Written Answers Nos. 185-194
185. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of commissions of inquiry or other formal investigations or inquiries being conducted in his Department; the name of these; the date they were established; the expected date the work is intended to be completed; the cost incurred to date; the estimated final cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6359/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations under way in my Department.
186. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his Department has been in touch with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or the British Foreign Office in relation to the recent disclosure of papers pertaining to torture by the British army of a number of persons in Northern Ireland in the early 1970s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst, I wish to restate that the Government condemns in the strongest terms all forms of torture and ill-treatment. The Government strongly believes that the absolute prohibition of torture is one of the cornerstones of the international human rights framework, and all countries are obligated to comply with this unconditional prohibition. No exceptional circumstances may be invoked as a justification for torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The Government takes the allegations made in the recent television report very seriously and is looking very carefully at the issues. I raised this in discussion with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Thursday, 2 February, and we agreed that the matter would be followed up by our respective officials. Secretary of State Brokenshire stated that the British Government was clear that it rejected the use of any methods of torture.
The allegations are another deeply concerning example of the suffering that was inflicted on people from all communities during the Troubles, and further underscore the central role of human rights protections in Northern Ireland in ensuring confidence in the evolving peace process.
Ireland is fully committed to the prevention and eradication of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including through our work in the EU and in international fora such as the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
187. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of car parking spaces that are controlled by the Office of Public Works in Dublin's inner city; the Department or other body which leases them; the number of spaces available for free use; the locations of same; and the number rented and the price paid to the State for same. [6249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTables A, B and C set out the details of stand-alone car parking facilities held under lease by the Commissioners of Public Works, car parking that is included in leases held by the Commissioners for the purpose of providing office accommodation for the various Government Departments and car parking facilities at State-owned office accommodation in Dublin's inner city (Dublin 1 and 2). The information in the tables schedules location, number of car spaces, the Department(s) that avail of these facilities and in the case of stand-alone car parking facilities includes the rent per annum,
No monies are recouped from any Department by the Commissioners for the purpose of providing car parking facilities.
The Commissioners can only provide information on facilities controlled by the Office of Public Works. In this regard the Commissioners cannot provide details of arrangements that other Departments may have in place for the provision of car parking facilities.
If further details are required, the Deputy might contact my office directly and I will arrange for the Commissioners of Public Works to assemble the data.
Table A: Stand-alone Car Parking
|
LOCATION |
PROPERTY |
No OF CAR SPACES |
DEPT |
RENT PA |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Marlborough St Car Park |
98 |
Education, Revenue, Social Protection & Garda Síochána |
€138,916.96 |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Parnell St Parnell Centre Car Park |
24 |
Revenue Commissioners |
€22,680.00 |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Talbot Street 37 Car Park |
20 |
Justice |
€40,000.00 |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Parnell St Parnell Centre Car Park |
28 |
Social Protection |
€26,460.00 |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Parnell St Parnell Centre Car Park |
15 |
FÁS |
€14,175.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Townsend St College House Car Park |
26 |
Health |
€97,500.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Drury Street Car Park |
40 |
Revenue Commissioners |
€80,000.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Townsend St College House Car Park |
17 |
Justice |
€34,000.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Revenue Castleview Georges st |
30 |
Revenue Commissioners |
€105,000.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
City Quay Car Park |
12 |
FÁS |
€10,800.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Drury Street Car Park |
34 |
Attorney General, Social Protection, Justice & National Museum |
€68,000.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Mount St Lr 73-79 Ballaugh House |
4 |
Revenue Commissioners |
€4,000.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Statoil Building |
3 |
Oireachtas |
€9,000.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Mount St Lr 67-72 Grattan House |
10 |
Foras na Gaeilge |
€32,750.00 |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Oireachtas Car Parking |
13 |
Oireachtas |
€38,462.84 |
Table B: Car Parking included in 'Office' Leases
|
LOCATION |
BUILDING NAME |
No OF CAR SPACES |
DEPARTMENT |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30 |
9 |
Civil Service Commission |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30 |
14 |
Civil Service Commission, Justice |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30 |
12 |
Justice |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Capel Street 89 -94 |
1 |
HSE Crisis Pregnancy Program, Garda Síochána |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Frederick St North Frederick Crt |
25 |
Education |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Amiens Street (Gandon House) |
19 |
Social Protection |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Amiens Street (Gandon House) |
8 |
Social Protection |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Irish Life Centre Block D E & F |
