Written Answers Nos. 100-119
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which optimal strength in the Defence Forces is being maintained with equal reference to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48628/18]
View answer103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, with particular reference to ensuring the maintenance of recommended levels of strength throughout all branches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48631/18]
View answer107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacant posts remaining to be filled at all levels in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48635/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 103 and 107 together.
The following table sets out the current strength (as of 31 October 2018, the latest date for which figures are available from the Defence Forces) in whole time equivalent of the PDF across all services and ranks.
|
Service |
Strength (WTE) |
Establishment |
|
Army |
7,236 |
7,520 |
|
Air Corps |
709 |
886 |
|
Naval Service |
993 |
1,094 |
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).
In order to achieve this target, there are significant recruitment opportunities available in the Permanent Defence Force, at both enlisted and officer level, for eligible individuals who wish to have a rewarding and positive career in service to the State. The Permanent Defence Force continues to offer excellent career opportunities for serving personnel and for new entrants. Two general service recruitment campaigns, an officer cadetships competition, a competition for Air Corps apprentices, a competition for DF School of Music instrumentalists and the 2018 RDF recruitment campaigns all took place this year.
A second general service recruitment campaign, launched on 10 September 2018 and closed on 7 October 2018, attracted 2,111 applications. Successful applicants from this campaign will be inducted early in 2019.
Some 600 personnel have been inducted to date in 2018. Final figures for numbers inducted in 2018 will not be available unitl year end. Recruitment progress will be reviewed in the coming weeks and this will inform future plans.
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which updating of training procedures continues within the Defence Forces at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48629/18]
View answerThe primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government.
The Defence Forces conduct training and education under four broad categories namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for exercising command authority across the full range of military functions both at home and overseas in international operations. Skills Training ensures that Defence Forces personnel have the requisite individual, specialist, and crew skills. Career Training, and education, provides the organisation with the necessary pool of leaders and commanders at all levels. Collective Training allows military personnel to use their individual, crew, specialist and career training together, to develop integrated and coherent combat forces.
The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements. A long term strategy is adopted with current planning horizons set out to 2021.
The Defence Forces seek to constantly benchmark training across all three arms of the organisation against best military and academic practice. Military best practice is advanced by implementing a policy of standardisation that is in line with EU and NATO/Partnership for Peace partners. Academic best practice is advanced by benchmarking courses through accreditation under the National Framework of Qualifications which is validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.
The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules meeting national and international standards and engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.
I remain committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be trained to appropriate standards.
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which part-time members of the Defence Forces are given opportunities to upgrade their skills on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48630/18]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve in his question.
Members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service and to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel, training continues to be organised both in and out of normal working hours, at weekends and during academic and traditional holiday periods.
The primary function of training and education in both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to enable personnel to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training needed to meet operational output requirements and capability development needs. A long term strategy is adopted with current planning horizons out to 2021. In addition the White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the Reserve and confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the PDF in crisis situations.
For the current year, a budget of €2.15 million is provided, of which €2.068 million is allocated for Paid Training Mandays for members of the Reserve. Within this budget, seven days annual paid training is provided for in respect of each effective member of the Reserve. The budget also provides for fourteen days paid training for all additional personnel recruited to the Reserve in 2018 along with career and specialist courses for selected members of the Reserve in line with Reserve priorities. This provision is sufficient having regard to the existing strength of the RDF and the voluntary nature of Reserve training.
I am satisfied that members of the Amy Reserve and Naval Service Reserve are afforded the opportunity to avail of training and update their skills on an ongoing basis.
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which equipment in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continues to be upgraded through the standards equal to the best; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48632/18]
View answerMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process. The principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements, including response to security risks and other emergencies, both at home and overseas.
The mid life upgrade programme for the Army’s fleet of eighty MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers will extend the utility of the fleet and provide greater levels of protection, mobility and firepower. Additionally, twenty four 4 x 4 Armoured Utility Vehicles were acquired in 2017, and this year we are taking delivery of ten new armoured logistic vehicles. These measures will provide essential force protection overseas.
The Government is currently investing in updating the Air Corps fleet of aircraft with the replacement of the existing five Cessna aircraft with three larger and more capable fixed wing utility Pilatus PC 12 aircraft which are being equipped for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance). These aircraft will be delivered in 2019 and 2020. Planning is also in progress to replace the CASA Maritime Patrol aircraft and a tender competition is currently underway in this regard.
The on-going Naval Service ship replacement programme is evidence of the Government's commitment to investment in the Naval Service. Three new Offshore Patrol Vessels were delivered between 2014 and 2017 with a fourth, to be named the LÉ George Bernard Shaw, delivered in recent weeks. In addition, planning is underway for the replacement of the current Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel.
