Written Answers Nos. 171-193
171. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will issue a copy of the information and background material in his Department that resulted in him issuing a letter on 2 November 2011 to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; if he will supply the evidence available to him supporting the statements in this letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6916/13]
View answerThe documentation sought includes communications with third parties and also considerable personal information.
The individual referred to in the letter dated 2nd November 2011 has sought and received the information from my Department in this regard.
For the reasons outlined above it would not be appropriate to accede to the Deputy’s request for information.
173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measure he intends taking to ensure the entrance of more young persons into the farming profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6989/13]
View answerRecent analysis shows that there are more farmers over 80 than under 35 in Ireland. I have been working to encourage more new entrants to take up farming as a career. Budget 2013 saw the extension of key reliefs that were already in place for young new entrants (such as the 100% relief from Stamp Duty and the 100% stock relief for Young Trained Farmers). Extending these reliefs is not straightforward given that there is a requirement for EU State Aid approval for such measures. The deputy will also be aware that changes were made to retirement relief in budget 2012 to encourage inter-generational land transfers.
I am delighted that the number of applicants for Teagasc courses has greatly increased in the last two years. Teagasc has responded well to this demand and has introduced new courses to cater for a variety of needs. For example, Teagasc has recently launched a new Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management (Level 7) in association with University College Dublin (UCD). Teagasc has also developed recently a new Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration course to help meet the training requirements for full-time or part-time farmers.
Measures to provide targeted support to young farmers are part of the current negotiations on the reform of the CAP and will I hope form part of any final agreement. I have strongly supported the proposal for a top-up for young farmers under pillar 1 of the CAP, and indeed Ireland was one of the first countries to suggest this measure in the negotiations.
I am also happy that the new restructuring relief has been announced in the 2013 budget. This is the result of detailed work which analysed the reasons why the old consolidation relief was not working. I am confident that the new relief in relation to Capital Gains Taxes, once State Aid approval has been received, will be more effective, especially given that Stamp Duty rates have been reduced. Restructuring is essential for us to meet the Food Harvest 2020 targets. We need to use land more productively and encourage more young farmers to make the best use of the land. A recent EU Commission study found that 'younger [farm] managers tend to perform better than the EU average, with 46% more area and 57% more economic potential for 21% more labour force' [[1] Commission Staff Working Paper, Impact Assessment, CAP towards 2020, Annex 1: Situation and prospects for EU agriculture and rural areas, p. 25. Brussels, 12/10/2011.
Ireland has a very low level of land sales, with most land staying within the same family for generations. Only 0.4% of land changes hand in any given year. Young farmers that want to expand need to be able to access land. According to the latest census of agriculture the average farm has 3.8 land parcels. This means that our farmers are wasting time and diesel driving between plots of land, increasing the stress and the risk of accidents. Young farmers will now have an opportunity to consolidate their holdings and increase efficiency.
I am hopeful therefore that the measures that I have introduced will encourage more young people into farming and address the age profile imbalance in Irish farming.
174. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he can tally the objective of achieving the 30% EU forestry target and realising the known potential for employment in forestry and forestry related industry with his plans to sell off Coillte harvesting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6956/13]
View answerI wish to stress that it is a concession for the harvesting rights which is being considered for sale. In order to preserve the forest estate, my Department’s long-standing policy is that replanting should take place following harvesting apart from exceptional circumstances. The replanting obligation is one of the issues that have been identified in relation to the possible harvesting rights concession. While the consideration process is at an advanced stage, no decision has been taken, as yet.
In relation to the achievement of forestry targets, the Forest Service of my Department promotes afforestation, on an ongoing basis, as a viable land use for landowners through the provision of planting grants and payment of annual premiums. A total of €112 million in funding for capital and current expenditure was allocated for the overall forestry programme in 2013 to facilitate the payment for close to 7,000 hectares of new planting this year.
175. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of dates of meetings held to date by the Cabinet sub-Committee on Mortgage Arrears since its establishment in March 2012. [7035/13]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Mortgage Arrears has met on the following occassions since its establishment in March 2012:
- 14th March 2012
- 3rd April 2012
- 24th April 2012
- 15th May 2012
- 5th June 2012
- 25th June 2012
- 19th July 2012
- 5th November 2012
- 14th January 2013
176. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will confirm the current membership of the Cabinet Sub-committee on Mortgage Arrears; and if he will confirm if there are any plans to extend the membership. [7036/13]
View answerGovernment has expanded the role of the Cabinet Committee on Mortgage Arrears. Consequently, its title is the Cabinet Committee on Mortgage Arrears and Credit Availability and its membership is as follows:
|
Cabinet Committee on Mortgage Arrears and Credit Availability |
|
Taoiseach (Chair) |
|
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade |
|
Minister for Finance |
|
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform |
|
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
|
Minister for Social Protection |
|
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government |
|
Minister for Justice and Equality |
|
Minister of State O’Sullivan (Housing and Planning) |
177. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Taoiseach if he intends to issue an invitation to the leaders of the G8 countries who will be attending the G8 Summit in Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, in June 2013 to visit the Republic of Ireland either before or after their summit meeting in the interests of fostering greater trade and bilateral relations between Ireland and the superpowers. [6691/13]
View answerThe Government will be considering the options and possibilities for engagement with the attendees of the G8 Summit which takes place in County Fermanagh in June over the coming weeks but it is too early yet to say with certainty what might be possible.
178. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Taoiseach the amount of money held on deposit or in short term bank investments by each Government or State agency or body under his remit; the rate of interest at which these deposits are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6692/13]
View answerMy Department has no deposit or short term bank investments. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) had €138,297.03 on deposit with AIB Bank as at the 31st December 2012. The interest rate applied to this sum was 0.05% per annum. NESDO has no short term bank investments.
179. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Taoiseach if there are any retired public sector workers from his Department, or any other part of the public sector, currently on his Department's payroll, for example, for sitting on a committee or preparing a report, but not exclusively these two areas; the number on the payroll; the cost to his Department; the services that are being delivered for this money; and the way that the positions were originally advertised. [6693/13]
View answer180. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Taoiseach the number of retired public sector workers on pension who have been re-instated in other positions within the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6768/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.
One person who previously retired from the public service is employed in an unestablished position by my Department. The person concerned is the Government Press Secretary and I selected him for this position in accordance with the usual procedure for appointments to this post. His annual salary is €119,795 per annum and his employment contract will cease when my term of office as Taoiseach ends.
181. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has held a bilateral with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6775/13]
View answerMy most recent formal bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Rajoy was in September 2012. I have of course had informal contacts with PM Rajoy as with my other European Council colleagues at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 7-8 February. I will also see Prime Minister Rajoy at the next meeting of the European Council on 14-15 March.
182. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to meet new US Secretary of State John Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6776/13]
View answerI look forward to meeting Secretary Kerry at a suitable opportunity. Such an opportunity may arise during my forthcoming visit to Washington as part of the St. Patrick's Day events there.
183. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any meetings he has had with any church leaders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6778/13]
View answerLike public representatives generally, I meet church leaders informally from time to time in the course of attending public events, funerals etc. Also, like my predecessors I receive a Christmas greetings courtesy call from the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. In addition, the House will be aware that the Tánaiste and I hosted a State Reception on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin last year.
As regards formal meetings, I previously advised the House of my intention to continue with the process of structured dialogue with the Churches, faith communities and philosophical non-confessional bodies that was inaugurated in 2007.
The structure for dialogue includes meetings both at official and Ministerial level and meetings may be sought by either side on the basis of a proposed agenda agreed in advance of the meeting. Arrangements in this regard are made by my Department, which provides the administrative support for the process.
The process of structured dialogue is envisaged as a channel of consultation and communication on matters of mutual concern. However, it does not displace arrangements for the conduct of policy and administration by Government Departments and agencies in their functional responsibilities.
I met the dialogue partners in Government Buildings on 11 May 2011 simply to greet them and to signal my intention to resume the dialogue process.
I met representatives of the Catholic Church on Friday 18 January 2013 in the first in a series of bilateral meetings that I expect will be held with dialogue partners over the coming year. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Ministers for Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and Health. The Catholic Church was represented by Cardinal Brady and Bishops Colm O'Reilly, John Buckley and Brendan Kelly.
