Written Answers Nos. 1-25
1. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the number of protected disclosures his Department has received since the legislation was introduced; and the number of protected disclosures examined to conclusion by year in tabular form. [5313/20]
View answerThe Protected Disclosures Act 2014 provides a robust statutory framework which aims to provide protections to whistleblowers who raise concerns regarding potential wrongdoing in their workplace.
In line with the Act, my Department has a policy on Protected Disclosures which sets out the procedure by which an employee can make a disclosure, what will happen when a disclosure is made, and what my Department will do to protect a discloser.
To date, no disclosures have been received from employees or former employees of my Department.
2. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funding received from the EU towards capital projects in the Defence Forces in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [3961/20]
View answerThe Defence Vote (36) has received no funding towards capital projects from the EU over the period from 2017 to 2020.
3. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount expended on access to online and hardcopy media publications in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the breakdown of online and hard copy subscriptions including the publications that his Department subscribes to; if consideration has been given to using a banded set of IP addresses for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4004/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the amount expended on access to online and hardcopy media publications by my Department in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 is set out in the following table.
|
Publication |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Format |
|
Stubbs Gazette |
€312.83 |
€312.80 |
€312.83 |
- |
Hardcopy |
|
Phoenix Magazine |
€69.00 |
€138.00 |
€138.00 |
- |
Hardcopy |
|
Data Protection Ireland |
- |
- |
€306.60 |
- |
Online |
|
Industrial Relations News |
€457.80 |
€468.70 |
€479.60 |
- |
Hardcopy and Online |
|
Health & Safety Review |
€604.95 |
€615.85 |
€637.65 |
- |
Hardcopy |
|
An Cosantóir |
€50.00 |
- |
- |
- |
Hardcopy |
|
Newspapers (Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Sun, Irish Daily Mail, Irish Daily Star, Irish Mirror, Irish Examiner, Evening Herald, Financial Times, Leinster Leader) |
€11,174.23 |
€7,984.59 |
€10.096.44 |
€1,484.74 (as of 10th March 2020) |
Hardcopy Newspapers |
|
Kantar Media |
€8,022.06 |
€20,858.28 |
€18,986.28 |
€2,674.02 (as of 23rd March 2020) |
On line |
|
Total |
€20,690.87 |
€30,378.22 |
€30,957.40 |
€4,158.76 |
Staff in my Department are mindful of costs and consideration will always be given to taking steps to ensure best value for money such as using group subscriptions for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts.
4. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the top ten websites visited by officials and political staff annually in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 via hardware provided to them by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4020/20]
View answerIt was not possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the timeframe available as it would have required a detailed analysis of my Department’s web filtering software logs by ICT staff. These staff are currently focusing on preparing ICT systems and equipment to facilitate additional Departmental staff to work remotely as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The analysis of logs will be carried when circumstances permit and I will provide a response to the Deputy directly.
|
Top 10 Website Groups |
Example of Site(s) within this Group |
|
Whitelisted Sites |
defence.cloud.gov.ie www.ros.ie crm.peoplepoint.gov.ie www.businessonline-boi.com |
|
Gov_Sites |
pssc.gov.ie |
|
militaryarchives.ie |
www.militaryarchives.ie |
|
Google.ie |
www.google.ie |
|
Bing |
www.bing.com |
|
Google Search |
www.google.com |
|
military.ie |
www.military.ie |
|
Amazon |
www.amazon.com www.amazon.co.uk |
|
Independent,co,uk |
www.independent.co.uk |
|
Irishtimes.com |
www.irishtimes.com |
5. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which he plans to reverse the retention issues in the Defence Forces and the issue of skilled and experienced officers leaving the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4077/20]
View answerJoint civil-military work on implementing the recommendations included in the Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces has been ongoing since last July. Temporary re-assignments of resources to meet the challenges of the Covid response has impacted on aspects of this work.
The PSPC report contains a broad range of recommendations which provided immediate benefits to members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) totalling some €10m, as well as initiatives that will lead to further improvements.
Immediate benefits included a 10% increase in military service allowance; the restoration to pre-Haddington Road levels of certain specific Defence Forces allowances; the restoration of premium rates for certain weekend duties and the restoration of a service commitment scheme for Air Corps pilots.
The Report provides for an examination of pay structures in the PDF and the identification of other retention measures, which are due to be progressed within the framework of the Public Service Stability Agreement and future public sector pay negotiations. The Report also contains a range of other recommendations including a review of recruitment methods, enhanced workforce planning, enhanced professional military education, bespoke leadership training, development of a mental health and wellbeing strategy, a review of barriers to extended participation in the PDF, the development of further non-pay retention measures and consideration of the provision of additional specialist posts in certain areas.
