Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Written Answers Nos. 341-361

Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times

Questions (341)

John Brady

Question:

341. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting time for processing applications by social protection payment. [11829/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The information requested (where available) by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.

Social Welfare claims by average waiting times 30 April 2016

Scheme	Average Waiting Time (weeks)
Jobseeker's Benefit	1
Jobseeker's Allowance	2
One-Parent Family Payment	6
State Pension Contributory (Dom)	7
Widow’s, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension	3
Widowed Parent Grant	1
Living Alone/Island Allowances	N/a
State Pension Non-Contributory	14
Household Benefits	3
Free Travel	2
Domiciliary Care Allowance	13
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	1
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA)	3
Child Benefit (EU Regulation)	39
Treatment Benefit	N/a
Maternity Benefit	N/a
Family Income Supplement (New)	3
Family Income Supplement (Renew)	N/a
Carer's Allowance	21
Disability Allowance	10
Invalidity Pension	12
Illness Benefit	1
Occupational Injury Benefit	N/a

Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times

Questions (342)

John Brady

Question:

342. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the timeframe for social protection appeals to date in 2016 in comparison with each of the years 2011 to 2015. [11830/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The average appeal processing time for appeals determined by summary decision and following an oral hearing in the years 2011 to date in 2016 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is as outlined in the following 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 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2011

	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Adoptive Benefit	27.9	-
Blind Pension	20.4	69.8
Carers Allowance	31.3	57.9
Carers Benefit	21.8	59.4
Child Benefit	47.6	66.0
Disability Allowance	27.4	55.6
Illness Benefit	38.2	59.8
Domiciliary Care	25.4	55.8
Deserted Wives Benefit	19.2	46.0
Farm Assist	20.9	57.9
Bereavement Grant	22.1	-
Family Income Supplement	19.9	31.8
Invalidity Pension	36.4	58.9
Liable Relatives	31.6	84.1
One Parent Family Payment	24.3	57.5
Maternity Benefit	25.1	62.1
State Pension (Contributory)	24.9	55.3
State Pension (Non-Cont)	20.6	54.6
State Pension (Transition)	24.4	66.0
Occupational Injury Benefit	30.7	54.8
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical)	77.8	65.0
Disablement Pension	48.0	59.7
Incapacity Supplement	-	48.3
Guardian's Payment (Con)	36.2	62.7
Guardian's Payment (Non-con)	23.9	59.0
Pre-Retirement Allowance	-	-
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	18.0	54.8
Jobseeker's Allowance	23.8	47.9
Jobseeker's Benefit	15.1	34.0
JA/JB Fraud Control	13.7	24.9
Respite Care Grant	23.4	60.8
Insurability of Employment	34.0	72.1
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	6.3	17.6
Treatment Benefits	28.8	-
Survivor's Pension (Con)	27.5	55.3
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	18.1	53.1
Widows Parent Grant	22.0	-
All Appeals	25.1	52.5

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2012 – 31/12/2012

	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Adoptive Benefit	27.7	40.4
Blind Pension	24.4	34.7
Carers Allowance	33.5	42.5
Carers Benefit	27.3	35.3
Child Benefit	47.1	53.1
Disability Allowance	34.2	40.6
Illness Benefit	41.9	50.3
Domiciliary Care	32.5	41.4
Deserted Wives Benefit	27.6	45.4
Deserted Wives Allowance	24.5	39.5
Farm Assist	23.4	44.9
Bereavement Grant	29.0	-
Family Income Supplement	22.8	31.2
Invalidity Pension	38.8	48.7
Liable Relatives	33.9	69.7
One Parent Family Payment	29.4	44.6
Maternity Benefit	30.8	41.7
State Pension (Contributory)	33.2	59.4
State Pension (Non-Cont)	27.7	51.1
State Pension (Transition)	25.1	49.1
Occupational Injury Benefit	19.5	66.9
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical)	78.7	87.4
Disablement Pension	35.7	46.0
Incapacity Supplement	14.2	48.8
Guardian's Payment (Con)	25.8	49.1
Guardian's Payment (Non-con)	32.0	58.8
Pre-Retirement Allowance	54.6	-
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	22.8	38.2
Jobseeker's Allowance	24.4	34.4
Jobseeker's Benefit	20.9	30.8
Respite Care Grant	28.5	37.3
Insurability of Employment	45.6	83.3
Supplementary Welfare  Allowance	17.6	22.9
Treatment Benefits	19.0	-
Survivor's Pension (Con)	27.1	60.5
Survivor's Pension (Non-con)	30.9	39.1
Widows Parent Grant	23.2	-
All Appeals	27.8	39.5

