Wednesday, 26 Jul 2017

Unemployment Data

Ceisteanna (23)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

23. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Taoiseach the rate of unemployment for those not at work due to an illness or a disability; and the way this compares with the European and OECD averages. [34635/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (ILO) in the State.

Respondents to the QNHS are asked whether they have at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty and the most recent figures available are for Q1 2017.

Table 1 shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over classified by their ILO economic status, unemployment rate and whether they have at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty, Q1 2017.

The unemployment rate for any category of persons is calculated as the number of persons unemployed divided by the number of persons in the Labour Force for that category.

While there is no current corresponding EU28 or OECD data available, table 2 shows the unemployment rates by country and disability definition for the most recent available year of 2011.

Table 1 Persons aged 15 years and over classified by ILO status and whether person has at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty

ILO Economic Status	-	Q1 17
Total labour force ('000)	Yes - has at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	78.2
	No - does not have at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	2,101.2
	Not stated	12.0
	All	2,191.4
Not in the labour force ('000)	Yes - has at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	315.9
	No - does not have at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	1,152.2
	Not stated	6.8
	All	1,474.9
Unemployed ('000)	Yes - has at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	9.2
	No - does not have at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	136.3
	Not stated	*
	All	146.2
Unemployment rate (%)	Yes - has at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	11.8
	No - does not have at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty	6.5

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

* Estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Reference period: Q1 = January - March.

Table 2 Unemployment rate of persons aged 15-64 years, by country and disability definition, 2011 (%)

Definition 1: Having a basic activity difficulty (such as sight, hearing, walking, communicating)

-	Yes	No
EU-28	12.1	9.6
Belgium	10.1	6.1
Bulgaria	14.3	11.2
Czech Republic	15.7	6.3
Denmark	10.8	7.1
Germany	12.2	6.4
Estonia	18.4	11.5
Ireland	17.9	14.8
Greece	14.6	16.7
Spain	23.3	21.9
France	12.3	8.7
Croatia	16.3u	13.6
Italy	8.1	8.0
Cyprus	10.2	7.2
Latvia	17.5	17.4
Lithuania	23.6	15.1
Luxembourg	4.9	5.3
Hungary	19.4	10.3
Malta	:	7.3
Netherlands	8.6	4.1
Austria	6.0	3.8
Poland	11.5	9.4
Portugal	14.4	12.5
Romania	8.1	7.5
Slovenia	9.9	7.5
Slovakia	19.0	12.9
Finland	9.1	7.5
Sweden	9.6	7.3
United Kingdom	10.6	7.9
Israel	9.8	8.2
Switzerland	6.1	3.8
Turkey	7.5	8.9

Source: Eurostat

u: low reliability

: not available

Definition 2: Having a work limitation caused by a Long-standing health problem and/or a basic activity difficulty (LHPAD)

-	Yes	No
EU-28	17.4	9.4
Belgium	13.8	5.8
Bulgaria	21.7	11.1
Czech Republic	21.0	5.9
Denmark	13.2	6.8
Germany	21.7	6.1
Estonia	27.2	11.1
Ireland	22.9	14.6
Greece	15.5	16.6
Spain	28.2	21.6
France	20.1	7.9
Croatia	17.6u	13.6
Italy	11.4	7.8
Cyprus	11.3	7.1
Latvia	21.5	17.1
Lithuania	26.9	15.0
Luxembourg	8.0	4.8
Hungary	25.0	10.2
Malta	:	7.1
Netherlands	9.5	4.0
Austria	7.9	3.8
Poland	14.9	9.3
Portugal	16.4	12.2
Romania	9.1	7.4
Slovenia	11.7	7.1
Slovakia	21.6	12.7
Finland	10.9	7.4
Sweden	11.4	7.0
United Kingdom	15.0	7.6
Israel	12.2	7.4
Switzerland	6.0	3.7
Turkey	7.4	8.9

Source: Eurostat

u: low reliability

: not available

Disability Support Services Provision

Ceisteanna (24)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

24. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Taoiseach if his Department is improving services and increasing supports for persons with disabilities during 2017. [34986/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department supports the implementation of national policies and strategies designed to advance the lives of people with disabilities including the recently published National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.

As Taoiseach and Head of Government, I encourage and endorse every effort to improve the services and supports for people with disabilities.

