Written Answers Nos. 317-341
317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the various youth unemployment alleviation measures have resulted in successful full-time job placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8788/17]
View answerReflecting the impact of government policy, and the overall improvement in the labour market, youth unemployment continues to fall with a rate of 13.5% (27,500 persons) in January 2017 estimated by the CSO, as compared to 18.1% (33,800) persons in January 2016 and a peak of over 31% (70,600 persons) in 2012.
While systemised data is not readily available on employment outcomes on all programmes specifically for those jobseekers under 25, some indicative figures are available. For example:
- The evaluation of JobBridge by Indecon (report published October 2016) shows on the basis of self-reported survey results that 61% of interns aged 20 to 24 years (and 53.8% of those aged 15-19) were currently in employment at the time of the survey. Overall, individuals similar to those who participated in JobBridge had a 36.6% probability of securing employment within one year, whereas the JobBridge interns’ probability of securing employment within one year increased to 48.4% (an 11.8 percentage point difference and a 32% increase in the probability of becoming employed).
- JobsPlus provides subsidies to employers for the full-time employment of those formerly long-term unemployed on the Live Register. In October 2016 there were 4,323 participants benefitting from JobsPlus, 765 (17.7%) of whom were under 25.
- In 2015 the level of satisfaction among under 25 year old Intreo clients with getting on to course, training or getting a job was very high at 4.27, of a possible maximum of 5.
- 2016 results from the Customer Satisfaction Survey will be published shortly and show a similar high level of satisfaction among under 25 year olds Intreo clients with getting on to course, training or getting a job.
Under the Government’s policies to support the young unemployed, the first intervention is to provide case officer support to help newly unemployed young people find and secure sustainable jobs. There is monthly engagement with all young jobseekers by a case officer, and a Personal Progression Plan is developed to chart the steps to be taken to facilitate a return to employment, which may include further education and training or other opportunities.
For those who do not find employment, through the process just described, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers (over 70%) are in existing further education or training programmes. Others are in existing community-based employment programmes/workplace based interventions such as CE, Gateway and Tús and First Steps; or in subsidies to employers, through JobsPlus Youth. Long-term unemployed jobseekers under 25 are also referred to JobPath, a contracted, payment-by-results employment services that provides additional resources and supports to those long-term unemployed.
Pathways to Work 2016 to 2020 sets additional targets in relation to addressing youth unemployment: 1) increase the relative share of workplace-based interventions (Gateway, TÚS, Positive to Work etc.) for youth unemployed; 2) to ensure the frequency of engagement with all young unemployed people is a minimum of one case officer meeting per month; 3) restructure the First Steps programme for young unemployed people to improve take-up by offering a higher level of support to jobseekers and employers – these consolidate reforms undertaken in previous Pathways to Work strategies; the fourth action, to implement the Defence Forces Skills for Life employment support programme, is a new programme. The First Steps Programme has now been restructured and the pilot Skills For Life programme has been completed.
I am satisfied that these policy measures, together with an improving labour market, will continue to address youth unemployment.
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which community welfare services remain readily accessible in all areas throughout County Kildare with particular reference to meeting out-of-hours emergency needs when necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8789/17]
View answerIn Co. Kildare, the restructured Community Welfare Service which was formerly available two mornings per week at walk-in clinics is now available at all times through initial telephone contact, which means the service can be delivered without the need to attend a clinic. Telephone calls are followed by appointments or home visit if necessary, or application by post for non-urgent claims. All calls are returned within 1 working day and emergency calls are prioritised. Where any customers are not able, for reasons of illness or disability, to attend an appointment, arrangements will be made to see them in their home.
Prior to the restructuring, several changes to the operation of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme (SWA) in Kildare had already been made. All claims for Rent Supplement were centralised to a dedicated unit. A system of Integrated Decisions was put in place in Newbridge Local Office in order to expedite claims for Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit and One Parent Family payment and thus minimise the recourse to SWA in these cases. The result of these initiatives has been to greatly reduce the dependence on SWA, and the local Community Welfare Service, in local areas. The main business now transacted locally is applications for Exceptional Needs Payments.
All services are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure adequate services continue to be available. In addition, the mobile phone numbers of the Community Welfare Officers in North Kildare are with the Superintendent Garda in Leixlip, in case of emergency.
