Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Consular Services Provision

Questions (432)

Finian McGrath

Question:

432. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding a repatriation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17623/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I wish to thank the Deputy for bringing this case to the attention of my Department. An official from the Consular Assistance unit has contacted the husband of the person who is hospitalised abroad. It is my understanding that the patient's Consultant Psychiatrist, based at St Ita's Hospital, is in direct contact with the treating doctors in the UK and that arrangements will be made to repatriate the patient at the appropriate time. We have given contact details of the relevant officials to the individual’s husband and remain available to assist with any consular aspects of this case.

Overseas Development Aid

Questions (433)

Finian McGrath

Question:

433. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17664/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Irish Aid is Ireland's official programme for overseas development, funded by the Government and managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For this year, the Government is providing just over €600 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA). Of this, €476 million is being managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 – International Cooperation.

Responding to humanitarian emergencies and their aftermath is a central feature of the Irish Aid programme. We recognise the obligation to provide emergency humanitarian assistance, to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity in the most difficult situations. Recovery assistance provides focused support to countries emerging from conflict or natural disasters, assisting affected populations re-establish their lives. In responding to emergencies and their aftermath, Irish Aid provides funding to a variety of partners in order to best meet the needs of affected communities. These include host Governments, Irish and international NGOs, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, and multilateral agencies such as the UN. Further detail is included in the statistical annexes to the Irish Aid annual report, available on the website at www.irishaid.ie.

We engage closely with trusted NGO partners, with whom we have a longstanding and proven partnership, so that support can quickly reach those in need of assistance. National and international NGOs represent a key group within the humanitarian community, particularly in implementing relief operations on the ground. Through specially designed funding schemes, Irish Aid provides funding to these partner agencies to respond to crises quickly and in the most effective way.

The Irish people have consistently demonstrated their generosity in responding to humanitarian emergencies and crises around the world. Donating to a registered charity is the best way to help in a time of crisis. This support enables registered and experienced relief organisations to purchase exactly what those who have been affected by a humanitarian crisis need most urgently. A list of registered charities is available from the Development NGO umbrella group, Dóchas (www.dochas.ie).

Question No. 434 answered with Question No. 429.

Human Rights

Questions (435)

Paul Murphy

Question:

435. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current situation in Burundi, and the violence used against protesters. [17717/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am very concerned about the deteriorating situation in Burundi, and condemn the violence of recent days. This has involved a wave of killings, militias acting with impunity, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, closure of media outlets and targeting of human rights defenders.

Burundi has experienced recurring violence over the years since its independence in 1962. The signing of the Arusha Peace Agreement in 2000 was a significant step forward in efforts to build lasting peace and stability in the country. The adoption of a new Constitution in 2005, establishing a power-sharing arrangement between ethnic groups, was another important milestone.

Given slow but steady progress over the past fifteen years, the violence is particularly worrying, and it was avoidable. The street protests arose in response to a decision by Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy, to name the incumbent President, Pierre Nkurunziza, as its candidate for a third presidential term in elections scheduled for June. Whether or not this breaches the term-limits established by the Arusha Agreement, as has been claimed, is now subject to a review by the Burundian Constitutional Court.

It is critically important that Burundi now acts to embrace a process of peaceful democratic transition by ensuring that next month's elections are demonstrably free and credible.

I am following the situation through our Ambassador in Dar-es-Salaam, who is also accredited to Burundi. I share the strong concern that over 20,000 Burundians have fled the country over the past month, mainly to Rwanda. Our Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam is closely monitoring refugee movements and engaging with the UN High Commission for Refugees, which has undertaken local contingency planning in case of a more significant outflow of refugees.

In 2014, Ireland provided approximately €1 million to NGO partners, Concern Worldwide and Civicus, for their work in Burundi.

In consultation with our partners at EU level, we will continue to closely monitor developments in Burundi. Two Irish nominees will participate in an EU Election Observation Mission for the June elections.

Human Rights

Questions (436)

Paul Murphy

Question:

436. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of 21 April 2015, his views on the death of a person (details supplied); his further views on the policing of minority communities in the United States of America, following a number of deaths, with particular reference to the city of Baltimore; if he has made any representations to the authorities in the United States of America on these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17718/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The concerns over reports of alleged police led human rights abuses against African-Americans in the United States have been acknowledged by the US authorities at the highest levels. In relation to the death of Mr. Freddie Grey in Baltimore, and the reaction to his death, President Obama has highlighted the need to investigate how laws and their policing are implemented, while also condemning the violence that some protestors were involved in.

The US authorities at the Federal, State and municipal level, as well as a range of widely respected US human rights and law reform NGOs, are actively looking at the Baltimore case and others around the US. The recently appointed Attorney-General Loretta Lynch has confirmed that the Department of Justice will continue its investigation into Mr. Gray's death. Investigations at city and state level are also continuing and have resulted in some charges being brought earlier this week.

