Written Answers Nos. 68-84
68. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach the steps being taken to address concerns concerning the methodology used to formulate revised 2015 growth figures issued by the Central Statistics Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26601/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational accounts statistics for Ireland are compiled in accordance with the 2010 European System of Accounts (ESA 2010) as required under EU legislation. The ESA 2010 standards are based on the UN's 2008 edition of the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008).
The revisions to the national accounts and balance of payments statistics published on July 12th 2016 were driven largely by the relocation of large balance sheets to Ireland, with consequential increases in the economic activity attributable to Ireland. The information on the relocations and the related activity was supplied to the CSO's Large Cases Unit (LCU) as part of the broad range of data collected by that unit. The LCU works closely with the largest multi-national groups to ensure that the activities of the Irish resident parts of these complex multi-national structures are correctly identified, measured and reflected in the national accounts statistics and in other CSO outputs.
Eurostat visited the CSO on August 30th as part of the normal GNI verification processes for national accounts statistics. The meeting was very productive and the results for 2015 were verified by Eurostat.
The macro-economic statistics published by the CSO in accordance with the international standards provide a valuable reflection of the complexity of the highly globalised Irish economy relative to other economies and the results highlight the level of concentration of multi-national activity in Ireland. Because of the open, highly globalised nature of the Irish economy, the measurement challenges caused by globalisation are particularly acute in Ireland's case and the CSO appreciates the difficulties faced by users of our statistics in understanding domestic economic activity.
The CSO is committed to meeting user needs and is convening an expert group to develop recommendations on how best to meet the statistical needs of users, and in particular, to provide guidance on the development of indicators and analyses that better provide insight to Irish domestic economy activity. The Group will meet during the period September to November 2016 and will report to the Director General of the CSO. The report of the group will be published and will be available on the CSO website, along with the CSO’s response to the report.
70. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the issues that were discussed at the informal EU Council on 16 September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26795/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he made any particular contribution at the informal EU Council on 16 September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26796/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
The Bratislava Summit on 16 September was part of the process of political reflection launched at the meeting of 27 Heads of State and Government, together with Presidents Tusk and Juncker, that took place on 29 June, after the European Council.
The objective of the Bratislava Summit was to hold a broad debate on the key challenges and key priorities for the Union. A Declaration was issued, along with a short work programme or ‘roadmap’ as set out by President Tusk, President Junker and the Slovak Presidency.
Discussions covered migration; internal security; external security and defence; and economic and social development, including youth. I acknowledged the strong concerns our partners have on migration and security, and assured them that Ireland will continue to contribute to the response to the migration crisis. I also said that we would engage in the further development of the Common Security and Defence Policy in support of international peace and security, as provided for in the EU Treaties.
I highlighted of course the priority that Ireland - and many other EU partners - attach to economic issues, in particular the Single Market and Digital Single Market; jobs, investment and trade and that we need a balanced approach to the debate about the future of Europe.
There was also a short discussion at the Summit around the question of ratification of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
There was no discussion of the UK’s decision to leave the EU; other than a report from President Tusk of his meeting with Prime Minister May; and a reaffirmation of the agreed principles that there can be no negotiations before the UK triggers Article 50, and that access to the Single Market requires acceptance of all four freedoms. In my discussions with other leaders, however, I reminded them again of Ireland’s specific concerns on this issue, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland, North-South relations, the Common Travel Area and bilateral trade.
It was agreed at Bratislava that the process of reflection on the future of Europe should continue at the October and December European Councils. Another meeting of the 27 will take place in Malta in early 2017 before the process concludes in March to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.
73. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the total travel expenses and reimbursement costs incurred by his Department per annum from 2011 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26868/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total travel expenses and reimbursement costs incurred by my Department from 2011 to 21st September 2016 is provided in the table. It should be noted that the Ministerial Air Transport Service was not available for trans-Atlantic or long-haul destinations since July 2014, which necessitated travel on commercial carriers instead.
|
Year |
Travel (incl flights, hotel, rail expenses and domestic mileage) |
Subsistence |
|
2011 |
€199,456.54 |
€27,487.01 |
|
2012 |
€294,451.39 |
€38,803.34 |
|
2013 |
€303,507.85 |
€46,802.27 |
|
2014 |
€358,525.53 |
€45,636.17 |
|
2015 |
€425,161.76 |
€42,761.14 |
|
2016 |
€295,412.59 |
€32,460.38 |
74. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach if his Department has a specific data protection officer in place; if that position is exclusive or if the position holder has other duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26884/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a nominated official who, in addition to other duties, deals with the application of the data protection legislation within my Department, including the processing of data protection requests.
75. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when the latest census will be completed. [27017/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe census field operation concluded on the 20th May and all temporary field staff have now completed their contracts. The first Preliminary results of the census were published on the 14th July, just 12 weeks after census day (24th April).
Over the coming months the CSO will continue to scan, capture and code the information on some 2 million census forms. The first definitive results will be published in April 2017 - within a year of census day. This is line with achievements in 2011.
Detailed census results, organised by theme, will be published throughout 2017. Results will be presented in 2 summary publications and 10 census releases each covering a particular theme and containing thematic maps, interpretation and analysis of the data. A detailed timetable of date of publication of each release will be published on the CSO website in October this year.
In conclusion the CSO report that it was an extremely successful census and that they received great cooperation from the public. I would like to put on record my appreciation of the general public’s participation in the census and my thanks to the census staff for a job well done.
76. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health met recently. [27018/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on Health last met on 22 September.
77. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he had any other bilaterals or meetings when in Berlin on 12 July 2016. [27020/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with Chancellor Merkel in Berlin on 12 July. Our discussion focused on the outcome of the UK referendum and its implications for Ireland, Germany and the European Union more generally.
I took the opportunity to explain our particular concerns in relation to the UK decision to her, including in relation to Northern Ireland; North-South relations, border and citizenship issues; the Common Travel Area; and the interconnectedness of our economies. I was pleased to find her sympathetic to those concerns and to have her assurances that we share the objective of constructive negotiations towards a close and harmonious future relationship between the EU and the UK.
The schedule for my visit was tight and there was no opportunity for any additional meetings. I arrived in Berlin close to lunchtime and met with Chancellor Merkel at the Chancellery over lunch. We held a joint press conference at the Chancellery after which I departed directly for Dublin.
79. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing last met and when is the next meeting scheduled. [27034/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Housing was held on 7 July 2016. The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, 28 September 2016. The Committee will continue to meet regularly to oversee implementation of the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness which is a priority for Government.
80. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the names of the existing Cabinet committees and the number of times they have met since the formation of Government. [27205/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe names of the Cabinet Committees and the number of times they have met since the formation of the new Government are set out in the tabl##e.
|
Cabinet Committee |
Number of meetings held |
|
Housing |
8 |
|
Health |
4 |
|
Social Policy and Public Service Reform |
2 |
|
Justice Reform |
1 |
|
European Affairs |
1 |
|
Regional and Rural Affairs |
2 |
|
Economy, Trade and Jobs |
1 |
|
Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action |
1 |
|
Arts, Irish and the Gaeltacht |
0 |
|
Brexit |
1 |
The following Cabinet Committee meetings have been scheduled:
Cabinet Committee on Housing - 28 September (tomorrow)
Cabinet Committee on Economy, Trade and Jobs - 4 October
Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action - 13 October
Cabinet Committee on Arts, Irish and the Gaeltacht - 13 October.
81. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the number of civil servants working in his Department on 15 September 2016, both whole and part-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27206/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 15 September 2016, there were 183 civil servants working in my Department equating to a whole time equivalent (wte) staff number of 173.7. Of those 183 civil servants, 156 were working full time and 27 (17.7 wtes) were working part time.
82. Deputy John Lahart asked the Taoiseach the current position regarding the north east inner city initiative he announced in July 2016; the number of times the ministerial task force he chairs has met; the Ministers who are members of this task force; when he anticipates a report from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27365/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I declared my intention to respond to the challenges facing the people of the North East Inner City Dublin earlier this year, I have been involved in a number of meetings involving relevant Ministers, public representatives, community groups and local residents. I subsequently launched a major initiative for the area on 20 July with the establishment of a Ministerial Taskforce to oversee the long-term social and economic regeneration of the area.
To support the work of the Ministerial Taskforce, which I Chair, Mr Kieran Mulvey has been appointed to engage with the local community groups, representatives and other interests, and to report back with specific recommendations.
A number of immediate measures were also announced to help the community address some of the immediate challenges facing it.
The Ministerial Taskforce met recently on 15 September and was briefed by Mr Mulvey on his work to date which has mainly involved many meetings with people in the area, including community groups, residents, businesses, public representatives, educational institutions and public agencies. He will continue his programme of meetings and has invited short submissions to bemade by individuals or groups to him over the coming weeks. He remains on track to submit his report by end-November.
The membership of the Ministerial Taskforce is:
Taoiseach (Chair)
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality
Minister for Education and Skills
Minister for Social Protection
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal
Minister of State for Communities and National Drugs Strategy
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport
Minister of State for Disability Issues
