Written Answers Nos. 50 - 56
50. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his key priorities in the forthcoming capital review; the projects submitted for priority inclusion in the review; the status of negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2287/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA capital plan for the period 2018 to 2027 is being developed under the National Planning Framework. My Department is engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that this plan includes the appropriate level of capital investment to enable the Defence Organisation to deliver effectively on all their assigned roles, as set out in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.
For the period 2018 to 2021, the capital funding envelope for Defence will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, as set out in the White Paper. Projects prioritised for inclusion are as follows:
- Mid-life upgrade of the Army Mowag APC armoured fleet;
- Ongoing Naval vessel replacement programme;
- Mid-life refit of the Naval Service vessels LÉ Niamh and LÉ Roisín;
- Replacement of the Air Corps Cessna Aircraft;
- CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement Programme;
- Ongoing investment in the modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure;
- Investment in additional force protection measures.
Such funding will play a vital role in ensuring that the priorities identified in the White Paper can be met and that the Defence Forces can deliver fully on the roles assigned by Government.
51. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if bullying or sexual harassment claims have been lodged in his Department in each year since 2011; if so, the number of either complaints on an annual basis, in tabular form; if these complaints have been investigated; the outcome of each investigation; and the policies in place in his Department to combat bullying and sexual harassment. [2313/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that no bullying or sexual harassment claims have been received in the years since 2011 in respect of civil servants employed by my Department.
One case of alleged bullying and harassment has resulted in compensation being paid out to a civilian employee by the Department. The case was settled in 2015 and the terms of the settlement, including the amount of compensation, decreed that it was confidential to the parties involved. An investigation is currently underway into an allegation of bullying in respect of a civilian employee of my Department.
The Civil Service Dignity at Work Policy was rolled out to all civil service staff in my Department in 2015 and staff are reminded of the aims of the Policy, which deals with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, annually. The Policy is also provided to all new staff joining my Department and is posted on the Department's Intranet. A similar policy is in place for civilian employees of my Department.
52. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his key priorities in the forthcoming capital review; the projects submitted for priority inclusion in the review; the status of negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2291/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEngagements between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the forthcoming capital review are at an early stage and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment on these negotiations at this time.
My Department’s priorities for 2018 include the ongoing implementation of the passport reform process as its online services are further expanded beyond the online adult passport renewal service launched last year; continued investment in our global property network including the commencement of the development of a new Embassy/Ireland House facility in Tokyo; Embassy projects, ongoing maintenance, security improvements, health and safety improvements, etc; and the maintenance and enhancement of the Department’s ICT global communications network and new ICT system enhancements.
My officials look forward to engaging with officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to finalise the capital review as soon as possible.
53. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if bullying or sexual harassment claims have been lodged in his Department in each year since 2011; if so, the number of either complaints on an annual basis, in tabular form; if these complaints have been investigated; the outcome of each investigation; and the policies in place in his Department to combat bullying and sexual harassment. [2317/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department examines all formal complaints made to its Human Resources Unit no matter what category they fall under. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s processes for dealing with bullying, sexual harassment and related complaints are outlined in the 2015 “Dignity at Work” policy – an anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the civil service. The policy aims to promote respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace. Prior to 2015, such complaints were dealt with under the “Positive Working Environment” policy.
Since 2011, the HR Unit of the Department has conducted or facilitated formal investigations into a small number of complaints under the specific categories mentioned. Where complaints were found to be upheld appropriate disciplinary action was taken in accordance with the Civil Service Disciplinary Code.
Due to the small number of complaints, it would not be appropriate for the Department to provide additional details including on investigations and outcomes as doing so could potentially identify the individuals in question.
54. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the aid funding his Department has provided to countries and territories (details supplied) since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2328/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our priorities are clearly laid out in the Government’s development policy, ‘One World One Future’. In line with our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, our aid programme is sharply focused on delivering our goals of reducing poverty and hunger, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and building more equitable and better systems of governance.
My Department provides development assistance to over eighty of the world’s least developed countries, supporting their development needs and responding to emergencies and protracted crises with humanitarian assistance. Sub-Saharan Africa is our priority region, where we direct assistance to the poorest communities, delivering real and sustainable improvements to the lives of some of the world poorest and most vulnerable people in the areas of basic health, education, agriculture, and food production.