I want everyone to reach their full potential by ensuring that everyone gets a fair chance.

The Government has already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, namely a phased increase in the public service employment target for people with disabilities from 3% to 6% and plans to provide alternative recruitment channels and special public service competitions for people with disabilities.

These and other recommendations of the Strategy are being considered by a cross-party group chaired by Mr Fergus Finlay.

The Disability Act, 2005, obliges all public sector organisations, including my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), to employ a minimum of 3% of staff with a disability. As at 31 December 2016, 4.59% of the staff of my Department and 5.5% of the staff of NESDO voluntarily disclosed a disability.

My Department is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. Staff are recruited on the basis that they meet the requirements of the positions they are to fill.

In addition to complying with the provisions of the Disability Act, 2005, we follow the guidelines set out in the Commission for Public Service Appointments' codes of practice for appointments to positions in the Civil Service and Public Service.

My Department also participates in positive action programmes such as the Willing, Able and Mentoring Programme under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (25)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

25. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the investment by his Department since March 2016 in County Louth and parts of east County Meath. [34987/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The funding provided to County Louth and County Meath by my Department since March 2016 is set out in the following table.

Organisation	County	Programme	Amount
Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce	Louth	Local Diaspora Engagement Fund	€5,000
Gleeson Clan Gathering 2016 Organising Committee	Meath	Local Diaspora Engagement Fund	€3,000
Louth County Council	Louth	Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund	€10,000

In 2016 a total of 106 local and community projects around the country were approved for funding under the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund (the total amount of the fund in 2016 was €350,000).

In 2016 the Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund made up to €10,000 available for each Local Authority to invest in developing strategies for diaspora engagement at local and community level.

These funds were administered by the Department of the Taoiseach in 2016. Funding for local diaspora initiatives was transferred from the Department of the Taoiseach to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017.

As the Deputy will be aware investment in County Louth and County Meath has been made across many Departments and is not limited to this Department.

Departmental Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (26)

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

26. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach if all security and contract cleaning companies that have obtained contracts from his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department under public procurement rules are paying the legal employment regulation order, ERO, hourly rate to their security and contract cleaning employees; the steps he has taken to confirm full compliance with the ERO system; and if he has cancelled contracts with companies that have been found to be in breach of the ERO system since 1 October 2015. [35234/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office adhere to the procedures set out by the Office of Government Procurement and EU Procurement rules in relation to the procurement of all goods and services.

The standard terms and conditions of tenders conducted by the Office of Government Procurement state that the contractor shall provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, all obligations in the field of environmental, social and labour law which would include the legal Employment Regulation Order hourly rate.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (27)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

27. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach the status of funding for a group (details supplied). [35459/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Department of the Taoiseach is not currently in receipt of an application for funding from this organisation. In 2016 the Kerry Emigrant Social Housing Association was awarded a grant of €5,000 under the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund which was administered by the Department of the Taoiseach. This was one of a total of 106 local and community projects around the country that were approved for funding under the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund in 2016 (the total amount of the fund in 2016 was €350,000).

This fund was designed to progress the objective of Global Irish Ireland's Diaspora Strategy to promote engagement by communities around the country with their own diaspora and was in support of the role of the Minister of State for the Diaspora who was previously appointed to this Department in addition to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In 2017 funding for local diaspora initiatives was transferred from the Department of the Taoiseach to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who now have responsibility in this matter.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (28)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

28. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department on taxi or limousine fares in the past two years to date by year and amount. [35495/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department has a taxi account for official business purposes with a company selected by the Office of Government Procurement following a public tender. Taxis are used for official purposes where there is no other practical or suitable alternative mode of transport available.

Expenditure on taxis from January 2015 to end-June 2017 is set out in Table A. In addition, the sum of €1,800 was spent in 2015 on domestic car hire to transport relatives to the State funeral for Thomas Kent.

When I or Ministers of State assigned to my Department undertake trade missions, bilateral engagements with foreign Heads of State or Government, etc., it is normally necessary for Embassies to hire ground transport vehicles, such as cars and people carriers/mini-buses – not least for security purposes. Expenditure on foreign ground transport from January 2015 to end-June 2017 is set out in Table B.

Details of expenditure related to Foreign Travel, including ground transport, are published on my Department's website on a monthly basis.

