Written Answers Nos. 154-174
155. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach if he will confirm the latest unemployment figures in respect of those signing on at the Tallaght Social Protection Office, Dublin 24; if he will also provide the comparison with the similar month for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48510/12]
View answerThe Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection. Figures are published for each county and local social welfare office.
The most recent Live Register figures available are for October 2012. The table below contains the numbers signing on in the Tallaght local office on the last Friday of October 2010, October 2011 and October 2012.
It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.
Persons on the Live Register in Tallaght Local Office by sex and age, October 2010, 2011 and 2012:
|
Males |
Age |
October 2010 |
October 2011 |
October 2012 |
Annual change October 2011 |
Annual change October 2012 |
% change October 2011 |
% change October 2012 |
|
Under 25 years |
1,542 |
1,447 |
1,314 |
- 95 |
- 133 |
- 6.2 |
- 9.2 |
|
|
25 years and over |
5,450 |
6,203 |
6,399 |
+ 753 |
+ 196 |
+ 13.8 |
+ 3.2 |
|
|
Total males |
6,992 |
7,650 |
7,713 |
+ 658 |
+ 63 |
+ 9.4 |
+ 0.8 |
|
|
Females |
||||||||
|
Under 25 years |
859 |
883 |
863 |
+ 24 |
- 20 |
+ 2.8 |
- 2.3 |
|
|
25 years and over |
2,092 |
2,583 |
2,737 |
+ 491 |
+ 154 |
+ 23.5 |
+ 6.0 |
|
|
Total females |
2,951 |
3,466 |
3,600 |
+ 515 |
+ 134 |
+ 17.5 |
+ 3.9 |
|
|
All persons |
||||||||
|
Under 25 years |
2,401 |
2,330 |
2,177 |
- 71 |
- 153 |
- 3.0 |
- 6.6 |
|
|
25 years and over |
7,542 |
8,786 |
9,136 |
+ 1,244 |
+ 350 |
+ 16.5 |
+ 4.0 |
|
|
Total persons |
9,943 |
11,116 |
11,313 |
+ 1,173 |
+ 197 |
+ 11.8 |
+ 1.8 |
Source: CSO Live Register
157. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach the sectors of the public sector that are currently employed on a roster basis and if there are any plans to remove employees from the rostering system. [49078/12]
View answerNo staff in my Department or the National Economic and Social Development Office, which is the only agency under the aegis of my Department, are currently employed on a roster basis.
158. Deputy James Bannon asked the Taoiseach the exact number of public servants who are back in employment in the public service, who are on pensions and have accepted lump sums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49090/12]
View answerNo retired public servants have been re-hired in an established position by my Department or the National Economic and Social Development Office, which is the only agency under the aegis of my Department.
However, one person who previously retired from the Public Service is employed in an unestablished position by my Department. The employment contract of the person concerned will cease when my term of office as Taoiseach ends.
159. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish passport holders that are dual nationals; if it is part of the application process for an Irish passport to indicate if the applicant intends to be a dual passport holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47855/12]
View answerAs the Passport Service does not request any information on other nationalities as part of the application process, information on the number of Irish passport holders who are dual nationals is not available.
160. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his stated position on the State’s sovereignty claim over Rockall and the surrounding continental shelf; if he will provide an update on Ireland’s engagement with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48435/12]
View answerRockall is a small uninhabitable rock, 25 x 30 metres wide, located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal. It marks a point at which the Rockall Bank, part of the very large Hatton-Rockall area of continental shelf extending under the north-east Atlantic Ocean, protrudes 21 metres above sea level. During the 1960s and 1970s the issue of Rockall was a source of legal and political controversy in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. The UK claims sovereignty over Rockall and has sought to formally annex it under its 1972 Island of Rockall Act. While Ireland has not recognised British sovereignty over Rockall, it has never sought to claim sovereignty for itself. The consistent position of successive Irish Governments has been that Rockall and similar rocks and skerries have no significance for establishing legal claims to mineral rights in the adjacent seabed or to fishing rights in the surrounding seas.
During the course of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, which took place from 1973 to 1982, Ireland worked hard to achieve agreement on this principle. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which was adopted at the conclusion of the Conference on 10 December 1982, provides at Article 121, paragraph 3 that: “Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf”. Rockall falls into precisely this category.