Contact details for the service are as follows:
|
Area |
Phone Number |
|
Athy - Castledermot |
087 9138246 |
|
Dunlavin – Ballitore - Baltinglass |
086 0202997 |
|
Monasterevin – Rathangan - Kildare |
087 9638588 |
|
Newbridge – Curragh - Suncroft |
086 7810420 |
|
Clane – Kilmeague – Prosperous – Robertstown - Allenwood |
087 2950536 |
|
Naas – Caragh – Sallins – Johnstown – Kill - Kilcullen |
087 7806165 |
|
Persons awaiting Jobseeker or One Parent Family Claims at Newbridge Local Office |
087 6473528 |
|
Maynooth – Leixlip – Straffan – Rathcoffey |
01 6106143 |
|
Celbridge – Kilcock – Ardclough |
01 6303196 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit in County Kildare; the extent to which such numbers have fluctuated in the course of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8790/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.
|
- |
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
- |
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
- |
Total Jobseeker's Allowance + Benefit |
- |
|
Year |
Recipients |
Change year-on-year |
Recipients |
Change year-on-year |
Recipients |
Change year-on-year |
|
Jan-14 |
11,839 |
- |
2,411 |
- |
14,250 |
|
|
Jan-15 |
10,977 |
-7.30% |
2,172 |
9.90% |
13,149 |
-7.7% |
|
Jan-16 |
10,385 |
-5.40% |
1,919 |
11.60% |
12,304 |
-6.4% |
|
Jan-17 |
8,028 |
-22.70% |
1,690 |
11.90% |
9,718 |
-21.0% |
320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which he can continue to improve the time taken to process appeals in respect of various social protection payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8792/17]
View answerThe average appeal processing times for all appeals determined from 2014 to 2016 broken down by all social welfare scheme types is outlined in the following tables.
As the Deputy will be aware, appeal processing times are kept under constant scrutiny by the Chief Appeals Officer and significant effort and resources have been devoted in recent years to reducing the length of time taken to finalise an appeal. As a result good progress has been made in this regard.
The average time taken to determine an appeal requiring an oral hearing reduced from a peak of 52.5 weeks in 2011 to 28.6 weeks in 2014, 25.5 weeks in 2015 and 24.1 weeks in 2016 and the average time taken to finalise an appeal decided by way of a summary decision dropped from 25.1 weeks in 2011 to 21.1 weeks in 2014, 18.1 weeks in 2015 and 17.6 weeks in 2016.
The quasi-judicial nature of the appeals system means that there are inevitable time-lags involved. However, the system is designed to be flexible and fair and allows for review and submission of further information at all stages. The time taken is proportionate to the complexity of many of the issues under appeal which require a high level of judgement, and the need to ensure due process and natural justice.
The Chief Appeals Officer has advised me that appeal processing times will continue to be a priority for her office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Appeals processing times by scheme 01/01/2014 – 31/12/14
|
- |
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 Person’s 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 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support 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 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
Appeal processing times by scheme 01/01/2016 – 31/12/2016
|
Benefit type |
Average processing times (weeks) Summary Decisions |
Average processing times (weeks) Oral Hearing |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
18.2 |
33.8 |
|
Carers Allowance |
17.6 |
21.6 |
|
Carers Benefit |
20.7 |
22.4 |
|
Child Benefit |
22.1 |
38.2 |
|
Disability Allowance |
14.6 |
20.1 |
|
Illness Benefit |
27.2 |
34.3 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
27.3 |
33.6 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
24.3 |
30.6 |
|
Deserted Wives Benefit |
13.0 |
32.8 |
|
Farm Assist |
21.9 |
26.0 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
23.1 |
- |
|
Death Benefit (Pension) |
19.7 |
- |
|
Liable Relatives |
14.0 |
16.9 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
20.4 |
25.5 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
21.3 |
28.2 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
18.9 |
21.7 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
21.7 |
31.9 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
25.6 |
45.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
22.7 |
32.9 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
67.7 |
61.3 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
25.0 |
31.9 |
|
Disablement Pension |
25.8 |
26.8 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
27.7 |
50.9 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Con) |
15.8 |
24.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Con) |
18.4 |
23.3 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance (Means) |
16.7 |
25.5 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
16.0 |
20.9 |
|
BTW Family Dividend |
21.0 |
- |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional |
19.0 |
22.3 |
|
Recoverable Benefits & Assistance |
32.5 |
31.6 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
16.0 |
27.2 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
17.1 |
- |
|
Carer’s Support Grant * |
18.1 |
23.3 |
|
Insurability of Employment |
36.6 |
85.7 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
15.0 |
24.1 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Con) |
16.6 |
28.8 |
|
Survivor's Pension (Non-con) |
18.4 |
23.4 |
|
Widows Parent Grant |
23.5 |
63.8 |
|
All Appeals |
17.6 |
24.1 |
* Previously called Respite Care Grant
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which backlogs have been addressed in respect of various headings and payments operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8793/17]
View answerMy 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.
