Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if additional primary legislation is required in the event that the United Kingdom exits the transition period under WTO terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7339/20]
View answerAs part of the Government's ongoing Brexit readiness work, consideration has been given to the potential need for further legislation in advance of the end of the transition period. Based on initial analysis, a number of Departments indicated that they will have requirements for legislative provisions.
Discussions are underway between these Departments, my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach, and the Office of the Attorney General on the most appropriate and effective way to take this forward.
The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019 (Brexit Omnibus Act) was signed into law on 17 March 2019. With very limited exceptions this specifically related to legislative measures required in the event of the UK leaving the EU without an EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement being concluded. As the Withdrawal Agreement has been concluded, legislative measures required for the end of the transition period will have to now be addressed.
22. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to prevent the outbreak of Covid-19 in Syria; the accountability mechanisms through which his Department ensures funding to the World Health Organization results in resources being allocated to those in Syria most in need and is not politically influenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7362/20]
View answerCOVID-19 is a global pandemic. However, the impact of the virus is likely to fall hardest on communities already experiencing humanitarian crises, displacement, or weak health systems.
The situation in Syria is particularly worrying. Nine years of civil war have decimated the country’s health care system and left Syria poorly equipped to face COVID-19. Testing capacities are limited and there are significant shortages of personal protective equipment.
COVID-19 requires a collective, coordinated, global response. Ireland's priority is to provide vital support to the multilateral system's efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in the most vulnerable countries, on the basis that “nobody is safe until everybody is safe.”
The World Health Organisation, part of the UN system, is at the centre of that global response, working to control the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its impact. Recognising the WHO's important role, Ireland was the first country to contribute to the WHO COVID-19 appeal. This appeal has since been rolled into the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan, which aims at a coherent response across the UN system to COVID-19. Ireland is also part of Team Europe, the EU's response to the pandemic. That collective response, focusing on global leadership and unity, remains at the heart of Ireland's approach.
The majority of Ireland’s funding to the WHO’s COVID-19 appeal has been allocated at the global level, allowing the WHO to prioritise additional resources wherever needs are greatest. As with all humanitarian funding, Ireland and other donors insist that these resources are allocated on the basis of need alone, and in line with the humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality, neutrality and humanity. This means that in Syria, those in need should receive assistance, whether they are in Government or opposition controlled areas.
As well as the additional needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital for donors to continue to support the millions of people who remain in need of humanitarian assistance, and those needs are acute in Syria. Ireland will provide over €24 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the Syria crisis in 2020. This will bring our overall contribution to more than €168 million since 2012, our largest response to any single crisis.
23. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding renewing passports; if there are delays; the average waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7408/20]
View answerWith the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants.
In response to this situation, the Passport Service is operating an essential, emergency service at this time. This has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and COVID-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad. Almost 350 passports have issued to our citizens both at home and abroad in response to urgent requests. Our webchat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances. In addition, our phones lines have answered over 16,000 calls from Irish citizens overseas as part of the Department’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Passport Service staff cannot work remotely, they must be on site in order to process passport applications. This is to protect the personal data of the applicant and the integrity of the Irish Passport System.
The Global Irish Services Division of the Department is now focused on returning to a point when we can provide a full passport service. We will endeavour to do so as quickly as possible, while providing our staff with a safe working environment and in line with the Government’s Roadmap to reopen Ireland’s economy and society. The protection of staff is our first priority but we also recognise that providing passports is an essential public service. I encourage Deputies to stay in contact with my office for updates in relation to the Passport Service.
24. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures that will be implemented to ensure the backlog of passport applications is cleared promptly (details supplied). [7452/20]
View answerWith the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants.
In response to this situation, the Passport Service is operating an essential, emergency service at this time. This has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and COVID-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad. Almost 350 passports have issued to our citizens both at home and abroad in response to urgent requests. Our webchat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances. In addition, our phones lines have answered over 16,000 calls from Irish citizens overseas as part of the Department’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Passport Service staff cannot work remotely, they must be on site in order to process passport applications. This is to protect the personal data of the applicant and the integrity of the Irish Passport System.