In 1988, Ireland and the UK reached agreement on the delimitation of areas of the continental shelf between the two countries, stretching out up to 500 nautical miles from their respective coastlines. This included the division of the Hatton-Rockall area of continental shelf on which Rockall is situated, although under the terms of the Law of the Sea Convention the location of Rockall was irrelevant to the determination of the boundary. According to that determination, Rockall is situated to the north of the boundary agreed with the UK in 1988 and lies outside the zone claimed by Ireland.
As with any claim to continental shelf lying beyond 200 nautical miles from a state’s coast, the UN Convention requires that Ireland and the UK submit their claims for examination to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. However, the claims to the Hatton-Rockall shelf agreed between Ireland and the UK are not accepted by Iceland or Denmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands), which make their own claims.
The four countries have met regularly since 2001 in an effort to resolve the overlapping claims issue, but to date have been unable to reach agreement. The 10-year deadline for the making of submissions to the UN Commission expired for Ireland in May 2009. The Government therefore submitted the national claim for this area at the end of March 2009, as did the British Government in respect of the UK’s claim. The deadline for the Faroe Islands is 2014 (because Denmark, which is responsible for the foreign relations of the Faroe Islands, only became a party to the Convention on the Law of the Sea in 2004) and its submission was lodged with the Commission in New York in 2010.
The Commission’s rules of procedure prevent consideration by the Commission of a submission relating to a disputed area without the consent of all the states concerned and Iceland does not currently consent to the consideration of these submissions. The submission within the deadline preserved the State’s legal position and since then the Government has continued to work for the creation of conditions that will permit its consideration as soon as possible.
The State’s continental shelf has already been successfully extended beyond 200 nautical miles in the area to the west of the Porcupine Bank where, following consideration by the UN Commission, 39,000 square kilometres of additional seabed designated in 2009 under the Continental Shelf Act. Together with France, Spain and the UK, we have also made a successful submission to the Commission in relation to a large area of seabed in the Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay and the four countries have recently begun discussions on the division of this area.
161. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the names of each staff member within his Department that has been rehired since March 2011 and the cost involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47295/12]
View answerDetails are set out in the following table of the retired officials of my Department who were temporarily re-engaged or who were already contracted to the Department during the period in question:
|
NAME /GRADE |
POSITION HELD |
DURATION |
ESTIMATED COST - € |
|
Frank Cogan Assistant Secretary |
Head of Task Force in connection with Ireland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE, 2012 |
Contract from 7 January 2011 to 31 December 2012 |
70,835 in 2012 |
|
Pádraig Murphy Deputy Secretary |
Tánaiste’s Special Representative in connection with Ireland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE, 2012 |
Contract for a maximum of 30 weeks spread over the twelve months of 2012 |
62,450 in 2012 |
|
Hugh Swift Assistant Secretary |
Passport Appeals Officer |
Three-year contract from 20 January 2012 to deal with appeals as and when they arise |
Dependent on the number of appeals processed (no costs incurred in 2011 or to date in 2012) |
|
Art Agnew Assistant Secretary |
To assist in the preparation of files for the National Archives |
Contract for a maximum of 10 weeks spread over the twelve months of 2012 |
16,246 in 2012 |
|
Brendan Moran Counsellor |
Relating to Ireland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE, 2012 |
Contract from 4 February 2011 to 22 December 2011 |
29,452 in 2011 (no costs incurred in 2012) |
|
Joe Brennan Counsellor |
To assist in preparations for the Irish Presidency of the European Union in January-June 2013 |
Contract from 1 May 2012 to 30 June 2013 |
8,866 in 2012 |
My Department’s Development Cooperation Division also occasionally engages a small number of retired staff for short duration specialist consultancy projects connected with the activities of Irish Aid.
The policy of my Department regarding the re-engagement of retired officials is to do so to the minimum extent possible. However, for certain once-off or short-duration projects, it is more productive and cost-effective to re-engage retired staff who already have the relevant expertise and experience than to go through a time-consuming and relatively expensive recruitment, induction and training process. Where it occurs, retired staff are usually re-engaged on a pension abatement basis, which means in effect that they continue to receive their pensions and are paid correspondingly reduced salaries by the Department.
162. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the recent interception by Israeli forces of the flotilla sailing to Gaza with basic equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47826/12]
View answerI have stated repeatedly that the overall restrictions placed on Gaza by Israel are unjustified and counter-productive and I have called for the blockade to be lifted. However, in circumstances where groups in Gaza continue to fire missiles at Israel, primarily at civilian targets, as has been happening again in the last week, Israel is entitled to interdict supplies of arms destined for Gaza, and therefore to detain and search cargoes. Non-military goods, however, should then be allowed to enter. I have seen reports that the ship recently intercepted was carrying supplies of basic non-military goods. I have also seen reports that the cargo in question was then transferred to Gaza by land; I should say, however, that I have no direct information to verify either of these reports.
While I have every respect for the motives of those engaged in these efforts, these repeated attempts to break an enforced naval blockade have been both dangerous and, I would suggest, counter-productive. There is a risk that the flotillas themselves will become the focus of political discussion rather than the issue of Gaza itself. Shipments into Gaza, even if unimpeded, can never provide more than a fraction of the needs of the territory. Much larger volumes enter the territory daily both from Israel and in smuggling tunnels which stretch across the border with Egypt. The key issue is not sea access but persuading Israel to lift the restrictions on land shipments, which are the only way in which the needs of Gaza can be met.
163. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the purchase of goods by EU countries from Israeli-occupied areas of the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47827/12]
View answer181. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of a recent report Trading Away Peace, published by a consortium of 22 organisations across Europe, which shows that despite viewing Israeli settlements as illegal the EU imports goods and services with an estimated value of €230 million from the Israeli settlements compared to €15 million from Palestinian territories, if he will provide an estimated figure for the value of trade between Ireland and Israeli settlements in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48672/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 181 together.
I have stated on many occasions my view that it would be entirely consistent with EU policies and values for the products of illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to be excluded from the EU altogether, and that Ireland would support such a proposal at EU level. However, there is no prospect at present of achieving consensus on such a ban.
I have written to the Deputy, and to all Deputies, this week to set out in greater detail the Government’s position on issues related to settlement products.
The report ‘Trading Away Peace’ is an important and powerful synopsis of issues surrounding the illegal settlements, which are an increasingly destructive element both in the lives of Palestinians and in relation to the very concept of a peace agreement in the Middle East. Settlements are thus a real threat to the interests and future of both Palestinians and Israelis. While I would not necessarily accept all of the views in the report, I agree -- and have been saying for some time -- that the international community, and the EU specifically, need to become more active about these issues and, where necessary, to follow up statements with actions.
It is impossible to estimate with any degree of certainty the value of settlement goods imported into Ireland. Total imports to Ireland from Israel last year were €177 million. The EU Commission has estimated very roughly that settlement products might amount to somewhat under 1% of imports from Israel. This would suggest that settlement goods imported into Ireland might amount to roughly €1.7 million (though this is a very imprecise estimate). The percentages estimated in the above-mentioned report might suggest a somewhat higher figure, although the total would still be quite small.
164. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the report findings by Shannonwatch, which show a total of 250,000 troops passing through Shannon in 2011; if this figure is consistent with the Programme for Government commitment to enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airspace, airport sand related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law ; if he will commit to ending the Shannon stopover for US troops passing through Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48039/12]
View answerIreland has made overflight and landing facilities at Shannon Airport available to the United States for well over 50 years. As these arrangements are fully compatible with the dictates of international law, there is no inconsistency with the commitment made under the Programme for Government to which the Deputy refers. While my Department has primary responsibility under Irish legislation for foreign military aircraft seeking to overfly or land in Ireland, the vast majority of the US troops to which you refer pass through Shannon Airport on commercial flights. The regulation of civil aviation is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. There are no plans to make any changes to the existing arrangements.
In the event that permission is sought, my Department requires an undertaking from the relevant embassy that the aircraft in question will be unarmed; will not be carrying arms, ammunition or explosives; will not engage in intelligence gathering; and is not participating in military exercises or operations.
A number of bodies in Ireland play a role in ensuring compliance with civil and criminal legislation, including An Garda Síochána, and the customs authorities. However, none of these are under the aegis of my Department.
165. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding reports of the use of Shannon Airport by US forces as a stopover point for extraordinary rendition; his views on whether the Chicago convention does not preclude States from unilaterally making transit or overflight dependent on the provision and verification of information which might relate to the practice of extraordinary rendition; if he will introduce a system of checks and investigations aimed at ensuring that there can be no aircraft passing through Shannon involved in the practice of extraordinary rendition, in line with the Chicago convention, which makes it clear that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above it territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48040/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government states that the Government “will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law”. I have regularly stated in this House that this Government does not tolerate and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised detainment of any individual. This position is unchanged; Ireland remains totally opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition.