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2013 – 31/12/2013

	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Adoptive Benefit	34.2	-
Blind Pension	24.6	16.1
Carers Allowance	27.9	33.5
Carers Benefit	22.5	27.4
Child Benefit	28.8	37.7
Disability Allowance	29.0	36.2
Illness Benefit	37.4	43.3
Domiciliary Care	27.6	34.4
Deserted Wives Benefit	31.6	26.1
Deserted Wives Allowance	12.2	-
Farm Assist	23.0	28.2
Bereavement Grant	26.7	12.4
Family Income Supplement	30.7	41.0
Homemaker	19.0	-
Invalidity Pension	35.0	42.5
Liable Relatives	30.1	42.9
One Parent Family Payment	29.4	38.3
Maternity Benefit	28.4	50.0
Partial Capacity Benefit	39.2	38.1
State Pension (Contributory)	26.4	44.5
State Pension (Non-Cont)	26.8	41.9
State Pension (Transition)	23.7	43.2
Occupational Injury Benefit	36.1	54.1
Disablement Pension	30.7	36.9
Incapacity Supplement	25.8	60.8
Guardian's Payment (Con)	21.9	44.9
Guardian's Payment (Non-con)	45.5	27.5
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	21.2	29.7
Jobseeker's Allowance	20.5	26.7
Jobseeker's Benefit	21.1	28.9
Respite Care Grant	28.6	33.1
Insurability of Employment	35.8	78.4
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	17.1	24.1
Treatment Benefits	27.7	-
Survivor's Pension (Con)	26.4	39.2
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con)	28.0	38.5
Widowed Parent Grant	26.3	-
All Appeals	25.8	33.9

Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 31/12/2014

	Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions	Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearings
Adoptive Benefit	17.1	-
Blind Pension	20.5	24.9
Carers Allowance	30.1	34.4
Carers Benefit	22.9	23.1
Child Benefit	23.8	32.9
Disability Allowance	20.8	26.7
Illness Benefit	29.5	34.8
Domiciliary Care Allowance	22.6	29.1
Deserted Wives Benefit	-	64.7
Deserted Wives Allowance	-	41.8
Farm Assist	23.2	28.3
Bereavement Grant	25.6	31.9
Family Income Supplement	26.0	32.6
Invalidity Pension	25.9	31.2
Liable Relatives	21.5	33.2
One Parent Family Payment	24.4	33.5
Maternity Benefit	22.4	44.7
Partial Capacity Benefit	48.5	48.5
State Pension (Contributory)	25.2	41.9
State Pension (Non-Cont)	20.3	29.4
State Pension (Transition)	27.0	35.1
Occupational Injury Benefit	33.6	33.7
Disablement Pension	23.6	30.6
Occupational Injury Benefit (Medical)	-	53.9
Incapacity Supplement	21.5	59.6
Guardian's Payment (Con)	25.9	24.9
Guardian's Payment (Non-con)	19.7	30.3
Pre Retirement Allowance	17.3	-
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means)	18.1	27.5
Jobseeker's Allowance	16.2	21.1
JA/JB Fraud Control	12.1	-
Jobseeker's Benefit	16.7	21.1
Treatment Benefit	20.8	-
Respite Care Grant	24.9	27.1
Insurability of Employment	45.0	62.3
Supplementary Welfare  Allowance	14.4	22.1
Survivor's Pension (Con)	20.2	32.5
Survivor's Pension (Non-Con)	24.7	24.6
Widowed Parent Grant	22.2	-
All Appeals	21.1	28.6

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

Departmental Staff

Questions (343)

John Brady

Question:

343. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has addressed the issue of medical assessors for social protection applications or appeals; and, if not, the reason. [11831/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The cadre of Medical Assessors (MAs) in the Medical Review and Assessment Service (MRAS) currently comprises a Chief Medical Officer (CMO), a Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) and 25 Medical Assessors. A recent MA recruitment competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is almost complete and it is expected that a number of new MAs will be recruited shortly.

