Written Answers Nos. 101-110
101. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach the funding his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; and if it has been drawn down in each case. [12517/19]
View answerIn 2016, the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund (LDEF) provided assistance to local and community projects and initiatives throughout Ireland which were focused on developing strong diaspora links within the community. The fund was administered by the Department of the Taoiseach.
Funding provided and drawn down under the LDEF in County Galway in 2016 was as follows:
|
Year |
Organisation |
Project |
Amount |
|
2016 |
Áras Éanna Arts Centre |
Reproducing Culture & Heritage Exhibitions |
€4,000 |
|
2016 |
Galway Civic Trust |
The Galway Tribal Diaspora Project |
€4,000 |
|
2016 |
Larry Reynolds Irish Music, Heritage & Culture Group |
Irish Music, Heritage & Culture weekend |
€3,500 |
|
2016 |
Loughrea Medieval Festival |
Loughrea Medieval Festival 2016 |
€1,000 |
|
2016 |
Moycullen Historical Society |
Historic Homes & Graves Training |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Muintearas Teo Galway |
Cuairt Scoile Catholic Memorial |
€2,000 |
|
2016 |
Omey Parishes |
Historic Graves Training |
€1,500 |
|
2016 |
Woodlawn Heritage Group |
Woodlawn Diaspora Project |
€3,000 |
In addition to these projects, Galway County Council received €10,000 in 2016 under the Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund (LDSDF) which made up to €10,000 available for each Local Authority to invest in developing strategies for diaspora engagement at local and community level.
Diaspora funding was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2017, and there has been no other funding schemes in operation in my Department in the years in question.
102. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach the funding that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Roscommon in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; and if it has been drawn down in each case. [12534/19]
View answerIn 2016, the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund (LDEF) provided assistance to local and community projects and initiatives throughout Ireland which were focused on developing strong diaspora links within the community. The fund was administered by the Department of the Taoiseach.
Funding provided and drawn down under the LDEF in County Roscommon in 2016 was as follows:
|
Year |
Organisation |
Project |
Amount |
|
2016 |
Ballintubber Tidy Towns & Heritage Committee |
Archaeology/ Anthropology Project |
€2,000 |
|
2016 |
Boyle Arts Festival |
Artists of the North West |
€1,500 |
|
2016 |
Kilteevan Graveyard Committee |
Towards a Parish Genealogy |
€3,500 |
|
2016 |
Killynagh More Graveyard Committee |
Recording of Graveyard memorials |
€500 |
|
2016 |
Roscommon Chamber of Commerce |
Ireland West Diaspora Project - Phase II Diaspora Engagement |
€10,000 |
|
2016 |
RosFM Radio Ltd. |
Undocumented Irish - A Voice Still Heard |
€10,000 |
In addition to these projects, Roscommon County Council received €10,000 in 2016 under the Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund (LDSDF) which made up to €10,000 available for each Local Authority to invest in developing strategies for diaspora engagement at local and community level.
Diaspora funding was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2017, and there has been no other funding schemes in operation in my Department in the years in question.
103. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funding his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12507/19]
View answerExpenditure by my Department is mainly on pay and allowances and the operational costs and capital investment across the Defence Forces. My Department does not provide funding on a geographic basis, with the limited exception of the funding provided from the Defence Vote in respect of Civil Defence and for the maintenance and upgrade of Departmental buildings and military installations.
Details of amounts spent, for County Galway, from 2016 to date are as follows:
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 to date |
|
|
Civil Defence - Annual Operational Grant |
€86,562 |
€90,765 |
€95,430 |
Nil |
|
Civil Defence - Other Grants (vehicles/equipment) |
€6,970 |
€23,000 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Maintenance and Upgrade of Departmental Buildings and Military Installations |
€274,598 |
€225,231 |
€497,305 |
€8,880 |
In addition, a further €20,368 is due to be drawn down in 2019 in relation to projects for the maintenance and upgrade of Departmental buildings and military installations in County Galway.
104. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funding that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Roscommon in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12524/19]
View answerExpenditure by my Department is mainly on pay and allowances and the operational costs and capital investment across the Defence Forces. My Department does not provide funding on a geographic basis, with the limited exception of the funding provided from the Defence Vote in respect of Civil Defence and for the maintenance and upgrade of military installations.