Immediately following the first reports several years ago that the US was practising extraordinary rendition to transit prisoners, the then Government demanded and received specific assurances from the US authorities that such prisoners had not been transferred through Irish territory, nor would they be, without our permission. These assurances were confirmed at the highest political level. They were of a clear and categoric nature, relating to facts and circumstances within the full control of the US authorities. I am satisfied, as previous Ministers have been, that it is appropriate for the Government to rely fully on these assurances.
The permission of the Government must be sought and obtained for the transport of prisoners through Irish airports. I made it clear in this House on 22 May 2012 that “under no circumstances will we grant permission for the transport of prisoners who are subject to extraordinary rendition”.
It is likely that a small number of commercially leased aircraft which have been involved in legitimate commercial activities have also been involved at various times in activities related to extraordinary renditions. However, there is no evidence to suggest that any of these aircraft were carrying prisoners at any time when they transited through Irish airports, including Shannon Airport.
The Deputy seeks the introduction of “a system of checks and investigations aimed at ensuring that there can be no aircraft passing through Shannon involved in the practice of extraordinary rendition”. Where allegations have been made, including by members of the Oireachtas, these have been fully investigated by senior officers of An Garda Síochána. In no case has any evidence been adduced to support claims that extraordinary rendition had occurred. If anyone has evidence to suggest that any person subject to extraordinary rendition has transited an Irish airport during this process, this evidence should be made available to An Garda Síochána, so that an investigation can take place.
Questions relating to the regulation of international civil aviation and to the Chicago Convention are primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Department of Transport is the primary interlocutor with the International Civil Aviation Authority, which has responsibility under this Convention for the regulation of international civil aviation.
166. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the situation in Uganda, the measures and safeguards that are in place to ensure Irish aid funds are not misappropriated by other Governments and authorities that benefit from such funding. [48166/12]
View answer168. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 28 February 2012, in view of recent revelations regarding direct funding to the Ugandan Government, if he will commission a full audit to be carried out of all spending on behalf of the State by Irish Aid in programme countries; if he is satisfied that direct funds from Ireland to individual Governments are not being used for the purchase of arms or other military materials or services; his views on whether it is appropriate to be providing direct funding to Governments for projects while these same Governments are purchasing arms and military capability; if he intends to review the process of direct aid to Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/12]
View answer171. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to respond to the revelation about the misappropriation of Irish ODA to Uganda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48398/12]
View answer172. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount of Irish aid given to Uganda in 2009,2010,2011 to date in 2012; the number of staff involved, the primary goals of our engagement with the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48399/12]
View answer176. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government is going to reassess Ireland's aid giving abroad in view of what has gone on in Uganda and if there will be a policy shift and an increase in giving aid to charities based in Ireland rather than abroad also, in view of Ireland's economic difficulties and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48514/12]
View answer180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade following on from the foreign aid which went missing in Uganda, and is believed to have been misappropriated, the further checks that will be put in place to ensure that any funds sent abroad for foreign aid are used for the purpose for which they are intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48653/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 168, 171, 172, 176 and 180 together.
I am deeply concerned about the recent developments relating to misappropriation of Irish development funding in Uganda. Ireland has no tolerance for fraud or any other form of malfeasance in relation to our development programme. This is clearly known to all of our development partners.
I have therefore suspended all Irish development assistance which was due to be channelled through the Government of Uganda in 2012, totalling €16 million and I have initiated an investigation into the misappropriation of funds by the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda. I have also made it clear that all necessary actions to pursue those guilty of this crime must be taken by the Ugandan authorities and that Irish funding be repaid in order that it can be used for the purposes for which it was intended, that is assisting the poor of Northern Uganda.
The Auditor General of Uganda has been carrying out a special investigation into the handling of aid funds by the Office of the Prime Minister. Ireland has been working with and assisting the office of the Auditor General as an inherent part of our programme of building accountable institutions of Government. He has visited Ireland to look at our systems of accountability. His recent report highlights significant financial mismanagement in relation to the Peace Recovery and Development Programme (PRDP) for Northern Uganda. The PRDP Programme was established to rebuild Northern Uganda, a region which has suffered dreadfully from internal conflict and the ravages of Joseph Kony and his so-called Lord’s Resistance Army. The Auditor General has found that funding of €12.6 million received from Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark last year was transferred to unauthorised accounts, of which the Irish Aid component is €4 million.