Table A: TAXIS

2015

-	Expenditure
Taxi expenditure - Ireland	€26,387.54
Taxi expenditure - foreign	€4,424.40
Total for 2015	€30,811.94

2016

-	Expenditure
Taxi expenditure - Ireland	€23,680.81
Taxi expenditure - foreign	€3,726.68
Total for 2016	€27,407.49

2017 (to end June

-	Expenditure
Taxi expenditure - Ireland	€10.959.04
Taxi expenditure - foreign	€2,980.78
Total for 2017	€13,939.82

Table B: GROUND TRANSPORT (foreign)

-	Expenditure
2015	€51,548.20
2016	€36,576.16
2017 (to end June)	€39,072.09

Strategic Communications Unit

Ceisteanna (29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42, 43, 44)

This unit will complement, not replace, the existing arrangements in Departments and agencies for dealing with press, media and communications. The proposed unit will operate independently of the Government Information Service.

The GIS will continue its work of dealing with the media on a daily basis and managing major international media events. My Department is currently conducting an audit of the PR/Communications work across Departments and the agencies under their remit.

The result of this exercise will inform the precise mandate and other arrangements for the role and function of the new unit and should be concluded in the coming weeks.

The establishment of the new unit provides an opportunity to present a clear and cohesive message to the public on the work of Government.

The unit is being established on a permanent basis within the Department.

Strategic Communications Unit

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

49. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of staff within his Department who will be based in the new strategic information unit; the annual budget of the unit; if the staff will be established civil servants or non-established temporary positions; and the relationship between the existing departmental press office and the new unit. [35660/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 32, 38, 40 and 49 together.

The Strategic Communications Unit has not been established as yet. The precise mandate and other arrangements for the operation of this new unit, including staffing structure and budget, will be worked out over the coming weeks. It is my intention to staff the unit with civil and public servants. The new unit will be independent of, and supplementary to, the Government Information Service.

The pay scales of those currently working in the Government Information Service are as follows:

Number	Position	Pay Scale
1	Government Press Secretary	Assistant Secretary
1	Deputy Government Press Secretary	Principal Officer
3	Assistant Principal Officer	Assistant Principal Officer
3	Press Officer	Higher Executive Officer
1	Communications and Media Assistant	Administrative Officer
1	Clerical Officer	Clerical Officer

It should be noted that the Government Information Service is carrying a number of vacancies at present and the relevant recruitment processes are being finalised. In the meantime, temporary staffing arrangements have been put in place.

Government Information Service

Ceisteanna (31, 39)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

31. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Government press secretary role and the spokesperson role; the difference between the two roles; the roles they both will hold in GIS; and the reporting relationship of same. [35530/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

39. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the pay scales of the Government press secretary; and the pay scale of his spokesperson. [35538/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Taoiseach (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 39 together.

The role of the Government Press Secretary (as Head of the Government Information Service (GIS)) is to keep the media updated on the activities of Government, including briefing the media subsequent to the weekly Cabinet meetings.

Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 30.

Questions Nos. 33 to 37, inclusive, answered with Question No. 29.

Question No. 38 answered with Question No. 30.

Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 31.

Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 30.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (41)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

41. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of non-civil servants employed in his Department particularly in the area of communication for the Action Plan for Jobs. [35540/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

All employees of my Department are civil servants, either established or non-established.

Questions Nos. 42 to 44, inclusive, answered with Question No. 29.

Taoiseach's Communications

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 to 47, inclusive, together.

I spoke by phone with Prime Minister May most recently on June 27 when we discussed the ongoing talks process in Northern Ireland and our strong commitment to supporting the peace process as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.

We agreed to continue to work together to support the parties in reaching agreement to allow the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive and the need to have all of the institutions under the Agreement up and running to ensure ongoing protection of the peace process. I re-iterated the Irish Government's support for an Irish Language Act, as provided for in the St Andrew's Agreement, and the need for balance and respect between the parties.

Prior to that, I met with Prime Minister May in London on 19 June. During our discussions I raised the Dublin/Monaghan Bombings and other legacy cases, stressing the importance of making progress on legacy issues and the overall arrangements for dealing with the past.

The Government will continue to engage with the British Government in relation to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, and pursue all possible avenues that could achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by the Dáil, and in the hope that this could bring some measure of closure to the families.