Over €19 billion was spent by my Department on its various income supports and other programmes in 2016. The number of applications awaiting decision and the average time to award for each main social welfare scheme is set out in the table appended.
The time taken by my Department to process applications depends on a number of factors, primarily the conditionality and relative complexity that applies to the relevant scheme. The quality and completeness of the application form and other supporting material is also an important factor. When the number of people applying to any particular scheme increases significantly, it can put pressure on my Department’s capacity to process those claims in a timely manner. Finally, long term schemes with medical or caring conditionality are relatively complex to decide upon and, consequently, can take longer to process.
Reducing waiting times is a priority for my Department and we are working hard to make this happen. As part of its programme of service delivery modernisation, a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims, supported by modern technology, have been implemented by my Department in recent years. In addition, staffing needs are regularly reviewed, having regard to workloads and the competing demands arising, to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table of Main DSP Schemes (arranged alphabetically) with Number of Applications awaiting decision and Average Weeks to Award
|
Scheme |
Awaiting Decision at end January 2017 |
Average weeks to award |
|
Carer's allowance |
2,842 |
11 |
|
Carer's benefit |
312 |
7 |
|
Child benefit (domestic) |
1,553 |
3 |
|
Disability allowance |
5,603 |
12 |
|
Domiciliary care allowance |
2,035 |
16 |
|
Family income supplement (new claims) |
2,630 |
3 |
|
Invalidity pension |
1,870 |
10 |
|
Jobseeker's allowance |
6,962 |
2 |
|
Jobseeker's benefit |
2,739 |
1 |
|
One-parent family payment |
1,066 |
7 |
|
State pension contributory (domestic) |
3,346 |
7 |
|
State pension non-contributory |
1,913 |
12 |
|
Widow/widower/surviving civil partner contributory pension |
324 |
1 |
|
Widow/widower/surviving civil partner non-contributorypension |
N/Avail |
N/Avail |
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which he and his Department have examined issues preventing or discouraging unemployed persons from obtaining employment; if he has examined various schemes available in his Department with a view to ensuring adequate incentivisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8794/17]
View answerThe main social welfare schemes offered by my Department for unemployed persons are the jobseeker’s allowance and benefit schemes. Both the jobseeker’s benefit and the jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide significant support to unemployed persons so that they can work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced jobseeker’s payment.
In addition to the two jobseeker’s schemes my Department’s main in-work support is the family income supplement (FIS), which targets families with children on low incomes and who work at least 19 hrs per week. The payment effectively preserves the incentive to take up or remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if s/he were claiming other social welfare payments.
Where a long term unemployed jobseeker is offered employment of more than 3 days but less than 24 hours a week, they may be eligible for the part-time job incentive scheme. Under this scheme they can receive a weekly payment of €119 per week if they are single or €193.90 if they have an adult dependent.
My Department is also currently analysing incentives to work in the social welfare system for jobseekers with children with a view to developing the Working Family Payment. The two main principles guiding the development of the Working Family Payment are to make work pay and to reduce child poverty.
This analysis is supplemented by research from the ESRI, which shows that people are better off in work than on welfare. The ESRI research, based on an analysis of current incomes, benefits and taxes, demonstrates that more than eight out of ten unemployed jobseekers would see their income increase by at least forty per cent upon taking up employment. Fewer than three per cent would, in the short-term, be financially better off not in work.
The risk of facing weak financial incentives to work is higher for unemployed persons with a spouse and children, as the income support goal of the welfare system means that they tend to have higher welfare payments. However, even among that group, fewer than one in fifteen would be financially better off not working. With the introduction of the Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) scheme, that figure drops to one in twenty.
The combination of jobseekers, FIS, BTWFD and the part-time job incentive schemes provides considerable income support for individuals who have part time employment by allowing them retain access to a social welfare payment.