Our Ambassador in Kampala and the Director General of Irish Aid, who travelled out from Ireland, last week met with the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Finance and Economic Development of Uganda and stressed my insistence that the misappropriated funds be restored by the Ugandan authorities. The Ugandan Government have since confirmed that all Irish Aid funds that have been misappropriated will be reimbursed, that the officials against whom financial impropriety has been established will be fully prosecuted, and that strong measures will be undertaken to tighten their internal controls. I welcome this commitment and have directed our Ambassador to work with the Ugandan authorities in bringing matters forward. The suspension of funding channelled through the Government of Uganda remains in place.
A team from the Evaluation and Audit Unit of my Department also travelled to Uganda last week to investigate the findings of the Auditor General and they will be reporting shortly.
Ireland’s aid programme is strongly focused on the poorest people and communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The Government will not provide financial support under our development cooperation programme unless it is clear that Irish money is being spent for the purpose for which it was allocated. Irish funding is not given to the Ugandan Government to spend as they see fit, but rather it is for programmes in particular in the social, health and education sectors that are prescribed and agreed with Irish Aid. Funding sector programmes through Government systems is an important tool in achieving strong development outcomes and empowering national Governments to deliver and take ownership of the provision of services and is essential if the improvements put in place are to be sustainable in the long term.
In the case of Uganda, the independence and strength of the Auditor General is a clear sign of Ugandan Government accountability systems working well and the importance of assisting in this work. Ireland has been providing technical and financial assistance to his office for a number of years to build the skills and capacity required for the conduct of complex investigations such as this. While the findings of the Auditor General in this case are deeply disturbing, the fact that the Auditor General is now in a position to make them is a demonstration of the increased capacity and determination of elements within the Ugandan administration to enforce accountability for the use of Government and donor money. It is only by building national accountable systems such as this that corruption can be eliminated and I believe that if eventually we are in a position to resume development assistance to Uganda, we must continue to work with and assist the Auditor General.
Our aid programme in Ugandan is regularly examined and evaluated in order to ensure we achieve effectiveness and value for money. This is done through: auditors based in our Embassy in Kampala; the evaluation and audit team at headquarters; international accountancy firms whom we commission to carry out audits; the national audit offices of our partner Governments; and my Department’s Audit Committee which provides an independent appraisal of Irish Aid’s audit and evaluation and also meets with the Comptroller and Auditor General and publishes an annual report on its work. However, it is clear that notwithstanding all these ‘checks and balances’ that funding programmes through Governments can be very challenging as we can see in this particular case. I am committed to ensuring that we learn from this to strengthen our systems of monitoring and audit to seek to minimise the potential for the misuse of funds.
Ireland has had a bilateral aid programme with Uganda since 1994. The programme is strongly focussed on reducing poverty among some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the country. Our aid programme in Uganda is designed to: reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS; to build schools and provide education for poor children; to reduce the incidence of Gender Based Violence; to improve democratic accountability including the promotion and protection of human rights; to help enhance the capacity of the private sector to provide jobs and economic opportunities for Ugandans and, in particular, to provide support for Karamoja, which is one of the poorest and most marginalised regions of the country.
Since commencing our work in Uganda, we have witnessed huge improvements in the quality of life for the Ugandan people. Peace has returned to most of the country after generations of war. There are now 8.3 million pupils in primary schools compared to 2.5 million in 1997. The HIV prevalence rate has been reduced dramatically from 18% in the 90s to just over 6% today. Most importantly, poverty has more than halved over the last two decades. These are real achievements, which have been made possible with the support of donors such as Ireland.
Currently 190 staff are assigned to the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Headquarters and Embassies and Missions overseas. There are four headquarters based officers in the Embassy in Kampala. In addition, the Embassy has a number of professional staff hired locally to provide technical input to specific programme and project areas, including a professional accountant, an internal auditor and several staff working specifically on monitoring and auditing of programmes.
The annual budget for the Irish Aid programme in Uganda over recent years was €32.75 million in 2011, €33 million in 2010, and €35.4 million in 2009. Additional support of over €7 million annually was provided by Irish Aid through NGOs, missionaries and other international partners for their work in Uganda.