We focus in particular on a small number of key bilateral countries where we have a resident embassy and a team of development specialist and advisors who manage and oversee those country aid programmes. Our engagement with our partner countries is at a strategic level, and we provide support for their long-term development. These countries are Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Vietnam. Smaller more focused programs are delivered in countries and territories such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya and Palestine.
Ireland’s aid programme is delivered through a wide range of partners and channels, including partner government systems, Irish and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and missionary organisations, and UN and other multilateral agencies and organisations. We engage with UN and multilateral agencies whose core mission and objectives are closely aligned to Ireland’s aid priorities, allowing us to work with and support vulnerable communities across most developing countries.
The full list of ODA eligible countries is published annually by the OECD Development Assistance Committee and is available at the following link:
www.oecd.org/dac/stats/documentupload/DAC%20List%20of%20ODA%20Recipients%202014%20final.pdf
The total Bilateral ODA provided by my Department to each ODA eligible country requested by the Deputy for the period 2011 to 2016 is detailed in the following table. 2017 figures are currently being finalised and compiled. These totals do not include the imputed figure in respect of core support to UN agencies which is ultimately attributable to the respective ODA recipient country.
Bilateral ODA 2011 to 2016 inclusive
|
Country |
€ millions |
|
1 North Korea |
3.26 |
|
2 Afghanistan |
23.18 |
|
3 Somalia |
43.11 |
|
4 Sudan |
36.90 |
|
5 Pakistan |
5.96 |
|
6 Eritrea |
2.66 |
|
7 Libya |
2.28 |
|
8 Iraq |
5.58 |
|
9 Yemen |
7.50 |
|
10 Iran |
0.14 |
|
11 India |
15.15 |
|
12 Saudi Arabia |
Ineligible for ODA |
|
13 Maldives |
- |
|
14 Nigeria |
10.85 |
|
15 Syria |
34.50 |
|
16 Uzbekistan |
0.01 |
|
17 Egypt |
1.93 |
|
18 Vietnam |
75.65 |
|
19 Turkmenistan |
0.00 |
|
20 Laos |
2.40 |
|
21 Jordan |
5.49 |
|
22 Tajikistan |
0.03 |
|
23 Malaysia |
0.01 |
|
24 Myanmar |
7.22 |
|
25 Nepal |
2.56 |
|
26 Brunei |
Ineligible for ODA |
|
27 Qatar |
Ineligible for ODA |
|
28 Kazakhstan |
0.05 |
|
29 Ethiopia |
210.61 |
|
30 Tunisia |
0.06 |
|
31 Turkey |
7.30 |
|
32 Kenya |
46.68 |
|
33 Bhutan |
- |
|
34 Kuwait |
Ineligible for ODA |
|
35 Central African Republic |
23.80 |
|
36 Palestinian Territories |
50.06 |
|
37 Mali |
7.61 |
|
38 Indonesia |
0.14 |
|
39 Mexico |
0.24 |
|
40 United Arab Emirates |
Ineligible for ODA |
|
41 Bangladesh |
8.09 |
|
42 Algeria |
0.28 |
|
43 China |
0.16 |
|
44 Sri Lanka |
0.98 |
|
45 Azerbaijan |
0.01 |
|
46 Oman |
Ineligible for ODA |
|
47 Mauritania |
1.87 |
|
48 Bahrain |
Ineligible for ODA |
|
49 Colombia |
5.47 |
|
50 Djibouti |
0.32 |
55. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance the revenue generated from the sale of petrol and white diesel in each of the years 2014 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2195/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance the excise generated, either actual or estimated, from non-commercial vehicles for petrol and diesel for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2209/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.
I am advised by Revenue that information regarding Excise receipts and carbon tax from the sale of petrol and diesel for the years 2014 to 2016 is published on the Revenue statistics website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/excise/receipts-volume-and-proce/excise-receipts-commodity.aspx.
As VAT returns do not require the yield from a particular activity or product to be separately identified, the VAT generated from the sale of motor fuel to non taxable persons cannot be identified from Revenue data. However an estimate of the VAT revenue generated from the sale of petrol and white diesel is provided in the following table.
|
Estimated VAT Yield €m |
||
|
Year |
Petrol |
Diesel |
|
2014 |
423 |
154 |
|
2015 |
364 |
166 |
|
2016 |
319 |
177 |
Regarding Question 2209/18, I am advised by Revenue that Excise returns do not provide for a breakdown of receipts from different vehicle types. The information is therefore not available to Revenue to provide an estimate of the Excise generated from the sale of petrol and diesel to non commercial vehicles alone.