Reflecting the impact of government policy, and the overall improvement in the labour market, long term unemployment continues to fall. The most recent data show that unemployment has fallen from a peak of 15% in 2012 to 7.1% in January 2017.
323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the age profile of those on the live register long term with a view to initiating measures to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8795/17]
View answerThe official measure of unemployment is sourced from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). Measures of unemployment from the QNHS are based on International Labour Office (ILO) definitions. To be ‘ILO unemployed’ a person must in the week before the survey be without work but available for work and have recently taken specific job-search steps. The Live Register, which captures those registering for unemployment benefits (including those working part-time and in casual work who draw partial unemployment payments), is an administrative record. It is not the official measure of unemployment, but can give indicative trends. My Department uses both Live Register and QNHS data for reporting and monitoring trends and adjusting policies accordingly at national level.
This includes providing data and trends broken down by age categories as well as by duration categories (long term and short term). The QNHS data, being prepared as part of the EU-wide Labour Force Survey, also allow Irish trends to be compared with international developments.
The Pathways to Work strategy, the key document setting out policy to facilitate the unemployed of all ages back into work, is underpinned by analyses of the labour market situation based on the statistical sources mentioned above.
By allocating activation resources to persons on the Live Register, the government’s policy tends automatically to focus on those areas and age-groups in which unemployment is most concentrated. The focus on those most in need is further reinforced by the use of profiling to identify, among the newly unemployed, those most likely to face severe difficulties in re-entering employment. People who are identified as having a low PEX (probability of exit from unemployment) score are prioritised for intensive engagement and support from the Intreo employment service with a view to preventing a move into long-term unemployment.
324. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the EU funds his Department accesses; the plans he is putting in place to access these funds to a greater degree in view of Brexit; if he will outline initiatives he is pursuing to establish access to new funds in view of the challenge of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8812/17]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection may receive funding from the European Commission through several different funding streams. These include the European Globalisation Fund (EGF), the European Social Fund (ESF)/Youth Employment Initiative, and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). These funds each operate on different timelines and have different rules and procedures.
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (the EGF) supports workers made redundant as a result of major changes in global trade patterns. Along with the redundant workers, some young people under the age of 25 and not in employment, education or training (NEETs) in selected areas are also eligible for funding. The purpose of the EGF is to provide relevant supports to redundant workers to assist them back into employment. The scope of the EGF covers education and training programmes, career advice and guidance, and enterprise supports. The Department of Education and Skills is the Managing Authority in Ireland for the EGF and my Department works with it to determine whether schemes and supports are eligible for funding.
The European Social Fund (ESF) is the European Union’s financial instrument for investing in people and provides additional funding under the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) which aims to assist Member States in their efforts to put their Youth Guarantee implementation plans into practice. A number of schemes including Tús and JobsPlus have been selected to assess eligibility under the 2014-2020 ESF Operational Programme. Again, my Department liaises with the Managing Authority, the Department of Education and Skills, in this regard. In addition, EURES and some Disability schemes are also considered to determine eligibility.
My Department is the Managing Authority for the delivery of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). The aim of FEAD is to break the circle of poverty and deprivation.
Clearly, a key area of concern is the impact of Brexit on the current reciprocal arrangements for social security schemes and services between Ireland and the UK, including Northern Ireland. The Government's long-term objective is to ensure that the reciprocity of civic rights and, specifically in the context of the meeting, social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and UK citizens moving within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain under the Common Travel Area [CTA], are safeguarded and maintained. I will take every opportunity to protect and advance this objective as well as keeping the matter of EU funding under close review as will my officials.
325. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the public funding supplied to trade unions and representative bodies in 2015 and 2016 from his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9101/17]
View answerMy Department administers a scheme of grants for the development and promotion of information and welfare rights, and the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU) received funding under this scheme in 2015 and 2016.
