Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Written Answers Nos. 557-584

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (557)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

557. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme. [10475/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I can confirm that the department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 2 December 2015. However, the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on her eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (558)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

558. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme. [10479/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 14 April 2016 in respect of two care recipients.

The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) on 5 May 2016 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a deciding officer will make a decision and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (559)

John McGuinness

Question:

559. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection to approve an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme as a matter of urgency. [10494/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person/persons and whose income falls below certain limits.

The department informs me that to date, no application by the person concerned for CA has been received.

Accordingly, I have arranged for an application form (CR1) to issue, which the person concerned should complete and return as soon as possible, in order that their entitlement to CA can be determined. If the person concerned has already submitted an application in the past few days, there is no need to resubmit a new application and the Department will be in touch with them in relation to the application in due course.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (560)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10523/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 29 February 2016. Unfortunately, there are presently some delays in processing new application. Additional resources have been provided to the CA section in order to improve the waiting times for new applications and they are working hard to make this happen.

Frequently, delays are outside the control of the Department and are caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.

This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a supplementary welfare allowance to support her financial needs.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Data

Questions (561)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

561. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline for processing applications under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10530/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment to the parent/guardian of a child with a disability so severe that the child requires care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be provided to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living, and s/he must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

Currently, the average processing time for DCA applications, covering the time from receipt of the application to the date of the decision, is 12 weeks.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Waiting Times

Questions (562)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

562. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeline for processing applications under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10531/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as quickly as possible.

The average waiting time for new carer's allowance (CA) applications at the end of March was 19 weeks. The time take to process CA claims is a consequence of continued strong claim intake and the delays in processing are frequently caused by the customer failing to fully complete the claim form or failing to attach the supporting documentation that is requested on the application form.

An in-depth Business Process Improvement (BPI) review has recently been completed for the CA scheme. This project focused on optimising output, improving customer service and the elimination of backlogs.

The outcome of this review is a detailed plan outlining the process required to manage both the continuous weekly intake and reduce the average waiting time. The Department has introduced a number of measures to address the efficiency of claim processing for CA in light of the current waiting times, including the assignment of temporary and full-time staff and the facility to assign overtime working where appropriate.

These measures will, lead to a reduction in the average waiting time. The position is being closely monitored and kept under review by the Department.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Questions (563)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

563. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme, including the timeframe for a decision; if he is aware of the extenuating circumstances of the persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10532/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 26th February 2016. This application has been forwarded to one of the Department’s Medical Assessors for their medical opinion. Following receipt of this opinion, a decision will be made by a Deciding Officer and notified to the person concerned. Applications are processed in date of receipt order, it can currently take 12 weeks to process an application for DCA.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Applications

Questions (564)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

564. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme, including the timeframe for a decision; if he is aware of the extenuating circumstances of the persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10533/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 26 February 2016.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that where the care recipient is aged less than 16 years, Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) must be in payment in respect of them.

As an application for DCA in respect of the care recipient is still under consideration, CA cannot be awarded. If DCA is awarded, a decision will then be made on entitlement to CA and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome. In the meantime, the person concerned is in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Questions (565)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

565. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the processing times for decisions of first instance, by scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10546/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

A breakdown of the average time taken by the Department to award applications for social welfare payments, as of April 2016, is detailed in the following table.

The processing times provided in the table are calculated on the basis of the total time from the registration date of the claim to final award. The processing times vary by scheme. This principally reflects the fact that the legal eligibility conditions - such as means tests, family circumstances and medical status - are more complex for some schemes than for others.

Table: Average time to award claims - April 2016

Scheme	Average time to award claims (weeks)
Jobseekers Benefit	1
Jobseekers Allowance	2
One-Parent Family Payment	6
State Pension Contributory (Domestic)	7
Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partners (Contributory) Pension	3
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	13.5
Household Benefits	3
Free Travel	2
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	1
Child Benefit (Domestic & Formerly Resident Abroad)	3
Child Benefit (EU Regulation)	39
Family Income Supplement (New claims)	3
Carers Allowance*	19
Disability Allowance*	10
Invalidity Pension*	12
Illness Benefit	1

*The average time to award new applications which did not enter the appeals process.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times

Questions (566)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

566. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for a decision on appeal for all social protection payments paid on a weekly basis where there is no oral hearing and where there is an oral hearing, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10547/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The average appeal processing time for appeals determined by summary decision and following an oral hearing in 2015 and to date in 2016 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is as outlined in the tables.

