Wednesday, 14 Oct 2015

Written Answers Nos. 87-90

Passport Applications

Questions (87)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

87. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to change the law concerning the examination of applicants for passports, whereby the requirement to have the application stamped by members of An Garda Síochána could be eliminated, thereby relieving gardaí for other duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35881/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The 2008 Passports Act provides that the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant before a passport is issued. This serves to maintain the good reputation and integrity of the Irish passport worldwide which in turn protects Irish citizens as they travel abroad. The witnessing of applications by An Garda Síochána in the state has been a vital element of this identity verification and in combatting fraud.

However, recognising the additional workload which the significant increase in passport applications (from 250,000 in 1995 to over 630,000 last year) has put on An Garda Síochána, the Passport Service is reviewing the witnessing process. The process used to apply for a passport card is serving as a pilot for an online application form. It is anticipated that the Garda witnessing requirement for adults renewing their passports will be reviewed in tandem with a number of new identity verification and anti-fraud measures including increased reliance on the public services card as the core identity verification mechanism for all passport applicants in the State.

Election Monitoring Missions

Questions (88)

Finian McGrath

Question:

88. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the name of each person who took part in Ireland's international election monitoring since the beginning of 2014, in tabular form; the cost of each trip involved, detailing the qualification and background of each person selected, and if they were appointed to the election roster; the appeals and review processes that exist for roster members who are unhappy at not being selected for missions; when the next intake to the roster is expected to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35890/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of individuals who are available to participate in election observation missions organised in the main by the OSCE and the EU. The roster was established following a call for applications in May 2013, and it will operate until 2018.

A full list of the observers who have served on election missions in 2014 and to date in 2015, together with the costs arising, is set out in the tables below. Consistent with standard practice on data protection, the personal details of election observers are not being released.

As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 24669/15 on this matter in June 2015, the European Commission covers all costs associated with EU election observation missions. For OSCE missions, the Department covers all costs incurred by the individual Irish election observers. This includes a daily allowance, based on OSCE guidance, to cover the cost of food, accommodation and local transport incurred in country. A return air fare is also provided. In addition, all Irish election observers receive a once-off grant annually of €600 from the Department to cover pre-departure mission expenses. Insurance cover is also provided by the Department for all observers.

For each election observation mission, the EU or OSCE set out their specific requirements and, on the basis of the expressions of interest and application form submitted by roster members, the Department draws up a list of observers. In selecting nominees to be put forward, the specific criteria set by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience and language proficiency, form the principal basis for decision-making. Issues of gender balance and length of time since serving on a mission are also taken into account. The final decisions on participation in missions are made by the EU and OSCE, and Irish nominees have a high success rate.

Observers selected for participation in election observation missions are drawn from Ireland’s election observation roster, established in May 2013. Officials from the Department, who work on relevant geographic desks, may, on occasion also participate on such missions. The costs incurred by these officials are paid on the same basis as other election roster members, but no pre-departure grant is provided.

The Irish Aid website has a listing and breakdown of observers deployed to countries since the formation of the current election observation roster in 2013.