We discussed a range of topics of mutual interest, including Northern Ireland, the safeguarding and welfare of children, education matters and the Report of the Expert Group on A, B and C v Ireland. We also discussed the Constitutional Convention, chaplaincies in schools, hospitals and prisons and peace and justice issues. We agreed that there should be continued dialogue with the relevant Departments on a number of these matters.
I also took the opportunity to outline our priorities for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU, and Cardinal Brady wished the Government well in its work during the Presidency which as the floor will be aware are Stability, Growth and Jobs.
184. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on whether there have been applications to his Department for the jobbridge scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6780/13]
View answerMy Department has provided five internships under the JobBridge scheme to date and a further internship was advertised recently.
185. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any discussions that were held at the EU Council on the situation in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6781/13]
View answerThe February meeting of the European Council adopted a set of Conclusions on the on-going situation in Syria. European Union Heads of State or Government called for an immediate end to the violence in Syria and expressed their concern over widespread and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Leaders also reiterated their support for the efforts of the UN and the Arab League Joint Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, to achieve a political solution.
The European Council also reaffirmed the EU's commitment to continue providing aid to address the appalling humanitarian situation in Syria and in neighbouring countries. The total EU contribution in humanitarian aid since the start of 2012 now amounts to over $830 million. Last month Trade and Development Minister Joe Costello announced a further Irish contribution of €4.7 million, bringing our total humanitarian assistance to Syria over the past year to €7.1 million.
186. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Taoiseach the cost incurred by his Department for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7395/13]
View answerMy Department does not means test any citizen for any reason.
187. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount it cost to produce the EU Presidency ties which were distributed to Members of the Oireachtas on 28 January 2013. [6844/13]
View answerIn view of their role as public representatives, a Presidency tie or scarf was presented to each Oireachtas member in January. A total of 187 items were distributed. The total production cost amounted to €1,153.
188. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm the estimate of the overall cost of the EU Presidency website, EU2013.ie; if he will provide a breakdown of costs showing the purpose of the cost, the supplier when available and the date on which it is expected the cost will be incurred; if he will outline the steps that he undertook to ensure that the cost of the EU Presidency website was reasonable and represented value for money; if he will further provide the cost of the two previous EU Presidency websites, CY2012.eu and EU2012.dk; and the steps he took to ensure that costs to the State in developing EU2013.ie were minimised. [6617/13]
View answerThe overall cost of the EU Presidency website is estimated to be:
- €244,741.71 inclusive of VAT for the principal contract with Terminal 4 Solutions, covering a range of services including website design and development, Content Management System licensing, annual support and infrastructure set-up, mobile strategy and execution of the mobile site, and training.
- €10,794 inclusive of VAT paid to Terminal 4 Solutions for 24/7 support outside standard working hours for the six months of the Presidency.
- €80,000 paid to the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) for hosting, of which €40,000 were paid in 2012 and €40,000 will be paid in 2013.
I understand that the comparable cost for the Danish Presidency website was just over €1 million. Costs for the Cyprus Presidency website are currently not available.
The contract to develop the EU Presidency website was part of a wider Department of Foreign Affairs tender for the redevelopment of its websites to include the Department’s own website and the website for Irish Aid. It was awarded following an EU-wide open competitive tender.
This approach gives the greatest opportunity to qualified companies from across the EU and more widely to bid for the contract. The tender attracted 11 bids.
The winning company, Terminal 4 Solutions, which is an Irish company, was selected because it offered the best value for money when the quality of their proposed solution, its comprehensiveness, its technical merit as well as the quality of technical support, training and knowledge-transfer being offered were assessed against the proposed costs.
In defining the scope of the project during 2011, consultations were held with then-recent Presidencies, Belgium and Hungary, to ascertain the nature and scale of Presidency websites, and the standard expected by users.
From these and other discussions, it was agreed that the Irish Presidency website must be a high-performing site, able to meet clearly-defined specifications:
- secure, accessible and available at all times (eu2013.ie includes a full disaster recovery site to ensure business continuity)
- capable of handling high volumes of users (eu2013.ie has received over 150,000 visits and more than 540,000 page views since its launch in mid-December)
- equipped to deal with resource-intensive material such as live-streaming of events and similar media-rich content (eu2013.ie live-streams coverage of high-level meetings in Dublin and in Brussels, as well as cultural and other events, and has hosted 54 videos and numerous images of events in the first weeks of the Presidency)
- constructed to achieve a high ranking with internet search engines
- available in multiple language versions (eu2013.ie exists in English, Irish, French and German versions).