I will continue to ensure that our funding is directed to those areas most in need, is used for the purposes intended and represents the best value for money. We are committed to delivering on our commitment that all aid funded by the taxpayer will benefit the poorest and most vulnerable in the countries where we are working.
167. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 26 June 2012, if he will provide the 2011 figures; and if those figures can be broken down into criminal and immigration related offences. [48173/12]
View answerUnited States of America: In respect of the United States, the following are the relevant statistics based on information made available by the US Department of Homeland Security:
|
Period |
Total |
Criminal |
Non-criminal |
|
Federal Year 2011 (October 2010 – September 2011) |
58 |
28 |
30 |
Source: Department of Homeland Security Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, 2011
Canada:
In respect of Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency has made available the 2011 information as follows:
|
Period |
Total |
Criminality |
Non-compliance |
|
2011 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
Source: Canada Border Services Agency
Australia:
The statistics for Australia are below, along with definitions of the various categories. Due to privacy concerns, the Australian authorities do not provide precise breakdown of categories where the numbers involved are below 5.
2011- Irish Returns or Removals
Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR)
|
2011 |
- |
|
Visa Overstayer |
10 |
|
N/A |
<5 |
Monitored Departure from Community
|
Departure |
- |
|
Other Unauthorised Arrival |
14 |
|
Visa Overstayer |
232 |
|
Visa Cancellation |
8 |
|
N/A |
<5 |
Involuntary Removal from Detention
|
Removal |
- |
|
Visa Overstayer |
<5 |
Voluntary Removal from Detention
|
Other |
- |
|
Other Unauthorised Arrival |
58 |
|
Visa Overstayer |
17 |
|
N/A |
<5 |
|
Total |
347 |
Source: Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship
The definitions of the categories used by the Australian authorities are:
|
Other |
- |
|
Assisted Voluntary Return |
Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) refers to clients who are returned with IOM assistance via the Community Assistance Support Program (CAS) or Community Status Resolution (CSR) and who depart Australia lawfully. |
|
Monitored Departure |
Monitored Departure refers to clients who depart from the community lawfully, usually holding a Bridging visa E. |
|
Involuntary Removal from Detention |
Involuntary Removal refers to clients located in Immigration Detention who have no ongoing matters before the department or the courts and who are refusing to depart Australia. |
|
Voluntary Removal from Detention |
Voluntary Removal refers to clients in Immigration Detention who request to be removed from Australia by signing a request for removal form and are cooperative with the department to make removal arrangements, including seeking a travel document. |
169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Vatican Embassy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48288/12]
View answerAs I have stated consistently, the decision to close the resident Embassy to the Holy See will not be reversed in the immediate term. However, in the context of the budgetary situation, I will continue to review the deployment of our diplomatic resources overseas. Any discussions with the Holy See on arrangements whereby it might be possible to re-establish a resident Embassy at a future date are best conducted in confidence and I do not intend to comment further on the matter.
170. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the outcome of the negotiations on the EU’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework will reflect Ireland’s core values; if there is support from Ireland and other EU member states for the Commission’s proposal to increase the budget for the EU’s foreign policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48373/12]
View answerNegotiations of the EU Budget Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-20 are actively in progress. The Commission has proposed that €70 billion be allocated to Heading 4 (Global Europe) over the lifetime of the MFF. This would cover funding for external action instruments, most notably the Development Cooperation Instrument, the Instrument for Pre-Accession and the European Neighbourhood Instrument (it does not include the European Development Fund, aimed at African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, which is funded separately).
We have supported the Commission’s proposals for Heading 4. We think it is important that the EU establish itself as a global player to better project our values and advance our interests. Ireland has a particular interest in measures providing humanitarian and development aid.
There is broad agreement among the Member States on the structure of this heading. However, Member States are far from agreement on the overall size of the MFF, with many Member States calling for substantial reductions in the Union’s Budget, which would inevitably impact on Heading 4 of the Budget. Agreement will inevitably require compromise by all sides.
A Special European Council will take place on 22-23 November devoted to the MFF and we hope that final agreement can be reached there.
173. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the non-governmental organisations Ireland is engaged with in Uganda; the steps he has taken to review their activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48400/12]
View answerIreland has had a bilateral aid programme with Uganda since 1994. Since starting our work in Uganda, we have witnessed huge improvements in the quality of life for the Ugandan people. Peace has returned to most of the country after generations of war. There are now 8.3 million pupils in primary schools compared to 2.5 million in 1997. The HIV prevalence rate has been reduced dramatically from 18% in the 1990s to just over 6% today. Most importantly, poverty has more than halved over the last two decades. These are real achievements, which have been made possible with the support of donors such as Ireland.
