Written Answers Nos. 74-86
74. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Taoiseach if he has requested that Southern sectoral interest groups be invited to participate in the Northern dialogue in order that cognisance be taken of interests from a Southern perspective in view of the fact that the British Government has agreed to have sectoral interest meetings to discuss Brexit. [37121/16]
View answerWhile I have not requested that the British Government invite any specific groups to their sectoral interest groups to discuss Brexit, I would welcome any such engagement.
The invitation to any such British Government meeting to discuss Brexit is the sole responsibility of that Government.
75. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the funding that has been provided to County Louth over the previous three years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form. [37229/16]
View answer76. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the applications submitted for funding projects from Louth County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, in tabular form; and if the applications were successful. [37245/16]
View answer77. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the funding for projects in 2017 in County Louth to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form. [37261/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together.
The tables detail funding provided to County Louth and Louth County Council by my Department between the years 2014 and 2016.
Local Diaspora Engagement Fund - Louth
|
Year |
Organisation |
Project Name |
Location |
Amount of Grant |
|
2015 |
Omeath District Development Company/Thomas D’Arcy McGee Foundation |
Thomas D’Arcy McGee Foundation Project |
Omeath Co. Louth |
€5,000 |
|
2015 |
Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce |
Drogheda’s Worldwide Hero's Web & networks development |
Drogheda Co. Louth |
€1,500 |
|
2016 |
Omeath District Development Company/Thomas D’Arcy McGee Foundation |
Thomas D’Arcy McGee Foundation Project |
Omeath Co. Louth |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce |
Drogheda Worldwide Hero's – Phase II Invest Drogheda |
Drogheda Co. Louth |
€5,000 |
Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund - Louth
|
Year |
Application |
Status |
Amount |
|
2016 |
Louth County Council |
Approved |
€10,000 |
The Local Diaspora Engagement Fund (LDEF) was launched in 2015 to promote diaspora engagement at a county, local and community level, which is in line with objectives of the Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy published by Government in March 2015. Eighty organisations around the country benefitted from total funding of €200,000 that allowed them to further develop links with the diaspora from their area through local, cultural, heritage, communications and networking projects. A second round of the LDEF was launched in 2016 and the total amount of the fund was increased to €350,000. A total of 106 local and community projects around the country were approved for funding in 2016.
The Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund launched in 2016 has made a total of €310,000 available to all Local Authorities to invest in developing strategies for diaspora engagement at local and community level. This new round of funding made up to €10,000 available for each Local Authority around the country to invest in the development of their strategies for diaspora engagement.
No decision on the allocation of funding for Diaspora projects in 2017 has been taken yet.
78. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the funding that has been provided to County Meath over the previous three years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, by project name, location and funding amount in tabular form. [37277/16]
View answer79. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the applications submitted for funding and projects from Meath County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, in tabular form; and if the applications where successful. [37293/16]
View answer80. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the funding for projects in 2017 in County Meath to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form. [37309/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 to 80, inclusive, together.
The tables detail funding provided to County Meath and Meath County Council by my Department between the years 2014 and 2016.
Local Diaspora Engagement Fund - Meath
|
Year |
Organisation |
Project Name |
Location |
Amount of Grant |
|
2015 |
Meath Community Action Plan Group in collaboration with Connect Ireland |
Meath Community Action Plan |
Navan & Ashbourne Co. Meath |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Gleeson Clan Gathering 2016 Organising Committee |
Gleeson Clan Gathering |
Enfield Co. Meath |
€4,000 |
Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund - Meath
|
Year |
Application |
Status |
Amount |
|
2016 |
Meath County Council |
In progress - Awaiting submission of final paperwork |
€10,000 |
The Local Diaspora Engagement Fund (LDEF) was launched in 2015 to promote diaspora engagement at a county, local and community level, which is in line with objectives of the Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy published by Government in March 2015. Eighty organisations around the country benefitted from total funding of €200,000 that allowed them to further develop links with the diaspora from their area through local, cultural, heritage, communications and networking projects. This fund was administered by my Department. A second round of the LDEF was launched in 2016 and the total amount of the fund was increased to €350,000. A total of 106 local and community projects around the country were approved for funding in 2016.
The Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund launched in 2016 has made a total of €310,000 available to all Local Authorities to invest in developing strategies for diaspora engagement at local and community level. This new round of funding has made up to €10,000 available for each Local Authority around the country to invest in the development of their strategies for diaspora engagement.
No decision on the allocation of funding for Diaspora projects in 2017 has been taken yet.
81. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the reports commissioned by his Department since 2006 that, while completed or are in final draft form, have not been published; the reason they have not been published; the expected publication dates; the cost to date of each such report; if tenders were invited; and if it is not intended to publish any such report, the reason for same. [37555/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in a table.
|
YEAR |
REPORT |
TENDER TYPE |
CONTRACT AWARDED |
REPORT COMPLETED |
VENDOR |
|
2006 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2007 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2008 |
Knowledge Management Report (not published - for internal use only) |
Request for tenders |
April 2008 |
April 2008 |
Sogeti Ltd [Cost: €2,269] |
|
2009 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2010 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2011 |
eCabinet Security Assessment (not published - for internal use only) |
Request for tenders |
31 August 2011 |
November 2011 |
RITS [Cost: €11,495] |
|
2012 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2013 |
Microsoft License Solution Analysis (not published - for internal use only) |
mini-tender competition under a Central Framework Agreement |
16 July 2013 |
September 2013 |
Sam360 (trading as Smart License Ltd) [Cost: €2,560.37] |
|
2014 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2015 |
Organisational Risk Assessment Report (not published - for internal use only) |
Request for Quotes |
June 2015 |
October 2015 |
Ward Solutions [Cost: €9,840] |
|
2016 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if his Department, or the agencies that report to his Department, entered into any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement with any organisation due to court action or a threatened court action; and if so, the persons or groups with which these agreements exist. [37635/16]
View answerNeither my Department nor the National Economic and Social Development Office has entered into any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with any organisation due to court action or threatened court action.
83. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the opportunities available through the Irish immigrant investor programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36951/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the Immigrant Investor Programme was launched in April 2012. Key to the programme is that applications are good for Ireland, good for jobs and are in the public interest and that the funds invested are legally acquired and owned by the investor (i.e. not borrowed). It is also essential that applicants be of good character.
The Programme is open to non-EEA nationals who commit to an approved investment in Ireland. The benefit to the applicant is that they and their immediate family members will be granted rights of residence in the State which will allow them to enter the State on multi-entry visas and to remain here for an initial period of 2 years and renewed for 3 years subject to certain criteria being met (i.e. the investment has not been withdrawn, they continue to be law abiding and self sufficient).
The following options are available under the programme:
- Enterprise Investment: €500k invested in an Irish Enterprise for 3 years,
- Investment Funds: €500k invested in an approved fund,
- Endowment: €500k philanthropic donation by an individual,
- Real Estate Investment Trusts: Minimum €2m. investment in any Irish REIT listed in the Irish Stock Exchange,
- Immigrant Investor Bond:* €1m invested in the bond at 0% interest rate,
- Mixed Investment:* Minimum Investment of €450k in a residential property & €500k into the immigrant investor bond.
* The Immigrant Investor Bond and the Mixed Investment were both suspended in July 2016 as they no longer provided value.
All applications under the Immigrant Investor Programme are considered on their merits in a qualitative examination by an independent interdepartmental Evaluation Committee, established under the programme, comprising of appropriate officials from the IDA; Enterprise Ireland; Dept of Finance; Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Dept of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (which also provides the administrative assistance to the Committee) who have the required skills and experience to evaluate the applications.
84. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in view of the commitment made by the Minister of State with special responsibility for disabilities in May 2016 that the convention would be ratified within six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37450/16]
View answerConsiderable progress has already been made to overcome the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland's ratification of the Convention. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015 and is a comprehensive reform of the law on decision-making capacity. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 commenced its second stage reading in the Dáil on 5 October. When enacted, the Bill will reform Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 to facilitate the full participation in family life of persons with intellectual disabilities and the full expression of their human rights. Achieving the necessary balance between those rights and ensuring appropriate protection is crucial.
Work is underway on drawing up the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to progress miscellaneous legislative amendments necessary to proceed to ratification. It is intended that the Bill will address issues such as the Convention's requirements in relation to reasonable accommodation and deprivation of liberty, as well as removing archaic references in existing legislation relating to mental health. The General Scheme of the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is available on the Department's website. The Bill is at the final stages of drafting and while I am not in a position to give an exact date, I expect the Bill to be published very shortly so as to facilitate early ratification of the Convention.
85. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 has not yet been commenced; and the timeline for commencement. [37596/16]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015. The Act provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties.
The Act is being commenced on a phased basis and it is my intention that the new decision-making support options provided for in the Act will be substantially implemented during 2017. New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission (which is a body under the Department of Health), must be put in place before the substantive provisions of the Act come into force. Careful planning and groundwork, and not just funding, has to be put in place to ensure that the commencement of the Act is correctly, appropriately and effectively handled. My Department is working carefully on this at present in consultation with the Department of Health and the Mental Health Commission. A high-level Steering Group comprised of senior officials from my Department, the Department of Health and the Mental Health Commission is overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the Decision Support Service. My Department is liaising with the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the finalisation of funding for the Decision Support Service in 2017.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 515 of 2016), brought some provisions of Part 1 (Preliminary and General) and Part 9 (Director of the Decision Support Service) of the Act into operation on 17 October 2016. These provisions were brought into operation in order to enable the process of recruitment of the Director of the Decision Support Service to begin. Sanction for the appointment of the Director of the Decision Support Service has been sought by the Department of Health and the intention is that the Mental Health Commission will begin the process of recruiting a Director as quickly as possible.
The commencement of Part 8 of the Act, which provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives, is a matter for the Minister for Health. The Minister for Health, under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 517 of 2016), brought into operation on 17 October 2016 some provisions of Part 8 of the Act relating to advance healthcare directives. The commenced provisions provide for the establishment by the Minister for Health of a multi-disciplinary group to advise in relation to codes of practice on advance healthcare directives.
86. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the assistance available to a person (details supplied) to proceed with the issuing of a certificate of naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36869/16]
View answer92. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a case for citizenship will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36950/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 92 together.
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed. The records show that the applicant was requested, in January 2014, to submit certain documentation in relation to his application but that no further correspondence was received from him until October 2016. The records also indicate that the person's permission to reside in the State expired in December 2014. All non-EEA nationals are required to keep their permission to remain in the State up to date at all times and failure to do so may result in the individual being removed from the State.
Following the receipt of the recent correspondence from the person concerned a letter issued to him on 3 October 2016 requesting his national passport, endorsed with the relevant permission to reside in the State, and his Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) card. A reminder issued on 9 November 2016 granting him an extension of 6 months to provide the relevant documentation. Upon receipt of the requested information, or in the event that the person does not respond, the case will be further processed. I understand from INIS that applications are regularly received from nationals of the country concerned which are supported by appropriate documentation, including passports.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
