Written Answers Nos. 166-171
166. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and-or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive, the need to establish the North-South consultative forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37536/14]
View answerA North South Consultative Forum was provided for in the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement provided further that the Northern Ireland Executive would support the establishment of an independent North/South Consultative Forum. In September 2008, the Irish Government submitted proposals for the role, format, membership and operation of a North South Consultative Forum to the Executive for its consideration, and facilitated three consultative conferences, the most recent of which was in January 2011. The Government awaits a response from the Executive.
Civil society has played an important role in the transformation of Northern Ireland. At the recent Reconciliation Networking Forum which I hosted in Dublin Castle on 15 September, and which brought together a diverse array of community groups and NGOs funded by my Department’s Reconciliation Fund, it was clear that there is considerable support for a strong and enabling North South Consultative Civic Forum.
The Taoiseach has raised the establishment of a Forum at each Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council he has attended and it is on the agenda for the forthcoming meeting on 3 October 2014.
167. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the issue of the persecuted Christians in 60 countries worldwide and make this a priority matter. [37600/14]
View answerIreland strongly condemns and attaches great importance to combating all forms of persecution or discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred, irrespective of where they occur or who are the victims. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.
Ireland consistently presses for effective action to counter the persecution of minorities in all relevant international fora, including the EU and UN. Just this week (29 September) I highlighted the issue when I addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. I also raised it during my meeting with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
The persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East is a cause for particularly serious concern. In recent weeks, we have seen the extreme brutality and lawlessness demonstrated by ISIS in Iraq and in Syria which is utterly abhorrent and unacceptable. Threats and violence aimed at minority communities, including Christians and Yazidis, are intolerable.
I am extremely concerned for the plight of Christians and other minorities and the threat they face from ISIS. Accordingly, Ireland has allocated €1.1 million to the emergency response to the conflict and unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, with a focus which includes Christians and other minority groups.
Ireland is also working within the EU to address these issues, notably with the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief adopted during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union last year. These Guidelines provide EU officials with an overview of the legal and policy framework within which the right to freedom of religion or belief is protected. They also elaborate an EU strategy on how to engage with third countries on the right to freedom of religion or belief, a strategy which we hope to see bear fruit as we assess the implementation of the Guidelines.
Ireland stands in solidarity with human rights defenders around the world advocating for their right to freedom of religion or belief, and we will continue to work to help to realise a world in which this right is respected and protected.
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to actively support freedom of religion or belief across our foreign policy.
168. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding US drones in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37607/14]
View answerThe Government remains deeply concerned by instances where innocent civilians, including children, have been killed by drone attacks. A panel discussion of experts on the use of armed drones in counter-terrorism and military operations was organised by the UN Human Rights Council on 22nd September 2014. Ireland, in a statement delivered at this panel discussion, said that while armed drones as such are not illegal, there is a need to address and investigate possible disproportionate civilian casualties caused by their use.
Ireland said that states must take responsibility for their actions. They must make every effort to avoid civilian casualties, and must take steps to address and investigate harm caused to civilians. States must facilitate prompt, independent and impartial investigations where civilian deaths or injuries are reported. In cases where drone strikes are proven to have been unlawful, access to an effective remedy must be provided.
Ireland commended efforts made to date to quantify the use of armed drones, and urged States to be as transparent as possible concerning their use. The release by States of information concerning the extent of use of armed drones, and the numbers and identities of casualties, would constitute a significant step forward in promoting greater accountability.
Ireland has consistently taken the view that the use of drones must be in accordance with international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law.
169. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the re-introduction of a subsidy in initial teacher training and education (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37522/14]
View answer183. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the role of her Department in determining and assessing the quality and benefit of the Gaeltacht placement programme in view of the recommendations presented by the Gaeltacht placement working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37589/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 183 together.
Changes to the structure and content of the Gaeltacht Placement arose from the Teaching Council's new accreditation criteria, published in June 2011 (Initial Teacher Education: Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers) which provide, inter alia, for "an extended and reconceptualised Gaeltacht residency which will now form part of the overall programme and be under the direct jurisdiction of the teacher education providers."
The Teaching Council established a Gaeltacht Placement Working Group and published a report in May 2012 which, among other things, provides for the placement duration to be extended to take place in two blocks of two weeks and a common course content across all initial teacher education providers. Initial teacher education providers have responsibility for quality assuring the content, teaching and assessment of the Gaeltacht element of initial teacher education programmes. My Department supports the changes as contributing to overall quality improvement in initial teacher education.
A decision was made to abolish payments by my Department towards the cost of attendance at Gaeltacht courses by initial teacher education students with effect from September 2012. In making difficult decisions such as this, priority was given to protecting resources for front line education services as far as possible in the coming years, which is especially challenging with rising numbers of school-going children. The changes to the gaeltacht placement grant were publicised in advance of implementation so that students would be aware of the new arrangements before embarking on Initial Teacher Education programmes.
I can appreciate that supporting a student through third level education can be challenging. However, I am not in a position to reinstate funding to this area.
170. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of first time student grant applications received by Student Universal Support Ireland this year; the number of these that have been fully processed; the number of these for which colleges have been informed that fees will be paid by SUSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37419/14]
View answerI am informed by SUSI that as at 30th September 2014 SUSI has received 61,907 new student grant applications for the 2014/15 academic year. Of these 19,194 applications have been processed to completion. Of those processed to completion 8,742 new applications have been awarded grants.
Confirmation is currently being sought from colleges that the students awarded grants are registered and in attendance on their courses before their grants can be paid.
171. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of renewal applications received by Student Universal Support Ireland this year; the number of these that have been fully processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37420/14]
View answerI am informed by SUSI that as at the 30th September, 2014 SUSI received 38,039 renewal grant applications for the 2014/15 academic year. Of these 30,519 applications have been processed to completion. Of those processed to completion 28,095 renewal applications have been awarded grants.
SUSI is currently awaiting documentation from a number of students and will continue to finalise grant applications as this documentation is received.