The unprecedented increase in appeal receipts since 2009 placed considerable pressure on the appeals office and impacted adversely on processing times. The overall number of appeals received increased from an average of 15,000 per year up to 2009, to a peak of 35,500 in 2012, reducing annually thereafter to just below 25,000 in 2015.

Significant effort and resources have been devoted to reforming the appeals process in recent years:

- Additional appeals officers were appointed to the office

- An overhaul of the operating model was undertaken

- New technology to support appeals officers was introduced

- Work was undertaken with the Department to reduce delays in responding to requests from the appeals office for appeal submissions.

This resulted in a marked improvement in overall appeal processing times. The average time taken to determine an appeal requiring an oral hearing reduced from 52.5 weeks in 2011 to 25.5 weeks in 2015 and the average time taken to finalise an appeal decided by way of a summary decision dropped from 25.1 weeks in 2011 to 18.1 weeks in 2015. This downward trend in overall appeal processing times has continued to date in 2016 to 24.3 weeks for an oral hearing and 17.3 weeks for a summary decision.

The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time-lags involved. The system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information up to and including the oral hearing. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal, which require a high level of judgement and often involve complex legal questions.

A number of elements within the process are time-consuming including the need to ensure due process, natural justice and compliance with the statutory obligation to obtain the Department’s appeal submission. If an oral hearing is requested by the appellant or is required to resolve conflicts, the processing time is prolonged.

The Chief Appeals Officer assures me that appeals processing times are continuously monitored and that, although significant progress has been made in reducing appeal processing times in recent years, continued improvement in this area remains a priority.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2015 – 31/12/2015

-	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Blind Pension	21.1	30.7
Carers Allowance	20.6	25.9
Carers Benefit	19.7	21.8
Child Benefit	24.8	34.7
Disability Allowance	15.8	21.4
Illness Benefit	26.3	33.1
Partial Capacity Benefit	25.7	43.4
Domiciliary Care Allowance	21.7	28.7
Deserted Wives Benefit	19.7	26.2
Deserted Wives Allowance	-	16.2
Farm Assist	21.0	28.6
Bereavement Grant	65.7	26.0
Death Benefit (Pension)	-	22.6
Family Income Supplement	19.4	27.7
Invalidity Pension	26.2	28.4
Liable Relatives	22.8	31.2
Maternity Benefit	22.6	17.5
One Parent Family Payment	22.9	33.9
State Pension (Contributory)	26.0	46.0
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	20.4	30.8
State Pension (Transition)	80.1	53.4
Occupational Injury Benefit	20.3	35.0
Disablement Pension	23.7	35.3
Incapacity Supplement	41.2	51.5
Guardian's Payment (Con)	18.2	27.5
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	18.7	31.0
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	15.8	26.0
Jobseeker's Allowance	15.2	21.9
JA/JB Fraud Control	-	46.1
BTW Family Dividend	14.1	-
Jobseeker's Transitional	12.9	21.3
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	21.0	30.3
Jobseeker's Benefit	14.3	21.2
Pre-Retirement Allowance	15.0	-
Treatment Benefit	17.9	-
Respite Care Grant	21.2	23.6
Insurability of Employment	47.6	69.4
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	13.1	23.5
Survivor's Pension (Con)	24.1	46.6
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	23.7	38.3
Widows Parent Grant	18.4	-
All appeals	18.1	25.5