The scheme which I announced on 1 April last, for the re-enlistment of former personnel with the relevant skills and experience represents one of the recent actions being pursued to address the skill shortages in the PDF. It is a medium to long term initiative which pre-dates the COVID crisis, but will support the Defence Forces in responding to, and sustaining their response to, the current COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
The scheme allows for initial re-enlistment for a minimum of six months and up to 3 years and I'm pleased to report that there has been a very positive initial response to the scheme for re-enlistment with over 500 expressions of interest. The focus of the scheme is on those former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) with the skills and expertise to fill specialist vacancies that currently exist in the PDF. These shortages of personnel include a number of specialised posts such as technicians, fitters, chefs, communications and IT specialist, naval and avionics experts.
Separately, I introduced a scheme for re-commissioning former Officers last October. This scheme facilitates the re-entry of former officers to the Permanent Defence Force and has seen 5 former pilots return to serve in the Air Corps to date. There is also scope to recommission officers in other specialist streams across the Defence Forces and I understand a number of expressions of interest in the scheme have been received recently.
The PDF continues to offer excellent career opportunities for serving personnel, new entrants and those wishing to re-enter.
6. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has examined the possibility of extending contracts past 50 years of age for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4079/20]
View answerThe age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was an issue of serious concern during the 1990's and was the subject of severe criticism in a series of external reports. One of the key areas identified for urgent action was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on lowering the age profile of PDF personnel. As a result new terms and conditions were introduced for personnel enlisting after 1 January 1994 and new contracts for enlisted personnel were for a period of five years' service. Since that time, the maximum period of service was extended out to twenty-one years for Privates and Corporals.
Arising from an adjudication in 2015, the adjudicator recommended that a review be conducted on the service limits for Privates and Corporals recruited to the Defence Forces post 1 January 1994. This adjudication resulted from a claim from PDFORRA seeking extensions in the service of these personnel to age 50. While the adjudicator did not rule in favour of PDFORRA, he did recommend an extension of service limits for Privates and Corporals in receipt of Tech Pay Group 3 or higher pending completion of the review.
This recommended review is now being subsumed into a broader review of service limits for all enlisted personnel, as provided for in the White Paper on Defence and more recently in the "Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” high level implementation plan (HLIP). The HLIP provides that consideration be given to options to tackle barriers to extended participation in the PDF, including the possibility of extending retirement ages for members of the PDF. Given the complexities involved it was decided to approach the HLIP project in two phases as follows:
- Phase 1 – Review of Mandatory Retirement Ages (MRAs) for Officers
- Phase 2 - Review Contracts of Service for Enlisted Personnel.
The review of MRAs for officers is currently on-going, with the review of contracts of service for enlisted personnel due to commence later in 2020.
Pending completion of the review (of contracts of service for enlisted personnel), the service extension for Privates and Corporals, enlisted post 1 January 1994, has been revised, to the end of December 2022, provided the individual meets certain criteria, including medical grades and fitness tests and does not exceed 50 years of age in that time frame. This measure was agreed with PDFORRA. Following further discussions, it was also agreed that Sergeants enlisted in the PDF would also be allowed continue in service to the same date, subject to their meeting agreed criteria in the interim period.
7. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) holds an entitlement to a FCA pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4108/20]
View answerIn general, service in an Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil, even if full-time, is not reckonable for pension purposes.
Exceptionally, there is provision for the reckoning of service on full-time security duties in an Forsa Cosanta Áitiúil but only in certain limited circumstances.
Based on records held, I regret to advise that the service of the person in question is not eligible under these limited provisions and is therefore not reckonable for pension purposes. Accordingly, there is no pension entitlement.
The Army Reserve (previously known as An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) and the Naval Service Reserve are the component parts of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). It is essentially a part-time force in which service is given on an entirely voluntary basis. Service in the RDF is therefore fundamentally different in nature from service and employment in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), in particular as regards the respective terms and conditions of service involved. Thus, the concept of pensionability which applies to service in the PDF would be inappropriate in relation to the RDF. This policy position is of longstanding and there are no proposals to change it.
8. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address specific non-pensionable issues such as age extension across the rank spectrum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4148/20]
View answerThe Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) report on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force was accepted in full by Government in July 2019 and a comprehensive High Level Implementation Plan (HLIP) entitled "Strengthening our Defence Forces Phase One " was also published by Government at that time.