The US has a robust democracy and a respected legal system and I would expect that they will continue to deal with such cases of public concern in an open and transparent way.

I welcome the continued efforts of President Obama and his administration to address the concerns raised by these recent incidents and to build improved relations and trust between US law enforcement and all communities around the United States.

Human Rights

Questions (437)

Paul Murphy

Question:

437. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the presidential election result in Kazakhstan; his views that there was a fair and democratic election process in the recent Kazakh presidential election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17719/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Presidential elections were held in Kazakhstan on 26 April and the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan announced preliminary results, with 97.7% of votes favouring the incumbent, President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

I would take this opportunity to welcome the fact that the OSCE/ODIHR, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, deployed an Election Observation Mission to observe the elections. Ireland contributed five Short-Term Observers and one Long-Term Observer to this Mission.

I note the Statement of preliminary findings and conclusions by the Election Observation Mission. While the Statement confirms that, overall, the election was efficiently administered, all electoral deadlines were met and election commissions at all levels were open to observers and the media, it also highlights a series of issues which give grounds for serious concern, including procedural deficiencies and irregularities throughout the voting and the lack of a credible opposition.

I understand that the OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive final report in the coming weeks and I would urge the authorities in Kazakhstan to respond positively to all recommendations in that report, in addition to previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations not already addressed in the electoral law.

Question No. 438 answered with Question No. 431.

Foreign Policy

Questions (439)

Finian McGrath

Question:

439. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the recent efforts in the Basque Country to consolidate the peace process, such as the Proposal on the Consequence of Conflict by Euskal Herria Bildu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17876/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

As the Deputy will be aware, since the ETA declaration in 2011 regarding "the definitive cessation of its armed activity", the Government has closely followed developments, including recent proposals from relevant parties. As we have said on many occasions, we continue to encourage all efforts which are aimed at securing a definitive peace in the Basque Country.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (440)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

440. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of recruitment under the aegis of his Department to the public sector since the partial lifting of the embargo on recruitment. [18253/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department was granted delegated sanction in February 2015 to manage its staffing resources. Under this sanction, we are in the process of recruiting eight Development Specialists for the Irish Aid programme and fifteen Clerical Officers to fill critical vacancies throughout the Department. We are also taking on two Third Secretaries, the recruitment grade for the diplomatic service, under the delegated sanction arrangements. This is in addition to the recruitment of Third Secretaries which took place in 2014 and earlier this year with the specific approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Decisions on further recruitment, mainly to fill critical gaps, will be taken as part of the Department’s on-going workforce planning.

Special Educational Needs Expenditure

Questions (441)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

441. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total yearly cost of providing educational supports for children with additional needs, such as special needs assistants, language support teachers, resource teachers and the National Educational Psychological Service. [17520/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that some €1.37 billion will be spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs this year, which represents approximately 15% of my Department's budget. The majority of expenditure relates to provision for salaries which in 2014/15 will provide for over 11,000 learning support and resource teachers in schools, up to 11,330 SNAs, over 1,100 teachers in special schools and 860 Special Classes. This is the highest level of SNA support, Resource Teaching allocations and Special Class provision that we have ever had, and will ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs. This funding also provides for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), enhanced levels of capitation in Special schools and Special Classes, specialist transport arrangements for pupils with disabilities, additional teacher training, a Home Tuition scheme providing a compensatory educational service and assistive technology support, where required. Investment in education has been a priority for this Government and we have been resolutely committed to protecting, and in some instances increasing, the level of investment being made to support children with special educational needs at a time when there has been a requirement to make expenditure reductions across a range of areas. It is an area of spending which has been prioritised above most other areas by this Government, despite the enormous pressures on all areas of public spending.

School Textbooks Rental Scheme

Questions (442)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

442. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for easing the costs of school books on parents with secondary school pupils, by introducing a school book rental scheme fund for secondary schools, similar to the €15 million allocated for primary schools in Budget 2013. [17521/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am very conscious that the cost of textbooks is a considerable burden on families and as the Deputy is aware this Government has been very active in pursuing methods to alleviate this cost. The previous Minister met with members of the Irish Educational Publishers' Association in 2011 and impressed on them the need to limit the cost of textbooks. He also stressed to them the real need to avoid placing schools and families in a position where textbooks are altered unnecessarily. The Association responded positively to his approaches and agreed a voluntary Code of Practice among their members. The Code commits the publishers to limit the publication of new editions and to maintaining editions of books in print unchanged for at least six years. The publishers have also given assurances that they will sell textbooks to schools at discounts so that schools can purchase textbooks in bulk to stock textbook rental schemes. In funding terms, despite the very difficult economic situation, this Government has provided approximately €7 million to Primary Schools and €8 million to second level schools by way of book grants in 2015 and the same level of funding was provided in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In addition a further €15 million investment was secured in school book rental schemes in our Primary Schools and this entails a €5 million per annum investment in 2014, 2015 and 2016. I have no scope to introduce a new additional funding measure to assist secondary schools, as referred to by the Deputy, however ensuring that book rental schemes are available to all parents remains a priority.

