Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:102. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new guidelines will be issued for windmills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27421/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWind Energy Guidelines
Ceisteanna (102)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in line with the “preferred draft approach” which was announced in June 2017 by the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in conjunction with the then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including sound or noise, visual amenity setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
As part of the overall review process, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of European Union Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive. SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.
As part of the SEA process, the previous Minister launched a ten-week public consultation on the draft revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines on 12 December 2019. The documents prepared for consultation are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/guidelines/wind-energy/public-consultation-revised-wind-energy-development-guidelines
The consultation closed on 19 February 2020. Almost 500 submissions were received as part of the public consultation, many of which are extremely detailed and technical in nature. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is currently analysing the submissions received.
Finalised Guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase, and the conclusion of the SEA process. The Department, in consultation with DECC, is endeavouring to finalise and publish the revised Guidelines by end Q4 2020, as per the Climate Action Plan and the new Programme for Government.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála, must have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Ceisteanna (103)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will endeavour to secure a €10 million increase in funding for the NPWS farm plan scheme in designated areas; if his Department has corresponded with the corresponding Department on the scheme in the context of securing an increase to the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27597/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Farm Plan Scheme, administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, is an important instrument that allows for proactive engagement with farmers in designated sites, to trial and deliver bespoke measures that support biodiversity. Plans delivered through the Scheme have been used to inform the development of national Agri-Environment Schemes under the Rural Development Programme, co-financed under the Common Agricultural Policy.
The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme is being enlarged this year to work with farmers and to apply and test new and innovative approaches for farmland biodiversity.
My Department has met frequently with farmers' organisations and I am fully aware of their proposals with respect to an expansion of the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. The matter is receiving close attention and is being discussed in the normal Estimates process and considered in the context of existing commitments, the overall resources available to the Government and the demands on those resources.
In addition, officials of my Department continue to liaise with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the development of the CAP Strategic Plan, which will also have a significant role to play in the delivery of measures for farmland biodiversity in the next operating period.
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Ceisteanna (104)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:104. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a large number of phone masts have been erected in an area (details supplied); if the erection of such masts is communicated beforehand with local residents; if there is a requirement for such communication to be made beforehand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27403/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) I am specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. Consequently, I may not seek to influence the outcome of, or comment on, any individual planning cases.
It should be noted that certain communications antennae are exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission under Class 31 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations).
Where no exemption applies and a proposed development requires planning permission, an application is made to the local planning authority under section 34 of the Act. Under article 18 of the Regulations, the applicant is required to publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in the area regarding the proposed development advising that the application may be inspected at the offices of the planning authority during public opening hours and that submissions may be made by the public to the planning authority regarding the proposed development. Furthermore, the planning authority is required under article 27 of the Regulations to publish on its website, a weekly list of the planning applications received by the authority during that week. The planning authority is also required to notify any member of the public who made a submission on a planning application of its decision (Article 31) and publish a weekly list of decisions on it's website (Article 32).
A person shall not be entitled solely by reason of a permission under this section 34 of the Act to carry out any development. The possession and use of radio equipment in Ireland is governed by the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, as amended, which stipulates that an appropriate Wireless Telegraphy licence must be held, unless a licence exempted.
The matter of notifying the public regarding the licensing of phone masts is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulation, and is one in which I as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage have no statutory function.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (105)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available for a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27414/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department offers a range of funding programmes to assist the voluntary sector with the delivery of new social housing projects, including the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) and the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF).
Management and maintenance of existing social housing developments are a matter for the property owners. Putting in place adequate maintenance budgets and a sinking fund to provide for response based, cyclical and planned maintenance is a critical part of this process. My Department does not therefore provide funding for improvement works for existing housing developments under the CAS or CALF schemes.
Water Supply
Ceisteanna (106)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:106. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet local opposition groups and a person (details supplied) to be briefed fully on the Shannon pipeline project before proceeding further with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27444/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
The Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project has been in development since the mid-1990s, originally under Dublin City Council and under Irish Water since January 2014. It is the first comprehensive upgrade of Ireland’s water infrastructure in over 60 years.
