Thursday, 26 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 210-219

Passport Applications Data

Questions (210)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

210. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications that have been made, by year, where the applicant is seeking to record a different gender on the passport than that which is on the applicant's birth certificate; the number of passports that have been issued, by year, where a different gender is recorded than the gender recorded on the applicant's birth certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12363/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

In 2014 the Passport Service issued 25 passports to applicants who changed their gender. In 2013 the Passport Service issued 18 passports to applicants in this category.

Section 11 of the Passport Act, 2008 provides the framework relating to the processing of passport applications from citizens seeking a gender change on their passport. It allows for a citizen— who has undergone, or is undergoing, treatment or procedures or both to alter the applicant's sexual characteristics and physical appearance to those of the opposite sex, to apply to the Passport Service to have a passport issued to the applicant in their new name, and if appropriate, to have the new sex of the applicant entered on the passport. The applicant must provide medical evidence from a registered medical practitioner to confirm the medical treatment and in the case where a new name is being used, they must provide evidence of usage of the new name.

Passport Applications Data

Questions (211)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

211. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications made in the Irish language from 2004 to 2014, inclusive; and the total number of passport applications in those years. [12364/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Passport Service provides application forms and information notes in both Irish and English. However the Passport Service does not record in which language applications completed in a format which allows the production of the statistical reports sought by the Deputy.

Legislative Process

Questions (212)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

212. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of pieces of legislation that were submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny by his Department since 2011; his plans to allow pre-legislative scrutiny for any upcoming pieces of legislation from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12414/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The requirement to have all bills submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny was introduced as part of Dáil Reform in late 2013.

My Department is currently working on the preparation of a general scheme of a bill to enable Ireland to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict and to accede to its 1999 Protocol, and I expect that this draft scheme will be submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny in due course.

Emigrant Support Services

Questions (213)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has been able to verify the claim that undocumented Irish in the United States of America can obtain a visa from that country's embassy in Dublin, to facilitate their unrestricted return to the United States of America, after a visit here for family reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12588/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US is a priority for the Government in our contacts with the United States.

Throughout his recent visit to the US and in a series of high level contacts with the US Administration, with Congress and at State level, the Taoiseach raised the issue of immigration reform and the plight of the undocumented Irish, stressing that almost every family in Ireland is related to or knows somebody who is caught up in this deeply distressing situation.

During his meeting with President Obama on 17 March the Taoiseach commended him on his executive action announced late last year. This action is currently the subject of legal proceedings in the US federal courts.

The Taoiseach emphasised the need to allow the undocumented to come out of the shadows and be free to travel home for family events. He also highlighted the issue of those amongst the Irish undocumented who might be eligible for visas, but who would be required to return to Ireland for their issuance and hence would require waivers for their prior period of undocumented residence. The Taoiseach also pointed to the need for a legal pathway to allow for future Irish immigration to the US for those who wish to make a contribution there, expressing the hope that a political way forward could be found on this issue which would encourage progress on a comprehensive legislative package by Congress.

The Government has had many contacts in recent years with the US to promote immigration reform and to press for any viable opportunities which would be of potential value to the Irish undocumented. As part of this ongoing process, and on my instructions, a letter was sent from my Department to the US Embassy in Dublin on 24 February in regard to immigration reform and particularly raising the issue of visa waivers. The US Embassy has indicated that it hopes to respond in due course.

My Department will continue to follow up on all of the issues raised in recent contacts with the US Administration, with Congress and with the US Embassy in Ireland.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (214)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

214. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list, in tabular form, of all contracts and tenders awarded by his Department to a company (details supplied) since 1 January, 2004, including any such awarded singularly or as a joint bid or consortium including said company; if he will indicate which Department, agency or semi-State company was the contacting party in each case; the value in each case; the purpose of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13111/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

No contracts have been awarded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the company referred to since 1 January 2004.

Skills Shortages

Questions (215, 216)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which any skills shortage might exist in the workplace at present; if an evaluation has been done to identify those skills in most demand, and the ability to respond to any shortage now and in the future, with particular reference to the improving economic situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12563/15]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it remains possible to identify in advance the full extent of the skills requirement in the modern workplace, with particular reference to the urgent need to meet any such requirements and to plan accordingly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12565/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together. My Department has a number of strategies and initiatives in place to ensure that education and training meets the skills requirements of the workplace. SOLAS, with the assistance of relevant experts such as the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), employers and local and national organisations, have published a five year strategy for the further education and training sector which provides us with a strategic roadmap for this crucial element of the education and training system. The strategy includes a vision of a flexible, quality-driven, labour market-relevant, integrated and responsive sector that supports learner progression, transitions into employment and personal development. The Higher Education system is equally being transformed through structural change arising from the Higher Education strategy.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), which is funded by my Department, advises the Government on current and future skills needs of the economy. It has a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and met. The expert group's membership is broad and specifically includes representation from enterprise. Its research provides an input to the development of course curricula and informs the selection of new targeted programmes designed to tackle the skills shortages in particular elements of the economy, such as Momentum, Springboard and the ICT skills conversion programme.