The examples given, while not exhaustive, demonstrate my commitment to update and upgrade the Defence Forces equipment and capability, within the financial envelope available. The National Development Plan provides for a total of €541 million for Defence over the period 2018-2022. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women applying for and enlisting in the Defence Forces, with equal respect to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48633/18]
View answerAs of 31 October 2018, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at just under 9,000 personnel. Of this some 583 personnel, were female, broken down as follows:
- Army: 484 Female Personnel
- Air Corps: 32 Female Personnel
- Naval Service: 67 Female Personnel
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. This is underlined by a commitment in the Programme for Government to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces.
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which he remains satisfied that the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps remain sufficiently equipped to deal with an emergency or natural disaster that might arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48634/18]
View answerMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
In relation to equipment, priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning process.
The primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to deliver on the roles assigned by Government. Engagements with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aim to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regard to best international practice and employ relevant modern training methods.
At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency.
In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies such as severe weather events or terrorist attacks rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provide the fullest possible support in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority and Aid to the Civil Power roles. Major Emergency Plans have been developed by local and regional authorities and these Plans identify the procedures for requesting assistance from the Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces retains a wide range of specialist skills and equipment, which can be deployed in such circumstances. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment are available for deployment in response to any emergencies that may arise.
I am committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards and that this position is kept under on-going review.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of military personnel serving at various locations overseas; the level of future deployments if known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48636/18]
View answerAs of 01 November 2018, Ireland is contributing 565 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 347 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 138 personnel.
Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are shown in the following tabular statement.
The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment with 347 personnel and on 22 May 2018, the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further 12 month period.
Until recently, Irish troops served as part of a joint Irish-Finnish Battalion in UNIFIL. The Finnish contingent also included an Estonian Platoon comprising some 36 personnel. Due to other National commitments both Finland and Estonia announced earlier this year their intention to withdraw from the Irish-Finnish Battalion in UNIFIL by the end of 2018.
Efforts are on-going to source a partner country to replace the Finnish contingent but, in the interim, I have approved the additional deployment of approximately 106 Defence Forces Personnel to the UNIFIL mission to cover the backfilling of the Finnish contingent for a 12 month period. On 15 November, Ireland assumed full duties and responsibilities of IRISHBATT for the next 12 months until November 2019.
The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.
MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS AS OF 01 NOVEMBER 2018
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 112th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
10 329 8 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
12 |
|
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) |
3 |
|
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic of the Congo) |
4 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side) UNDOF 58th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
8 130 |
|
TOTAL |
504 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission) |
20 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
12 |
|
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Sophia) Operational HQ/Floating HQ (Operation Sophia HQ - 3 in OHQ & 2 in FHQ) |
5 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
546 |
|
|
|
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH OSCE |
1 |
|
|
|
|
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
5 |
|
|
|
|
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
1 |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Military Representative to EU (Brussels) |
4 |
|
Liaison Officer of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
2 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium |
3 |
|
Joint Technical Group for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (JTGDDR) in Mozambique (part time basis) |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
565 |
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the budget available to his Department remains sufficient to meet requirements in the course of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48637/18]
View answerThe total gross budget allocation for the Defence and Army Pensions Votes in 2018 is over €946 million. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of over 10,400 public service employees (including 9,500 members of the Permanent Defence Force), ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and also facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure. It also provides for the payment of pension entitlements to former members of the Defence Forces and certain dependants.
The budget allocation allows the Defence Forces to deliver on all their assigned roles, both at home and overseas, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps and the Naval Service continue to co-operate in air and sea rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48638/18]
View answerThe Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks.
With reference to Search and Rescue, since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. Both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis. A Service Level Agreement is in place setting out their roles and responsibilities in this regard.
The Defence Organisation will continue to provide support, as available, to the Irish Coast Guard in respect of Coast Guard Search and Rescue operations.
111. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to restore the free passport to persons over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48443/18]
View answerThe Passport Service does not provide a reduced fee to any category of adult applicant for a passport, whether for the renewal of a passport or for a first time application. A reduced fee is applied on applications for passports for minors in recognition of the fact that a minor’s passport is valid for only five years. Most adult passports will be issued for a period of ten years. I have asked my staff to review the cost of the standard ten year adult Irish passport and to compare it to the cost of a similar passport in many other jurisdictions. I am satisfied that, at a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares favourably with the services offered elsewhere. For example, an adult would have to pay €8.50 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €9.70 per year for an American passport and €18.10 per year for an Australian passport.
Based on 2017 application volumes, the Passport Service has calculated the potential annual cost of eliminating the passport application fee for applicants over 70 years of age to be over €3.7m. Given that any shortfall in revenue would have to be met by the taxpayer, a decision to waive or reduce the application fee for any category of applicant would require careful consideration. It is important to ensure that the major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements which have taken place in recent years can be maintained and further developed.
In the context of the services provided by the Passport Service, I would like to draw attention to the well-advanced Passport Reform Programme, one element of which is an online passport application service which was launched on 30 March 2017.
