Tuesday, 6 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 106-124

Unemployment Data

Ceisteanna (106)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

106. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the number of jobless households, by county, in tabular form. [5859/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The CSO Labour Force Survey (LFS), which replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017, is the official source of data for the jobless household indicator in the State.

The most recent LFS figures available are for Q3 2017.

The indicator "People aged 18 - 59 years living in jobless households" is calculated as the share of persons aged 18 - 59 who are living in households where no one is in employment. Students aged 18 - 24 who live in households composed solely of students (persons who have indicated that their Principal Economic Status is Student) of the same age class are not included. The indicator "People aged 0 - 17 years living in jobless households" is calculated as the share of persons aged 0 - 17 who are living in households where no one is in employment.

Estimates for the jobless household indicator are produced by NUTS3 regions. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable county level estimates from the LFS.

The following table shows the proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households classified by sex, age group and NUTS3 region in Q3 2017~:

Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households classified by sex, age group and NUTS3 region, Q3 2017

%

NUTS3 regions	Q3 2017
Border
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	7.2
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	7.4
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	10.5
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	8.9
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	8.4
Midland
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	14.0
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	14.7
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	15.7
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	15.2
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	14.8
West
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	14.7
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	11.0
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	12.9
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	11.9
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	12.8
Dublin
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	12.4
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	7.2
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	9.6
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	8.4
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	9.5
Mid-East
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	10.6
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	6.8
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	10.3
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	8.6
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	9.2
Mid-West
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	12.9
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	11.0
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	12.0
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	11.5
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	11.9
South-East
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	12.2
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	10.1
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	14.0
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	12.1
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	12.1
South-West
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	11.8
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	8.3
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	10.4
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	9.4
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	10.1
State
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household	11.8
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	8.7
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household	11.2
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households	10.0
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households	10.5

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

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: Q3=June-September

Youth Unemployment Data

Ceisteanna (107)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

107. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the rate of youth unemployment in each region in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5861/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The Labour Force Survey (LFS), which replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in Q3 2017, is the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State. The most recent LFS figures available are for Q3 2017.

The following table shows the unemployment (ILO) rates for persons aged 15 – 24 years classified by NUTS-3 regions in Q3 2017:

Unemployment (ILO) rates for persons aged 15 - 24 years classified by NUTS-3 regions, Q3 2017

%

NUTS-3 Region	Q3 17
Border	12.8
Midland	25.5
West	16.1
Dublin	15.2
Mid-East	16.0
Mid-West	14.7
South-East	18.7
South-West	15.7
State	16.1

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

Reference period: q3=July -September;

Source: Labour Force Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Apprenticeship Data

Ceisteanna (108)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of persons enrolled in apprenticeships in his Department and State agencies under his remit, by gender, in tabular form; and the detail of each such apprenticeship. [5326/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are no people enrolled in apprenticeships in my Department or the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of my Department.

Internal Audits

Ceisteanna (109)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

109. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department has completed an external quality assurance assessment of its internal audit function as required by the Institute of Internal Auditor standards that were introduced in 2012 (details supplied). [5386/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

An external peer review was carried out on the internal audit function in my Department in 2013. The review confirmed that the internal audit function met the standards required for the provision of a robust, independent and objective assurance to the Accounting Officer of my Department on the adequacy or otherwise of the systems of internal control operating within my Department. The recommendations in the review to improve the internal audit function were implemented in full. Internal reviews of the Department’s internal audit function are carried out annually in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (110)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

110. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the senior counsel review of the way in which the Department of Justice and Equality dealt with document requests from the disclosures tribunal; and if his Department has sought an update as to when the report will be finalised. [5575/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Following consultation with the Attorney General, I appointed Mr. Michael Collins, senior counsel, to conduct an independent review of the practices and procedures employed by the Department of Justice and Equality in response to requests for documents from the disclosures tribunal. The terms of reference for the review were published on my Department's website www.taoiseach.gov.ie on 13 December 2017. The review will involve a thorough examination of the actions taken by the Department in responding to such requests, relevant documents and records, the processes used within the Department, and communication to and from senior management and the Minister. The review will set out the facts as found, together with such observations or comments as are considered necessary. It may also advise on what further measures, if any, might be taken to address any concerns arising from the review.

Mr. Collins has indicated that he anticipates finalising his report and submitting it to me by 23 February 2018.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (111)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

111. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the number of secondees from companies (details supplied) who work in his Department. [5841/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There is one secondee from PwC working in my Department. My Department does not have any secondees from the other organisations detailed by the Deputy.

Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (112)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

112. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 16 January 2018, the qualifications of the medical experts consulted as part of the work of the working group on Lariam; and the medical qualifications of members of the working group, in view of the fact that legal privilege does not attach to information regarding a person's qualifications. [5325/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The working group's report was produced in the context of current and potential litigation and is therefore legally privileged. This includes all the information about the group and information regarding the qualifications of any members of the group who may appear as expert witnesses in any related litigation where their qualifications as experts would be an issue in the ordinary course of litigation.