Details of amounts spent, for County Roscommon, from 2016 to date are as follows:
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 to date |
|
|
Civil Defence -Annual Operational Grant |
€75,400 |
€77,576 |
€77,454 |
Nil |
|
Civil Defence - Other Grants (vehicles/equipment) |
€39,720 |
€16,400 |
€3,990 |
Nil |
|
Maintenance and Upgrade of Military Installations |
€43,313 |
Nil |
€68,944 |
€2,446 |
105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the re-establishment of the three brigade structure in the Defence Forces will be considered. [12567/19]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence, approved by Government in July 2015, comprehensively deals with all aspects of defence policy and was informed by a wide-ranging consultation process. Retention of the Army's two brigade structure is among the commitments outlined in the White Paper.
I am fully satisfied that the current structures optimise the capacity of the Defence Forces to continue to fulfil all of the roles assigned by Government. The two-brigade Army structure has seen the consolidation of understrength units into smaller numbers of full strength units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated redeployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational units. This has resulted in an improvement in the deployability and sustainability of the Defence Forces, both at home and overseas. It is clear that a three-brigade structure would cause a range of inefficiencies, including a return to understrength units and the re-introduction of an unnecessary layer of management functions associated with an additional brigade headquarters.
106. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces being given an equal say in defence policy matters with the Secretary General of his Department is being considered. [12568/19]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence, approved by Government in July 2015, comprehensively deals with all aspects of defence policy and was informed by a wide-ranging consultation process. Chapter 10 deals comprehensively with all aspects of the management of defence specifying any changes required, including relating to the roles of the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff, and the further development of civil-military management.
The White Paper confirms the position that, in accordance with the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, the Secretary General of my Department is the principal policy adviser to the Minister for Defence while, in accordance with the Defence Acts 1954 to 2011, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces is the principal military adviser to the Minister for Defence. Furthermore, as provided for in the Defence Acts, the Chief of Staff is directly accountable to me for the performance of assigned duties, which include responsibility for the military effectiveness, efficiency, organisation and economy of the Defence Forces.
107. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if retention issues in the Defence Forces will be addressed by examining pay allowances in detail (details supplied). [12569/19]
View answerSimilar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis.
Improvements within the economy have provided an opportunity to begin the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation which imposed pay cuts across the Public Service during the financial crisis.
Pay is being restored to members of the Defence Forces and other public servants in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which was accepted by members of the Permanent Defence Force through their representative associations, provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The increases due under the agreement from 1 January 2018, 1 October 2018 and 1 January 2019 have been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel. Further increases in pay are scheduled in 2019 and 2020.
By the end of the current Public Service Pay agreement the payscales of all public servants (including members of the Defence Forces), earning under €70,000 per annum, will be restored to pre FEMPI levels. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled as part of that agreement.
New entrants who joined the Defence Forces since 2011, may also benefit from the measures which were recently announced in relation to interventions at points 4 and 8 of the pay scales for relevant new entrants to the public service.
Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is understandably a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not new and the Defence Forces have always had a level of turnover that exceeds other areas of the public service.
In order to balance personnel turnover there is ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level. This includes general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers.
With regard to other retention measures, there are a range of actions outlined in the White Paper on Defence (2015) which are aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Defence Forces. These include HR initiatives which impact on retention such as providing career development opportunities and accreditation. The criteria for extending service beyond twelve years have been revised and this has ensured that personnel who would have had to depart could remain. An examination of age profiles for enlisted personnel has been prioritised and this is being progressed. A gap analysis of skill sets in the Permanent Defence Force is also being prioritised. In addition, the military authorities have introduced further initiatives to enhance work-life balance and this is also to be welcomed.
In accordance with the provisions of Public Services Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Government has tasked the Public Service Pay Commission with conducting a comprehensive examination of specific recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Sector. The Commission's work is on-going. The Government will give due consideration to the findings and any recommendations that arise from the work of the Commission.
108. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12511/19]
View answer109. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Roscommon in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12528/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
My Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and administers a number of funding schemes including under Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid.
As part of Ireland’s development programme, funding is provided through the Development Education scheme for projects to promote understanding and engagement with global development and justice issues. These projects take place throughout the country, across primary, post-primary and third level education as well as in the youth, adult and community education settings. While we do not have a breakdown of the specific funding provided for projects taking place in Galway or Roscommon, information on Development Education grants is available at https://www.irishaid.ie/what-we-do/who-we-work-with/civil-society/development-education-funding/
Further information is set out in the following table.