It has become increasingly difficult in recent years to recruit and retain doctors. The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2015 extended the legal definition of Medical Assessor to include registered nurses (previously MAs had to be registered medical practitioners - GPs).

The Department hopes to be in a position to run another recruitment competition in 2016 to recruit MA doctors and MA nurses, through the Public Appointments Service. It is also envisaged that the MRAS could be supplemented by a number of suitably skilled agency MAs.

Family Income Supplement Applications

Questions (344)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

344. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the family income supplement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11845/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned is currently in receipt of Family Income Supplement (FIS) and this weekly payment will be paid for 52 weeks until 8 June 2016. The scheme is renewed yearly.

I confirm that a FIS renewal application form has been received from this customer for the year from June 2016 to June 2017 and will be processed before the current FIS claim is due to expire. The person in question will be notified of the decision once the renewal claim is processed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance Payments

Questions (345)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

345. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in issuing a backdated payment to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and to issue the payment as soon as possible. [11850/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned has been in receipt of a carer's allowance (CA) for the care of one person from 16 September 2010.

An application in respect of a second care recipient was received on 2 October 2015. It is a condition for receipt of CA that where the care recipient is aged less than 16, domiciliary care allowance (DCA) must be in payment in respect of that child.

This application was awarded on 4 February 2016 and the first payment issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 11 February 2016. The application was awarded from 4 June 2015 in line with the award of DCA in respect of this care recipient from 1 June 2015.

Arrears of allowance due from 4 June 2015 were delayed awaiting a statement from the local Intreo with regard to payment made to the carer’s husband in respect of her. These arrears were issued to the person’s nominated bank account on 20 May 2016. The person concerned was notified of these details in writing on 20 May 2016.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Questions (346)

Pat Buckley

Question:

346. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) who was in receipt of disability allowance cannot access any other form of payment or a medical card and if the person has other options. [11872/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I confirm the person in question was in receipt of disability allowance with effect from 25 March 2009. Following a review of the entitlement of the person in question, disability allowance (DA) was disallowed with effect from 29 August 2012 as she was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for her circumstances.

It is the nature of means tested schemes that there is no entitlement to a payment once means exceed a given amount. If the circumstances of the person in question have changed, it is open to them to reapply for disability allowance.

The person concerned is advised to contact their local citizens information centre who will advise them if there are any other forms of assistance appropriate to their specific circumstances.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (347)

Michael Ring

Question:

347. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will complete the review of an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11886/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 18 November 2015. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 18 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.

Passport Services

Questions (348)

Kate O'Connell

Question:

348. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of granting Irish passports to persons born to parents from outside the European Economic Area after 2005, 2007 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11747/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (the Act). This provides a legal basis for the issue of passports. It broadly requires that:

- a person must be an Irish citizen;

- his/her identity is proven; and

- in the case of a child, the witnessed consent of that child’s guardian(s) is provided.

Citizenship

Irish citizenship is subject to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. An amendment of this Act in 2004 governed the entitlement to Irish citizenship for any child, who was born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January, 2005, by the citizenship of his/her parents at the time of his/her birth or by the residency history of one of the parents prior to the child’s birth.

For those children of non-EEA parents, who were born on the island of Ireland, the following categories of citizenship may apply to them:

- A child may qualify for Irish citizenship if at least one parent has legally resided in Ireland for three of the four years preceding his/her birth. The parent in question must submit with the child’s passport application a detailed statement outlining his/her claimed periods of lawful residence. S/he must also provide proofs to verify such residence. The kind of proofs that are acceptable in the context of a passport application are immigration stamps on passports and/or registration cards which are issued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

- Irish citizenship can also be demonstrated if the child’s parent has a permission under the immigration laws of the United Kingdom to reside in Northern Ireland without any restriction on his/her period of residence. In this case, the parent’s passport containing the relevant stamp would have to be submitted with the child’s passport application.

- If the child was born outside the State, s/he may qualify for Irish citizenship through an Irish-born grandparent. This citizenship process is known as Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) and is administered by the Consular Section in this Department. FBR certificates are issued to those applicants who can successfully establish their family link to Irish-born grandparents. This certificate must be submitted with a passport application form to demonstrate the person’s Irish citizenship. More information about this category of citizenship is available on the Passport Service’s website – www.passport.ie.