Public consultation in respect of this project is a matter for Irish Water. In 2015, Irish Water embarked on an extensive public consultation process to identify a new source of water supply for the region. Overall, ten options were assessed on technical environmental and economic grounds. The abstraction of raw water from the Parteen Basin and the Lower River Shannon was ultimately identified as the preferred option.
In addition, Irish Water is currently preparing a National Water Resource Plan (NWRP) which will be a 25 year strategy to ensure a sustainable, secure and reliable public drinking water supply. The NWRP will set out how Irish Water are to balance the supply and demand for drinking water over the short, medium and long term. It will be a strategic framework used to identify deficiencies across the whole water supply system, and to develop plans and programmes to address them through capital investment, demand management and improved operation of facilities and distribution networks including, as I understand, with respect to the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project. I also understand Irish Water are preparing to undertake a public consultation shortly on the draft plan. This will provide everyone with an opportunity to engage further on the project in the light of the most up to date information.
Separately, the Water Services Act 2013 requires the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to provide consent for all commitments for capital expenditure above a certain threshold. Given the scale and importance of the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project, and recognising the statutory role of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as independent economic regulator of Irish Water, including its role of reviewing Irish Water’s capital investment plans, the CRU was requested to undertake the review to support consideration of the capital consent that will be required in the event that planning approval is obtained for the project. This review has commenced but has not progressed as quickly as originally envisaged in order that the CRU can take into account the output of the National Water Resources Plan. I expect to receive the CRU report in 2021. It will also be an important input in the context of the updated Public Spending Code for evaluating, planning and managing the public investment in the project as it proceeds through its lifecycle.
The Terms of Reference for the review are available on the CRU website at the following link:
https://www.cru.ie/document_group/water-supply-project-eastern-and-midlands-region/.
Planning Appeals
Ceisteanna (107)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:107. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his consideration of the Planning Regulator's report and recommendation on overturning the planning permission for the east Cork retail park; and when a decision will be made on the report. [27448/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In evaluating the making or varying of county and city development plans, the Office of the Planning Regulator (the Office) must have regard to provisions set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), including, but not limited to, the National Planning Framework, regional spatial and economic strategies, the principles of proper planning and sustainable development, relevant guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Act, relevant legislative policies and directives, and other provisions as set out in the Act.
In accordance with Section 31AM of the Act, the Office made a recommendation to the Minister in relation to Variation No. 2 of the Cork County Development Plan 2014, and on 6 March 2020, Cork County Council received the Ministers notice of intention to issue a Direction pursuant to Section 31 of the Act. The process remains ongoing and I am not in a position to comment on the specifics of the case. I expect to issue a decision on the matter in the coming weeks.
Irish Water
Ceisteanna (108)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 12 June 2019, the progress made to date following his engagements with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and NewERA on various issues; if a report on the engagements was produced; the actions that will be instigated as a result of the engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27454/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Having regard to the provisions of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, Irish Water’s governing legislation, including the Water Services Acts and its Constitution, and Irish Water’s current position as a subsidiary within the Ervia Group, there is currently no scope for the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) to have a role with respect to Irish Water. Providing such a role for the C&AG would necessitate amendment to the legislation.
The issue of audit is also relevant in the context of the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group, so as to become a standalone, publicly owned, commercial, regulated utility.
Following the Government decision in July 2018, on the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group, my Department is working on a suite of actions to support the implementation of that Government decision, and to give effect to the Programme for Government's commitment to retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, standalone, regulated utility. Amending water services legislation is required to facilitate the separation. I intend that such legislation will include appropriate accountability arrangements, including a role for the Comptroller and Auditor General with respect to Irish Water and my Department is liaising with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in this regard.
Land Development Agency
Ceisteanna (109)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:109. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff employed by the Land Development Agency transferred from the National Asset Management Agency. [27470/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are currently no staff employed by the Land Development Agency (LDA) who were transferred from the National Asset Management Agency. Based on information provided to the Department by the LDA, on establishment there were three members of staff seconded to the LDA by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) for a period who were later recruited by the LDA through a competitive process.