|
2018 |
€4,530 |
Irish Aid sponsored delegates from our key partner countries to attend the International Disability Law Summer School, held by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP) at National University of Ireland, Galway. |
|
2017 |
€10,000 |
Irish Aid supported the Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security conference in National University of Ireland, Galway. This national event focused on advancing the work of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) on climate change and agriculture and food security. |
|
2017 |
€3,845 |
Irish Aid sponsored delegates from our key partner countries to attend the International Disability Law Summer School, held by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP) at National University of Ireland, Galway. |
|
2016 |
€4,336 |
Irish Aid sponsored delegates from our key partner countries to attend the International Disability Law Summer School, held by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP) at National University of Ireland, Galway. |
|
2016 |
€6,000 |
Through Irish Aid funding to the Esther Ireland, NUI Galway & Saolta Healthcare Group received a grant to form a partnership with the Copperbelt University & Ndola Central Hospital, Zambia |
|
TOTAL |
€28,711 |
My Department also administers a number of schemes including under the Emigrant Support Programme and Diaspora Affairs Fund.
The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) supports Irish people and communities overseas by funding non-profit organisations and projects. Through the ESP, the Government provides financial support to organisations engaged in the delivery of front line welfare services and community care to Irish emigrants, particularly to the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our community abroad, including the elderly. In addition, the ESP facilitates Irish Government investment in a range of cultural, community and heritage projects, which foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity, as well as strategic capital projects.
The smaller Diaspora Affairs budget is allocated towards projects which will have a long term positive impact on diaspora engagement, in particular for local areas.
The Department publishes the details of all grants made through the ESP and Diaspora Affairs budget, including the names of organisations and amount of funding awarded, each year on its website.
In the timeframe specified, my Department has provided funding to the following Galway-based organisations: Ireland Reaching Out; Helplink Support Services; and the Irish Workhouse Portumna. While these organisations are based in Galway, their activities funded by the Department are not confined to these areas.
- Helplink Support Services launched Cabhrú in September 2016. This is an emotional support helpline and a free online counselling service for the Irish diaspora.
- My Department also funds Ireland Reaching Out which was established in 2010 and provides an online portal to allow members of the diaspora, through genealogy, to identify and engage with the area of origin of their Irish ancestors. In 2018, Ireland Reaching Out won a competitive tender process run by my Department for a large scale diaspora engagement project, using innovative technological solutions to link the global Irish with local communities, or specific communities of interest in Ireland. The value of this tender is €250,000 per year, for two years, with the option to renew for a third year.
- The Irish Workhouse Museum in Portumna was granted funding in 2018 under the Diaspora Affairs to support a diaspora engagement event entitled, ‘The Irish Workhouse Centre – Diaspora, Our Past and our Future’.
Details of the funding awarded is set out in the following table.
|
Location |
Organisation |
Project |
Year Awarded |
Value Awarded |
Funding Stream |
|
|
|||||
|
Galway |
Ireland Reaching Out |
Ireland Reaching Out Programme |
2016201720182019 |
€150,000€78,000€79,700€250,000 |
ESPDiaspora Affairs FundDiaspora Affairs FundDiaspora Affairs Fund |
|
Galway |
Helplink Support Services |
Cabhrú |
20162017 |
€35,000€45,500 |
ESPESP |
|
Galway |
Irish Workhouse Portumna |
Diaspora: Our past and our Future event |
2018 |
€1,750 |
Diaspora Affairs Fund |
In other areas of funding the Communicating Europe Initiative had two projects in Galway which received funding in 2018, as follows:
- Junior Achievement Ireland – Europe 4U project: This involved 4 schools in Galway - €5,000
- Ballinderreen Community Centre – Pop-up Europe Project: €3,000
Under the Department's Reconciliation Fund €3,000 was provided to NUI Galway for "The Europeanisation of the Northern Ireland Peace Process” conference in 2018.
110. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has received a copy of the United Nations special rapporteur report on the sale and sexual exploitation of children here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12538/19]
View answerIreland has issued a standing invitation to the holders of all United Nations special procedure mandates, to undertake visits to Ireland. In this regard, my Department organised an extensive programme for the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, Ms Maud de Boer-Buquiccio, from 14-18 May 2018, in cooperation with relevant Government Departments and agencies. This included meetings with my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs.
The Special Rapporteur’s Report on her country visit to Ireland was formally presented to the Human Rights Council on 5 March 2019. In response, Ireland delivered a statement highlighting activities being undertaken by the State in relation to the issues raised in the report.
While my Department coordinated the visit and the response, the Report's recommendations related mainly to issues under the aegis of other Government Departments and agencies. It will be for them therefore to take the appropriate action on any recommendations relevant to their areas of functional responsibility.
