Tuesday, 7 Nov 2017

Written Answers Nos. 94-118

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (94, 112, 113, 114, 115, 118)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

94. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his trip to France on 23 October 2017; the meetings he attended and the issues that were discussed. [45689/17]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

112. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the meetings he had in Paris on 24 October 2017 and the issues that were discussed. [46209/17]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

113. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his views on the comments made by President Macron of France at their meeting on 24 October 2017 regarding his views that Britain is responsible for outlining concrete solutions to minimise the impact of the Border with Northern Ireland. [46210/17]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

114. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the discussion he had with President Macron of France on 24 October 2017 regarding the agricultural sector both here and in France. [46211/17]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

115. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the discussions he had with President Macron of France on digital taxation. [46212/17]

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

118. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Taoiseach the discussions he had with President Macron at his most recent meeting in Paris on 24 October 2017. [46236/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 112 to 115, inclusive, and 118 together.

My meeting with President Macron in Paris covered bilateral relations, the Brexit negotiations, and the future of Europe.

We noted the extensive trading relationship between us and agreed that this provides a solid platform on which to build into the future, especially as Ireland looks to grow and diversify markets in the context of Brexit.

We also discussed our cooperation in other areas, including the EU Training Mission in Mali, and our joint commitment to the planned Celtic Interconnector that will link our electricity networks.

On Brexit, we welcomed the progress achieved to date in the negotiations and agreed that further work is required on the three withdrawal issues - citizens' rights, financial settlement and Irish/Northern Irish issues - before the European Council can agree that sufficient progress has been made in order to move onto phase two. I thanked the President for his continuing understanding and support on Irish-specific issues.

On other EU issues, we agreed on the importance of supporting agriculture and protecting our vital interests in the ongoing Mercosur negotiations.

We also agreed on the enormous potential of the digital economy. I outlined my view that the best way to achieve a successful outcome in the taxation area is to support the work underway at the OECD.

I acknowledged the renewed energy that President Macron has brought to the debate on the future of Europe, and outlined my view that we need to focus on where Europe can have concrete and positive impacts on the lives of our citizens.

We also discussed our respective plans to bring the debate on Europe to the public, through the citizens’ dialogue, and other mechanisms.

Question No. 95 answered with Question No. 89.

Civil Service Management Board

Ceisteanna (96)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

96. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when the subgroup of the Civil Service management board will be set up; and its membership finalised. [45691/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Civil Service Management Board has established a Subgroup to give a whole-of-government approach to strategic communications. This Subgroup held its first meeting on Wednesday 25th October and is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. Members include the Secretaries General of the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform; Health; Housing, Planning and Local Government; Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Transport, Tourism and Sport; Rural and Community Development; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Question No. 97 answered with Question No. 89.

Departmental Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (98)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

98. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of tenders his Department has active at the moment. [45694/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department currently has four active tenders.

Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 89.

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (100)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

100. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of persons classified as part-time under-employed as a percentage of the number employed in each country in the EU 28 based on the latest data available in tabular form. [45591/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The EU 28 data for the number of underemployed part-time workers aged 15-74 years as a percentage of total employment are sourced from the EUROSTAT website (Data Series lfsa_sup_age)

The following table shows number of underemployed part-time workers aged 15-74 years as a percentage of total employment for the year 2016 and are the latest EU 28 data available:

Underemployed part-time workers aged 15-74 years as a percentage of total employment in the EU 28

JH

Underemployed persons aged 15-74 years	2016
European Union (28 countries)	4.3
Belgium	3.5
Bulgaria	0.8
Czech Republic	0.5
Denmark	4.9
Germany (until 1990 former territory of the FRG)	3.5
Estonia	1.3
Ireland	5.0
Greece	7.3
Spain	7.7
France	6.2
Croatia	2.2
Italy	3.2
Cyprus	9.0
Latvia	3.5
Lithuania	1.4
Luxembourg	2.3
Hungary	1.1
Malta	1.8
Netherlands	6.1
Austria	4.5
Poland	1.7
Portugal	5.0
Romania	2.5
Slovenia	3.1
Slovakia	2.6
Finland	4.2
Sweden	3.7
United Kingdom	5.1

Source: EUROSTAT Data Series - lfsa_sup_age

Departmental Communications

Ceisteanna (101, 102, 104, 105, 106)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

101. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the cost of the research survey for the perceptions of government; the timeframe for the completion of the survey. [45851/17]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

102. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the external company undertaking an audit of his departmental website; the cost of the audit; and the timeframe for its completion. [45867/17]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

104. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the meetings of the strategic communications unit he or his departmental officials attended; and the date and location of each such meeting. [45999/17]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

105. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the last time his Department's website was revamped or remodelled; the cost of same; and if he or his departmental officials have been consulted regarding creating one stand alone online government portal website. [46016/17]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

106. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the investment in his Department’s website since 2011 including total associated costs incurred. [46033/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 102 and 104 to 106, inclusive, together.