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2016 - 30/04/2016

	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Blind Pension	17.4	34.8
Carers Allowance	18.4	22.7
Carers Benefit	18.4	23.4
Child Benefit	22.5	60.1
Disability Allowance	15.3	20.7
Illness Benefit	28.7	31.9
Partial Capacity Benefit	17.3	23.9
Domiciliary Care Allowance	22.7	28.5
Deserted Wives Benefit	-	40.5
Farm Assist	15.8	22.6
Liable Relatives	7.9	-
Family Income Supplement	15.6	25.0
Invalidity Pension	27.9	31.0
Maternity Benefit	17.5	28.1
One Parent Family Payment	20.4	25.0
State Pension (Contributory)	28.2	37.9
State Pension (Non-Contributory)	21.1	30.9
State Pension (Transition)	67.7	36.8
Occupational Injury Benefit	15.9	17.1
Disablement Pension	19.9	26.4
Incapacity Supplement	-	44.0
Guardian's Payment (Con)	16.9	23.1
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con)	20.2	28.5
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	14.1	25.0
Jobseeker's Allowance	14.8	19.8
BTW Family Dividend	21.3	-
Jobseeker's Transitional	15.1	11.8
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance	33.6	-
Jobseeker's Benefit	14.0	18.3
Treatment Benefit	15.0	-
Respite Care Grant	15.2	21.8
Insurability of Employment	35.2	101.5
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	16.7	28.4
Survivor's Pension (Con)	15.7	23.0
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	20.3	31.5
Widows Parent Grant	21.4	-
All Appeals	17.3	24.3

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Questions (567)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

567. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 5 May 2016, the documentation now required from a person (details supplied) in respect of an application under the basic supplementary welfare allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10589/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned was sent a letter on the 04/05/16 requesting details of the terms and conditions of his tenancy and proof of rent paid at his address in writing from his landlord. To date this information has not been supplied.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Back to Work Allowance Data

Questions (568)

Seán Fleming

Question:

568. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications in 2015 and 2016 to date under the back to work allowance scheme; the maximum, minimum and average times it is taking to process an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10594/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

There are two schemes to assist people on certain social protection payments who wish to become self-employed; namely the Short Term Enterprise Allowance and the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA). The Short Term Enterprise Allowance provides immediate support to those who qualify for jobseekers benefit wishing to set up a business. Payment under the scheme is at the same rate and for the same duration as their entitlement to jobseekers benefit. The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people who are on social welfare payments to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years - 100% in year 1 and 75% in year 2. The BTWEA is generally available to persons who are on a qualifying social welfare payment for 12 months or longer.

At the end of December 2015 there were 396 people availing of the Short Term Enterprise Allowance and 11,881 people availing of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, 6,543 of these were awarded in 2015. To date in 2016 there are 395 availing of the Short Term Enterprise Allowance and 11,601 people availing of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, 2,022 of these were awarded in 2016.

Before an application is approved business proposals must be recommended by a local development company or enterprise office. Given the nature of the business planning development process the Department does not collate statistics on claim processing times.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (569)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

569. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application under the disability allowance scheme by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10670/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I can confirm that the department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 12 November 2015. This application for DA, based upon the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 25 January 2016.

The person in question requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional evidence for consideration. The person concerned has been requested to supply supporting documentation required by the DO in order to review her eligibility for DA. This information has not been received to date. On receipt of this information, the review will be completed and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Applications

Questions (570)

Pat Deering

Question:

570. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will determine an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability pension scheme. [10694/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 13 April 2016. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 11 May 2016.

Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Appeals

Questions (571)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10702/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person in question appealed to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) a decision by a deciding officer to disallow his application for disability allowance (DA).

Following due consideration, the appeal of the person in question was disallowed by an appeals officer (AO) on 16 February 2016. He was notified of this decision in writing by the SWAO on the same date.

An AO’s decision is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence.

It is open to the person in question to reapply for DA.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (572)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10703/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5 April 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Questions (573)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

573. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of rent support for a person (details supplied). [10705/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The rent supplement of the person concerned is currently suspended pending receipt of outstanding documentation following a review of the claim. An officer of the Department will contact the person concerned to clarify the outstanding issues.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility

Questions (574)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

574. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has re-examined the case of a person (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10706/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

An application for domiciliary care allowance was received from the person concerned on the 10th October 2014. This application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 14th January 2015 outlining the decision of the deciding officer to refuse the allowance.