Local Authority Staff
Ceisteanna (110)
Michael Ring
Ceist:110. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delay in inviting applications for a post (details supplied) in Mayo County Council which has been vacant for a number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27472/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the retirement of the most recent permanent Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, in accordance with section 145(6) of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, the then Minister with responsibility for local government, appointed a Temporary Chief Executive to the post. This temporary appointment commenced on 14 May 2020. A permanent appointment has not yet been made.
My Department received a staffing sanction request for the post of Chief Executive of Mayo County Council on the 17 September 2020 and a letter of approval sanctioning this post issued on 21 September 2020.
Home Loan Scheme
Ceisteanna (111)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:111. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend the eligibility criteria for the Rebuilding Home loan scheme to allow persons who previously owned property to apply, with particular consideration of those from separated relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27547/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range, where they cannot obtain sufficient mortgage finance from a commercial lender.
As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first-time buyers only. This is set out in the regulations governing the Scheme and ensures the effective targeting of limited resources.
Applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers, in accordance with the regulations, if they meet certain conditions, including:
- they are separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement;
- the property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;
- they have left the family home and retain no interest in it; or
- the other party has remained in the family home.
In meeting the conditions as set out above, in particular that the other party has remained in the family home and that the potential applicant has relinquished any rights they had over that property, no financial gain should have been made by the potential applicant in exchange for relinquishing their rights to the property in this manner. Were the individual to have made a financial gain in releasing their rights to the property, such as being bought out by the other party who remains resident in it, they would be deemed to have been compensated for their interest in the property, and therefore not be eligible as a first-time buyer.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (112)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:112. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position on and status of funding provided to an association (details supplied); if he will provide additional funding towards the development of a community centre by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27548/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Capital funding is provided to local authorities under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to support Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in the provision of social housing for priority groups such as older people, people with disabilities and people who are homeless. Capital funding of over €2.5 million has been provided to date for the development by the AHB referred to by the Deputy, of 18 new social homes, as well as communal facilities which support the needs of the tenants.
A funding application from Monaghan County Council for the development of 2 additional social homes by the same AHB, has just been received by my Department and a response will issue soon to the Council. My Department’s housing funding is for the development of social homes and in some cases, such as the one raised by the Deputy, for associated communal facilities to meet the needs of the tenants. It does not provide for the development of community centres.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (113, 115)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:113. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent on media monitoring services by his Department; if the role is provided by private contract operators or in-house services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27561/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:115. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged a third-party company in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 to conduct media monitoring and-or provide reports on media coverage of his Department; and if so, the costs of same and the companies engaged. [27663/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 115 together.
My Department does not engage third party or private companies to provide media monitoring services. It does however, engage a third party to provide a daily press clippings service and the costs are outlined below.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2017 |
€8,280 |
|
2018 |
€7,985 |
|
2019 |
€8,720 |
|
2020 |
€10,454 |
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (114)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount expended on access to online and hard-copy media publications since May 2020 to date; and the breakdown of online and hard-copy subscriptions, including the publications to which his Department subscribes. [27645/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has expended €8,466.25 since May 2020 to date for access to online and hardcopy media publications. A breakdown of the online and hard copy subscriptions and publications that my Department subscribes to are set out in the table below.
Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 113.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (116)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has drafted a contingency plan to protect road-based imports and exports should major disruption occur on the landbridge in the UK due to Brexit; if so, if the contingency plans will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27417/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
When the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December, the UK will no longer apply the rules of the Single Market and Customs Union. This means that any business, regardless of size, that moves goods from, to or through Great Britain will be subject to a range of new customs formalities and other regulatory requirements.
The Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan, published on 9 September, sets out the steps that Government is taking and the actions citizens and businesses must take to prepare for this eventuality.