The previous Minister launched in January 2013 Guidelines for Developing Textbook Rental Schemes in Schools and also a Guide for Parents. The guidelines provide practical advice to primary and post-primary schools on how rental schemes can be established and operated. The position at second level is that for September 2013, 68% of schools reported that they operate book rental schemes. A more detailed analysis of the returns show that 55% of voluntary schools, 66% of Community and Comprehensive schools and 88% of Education and Training Boards are operating book rental schemes. I want to commend these schools, their efforts mean that the high costs of school books is being significantly reduced for parents. My Department will continue to request information on book rental schemes from first and second level schools annually. The information in respect of the 2014/15 school year is not yet available.

Youthreach Programme Funding

Questions (443)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

443. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons under 25 years of age who were in receipt of a reduced Youthreach social welfare payment in each of the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17661/15]

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Written answers

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Strict criteria are prescribed for the making of applications seeking a co-funding contribution towards the cost of a programme of personalised guidance, education, training, labour market activation and enterprise supports for workers made redundant by the adverse impacts of globalisation under Regulation (EU) No. 1309/2013 which governs the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) 2014 - 2020. A key criterion of the Fund is that there are at least 500 redundancies effected before an application can be made. The number of redundancies scheduled at this facility is understood to be in the region of 140 persons. A derogation is provided for under Article 4(2) of the Regulation for cases where exceptional circumstances pertain including where the 500 redundancies requirement is not met. However, a particularly robust and demonstrable case must be made to the EU budgetary authorities as to the exceptional circumstances pertaining including in terms of the serious impact on employment and the local, regional or national economy, such as would pass scrutiny with those authorities. The Department has to date successfully made and had approved nine EGF applications since 2009. The EGF Managing Authority in the Department has successfully used the Article 4(2) provision in the submission of the two most recent applications, in support of 171 workers made redundant at the Andersen Ireland jewellery manufacturing plant in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick and 424 workers made redundant at the Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. In these cases, we were able to produce robust and demonstrable data proving serious economic and labour market impacts that was accepted by the EU authorities. However, having analysed the relevant factors and criteria in this case, officials from the EGF Managing Authority in the Department are of the view, based on the current information available in terms of justifying exceptional circumstances and impacts and given the low number of redundancies pertaining in strictly EGF terms, that a sustainable case under Article 4(2) cannot justifiably be made to the EU for a co-funding contribution under the EG. This is because the indicators used do not suggest that the redundancies in question are an exceptional event in the context of the local or regional economic or labour market environments. As such, the Department has no proposals to make such an application at this time.

Further Education and Training Programmes Provision

Questions (451)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

451. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a circumstance of on-going tuition allocation of approximately 500 hours to further education learners in a publicly funded college, given that the tuition allocation reported to her Department, and funded by the State and by the European Union, is 800 hours; if such reduction in allocation is permitted by circular letters and-or directives from her Department; if so, the details of what those circular letters and directives might be; and her views on any situation, where one cohort of learners is systematically treated less favourably than another, though all are enrolled in the one school, with the one roll-number. [17291/15]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I understand that the publicly funded college referred to by the Deputy is a school/college managed by an Education and Training Board (ETB) and the course referred to is a Post leaving Certificate (PLC) course. The criteria set out by my Department for PLC course components and recommended % time for each component is as follows:

Area of Study	Annual Hours	% of Time
Vocational Studies	400-480	50-60%
General Studies	160-240	20-30%
Preparation for Work/Work Experience	160-240	20-30%

Teaching posts are allocated to ETBs based on a pupil teacher ratio of 19:1 and further distribution of these posts are a matter for the ETB. Any queries you have in relation to a particular PLC course should be addressed to the ETB.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (452, 453, 454)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

452. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place for children with autism in schools in the Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Lucan, and Palmerstown areas of County Dublin; her views that the current level of support provided in these schools is meeting the needs of young pupils with autism in these areas; her plans to increase investment in these supports. [17294/15]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

453. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place for children with autism in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22; her views that the current level of support provided in this school is meeting the needs of young pupils with autism in catchment areas served by this school; and her plans to increase investment in these supports. [17295/15]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

454. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for increasing the number of school places for children with autism in the Lucan and Clondalkin areas in County Dublin; the number of such places currently available in schools in these areas; the number of young persons living in these areas on waiting lists for such places; and her plans for meeting the needs of those young persons who currently do not have access to such places. [17311/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 to 454, inclusive, together. My Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents are encouraged to liaise with the local SENO to discuss placement options for their child. The NCSE will continue to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to open such new special classes where necessary. Details of all of the special classes for children with special educational needs which are attached to mainstream schools are published each year on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie. The NCSE is also currently considering applications by schools to establish new special classes for the coming 2015/16 school year. I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail on provision in the school referred to, and also in the areas referred to, to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.