A review of this decision was requested on 26th June 2015 and additional information on this child’s condition/care needs was supplied. A letter issued on the 22nd September 2015 outlining the decision of the deciding officer that a revised decision was not warranted as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions. The person concerned was advised that if they were not happy with the deciding officer’s decision, they could appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days. There is no record of any further correspondence in relation to her claim.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (575)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

575. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the full rate of carer's allowance is payable to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10707/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer’s allowance (CA) is in payment to the person concerned since 24 June 2010 in respect of one care recipient.

The department received an application for CA for a 2nd care recipient from the person concerned on 13 April 2016.

This application will be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. In the meantime, both the person concerned and her spouse are in receipt of a weekly social welfare support.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Questions (576)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

576. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of payments to a person (details supplied) under the State pension scheme; the correct rate of payments applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10708/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned is currently in receipt of a maximum rate widow(er)’s and surviving civil partners contributory pension in the amount of €233.30 weekly, plus additional weekly increases in respect of being over eighty years of age and living alone, paid at €10.00 and €9.00 respectively.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not made a claim for state pension (contributory) pension. It is worth noting that the rate in payment to the person concerned on widow(er)’s and surviving civil partners contributory pension is equivalent to the maximum rate of state pension (contributory) pension payable to a person aged over eighty, who qualifies for a weekly living alone increase.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Syrian Conflict

Questions (577)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

577. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the United Nations can invoke its powers to positively intervene in Syria with a view to attempting to protect the civilian population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9431/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I have repeatedly condemned the violence in Syria against civilians and wish to make clear my absolute abhorrence of the horrific reports from Aleppo and the suburbs of Damascus in recent days. I also want to condemn the continuing, deliberate denial of humanitarian relief to Daraya by the Assad regime in recent days.

The targeting of a civilian population is a war crime. I refer to UN Under-Secretary General Stephen O’Brien’s statement of 4 May 2016 in which he stated that all parties must finally and unequivocally live up to their obligations under international humanitarian law and the demands of this Council’s resolutions, and asked the Security Council “how much more suffering can we tolerate before there is a collective push towards an end to this senseless and shameful crisis”.

I share the view that the United Nations, and in particular the UN Security Council, has the authority to act to protect the Syrian people from violence, in particular from the Assad regime and designated terrorist groups. I call on the Security Council to act to end this violence and to protect the Syrian people.

I have welcomed efforts by the UN and UN Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2254 of December 2015, to promote a political solution to the Syrian conflict, ensure humanitarian access for those in need and end the violence. It is clear that the Assad regime has failed to uphold its obligations and does so with impunity.

I repeat Ireland’s support for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court by the UN Security Council. This is the only means to ensure accountability for these crimes. I deeply regret that the 2014 resolution calling for referral of the Syrian situation to the International Criminal Court was vetoed by Russia and China.

EU Issues

Questions (578, 579)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

578. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if euroscepticism has featured in discussions at European Union Council level or elsewhere; his views on whether euroscepticism will obstruct the European project; if emphasis has been placed on the inevitability of negative consequences for the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9433/16]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

579. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if efforts continue to be made to address euroscepticism within the European Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9434/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 579 together.

The issue of euroscepticism is complex and multifaceted, but euroscepticism is by no means a majority position across the EU or its Member States. Governments and citizens across Europe continue to hold broadly positive views on the European Union.

The EU, and Ireland as a Member State, engages with the big issues of the day, whether they relate to stability, jobs and growth, or to challenges external and internal, such as migration and international terrorism. It is important to continue to engage with these issues at the EU-level if we are serious about addressing them. Equally, our Union’s positive image depends to a large degree on its ability to respond to these challenges in a way that commands public confidence.

