Written Answers Nos. 194-214
194. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the legislation related to citizenship to include those persons that have been married for a defined length of time to an Irish citizen living overseas in recognition of their close familial ties to Ireland. [44052/18]
View answerThere are currently no plans to review the legislation related to citizenship to include those persons that have been married for a defined length of time to an Irish citizen living overseas in recognition of their close familial ties to Ireland.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Section 15A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 Act provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant a certificate of naturalisation to a spouse of an Irish citizen providing certain statutory conditions, such as residency requirements, are met. This Section was further amended in 2011 to include civil partners of an Irish citizen.
There is specific provision made in the Act in relation to persons resident on the Island of Ireland. Section 15A provides that, where the application is based on being the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen the requirements are that the couple are married or civil partners of each other for a period of at least 3 years and are living together and, immediately before the date of application, have a period of one year's continuous residence on the island of Ireland and, during the preceding four years, have a further period of residency amounting to 2 years (i.e. 3 years in total).
Periods spent abroad with an Irish spouse in the public service may be counted for the purposes of reckonable residence.
A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
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 statutory residency requirements are met.
195. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the agency and the State and the relevant legislation responsible for the monitoring of the home licence to carry out gaming activities on a premises. [44071/18]
View answerIn order to offer gaming or gambling products in Ireland, a license is required under the Betting Acts 1931-2015 or the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. The Revenue Commissioners are the primary responsible licensing authority under both Acts, with some involvement of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
My Department does not have a role in monitoring such licenses. I understand that the Revenue Commissioners do carry out certain monitoring and the Gardaí have a general role in prosecuting offences where they occur.
196. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the money laundering acts to include bookmakers and all forms of gaming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44072/18]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 applies to private members’ gaming clubs and casinos. The Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (Directive (EU) /2015/849) requires Member States to extend the application of anti-money laundering laws to all providers of gambling services, unless it can be shown that a particular gambling sub-sector is low risk. A risk assessment of the gambling industry in Ireland was carried out by a subcommittee of the Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee, chaired by the Department of Finance. The assessment indicated that while certain subsectors - such as lotteries and amusement machines - could be considered to be low risk, others, such as bookmaking, were assessed as having a medium-low risk. As a result, the State is required to extend its anti-money laundering law to gambling services which are not proven low risk. I intend to bring forward a statutory instrument, in conjunction with the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2018, to put this into effect.
197. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made since 27 June 2018 on the full implementation and commencement of the various sections of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44147/18]
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 (a body under the Department of Health), 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 (MHC) and the Courts Service, together with the Director of the Decision Support Service, is overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the Decision Support Service (DSS) and this work is ongoing. The Steering Group meets approximately once a month to monitor progress.
The Director of the DSS is working in a very determined way to get the necessary staff resources, processes, IT system, expert panels, codes of practice and regulations in place in order that the DSS can be up and running as quickly as possible. There are many complex strands to this work, including involvement of multiple organisations.
Every effort is underway to ensure that the DSS has all necessary capacity to open for business as soon as possible. In April 2018, the MHC engaged the consultancy firm BearingPoint to support the development of a detailed, costed plan to establish a fully operational Decision Support Service. The contract also includes ongoing project management support for the design and establishment of the organisation, business processes, IT systems and risk management framework.
The MHC has in recent weeks received sanction for the recruitment of a number of staff for the DSS and also a number of staff to provide shared services for the MHC and DSS. The MHC proposes to recruit these staff on a phased basis between now and 1 January 2020.
The National Disability Authority is currently finalising its work on the suite of draft codes of practice in relation to non-healthcare matters which are required to be prepared under section 103 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.
In June 2018, my Department recruited an external legal expert to assist in the preparation of draft regulations in relation to decision-making assistance agreements, co-decision-making agreements, certain matters relating to decision-making representatives, and enduring powers of attorney. These regulation-making powers are provided for in sections 10(4), 31, 45(3), 45(4), 46(3) and 79 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Work on the draft regulations is ongoing.
The 2019 Budget provides for an allocation of €3 million in the Justice and Equality Vote for the establishment of the Decision Support Service.
The commencement of Part 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, 2015, which provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives (AHDs) is a matter for the Department of Health which has provided me with the following response:
An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity.
Under section 91 of the 2015 Act, the Minister for Health is responsible for the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group to assist in the development and preparation of the Code of Practice for the AHD provisions of the Act. The Minister for Health established this multidisciplinary working group on 17th of October 2016 under section 91(2) of the 2015 Act. The role of the working group is to prepare a detailed series of recommendations for the Director of the Decision Support Service, in relation to codes of practice and this process is ongoing. The Director will subsequently prepare a Code(s) of Practice and will submit it to the Minister for Health for his approval and, with the Minister for Health's consent, the Director will then publish the Code of Practice.