To date over 273,000 adults have renewed their passport using this online facility. At present, the online passport application service accommodates adult passport renewal applications and passport card applications. The Passport Service is in the process of expanding this service further by the end of 2018.
The online passport application service enables adults to renew their passports within ten working days without the need for paperwork or witnesses. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world. Whilst the online service does not distinguish between applicants based on age, applicants can be assured that the online system will be the cheapest as well as the most efficient, secure and convenient way to apply to renew their passport.
112. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on alleged persecution and intimidation of Christians in parts of Pakistan and India; if he has asked Ireland's ambassadors to raise these reports with the governments concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48476/18]
View answerUnder Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Freedom of religious expression is also a cornerstone of any functioning democracy, and those rights must be guaranteed. Acts of violence and discrimination based on religion or belief, committed in the name of religion or national security, whether by individuals, by groups or by states, must be challenged.
The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and Ireland works closely with human rights defenders to protect them, the work they do and to promote the value of civil society space. I am aware of the allegations of persecution to which the Deputy refers. I very strongly condemn any violent attacks faced by the Christian community in India and Pakistan, and all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where it occurs, or who the victims are.
Ireland has raised specific cases of persecution on religious grounds with the relevant authorities in India and Pakistan. For example, the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman whose conviction for blasphemy in Pakistan was recently overturned, has received much international attention in recent weeks. My Department has raised Ms Bibi’s case on a number of occasions both in Dublin with the Embassy of Pakistan and in Islamabad through our Ambassador in Ankara (who is also accredited to Pakistan). Minister Flanagan, when Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, raised the case with the Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires en pied in January 2016. The European Union has also raised the case with the Pakistani authorities. Minister Flanagan also raised concerns on the blasphemy laws with his Pakistani counterpart on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2016.
Officials from my Department, including in our Embassies in New Delhi and Ankara, will continue to monitor the human rights situation in India and Pakistan, including allegations of persecution on religious grounds. In doing so, we will work in close cooperation with the EU and like-minded states on the issue.
113. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking with Ireland’s EU partners to achieve a long-term settlement between Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48477/18]
View answerThe peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and I have made clear my view that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued absence of political progress. Ireland has worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the issue, and support for the two state solution.
The EU remains firmly committed to a two state solution to the conflict. With the prospects for peace continuing to deteriorate on the ground, EU Foreign Ministers have discussed the Peace Process on numerous occasions over the last year, most recently at the informal Foreign Ministers meeting in August. There we considered how the EU can productively engage and better use all the levers at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. We must ensure that the EU’s support for the region is focused on delivery of the two-state solution.
EU colleagues share a great concern about threats to the viability of the two state solution, stemming principally from the settlement policy of the Israeli Government, which is diminishing the physical space in which a Palestinian state will be built.
Along with other EU colleagues I have sought to encourage and influence the United States in its current consideration of a Middle East initiative, so long as it addresses the needs of both parties to the conflict. I have also visited the region three times since taking up my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to engage directly with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders on how Ireland can add value and help facilitate progress. And I have indicated my intention to hold an informal ministerial meeting in Ireland, for a small number of Arab and European Foreign Ministers. I believe this style of gathering could be useful in promoting the exchange of ideas on how to restart the stagnated peace process.
This issue will remain a high priority on my agenda in the coming months.
114. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has taken action at an intergovernmental or bilateral level in regard to the human rights violations perpetrated by the Nicaraguan Government against its people, which are documented in reports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48499/18]
View answer115. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to an increase in repression of peaceful protests in Nicaragua; if he will raise the matter with his Nicaraguan counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48510/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
The situation in Nicaragua remains deeply concerning. The reports of violence, arbitrary detention, and persecution of civil society leaders, peaceful protesters and those who have assisted them paint a troubling picture of repression.
I once again strongly condemn any use of violence and reiterate my calls on all actors to respect the right to peaceful protest and to freedom of expression. I also call on authorities to ensure full accountability for all acts of violence, while ensuring due process for all prisoners.
I am aware of the reports to which the Deputy refers and the worrying accounts they contain of a pattern of human rights abuses and repression. Compounding this climate of impunity is a lack of official cooperation with the international missions investigating human rights abuses.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was expelled from the country following the publication of its report. The Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) and the Follow-Up Mechanism of Nicaragua (MESENI), set up by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR), have also both reported difficulties in working with the authorities. I urge the Government of Nicaragua to allow the OHCHR officials to re-enter the country, and to cooperate fully with the GIEI and MESENI, so that they can effectively carry out their important work.
Ireland regularly engages on this issue at EU and international level. The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, calls on the government of Nicaragua to act on the findings and recommendations by the IACHR and OHCHR, to ensure full accountability for perpetrators of human rights abuses and the disarming and disbanding of armed groups.