We must work both to ensure that the EU does its own work better and that it is better communicated to the public. The Government has worked closely with the EU Institutions and our fellow Member States to put the citizen at the heart of the EU agenda for sustainable investment, growth and job creation. The Juncker Commission has strengthened engagement with the public and is making good on its commitment to develop a Commission which is ‘’more ambitious on big things and more modest on little things’’, thus ensuring a focus on the areas where the EU can deliver value and allowing other matters to be regulated at the national level.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (580)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

580. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if humanitarian aid continues to be made available in the regions throughout the globe currently most affected by conflict; if adequate steps have been taken to ensure the availability of aid and the establishment of safe havens for civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9435/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The world is currently facing a level of humanitarian crisis unprecedented in recent decades, and appeals for assistance continue to outpace the international community’s capacity to respond. Almost 60 million people are now displaced globally, the great majority of them fleeing from situations of conflict.

Ireland’s humanitarian response focuses on the most severe crises, in particular those that are protracted over many years and often forgotten. The core objective of our assistance is to save and protect lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity, before, during and in the aftermath of these crises. We focus on where needs are greatest, with a strong commitment to the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and respect for fundamental human rights.

We are committed to working with a range of partners including non-governmental and UN organisations, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. These partners have the experience and capacity to deliver assistance to the most vulnerable communities in times of conflict.

At a global level, Ireland is a major supporter of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is often the best placed to provide assistance in conflict situations and gain access to areas where other organisations cannot operate, such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and South Sudan. Last year, Ireland provided almost €11 million to the ICRC to support its global operations in conflict contexts and we intend to continue this support in 2016.

Through Irish Aid, the Government will provide over €100 million in humanitarian assistance globally in 2016. We are allocating resources across crisis-affected countries to support programmes which save lives, provide protection for people fleeing from conflict and support them to find livelihood opportunities in the communities and countries where they are currently hosted.

Ukrainian Conflict

Questions (581)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

581. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the situation in Ukraine continues to feature in discussions at European Union level, with particular reference to the need to maximise efforts for a lasting ceasefire and peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9574/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ukraine, and in particular resolution of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, remains a priority for the European Union. Discussion of the situation in Ukraine has featured on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council in January, March and April this year, either as a stand-alone item, or in broader discussions around the European Union’s relationship with Russia and the Eastern Partnership. On 23 May, there will be an Eastern Partnership Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels, in which Ukraine will participate.

The European Union is committed to assisting Ukraine deliver its ambitious and wide-ranging programme of reform and has provided unprecedented levels of support. This assistance includes loans, budget support, humanitarian assistance, technical assistance and trade preferences, granted under the framework for the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, which entered into provisional application from 1 January 2016. The 18th EU-Ukraine Summit will take place in September and will assess implementation of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine and the progress of political and economic reforms in Ukraine.

As regards the conflict in eastern Ukraine, despite progress in some areas, key elements of the Minsk agreements remain to be implemented. Agreement on a number of issues, including the modalities for the holding of local elections in separatist-held parts of eastern Ukraine, as called for in the Minsk “Package of Measures” has yet to be achieved. The European Union continues to support diplomatic efforts to secure full implementation of the Minsk Agreements within the OSCE Trilateral Contact Group (OSCE, Russia and Ukraine) and its four working groups and the Normandy Format (France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine) meetings of Heads of State and Governments and Foreign Ministers. Normandy Format Foreign Ministers met on 11 May in Berlin and agreed concrete measures to improve the security situation and safeguard the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.

The Minsk agreements offer the only basis for a stable and lasting political resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and the European Union will continue to support and facilitate their full implementation as a matter of urgency.

Safety of Irish Citizens Abroad

Questions (582)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

582. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the international measures he is taking to enhance the protection of Irish football fans who will be travelling to France in June 2016 to watch Ireland in the UEFA European Championships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9678/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government is acutely conscious of the safety and security issues associated with such a major event. My Department is therefore actively engaging with the authorities in France and other key stakeholders in order that all appropriate measures are taken to ensure that Irish citizens are safe. The primary responsibility, of course, for the security of visitors in France lies with the local police services, and we know that the French authorities are taking this very seriously.

Since the terrorist attacks of 13 November in Paris, a state of emergency has been in force in the country and very stringent security measures are in place. Our Ambassador in Paris and her team are maintaining close contact with UEFA and the relevant French national and local authorities in relation to all aspects of planning and preparations for the tournament, including facilities for visiting fans.