The PSPC report recommended a range of measures that would result in immediate and future benefits for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) relating to pay and non-pay.
A range of non-pay projects, are currently underway or due to commence shortly. These include a review of recruitment methods, enhanced workforce planning, enhanced professional military education, bespoke leadership training, development of a mental health and wellbeing strategy, a review of barriers to extended participation in the PDF, the development of further non-pay retention measures and consideration of the provision of additional specialist posts in certain areas.
In particular, Project R4 - options to tackle barriers to extended participation in the PDF - includes the possibility of extending retirement ages for members of the PDF. Given the complexities involved, it was decided to approach this project in two phases as follows:
- Phase 1 – Review of Mandatory Retirement Ages (MRAs) for Officers
- Phase 2 - Review Contracts of Service for Enlisted Personnel.
The review of MRAs for officers is currently on-going, with the review of contracts of service for enlisted personnel due to commence later this year.
9. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he plans to carry out refurbishment of 12 houses which have been vacant for over 15 years at Collins Barracks, County Cork; when the houses will be brought back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4378/20]
View answerI am advised that there are nine vacant former Married Quarter houses located within the Camp Field, Collins Barracks, Cork. A tender competition is currently underway for upgrading two of the houses for the purpose of providing support services to serving personnel and veterans.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has granted access to Cork City Council in relation to the adjoining lands for the purposes of assessing their suitability for housing development.
Also, I am further advised that the Defence Forces are developing a long term plan for the remainder of the site for future development for military purposes. The Deputy may be aware of the long-standing policy of withdrawal from the provision of married quarters to serving personnel.
10. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost to the Vote of his Department if the rate of employer PRSI was increased to 15.75% for the portion of salaries over €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4699/20]
View answerThe estimated cost of the increase set out in the question would be some €82,000 per annum. This estimate is based on current earnings and covers members of the Permanent Defence Force and civil servants of the Department of Defence paid from Vote 36.
11. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost of increasing the Defence Forces strength to 9,500 in line with existing commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4942/20]
View answerIn December 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel and this agreed strength was reflected in the White Paper on Defence (2015).
The Defence Budget provides sufficient resources for the full strength of 9,500 personnel and every effort is being made to reach this strength.
12. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he met the Governor of Georgia, Mr. Brian Kemp during his recent visit to the USA. [5109/20]
View answerI did not meet Mr Brian Kemp, the Governor of Georgia, during my recent visit to the United States of America.
13. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he visited any military facility during his recent visit to the USA; and if so, the military facilities he attended. [5110/20]
View answerI visited the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Centre at Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia, during my recent visit to the United States of America.
14. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding will be provided for the replacement of the LÉ Ciara, LÉ Orla and LÉ Eithne during 2020. [5111/20]
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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government both at home and overseas.
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 being 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 capital allocation for Defence is €113 million for 2020, an increase of €7 million on National Development Plan 2019 allocation. The NDP - Project Ireland 2040 - provides financial allocations 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 and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.
The White Paper underpins the ongoing replacement of the Naval Service fleet. A significant investment over recent years has been on the procurement of new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service. The fourth ship in the programme, LÉ George Bernard Shaw, was commissioned into service in May 2019 reflecting an investment by the Government of over €250 million in the new ships programme since 2010. The four ships are performing well in operational service.
Along with the LÉ Eithne, the LÉ Ciara was built in 1984, while the LÉ Orla was built in 1985. Currently the LÉ Orla is in reserve. At the end of 2019 LÉ Ciara underwent a planned annual dry-docking and is again operational. As a result of the White Paper commitment to vessel replacement, the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the immediate White Paper project in this context. Projects for other vessel replacement will be considered over the life-time of the White Paper in the context of overall capability development and funding.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
15. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of protected disclosures his Department has received since the legislation was introduced; the number of protected disclosures examined to conclusion by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5302/20]
View answerThere have been a total of 26 Protected Disclosures made between 2014 and 2019 with an additional three received to date in 2020. This figure relates to all Protected Disclosures which have been made both to the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. These Protected Disclosures were submitted by serving individuals and also by individuals who were retired from the organisation at the time of making the discloser. In addition, some Protected Disclosures were made on an anonymous basis.
In accordance with the terms of section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 an annual report in relation to the total number of protected disclosures made in the preceding year is prepared and published on the departmental website
https://www.defence.ie/what-we-do/protected-disclosures.
Reports for the years 2014 to 2018 are currently available on the website with the report for 2019 being finalised at present.