Election Observation Missions 2014

Country	Organisation	Role	Surname	Forename	Expenditure (€ Euro)
Serbia	OSCE	LTO	Keaveney	Cecilia	5,001
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	OSCE	STO	O’Callaghan	Sean	5,949
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	OSCE	STO	Durnin	John	2,720
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	OSCE	STO	Byrne	Eric	2,720
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	OSCE	STO	Brocklesby	Gabrielle	2,720
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	OSCE	STO	Coakley	John Paul	2,720
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	OSCE	STO	O’Keefe	Almha	2,720
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia	OSCE	STO	Schorderet	Aisling	1,982
Guinea Bissau	EU	STO	Cunniffe	Diarmuid	642
Egypt	EU	STO	Boyle	Michael	649
Malawi	EU	LTO	O’Shea	Aidan	155
Malawi	EU	STO	Kavanagh	Michael	657
Malawi	EU	STO	McCabe	Ellen	657
Ukraine	OSCE	LTO	Verling	Michael	15,136
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Denny	David	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	O’Sullivan	Finbar	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Kennefick	Frank	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Doody	James	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Moore	John	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Cousins	John	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Grogan	Kevin	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Brennan	Noel	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Donovan	Peter	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Lynch	John	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Emerson	Peter	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Richardson	Andrew	3,785
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	MacHale	Fidelma	3,185
Ukraine	EU	STO	Grogan	Deirdre	638
Ukraine	EU	STO	McDaniel	Patrick	38
Ukraine	EU	STO	Mulvihill	John	638
Kosovo	EU	LTO	Murphy	Nicholas	600
Kosovo	EU	STO	Boyle	Adrienne	600
Turkey	OSCE	LTO	O’Shea	Barbara	5,711
Tunisia	EU	LTO	Lee	Dorcha	975
Tunisia	EU	STO	Sampson	Robert	638
Bosnia Herzegovina	OSCE	LTO	Peavoy	Diarmuid	5,686
Bosnia Herzegovina	OSCE	STO	MacDermott	Eithne	3,047
Bosnia Herzegovina	OSCE	STO	Purcell	Jack	3,047
Bosnia Herzegovina	OSCE	STO	O’Neill	Geraldine	3,047
Ukraine	OSCE	LTO	Richardson	Andrew	8,548
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Cross	Marie	3,373
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Grogan	Kevin	2,773
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Hannigan	Dominic	3,373
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	Mullen	Elizabeth	3,373
Ukraine	OSCE	STO	O’Sullivan	Finbar	2,773
Ukraine	EU	STO	Dalton	Kieran	638
Ukraine	EU	STO	Fagan	Brian	638
Ukraine	EU	STO	Gilvarry	Ciara	638
Moldova	OSCE	STO	Brennan	Caroline	2,486
Moldova	OSCE	STO	O’Shea	Mary	2,486
Moldova	OSCE	STO	Donnelly	Paddy	2,486
Moldova	OSCE	STO	Quinlan	Patrick	2,486
Moldova	OSCE	STO	Duffy	Terry	2,486

Election Observation Missions 2015 to date (Oct 2015)

Country	Organisation	Role	Surname	Forename	Expenditure (EURO)
Nigeria	EU	LTO	Keaveney	Cecilia	600
Tajikistan	OSCE	LTO	Walsh McMahon	Sheena	8,123
Tajikistan	OSCE	STO	Kiernan	Maria	3,819
Tajikistan	OSCE	STO	Buckley	Gerard	3,819
Tajikistan	OSCE	STO	MacDonald	Donal	3,819
Tajikistan	OSCE	STO	Kirby	Denis	3,819
Tajikistan	OSCE	STO	O’Casey	Eimear	3,819
Uzbekistan	OSCE	LTO	Martin	Seamus	6,626
Kazakhstan	OSCE	LTO	Verling	Michael	10,513
Kazakhstan	OSCE	STO	Bourke	Deirdre	2,660
Kazakhstan	OSCE	STO	Dalton	Kieran	2,660
Kazakhstan	OSCE	STO	Burke	John	3,260
Kazakhstan	OSCE	STO	Foley	Marga	3,260
Kazakhstan	OSCE	STO	Gleeson	Fergus	3,260
Turkey	OSCE	LTO	Horgan	Edward	6,071
Haiti	EU	LTO	Fahy	Colm	600
Haiti	EU	STO	Peavoy	Diarmuid	600
Haiti	EU	LTO	Lee	Dorcha	600
Guinea	EU	LTO	Earlie	Thomas	600
Guinea	EU	STO	Ballagh	Peter	600
Sri Lanka	EU	LTO	Boland	Mary	600
Sri Lanka	EU	STO	Jean Marie	McGrath	600
Belarus	OSCE	LTO	McMahon	Peter	12,241
Belarus	OSCE	STO	Mac Dermott	Eithne	2,723
Belarus	OSCE	STO	Mulvihill	John	2,723
Belarus	OSCE	STO	Brennan	Noel	2,723
Belarus	OSCE	STO	Ball	Frances	2,723
Belarus	OSCE	STO	Ahern	Dermot	2,723
Tanzania	EU	LTO	Carr	Philippe	600
Tanzania	EU	STO	Ryan	Audrey	600
Tanzania	EU	STO	Breslin	Andrea	600
Kyrgyzstan	OSCE	STO	Lynch	John	3,380
Kyrgyzstan	OSCE	STO	O’Keefe	Almha	3,380
Kyrgyzstan	OSCE	STO	Coyne	Michael	3,380
Turkey	OSCE	LTO	O’Shea	Barbara	6,753
Myanmar	EU	LTO	Roche	Marion	600