The provision of support to civil society through Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has been an essential factor in achieving real improvements in the well-being of Ugandans. Details of the Irish, international and Ugandan NGOs that receive funding from Irish Aid for programmes in Uganda are detailed below.
It should be noted that funding proposals submitted by NGOs are rigorously appraised against clear criteria by Irish Aid staff both in Headquarters in Ireland and in the Irish Embassy in Kampala and, as appropriate by external experts. The criteria include a proven organisational capacity for the effective use of funding and an assessment of management and oversight systems within partner organisations. Departmental procedures to ensure that funding to the NGO sector is used for the intended purposes include regular field monitoring visits, annual narrative and financial reporting against agreed objectives and budgets, evaluations, audits and ongoing reviews of compliance. Audit is a fundamental component of good governance and the primary responsibility for complying with audit obligations rests with the NGOs funded by the Department. NGO partners must submit annual audited accounts to the Department as part of the annual reporting process.
I have witnessed on my recent trips to sub-Saharan Africa the excellent work being undertaken by many Irish and international NGOs funded by Irish Aid. I am personally very committed to working with NGOs, both large and small, to build their capacity to make a real difference on the ground in the countries they operate. I am fully aware of the deep-rooted historic support of the public to Irish NGOs working to improve the lives of those in developing nations. My Department will continue to support the work of NGOs in Uganda and in our other Programme Countries and will ensure that Irish Aid funding is directed to those areas most in need, is used for the purposes intended and represents the best value for money. I am committed to delivering on the commitment that all aid funded by the taxpayer, either through NGOs or through direct programmes, will benefit the poorest and most vulnerable in the countries where we are working.
2011 Irish Aid Funding to NGOs for programmes in Uganda
|
Funding given to Irish NGOs through HQ Civil Society Process |
2011 |
|
GOAL |
€ 2,851,703 |
|
MISEAN CARA FORMERLY IMRS |
€882,378 |
|
CONCERN WORLDWIDE |
€774,976 |
|
TRÓCAIRE |
€644,133 |
|
IRISH FAIR TRADE NETWORK |
€691,638 |
|
SELF HELP AFRICA |
€542,272 |
|
WORLD VISION IRELAND |
€270,290 |
|
OXFAM IRELAND |
€268,949 |
|
AIDLINK |
€250,226 |
|
WAR ON WANT NORTHERN IRELAND |
€200,000 |
|
A-Z CHILDREN'S CHARITY |
€168,800 |
|
GORTA |
€150,000 |
|
THE LEPROSY MISSION IRELAND |
€128,230 |
|
RÉALTA GLOBAL AIDS FOUNDATION |
€73,189 |
|
CIVICUS SOUTH AFRICA |
€50,000 |
|
VOLUNTEERS IN IRISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION |
€35,574 |
|
SPECIAL OLYMPICS IRELAND |
€33,750 |
Funding for NGOs
|
Funding given to NGOs through Embassy Kampala for Country Programme Activities |
- |
2011 |
|
Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU) |
Support for the project on the promotion of rights for Human Rights Defenders Uganda |
€137,500 |
|
Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). This a joint donor funding mechanism of 7 donors run by an independent Programme Management Unit |
The DGF funds civil society organisations working in the areas of 1) Voice and Accountability, 2) Deepening Democracy, 3) Peace Justice and Human Rights |
€1,462,000 |
|
Independent Development Fund (IDF). This is funded by contributions from Sweden, UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark. |
Supporting civil society dealing in human and civil rights |
€250,000 |
|
Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment |
Environmental Accountability in Uganda: Rural Livelihoods Security in Karamoja |
€100,000 |
|
Transparency International Uganda (TIU) |
Tracking the utilisation of Universal Primary Education funds in Northern Uganda |
€100,000 |
|
Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) |
Responding to the floods and landslide disaster in Eastern Uganda |
€50,000 |
|
African Centre for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) |
Treatment, psycho-social support and legal services to victims of torture as well as advocating against torture |
€100,016 |
|
Human Rights Network (HURINET) |
Civil society participation in Uganda's first review of the human rights council |
€25,851 |
|
Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) |
Implementation of the Women legislative agenda for the 9th Parliament in Uganda |
€40,575 |
|
International Alert |
Research into the potential of oil to contribute to peaceful development |
€400,000 |
|
Ecological Christian Organisation (ECO) |
Support implementation of the first phase of small scale mining in Karamoja |
€23,327 |
|
Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE) |
Karamojong Secondary & University Bursaries Programme |