The funding amounted to €255,600 in each of the years 2015 and 2016:
|
Organisation |
2015 - € |
2016 - € |
|
INOU |
255,600 |
255,600 |
326. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications processed by the passport office in January 2017; if there is an increase or decrease on January 2016 applications; the number of these applications received from Irish citizens based in the UK, Northern Ireland and the United States of America, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8387/17]
View answerThe number of passport applications and percentage changes, as requested, is listed in the following table:
|
- |
January 2016 |
January 2017 |
Percentage change (+/-) |
|
|
Applications Total |
53,174 |
68,759 |
29% |
|
|
Northern Ireland |
3,973 |
6,841 |
72% |
|
|
Great Britain |
3,525 |
6,006 |
70% |
|
|
United States |
1,025 |
1,414 |
38% |
The significant increase in passport applications in 2016 and to date this year is due to a number of factors. While my Department does not compile information on why citizens apply for passports, it is reasonable to assume, based on the trends in applications from Northern Ireland and Great Britain that the outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership has led to an increase in demand. Other factors include an increase in outbound travel and demographic changes. It is also clear that citizens are renewing their passports earlier in the year.
My Department continues to closely monitor the level of passport demand to ensure that all resources, including staffing, are effectively deployed.
327. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a person (details supplied) is currently a diplomat accredited to a foreign embassy here. [8105/17]
View answerThe person referred to in this question is not notified to the Department as an accredited person at a diplomatic Mission in Ireland. A full list of diplomatic Missions and accredited diplomatic staff is available at
https://www.dfa.ie/embassies/embassies-in-ireland/.
328. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to any plans by the UK Government to install controls on the Border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8183/17]
View answerThe Government has been clear and consistent on our four headline priorities for protecting Ireland’s interests in the upcoming EU-UK negotiations. These are minimising impact on trade and the economy, protecting the peace process and Northern Ireland, maintaining the Common Travel Area and influencing the future of the European Union.
The Government welcomed the further clarity provided by Prime Minister May in her address of 17 January. Prime Minister May has made clear that she wishes to secure the closest possible future economic relationship for Britain with the EU, a goal that Ireland shares. In her speech, Prime Minister May highlighted the specific and historic relationship between Britain and Ireland. In this context, she made clear that her priorities include maintaining the Common Travel Area and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland, both of which are welcome.
I am not aware of the kind of plans referred to by the Deputy. When the negotiations start, we, together with our EU partners, will face the UK across the negotiating table and will strive for a deal that everyone can accept but more importantly that protects Ireland’s fundamental interests, including maintaining the open border on this island. However, the Government is under no illusions about the hard work that will be needed to deliver this.
The Taoiseach discussed with Prime Minister May the serious implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland and the imperative of retaining the open border on the island of Ireland, at their meeting in Dublin on 30 January. There will be a need for the British Government to reflect the unique challenges Brexit poses for Northern Ireland in the position they adopt in the negotiations with the EU27. I reinforced this message in my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire in our meeting on 14 February.
As part of our preparations for the negotiations, I have been in contact with all of my EU counterparts in order to sensitise them to the need for specific arrangements which protect the key gains of the peace process on this island – a process to which the EU has already made a key contribution.
From my engagement with all of my EU counterparts, as well as with the EU Institutions, most notably my recent discussions with Michel Barnier, Chair of the European Commission Taskforce on Brexit, and Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit negotiator for the European Parliament, there is deep appreciation of the EU’s role and contribution in support of the peace process and a wish to continue that support, regardless of the challenges and impacts of Brexit.
The Government will continue to engage with all of our EU partners to highlight the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland, and the consequences for North-South cooperation on the island as a whole, which must be factored into the UK’s exit from the EU and any new EU-UK relationship.
329. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the launching of a missile by North Korea on 12 February 2017 which landed in the waters between South Korea and Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8186/17]
View answerThe launch of a ballistic missile on 12 February 2017 by North Korea is a provocative and unacceptable act which threatens the peace and stability of the region. I expressed my condemnation of this act in a statement issued on 13 February 2017. Ireland’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva also issued a statement to the Conference on Disarmament condemning the act on 17 February 2017.
The launch constitutes a direct violation of North Korea’s international obligations under multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 2321 which was adopted in November 2016 and co-sponsored by Ireland.
I have repeatedly urged North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region. I have also called on North Korea to re-engage in credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community, in particular within the framework of the Six-Party Talks.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to monitor developments in the region closely.
330. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to set up a direct help desk for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at the passport office in order to allow Members to have direct and speedy dealings with the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8555/17]
View answerThe Department currently has a dedicated channel of communication for Oireachtas representatives, and any passport-related queries through this channel are dealt with without delay. Details are regularly circulated to Oireachtas members. I will make arrangements to have the details recirculated in the coming days.