The preparation of the Code of Practice will facilitate the subsequent commencement of Part 8 of the Act, pertaining to AHDs, in its entirety.
198. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of full-time equivalent staff attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44162/18]
View answer199. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in the Criminal Assets Bureau by position in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44163/18]
View answer200. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in the Criminal Assets Bureau by job title in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44164/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau was established by Government in 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target the assets, wherever situated, of persons which derive or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct.
The Bureau utilises the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime legislation as well as Revenue and Social Welfare legislation in targeting the proceeds of crime generated from a range of criminal activities.
The Bureau is a statutory, multi-agency body with staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Justice and Equality.
The Bureau is also supported in its work by 345 trained asset profilers nation-wide. These asset profilers work hand-in-hand with local Garda Management and communities towards the objective of denying and depriving criminals of assets.
Details in relation to the number of staff in the Bureau and their related agencies for the years 2007 to October 2018 are available at the following link
While details are also provided in relation to the positions or job titles of members of An Garda Síochána in the Bureau, these details are not included for non-Garda Bureau personnel for security and operational reasons. Due to the small number of individuals concerned, it is considered that the release of such data could compromise their anonymity, which is prohibited under section 10 the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.
201. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of the Criminal Assets Bureau in each of the years 2007 to 2017, by pay and non-pay, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44165/18]
View answer202. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of the Criminal Assets Bureau in each of the years 2007 to 2017 by categories (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44166/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau was established by Government in 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target the assets, wherever situated, of persons which derive or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct.
The Bureau utilises the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime legislation as well as Revenue and Social Welfare legislation in targeting the proceeds of crime generated from a range of criminal activities.
The Bureau is a statutory, multi-agency body with staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Justice and Equality.
The Bureau is also supported in its work by 345 trained asset profilers nation-wide. These asset profilers work hand-in-hand with local Garda Management and communities towards the objective of denying and depriving criminals of assets.
Section 21 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 requires the Bureau, through the Garda Commissioner, to provide a report of its activities each year to the Minister for Justice and Equality who is then required to lay copies of the report before each House of the Oireachtas. The Bureau's Annual Reports include details of the Bureau's pay and non-pay expenditure in each of the years from 2007 to 2017. These reports can be found on An Garda Síochána's and my own Department's websites.
A detailed breakdown of the expenditure of the Bureau in each of the years from 2007 to 2017 in the categories requested by the Deputy is available at the following link:
203. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made in relation to an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44171/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 18 October 2018 requesting certain documentation and a reply is awaited. Upon receipt of the requested documentation the case will be further processed.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
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.
204. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of recruiting an extra three full-time senior laboratory analysts for the Office of the State Pathologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44215/18]
View answerThe estimated cost of employing three extra full time Senior Laboratory Analysts in the Office of the State Pathologist is roughly €165,537. This is based on the first point of the pay scale and includes an estimate of employer's PRSI. The full pay scale for this role is: €49,823, €52,073, €54,066, €56,107, €58,206, €60,276, €62,403, €64,509, €66,628
In general, the Public Appointments Service run such competitions and the recruitment costs of these competitions are not borne my Department. PAS ran a competition for Senior Laboratory Analysts in the Office of the State Pathologist earlier this year.
The Office of the State Pathologist plays an important role in the criminal justice system and staffing requirements in the Office are reviewed on a regular basis.
205. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of increasing the number of dedicated community gardaí by 30%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44216/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for further information on the question raised by the Deputy and when it is received I will write directly to the Deputy.
206. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais cad iad na céimeanna atá tógtha aige lena dhéanamh cinnte go bhfuil dóthain daoine ar fáil in a Roinn le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo a ngnóthaí a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an státseirbhís; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44391/18]
View answer207. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais cén céadatán den státseirbhís atá inniúil chun seirbhísí in a Roinn a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44403/18]
View answerMolaim Ceisteanna Uimh. 206 go 207, cuimsitheach, a fhreagairt le chéile.
Tá áthas orm a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil, faoi láthair, cohórt de 45 oifigeach, c. 2% d’fhoireann mo Roinne, ar liosta de bhaill foirne sa Roinn atá ar fáil chun seirbhísí a sholáthar (i.e., ceisteanna agus fiosruithe a fhreagairt) as Gaeilge. Tá post amháin ag mo Roinn chomh maith, post Aistritheora, a bhfuil sé riachtanach go mbeadh an sealbhóir dátheangach go feidhmiúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla. Baineann príomhról an Aistritheora le Rialacha Cúirte a aistriú go Gaeilge. I dtaca leis sin táim sásta go bhfuil leorlíon foirne le hinniúlacht sa Ghaeilge ag mo Roinn chun freastal ar éilimh a thagann chun cinn.