It may be the case that the child does not qualify for any of the proceeding citizenship categories. In this situation and subject to the length of his/her residence in the State, s/he may be eligible to become a naturalised Irish citizen. To do this, s/he will have to apply to the Department of Justice and Equality (D/JE), which is responsible for citizenship matters, and obtain a certificate of naturalisation. This certificate would be acceptable evidence of his/her Irish citizenship in any future passport application. More information about naturalisation is available on www.inis.gov.ie.

Identity

In terms of identity, the proper Garda witnessing of the child’s application form and photographs along with the submission of his/her long form birth certificate and the entry of the child’s PPS number on the application form will be sufficient to meet the Act’s identity requirements.

Guardianship consent

The Act requires the consent of the child’s guardian(s). More information on the various scenarios that arise in this area, is available on the Passport Service’s website – www.passport.ie.

Passport Services

Questions (349)

John Brassil

Question:

349. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade why a person (details supplied) cannot be issued with an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11404/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. This provides a legal basis for the issue of passports. It broadly requires that:

- a person must be an Irish citizen and;

- his/her identity is proven.

From the details supplied, there is no record of an application from the person in question on the passport system. It is, therefore, open to her to submit a passport application. In doing so, she may wish to consider the following:

Citizenship

Any person, who was born outside the State, may qualify for Irish citizenship through an Irish-born parent. If this is the case, civil birth, marriage and possibly death certificates should be submitted with a passport application form to establish the family link to the Irish-born parent.

Citizenship entitlement can also be demonstrated through an Irish-born grandparent. This citizenship process is known as Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) and is administered by the Consular Section in this Department. FBR certificates are issued to those applicants who can successfully establish their family link to Irish-born grandparents. This certificate must be submitted with a passport application form to verify the person’s Irish citizenship.

It may be the case that the person does not qualify for any of the proceeding citizenship categories. In this situation and subject to the length of her residence in the State, she may be eligible to become a naturalised Irish citizen.

To do this, she will have to apply to the Department of Justice and Equality, which is responsible for citizenship matters, and obtain a certificate of naturalisation. This certificate would be acceptable evidence of her Irish citizenship in any future passport application. More information about naturalisation is available on www.inis.gov.ie.

Identity

In terms of identity, the proper Garda witnessing of the person’s application form and photographs along with the submission of her Public Service card will be sufficient to meet the Act’s identity requirements.

More information about passport entitlement is available on the Passport Service’s website – www.passport.ie.

Departmental Properties

Questions (350)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

350. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of his Department. [11421/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department does not own any State properties or land holdings.

Passport Applications

Questions (351)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

351. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting times for issuing renewals and new applications for passports; how he is ensuring they are kept within the published guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11482/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

As of 20 May, the turnaround time for passport renewals through Passport Express is 13/14 working days (applicants are advised that the projected turnaround time is 15 working days). The turnaround time for first time applications is longer at 25 working days due to the additional anti-fraud measures required and the need to establish citizenship.

Applications made for Irish passports from outside the jurisdiction can take up to six weeks.

Throughout this year the demand for passports has been exceptionally high. From 1 January to 20 May the Passport Service has received a total of 335,473 applications for passport books and 10,490 for passport cards. This represents a significant increase of almost 15% in applications for passport books compared to the same period last year.

To address the anticipated increase over the summer season, the Passport Service has recruited Temporary Clerical Officers who will work a total of 5,122 weeks this year. Additional Temporary Clerical Officers will be recruited shortly for a total of 780 weeks to manage the significant increase in phone calls and customer queries over the remaining peak period to August. In view of the sustained increase in applications over last year processing work has been redistributed across passport offices in recent months and staff re-deployed from other areas of the Department as needed to respond to the increased workload.

The Passport Office provides a free reminder service to passport holders when their passport is approaching its expiry date – I would encourage passport holders to register on the Passport Office website to avail of this reminder service.

I strongly recommend that citizens check the expiry date on their passports, prior to booking overseas travel. While Passport Express passport renewal applications can take up to 15 working days to process, it is best practice for prospective travellers to allow at least six weeks for passport applications to be processed and to take special care to ensure that application forms are correctly completed (for example failure to submit the necessary documentation required by an application can often cause a delay in processing turnaround time). Submission of applications in good time is particularly important during the peak season which runs from April until August.

