Finance and Performance
A SUMMARY of the costs of the Commissioners of Irish
Lights Service for the year ended 31 March 2001, divided between
the main operational areas, is shown in fig 1. The figures quoted
are in Euro.
RUNNING COSTS
Service running costs for the year totalled €14,765,000. Included in this figure are payroll costs of €8,508,000. Allowing for inflation, the real operating cost of the Service has substantially reduced since 1994-95 as demonstrated in fig 2. This reduction in costs has been achieved through lighthouse automation, solarisation, increased ship efficiency, and rationalisation while maintaining the level of performance and reliability of aids to navigation required by the maritime industry.
Pensions
Pension costs for the year totalled €4,491,000.
Capital Expenditure
Capital Expenditure in 2000-1 totalled €1,182,000. Major projects undertaken included the conversion to solar power of Bull Rock and Inishtrahull Lighthouses, and the refit of the automated lightfloat Gannet.
Quality of Service
The performance of aids to navigation is measured by comparison with the minimum standards recommended by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) of which Irish Lights is a member. Fig 3 shows the degree to which the various categories of aids to navigation provided by the Commissioners functioned correctly, based on a three year rolling average, compared with the IALA performance targets.
Employee Numbers
The complement of permanent employees on 1 April 2001 was: Lighthouse and Helipad Attendants and Assistants (part time) 78; full time (Supervisor) 1; Automated Lightfloat Attendant Masters (part time) 4; Granuaile 36; Civil Engineering Coast workforce 28; Lighthouse Depot 83; Irish Lights Office 65; making a total of 213 full time and 82 part time employees. In addition, casual workers are employed around the coast on a day to day basis as required.
Light Dues
Light dues collected in year ended 31 March 2001 from vessels in ports in the Republic of Ireland amounted to €5,580,119, the highest level ever, up 3.84% on the previous year. Light dues collected in Northern Ireland in the year amounted to £600.131 Stg (€980,454.01). The rate of light dues payable by commercial ships at ports in the Republic of Ireland is €0.52 per net registered ton. The rate at ports in Northern Ireland is £0.41 Stg. These rates have remained unchanged since they were reduced to their present levels in 1997. The reduction of light dues rates in real terms has been achieved through on-going efficiency savings by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and the other General Lighthouse Authorities.
RUNNING COSTS
Service running costs for the year totalled €14,765,000. Included in this figure are payroll costs of €8,508,000. Allowing for inflation, the real operating cost of the Service has substantially reduced since 1994-95 as demonstrated in fig 2. This reduction in costs has been achieved through lighthouse automation, solarisation, increased ship efficiency, and rationalisation while maintaining the level of performance and reliability of aids to navigation required by the maritime industry.
Pensions
Pension costs for the year totalled €4,491,000.
Capital Expenditure
Capital Expenditure in 2000-1 totalled €1,182,000. Major projects undertaken included the conversion to solar power of Bull Rock and Inishtrahull Lighthouses, and the refit of the automated lightfloat Gannet.
Quality of Service
The performance of aids to navigation is measured by comparison with the minimum standards recommended by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) of which Irish Lights is a member. Fig 3 shows the degree to which the various categories of aids to navigation provided by the Commissioners functioned correctly, based on a three year rolling average, compared with the IALA performance targets.
Employee Numbers
The complement of permanent employees on 1 April 2001 was: Lighthouse and Helipad Attendants and Assistants (part time) 78; full time (Supervisor) 1; Automated Lightfloat Attendant Masters (part time) 4; Granuaile 36; Civil Engineering Coast workforce 28; Lighthouse Depot 83; Irish Lights Office 65; making a total of 213 full time and 82 part time employees. In addition, casual workers are employed around the coast on a day to day basis as required.
Light Dues
Light dues collected in year ended 31 March 2001 from vessels in ports in the Republic of Ireland amounted to €5,580,119, the highest level ever, up 3.84% on the previous year. Light dues collected in Northern Ireland in the year amounted to £600.131 Stg (€980,454.01). The rate of light dues payable by commercial ships at ports in the Republic of Ireland is €0.52 per net registered ton. The rate at ports in Northern Ireland is £0.41 Stg. These rates have remained unchanged since they were reduced to their present levels in 1997. The reduction of light dues rates in real terms has been achieved through on-going efficiency savings by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and the other General Lighthouse Authorities.