331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 308 of 14 February 2017, and recent media reports (details supplied), if he will outline the Government's plans with regard to the recognition of Palestinian statehood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8606/17]
View answerThe position on the possible recognition of Palestine remains as I have reported to the Dáil on a number of occasions recently. I am keeping under continuous review the question of whether and when an immediate recognition by Ireland might be helpful, bearing in mind the positive and negative arguments which I have previously outlined, and developments both on the ground and in the wider international politics of the issue. The views of this House are also an important consideration.
The recent media reports in relation to the views of a foreign diplomat have no bearing on the issue.
332. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of upgrading information technology systems and-or databases to incorporate the use of Eircode; if the use of Eircode is mandatory in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8633/17]
View answerOne of the key areas where the Eircode address database benefits the work of my Department is the Passport Service which has upgraded its processes to allow for the capture and use of Eircodes. Since 2015, modified passport application forms have been introduced which include an Eircode field in the address section.
The Department continues to review systems to assess how we can support the implementation of Eircode and how we can maximise its benefits in our communications with our passport service customers and to accurately identify delivery addresses.
Where appropriate, Eircodes are included on official Department stationery and incorporated into the contact details of each office on our websites.
The cost of upgrading of the automated passport system to incorporate the use of Eircode is €17,527.50.
333. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the EU funds his Department accesses; the plans he is putting in place to access these funds to a greater degree in view of Brexit; if he will outline initiatives he is pursuing to establish access to new funds in view of the challenge of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8807/17]
View answerMy Department does not administer any EU funding. As part of the Government’s preparation for the EU-UK negotiations, the question of whether there is any scope under existing EU policies and funding programmes to mitigate the effects of Brexit is being examined.
334. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, recently. [6717/17]
View answerI last spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu when I met him on my visit to the region in June 2016.
I have reported in detail to this House on that visit.
335. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the Government's current position on the Good Friday Agreement. [4117/17]
View answer336. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he, his Department or the Government has sought legal advice on the way in which the Brexit result will impact on the application of the Good Friday Agreement and citizens in Northern Ireland; and if he and the Government have concerns regarding same. [4538/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together.
The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable foundation for all Government engagement on Northern Ireland. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined that all aspects of the Agreement are fully respected in the context of the Brexit process.
The Government’s priority is to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the European Union. The potential impacts on the Good Friday Agreement are being considered from legal and other perspectives as part of this ongoing work, with advice and assistance by the Attorney General’s Office and my own Department’s Legal Division as required.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister May have reaffirmed that the Agreement remains the basis for the two Governments’ approach to Northern Ireland. It is important to underline that the legal obligations and political commitments of both the Irish and British Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain unchanged, regardless of the status of the UK within the EU.
As we look to protect and preserve the gains of the peace process through the challenges of Brexit, the crucial importance of achieving the full promise of the Good Friday Agreement is further underlined. The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and the successor Agreements must be implemented in full, and this is reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government. The Agreements, and the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. The Government will continue to work tirelessly for that full implementation in both letter and spirit.
Achieving the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement was a key theme in the very productive Sectorial Dialogue on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement that I convened on 13 February, as part of the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government takes very seriously its responsibility to safeguard its institutions and principles including in the area of human rights. Human rights are central to the peace process and must be protected and sustained, regardless of the UK’s status in the EU. The Government will continue to work closely with the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the protection of human rights remains at the heart of civic life, politics and ongoing societal change in Northern Ireland. This includes the continued incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights in Northern Ireland law as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.
The interlocking political institutions represent the heart of the Good Friday Agreement. It is therefore critical that the devolved Assembly and Executive are promptly re-established after the forthcoming elections. There is an indispensable role for the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland in managing the implications of Brexit. This includes the very good work and cooperation at the North South Ministerial Council, which the Government is keen to see resumed at the earliest possible opportunity after the upcoming elections.
Effective devolved Government, underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership, is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in 1998 and what they expect their politicians to deliver. After the election, it will therefore fall to the parties to form a power-sharing Executive and this will require the parties to find a way forward on issues which contributed to the calling of the election. In this regard, it is of the utmost importance that all parties bear in mind the principles of mutual respect, partnership and equality, which underpin the Good Friday Agreement. The Government is of course always ready to support and assist the parties in any way we can - our commitment as a co-guarantor of the Agreement is a constant one.
337. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the most recent settlements in Israel will be discussed at the next European Council meeting; and if he plans to speak on the issue. [5774/17]
View answerThe agenda for the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council is decided by the High Representative. The Middle East Peace Process was discussed at the January and February Councils. It is expected that it will be discussed again in March.
While the specific focus of the discussion has not been determined, it is anticipated that it will encompass recent worrying developments, including the surge of settlement announcements, as well as consideration of the wider international picture on the MEPP and how the EU might seek to proceed.
I have consistently emphasised at the Council the role of settlements as a driver for much of the conflict and would intend to stress the point again in my contribution to the debate at the next Council.
338. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has contacted the foreign Minister of Mexico recently. [5776/17]
View answerI have not personally been in contact with the Foreign Minister of Mexico in recent months, but I can assure you that my Department and representatives at the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico, in particular our Ambassador to Mexico, Ms. Sonja Hyland, regularly interact with our Mexican counterparts, and will continue to engage positively on areas of mutual interest between our two countries.
Bilateral relations between Ireland and Mexico are excellent and longstanding and continue to develop. In 2015, Ireland and Mexico celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations with an extensive programme of events in both countries. Our close links are most evident in the areas of economic cooperation – for instance, Mexico is our largest trading partner in Latin America with goods trade up 15% in 2015.
In addition, increased official visits, cooperation between education institutions (particularly in the area of science and technology), and the significant increase in the number of tourists travelling in both directions in recent years are all indicative of a vibrant bilateral relationship between both countries.
339. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contacts he or his Department had with the American Administration following the announcement of the executive order on immigration. [5775/17]
View answer341. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have written or spoken to the US Administration recently regarding the undocumented Irish in the USA. [7052/17]
View answer345. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact he has had with the United States Administration regarding changes to immigration procedures proposed and initiated by US President, Mr. Trump; and if he has received legal advice for any implications for Ireland. [7059/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339, 341 and 345 together.
With regard to the Executive Order signed by President Trump on 27 January, 2017, I made clear in my statement on 29 January last that, while US immigration policy is a matter for the US authorities, it is clear that the recent decision could have far-reaching implications – both on humanitarian grounds and on relations between the US and the global Muslim community. Accordingly, I share the concerns of other EU partners regarding this development. I have noted the clarification issued by the Embassy of the United States in Dublin on 31 January, 2017, to the effect that the Executive Order in question does not restrict the travel of dual nationals to the United States, so long as they hold the passport of an unrestricted country and possess a valid US visa, if required. Since then, the US courts have intervened and imposed a temporary suspension on the implementation of the Executive Order.
Both the recent Executive Order and the question of immigration reform were high on the agenda during my visit to Washington DC from 31 January to 2 February. I had a number of engagements with the Administration and Congressional leaders, including the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the House majority leader and the House minority leader, among others.
In my meetings with Congressional leaders, as well as with the – now former – US National Security Advisor, General Flynn, I expressed Ireland’s deep concerns with regard to the nature and impact of the recent Executive Order. In response, General Flynn outlined to me the rationale - in terms of US immigration policy - for these temporary measures, while I pointed out their damaging consequences in humanitarian terms, as well as for the international reputation of the United States.
Achieving relief for the undocumented Irish citizens in the United States and securing greater legal pathways for migration to the United States remain key objectives for the Government. These priorities featured in all of my meetings in Washington, DC – including with General Flynn, with Speaker Ryan and with other Congressional leaders.
Both the Administration and members of Congress are fully aware of the importance of this issue for Ireland and appreciate our strong and continuing interest in securing immigration reform. The Taoiseach’s forthcoming visit to Washington, DC, for St. Patrick’s Day will provide a key opportunity to raise the issue of immigration reform – especially the plight of our undocumented – directly with the US administration at the highest levels.
During my recent visit, I also met with members of the Irish community in Washington, DC, and re-assured them of the Government’s commitment to immigration reform. I emphasised that, while the political context in Washington may have changed, the Government’s objectives remain constant: relief for the undocumented and finding greater pathways for legal migration. I noted that we can only advance these objectives if we engage and articulate our views with key policymakers in the Administration and Congress.
I would like to stress the fact that the Embassy in Washington, DC, and our Consulates across the United States, continue to work with Irish Immigration centres on a daily basis in providing support to Irish citizens in the United States.
Our Ambassador to the United States, Anne Anderson, held a workshop with key immigration stake-holders from across the United States at the Embassy on 12 January last. The Government and my Department is committed to providing practical support to undocumented Irish citizens across the US, while also continuing to advocate for immigration reform.
340. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the comments of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on ruling out special status for Northern Ireland in view of the fact that it would weaken its position within the United Kingdom. [5894/17]
View answerProtecting the peace process and Northern Ireland is one of the Government’s four headline priorities in dealing with the UK decision to leave the European Union. The Government has made clear that we will be working for special arrangements which take account of Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances. Our priority is to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the European Union and of course to maintain the open border on the island of Ireland and the Common Travel Area. The hard-won peace on the island must be protected.
The established framework for all engagement on Northern Ireland is the Good Friday Agreement. This has been strongly reaffirmed by the Government and the British Government following the UK decision to leave the European Union. The Good Friday Agreement is an international treaty, registered with the United Nations and it provides for a unique political and constitutional settlement in Northern Ireland, which is the foundation of the peace process. This is something the European Union as a whole has long recognised and supported. From my engagement with all of my EU counterparts, as well as with the EU institutions, most notably my recent discussions with Michel Barnier, Chair of the European Commission Taskforce on Brexit, and Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit lead for the European Parliament, there is deep appreciation of the EU’s role and contribution in support of the peace process and a wish to continue that support, regardless of the challenges and impacts of Brexit.
At their meeting in Dublin on 30 January, The Taoiseach discussed with Prime Minister May the serious implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland and the imperative of retaining the open border on the island of Ireland. There will be a need for the British Government to reflect the unique challenges Brexit poses for Northern Ireland in the position they adopt in the negotiations with the EU27. I reinforced this message in my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire in our meeting on 14 February.
The UK’s exit from the EU will be a complex and lengthy political negotiation, involving all EU Member States and EU institutions as appropriate. The Government’s focus in relation to Northern Ireland is the substantive outcome on each of the key issues, rather than the label ascribed to the overall package. The Government will maintain its focus on pursuit of specific, effective, and realisable measures that address each of the issues of concern under Brexit. We will continue to do this in cooperation with our European partners and as a clear and committed EU Member State, as the best means of protecting the interests of all of the people on the island.
The Government has been clear that there are entirely unique circumstances in respect of the island of Ireland that must be taken account of in the negotiations for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and the future EU-UK relationship. The Good Friday Agreement, an international treaty, registered with the United Nations, provides for a unique political and constitutional settlement in Northern Ireland, which is the foundation of the peace process.
It is worth recalling that the Good Friday Agreement recognises the “birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both”. This means that virtually everyone born in Northern Ireland can of right choose to be an Irish citizen, and therefore a citizen of the European Union, with all of the attendant rights and obligations of both. There is no parallel for this anywhere in Europe – a point I have been highlighting to all my EU foreign ministerial colleagues. The Agreement also contains very important provisions on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. The Government has been clear that Brexit causes no legal impediment to the mechanism set out in the Agreement for a united Ireland, in accordance with the principle of consent.
“Special status” for Northern Ireland is taken to mean a specific request for Northern Ireland to remain within the EU with a special status post Brexit. While the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union is something that the Irish Government strongly opposed, our task now is to face up to the unwanted result and outcome with all of the challenges that brings, in order to secure the best outcome for the island of Ireland as a whole.
While the Irish Government is actively seeking recognition and accommodation of the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, our extensive discussions with partner governments across the EU – including the UK - have made clear that concepts and terms like “special status” give rise to serious concerns for other EU partners about precedents that might be set elsewhere. This would risk undermining the Government’s efforts to specifically address and mitigate the very real impacts facing our island – and the people of Northern Ireland in particular - due to Brexit. While I entirely understand the rationale of those seeking a “special status” designation, the fact is that such a proposal would unnecessarily distract from work to secure arrangements which reflect the genuine uniqueness of Northern Ireland’s situation, founded in the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement, as well as its geographic status as the only land border between the UK and the EU27.
Last week I outlined to the House the need for specific, effective, and realisable measures that could address the major issues of concern under Brexit, whether these relate to the border, or to the citizenship, constitutional and human rights provisions of the Agreement, or otherwise. The Government will also be advocating for the continuation of the range of EU policy supports to Northern Ireland and the peace process, including in relation to EU funding and is looking at existing precedents and potential innovative approaches in this regard.
The Government will continue to work with our EU partners and prepare comprehensively in support of our overall objectives.