Mar is eol don Teachta, déantar baill foirne le haghaidh mo Roinne a earcú tríd an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí (PAS ). Maidir le hiarrthóirí a shanntar, ní chuirtear eolas faoi inniúlacht teanga na n-iarrthóirí ar fáil don Roinn. Tá mo Roinn tar éis tacú go gníomhach, áfach, le baill foirne ar mhian leo cúrsaí Gaeilge a dhéanamh, agus tá sí ag tacú i gcónaí le baill foirne ar mian leo cúrsaí Gaeilge a dhéanamh.
Ón mbliain 2006 i leith, le tosach feidhme a Scéime Tionscnaimh Gaeilge, tá an Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais tar éis 23 cúrsa inmheánach Gaeilge a reáchtáil, idir chúrsaí scríofa agus chúrsaí labhartha, arna gcur in oiriúint do bhaill foirne na Roinne. Is iad Gaeleagras, Gaelchultúr agus an Foras Riaracháin a reáchtáil na cúrsaí sin, i gcomhthráth le chéile i roinnt cásanna, in oifigí na Roinne i mBaile Átha Cliath agus i gCill Airne araon. Ina theannta sin, tá an Roinn tar éis tacú le baill foirne ar mhian leo cúrsaí Gaeilge a dhéanamh lasmuigh den Roinn, agus le hoifigigh a ghlac páirt i gcúrsa scríofa Gaeilge ar-líne le Gaelchultúr. I mbliana féin, rinneadh éascaíocht do 6 ball foirne trína scaoileadh óna ndualgais thar thréimhse 10 seachtaine chun cúrsa an Teastais sa Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil a dhéanamh le Gaelchultúr, agus tá 2 oifigeach eile tar éis tús a chur leis an gcúrsa an Fómhar seo. Ina theannta sin, tá 4 oifigeach tar éis cúrsaí éagsúla eile ar líne agus oíche a dhéanamh, nó táid ag gabháil dóibh faoi láthair.
208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to improve the conditions attaching to the microfinance scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that small-scale enterprises, including one person businesses, find it difficult to source such finance; if a trades person in cases in which there are demands for such skills, seeking loan facilities for the purchase of necessary equipment is considered as a suitable loan applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44201/18]
View answerMicrofinance Ireland (MFI) operates the Microfinance Loan Fund Scheme providing unsecured loans of between €2,000 and €25,000 for working capital or investment purposes to start ups and existing businesses from all business sectors with commercially viable proposals that do not meet the conventional risk criteria of banks. A microenterprise is a small business (including a self-employed person) with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2million. This would include one-person businesses for the purchase of equipment. Since its establishment to the end of June 2018 MFI has approved 1,770 loans totalling €25.4m that have helped to create or sustain 4,277 jobs so far.
MFI’s loan offering is unique in that it provides loans at a level of risk beyond that of commercial lenders with affordable interest rates and on an unsecured basis. All applicants are given a full and fair credit assessment, with decisions based on the viability of the business and the ability to repay the loan. Where applicants are dissatisfied with a credit decision for loans of €5,000 or above, that decision can be appealed in writing through MFI’s internal credit appeals procedure.
MFI’s own website provides advice and guidance on preparing loan applications. The website can be found at www.microfinanceireland.ie. Applications can be made directly to MFI by email or post. Microfinance Ireland also works with partners to help potential applicants with their applications. Applicants can work with their Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) or Local Development Companies to assist them in making the application. A 1% reduction in the interest rate is available on applications submitted through the LEOs or Local Development Companies. can be made to MFI through LEOs or Local Development Companies.
To ensure the provision of ongoing and relevant support to microenterprises preparations are currently underway in my Department for an independent review of the Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme, which will begin in early 2019.
209. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the level of loans issued to date by county under the microfinance scheme; the size of enterprises awarded such loan facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44202/18]
View answerThe Board of Microfinance Ireland (MFI) provides quarterly progress reports which include a breakdown of the number of approvals by county and by size of enterprise based on the number of employees.
MFI’s quarterly reports are published on the websites of both MFI and my Department.
