Written Answers Nos. 158-163
158. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the time taken to process an application in respect of a person (details supplied) is acceptable; if his attention has been drawn to the academic achievements of this applicant and the support to them to undertake a PhD programme should their application be approved; if he will reconsider the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4820/13]
View answerThe person concerned lodged an application for asylum at the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 19th December, 2007. Following investigation by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, it was established that the person concerned had previously lodged an application for asylum in Italy, on 26th March, 2003. Arising from his previous asylum history in Italy, and in accordance with the provisions of the Dublin II Regulations, a determination was made that the person concerned should be transferred to Italy for the purposes of having his asylum application examined there. Consequently, a Transfer Order was made in respect of the person concerned. This Order was formally served on the person concerned, by letter dated 10th March, 2008, which placed a legal obligation on him to 'present' himself at the Offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), on Thursday 13th March, 2008, to make arrangements for his formal transfer to Italy. The person concerned failed to 'present' on this occasion and was therefore classified as having 'evaded' his transfer. This position continued to obtain with the consequence that the Transfer Order eventually expired and Ireland then became responsible for examining the asylum claim.
The asylum claim of the person concerned was examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of whom concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. Arising from the formal refusal of his asylum claim, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 14th September, 2010, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. He was also notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. At that point, all representations submitted by and on behalf of the person concerned, including the information included with the Deputy's Question, will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision, and the consequences of the decision, will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
The Deputy will appreciate that issues relating to educational supports are the responsibility of the Minister for Education and Skills and the agencies operating under the aegis of his Department. I, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, have no function in such matters.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
159. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Defence if plans are being made for an alternative use of Columb Barracks Mullingar, County Westmeath; if he is in a position to outline those plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4617/13]
View answerAs with previous rounds of consolidation under the Defence Forces modernisation programme, barracks once vacated are being disposed of with the proceeds being used to fund the upgrading of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure. Since the announcement of the Government decision on barrack closures my Department has written to each Government Department and various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties including Columb Barracks to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures. Whilst some discussion has taken place in relation to Mullingar Barracks no substantial progress has been made towards achieving a sale to date. I would of course be happy to discuss with any interested group proposals they may have for the purchase and development of the site for the benefit of the local community.
160. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Defence the objectives of the Army Equitation School; the annual cost of the Army Equitation School to the taxpayer; the benefits that accrue to the taxpayer; the earnings and prize moneys they receive and where this money goes; if the Army purchased a new horse lorry recently and the cost of same; the projected costs of the Army Equitation School for 2013; the sustainability of the school in the current economic environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4783/13]
View answerThe mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competitions. The Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish horse. Army riders competing on Irish bred horses provide an instantly recognisable symbol of Ireland at prestigious international events.
In addition to its competition activity, the Equitation School continues to support the Irish horse industry and it encourages breeders and producers, who may have horses suitable for top-level competition, to have them assessed by the School with a view to their purchase or lease. The annual running cost of the Army Equitation School in 2012 (excluding salaries) was €908,478. Salaries accounted for a further €1.35 million approximately. The allocation to run the Equitation School (excluding salaries) has been reduced to €860,000 in 2013. A new horse transport vehicle was recently purchased for the Equitation School at a once-off cost of €213,359 (inclusive of VAT).
The total prize money won by the Equitation School at national and international events in 2012 amounted to €73,835. Under agreed arrangements, fifty percent of the prize money won is awarded to participating Army Riders. I believe that the Army Equitation School is an important and emblematic feature of the Defence Forces and that it plays an important role in the promotion of Irish horses and the Irish horse industry.
161. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri environment option scheme payment for the two years that are outstanding will be paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4569/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The application was also selected for a Cross Compliance inspection which resulted in a penalty of 5% being imposed. Officials in my Department are finalising the application of the person named with the intention of issuing the outstanding 2011 payment as soon as possible. Following the issue of the 2011 payment the application of the person named will roll forward to 2012.
162. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri environment options scheme 2012 application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [4584/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Hay Meadow actions. The first instalment payment of 75% amounting to €999.99 issued in respect of 2011 on 7 December 2012. Officials in my Department are finalising the application of the person named with the intention of issuing the outstanding 2011 payment as soon as possible. Following the issue of the 2011 payment the application of the person named will roll forward to 2012.
163. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regading an application for the suckler welfare scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4587/13]
View answerThe person named registered 16 animals for the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. According to the information submitted, the animals were weaned on the 25 October 2010 and 27 October 2010. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, for herds of more than ten cows, animals must be weaned in at least two groups with an interval of at least five days between the removal of each group. As these animals were not weaned in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, they are not eligible for payment. The applicant was advised of the right to seek a review of this decision, and while correspondence was received in relation to other queries, a review has not been sought. If the person named now wishes to seek a review, he should write to the Review Officer, Suckler Welfare Scheme, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Government Offices, Portlaoise, Co. Laois outlining the details of their case.