17 |
Telecom Regulator |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Parnell Sq 13-15 Parnell House |
66 |
Jobs Enterprise & Innovation |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Parnell Sq 16 |
55 |
National Consumer Agency, Social Protection, Garda Welfare, National Council for Special Education, NESDO, Director of Corporate Enforcement, Taoiseach |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30 |
4 |
Civil Service Commission |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Great Strand St Millennium Hse |
7 |
Ombudsman for Children |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Kings Inn House SWO & ESO |
9 |
Social Protection |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Irish Life Centre Block 2 |
60 |
Valuation Office, Land Registry |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Spencer Dock |
18 |
C & AGs Office, Office of Government Procurement, Public Expenditure & Reform |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Bloom House |
26 |
National Consumer Agency, Companies Registration Office |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Bishops Square |
13 |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Bishops Square |
13 |
Justice |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Bishops Square |
10 |
Social Protection |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Clare Street 12 |
4 |
Public Expenditure & Reform |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Clonmel Street [Clonmel Place] |
30 |
Foreign Affairs, Defence |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Adelaide Rd 65A (Davitt House) |
25 |
Jobs Enterprise & Innovation |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Earlsfort Terrace Earl Ctr Blk C |
18 |
Jobs Enterprise & Innovation, Social Protection |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Ely Place 7-8 Ely Court |
28 |
Arts Heritage & Gaeltacht |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Wilton Place Fitzwilton House |
4 |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Frederick St South Frederick Hse |
6 |
Oireachtas |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Harcourt Street 75-78 |
24 |
Foreign Affairs |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Hatch Street 13-15 |
12 |
Irish Aid, Defence Ombudsman |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Holles Street Holbrook House |
10 |
Valuation Tribunal |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Harcourt Road Dun Sceine |
14 |
National Transport Authority |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Lombard St East 8 - 11 Joyce Hse |
9 |
Health, Coru, East Regional Health Authority |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Mespil Road 43-49 |
19 |
Arts Heritage & Gaeltacht, Dept of Children & Youth Affairs |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Mount St Lr 73-79 Ballaugh House |
45 |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Mount Street Lower 85 - 93 |
25 |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Mount St Upr 36 |
10 |
Social Protection |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Leeson Street Lower Ossory House |
21 |
Office of the Ombudsman |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Earlsfort Tce St Steph Gr Hse |
23 |
Taoiseach, Arts Heritage & Gaeltacht, Public Expenditure and Reform, Civil Service Credit Union, Justice, Residential Institute Redress Unit, La Foy Commission |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Mount St Lr 79-83 Timberlay Hse |
28 |
Justice |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Longphort House |
4 |
Office of the Ombudsman |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Earlsfort Tce St Steph Gr Hse |
15 |
Finance, Public Expenditure & Reform |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Adelaide Road 29-31 |
80 |
Communications, Energy & Natural Resources |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Revenue Castleview Georges st |
35 |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
St Stephen's Gr 94 |
20 |
Justice |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Corn Exchange CWS |
2 |
Community Welfare Service |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Statoil Building |
9 |
Oireachtas |
Table C: Car Parking at State-owned Office
|
LOCATION |
PROPERTY NAME |
No OF CAR SPACES |
DEPARTMENT |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Custom House |
50 |
Environment |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
Henrietta St Registry of Deeds |
30 |
Registry of Deeds |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
O'Connell Street Upper 14 - 15 |
18 |
Revenue |
|
DUBLIN 01 |
O'Connell Street Upper 9 - 10 |
10 |
Revenue |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Dawson Street 59 |
7 |
Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Dublin Castle |
43 |
Revenue Commissioners, Revenue, Music Network (Arts Council), Garda Síochána, Education, Customs & Excise |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Hanover Street East 6/7 |
48 |
Justice, Refugee Appeals Tribunal, Refugees Applications Commission |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Knockmaun House |
15 |
Foreign Affairs, Revenue |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Hawkins Street Hawkins House |
90 |
Health |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Kildare House |
38 |
Oireachtas |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Kildare Street 23-28 |
21 |
Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Kildare Street Ag House |
184 |
Agriculture, Comptroller & Auditor General |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Merrion Square 44 - 45 |
22 |
Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
Merrion Square 73 |
3 |
Irish Architectural Archive, Irish Manuscripts Commission |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
St Stephen's Green 52 |
48 |
Justice, Office of Public Works |
|
DUBLIN 02 |
St Stephen's Gr78-81IveaghHse |
70 |
Foreign Affairs |
188. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full cost to the State of holding the referenda on the 34th and 35th amendments to the Constitution in 2015. [6254/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe referendums on 34th Amendment to the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015 and 35th Amendment to the Constitution (Age of Eligibility for Election to the Office of President) Bill 2015 were held together on the 22 May, 2015.