The cost of the insight and market research contract is estimated at €130,000 ex vat. As stated in the RFT, Phase 1 of the research should be available in early 2018, the research will be published when available.

There is no external company undertaking an audit of my department's website.

The last time my Department's website was revamped or remodelled was in 2013 at a cost of €9,014.50. The total cost of investment in my Department’s website since 2011 is €49,257.33.

As part of the Government's eGovernment strategy 2017- 2020 the Office of the Chief Information Officer has been working on the development of a Digital Service Gateway - a single digital point where citizens can easily access information about the Government services that are available to them. This work, which began at beginning of this year is ongoing and will involve the rationalisation of existing Government websites and online services over time. This project will be managed and developed by existing resources within the civil service.

I meet with the Director of the Strategic Communications Unit as part of a sub group of the Civil Service management board on a regular basis. The Strategic Communications Unit is a unit within my Department and, therefore, meets with Departmental officials on a regular and ongoing basis.

Departmental Equipment

Ceisteanna (103)

James Browne

Ceist:

103. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost of the provision of a defibrillator in each public building owned by his Department and agency under the aegis of his department. [45968/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department is located in Government Buildings, which is provided by the Office of Public Works. There are already two defibrillators in the building. The National Economic and Social Development Office comes under the aegis of my Department, but does not occupy a public building.

Questions Nos. 104 to 106, inclusive, answered with Question No. 101.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (107)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

107. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of departmental staff in his press office; and the reporting relationship in operation. [46050/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are five Press Officers in the Government Press Office. A dual reporting relationship is in place whereby Press Officers report to both the Head of Corporate Affairs and the Assistant Government Press Secretary. There is also a vacancy at Clerical Officer level in the Government Press Office which is in the process of being filled via the Public Appointments Service.

Departmental Staff Training

Ceisteanna (108)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the protocol for attendance by staff, both civil servants and political non-civil servants at continuing professional development programmes and courses; the number of staff both civil servants and political non-civil servants in his Department who participated in such programmes on an annual basis in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the costs incurred by his Department for persons that participated in these courses; the providers of all such courses; and the subject areas of all courses and programmes provided in tabular form. [46067/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The performance of my Department is dependant on the knowledge, skills, competencies and commitment of its staff. Achieving improved performance through appropriate and relevant continuing professional development programmes continues to be an integral element of ensuring my Department achieves its strategic objectives.

All staff of my Department, both established and unestablished Civil Servants, are encouraged to participate in continuing professional development programmes. In addition to such programmes, financial assistance for further or higher education is available to staff of my Department under the Refund of Fees Scheme as set out under the Department of Finance's Circular 23/07 .

Details of membership by staff in my Department in professional organisations in the years 2011 to date in 2017, and associated cost, are set out as follows:

2011

Organisation Name	Description	No. of Staff	Total Cost €
Institute of International and European Affairs	Corporate Membership - European Affairs	1	6000
National Irish Safety Organisation	Membership - Human Resources	1	450
Cosi EMEA	Membership - Information Management and Support - SirsiDynix support group	1	81.61
ACJRD Ltd	Membership - Association of Criminal Research Justice and Development	1	150
European Movement Ireland	Professional Subscription to European Movement Ireland	1	1300
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development	Membership - CIPD -Human Resources	1	228.68

2012

Organisation Name	Description	No. of Staff	Total Cost €
Institute of International and European Affairs	Corporate Membership - European Affairs	1	6000
The Economic and Social Research Institute	Corporate Membership - ESRI	organisation subscription	550
COSI EMEA	Membership - Information Management and Support - SirsiDynix support group	1	25.2
Irish Centre for European Law	Corporate Membership - ICEL	1	395
European Movement Ireland	Corporate Membership - European Movement - EU Presidency	1	1300
Irish Computer Society	Membership - Irish Computer Society	2	220