The Global Irish Services Division of the Department is now focused on returning to a point when we can provide a full passport service. We will endeavour to do so as quickly as possible, while providing our staff with a safe working environment and in line with the Government’s Roadmap to reopen Ireland’s economy and society. The protection of staff is our first priority but we also recognise that providing passports is an essential public service. I encourage Deputies to stay in contact with my office for updates in relation to the Passport Service.
25. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the percentage of the EU recovery fund that will be allocated to Ireland; the amount that will be allocated to each sector; and the sectors involved. [7635/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 crisis is of such a scale that no nation can successfully address it alone. In this spirit, the EU has engaged in a series of unprecedented measures to address the health and socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis. The European Commission is expected to present proposals for a revised MFF and a Recovery Fund linked to the MFF shortly. This revised MFF with a Recovery Fund will be the fourth pillar of the EU’s economic response to the pandemic. The first three pillars agreed by the Eurogroup and endorsed by the European Council on 23 April are the SURE guarantee for unemployment, the EIB guarantee fund for SMEs and ESM credit lines for Member States. At their meeting on 23 April, the European Heads of State and Government agreed to work towards establishing a Recovery Fund which “shall be of a sufficient magnitude, targeted towards the sectors and geographical parts of Europe most affected, and be dedicated to dealing with this unprecedented crisis”.
In her speech to the European Parliament on 13 May, Commission President von der Leyen set out the Commission thinking on the Recovery Fund which suggests that recovery planning will need to include massive public and private investment at European and national level. The entirety of the Recovery Fund will be channelled through EU programmes, both new and existing programmes which work well. President von der Leyen has also been consulting with EU leaders, including the Taoiseach, on the proposed Recovery Fund. It is not clear at this stage exactly how the Recovery Fund will be allocated to the different Member States, including Ireland, or which precise sectors will be covered. However, in her speech to the Parliament, the Commission President indicated that the Fund would be channelled through 3 pillars: a new Recovery and Resilience tool, plus top-ups to Cohesion, allocated based on the severity of the economic and social impacts of the crisis; a strengthened InvestEU and a new Strategic Investment Facility; and strengthened key programmes to address the COVID-19 crisis as well as a new health programme.
France and Germany also made a joint proposal for the design of the Fund based on the Commission borrowing €500 billion raised using the EU budget. This is only one proposal for the Fund, but I note its importance. The European Commission is due to release new proposals on the EU recovery fund today (27 May 2020) which will provide more detail. We will engage positively with the Commission’s proposals and work for early agreement.
26. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the passport offices will recommence the processing of day-to-day passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7861/20]
View answerWith the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants.
In response to this situation, the Passport Service is operating an essential, emergency service at this time. This has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and COVID-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad. Almost 350 passports have issued to our citizens both at home and abroad in response to urgent requests. Our webchat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances. In addition, our phones lines have answered over 16,000 calls from Irish citizens overseas as part of the Department’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Passport Service staff cannot work remotely, they must be on site in order to process passport applications. This is to protect the personal data of the applicant and the integrity of the Irish Passport System.
The Global Irish Services Division of the Department is now focused on returning to a point when we can provide a full passport service. We will endeavour to do so as quickly as possible, while providing our staff with a safe working environment and in line with the Government’s Roadmap to reopen Ireland’s economy and society. The protection of staff is our first priority but we also recognise that providing passports is an essential public service. I encourage Deputies to stay in contact with my office for updates in relation to the Passport Service.
27. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the travel advice for families that have booked holidays during the summer months in other EU countries; if families should seek a refund for such holidays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7902/20]
View answerMy Department is aware of the significant disruption that COVID-19 has caused for individuals and families in Ireland, including in relation to travel plans for the summer and beyond. The evolution of the pandemic and the restrictions put in place by Governments around the world have created a number of unique challenges in this regard.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department issues Travel Advice to help citizens make informed decisions when planning a trip abroad and to offer an objective assessment of the risks they could face. This advice is based on close consultation with our domestic and international partners, and in full consideration of public health requirements. Issues relating to refunds or terms and conditions of flights, holiday packages or insurance policies are of course a matter for citizens to take up with their airline, tour operator or insurer.