The final cost of the above referendums is €14.9m.
189. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of a report (details supplied) regarding the rural post office network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6146/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report in question was prepared by an independent person on behalf of An Post. The report was submitted to An Post towards the end of December 2016 and it is now a matter for the management and Board of An Post to consider the report.
The postal sector has been undergoing significant change both nationally and internationally in recent years, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to a decline in core mail volume for An Post. Nonetheless, the Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to find solutions to the sustainability of the post office network in this changing business environment. The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a number of commitments in this regard.
For my own part, I established the Post Office Hub Working Group last year to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. I chaired the meetings of this Working Group, which included representatives from An Post, the Irish Postmasters Union and rural representatives, and my officials are currently finalising the Group's report.
In addition, my officials have been examining the potential for the post offices to deliver other services, including the renewal of motor tax. A number of options for the delivery of this service have been identified and proposals are currently being finalised in consultation with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
190. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist 30 scoláireacht bhreise a thabhairt le haghaidh scoilbhliain 2017-2018 faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge do scoileanna ar na hoileáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [6192/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá scoláireachtaí á gcur ar fáil ag an Roinn ó 2007 i leith chun daltaí meánscoile ó cheantair taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht a choinneáil ar iostas i dtithe atá aitheanta faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ar na hoileáin Ghaeltachta. Ar na hOileáin Árann, is iad Coláiste Ghobnait in Inis Oírr, Coláiste Naomh Eoin in Inis Meáin agus Gairm Scoil Éinne in Árainn na scoileanna atá páirteach sa scéim. Íoctar deontas laethúil de €27 le teaghlaigh aitheanta faoin scéim a choinníonn daltaí ar iostas fad a bhíonn siad ag freastal ar mheánscoil an oileáin.
Tá dhá theaghlach déag ag cur lóistín ar fáil in Árainn do na daltaí atá páirteach sa scéim. Is iad na scoileanna féin a dhéanann earcaíocht ar na daltaí, a roghnaíonn na tithe lóistín agus atá freagrach as na daltaí, fad a bhíonn siad ar na hoileáin.
Déantar athbhreithniú ar an scéim go rialta. Cuirtear nithe éagsúla san áireamh mar chuid de na hathbhreithnithe sin, lena n-áirítear an t-éileamh ó na meánscoileanna ar na hoileáin agus an tionchar a d'fheadfadh líon mór daltaí ó cheantair taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht a imirt ar theanga phobail na meánscoileanna agus ar theanga phobal na n-oileán féin.
Ag eascairt as an athbhreithniú deiridh a déanadh ar an scéim, tógadh cinneadh go leanfaí leis ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana eile - sé sin go dtí deireadh na scoilbhliana 2018/2019 agus gur uasmhéid de 30 scoláire a bheadh i gceist ar Oileáin Árann.
Sílim gur scéim mhaith í seo a fheidhmíonn go héifeachtach ar scála beag mar go gcaithfear bheith cúramach nach n-athróidh líon mór daltaí nach cainteoirí dhúchais Gaeilge iad nósanna teanga na scoileanna ar a mbíonn siad ag freastal. É sin ráite, tá an cás le haghaidh méadaithe bhig ar líon na scoláireachtaí atá ar fáil faoin scéim don scoilbhliain 2017/2018 á bhreithniú agam ar bhonn eisceachtúil faoi láthair.
191. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are any grant aid programmes currently in operation within her Department or due to come online shortly which provide funding for assisting persons in the refurbishment of buildings in town centres for residential or commercial purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23rd January, contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland's rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
I will shortly be launching an enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2017, and towns and villages to be included in this scheme will be selected through an application and assessment process. The scheme will be funded by my Department and administered by the Local Authorities.
