilitate the seamless transition to a new regulatory framework. This transition period will also allow time for officials to conduct the significant amount of preparatory work required to enable these provisions (including provisions relating to the National Donor-Conceived Person Register) to enter into force.
155. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given priority for special footware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21744/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
156. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plan to bring workers in an organisation (details supplied), not currently covered by the standard public service pension scheme, under this scheme; the progress to date, made in discussions in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21871/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to first clarify that employment in a public service body does not determine the type of pension scheme that is available to an individual employee. There are a variety of pension schemes that operate in the public service depending on when and how an individual enters the public service. In general, the majority of public servants are members of various public service ‘pay as you go’ Defined Benefit (DB) schemes which may have different minimum pension age, accrual terms, contribution rates etc. In addition, some employees of Section 38 agencies are members of funded Defined Benefit pension schemes which are administered by scheme trustees while others are members of Defined Contribution (DC) schemes. New entrants to the public service recruited on or after 1 January 2013 are generally members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (SPSPS) and have career average pension benefits.
In relation to the 44 employees of the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) who were members of a funded DB scheme, I am aware that the CRC has made a submission to the HSE which the HSE is currently evaluating. It would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of receipt of the HSE's recommendation.
I am most concerned about this issue and once a detailed proposal is received by my Department, it will be examined as a matter of urgency.