Section 2.2 of the Action Plan provides specific advice for operators in respect of the Landbridge. This includes the need for traders and hauliers to understand the new procedures applying to goods moving across Great Britain under the Common Transit Convention (CTC). In addition to new paperwork requirements, operators will also have to have a financial guarantee in place to cover potential customs duties and other taxes at risk during the movement. Operators using the UK landbridge should also familiarise themselves with the provisions of the UK's Border Operating Model.
The Government has undertaken substantial engagements at political and official level to facilitate transit movements in EU ports. We have also invested in the infrastructure and systems required for additional checks and controls on trade with the UK, in both directions, at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort, as well as at Dublin Airport. Provision has also been made to facilitate the deployment of around 1,000 staff to ensure compliance with customs, sanitary and phytosanitary, and food safety regulations. Our approach to this work is driven by the twin objectives of ensuring trade can flow through our ports and airports to the greatest extent possible while maintaining food safety and public health and Ireland’s obligations to the Single Market.
While the Government continues to work with our EU partners to facilitate the movement of goods through EU ports, there is little the Government can do to address the severe delays anticipated at UK ports, with Dover-Calais identified as a particular likely bottleneck. It is important that operators using the landbridge take these delays into account.
By contrast, no new procedures will apply to goods that move directly between Ireland and other EU Member States. In the Government’s engagement with shipping companies, they have indicated that sufficient capacity exists on direct shipping routes and that the market can respond to increased demand for direct services as a consequence of Brexit. Traders currently moving goods via the UK landbridge should consider switching to direct route options, where feasible.
So far this year, we have already seen a number of new direct services commenced from Irish ports to continental ports including Cork - Zeebrugge, Dublin - Santander, Waterford - Rotterdam, Rosslare - Bilbao and Rosslare - Roscoff. Extra sailings are also planned in 2021, including on the Rosslare - Cherbourg and Cork - Roscoff routes.
The Government continues to engage with the shipping companies and will keep the situation under review. I would encourage all traders, operators and hauliers to read our Readiness Action Plan which sets out concrete actions that should take to prepare for the substantial and enduring changes that will arise on 1 January, 2021 regardless of the outcome of the EU-UK Future Relationship negotiations.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (117)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:117. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent on media monitoring services by his Department; if the role is provided by private contract operators or in-house services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27562/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department and Ireland’s network of Diplomatic, Consular and other offices overseas perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing Government policies internationally, in particular at EU and UN levels; economic, trade and cultural promotion; frontline consular services; engaging with Irish diaspora communities; and programme management, particularly in Irish Aid priority countries.
This work necessitates comprehensive access to the most up to date international and national news. In 2019, to facilitate access to this, my Department procured an external monitoring service for press and broadcast media. Costs associated with this service are outlined in the table below. While this contract allows for social media monitoring if required, this element is not currently utilised. The Department monitors its own and external social media activity through free analytical tools provided by the major social media platforms.
Prior to my Department procuring it’s own service in 2019, media monitoring services were accessed by the Department under a Framework provided by the Office of Government Procurement. Costs associated with this service are outlined in Table 2.