As part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2015, my Department has committed to review the National Skills Strategy. The review will provide an opportunity to determine the volume, type and mix of skills required to meet the Government's goal of full employment by 2018 and the challenges to be addressed to achieve this.

Direct engagement between employers and education and training providers is also critical to ensuring that programmes are aligned to changing skills needs. As well as the actions that are being implemented across the education and training system as part of the Further Education and Training and Higher Education reform programmes to enhance links with enterprise and prepare learners for the different roles they will have over their working lives work is also underway in the context of the Skills Strategy review to develop the regional and national infrastructure for engagement between education providers, employers and other enterprise stakeholders, in communicating and addressing skills needs.

Institutes of Technology

Questions (217)

John Halligan

Question:

217. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected cost of the proposed merger between Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology; if parallel management structures will be retained at each institute after the merger; the projected cost of retaining parallel management structures at each institution; the amount that has been spent to date by each college on due diligence on the proposed merger; the amount the State will contribute to the cost of the proposed merger; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12384/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Government is committed to delivering a wide ranging reform programme in higher education to enhance the quality of research, teaching and engagement. Restructuring the system and in particular the establishment of Technological Universities forms a key part of the reform programme. The process and criteria to attain this new status were published in early 2012.

Carlow Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology have not progressed to the stage of the preparation of a detailed plan for merger and more importantly how they intend to meet the robust performance criteria for designation as a Technological University. A detailed plan must set out the existing position of the proposed consortium in relation to each of the technological university criteria (rather than the position of each individual institution) and the capacity of the consortium, based on its developmental trajectory, to meet these criteria within a reasonable timeframe.

Therefore the estimated costs of the project have not been developed. I understand the costs to-date for due diligence stand at €42,742.The Deputy will be aware that Mr. Michael Kelly is leading a process of consultation with regional stakeholders, the governing bodies, staff and students in Carlow Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology in order to develop a shared vision for a technological university in the South East.

I am pleased to report that Mr. Michael Kelly has met with the Governing Bodies of both institutions and has held a series of meetings with a variety of stakeholders. Mr. Kelly has not yet submitted a report but I expect to receive this report in the coming weeks.

Institutes of Technology

Questions (218)

John Halligan

Question:

218. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding the proposed construction of a new campus for Waterford Institute of Technology at Carriganore in County Waterford; the estimated cost of the building project; the amount the Government has committed to the project; the way the shortfall will be made up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12385/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

No application has been received relating to the construction of a new campus at Carriganore from Waterford Institute of Technology.

Scientific Research

Questions (219)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

219. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of a substantial number of science academics that the current science policies of the Government are negatively affecting research and science education; if she will meet with academics to discuss their concerns first-hand, with a view to making changes to current policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12389/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation (2006 to 2013) was a broad based strategy which covered funding for research and innovation across all disciplines and across the full continuum of research from basic to applied, as well as commercialisation of research. The Government remains committed to the importance of research given the key role that it plays in underpinning economic recovery and maintaining Ireland's competitiveness, and also in recognition of the vital role of research-informed teaching in our higher education institutions. The formulation of the new Strategy provides a clear opportunity for Ireland to develop a new whole-of-Government strategy for research and innovation that can build on the progress made to date and is timely as Ireland moves into a new phase of economic growth and societal development.

Excellence in research will continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy and we must continue to have a strong and excellent research base. The strength of our research base is an important factor in the quality and relevance of teaching in our higher education system and a critical function of the new Strategy will be the further improvement of the linkages between the research and innovation performers within the Irish research system.

The open letter from "Irish Scientists for Basic Research" is a welcome part of the consultation process designed to inform the development of the new Strategy. This letter and other submissions received will be considered by the Interdepartmental Committee, which has been tasked with developing proposals for this new Strategy. I am represented on this Committee by officials from my Department and they are closely engaged with the process. The Committee expects to complete its work by Summer 2015. The issue of future funding for all areas of research will be considered in the context of the completion of this work.