Defence Forces Remuneration

Ceisteanna (113, 114)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

113. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the pay scales of all ranks in the Defence Forces. [5731/18]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

114. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the Defence Forces last received a direct pay increase. [5732/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.

Rates of pay and conditions of employment in the Irish public sector have traditionally been set, inter alia, by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector.

Under current Public Service Pay Agreements, pay is being restored to public servants, including members of the Permanent Defence Force.

PDFORRA signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement in March 2017. The finalisation of negotiations under the agreement allowed for the commencement of the process for the implementation of pay increases and arrears, which have now been applied to the Permanent Defence Force. An increase of 2.5% from 1 January 2016, for annualised salaries up to €24,000 and 1% for annualised salaries between €24,001 and €31,000 was included in the weekly payroll of 5 July 2017. An increase of €1,000 from 1 April 2017, on annualised salaries up to €65,000 per annum was paid on 19 July 2017. The increases due to Officers were paid earlier in the year as RACO had already signed up to the Agreement.

Following these revisions of pay, the first point on the payscale for a Corporal, including Military Service Allowance, is around €37,000. The first point on the payscale for a Sergeant, including Military Service Allowance, is just under €40,000 per annum. A newly qualified non-graduate entry 2nd Lieutenant can expect a minimum of €35,000 per annum after 15 months of training, while a graduate entry Lieutenant can expect a minimum of €39,860 per annum after 15 months of training.

In addition to this, as a result of successful negotiations with PDFORRA, the pay of general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013, was increased further. These improved payscales, were backdated to 1 July 2016 and the payments were made with backmoney due in August 2017. The starting pay for a newly qualified three star private, and their Naval Service equivalent, saw an increase from €21,800 to €27,000 (inclusive of military service allowance) gross annual earnings, with scope for further income from duties.

The rates of pay and allowances for Permanent Defence Force personnel can be obtained from the Department of Defence website at http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Document+ID/74BC7A8BD49284538025817F0056D023?openDocument.

The Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, who participated in the negotiations on the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, accepted the terms of the agreement in December 2017. As a result of this all Permanent Defence Force personnel will benefit from the planned phased pay increases outlined in the agreement. Arrangements are being made to process the first 1% increase in annualised salaries due from 1 January 2018, for Permanent Defence Force personnel.

The new pay scales reflecting these increases will be available on the Department of Defence website shortly.

Defence Forces Remuneration

Ceisteanna (115)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

115. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the pension payments for a private who finishes out a full term. [5733/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The specific occupational pension scheme terms of members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) depend on factors such as the date a person first joins the public service. The military superannuation arrangements of enlisted personnel in the PDF, including Privates, fall into the following three distinct categories, the terms of which are quite different from each other:

- Joined the PDF before April 2004;

- Joined on or after 1 April 2004 and before 1 January 2013; and

- Joining from 1 January 2013.

A person’s date of enlistment in the PDF, as well as their technician category, if applicable, and other specified criteria, are factors in determining their potential compulsory retirement age or, where applicable, upper service limits. These, in turn, influence the overall length of a person’s military career in terms of the calculation of their retirement benefits.

For the foregoing reasons, it is not possible to be prescriptive about the potential retirement benefits for a Private who finishes out their full term. However, if the Deputy writes to me with details of which pension scheme category he has in mind, I will be able to provide further information. If his enquiries relate to a specific member of the PDF, and he provides me with the relevant details for that member, I will arrange for my Department to reply directly to the person concerned.

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Ceisteanna (116)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

116. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of serving Defence Forces personnel from County Wexford. [5734/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

I am informed by the military authorities that 208 personnel serving within the Defence Forces list Wexford as their county of birth.

Defence Forces Funding

Ceisteanna (117)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

117. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the defence budget for 2018; and the amount that is being spent on improving living conditions and pay. [5735/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The total budget allocation for Vote 36 Defence in 2018 is €707 million, an increase of €15 million on 2017. This allocation provides for pay and allowances, ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and also facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure.

Some €509 million of this allocation provides for the pay and allowances of over 10,400 public service employees, comprising of members of the Permanent Defence Force, civilian employees and civil servants. This includes €12.3m to provide for increases due under the Lansdowne Road/Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 commitments.

The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, accepted by the Permanent Defence Force representative associations in December 2017, will ensure that Permanent Defence Force personnel will benefit from the planned phased pay increases outlined in the agreement, which range from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the agreement.

My Department is committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military barracks. The Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities of the Defence Forces, based on operational requirements and is compiled on a priority needs basis by my Department in conjunction with the Military Authorities. For 2018, over €23 million has been provided for this programme, which includes the construction of new buildings, the refurbishment of existing facilities and ongoing works required to ensure the upkeep and repair of barracks and other military facilities.

The Defence budget allocation, including the amounts allocated to pay and the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme, allows the Defence Forces to deliver on all their assigned roles, both at home and overseas, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.

Defence Forces Medical Services

Ceisteanna (118)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

118. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if each of the Defence Forces medical officers involved in the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis hold additional qualifications in tropical disease and medicine; and if so, the additional qualifications in each case. [5770/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

I am informed by the military authorities that all Defence Forces Medical Officers have a clinical commitment to patients, and as such could be involved in the preparation and examination of personnel for overseas deployment which may include the assessment of suitability for and prescription of malaria chemoprophylaxis.