The following table sets out the number of Protected Disclosures per year of conclusion as set out in the annual reports. I would note that as the report is prepared in the early months of the following year and where a Protected Disclosure was finalised before the report is published it will be included in the most recent report finalised even if that is after 31 December of the year in question in order to reflect the most up to date position.
|
Year of completion |
Number Protected Disclosures examined to conclusion |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
1 |
|
2016 |
1 |
|
2017 |
8 |
|
2018 |
3 |
As I have previously stated, the health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces are a priority to me and I am fully committed to compliance with the requirements of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and to the protections contained in that Act . To this end, I want to ensure that those making protected disclosures are reassured that where such disclosures are made in accordance with the legislation that they are and will continue to be dealt with in a thorough and fair manner. I have made it clear to my Department and the Defence Forces that the protections of the Act must be afforded to those who make qualifying disclosures under the Act. I take very seriously any complaint of penalisation or threatened penalisation of a member of the Defence Forces for having made a protected disclosure and I note that a statutory mechanism for investigation is available to the complainant. The mechanism is the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces as provided for in Section 20 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
16. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel serving at Custume Barracks, Athlone. [5318/20]
View answerThe establishment of the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500 personnel. The military authorities have informed me that the establishment for Units based in Custume Barracks is approximately 995 personnel.
Military service entails personnel moving into and out of particular postings and as they serve at home and overseas, receive training and undergo educational and career development courses. Accordingly, there is a constant through-flow of personnel into and out of barracks, including Custume Barracks.
17. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if changes will be made to the regulations which would allow retiring Defence Forces personnel to take up roles within other State organisations which they have suitable qualifications for, for example, a trained military paramedic cannot take up a similar role within the HSE. [5319/20]
View answerI am unaware of any restrictions in Defence Forces regulations such as those described by the Deputy. I would appreciate if the Deputy would furnish me with specific details of his concerns.
18. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if changes will be made to the Defence Forces pension system which would allow retired personnel to work in more financially rewarding roles in view of the fact that at present a retiring service person cannot earn more than had been earned while employed in the military without having a serious effect on the individual rate of pension. [5320/20]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy relates to the operation of Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.
This provides that where a retired public servant who is in receipt of a public service retirement pension resumes employment anywhere in the public service on or after 1 November 2012, their pension is liable to abatement, that is, cessation or reduction as appropriate. The measure applies across the public service, including the Defence Forces. However, it does not apply in relation to employment with the commercial state bodies or where public service pensioners are employed outside the public service.
Pension abatement operates to ensure that pensions payable to public servants do not have the effect of making a pensioner's earnings from their current public service job, plus their existing public service retirement pension, exceed the current equivalent of pensionable salary from their old public service job. The pension payable may be reduced, that is, abated, to stay within the overall limit. The actual impact (if any) from the measure on a person’s public service pension will vary from person to person and in some cases there may be no abatement.
I should point out that prior to 1 November 2012, this abatement principle / concept already operated as a standard feature of public service pension schemes generally. However, this was only within individual sectors and bodies where a public service pensioner resumed working in his or her former occupation, e.g. Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, Civil Service etc. The 2012 Act extends the principle across and between all public service sectors generally, thereby restoring the arrangements that were in place until 1965.
I should also state that a public service pensioner already in public service employment immediately before 1 November 2012 is not affected by the change while he or she remains in that post/position. However, if their employment status changes after that date, for example, where they secure a new post through promotion with their current public service employer or where they move to a different post or public service body, their pension is subject to abatement in accordance with the legislation.
The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and the question of any changes to that Act would therefore be a matter for him in the first instance.
19. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces as of 31 March 2020, by gender across all ranks of the three services in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5426/20]
View answerThe strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31st March 2020 broken down by rank, service and gender is available at the following link.
Defence Forces recruitment will continue throughout 2020 targeting General Service Recruits, Cadets and specialists for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
20. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces Reserve as of 31 March 2020 with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5427/20]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).
The most up to date figures available for the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR), as of 29 February 2020, are set out at the following links.
The breakdown of females of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve for the same period is as available at the following link:-
The substantive strength of the First line Reserve for the same period is as follows:-
|
FORMATION* |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
1 |
12 |
137 |
150 |
|
AIR CORPS |
0 |
4 |
21 |
25 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
3 |
12 |
87 |
102 |
|
TOTAL |
4 |
28 |
245 |
277 |
*The gender breakdown of the FLR is not available
The Government appreciates the service of the Reserve Defence Force and recognises its importance in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.
21. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the 2020 Defence Forces cadetship competition recently advertised will have the age limit extended beyond 26 years of age. [5483/20]
View answerThe upper age limits for recruitment in the Permanent Defence Force are determined on the basis that the essential functions of the Permanent Defence Force require its members to be able-bodied personnel of an age group which is commensurate with the functional requirements of the organisation.
In 2017, the military authorities proposed that the upper age limit for entry to cadetships be reduced from 28 years to 26 years. This has been implemented on a phased basis with advanced notification included in the Terms and Conditions of the 2017 Cadetship Competitions.
The Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) report on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force was accepted in full by Government in July 2019. A comprehensive implementation plan entitled "Strengthening our Defence Forces Phase One " was also published by Government. A range of projects are in development. This includes a review of recruitment methods. The output from this project will inform consideration of upper age limits for recruitment to the Defence Forces into the future.
22. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount expended on access to online and hardcopy media publications in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the breakdown of online and hard copy subscriptions including the publications that his Department subscribes to; if consideration has been given to using a banded set of IP addresses for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4008/20]
View answerImmediate access to up-to-date and reliable information is critically important to the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including via the network of 90 Missions overseas. The value of high quality information has been amply demonstrated by the Brexit and COVID-19 crises.
At headquarters, a dedicated Library Service is responsible for the central purchase of electronic and hard copy media and other publications. The Department’s requirements are regularly reviewed and best possible group rates based on IP addresses are routinely negotiated with suppliers.
The information requested by the Deputy is summarised in the following table. I will provide the Deputy with more detailed information about the publications purchased, within 10 days.
|
Year |
Electronic |
|
|
2017 |
376,064.72 |
58,783.71 |
|
2018 |
326,523.47 |
57,221.63 |
|
2019 |
316,152.20 |
49,360.31 |
|
2020 (to mid March) |
58,205.83 |
7,682.49 |
Ireland's 90 diplomatic and consular Missions also have modest budgets that they use to purchase a wide range of local and international online and hard copy publications. Annual expenditure by Missions for the period in question is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Electronic |
|
|
2017 |
67,803.16 |
145,761.20 |
|
2018 |
79,597.59 |
129,146.49 |
|
2019 |
73,719.36 |
145,133.46 |
|
2020 (to mid March) |
24,303.51 |
32,069.18 |
23. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the top ten websites visited by officials and political staff annually in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 via hardware provided to them by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4024/20]
View answerMy Department provides ICT services on a global scale in support of it's work at home and abroad. Internet access is provided to officials on Departmental devices in acccordance with an Appropriate Usage Policy. The records provided refer to the most commonly visited websites
Records are available for 2019 and 2020 to date. Records for 2017 and 2018 are not available.
|
2019 |
2020 |
|
www.google.com/.ie |
www.google.com/.ie |
|
www.irishtimes.com |
www.irishtimes.com |
|
www.msn.com /Bing |
www.msn.com /Bing |
|
www.facebook.com |
www.facebook.com |
|
www.rte.ie |
www.dailymail.co.uk |
|
www.youtube.com |
www.rte.ie |
|
www.dailymail.co.uk |
www.linkedin.com |
|
www.linkedin.com |
www.youtube.com |
|
www.aerlingus.com |
www.aerlingus.com |
|
www.amazon.co.uk |
www.independent.ie |
24. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the schemes and supports in place to assist returning emigrants that wish to establish new businesses here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4158/20]
View answerSupport is provided to returning emigrants wishing to start a new business in Ireland under the ‘Back for Business’ entrepreneurship development programme. It is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
My Department recently launched the third cycle of the Back for Business programme following on two previous cycles in 2018 and 2019, which generated overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. The current cycle is underway.
The programme assists returning emigrant entrepreneurs by addressing the challenges that all early stage entrepreneurs face, with a particular focus on the additional barriers and challenges faced by those who have been out of the country for some time.
25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have been lobbied or received a representation from the Chinese Embassy in relation to the use of the Convention Centre in Dublin by a group (details supplied); and the reason for the refusal of the centre to host the show. [4161/20]
View answerMy Department has not been lobbied or received any representation from the Chinese Embassy in relation to the use of the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) for the performance of the group you have mentioned.
Officials in my Department have been contacted by the group involved regarding their concerns over the refusal of the CCD to host their show, and have met with these individuals to discuss their concerns.
Officials from my Department liaised with relevant authorities, including the Office of Public Works, to look into this matter. With regard to the CCD, while the building itself is owned by the State, the Convention Centre operators are contracted under licence to commercially operate the business until 2035. The Government does not have a role in the commercial decisions made by the Convention Centre.
