Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which class sizes and pupil-teacher ratios continue to improve arising from the steps taken over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32005/17]
View answerBudget 2017 sets out the resources available for schools in the 2017/18 school year. This Budget represents the start of a major reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade. The budget provides for over 2,400 additional teaching posts for our primary and post-primary schools in the coming school year.
Budget 2016 provided for an improvement in the staffing schedule in primary schools by 1 point, from 1 teacher for every 28 pupils to 1 teacher for every 27 pupils for the 2016/17 school year and it should be noted that the current staffing schedule of 27:1 for primary schools has restored it to the position it was at prior to the fiscal crisis. There is no change in relation to the staffing schedule of 27:1 that will apply to primary schools for the 2017/18 school year. The staffing schedule for post primary will be 19:1 for the 2017/18 school year. The Guidance allocation which is equivalent to 0.4:1 in the staffing schedule is being provided separately.
The 2017/18 school year will see a significant increase of over 4,800 in teacher numbers in our schools compared to the 2015/16 school year.
The Confidence and Supply Agreement and the Programme for Government has a commitment to reduce class sizes at primary level and it is my intention to make further improvements to class sizes over the life of the Government. However, I recognize that there are needs across the system which have to be balanced in the decisions made in each Budget.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which etechnology has become available to all schools at primary and second level throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32006/17]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 (Enhancing Teaching, Learning & Assessment), launched in October 2015, sets out a clear vision that is focused on realising the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experience of students by helping them become engaged thinkers, active learners, knowledge constructors and global citizens who participate fully in society and the economy.
This policy document sets out a plan to embed ICT in teaching learning and assessment in primary and post primary schools through an ambitious programme of works for the period 2015-2020 across a number of headings:
Theme 1: Teaching, Learning and Assessment Using ICT
Theme 2: Teacher Professional Development
Theme 3: Leadership, Research and Policy
Theme : ICT Infrastructure
An evidence-based approach was used to develop the Strategy, including an analysis of the 2013 online census of teachers and principals (available at http://www.erc.ie/documents/ict_cencus2013_summaryreport.pdf). The survey showed that teachers and schools are positively disposed to using ICT and are reasonably well resourced in that regard but there remains some challenges in the areas of connectivity at primary level and in training and development. The four Themes emerged as a roadmap for the embedding of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment.
The implementation of the Strategy is currently underway. A detailed Action Plan for 2017 was recently launched, based on the objectives outlined in the Digital Strategy. Timelines and lead responsibility have been assigned. Progress on implementation will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and an end of year 2017 progress report will be published. The Action Plan is available on my Department's website at: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/Digital-Strategy-Action-Plan-2017.pdf. The Plan for 2017 has some key elements:
- The scoping of an innovative clustering model across the country to innovate, harness good practice and create pathways for accelerated collaborative innovation by schools
- A programme of curriculum reforms will see ICT embedded in all emerging curricular specifications and intense preparation for the phased introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject option from 2018.
- The localization of the UNESCO ICT Competency Framework though the development of a Digital Learning Framework that will give clarity to teachers and schools around the concept of embedding ICT into teaching, learning and assessment. This Framework will help schools and teachers to identify training needs that can be targeted by my Department and its Support Services. The Framework will be made available to all schools from September 2017.
- Provide information to teachers on innovative ways to use digital technologies more actively in their own teaching, including exemplars of good practice, and facilitating the sharing of such practices amongst teachers.
- All professional development supports provided by my Department's Support Services will embed digital technologies and constructivism both in design, development and delivery
Funding of €210m has been committed towards the implementation of the Digital Strategy. The first tranche of this funding, €30m, issued earlier this year to some 3,158 primary and special schools and 666 post -primary schools for the upgrade of ICT infrastructure. The need to provide funding for this purpose was highlighted in the Census analysis. The criteria for funding provides that each school is expected to draw up an eLearning Plan using a whole school approach and taking account of its context and circumstances. The Plan will outline the vision of the school for the embedding of ICT in teaching, learning and assessment and incorporates targets and priorities for improvement and development.
Presently, all schools in the country are offered a broadband internet connection to promote and facilitate the use of eLearning Technology. There is a vast array of internet-based digital tools in use in classrooms, including Interactive Whiteboards, laptops, desktop computers, projectors, tablet computers, software packages and apps, visualisation and mapping tools, digital content and resources.
The decision on which digital tool to use to best support teaching and learning in the implementation of the curriculum is made by each individual school. The emphasis will now however be on the use of these digital tools to effectively embed ICT in teaching, learning and assessment in line with the Digital Strategy.