I relevant information as at 30 September 2018 is available at the following link:
210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the criteria employed for membership of the Science Foundation Ireland oversight review panel; if the director general or senior SFI or departmental staff sat on the review panel or took part in deliberations in respect of funding decisions for an individual or for all of the SFI centres under review; the remit of the panel; the rationale for the existence of the panel to consider the funding allocations for SFI funded research centres 2019-2025; if such a panel’s existence has precedence in other locations internationally; if not, if such a model is a bespoke or unique model employed by SFI; her views on the international reputation of Ireland through the use of this model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44006/18]
View answerThe first seven of SFI’s Research Centres were established in 2013. SFI undertook a pre-planned international review process at the four-year stage of these centres. As part of this, the seven Research Centres were invited to submit proposals for probable future funding.
The review process involved three key stages:
Firstly, a detailed written review was undertaken by different teams of international experts on the progress the individual SFI Research Centres had made and the proposals for future research outlined in the applications.
Secondly, the same international reviewers conducted an on-site review, and subsequently wrote a report with recommendations and scores.
Thirdly, and following the above, a separate International Oversight Review Panel was put in place to consider the individual reviews from the first two stages
With regard to the composition of the Oversight Panel, I am advised that members of the highest calibre were selected. Each panel member was required to have strategic leadership roles within prestigious organisations such as national funding agencies and world leading universities.
Members of the SFI Executive, including the Director General, and a number of SFI Scientific Staff attended the panel meeting as observers. The SFI observers did not participate in any of the panel’s deliberations in respect of the funding recommendations. There were no staff members from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation present at the panel meeting.
The remit of the Oversight Panel was to ensure:
- Quality assurance
- Fairness and consistency
- Parity of practice across the seven Site Review Panels
- Normalisation of the scoring
- Ranking of the fundable applications
This additional panel was put in place as a quality assurance measure, to ensure parity of practice across the seven Site Reviews. This was important, as the on-site panels reviewing the various Research Centres were comprised of different reviewers. The Oversight Panel was also requested to make a recommendation to the SFI Executive and Board on whether each centre should either receive additional new term funding, should not be funded for a new term, or should progress to an open competition, to be reviewed against other potential centre applicants in 2020.
Oversight panel precedence:
A two-stage peer review process comprising expert assessments, such as those conducted through the on-site reviews, followed by a final review panel (i.e., oversight panel) deliberation is considered to be international best practice by the European Science Foundation (an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that promotes the highest quality science in Europe). Indeed, an external evaluation of other SFI funding programmes which adopt a similar review process involving a final oversight panel concluded that the review process compares favourably to processes used internationally by other government sponsored funding agencies.
Science Foundation Ireland funds research based on robust and rigorous international peer review processes. These international best practice processes have led to Ireland now being ranked in 11th place in global scientific ranking – a dramatic rise which has occurred since the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland in 2003. This quality assurance stage, put in place by Science Foundation Ireland, ensures Ireland’s reputation as a location of world class research.
SFI, in its capacity as an independent agency of my Department has conducted a review process in accordance with best international practice. I am satisfied that the recommendation of the review panel and the subsequent decision of the SFI Board to invite the INFANT Research Centre to progress to an open competition in 2020 for future funding is both fair and appropriate.
211. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the January to June 2017 summary data publication in regard to exports under the Control of Exports Act 2008 published in 2017 was subsequently withdrawn and amended to show €12 million of military exports as opposed to €132 million of military exports; and if so, the reason therefor. [44161/18]
View answerMy Department is responsible for controls on the export of military items from Ireland. Under Irish law, military export licences must be sought in respect of the export from Ireland of military goods and technology, and any components thereof, listed in the EU Common Military List.
I publish an annual report as required under the Control of Exports Act 2008 which includes information on military exports. The objective of publishing such a report is to provide the public with a continuing enhanced level of transparency about exports of controlled goods and services.
To provide more regular information about exports of controlled goods in between the publication of annual reports, my Department publishes preliminary, summary data on the Department’s website on a six monthly basis.
The preliminary value of military licences originally published on the Department’s website in respect of the period from January to June 2017 was €132 million. A subsequent review of this figure identified licences which were issued in respect of temporary exports, for maintenance only, to another EU Member State. While temporary export for such purposes requires to be licensed, as no export was ultimately involved, the total for the period from January to June 2017 was subsequently revised down to €12 million.
212. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the location of trade missions she will participate in for the remainder of 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44211/18]
View answerPromoting diversified export markets and pursuing new market opportunities for Irish products are key priorities for the Government and my Department. This includes markets that are growing as well as markets where companies are already well established but with potential for further growth.
Together, my Department and Enterprise Ireland (EI) agree an Annual Trade Missions and Events Programme which seeks to promote the capabilities of EI client companies to potential business partners and customers in international markets across the globe. Brexit has added to the importance of our supporting Irish companies to pursue a global ambition.