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (89)

Finian McGrath

Question:

89. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the bombing of the hospital in Kunduz in Afghanistan by the armed forces of the United States of America on 3 October 2015, with a request under the Geneva Convention, and to support Médecins sans Frontières, who lost many of its staff in this bombing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35891/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I deeply regret the tragic loss of life that occurred in the air strikes at the MSF hospital in Kunduz and I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and injured. The services of medical personnel from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in the most difficult of situations across the globe in alleviating suffering caused by armed conflict deserves the highest praise. With the tragic loss of life in the attack on the MSF hospital in Kunduz, the citizens of that city will be without vital humanitarian support and medical care.

A number of investigations are already underway. I support the call by the UN Secretary General for a thorough and impartial investigation of the events which led to this tragedy in order to ensure accountability.

Medical facilities and personnel are the object of special protection under International Humanitarian Law in any armed conflict. I am aware of calls by MSF for the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, established pursuant to Article 90 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, to undertake an investigation. The Commission has stated that it stands ready to undertake an investigation but can only do so based on the consent of the concerned State or States.

Separately, I have asked that officials from my Department meet with representatives of MSF Ireland this week.

Teachers' Remuneration

Questions (90)

Joan Collins

Question:

90. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding newly qualified teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35815/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Since the beginning of the financial crisis, there has been a need to enact a number of measures to reduce public expenditure. The previous Government reduced the salaries and allowances payable of all new entrants to public service recruitment grades (including teachers) by 10% with effect from 1 January 2011 and required that such new entrants would start on the first point of the applicable salary scale.

Subsequently, following the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments, the Government decided to withdraw or modify allowances for new beneficiary public servants with effect from 1 February 2012. Under this decision, certain allowances were withdrawn for new beneficiary teachers, including qualification allowances. However, the Government partially compensated for this by deciding that new entrant teachers would henceforth commence on a new salary scale which had a starting point higher than the starting point of the old scale.

These measures were implemented at a time of very difficult financial and budgetary circumstances for the State.

Alleviation of the salary imbalance between those who entered the public service since 2011 and those who entered before that date began under the Haddington Road Agreement. Improved pay scales for post-1 January 2011 and post-1 February 2012 entrants to teaching were agreed and implemented under the terms of that Agreement. In addition, allowances payable to post-1 January 2011 entrants and such allowances as remain payable to post-1 February 2012 entrants were restored to pre-2011 levels.

The Lansdowne Road Agreement has, through salary increases and a reduction in the Pension-Related Deduction, begun the process of restoring the reductions to public service pay which were implemented over recent years. The issue of equalised pay scales was not one which could be resolved in the discussions which lead to the Agreement. However, the flat-rate increases contained in the Agreement will be proportionately more favourable to new entrants to teaching (who are lower on the pay scale) than to longer serving teachers. The LRA proposals have been accepted by the INTO and are currently under consideration by the post-primary teacher unions, ASTI and TUI.

In regard to the issue of the re-engagement of retired teachers raised by the Deputy, it is the policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the managerial authorities of primary and post-primary schools give priority to unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts. It is schools that employ teachers and not my Department. However my Department has issued a number of circulars addressing this issue in recent years.

Under these circulars, school Principals must maintain a list of unemployed registered teachers who are available for substitute work at short notice and report to the Board of Management on any exceptional occasion where they have had to engage a registered teacher who is retired. Circular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for the recruitment of teachers, prioritising registered teachers over retired registered teachers and unregistered people.

A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 will commence at the first point of the incremental salary scale (i.e. the lowest point or starting salary for teachers). Incremental credit for service prior to 1 February 2012, qualification allowances and certain job role allowances are also not payable. This measure represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.

The most recent information available on retired teachers paid by my Department and employed by managerial authorities of schools relates to the 2013/14 school year. 37,012 were employed as teachers in primary schools of which 302 were retired primary school teachers. This compares to 847 retired teachers employed in primary schools for the 2011/12 school year. In Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive schools 20,352 were employed as teachers of which 235 were retired post-primary teachers. This compares to 544 retired teachers employed in post-primary schools paid by my Department in the 2011/12 school year.