The PDST Technology in Education provides a range of support services for schools on the effective use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment through a variety of means including workshops, blended learning CPD courses, good practice videos, advice on ICT equipment and digital learning tools. It is part of the national support service, the Professional Development Service for Teachers and operates under the remit of my Department. It also manages the Department’s on-line Education Portal Scoilnet.ie which is a key source of online high quality digital content made available for all schools and facilitates sharing of digital resources and good classroom practice between teachers. The website provides in excess of 12,000 + resources aligned with the primary School Curriculum and the Post-Primary Subject Syllabus.
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which smaller, rural or urban schools under the control of religious authorities are likely to remain protected in line with their religious ethos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32007/17]
View answerMy Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities.
To sustain primary schools in these communities my Department has a more favourable staffing schedule for small schools that are more than 8km distant from the next nearest school of the same type of patronage and language of instruction. This measure is designed to provide rural communities with security about the future of their small schools.
With regard to school ethos, the Government supports the concept of parental choice in our school system, whether that be a choice for denominational or multi-denominational education.
In regard to retaining small schools, a specific commitment is given in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents. I am mindful of the concerns of small schools and will take these into account in considering any planning for future provision.
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which third level education requires ongoing assessment and updating in line with best practice internationally to ensure the ability of graduates to compete internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32008/17]
View answerHigher Education Institutions, which have primary responsibility for the quality of their course provision, have quality assurance procedures in place, having had regard to Guidelines from Quality and Qualifications Ireland. In addition to encompassing regular periodic reviews of study programmes, institutions are also encouraged to undertake quality reviews of academic, administrative and service departments and, depending on structure, unit-based reviews of schools, faculties and colleges. Institutions may also undertake thematic reviews of institution-wide issues.
The Annual Institutional Quality Assurance Report provides QQI inter alia with a listing of institutions' cycle of internal reviews along with links to published review reports. QQI has also established a Policy for the Cyclical Review of Higher Education Institutions, which take place on a periodic scheduled basis.
The support for teaching and learning is a central pillar of the National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 and the promotion of ‘excellence in teaching and learning to underpin a high-quality student experience’ is one of the 7 ‘key system objectives’ in the Higher Education System Performance Framework.
The establishment in 2012 of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at third level provided a key, system-level infrastructure for the support of the implementation of the National Strategy in respect of the teaching mission of higher education.
The National Forum aims to ensure that opportunities for better practice are identified, mainstreamed and shared under the guidance of the Higher Education Authority and sectoral representative bodies. The National Forum’s Roadmap for Enhancement in a Digital World 2015–2017 and the Professional Development Framework are just two national initiatives developed for the sector. Its partnerships with students through for example, the Teaching Heroes Awards scheme, has significantly advanced the objective of enhancing student-engagement in higher education. The National Forum therefore supports at national level the ongoing updating of teaching and learning in third level institutions in line with best practice internationally.
125. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by the family of a person (details supplied) in accessing an available space in an autism spectrum disorder unit for the person to attend in September 2017; the number of other persons and families in a similar situation in this locality; and his plans to address this ongoing difficulty. [32020/17]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
The NCSE policy advice on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2016) found that Students are generally well supported in schools with appropriate curriculum; extensive teacher and SNA supports; improving range of educational placements supported by improved accommodation and equipment; improved teacher knowledge and understanding and a generally good standard of provision at primary and post primary levels.
Some students, although academically able to access the curriculum in mainstream, may find it too difficult to manage full-time placement there. This can be due to significant difficulties in areas such as behaviour or sensory needs which have not been ameliorated, even with appropriate intervention, in mainstream.
Enrolment in an ASD special class should only be considered where it has been demonstrated that a student requires the support of a special class because he/she is unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports.
Students enrolling in ASD Special Classes must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals (for example, psychologist, speech and language therapist, psychiatrist) stating that:
•S/he has ASD, and that
•S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a special class setting and the reasons why this is the case.
The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
The NCSE, in looking to open special classes, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking particular account of the educational needs of the children concerned. The NCSE will also take account of location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas.
Since 2011 the NCSE has increased the number of special classes by over 100% from 548 in 2011 to 1,152 across the country now, of which 888 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes.
The NCSE intend to establish an additional 145 ASD Special Classes for the 2017/18 school year. Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order.
My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special class placements can access such placements in schools within their communities.