It was also determined that the site needed to be made available across a number of mobile platforms, with the capacity to track and monitor use. It has also been integrated with Presidency-specific social media accounts (the Presidency twitter feed is embedded across the website and already has over 5700 followers).
Negotiations with the selected supplier were centred on achieving this desired level of outcome at the lowest cost. The contract was agreed on a fixed-price basis and any extra resources required have been the responsibility of the developer.
The time taken to research the requirements, the definition of the project scope, the open procurement and the fixed-price nature of the contract demonstrate that adequate steps have been taken to ensure that the website costs are reasonable and represent good value for money.
189. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that he has taken to preserve the State's entitlement to 12 seats in the European Parliament; his views that the 12 seats should be preserved; the meetings or lobbying that have taken place on this issue; when a final decision will be taken on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6674/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the answer provided on 29 January last to his recent question on this matter. Article 14.2 of the Treaty on European Union sets an overall ceiling of 750 seats, plus the President, for the European Parliament. It also provides that representation of citizens shall be degressively proportional, with a minimum threshold of six members per Member State, and that no Member State shall be allocated more than ninety-six seats.
There is a need therefore to adjust the distribution of seats in the Parliament before the 2014 elections to take account of the accession of Croatia in 2013.
Under Article 14.2, the composition of the European Parliament is decided by the European Council by unanimity on the initiative of the Parliament and with its consent. Therefore the right of initiative in relation to this issue rests with the European Parliament. The Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament (AFCO) had its first consideration of a draft report on 22 January 2013. AFCO will further consider the draft report over the coming weeks and a vote in the European Parliament is planned for the March plenary session. When Parliament has agreed on its proposal the matter will come to the European Council. The Parliament must also give its consent to the decision reached by the European Council.
190. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will list in detail the requests made to his Department from the UN and the OECD and other organisations for Irish civilian participation in delegations, missions, election or meeting of any description; if he will list the number of such requests in 2012; if he will provide the names of those chosen to participate on behalf of this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6851/13]
View answerIrish Aid, through its Rapid Response Initiative, has Standby Partnership agreements with four United Nations agencies, OCHA, UNICEF, UNHCR and WFP. This mechanism allows for the deployment, at short notice, of highly skilled experts to support humanitarian operations worldwide. In 2012, members of the Irish Aid Rapid Response Corps deployed on 36 occasions to countries including, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia and South Sudan.
In addition, eight Irish civilian experts were deployed in 2012 to European Union civilian crisis management missions including the EU’s Police Missions in Afghanistan and the occupied Palestinian territory; the EU’s Rule of Law Missions in Kosovo and Iraq; and the EU’s Monitoring Mission in Georgia.
The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre.
In 2012 observers nominated by Ireland have been involved in missions organised by the EU and OSCE.
In 2012, Ireland was invited by the European Union to nominate observers to participate in election observation missions to Senegal, Algeria, Timor Leste and Sierra Leone. Observers, as listed below, participated in these missions. We also received an invitation in 2012 for two EU election observation missions scheduled to take place in 2013 – Jordan in January 2013 and Kenya in March 2013. Observers listed below took part in the Jordan elections.
In 2012, Ireland was invited by the OSCE/ODIHR to observe elections in Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine. Irish Aid nominated observers, listed below, to participate in these missions. Requests were also received by the OSCE/ODIHR to observe the Early Parliamentary Elections in Montenegro in October 2012 and the General Elections in the UN in November 2012. Ireland did not nominate observers to participate in these missions.