Between now and the end of 2018 I will lead a significant joint Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Trade and Investment Mission to China, from 31 October to 7 November 2018. The programme for the visit will include the three cities of Hong Kong, Shenzen and Shanghai and 32 Enterprise Ireland client companies will participate in the overall Trade Mission. Visits between Ireland and China, such as this one, help to deepen and strengthen trade cooperation between our two countries and are an integral part of the ongoing work to develop and expand Ireland’s exports.
While in China, I will represent Ireland at the Chinese International Import Expo (CIIE). This is a major global event that will allow Ireland to showcase its exports and explore future business opportunities. Enterprise Ireland will host a stand at this event where nine Enterprise Ireland clients will exhibit.
On 12-14 November, my colleague Pat Breen T.D. Minister of State for Trade, Employment, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, will lead an Enterprise Ireland Trade Visit to Compamed/Medica in Dusseldorf and to EUROTIER 2018 in Hannover. Medica is the leading global event for manufacturers of medical technologies. Enterprise Ireland will host an Ireland Pavilion at Medica offering companies with innovative technologies the opportunity to showcase their products and services relevant to the sector, with a view to developing new business contacts and growth opportunities. EUROTIER 2018 is the world’s leading Trade Fair for animal production. This fair will provide a platform for Irish manufacturers of agricultural technology & equipment to showcase their products and solutions to an international audience.
On 22 November, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan T.D. will travel to the Netherlands leading a Trade Mission focused on business process outsourcing.
213. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Gnó, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta cad iad na céimeanna atá tógtha aige lena dhéanamh cinnte go bhfuil dóthain daoine ar fáil in a Roinn le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo a ngnóthaí a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an státseirbhís; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44374/18]
View answer214. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Gnó, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta cén céadatán den státseirbhís atá inniúil chun seirbhísí in a Roinn a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44395/18]
View answerMolaim ceisteanna Uimh. 213 agus 214, cuimsitheach, a fhreagairt le chéile.
Tá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán dá Scéim Teanga Gaeilge lena gclúdaítear an tréimhse 2015 – 2018, a ullmhaíodh de réir Ailt 15 d’ Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, a thógann ar phrionsabail seirbhís ardchaighdeáin do Chustaiméirí agus ar an dtiomantas i gCairt Chustaiméara na Roinne lena chinntiú go bhféadfaidh custaiméirí a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge más mian leo. De réir na Scéime seo, tá mo Roinn tiomanta measúnú leanúnach ar leibhéal an éilimh le haghaidh seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a dhéanamh ar bhealach pleanáilte, comhtháite agus inrochatana.
Dheimhnigh suirbhé ar an bhfoireann a rinneadh níos luaithe sa bhliain seo chun leibhéal an éilimh ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a ndeileálann an Roinn leis a fháil amach, gurbh an-íseal a bhí an líon cumarsáidí a fuarthas i nGaeilge bíodh said i scríbhinn, ar an nguthán nó ar bhonn duine le duine.
I 2017, thóg an t-Aonad Foghlama agus Forbartha faoi suirbhé a dhéanmah lena chinntiú an líon cainteoirí Gaeilge sa Roinn. Ag an am sin, aithníodh go raibh 7 mball foirne líofa sa Ghaeilge. De bhreis air sin, lena chinntiú go bhfuil teacht ar mo Roinn agus go bhfuil sí cumasach ó thaobh dul i dteaghmháil leis na custaiméirí go léir le hinniúlacht, cuireann an t-Aonad Foghlama gus Forbartha Oiliúint sa Ghailge ar fáil. Táthar ag cur na hoiliúna sin ar fáil le go mbeidh cohórt ball foirne ar fáil againn a fhéadann cabhrú le haonaid ghnó freagra a thabhairt do chliaint ar mian leo cumarsáid a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge, chomh maith le tacú le baill foirne a gcuid scileanna teanga agus a scileanna seirbhísí custaiméara a fhorbairt. Sa mhéid seo, tá cohórt de 14 bhall foirne, gurb ionann iad le 1.5% de líon iomlán na mball foirne sa Roinn, (909).
De bhreis air sin, tá 18 mball foirne, gurb ionann iad le beagnach 2% de líon iomlán na mball foirne sa Roinn ag fáil oiliúna nó a bhfuil oiliúint sa Ghaeilge bainte amach acu i 2018 (féach an tábla thíos)
Teastas sa Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil
|
Leibhéal |
Líon na mBall Foirne |
|
Leibhéal 3 |
3 |
|
Leibhéal 4 |
7 |
|
Leibhéal 5 |
4 |
|
Leibhéal 6 |
2 |
|
Cúrsa ar líne do Thosaitheoirí |
2 |
|
Iomlán |
18 |