The Passport Service will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the effective deployment of staff resources.

Human Rights

Questions (352)

Clare Daly

Question:

352. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) being held in an orphanage in south-east Turkey, far from the person's remaining family. [11563/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The relatives in this case should contact the responsible agencies, including UNHCR and UNICEF, in Damascus directly, where such family reunification cases are dealt with.

Ireland is strongly committed to alleviating the suffering of the people of Syria and, since 2012, has provided over €42 million in humanitarian support to those affected by the Syria crisis. We have pledged to provide a further €20 million by the end of 2016. Ireland will provide €5 million this year specifically to support Syrian refugees in Turkey.

Ireland’s humanitarian assistance for Syria includes financial support to those agencies which assist with family reunification. In addition to providing support to UNICEF, we support UNHCR and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), which work actively to reunite families in conflict situations. Irish Aid also supports the work of UNRWA, the UN World Food Programme, and other Red Cross and NGO partners, all of which are doing vital work to improving the very difficult situation for Syrian refugees.

In the five years since the conflict began, more than 260,000 people are reported to have been killed, and more than 18 million people across the region have been affected. Ireland continues strongly to endorse the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communique principles.

Passport Applications

Questions (353)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

353. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for the delay in passport applications on the grounds that applicants have not submitted a public services card, although they have submitted other photographic identification such as a driving licence; why he is specifically requesting the card where other photographic identification is available and has been submitted and where applications are not from first-time applicants; why he requires the card, given that a large number of persons do not yet hold it; if he has informed the public of the need for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11659/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Since 29 March 2016, my Department has required all first-time passport applicants who are resident in Ireland and are over eighteen years of age to hold a valid Public Services Card.

This new requirement also applies to the small number of adult applicants whose last passport was issued prior to 1 January 2005 and which is now reported as lost, stolen or damaged.

The measure is an important step in the fight against fraud and identity theft, and in our overall efforts to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. It will ensure that the identity of first-time applicants for Irish passports is further verified to a high standard.

The Public Services Card is used increasingly as an efficient and secure means to access government services including social welfare services and for the purposes of free travel. Already over 1.8 million PSCs are in circulation.

This new requirement was announced by my Department on 10 March and received extensive press coverage. Information notices have been posted in the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork, as well as in Department of Social Protection offices, to advise customers they will be required to present a Public Services Card when applying for a Passport. These information notices were also circulated to all Garda stations. Additionally my Department’s website advises first time applicants of the requirement for this card and answers frequently asked questions.

This new requirement to hold a valid Public Services Card dispenses with previous photo identification requirements for passport purposes such as a certified copy of a driving licence or college identification. It also dispenses with the requirement for proof of name.

Where a person does not currently have a Public Services Card, they can get one through a secure process of face-to-face registration at the offices of the Department of Social Protection. Customers will have to produce relevant documents to complete the PSC registration. An online appointment booking service is available at www.MyWelfare.ie.

I would underline that the new measure applies only to first time adult applicants and in cases of passports issued before 1 January 2005 which are lost, stolen or damaged. It does not apply in the case of applications for renewals of passports or to applications for children.

The indications so far are that this year will see a significant increase in outbound travel from Ireland. I would take this opportunity to encourage applicants to check their passport validity before they book their travel. If a new passport is needed, then it is best to apply at least six weeks in advance of the intended travel date. It is particularly important to keep an eye on the validity for children’s passports as it is shorter than for adults.

When renewing passports, applicants should select the service which will have their passports returned to them in time for travel. For people travelling in three weeks or more, the Passport Express Service operated by An Post remains the cheapest and most convenient way to apply. For those travelling in less than three weeks, an appointment should be made at the Passport Offices in Dublin or Cork through the Passport Service webpage.

The Deputy, or applicant, may wish to contact the Passport Service, (Ms. Liz Finn, Head of the Molesworth Street Passport Office) to discuss the specifics of this individual case.

Overseas Development Aid

Questions (354)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

354. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland's development assistance committee's contributions to official development assistance for the years 2011 to 2016 to date; when Ireland will reach the agreed gross national income target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11694/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) comprises two main elements. Some 80% is accounted for under the budget allocation to Vote 27 - International Co-operation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which manages the Irish Aid programme. The remaining 20% is accounted for by Ireland’s share of the EU Development cooperation budget and by development contributions by other Government Departments, mainly to Multilateral and International Organisations.