During the passage of the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill in the Select Committee last week I indicated that I intend, at Report Stage, to include in this Bill a provision that will provide, based on reports and advice from the NCSE, the Minister will have the power to require a school to open a special class or increase the number of special classes in schools identified by the NCSE. Because this power will require a school to provide land or alter existing property I am of the view that the power should be with the Minister who can engage the patron or trustees and that there should be adequate safeguards to ensure people’s rights are protected.
As the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school, my Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools and it does not maintain details of waiting lists in schools.
Parents/guardians of children with special needs who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) as soon as possible for information on available places. The local SENO contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
My officials have been informed by the NCSE that the local SENO, Educational Welfare Officer and parent are meeting next week to discuss placement options for the child referred to by the Deputy,
However as the question relates to an individual child, the matter has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
126. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Egypt was discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 6 March 2017; and if so, if he raised the case of a person (details supplied). [31830/17]
View answerEU Foreign Affairs ministers discussed EU-Egypt relations with the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, in a meeting in Brussels on 6 March 2017 on the margins of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
My predecessor, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, attended those meeting and sought and secured a separate one-one-one meeting with his Egyptian counterpart on that occasion specifically to raise the case to which the Deputy refers.
Minister Flanagan restated forcefully the strong humanitarian arguments for this Irish citizen to be released, including his youth, isolation, separation from family and the long period for which he has been imprisoned without having been convicted of any wrongdoing. Minister Flanagan also raised concerns about this young man’s welfare and conditions of detention.
The Egyptian Minister undertook to follow up in order to ensure that our citizen receive all necessary medical treatment and that his conditions are satisfactory.
Minister Shoukry restated that the Egyptian Government must respect the separation of powers and cannot intervene in a case while it remains before the courts. The Egyptian Minister emphasised that the case is very firmly on the Egyptian President’s desk, and remained there because of the regular engagement from the Irish Government.
127. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the date on which the EU-Egypt partnership priorities are due to be published and adopted; if a person's case (details supplied) was raised by his Department during the negotiations of these partnership priorities; and the way in which they will ensure that human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in Egypt will be safeguarded. [31831/17]
View answerThe EU and Egypt will adopt their partnership priorities for 2017-2020 at the next Association Council, which is due to take place later this year.
The case of the individual mentioned was not raised by my Department during the negotiations of these partnership priorities. Negotiations of partnership priorities are of a technical nature and I do not believe that to link these negotiations with the case of the individual mentioned would further the interests of the Irish citizen involved. The matter is being pursued bilaterally.
The proposed priorities make it clear that Human rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as set out in international human rights law, the Treaty on European Union and the Egyptian Constitution – are a common value and constitute the cornerstone of a modern democratic state. They commit Egypt and the EU to promoting democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights as constitutional rights of all citizens, in line with their international obligations.
128. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 29 June 2017, the advice or response given by his Department in respect of the 135 flights that landed at Shannon Airport with troops and weapons on board between January and May 2017 and the 229 overflights in Irish airspace with munitions on board in that period. [31855/17]
View answerThe Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has primary responsibility for the regulation of civil aircraft.
Civil aircraft are prohibited from carrying weapons or munitions of war through Irish airspace and airports unless an exemption has been obtained in advance from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. In considering requests made by commercial carriers, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport seeks the advice of other Departments, including my Department on any foreign policy issues that may arise.
In considering such requests, my Department will examine the nature of the munitions that it is proposed to carry based on the information provided by the airline in writing to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport when an exemption is sought. My Department generally recommends against granting exemptions to carry munitions of war except for flights carrying troops and their unloaded personal weapons.
My Department’s provision of advice to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of such requests is guided by and accords with Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality.
129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new steps the EU will take to safeguard the human rights of migrants in Libya; if official EU inspections of the human rights conditions in detention centres will take place; if proper systems of registering persons held in detention centres will be implemented in view of the concerns raised regarding the treatment of migrants in Libya at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 19 June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32027/17]
View answer130. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it is right for the EU to continue to fund the Libyan coast guard service following reports of the Libyan coast guard physically abusing migrants at sea in view of the evidence of appalling humanitarian conditions in the detention centres to which migrants are returned by the Libyan coast guard and the concerns raised regarding the treatment of migrants in Libya at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 19 June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32028/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.
I share the Deputy’s concerns about the conditions that many migrants are facing in Libya. The EU collectively, as well as member states working alone, have been working hard to try to improve conditions on the ground.
The political situation in Libya remains complex. No single government has controlled Libya since the fall of Colonel Gaddafi, and at the present time there are a number of competing governments in Libya, none of which control more than a portion of the territory. As a result the humanitarian, economic and security situation is precarious and complicates EU engagement with the Libyan authorities, including on migration. The formation of a functioning government in Libya is therefore a central objective for the EU, and will be a critical step towards addressing the migration crisis in the Mediterranean.