My Department is working closely on planning and preparations with the FAI, the Garda Síochána and travel industry representatives. A programme of measures is in place in the Department’s Consular Division and the Embassy in Paris, including additional staff resources and specialised training for relevant staff, in order to enhance our consular assistance capacity. Officials from the reinforced Embassy team will be on the ground in Paris, Bordeaux and Lille in order to provide advice and emergency consular assistance to Irish citizens as required.

It is also very important to communicate key information and messages to the travelling fans so that they can better inform themselves and minimise any risks of inconvenience or distress. To this end, on 18 April, I announced our ‘First Eleven’ Travel Tips for Irish supporters, including advice about passports, security and safety, and local laws and conditions. The full text can be found at dfa/ie/euro2016. I encourage all citizens travelling to France to read these tips, check their passports are in date and arrange comprehensive travel insurance before they depart. Also, I would urge all travelling fans to register their details on our Citizens’ Registration facility, also available through our website - www.dfa.ie - and to pay close attention to updates to the travel advice on the website.

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Questions (583)

Seán Crowe

Question:

583. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that the most recent Aid Transparency Index has placed Ireland 38th out of 46 major donors; that this is the fourth time in six years that Irish Aid’s transparency levels have rated as poor; and if he will explain why Irish Aid has achieved such poor results. [9798/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland’s aid programme has consistently been recognised internationally for its quality, effectiveness and engagement with the Irish public. We place a strong emphasis on aid transparency in the Government’s development programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Publishing data on aid activities allows the Irish public and the partners we work with in developing countries to know and understand the details and impact of our aid programmes, and it promotes better planning and greater accountability.

In line with our policy commitment to aid transparency, we prepare a comprehensive Irish Aid annual report which is available to the public, and expenditure and budget data related to all programme activities are published on the Irish Aid website.

The International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), which brings together aid donors and recipient countries, was launched in 2008. Ireland has been actively involved from the outset. An Aid Transparency Index is published annually, based on IATI standards. The reasons behind Ireland’s relatively low score in the Index are essentially technical, related to the frequency of our reporting. Irish Aid aims to increase the frequency of its reporting over the coming period, which should result in an improved rating.

Irish Aid also provides detailed statistical reports to the OECD. In the most recent review of Ireland’s overseas aid programme by the OECD in 2014, it was noted that “Ireland is one of the best performing donors when it comes to directing its development aid to the world’s neediest countries”. It highlighted in particular Ireland’s work on hunger in the poorest and most vulnerable countries and our commitment to high quality development aid that is seen to have a real impact. Progress made in statistical reporting, and in publishing all evaluation and audit reports on our website was also acknowledged and praised by the OECD.

Departmental Staff

Questions (584)

Seán Crowe

Question:

584. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that staff of his Department are being penalised with regard to health insurance premiums when in the service of the State abroad; that this has been the case since lifetime community rating was introduced and the VHI global insurance policies they are obliged to take out have been deemed not to count as domestic policies; and if he will end this discrimination. [9799/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I can assure the Deputy that I am fully aware of the significant challenges the introduction of Lifetime Community Rating presents for the international health insurance policy operated by my Department.

My Department administers foreign assignments for officials from across Government Departments who are assigned to serve the State in a variety of roles across our Mission network.

A variety of administrative supports are provided to officials and their families, including a comprehensive international health insurance policy, the cost of which is shared by the officer and the Department. The policy is designed to take account of the complex variations in assignment duration and type, as well as the frequent changes of location between Ireland and posts abroad made by officers and their families. Clearly it is important that officers and their families have access to adequate healthcare while serving the State abroad, often in difficult locations.

Following the introduction of Lifetime Community Rating last year, late entry loadings now apply for people aged 35 and over when taking out domestic health insurance for the first time. We have been advised that the Department’s international health insurance policy is not considered a domestic product under current health insurance legislation. Therefore, Irish officials assigned to serve the State abroad are potentially now subject to loadings on their health insurance when they return to Ireland.

My Department has been engaged in extensive discussions on these issues with both the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as other relevant bodies, with a view to reaching a satisfactory outcome. These efforts will continue and staff representatives will continue to be updated accordingly.