Written Answers Nos. 84-103
84. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information, FOI, requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number that were appealed, refused and granted, respectively; and the costs that were applied. [26215/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUp to the end of May this year my Department received 254 freedom of information requests. Of these, 152 requests were granted or part granted, 15 requests were refused and no records were held in relation to 28 requests. 10 requests were withdrawn or handled outside FOI and one request was transferred to another Department. 48 requests were ongoing at the end May and will be decided upon in due course. There were 12 requests for internal reviews of decisions made by my Department and no appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner have been made. None of the requests processed attracted any charges for processing other than standard application fee for internal review for non-personal requests.
85. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the winding down of the strategic communications unit. [26216/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the Operation of the Strategic Communications Unit was accepted by Government on 27th March last and published on the same date. This is now being implemented. In accordance with the report, a managed reversion to a more traditional GIS model is underway. Actions taken so far include staff reductions and a cut to the budget of €2.5 million. Further measures outlined in the report are being taken. The transition period will end in July 2018.
86. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met. [26217/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have previously indicated to the House on 23 May 2018, Cabinet Committee D last met on 1 February 2018. The date of the next meeting of the Committee is being finalised.
Cabinet Committee D covers infrastructure investment and delivery, housing, and climate action and provides political oversight in relation to Project Ireland 2040. Significant work is underway across each of these areas and the full Cabinet has had comprehensive discussions on all of these issues in the recent past. In addition, senior officials meet on a regular basis to discuss and advance the issues covered by the Committee.
87. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met Mrs. Arlene Foster when in Belfast recently; the issues that were discussed; and if there is progress on the impasse in reconvening the Northern Assembly. [26219/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met Mrs. Michelle O'Neill when in Belfast recently; the issues that were discussed; and if there is progress on the impasse in reconvening the Northern Assembly. [26220/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the Orange Order headquarters while in Belfast and his meeting with senior members of the Order; and the issues that were discussed. [26221/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to a library (details supplied). [26222/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to a museum (details supplied). [26223/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the civic society groups he met while in Belfast recently; and the issues that were discussed. [26224/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to a club (details supplied). [26225/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the chief executives of the North-South implementation bodies; the issues that were discussed; and if actions will be taken following the meeting. [26226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 to 94, inclusive, together.
I visited Northern Ireland on Thursday and Friday 7th and 8th of June.
I had a number of different engagements during my visit, which was part of my and the Government's continuing commitment to remain engaged with all parts of society in Northern Ireland, notwithstanding the absence of functioning political institutions there.
On Thursday 7th June, I met with a group called Civic Space, who are made up of representatives of civic unionism and others in Belfast. The meeting was a good opportunity for me to hear from a range of perspectives on key issues such as the political situation in Northern Ireland and Brexit.
On Friday 8th June, my first engagement was a private meeting with Baroness Eileen Paisley at the Bannside Library, which houses the personal collection of Dr. Ian Paisley. Later that morning I had another private meeting with Mr. Peadar Heffron and his wife Fiona. Mr. Heffron was a Catholic PSNI officer who was seriously injured in an attack by dissident republicans in 2010.
I also visited the Museum of Orange Heritage, where I was welcomed by Orange Order Grand Master, Edward Stevenson, and met with Orange Order representatives from across the island - including from Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim.
I received a warm welcome from the Orange Order in Schomberg House and also from local residents outside the Museum after my visit. I hope that my visit will be seen as a stepping stone to building relationships and a greater understanding between the Irish Government and the Orange Order into the future.
I also had a meeting with business and community leaders at Queens University, where I heard their views on the political situation in Northern Ireland and on Brexit.
In the afternoon, I spoke at the launch event for the 30th year of Féile an Phobail in St. Mary’s University College. Following my speech, I met some of the local guests and had a brief conversation with the Vice President of Sinn Féin, Michelle O'Neill, on the margins of the event.
On Friday evening, I had a very enjoyable visit to Down's oldest GAA club - Mayobridge. During the visit I met with the club chairperson and committee members and with many club members both young and old including distinguished former All Ireland winning players and the Down GAA County Chairman Mr. Sean Rooney. I was given a tour of the club grounds by Club Secretary Thomas O'Hare during which I met a number of the club's teams.
The final event of my program was a meeting with the CEOs of the Cross-Border bodies in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry, where we discussed current cross-border issues relevant to their work and the future development of the bodies.
I was very glad to have the opportunity during this visit to meet with a range of key groups from all sides of the community in Northern Ireland and to hear their concerns on a range of issues.
I did not meet with DUP Leader Mrs. Arlene Foster on this occasion. However, the Government remains in close contact with all the Northern Ireland political parties as part of ongoing efforts to assist the parties in Northern Ireland to re-establish the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.
95. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if there are officials or others in his Department who deal with Independent Deputies in the context of A Programme for a Partnership Government or other issues at their request. [26227/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Partnership Government sets out the agreement between the Party Groups and Deputies who are participating in/or supporting the Government.
My Department, as outlined in the Strategy Statement, provides support services for the Taoiseach and the Government, including the Independent Members of Government, through the Government Secretariat, the Parliamentary Liaison Unit, the Programme for Government Office and the Cabinet Committee structure to ensure Government business is managed to the highest standards.
The Chief Strategist for the Independent Alliance and the Political Coordinator for the Independent Ministers in Government are also based in my Department.
The Deputy Press Secretary, who is also based in my Department, is tasked with coordinating communications for all the Independents in Government.
Where any Deputy in the House contacts my office with a representation this is responded to as promptly as possible.
96. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if there are contracts with the strategic communications unit; and, if so, the position regarding contracts following the disbandment of the unit from July 2018. [26312/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no contracts with the Strategic Communications Unit. The Strategic Communications Unit is not a contracting authority. The Department has a number of contracts for communications related services. These will continue to be availed on in the future by GIS.
97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the amount paid to date per project to a company (details supplied) since 1 January 2016 by year, amount and project name. [26347/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has employed the services of the company in question on four occasions during the period January 2016 to date, as detailed in the table:
|
Year |
Company |
Amount |
|
2016 |
Citizens' Assembly - Call for submissions on the Eighth Amendment. |
€4,746.81 |
|
Advertisement regarding process for nomination of a person by the Government to the Office of Chief Justice. |
€3,118.53 |
|
|
2017 |
Recruitment advertisement – Nominee to European Court of Auditors |
€1,968.37 |
|
2018 |
Advertisement regarding process for nomination of a person by the Government to the Office of President of the Court of Appeal. |
€3,118.54 |
98. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the process within his Department for putting his speeches on his Department's website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26438/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department updates the websites www.taoiseach.ie and www.merrionstreet.ie with all relevant Government statements, speeches by Ministers, and other Government publications. The process for updating the websites is managed by staff in the Government Information Service and is based on Divisions within the Department providing material for publication and then agreeing the formatting and timing details with the Government Information Service. My Department ensures that all significant publications, speeches and press releases are published in a timely manner, whilst also meeting our commitments under the Irish Language Act.
Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 9.
100. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the number of public consultations held by his Department or by a State agency under the remit of his Department; the number of replies received per consultation; and the cost of each consultation in each of the years 2011 to 2017, inclusive, and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [26468/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the public consultations undertaken by my Department in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018 are set out in the following table. No public consultations were undertaken in the years in question by the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of my Department.
2011
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
10 |
Nil |
2012
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
11 |
Nil |
2013
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
12 |
Nil |
|
2 |
Consultation on the proposed Government Statement on Economic Regulation. |
25 |
Nil |
2014
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on the preparation of a new strategy for the International Financial Services Sector |
105 |
Nil |
|
2 |
Consultation on the Reform of the Seanad (Manning Group) |
69 |
Nil |
|
3 |
Consultation on the draft National Risk Assessment |
34 |
Nil |
|
4 |
Consultation on the Department of the Taoiseach’s Statement of Strategy 2015 – 2017 |
1 |
Nil |
|
5 |
Consultation on the Regulation of sponsorship by alcohol companies of major sporting events |
19 |
Nil |
|
6 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
8 |
Nil |
2015
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on the draft National Risk Assessment |
12 |
Nil |
|
2 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
12 |
Nil |
|
3 |
Consultation on a draft Official Languages Scheme for the Department of An Taoiseach |
2 |
€680 |
2016
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on Ireland's approach to the digital age of consent. |
13 |
Nil |
|
2 |
Consultation on the draft National Risk Assessment |
12 |
Nil |
|
3 |
Consultation on the Department of the Taoiseach’s Statement of Strategy 2016 – 2019 |
10 |
Nil |
|
4 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
10 |
Nil |
2017
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on the draft National Risk Assessment 2017. |
17 |
Nil |
|
2 |
Consultation on the establishment of a National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy. |
52 |
€445.00 |
|
3 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
15 |
Nil |
to 19 June 2018
|
No. |
Details |
No. of Replies Received |
Cost |
|
1 |
Consultation on the draft National Risk Assessment 2018. |
49 (still ongoing) |
Nil |
|
2 |
Consultation on Ireland’s National Reform Programme in advance of its submission to the European Commission. |
17 |
Nil |
101. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach the current rates of emigration. [26687/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics on emigration are included in the CSO's annual Population and Migration Estimates release. The principal source of information for the estimation of annual migration flows, incorporating both emigration and immigration, is the Labour Force Survey (LFS), formally the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). The latest release was published in August 2017 and shows that an estimated 64,800 left Ireland in the year to April 2017. In the previous year to April 2016 there were 66,200 outward migrants.
102. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach the current rates of immigration. [26688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics on immigration are included in the CSO's annual Population and Migration Estimates release. The principal source of information for the estimation of annual migration flows, incorporating both emigration and immigration, is the Labour Force Survey (LFS), formally the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). The latest release was published in August 2017 and shows that an estimated 84,600 persons migrated to Ireland in the year from April 2016 to April 2017. In the previous year to April 2016 there were 82,300 inward migrants.
103. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount paid per project to a company (details supplied) since 1 January 2016 to date by year, amount and project name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table outlines the amount paid to Mediavest, who are now known as Sparkfoundry, in 2016 and 2017. As of yet no invoices have been paid for 2018.
|
Year |
Amount |
Project |
|
2016 |
€37,361.78 |
Be Winter Ready Campaign |
|
2016 |
€10,482.38 |
Firing Exercise Advertisements |
|
2016 |
€23,669.95 |
Rifle Range Advertisements |
|
2016 |
€3,678.39 |
Advertisement in relation to General Election for Defence Forces Personnel serving Overseas |
|
2016 |
€1,360.42 |
Legal Notice Advertisement for Fermoy Show |
|
2016 |
€9,025.50 |
Recruitment Advertisements for Civilian Employees |
|
2017 |
€3,894.74 |
101st Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising |
|
2017 |
€31,683.58 |
Rifle Range Advertisements |
|
2017 |
€34,030.52 |
Be Winter Ready Campaign |
|
2017 |
€12,959.32 |
Recruitment Advertisements or Civilian Employees |
|
2017 |
€2,267.15 |
Advertisement seeking submissions in advance of the preparation of the Department of Defence Irish Language Scheme |