Table 1
Cost 2019 to date by Supplier
|
Month |
Supplier |
Date |
Cost |
|
Oct-19 |
Truehawk |
02/10/2019 |
€2,354.84 |
|
Oct-19 |
Truehawk |
05/11/2019 |
€1,722.00 |
|
Nov-19 |
Truehawk |
03/12/2019 |
€1,722.00 |
|
Dec-19 |
Truehawk |
02/12/2019 |
€1,722.00 |
|
Jan-20 |
Truehawk |
03/02/2020 |
€1,722.00 |
|
Feb-20 |
Truehawk |
03/03/2020 |
€1,722.00 |
|
Mar-20 |
Truehawk |
31/03/2020 |
€1,722.00 |
|
Apr-20 |
Truehawk |
30/04/2020 |
€1,722.00 |
|
May-20 |
Truehawk |
04/06/2020 |
€3,550.70 |
|
Jun-20 |
Truehawk |
07/07/2020 |
€2,611.23 |
|
Jul-20 |
Truehawk |
31/07/2020 |
€2,068.86 |
|
Aug-20 |
Truehawk |
01/09/2020 |
€1,851.15 |
Table 2
Cost 2017-2019 by Supplier
|
Month |
Supplier |
Cost |
|
Apr-17 to Aug-18 |
Kantar |
€12,500.00 |
|
Sep-18 |
Kantar |
€1,251.00 |
|
Oct-18 |
Kantar |
€1,121.00 |
|
Nov-18 |
Kantar |
€1,445.00 |
|
Dec-18 |
Kantar |
€1,268.00 |
|
Jan-19 |
Kantar |
€2,248.13 |
|
Feb-19 |
Kantar |
€1,835.16 |
|
Mar-19 |
Kantar |
€2,163.26 |
|
Apr-19 |
Kantar |
€1,773.97 |
|
May-19 |
Kantar |
€1,333.93 |
|
Jun-19 |
Kantar |
€1,573.79 |
|
Jul-19 |
Kantar |
€2,253.36 |
|
Aug-19 |
Kantar |
€2,343.47 |
|
Sep-19 |
Kantar |
€2,846.54 |
|
Nov-19 |
Kantar |
€82.11 |
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (118)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:118. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount expended on access to online and hard-copy media publications since May 2020 to date; and the breakdown of online and hard-copy subscriptions, including the publications to which his Department subscribes. [27642/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Immediate access to up-to-date and reliable information is critically important to the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs, including across the global Missions network. The value of high quality information has been used in dealing with international challenges facing Ireland, including Brexit and COVID-19.
At Headquarters, a dedicated Library Service is responsible for the central purchase of electronic and hard copy media and other publications. The Department’s requirements are regularly reviewed and best possible rates are routinely negotiated with suppliers.
The information requested by the Deputy for the period 1 May 2020 to date is set out in the following table:
|
Headquarters Electronic Subscriptions €73,791 |
Headquarters Print Subscriptions €1,969 |
|
BBC MONITORING |
Newspapers Press Section |
|
Balkan Insight Online |
New York Times for Library |
|
ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT |
|
|
EUROINTELLIGENCE |
|
|
FACTIVA |
|
|
INFORMA UK LTD |
|
|
INSIDE WASHINGTON PUBLISHERS |
|
|
JSTOR Journals Online |
|
|
SAI GLOBAL ILI LTD |
|
|
SIRSIDYNIX |
|
|
WISCONSIN PROJECT ON NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL |
|
|
SPECTATOR MONTHLY SUBS |
|
|
EMPRA |
|
|
BLOOMBERG |
|
|
SPECTATOR |
|
|
THE CURRENCY ONLINE |
|
|
IRISH NEWS ONLINE |
|
|
FARMERS JOURNAL ONLINE |
|
|
TIMES UK, SUNDAY TIMES UK ONLINE |
|
|
PROSPECT ONLINE |
|
|
MARINE TIMES ONLINE |
|
|
BELFAST TELEGRAPH |
|
|
HBR |
|
|
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW |
|
|
IRISH INDEPENDENT ONLINE |
|
|
IRISH NEWS ONLINE |
|
|
IRISH TIMES |
|
|
TABLET ONLINE |
|
|
IRISH CATHOLIC |
|
|
TIMES UK ONLINE |
|
|
EBOOK |
|
|
EU SANCTIONS |
|
|
THE IRISH NEWS |
|
|
TIMES UK |
|
|
SPECTATOR |
|
|
Business Post Online |
|
|
Sirsidynix/Library Mgmt System |
|
|
TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT ONLINE |
|
|
Time Magazine Online |
|
Ireland's 90 diplomatic and consular Missions purchase a wide range of local and international online and hard copy publications to assist with analysis of the domestic and international issues in their countries of accreditation. Expenditure by the Mission network was as follows:
|
Period |
Electronic |
|
|
1 May 2020 to date |
€13,177 |
€27,328 |
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (119)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:119. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged a third-party company in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 to conduct media monitoring and-or provide reports on media coverage of his Department; and if so, the costs of same and the companies engaged. [27660/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department and Ireland’s network of Diplomatic, Consular and other offices overseas perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing Government policies internationally, in particular at EU and UN levels; economic, trade and cultural promotion; frontline consular services; engaging with Irish diaspora communities; and programme management, particularly in Irish Aid priority countries.