Since 2011, Ireland has provided in excess of €3.8 billion in ODA. This has involved very significant annual contributions in excess of €600 million, at a time of great economic difficulty. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to Ireland’s aid programme. For the record a summary of annual contributions since 2011 is set out in the following table:

	Other ODA	Vote 27	Total ODA
	€m	€m	€m
2016 (Budget)	155.00	486.04	641.04
2015	165.82	481.69	647.51
2014	138.57	476.29	614.86
2013	140.39	496.70	637.09
2012	121.52	507.38	628.90
2011	136.86	520.18	657.04

In 2015, Ireland’s budget allocation for ODA was €601 million while the final outturn was €647 million. This represented an increase of almost €33 million or just over 5% on the 2014 level. In the current year of 2016, Ireland’s budget allocation to ODA is just over €641 million - an increase of 7% on the 2015 budget allocation. I expect, based on past experience, that the final outturn for 2016 may exceed the budget allocation.

However, this final figure will not be available until early 2017.

The Government’s policy for international development “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA). This commitment is restated in the Programme for Government, in which we have committed to making progress towards the UN target as resources permit.

As Ireland’s economic recovery strengthens and consolidates, we are committed to make good on that commitment, and moving towards the UN target in a managed and sustainable manner.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (355)

Micheál Martin

Question:

355. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the efforts of the European Union in influencing a peaceful outcome in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9987/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I welcome the holding of the recent Vienna meeting of the International Syria Support Group, but I am concerned about the absence of an agreed date for the renewal of negotiations.

An early resumption of negotiations and progress on the core issue of a political transition are central to achieving a political solution. I discussed these issues with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday, underlining the need for a clear EU voice and strong EU policies on achieving a political solution and addressing the humanitarian crisis.

There can be no prospect of meaningful negotiations if the violence continues. The reports of Assad regime helicopters barrel bombing opposition held areas underline the urgent need for a comprehensive political solution.

I call on all parties, including all members of the International Syria Support Group, to support the UN’s efforts and to commit themselves to work sincerely and with urgency for a nationwide ceasefire, a negotiated peace agreement which will protect the rights of the Syrian people and preserve the pluralistic character, unity and sovereignty of a free and democratic Syria at peace.

Ireland strongly endorses the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communique principles and UN Security Council Resolution 2254, in particular the ending of violence, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and a constitutional reform process which would protect Syria’s multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian character.

I believe there must also be legal accountability for victims of the Syrian conflict and in 2014 we co-sponsored a resolution calling for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

I would also note that the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry has reported that the Assad regime is responsible for the majority of crimes against the Syrian people.

While recognising the need for a political transition and an end to the Assad regime, I want to make clear that it is the Syrian people’s right to decide on Syria’s future national leadership.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (356)

Micheál Martin

Question:

356. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if new arrangements have been made for the undocumented Irish following meetings with the US President, Mr. Barack Obama, and the US Vice President, Mr. Joe Biden, in the United States of America on St. Patrick's Day 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9991/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US remains a priority for the new Government. Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are active in advocating immigration reform and the issue is also regularly addressed in high level political contacts between Ireland and the US Government.

During the recent visits to Washington for St. Patrick’s Day the Taoiseach and I met President Obama, Vice President Biden, Speaker Ryan, Senator Schumer and other key Congressional contacts from both sides of the aisle. During these meetings we emphasised the plight of the undocumented Irish in the US and encouraged both Houses of Congress to work towards a comprehensive package of immigration reform measures.

In his speech at the Speaker’s lunch at Capitol Hill, the Taoiseach also addressed the issues of immigration reform and urged Republicans and Democrats to work together to address the concerns of the undocumented Irish in the US. The Taoiseach also spoke of the need for improved legal migration channels for those Irish people who wish to live, work and develop their skills in the US for a time and emphasised the exceptional contribution made by Irish people to American society over the course of centuries of shared history.

The judicial case on President Obama’s Executive Actions on immigration reform has now reached the US Supreme Court, and it is expected that the Court will declare its decision next month. If the appeal succeeds and the measure is implemented, President Obama’s Executive Action could benefit a significant number of our citizens by lifting the threat of deportation and allowing work and travel more freely within the United States for undocumented immigrants who have been in the US for more than five years and who have children who are US citizens or legal permanent residents.