Ireland also supported the declaration in October by the EU High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in Nicaragua.
The statement expressed the EU’s serious concern at the situation, and urged the government of Nicaragua to allow the return of the OHCHR to enable it to continue its mission, as well as calling on the government of Nicaragua to stop the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators, halt arrests based on laws which criminalise peaceful protest, allow free peaceful demonstrators and re-establish the full respect of due process for all detainees.
I echo the EU call on the government of Nicaragua to resume the national dialogue. I believe that inclusive dialogue remains the only way of negotiating a peaceful and democratic resolution to this crisis, and of restoring the trust of the Nicaraguan people in the country’s institutions.
Ireland supports EU action taken to support international and local initiatives to address the human rights situation, promote a culture of peace, and to provide support to victims of the crisis and their families. It is important to monitor the humanitarian consequences of the crisis and its impact on the population.
Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Dublin and in our Embassy in Mexico, which has responsibility for diplomatic relations with Nicaragua, have been monitoring the situation closely. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Nicaragua, Valdrack Jaentschke, was met by officials in my Department on 1 October last and was informed of our strong attachment to the European Union position on Nicaragua. He was also advised of the importance we attach to the establishment of a genuine national reconciliation process.
We have been engaging regularly with partner organisations on the ground, and raising the issue at international level where appropriate. Ireland greatly values the work of these partner organisations and will continue to engage with them.
116. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a tax clearance certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48441/18]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that a tax clearance certificate has issued to the person concerned.
117. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance the reason a company (details supplied) was denied a trader account number, TAN; the way in which it can apply again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48435/18]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the relevant Local Authority has confirmed there is an outstanding issue in regard to the current operation of the business in question. While the issue remains unresolved, it is not possible for Revenue to issue a Trader Account Number (TAN) to the company.
By way of general information, to obtain a TAN, an applicant must satisfy the following conditions:
- Operate at a premises where the business may legally be carried on,
- Operate as a sole trader, partnership, or a company registered with the Companies Registration Office,
- Be registered under Section 65 of the Value Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 for the purpose of carrying on a business,
- Hold a current Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) in accordance with Section 1095 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
Revenue has confirmed that it will re-examine the company’s TAN application as soon as the unresolved issue is rectified with the Local Authority.
118. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Finance if the proposed 100% increase in turnover tax for the bookmaker and-or betting industry will be considered; if detailed research has been conducted into the impact of such a tax on the viability of the bookmaking industry and the employees who would lose their jobs; if he will consider setting the turnover tax at a lower, more equitable rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/18]
View answerAs announced in the Budget I have increased the rate of betting duty from 1 per cent to 2 per cent for all bookmakers and the rate of betting intermediary duty from 15 per cent to 25 per cent on the commission earned for betting intermediaries. These measures will take effect from 1 January 2019.
The rate of betting duty at 1 per cent on the amount of bets wagered in Ireland is at an all-time low, and betting duty receipts are exceptionally low when compared to other sectors subject to excise taxes. It is also the case that there is no VAT applied on betting transactions. With the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 now well embedded in, I believe it is timely to increase the rates of Betting Duty and Betting Intermediary Duty.
I acknowledge that advances in technology have challenged existing business models and have changed the structure of many markets, including the betting market, with more betting taking place online. I further acknowledge that smaller bookmakers may have ongoing difficulties competing in that environment or indeed with large retail bookmakers. While I have sympathy for small bookmakers I cannot apply the increase to some bookmakers and not others. Ultimately many taxes on goods or services are passed through to the end consumers and bookmakers will need to make commercial decisions on such matters.
I should point out that my Department held a consultation with the sector last year asking if the current model was appropriate and the overwhelming response was that it was. The main focus of the sector's engagement during this consultation was to oppose any increase in the betting duty, which leaves me with few options in this regard other than to impose a straight forward increase in the current regime.
Finally, we must also acknowledge the raised public consciousness of the problem of gambling in society. While problem gambling can result in the problem gambler, and their family, bearing the severest of economic and of course personal costs, the social costs of problem gambling can extend to their employers and to public institutions in the health, welfare and justice systems, such costs ultimately borne by taxpayers. This needs to be better reflected within the betting duty regime.
119. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Finance if the case of persons (details supplied) will be examined by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48569/18]
View answerSection 465 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides a tax credit where the claimant proves that s/he maintains a permanently incapacitated child at any stage during the year of assessment. The legislation requires that, for the year of claim, the person making the claim must be the parent of the incapacitated child or must have custody and be maintaining the child at his or her own expense.
I am advised by Revenue that the person in question claimed the relief in respect of two incapacitated children for the years 2013 to 2017. As part of routine enquiries, Revenue recently requested the person to confirm their status as parent or custodian to the children for the years in question. Revenue has also spoken directly to the person to clarify the reason for the enquiry and to explain the type of supporting documentation required.