This work necessitates comprehensive access to the most up to date international and national news. In 2019, to facilitate access to this, my Department procured an external monitoring service for press and broadcast media. Costs associated with this service are outlined in the table below. While this contract allows for social media monitoring if required, this element is not currently utilised. The Department monitors its own and external social media activity through free analytical tools provided by the major social media platforms.
Prior to my Department procuring it’s own service in 2019, media monitoring services were accessed by the Department under a Framework provided by the Office of Government Procurement. Costs associated with this service are outlined in Table 2.
Table 1
Cost 2019 to date by Supplier
|
Month |
Supplier |
Date |
Cost |
|
Oct-19 |
Truehawk |
02/10/2019 |
€ 2,354.84 |
|
Oct-19 |
Truehawk |
05/11/2019 |
€ 1,722.00 |
|
Nov-19 |
Truehawk |
03/12/2019 |
€ 1,722.00 |
|
Dec-19 |
Truehawk |
02/12/2019 |
€ 1,722.00 |
|
Jan-20 |
Truehawk |
03/02/2020 |
€ 1,722.00 |
|
Feb-20 |
Truehawk |
03/03/2020 |
€ 1,722.00 |
|
Mar-20 |
Truehawk |
31/03/2020 |
€ 1,722.00 |
|
Apr-20 |
Truehawk |
30/04/2020 |
€ 1,722.00 |
|
May-20 |
Truehawk |
04/06/2020 |
€ 3,550.70 |
|
Jun-20 |
Truehawk |
07/07/2020 |
€ 2,611.23 |
|
Jul-20 |
Truehawk |
31/07/2020 |
€ 2,068.86 |
|
Aug-20 |
Truehawk |
01/09/2020 |
€ 1,851.15 |
Table 2
Cost 2017-2019 by Supplier
|
Month |
Supplier |
Cost |
|
Apr-17 to Aug-18 |
Kantar |
€12,500.00 |
|
Sep-18 |
Kantar |
€ 1,251.00 |
|
Oct-18 |
Kantar |
€ 1,121.00 |
|
Nov-18 |
Kantar |
€ 1,445.00 |
|
Dec-18 |
Kantar |
€ 1,268.00 |
|
Jan-19 |
Kantar |
€ 2,248.13 |
|
Feb-19 |
Kantar |
€ 1,835.16 |
|
Mar-19 |
Kantar |
€ 2,163.26 |
|
Apr-19 |
Kantar |
€ 1,773.97 |
|
May-19 |
Kantar |
€ 1,333.93 |
|
Jun-19 |
Kantar |
€ 1,573.79 |
|
Jul-19 |
Kantar |
€ 2,253.36 |
|
Aug-19 |
Kantar |
€ 2,343.47 |
|
Sep-19 |
Kantar |
€ 2,846.54 |
|
Nov-19 |
Kantar |
€82.11 |
Public Procurement Contracts
Ceisteanna (120)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:120. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the number of tenders received by the Defence Forces in respect of tender competitions for the repair, servicing, maintenance and supply of fuel dispensing pumps and a fuel management system in each year from 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the successful tender company in each instance; the amount paid in each year to each company involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27540/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is not currently available in the requested format. I have requested that the data be compiled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to the above Parliamentary Question for which it was not possible to provide a reply within the available timeframe.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The acquisition of new equipment and the upgrading and maintenance of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process. The principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to maintain, replace and upgrade, as appropriate, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements both at home and overseas.
The Defence Forces maintains fuel dispensing facilities in all permanently occupied Army posts, as well as at Haulbowline Naval Base and Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.