All Defence Forces Medical Officers must possess at a minimum the professional qualifications of Medical Bachelor (M.B.), Bachelor of Surgery (B.CH), Bachelor in the Art of Obstetrics (B.A.O) or equivalent. They must hold current, full registration with the Medical Council of Ireland. By date of entry into the Defence Forces they must also have had three (3) years post graduate experience.

There is on-going litigation in relation to the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis in the Defence Forces. Accordingly, it would be inappropriate to comment in relation to the specific qualifications of potential witnesses.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (119)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

119. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of secondees from companies (details supplied) who work in his Department. [5832/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

There are no secondees from the companies mentioned by the Deputy working in my Department.

Industrial Relations

Ceisteanna (120)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he will take to have the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill brought forward for discussion to ensure that the staff representation of the Defence Forces are facilitated in same by having access to the State's industrial relations institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5970/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The proposed legislation to which the deputy refers arises from recommendations contained in the First Report of the Working Group on Industrial Relations Structures for an Garda Síochána. It is not proposed at this stage to make similar legislative provisions in respect of the Defence Forces.

I have initiated a review of the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. I have appointed Mr. Gerard Barry as an independent chairperson for the review. The chairperson will seek input from civil/military management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, PDFORRA and RACO. There will also be wider consultation with relevant stakeholders.

While the focus of the review will be primarily on the operation of the Permanent Defence Force C&A scheme, as part of the review consideration will be given as to how the scheme operates, having regard to other redress and dispute resolution processes within the Defence Forces. Broader public sector pay negotiation processes and agreements must also be taken into consideration.

I have directed that the chairperson provide a report to me no later than six months from the start of the review.

It would be premature at this stage to make arrangements for legislative changes concerning Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations in advance of the completion of the report.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (121)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the request to establish a passport office in County Monaghan as discussed at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence is being given further consideration in view of the increased demand in Ulster for Irish passports and the need to provide such services in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5309/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens, at home and abroad. Advice and guidance on these channels and other useful information on passports is available on the Department’s website at www.dfa.ie/passport.

The award-winning online Passport Renewal service for adults was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, without the need for application forms, printed photos or witnesses.

People who cannot or do not wish to apply online have the option of applying through their local post office. In 2017, over 400,000 citizens availed of this option and submitted their passport application through the network of more than one thousand post offices across the State. The Northern Ireland Passport Express service offers an equivalent service to those living in Northern Ireland from more than 70 of its post offices.

Bearing in mind the availability of both the online and postal application channels, very few citizens living in the island of Ireland are required to travel a significant distance in order to apply for their passport. In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork offer an appointment service.

In all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the range of options available meets the current needs of passport applicants, without the establishment of a further passport office.

I would further note that it is already planned to extend the online application facility to all citizens - including first-time applicants and children - by 2019.

Finally and regarding demand, I am pleased to say that over 20 permanent staff have joined the Passport Service in the past month to address the increased demand for passports from Irish citizens worldwide. Further, the Passport Service is also this year employing over 210 temporary clerical officers to assist in processing applications during peak season. I wish to reassure the Deputy the Passport Service monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand.

Brexit Negotiations

Ceisteanna (122, 123, 124)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

122. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he informed the European negotiating team that he was in favour of a transition period; the length of time proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5405/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

123. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department was consulted on the length of the transition period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5406/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

124. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the length of time needed for a transition period in Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5407/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 124, inclusive, together.

On 29 January the General Affairs Council (Art. 50) adopted supplementary negotiating directives mandating the European Commission to open negotiations with the UK on a transitional arrangement. Ireland was represented by Minister of State McEntee. I welcome the adoption of these negotiating Directives. From the start of the EU-UK negotiations Ireland has been to fore in arguing for effective transitional arrangements that ensure an orderly UK withdrawal from the Union, minimises disruption for citizens and businesses and leads to an ambitious and comprehensive future relationship agreement. Through the various preparatory bodies and at the GAC (Art 50) we were active in working with our EU27 partners and the European Commission to shape the negotiating Directives. The Directives were in turn based on the European Council Guidelines agreed with the Taoiseach and his fellow Heads of State and Government at the European Council on 15 December last.

I welcome that the EU is proposing a status quo transitional arrangement after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019. Such an arrangement will provide certainty and limit disruption for our citizens and businesses. Under such an arrangement the UK will be expected to continue to apply the full EU acquis.

As concerns the duration of such a transition, the Government agrees that in the interests of long term certainty, and to accelerate agreement on the future relationship agreement, it must be time bound . This is the overall view of both the EU and of the UK. Therefore a date of 31 December 2020 has been set for the end of the transition period. But equally, as the negotiations progress, the overriding objective on both sides must be to avoid any gaps and any cliff edge effects. It is therefore welcome that the General Affairs Council agreed to keep the Directives in all their aspects under constant review, taking account of developments in the Brexit negotiations. This provides the flexibility required.