|
COUNTRY |
ORGANISATION |
NAME |
|
2012 January |
- |
- |
|
Kazakhstan |
OSCE |
Patricia Barker |
|
Kazakhstan |
OSCE |
Paddy Buckenham |
|
Kazakhstan |
OSCE |
Paul Cosgrave |
|
Kazakhstan |
OSCE |
Michael Humphreys |
|
Kazakhstan |
OSCE |
Cecilia Keaveney |
|
February |
- |
- |
|
Senegal |
EU |
Diarmuid Peavoy |
|
Senegal |
EU |
Aidan O’Shea |
|
March |
- |
- |
|
Russia |
OSCE |
Michael Verling |
|
Russia |
OSCE |
Grattan Lynch |
|
Russia |
OSCE |
Julian Clare |
|
Russia |
OSCE |
Noreen Kerins |
|
Russia |
- |
Chris Andrews |
|
May |
- |
- |
|
Armenia |
OSCE |
Sean O’Callaghan |
|
Armenia |
OSCE |
Ann Ormonde |
|
Armenia |
OSCE |
Blaise Treacy |
|
Armenia |
OSCE |
Edward Horgan |
|
Armenia |
OSCE |
Terence Fleming |
|
Armenia |
OSCE |
Brian Fagan |
|
Armenia |
OSCE |
Eimear Friel |
|
Serbia I |
OSCE |
Orla Cluff |
|
Serbia II |
OSCE |
Peter McMahon |
|
Algeria |
EU |
Dorcha Lee |
|
Algeria |
EU |
Mary Boland |
|
Algeria |
EU |
Peter Ballagh |
|
July |
- |
- |
|
Timor Leste |
EU |
Mary O'Shea |
|
September |
- |
- |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Peter Donovan |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Noel Brennan |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Julian Clare |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Patrick Finneran |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Finbar O’Sullivan |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Deirdre Grogan |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Mark Long |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Rebecca Moynihan |
|
Belarus |
OSCE |
Anne Choiseul |
|
October |
- |
- |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
Eithne MacDermott |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
Cecilia Keaveney |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
Eileen McCabe |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
John O’Connor |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
Peter Emerson |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
Conor O’Clery |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
James Mallon |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
Les Allamby |
|
Georgia |
OSCE |
Richard McEvoy |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Seamus Martin |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Michael Verling |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Eric Byrne |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Geraldine Power |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Raymond Dunne |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Ciaran Kinsella |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Fionnuala Brennan |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Kevin Grogan |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Julian Clare |
|
Ukraine |
OSCE |
Thomas Bellew |
|
November |
- |
- |
|
Sierra Leone |
EU |
Colm Fahy |
|
Sierra Leone |
EU |
Michael Coyne |
|
Sierra Leone |
EU |
Michael Boyle |
This Department regularly receives requests from the UN and the EU for Irish participation in international crisis management missions. Ten civilian experts were selected by the EU for participation in Common Security and Defence Policy missions and deployed by my Department in response to such requests.
|
Mission |
Name |
|
EUMM Georgia |
John Cremin |
|
EULEX Kosovo |
John Ryan |
|
EULEX Kosovo |
Declan O'Mahony |
|
EUPOL Afghanistan |
Michael Humphreys |
|
EUPOL Afghanistan |
Simon O’Connor |
|
EUJUSTLEX Iraq |
Karen Murphy |
|
EUJUSTLEX Iraq |
John Durnin |
|
EUPOL COPPS |
Lynn Sheehan |
|
EUCAP NESTOR |
Linda Newport |
|
EUMM Georgia |
John Cremin |
In addition in 2012, six members of An Garda Síochána were chosen for participation in the UN Police Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in response to a request from the UN, while six members were also deployed to EULEX Kosovo and one on the EUMM in Georgia.
191. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of progress reports which have been submitted to either the European Court of Human Rights or the Council of Europe in relation to the judgement in the ABC v Ireland case; the dates on which these reports were submitted; if he will outline the manner in which these reports were compiled; the other Government Departments, if any, which contributed to each report; the Ministers and Ministers of State who contributed to each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7073/13]
View answerThe European Convention on Human Rights provides that implementation of a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights is supervised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. As part of that supervision process the State has submitted 4 Action Plans to the Committee of Ministers outlining the steps taken to implement the judgment. The Action Plans were submitted to the Council of Europe on 16 June 2011, 13 January 2012, 30 November 2012 and 8 February 2013. The Action Plans were prepared in the first instance by the Minister for Health and then agreed, as appropriate, with me, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice and Equality, prior to being submitted to the Committee of Ministers.
192. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the amount of State funding paid overseas to countries affected by war or natural disasters; and the amount of State funding paid to Irish registered overseas charities working in countries affected by these issues in 2011-12. [7149/13]
View answerThe primary goal of Irish humanitarian assistance is to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of humanitarian emergencies. The Government’s policy is to provide flexible and timely funding to organisations which demonstrate a clear capacity to deliver effective assistance in a manner that is responsive to identified need and adheres to humanitarian principles. The Government works with a variety of partners that can respond effectively to people’s real needs on the ground. These partners include governments and local organisations in the countries affected, Irish and international NGOs, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and multilateral organisations such as the UN.
Irish humanitarian assistance is directed to where needs are greatest, with particular emphasis on targeting forgotten or silent emergencies. For example, last year funding was provided to emergencies including those in Mali, DRC, Syria, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
Recovery assistance is also provided to countries emerging from conflict or natural disaster through long term initiatives which help populations to re-establish their lives and livelihoods after an emergency.
The tables sets out, as requested, the humanitarian and recovery assistance provided by Ireland over the period 2011-2012:
|
Countries |
Total 2011 |
Total 2012 |
|
- |
€ |
€ |
|
Afghanistan |
4,950,000 |
4,327,739 |
|
Burma-Myanmar |
200,000 |
800,000 |
|
Cameroon |
218,965 |
- |
|
Central African Republic |
2,500,000 |
2,450,000 |
|
Chad |
1,900,000 |
1,400,000 |
|
Cote d’Ivoire |
500,000 |
- |
|
Cuba |
- |
150,000 |
|
Democratic Republic of Congo |
5,000,000 |
8,230,000 |
|
DPRK |
250,000 |
200,000 |
|
El Salvador |
250,000 |
- |
|
Ethiopia |
2,075,000 |
1,275,000 |
|
Gambia/Guinea |
249,950 |
- |
|
Haiti |
1,750,000 |
1,050,000 |
|
Horn of Africa |
250,000 |
- |
|
Japan |
1,000,000 |
- |
|
Jordan |
- |
600,000 |
|
Kenya |
1,175,000 |
900,000 |
|
Libya |
1,100,000 |
- |
|
Mali |
- |
1,067,220 |
|
Mozambique |
- |
100,000 |
|
Niger |
900,000 |
1,625,000 |
|
Niger & Mali |
- |
290,000 |
|
Northern Iraq |
200,000 |
- |
|
Pakistan |
880,000 |
1,010,000 |
|
Sahel |
- |
3,500,000 |
|
Somalia |
6,090,000 |
6,255,000 |
|
Somaliland |
548,000 |
580,000 |
|
South Sudan |
- |
3,720,000 |
|
Sudan |
4,699,594 |
2,650,000 |
|
Syria |
- |
800,000 |
|
Syria/Jordan/Lebanon |
- |
500,000 |
|
USA |
- |
200,000 |
|
Western Sahara |
250,000 |
250,000 |
|
Yemen |
200,000 |
400,000 |
|
Zimbabwe |
700,000 |
330,000 |
|
Irish Registered NGO |
Total 2011 |
Total 2012 |
|
- |
€ |
€ |
|
Christian Aid |
520,000 |
965,000 |
|
Concern |
3,776,610 |
3,035,000 |
|
Goal |
2,100,000 |
2,250,000 |
|
MSF |
900,000 |
1,025,000 |
|
Oxfam |
800,000 |
1,345,000 |
|
Plan |
1,098,965 |
1,892,220 |
|
Soul of Haiti |
- |
200,000 |
|
Trócaire |
2,469,676 |
2,740,000 |
|
World Vision |
1,208,719 |
1,245,000 |
|
Haven Community Foundation |
200,000 |
250,000 |
In addition to this humanitarian assistance, funding is provided to Irish NGOs for long term development projects and programmes on the basis of clearly defined results for poor people. Further detail is set out in the Irish Aid Annual Report 2011 which is available on the Irish Aid website www.irishaid.ie.
193. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost incurred by his Department for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7389/13]
View answerMy Department does not incur any costs in assessing means of individual citizens.