The pump systems and tanks are subject to increasing regulatory compliance both from an environmental and safety/dangerous goods perspective. The delivery systems have undergone refurbishment/upgrade in recent years. The storage infrastructure is being assessed and locations prioritised for upgrade to ensure ongoing compliance.
The introduction of a fuel management system for the Army has commenced in Q3 2020 as part of the energy management programme as well as to improve the security and tracking of fuel use. The combination of these two investment programmes increased the expected value of the contract, and merited publication in The Official Journal of The European Union (OJEU) for the 2020 tender as the EU thresholds were met.
The main fuelling facility on Haulbowline Naval Base is the Oil-wharf facility from where all ships are fuelled. The Air Corps also dispenses Jet A1 fuel for aircraft.
Overseas, the fuel infrastructure is currently provided by the Mission Authorities (EU or UN).
Certain purchasing is carried out by the Defence Forces directly under delegation of financial responsibility which permits the Defence Forces to procure a wide range of goods and services directly, this includes expenditure on repairs, servicing, maintenance and for the supply of fuel dispensing pumps and a fuel management system. I am advised by the military authorities that expenditure on the goods and services described for the years 2010 to 2020 to date is as laid out in the three tables below. Table 1 refers to Army expenditure, while Table 2 and Table 3 detail expenditure in the Air Corps and Naval Service bases respectively.
Table 1 – Expenditure on repairs, servicing, maintenance and supply of fuel dispensing pumps and fuel management systems for the Army 2010 to 2019 and 2020 to date
|
Year |
Type of Tender Competition |
No. Tenders Received |
Name of successful tenderer |
Amount of Expenditure |
|
2010 |
Blenheim Systems |
€2,899 |
||
|
2011 |
eTenders - 4 Year Contract |
7 |
Blenheim Systems |
€5,923 |
|
2012 |
Blenheim Systems |
€30,059 |
||
|
2013 |
Blenheim Systems |
€18,482 |
||
|
2014 |
Blenheim Systems |
€25,706 |
||
|
€€2015 |
eTenders - 4 Year Contract |
3 |
Blenheim Systems |
€48,148 |
|
2016 |
Blenheim Systems |
€27,167 |
||
|
2017 |
Blenheim Systems |
€39,594 |
||
|
2018 |
Blenheim Systems |
€20,013 |
||
|
2019 |
Blenheim Systems |
€49,858 |
||
|
2020 |
OJEU - 4 Year Contract |
2 |
Blenheim Systems |
€90,657 |
Table 2 – Expenditure on repairs, servicing, maintenance and supply of fuel dispensing pumps and fuel management systems for the Air Corps 2010 to 2019 and 2020 to date
|
Year |
Type of Tender Competition |
No. Tenders Received |
Name of successful tenderer |
Amount of Expenditure |
|
2009-2012 |
OJEU - 3 Year Contract |
1 |
KC Commercials |
€273,000 p.a. |
|
2012-2015 |
OJEU - 3 Year Contract |
1 |
KC Commercials |
€324,000 p.a. |
|
2015-2018 |
OJEU - 3 Year Contract |
2 |
MSI Ltd. |
€323,000 p.a. |
|
2018-2021 |
OJEU - 3 Year Contract |
1 |
KC Commercials |
€331,000 p.a. |
Table 3 – Expenditure on repairs, servicing, maintenance and supply of fuel dispensing pumps and fuel management systems for the Naval Service 2010 to 2019 and 2020 to date
|
Year |
Type of Tender Competition |
No. Tenders Received |
Name of successful tenderer |
Amount of Expenditure |
|
2010 |
€0 |
|||
|
2011 |
Quotation |
4 |
Malachy Walsh and Partners |
€3,500.00 |
|
2011 |
Quotation |
1 |
A P Haslam |
€1,400.00 |
|
2011 |
Open (eTenders) |
1 |
Wartsila UK Limited |
€70,000.00 |
|
2011 |
Quotation |
1 |
The Albany Engineering Co LTD |
€3,800.00 |
|
2011 |
Open (eTenders) |
2 |
MSC Fire |
€40,000.00 |
|
2011 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€446.00 |
|
2011 |
€119,146.00 |
|||
|
2012 |
€0.00 |
|||
|
2013 |
Quotation |
1 |
JJ O’Connor |
€4,090.00 |
|
2013 |
€4,090.00 |
|||
|
2014 |
Quotation |
1 |
Total Filtration Ltd. |
€1,800.00 |
|
2014 |
Quotation |
1 |
Micro Hydraulics |
€2,614.66 |
|
2014 |
Quotation |
1 |
Total Filtration Ltd. |
€2,209.00 |
|
2014 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€856.52 |
|
2014 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€792.03 |