At their summit meeting in March, EU Heads of State and Government set out the EU’s commitment to assist Libya in their Malta Declaration. That commitment is broad-ranging including capacity building, training, and the provision of equipment and support for the Libyan national coast guard and other agencies. It also seeks to ensure that there are adequate reception capacities in Libya for migrants, including through working with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
In April, the EU approved a €90 million programme to step up protection of migrants and to reinforce migration management in Libya. A key objective is to provide multi-sectoral assistance and protection to migrants, refugees and host communities in different locations inside Libya, in particular inside detention centres, at disembarkation points and in urban settings. This programme is being implemented through a number of international agencies including the UNHCR and UNICEF. The €90m is in addition to the €120 million already announced by the EU for migration-related support for Libya.
Individual EU member states are also addressing the migration situation in Libya. The Interior ministers of France, Germany and Italy along with the European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, met in Paris on 2 July and agreed, inter alia, to enhance support to the Libyan coastguard by increasing training activities and providing additional financial support while at the same time ensuring close monitoring of activities and to provide additional support to the IOM and the UNHCR to enable facilities in Libya to reach international standards in terms of living conditions and human rights. They also agreed to accelerate the EU Relocation scheme agreed in 2015.
Ireland has been playing its part in trying to address the migration crisis through voluntarily opting into the EU Relocation scheme; giving generous humanitarian assistance to countries housing large numbers of migrants and through our naval presence in the Mediterranean. As regards Libya specifically, for the past two years Irish Aid has deployed two Rapid Responders from its Rapid Response Corps to the UNICEF Libya Country Office based in Tunis to support UNICEF’s work with migrants.
131. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans in respect of advising UK citizens living here about their citizenship status once the Brexit negotiations are complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32053/17]
View answerThe outcome of any Brexit negotiations will not affect the citizenship status of persons, including UK citizens, residing in the State. It is however open to any individual who may wish to become an Irish citizen to lodge an application for citizenship through naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory conditions as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the grant of citizenship through naturalisation. The statutory conditions are that the applicant must -
- be of full age,
- be of good character,
- have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a further total residence in the State amounting to four years,
- intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation,
- have, before a judge of the District Court in open court, in a citizenship ceremony or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons, allows -
(i) made a declaration, in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and
(ii) undertaken to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation. Under Irish law it is possible for an Irish citizen to hold dual citizenship; the acquisition of Irish citizenship is not contingent on the renunciation of the citizenship of another jurisdiction.
As the Deputy is aware, it is our intention to maintain the existing arrangements with regard to the United Kingdom, and the Government position is to protect the Common Travel Area arrangements. As outlined, the grant of Irish citizenship is a national competency and there are no current plans to amend the legislation. There are also no plans to change the current position regarding the Common Travel Area in advance of knowing what will be the ultimate arrangements relating to the UK withdrawal from the EU. Should an issue arise in this area during any negotiations between the UK and the other EU member states, the position will be revisited at that stage.
132. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to waiver the application fee for citizenship applications in relation to UK citizens married to Irish citizens that are residing here for longer than five years. [32054/17]
View answerThe fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil.
There is no provision in the Regulations for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended are kept under ongoing review by my Department; however, there are no plans to amend the fees.
The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.
133. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2015 to be fully implemented and all sections duly enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32055/17]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015.
New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission, must be put in place before the substantive provisions of the Act can be commenced. A high-level Steering Group comprised of senior officials from the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and the Courts Service is overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the Decision Support Service (DSS) and this work is ongoing.
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 progress the setting up of the Decision Support Service and to enable the process of recruitment of the Director of the DSS to begin. The recruitment and appointment of the Director of the DSS, and the appointment of DSS staff, is a matter for the Mental Health Commission (a body under the Department of Health) with the approval of the Minister for Health.
It is intended that the key preparations will be put in place during the remainder of this year under the oversight of the Steering Group to allow for commencement orders for the remaining provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to be made when the Decision Support Service is ready to roll out the new decision-making support options. It is not possible at the moment to provide an exact time line for the finalisation of these commencement orders, not least because we will need to have the Director of the DSS in place to fully ascertain the time-line. The post of Director was advertised by the Public Appointments Service on 7 April and it is expected that the Director will be in place during the summer.
134. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the recruitment of cleaning and ancillary staff in the Garda Training College, Templemore to cater for the increasing numbers of trainees attending the college in the months ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31832/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the recruitment of cleaning and ancillary staff for the Garda College and I, as Minister, have no direct role in this matter. I understand that Garda management keeps the matter under continual review.
I am informed by the Commissioner there are 48.8 cleaners and ancillary staff employed in the College and that arrangements are in train to fill a supervisory position for the cleaning staff.
135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 9 May 2017, if he will provide an update on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31857/17]
View answerThe vetting application concerned in this case relates to a person who is an ongoing application for employment in An Garda Síochána. As was indicated to the Deputy in correspondence following the reply to Question No. 96 of 9 May 2017, the Garda Authorities can liaise directly with the individual concerned with regard to the particular case.
136. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take in response to the criticisms by the Council of Europe's anti-corruption body, GRECO, regarding Ireland's record in tackling corruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31954/17]
View answerOn 29 June 2017, GRECO, the Council of Europe Anti-Corruption Body, published a Report on Ireland's level of compliance with the fourth Round of Mutual Evaluations theme "Corruption Prevention in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors". Ireland had been evaluated in 2014 and received 11 recommendations. The compliance report which was adopted in March 2017 was disappointing and Ireland was found to have only satisfactorily implemented 3 out of 11 recommendations.
GRECO was satisfied that Ireland had implemented the one recommendation in relation to prosecutors. In relation to Members of Parliament, GRECO found that Ireland was partly compliant and the enactment of the Public Sector Standards Bill will ensure a much higher level of compliance going forward. My colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is progressing this Bill through the legislative process currently. In relation to the judiciary, Ireland was deemed to have implemented none of the five recommendations. Since this report was adopted, however, the Government has published both the Judicial Council Bill and the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, and the enactment of these two Bills will substantially address these recommendations.
Ireland had been asked to report again to the Council of Europe by 31 March 2018 on the outstanding recommendations and I am committed to achieving a significantly better result next time around. With that in mind, I have established a senior officials compliance committee to work through the various recommendations and to ensure that progress continues to be made on implementing both legislative and administrative recommendations.
Very soon, I will also be publishing a Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill, which will repeal and replace the seven previous Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010 and will introduce some additional offences. The Bill will clarify the liability of corporate bodies for corruption offences. It will extend the range of penalties available to a court when a person is convicted to include forfeiture of public office in certain circumstances. The Bill will make renewed provision for the main requirements of a number of international anti-corruption instruments which Ireland has already ratified, and it will provide for recommendations made in the course of evaluations of Ireland by the various European and International Bodies, including GRECO.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the required documentation has been submitted in the case of a person (details supplied) who is seeking to regularise their residency status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32032/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which residency status can be upgraded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32034/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is currently registered in the State under Stamp 3 conditions as they are the dependant of a non-EEA national. It will be open to this person to apply for a Stamp 4 on the basis of family dependence of an Irish national if, in the future, either of their parents becomes an Irish National.
The person mentioned by the Deputy should be directed to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website www.inis.gov.ie to explore alternative ways of obtaining a Stamp 4 in their own right. A letter to this effect, dated 29 June 2017, issued to the person concerned from the Family Dependent Unit.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied). [32035/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation and an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the residency requirements are met.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in regard to the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied), the holder of stamp 3 status seeking to upgrade to stamp 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32036/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the first-named person concerned has permission to remain in the State until 4 November, 2018 on immigration Stamp 4 conditions. The second-named person concerned has been granted permission to remain in the State, on immigration Stamp 3 conditions, for the period to 4 November 2018. These decisions were conveyed in writing to the persons concerned by letters dated 27 October, 2015.
The decision to grant such status was arrived at following the detailed consideration of the respective cases of the persons concerned and their family members under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This decision was made with due regard for all information and documentation on file at the time.
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service would be prepared to review the case of the second-named person concerned in circumstances where they presented documentary evidence to show that they had a concrete offer of paid employment available to them. The Deputy will appreciate that any such offer of paid employment must be on the prospective employer's headed paper; it must describe the specific position being offered; it must set out the proposed salary or salary scale; it must provide an indication that any such position is available immediately, is whole-time and is not subject to seasonal factors. Upon receipt of documentary evidence of the nature described above, INIS will undertake a review of the case of the person concerned.
I am further advised by INIS that to date, no applications for certificates of naturalisation have been received from the persons referred to by the Deputy.
It will be open to the persons concerned to apply to the Citizenship Section of my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation when the persons concerned are in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to the lodgement of such applications. Details on the criteria to be met by persons lodging such applications are available from my Department's website (www.justice.ie).
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