The new Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassy in Washington, will continue to actively pursue all opportunities to advance immigration reform, that would be of benefit to our citizens, with the US Administration, both sides of the aisle in Congress and the US Embassy in Ireland.

Human Rights

Questions (357)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

357. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is doing enough to combat the refugee crisis in Syria and, although Irish Aid has distributed humanitarian aid, if more vocal and progressive action is needed at EU level and at international level to combat some of the dreadful atrocities being committed in Syria, which in turn are contributing to the refugee crisis and to people deciding to flee their homeland. [11881/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

It has been over five years since the start of the conflict in Syria, and the suffering of the Syrian people has become a defining crisis of this generation. An estimated 400,000 people have been killed, and some 13.5 million people within Syria need humanitarian assistance. The UN estimates that more than 4.8 million Syrians have now fled to neighbouring countries. The Syria crisis threatens the sovereignty, stability and national unity of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan through a massive refugee crisis.

A peaceful solution to this conflict is essential. The Assad regime has consistently sought to undermine all avenues which could lead to a political solution, repeatedly choosing further violence against its own population over an inclusive political solution. Alleviating the suffering of the millions of Syrians affected by the actions of the regime, and by the crimes of Daesh and other terrorist groups, is a priority for Ireland and for the EU.

Negotiations within a UN framework offer the best avenue for action, and an early resumption of UN-sponsored negotiations is central to progress on the core issue of a political transition, and, ultimately, to achieving a political solution. Ireland strongly endorses the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communique principles and UN Security Council Resolution 2254. These principles include the ending of violence, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and a constitutional reform process which would protect Syria’s multi-ethnic and multi-sectarian character. With our EU partners, and at the UN, Ireland will continue to support all efforts for a peaceful solution to the interlinked conflicts across the region. I discussed these issues with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday, underlining the need for a clear EU voice and strong EU policies on achieving a political solution and addressing the humanitarian crisis.

In addition to action at EU level, I believe that there must also be legal accountability for victims of the Syrian conflict and in 2014 Ireland co-sponsored a resolution calling for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

This war has given rise to a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale. The UN has appealed for over $7.7 billion in humanitarian funding for 2016 alone. The European Union and its Member States have together mobilised more than €5 billion since the onset of the crisis. At the London Syria Conference in February 2016, the EU and its Member States pledged a further €3 billion to meet the needs of the Syrian people.

Ireland has pledged €20 million in support for the Syria crisis this year, which will bring Ireland’s total humanitarian assistance to Syria to €62 million since 2012. We are working with our UN, EU, Red Cross and NGO partners to maximise the effectiveness and impact of this funding. In allocating Irish Aid funding, I have sought to balance the needs of those inside Syria, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, with the needs of those who have fled to neighbouring countries.

Ireland is strongly committed to providing ongoing humanitarian support, which is crucial to alleviating suffering, but aid cannot by itself resolve the crisis. I call on all parties, including all members of the International Syria Support Group, to support the UN’s efforts and to commit themselves to work for a nationwide ceasefire, and for a negotiated peace agreement which will protect the rights of the Syrian people and which will preserve the pluralistic character, unity and sovereignty of a free and democratic Syria at peace.

Northern Ireland

Questions (358)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

358. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions on the outstanding issues in Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim and the implementation of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11882/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Prison issues in Northern Ireland have featured regularly in my discussions with the former Northern Ireland Minister for Justice, David Ford MLA and, on non-devolved aspects of the prison regime, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP. I would expect that discussions on prison issues will continue with the incoming Northern Ireland Minister for Justice once appointed.

The murder of prison officer Adrian Ismay in March this year has severely damaged trust in Maghaberry between prison staff and prisoners associated with so called dissident republican groups. As the Deputy will be aware, this relationship was already fragile. I deplore this reprehensible killing. There is no excuse for such criminal activity. My sympathies are with the Ismay family, his friends and his colleagues.

Officials from my Department engage on a regular basis with a range of interlocutors across the devolved and non-devolved prison authorities, the Red Cross, and the independent assessors to discuss, explore and encourage progress on a wide range of issues within Maghaberry Prison. Indeed, a senior official of my Department recently met with the Red Cross in this regard.