|
2014 |
€8,272.21 |
|||
|
2015 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€2,583.00 |
|
2015 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€1,000.00 |
|
2015 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€4,500.00 |
|
2015 |
Quotation |
3 |
Whelan Stores |
€240.00 |
|
2015 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€4,730.02 |
|
2015 |
€13,053.02 |
|||
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€2,500.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Total Filtration Limited |
€2,700.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Total Filtration Limited |
€4,100.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€1,200.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€4,600.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€4,100.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
ERIKS Ireland |
€431.73 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€4,950.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€3,990.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€2,956.46 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€2,884.78 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€800.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
T E Laboratories Ltd |
€454.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Geoline Ltd |
€2,400.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€4,750.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€350.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€4,118.00 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
C C Jensen AS |
€3,483.60 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
1 |
T E Laboratories Ltd |
€516.81 |
|
2016 |
Quotation |
€51,285.38 |
||
|
2017 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€225.00 |
|
2017 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€250.00 |
|
2017 |
Quotation |
3 |
T E Laboratories Ltd |
€2,595.00 |
|
2017 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€500.00 |
|
2017 |
Quotation |
1 |
Alert Alarms |
€500.00 |
|
2017 |
Quotation |
3 |
Chemstore Engineering Ltd |
€6,875.00 |
|
2017 |
Quotation |
1 |
Fleury Engineering Services |
€1,280.00 |
|
2017 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€500.00 |
|
2017 |
€12,725.00 |
|||
|
2018 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€223.00 |
|
2018 |
Quotation |
3 |
Pressure Hydraulics and Controls |
€1,700.00 |
|
2018 |
Quotation |
1 |
MSC Fire |
€350.00 |
|
2018 |
Quotation |
3 |
Rilta Environmental Ltd |
€2,000.00 |
|
2018 |
Quotation |
3 |
Irish Air Compressors |
€5,000.00 |
|
2018 |
€9,273.00 |
|||
|
2019 |
Quotation |
3 |
Oil Terminal and Marine Consultants |
€5,000.00 |
|
2019 |
Quotation |
1 |
C and L Industrial Limited |
€1,175.70 |
|
2019 |
Quotation |
1 |
Wartsila Water Systems Ltd |
€4,871.44 |
|
2019 |
Quotation |
1 |
Wartsila UK Limited |
€3,050.00 |
|
2019 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€1,958.39 |
|
2019 |
€16,055.53 |
|||
|
2020 |
Quotation |
1 |
Wartsila UK Limited |
€10,500.00 |
|
2020 |
Quotation |
1 |
Pirtek Cork |
€158.40 |
|
2020 |
Quotation |
1 |
MSC Fire |
€2,462.00 |
|
2020 |
Quotation |
1 |
ENVA |
€3,000.00 |
|
2020 |
Quotation |
3 |
Calnan Containers Ireland Ltd |
€8,000.00 |
|
2020 |
€24,120.40 |
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (121)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:121. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent on media monitoring services by his Department; if the role is provided by private contract operators or in-house services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27563/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister engages Kantar Media for clipping and media monitoring services for the Department of Defence at a cost of €1,337.01 per month including vat.
Social media platforms are monitored at no additional cost by staff in the department’s Communication’s Unit who also have a number of other duties and responsibilities.
This media clipping and monitoring service is used to provide timely awareness for my officials on a broad range of matters raised through media channels.