€421,403 |
|
Acholi Education Initiative (AEI) |
Scholarship Programme for War Affected Youth are Children in Acholi Sub-region |
€178,640 |
|
HIV Civil Society Fund |
Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV/AIDS and Orphans /Vulnerable Children Service Delivery |
€4,500,000 |
|
AMICAALL - U |
Strengthening Local Government Sector HIV Response in Karamoja Region |
€300,000 |
|
The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO-U) |
Decentralised Capacity Building of HIV/AIDS Civil Society Organisations in the Karamoja Region |
€300,000 |
|
Uganda Women's Network (UWONET) |
Joint Programme to Address Gender Based Violence in Busoga Sub-region |
€195,501 |
|
Centre for Domestic Violence and Prevention (CEDOVIP) |
Joint Programme to Address Gender Based Violence in Busoga Sub-region |
€103,252 |
|
Uganda Episcopal Conference |
Tackling Domestic Violence through working with the Catholic Church |
€40,000 |
|
Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) |
Work with Communities & religious Leaders to reduce GBV in Busoga |
€66,713 |
|
Tufts University (Feinstein Centre) |
Research Study on Customary Mechanisms in Karamoja |
€150,000 |
|
Oxfam UK |
Reduction in Marginalisation, Sustainable Development of the Population of Karamoja |
€1,300,000 |
174. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans he has to review the auditing system of Irish ODA, any future changes to the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48401/12]
View answerInternal Audit in my Department operates at all times to high standards in line with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as published by the Institute of Internal Auditors and, in this regard, our auditing systems have evolved quite considerably over the past number of years.
Audit assurance in my Department is delivered in a number of ways including audits directly undertaken by the Internal Audit Unit; Irish Aid Missions and selected partners are audited annually by commissioned internationally reputable audit firms; reliance on audit reports from the National Auditors General in partner countries, where Public Expenditure Financial Accountability or other assessments have given satisfactory ratings to these bodies, audits commissioned with other donors of jointly funded programmes.
The audit function of my Department is suitably staffed with qualified accountants at HQ and in Irish Aid missions and all staff have relevant experience in the delivery of aid programmes overseas.
External oversight of the audit function in my Department is carried out in a number of ways.
Firstly, the Comptroller and Auditor General reviews the operation of the Department’s Internal Audit function and places reliance on its work for the purpose of its annual report. This report is in turn examined by the Public Accounts Committee.
Secondly, my Department has in place a fully independent Audit Committee which reports to and advises the Secretary General. The Audit Committee provides oversight of the evaluation and audit function, reviews the work programme and audit policies, and assesses the operation of the Department’s system of Risk Management. The Audit Committee meets approximately 8 times each year, including annually with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It publishes an annual report on its work.
The work of the Evaluation and Audit Unit in my Department is in line with international auditing standards employing a risk-based approach to determine its multi-annual workplan. This is approved by the Secretary General and overseen by the independent Audit Committee.
The role of audit has evolved in recent years to include reviews by my Department of partner Governments’ public financial management systems in countries where Irish Aid implements its development programmes. Evidence gathered from these reviews demonstrates that National Audit Offices (NAOs) are operating effectively. This in turn allows my Department to use National Audit Offices as part of our audit systems.
As part of the Evaluation and Audit Unit’s strategy to strengthen the capacity of National Audit Offices, my Department supports a global initiative known as the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation (International Organisation for Supreme Audit Institutions) and Ireland is a prominent member of this initiative providing both funding and in-kind support.
Regular reviews of the overall audit approach, audit work programmes and resources are undertaken by the Evaluation and Audit Unit to ensure that developments in audit keep abreast of the challenges posed by the expanding programme. As part of this process the Evaluation and Audit Unit proposed in 2011 that an external review of the audit systems employed by my Department be undertaken and this review is scheduled to take place in 2013. I look forward to the outcome of this review. In addition, the Evaluation and Audit constantly monitors its own performance and adjusts its operation to ensure maximum effectiveness.