2013

Organisation Name	Description	No. of Staff	Total Cost €
Institute of International and European Affairs	Corporate Membership Fees - European Affairs	1	6000
Irish Centre for European Law	Corporate Membership - ICEL	1	395
Irish Computer Society	Membership - Irish Computer Society	1	115
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	Membership of Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	1	347.94

2014

Organisation Name	Description	No. of Staff	Total Cost €
Irish Centre for European Law	Corporate Membership - ICEL	1	395
Institute of International and European Affairs	Corporate Membership - European Affairs	1	6000
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	Membership of Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	1	213.21
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development	Membership - CIPD -Human Resources	2	324.7

2015

Organisation Name	Description	No. of Staff	Total Cost €
Irish Centre for European Law	Corporate Membership - ICEL	1	395
Institute of International and European Affairs	Corporate Membership - European Affairs	1	7000
Irish Computer Society	Membership - Irish Computer Society	1	115
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	Membership of Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	1	245.28
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development	Membership - CIPD -Human Resources	2	431.39

2016

Organisation Name	Description	No. of Staff	Total Cost €
Institute of International and European Affairs	Corporate Membership - European Affairs	1	8500
Irish Centre for European Law	Corporate Membership - ICEL	1	395
Irish Computer Society	Membership - Irish Computer Society	1	115
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	Membership of Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	1	230.32
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development	Membership - CIPD -Human Resources	2	387.7

To 06/11/2017

Organisation Name	Description	No. of Staff	Total Cost €
Institute of International and European Affairs	Corporate Membership - European Affairs	1	10000
Irish Centre for European Law	Corporate Membership - ICEL	1	395
Irish Computer Society	Membership - Irish Computer Society	1	115
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	Membership of Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors	1	216.18

Public Relations Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (109)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

109. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the public relations companies or agencies the services of which his Department used for information campaigns since 1 January 2017; and the costs incurred to date in 2017. [46084/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department engaged Q4 Public Relations to provide public relations and communications services for the Data Summit, which took place in Dublin in June 2017. The company was tasked with promoting the Data Summit to both a national and international audience, including industry, academia, not-for-profit sector as well as the wider public. The company was selected following a competitive tendering process and the total cost of the services was €30,750 (inclusive of VAT). The Department has not engaged any other public relations companies or agencies this year.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (110)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

110. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the steps he has taken to ensure that grant aided organisations are spending their moneys appropriately in view of the revelations regarding a charity (details supplied) in 2016; if his attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to organisations funded by his Department; if so, the action he has taken; and if his Department has issued new procedures regarding the use of credit cards. [46101/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is grant funded from my Department's Vote. NESDO's payments and accounting practices, including the use of credit cards for official purposes, are audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Public Relations Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (111)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

111. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if his Department has engaged public relations companies in the past five years; if so, the areas they were working on; and the cost of each contract. [46208/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The table below provides details of public relations companies engaged by my Department from 1 January 2012 to 31 October 2017:

Year	Company	Purpose	Cost
2012 & 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	€56,383.20
2013 & 2014	Q4 Public Relations	Support for the Convention on the Constitution	€26,909.24
2017	Q4 Public Relations	PR and Communications services for the Data Summit, June 2017	€30,750

Questions Nos. 112 to 115, inclusive, answered with Question No. 94.

Question No. 116 answered with Question No. 1.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (117)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

117. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Taoiseach the bilateral meetings he has had with other European prime ministers and presidents, including the EU Council and EU Commission Presidents, since he took office as Taoiseach; and the location and date of each such meeting. [46235/17]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Since becoming Taoiseach, I have participated in the European Council meetings in Brussels in June and October, and the Digital Summit in Tallinn in September. In advance of the October European Council, I also participated in a meeting with the leaders of a number of like-minded partners - Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.

I had separate bilateral meetings in Brussels in June with President Tusk, President Juncker, Chancellor Merkel and Estonian Prime Minister Ratas.

I met bilaterally with President Draghi in Dublin in September, with Prime Minister Rutte in Tallinn in September and with President Macron in Paris in October, and with the European Parliament’s lead Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt in Dublin in September.

I met with Prime Minister May in London in June and again in September and we have also had a number of telephone conversations.

Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 94.