The implementation of the Independent Assessment Team recommendations of the Stocktake Report of 2014 remains on the agenda and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. I have met with members of the Independent Assessment Team, as well as other contacts, and my officials continue to keep me fully up to date on developments in the prison. It remains my strong view that the full implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Assessment Team is dependent upon the establishment of a reasonable level of trust between prisoners and prison staff. The murder of Adrian Ismay, and that of David Black in 2012, have undoubtedly set back the prospects for building trust and making progress on the implementation of these recommendations.

The report of November 2015 by the Criminal Justice Inspector, Brendan McGuigan, into conditions at Maghaberry Prison was also deeply concerning. I expressed my concerns at the deficiencies identified in the Report during my previous discussions with former Minister Ford. The inspection report profiled conditions in Maghaberry in May 2015 and it noted that the deficiencies identified affected the entire prison population and staff, not just those in the separated regime.

The Criminal Justice Inspector returned to Maghaberry in January to monitor progress and the initial findings of the inspection team were published in February. The inspection team found that the prison had stabilised and some progress had been made in addressing the concerns raised in the November 2015 report. However, it also noted that the progress made was fragile and a significant amount of work remained to be done to make the prison safer for prisoners and staff. In particular, mental health provision had deteriorated and the level of vulnerability of prisoners had increased since the May 2015 visit.

The inspection team announced its intention to conduct a series of announced, low-impact visits to Maghaberry over the following 18-month period in order to support the prison governors and to oversee the delivery of the inspection recommendations from the November 2015 report. The commitment to regular visits is to ensure that the fragile progress made is strengthened. I welcome the progress made to date and the intention of the Criminal Justice Inspector to remain engaged.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (359)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

359. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 202 of 17 May 2016 the impact of the €4 billion cumulative capital spend in the gross and net fiscal space; and the amount of projected spend of this €4 billion cumulative for each of the years from 2017 to 2021 in tabular form. [11603/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Capital Plan published by my Department in September 2015, set out the Government's €42 billion framework for infrastructure investment over the period 2016 to 2021. The Plan combines direct investment by the Exchequer of €27 billion, a third phase of PPP investments of about €500 million and State-owned sector investment of around €14½ billion.

As set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government we will protect this existing €42 billion capital investment plan and, in light of the change in the Medium Term Objective for Ireland, set out in the April 2016 Stability Programme Update published by the Department of Finance, from a structural balance of 0% of GDP to -0.5% of GDP, the Government will seek Oireachtas approval for a cumulative, additional €4 billion in Exchequer capital investment up to 2021.

Table A.9 in the Budget 2016 book, published by the Department of Finance, set out the estimated impact under the Expenditure Benchmark of the voted capital expenditure increases included in the Capital Plan.  As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to carrying out a mid-term review of the Capital Plan which will review the priorities and timelines set out in the Plan in light of economic circumstances.  The proposed allocation of an additional €4 billion in Exchequer capital investment will be considered further as part of that review and proposals will be developed for consideration by the Oireachtas.  The impact on fiscal space of the additional expenditure can only be fully assessed when the composition in terms of investment in new capital formation and timing of the expenditure is detailed following completion of this mid-term review.

Pension Provisions

Questions (360)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

360. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the interdepartmental group that was to be established to examine the position of persons who are forced to retire at 65 years of age but who no longer qualify for a pension at this age and are forced to apply for a payment under the jobseeker's allowance scheme until they reach pension age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11753/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Last January the previous Government approved the establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group to consider policy designed to support fuller working lives. The Group is chaired by an Assistant Secretary from my Department and includes senior representatives from the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Social Protection, Justice, Health and Education.

The Group is continuing its examination of the issues and it has held a series of meetings with stakeholders.

The Group is due to conclude its work and to report back to Government in the coming weeks.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Questions (361)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

361. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the issues surrounding pensions for community employment supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I understand that Unions representing CE Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors have sought the provision of Exchequer funding to implement a Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme dating back to 2008. In this regard the position has been that it is not possible for the State to provide funding for such a scheme to employees of private companies even if those companies are or were reliant on State funding.

However, I believe the issue has remained under review and that my predecessor held a  meeting with SIPTU and IMPACT trade unions in relation to this matter. The Community Sector High Level Forum has been reconvened in order to examine the matter fully, having regard to costs and precedent.