As part of the Town and Village Renewal scheme, I intend to launch a pilot project to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. This pilot will be launched separately in the second half of the year, when details of the scheme have been finalised in consultation with relevant Departments. The pilot will examine ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. The refurbishment of premises for commercial purposes will not be part of this scheme.
192. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Roinn na Gaeltachta had any unspent funding in 2015 and 2016; if so, the headings under which that funding came; if the funding was returned to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6235/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTotal Programme expenditure, excluding administration subheads, for the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Island programme area in 2015 amounted to 100% of the 2015 allocation as per the Revised Estimates 2015. Provisional figures indicate that the total programme expenditure, excluding administration subheads, for the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Island programme area in 2016 amounted to 106% of the 2016 allocation as per the Revised Estimates 2016 as additional funding was made available on foot of savings elsewhere in the Department's Vote.
In accordance with Public Financial Procedures, the surplus of the amount provided in a Department's Vote, over the net amount applied in that Vote is liable for surrender to the Exchequer, with the exception of unspent appropriations for capital supply services up to a maximum of 10% of the capital envelope of the Vote, which may be carried over for spending on capital priority programmes in the following year.
The surplus of the amount provided in my Department's Vote over the net amount applied amounted to €8,895,773 in 2015. Of this, an amount of €6,158,000 was carried forward to 2016 by way of deferred surrender leaving a surplus to surrender to the Exchequer of €2,737,773. Full details of these figures and all associated expenditure are available in the 2015 Annual Appropriation Account for my Department which is published on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General at: www.audgen.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/annualreports/2015/AppAcc/En/Vote 33.pdf
Work is continuing on finalising the 2016 expenditure figures for my Department and adjustments continue to be made in relation to individual financial transactions to ensure that expenditure is accounted for in accordance with Government accounting policies, principles and procedures. However, I can advise that provisional figures indicate that the surplus of the amount provided in my Department's Vote over the net amount applied will be in excess of €16 million in 2016. An amount of €13,548,000 has been carried forward to 2017 by means of deferred surrender leaving a net surplus to surrender of over €3 million. When account is taken of expenditure which could not be incurred under Programme E of my Department's Vote because of the non-receipt of corresponding Appropriations-in-Aid and surplus Appropriations-in-Aid in other programme areas which must be surrendered to the Exchequer, the remaining balance will amount to some €425,000 in administration budget efficiencies and some €600,000 in programme savings. The programme savings largely relate to capital savings on commemoration projects that did not proceed as promptly as anticipated. As I have already indicated, these figures are provisional and are subject to finalisation by my Department and audit by the Comptroller and Auditor in General.
Details of the actual outturn for my Department at subhead level for 2016, including details of any surplus, together with explanations for any variances between allocations and expenditure, will be published in the Annual Appropriation Account for 2016 and be made available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General later this year, as was the case for previous years.
193. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of commissions of inquiry or other formal investigations or inquiries being conducted in her Department; the name of these; the date they were established; the expected date the work is intended to be completed; the cost incurred to date; the estimated final cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6349/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was established under that title on 7th July 2016. It has responsibility for all the matters that previously came within the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which was itself established on 2nd June 2011, and in addition is also responsible for certain functions transferred from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
No Commissions of Inquiry or other investigations as described by the Deputy have been conducted by my Department or by its predecessor Department.
194. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the tax incentives and reliefs that will be available to owners of properties in rural towns and villages following on from the Government launch of its rural development action plan. [6377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23rd January, contains a number of measures which have the objective of rejuvenating Ireland's rural towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, and to increase their tourism potential.
Under my own Department's remit, these measures include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the CLÁR programme, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.
The Town and Village Renewal scheme will be launched shortly. However, as part of this scheme, I intend to launch a pilot project to encourage residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. This pilot will be launched separately in the second half of the year when details of the scheme have been finalised in consultation with relevant Departments. The pilot will examine ways in which properties that are currently not in use in town centres can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. I do not, at this stage, envisage that this scheme will involve tax reliefs or incentives.
Questions in relation to the availability of tax incentives and reliefs for property owners more generally are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