The Department continues to advise against all non-essential travel overseas at this time. We remain in ongoing close consultation with relevant Departments, particularly the Department of Health and the HSE, regarding this advice.
Working with our Embassies and Consulates overseas, and with our international partners, we will continue to monitor developments closely.
28. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he plans to reopen the provision of passport services; the reason the matter was not considered a critical service due to the constitutional freedom to travel and the EU freedom of movement; if he is satisfied that all Irish citizens are being treated equally in terms of the freedom to travel based on whether they have a valid passport or require the consent of the passport office to a passport renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7903/20]
View answerWith the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants.
In response to this situation, the Passport Service is operating an essential, emergency service at this time. This has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and COVID-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad. Almost 350 passports have issued to our citizens both at home and abroad in response to urgent requests. Our webchat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances. In addition, our phones lines have answered over 16,000 calls from Irish citizens overseas as part of the Department’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Passport Service staff cannot work remotely, they must be on site in order to process passport applications. This is to protect the personal data of the applicant and the integrity of the Irish Passport System.
The Global Irish Services Division of the Department is now focused on returning to a point when we can provide a full passport service. We will endeavour to do so as quickly as possible, while providing our staff with a safe working environment and in line with the Government’s Roadmap to reopen Ireland’s economy and society. The protection of staff is our first priority but we also recognise that providing passports is an essential public service. I encourage Deputies to stay in contact with my office for updates in relation to the Passport Service.
29. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of permits granted for military aircraft to land at Shannon Airport and to pass through Irish airspace between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2020 inclusive; the countries the requests were made by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8045/20]
View answerFrom 1 January 2020 to 30 April 2020, my Department granted diplomatic clearance for 126 landings at Shannon airport by foreign military aircraft. Of these, three were not availed of by the State concerned.
During the same period, permissions were granted for 253 overflights in Irish airspace by foreign military aircraft, of which six were not availed of by the State concerned.
The tables below detail the figures:
Military landing clearances for Shannon Airport from 01 January - 30 April 2020
|
Country |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
|
Egypt |
1 |
|||
|
France |
2 |
1 |
||
|
Italy |
1 |
|||
|
Palestine |
2 |
|||
|
Russia |
3 |
|||
|
UK |
1 |
|||
|
USA |
48 |
33 |
27 |
7 |
|
Totals |
51 |
35 |
32 |
8 |
Of these authorisations, three were not availed of.
Military overflight clearances from 01 January to 30 April 2020
|
Country |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
|
Australia |
1 |
|||
|
Belgium |
2 |
|||
|
Canada |
1 |
|||
|
Colombia |
1 |
|||
|
Congo |
1 |
|||
|
Czech Republic |
1 |
|||
|
Egypt |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
France |
3 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
|
Germany |
3 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
Hungary |
2 |
6 |
2 |
|
|
Italy |
7 |
3 |
||
|
Jordan |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
Nigeria |
1 |
|||
|
Qatar |
3 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
Russia |
1 |
|||
|
Serbia |
1 |
|||
|
Slovak Republic |
2 |
|||
|
Switzerland |
2 |
|||
|
Tunisia |
1 |
|||
|
USA |
53 |
60 |
32 |
18 |
|
Totals |
75 |
92 |
51 |
35 |
Of these authorisations to overfly, 6 were not availed of.
I have on previous occasions often set out the framework for these clearances, which remains unchanged. Foreign military aircraft, of any and all States, overflying Irish sovereign airspace or requesting permission to avail of facilities at any Irish airport, must routinely adhere to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed, carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it must not engage in intelligence gathering and does not form part of any military operation or exercise.
30. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects the authentications and-or apostilles in the public offices to reopen in Dublin and Cork in the context of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8054/20]
View answerAs outlined in the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business published on 1 May 2020, public offices are expected to reopen in Phase 5, which will start on 10 August. This includes the Authentications and Apostilles Public Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The authentications office has been operating a limited postal-based service since restrictions were first announced as a result of the COVID19 crisis. This service has been operating on a three day a week basis, and will be expanded to a full five day a week basis from 2 June.
It is intended that the authentications office in Cork will operate a limited postal service from 8 June.
31. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will continue to pursue the matter of EU immigration and family unification rights for Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland with the UK Government to ensure the same rights remain in place when the UK-EU settlement scheme ends in June 2021 in view of the successful outcome of a case by a person (details supplied). [8066/20]
View answerThe Government welcomes the announcement by the British Government on changes to immigration rules for the individuals concerned, and others like them. This announcement - implementing a commitment by the British Government at the time of the New Decade New Approach agreement in January - is important progress and it is happening because of this individual's tireless campaign, which has come at considerable personal expense.
The people of Northern Ireland should never need to affirm or renounce British or Irish citizenship in order to access an entitlement based on the other – which is what the individual in question was asked to do.
The Citizenship and Identity provisions are central to the Good Friday Agreement and it is vital that they are upheld, and that the people of Northern Ireland can have full confidence in them. The Government has consistently engaged with the British Government in support of this, and we will continue to do so. Those provisions of course put obligations on both the British and Irish Governments.
We will continue to work, with the British Government, to enhance confidence in the effectiveness of these important provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.
Brexit has raised particular concerns for people in Northern Ireland on whether citizenship could create differential entitlements. The EU rights of Irish and therefore EU citizens from Northern Ireland are specifically addressed in the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement. The Protocol confirms that Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, “will continue to enjoy, exercise and have access to rights, opportunities and benefits” that come with EU citizenship. Irish citizens will continue to have EU citizenship wherever they live. They will continue to enjoy the right to travel and live and work anywhere in the EU and the right not to be discriminated against on the grounds of nationality.
In March, the Joint Committee of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission published a paper on ‘Continuing EU Citizenship Rights, Opportunities and Benefits in Northern Ireland after Brexit’.
That paper is a valuable contribution and the Government is giving careful consideration to it and the Joint Committee’s views, as we would hope the British Government will do. In addition to the proposals in that paper, there may also be other options to consider on enhancing confidence in the effectiveness of these important provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.
Both Governments have committed to addressing issues relating to the Citizenship provisions of the Good Friday Agreement through the framework of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. The BIIGC is an important forum for taking these issues forward, and we will do so, informed by the Joint Committee's paper. Ireland will also play its role as an EU Member State in relation to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
32. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue in the Middle Eastern peace process in particular with reference to the need for permanent structures to encourage progress in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8118/20]
View answerI have given a high priority to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip, during my time as Minister. I have worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the issue and support for the two state solution and have undertaken four working visits to Israel and Palestine.
Ireland remains ready to support any peace initiative that respects the international parameters for a two-state solution and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and provides a basis to meet the aspirations of both peoples.
The Middle East Peace Process is regularly discussed in meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, and was addressed again in a Ministerial videoconference meeting on 15 May. In advance of that meeting, I and senior officials in my Department discussed the issue with a large number of EU Member States to encourage a clear and united position, particularly on the matter of annexation. I welcome the very clear statements that have been made on the issue by EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell.
Ireland has long worked to keep attention on Gaza. In my most recent visit to Gaza in December 2019, I saw for myself the impact the blockade is having. Ireland contributes humanitarian assistance to alleviate the worst of this suffering, including through our support for UNRWA, which is a key provider of public services, health and education in Gaza. I have initiated an Irish-funded solar power project in Gaza, which will help improve water quality in the area. More recently, my Department allocated additional funding to support the medical response to COVID 19 in the Gaza Strip.
However, the roots of the problem in Gaza are political and cannot be solved by funding alone. What is needed is the lifting of the blockade, so that normal life and normal economic activity can resume. Gaza faces other challenges, including oppressive rule by Hamas, but the blockade dominates peoples’ lives in Gaza to such an extent that it is difficult to address other issues. I have raised the issue of the blockade with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
I will continue to make every effort to ensure that the Middle East Peace Process and the situation in Gaza remain high on the international agenda.
33. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the online processing of passports will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8149/20]
View answerWith the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants.
In response to this situation, the Passport Service is operating an essential, emergency service at this time. This has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and COVID-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad. Almost 350 passports have issued to our citizens both at home and abroad in response to urgent requests. Our webchat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances. In addition, our phones lines have answered over 16,000 calls from Irish citizens overseas as part of the Department’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Passport Service staff cannot work remotely, they must be on site in order to process passport applications. This is to protect the personal data of the applicant and the integrity of the Irish Passport System.
The Global Irish Services Division of the Department is now focused on returning to a point when we can provide a full passport service. We will endeavour to do so as quickly as possible, while providing our staff with a safe working environment and in line with the Government’s Roadmap to reopen Ireland’s economy and society. The protection of staff is our first priority but we also recognise that providing passports is an essential public service. I encourage Deputies to stay in contact with my office for updates in relation to the Passport Service.
34. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting time for a new passport, a renewed passport online and offline, respectively; if the demand is still high from Irish citizens based in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in view of Brexit; and the impact Covid-19 restrictions has had on the waiting times. [8248/20]
View answerWith the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants.
In response to this situation, the Passport Service is operating an essential, emergency service at this time. This has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and COVID-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad. Almost 350 passports have issued to our citizens both at home and abroad in response to urgent requests. Our webchat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances. In addition, our phones lines have answered over 16,000 calls from Irish citizens overseas as part of the Department’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Passport Service staff cannot work remotely, they must be on site in order to process passport applications. This is to protect the personal data of the applicant and the integrity of the Irish Passport System.
The Global Irish Services Division of the Department is now focused on returning to a point when we can provide a full passport service. We will endeavour to do so as quickly as possible, while providing our staff with a safe working environment and in line with the Government’s Roadmap to reopen Ireland’s economy and society. The protection of staff is our first priority but we also recognise that providing passports is an essential public service. I encourage Deputies to stay in contact with my office for updates in relation to the Passport Service.
35. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens that are still abroad and seeking support for repatriation following the outbreak of Covid-19; the number of persons that were in financial difficulties that have received supports; and the supports received in funding from Europe for same. [8249/20]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides all possible consular advice and assistance to citizens overseas, where requested and where appropriate.
As part of our comprehensive approach in the context of COVID-19, our focus has been on helping citizens who are normally resident in Ireland to return home safely on commercial flights where available or on chartered repatriation flights, if possible.
To date, my Department, including our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, have advised or assisted over 6,000 citizens to return safely to Ireland. We are in ongoing contact with approximately 1,000 citizens who remain overseas and are seeking assistance to return home.
A very small number of these citizens have received emergency financial assistance, to help with the costs of the flight or to cover basic requirements until the departure of the flight. The assistance was agreed in these few cases due to particularly exceptional and difficult circumstances, and on the basis of an undertaking to repay within six months.
Throughout the COVID crisis, we have worked in close consultation with EU partners bilaterally, and via the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) mechanisms such as the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). 627 Irish citizens have returned from 126 different locations on special repatriation flights organised by our partners, making use of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism under which up to 75% of the costs can be recouped. We chartered three special repatriation flights ourselves, from Peru, India and Nigeria, also making use of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. A final figure is not yet available from the European Union on the total cost of this effort to bring our citizens home.
36. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider rolling out the temporary wage subsidy scheme to all limousine SPSV owners and staff. [7271/20]
View answerThe Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) is provided for in section 28 of the recently enacted Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 (The Act).
The underlying legislation and the TWSS itself were developed having regard to the Government objective of providing assistance to employers and employees, where businesses have been seriously affected by the Covid 19 pandemic and the restrictions which were introduced as a result. The scheme is available to eligible employers across all sectors, excluding the Public Service and Non-Commercial Semi-State Sector. This includes businesses that have closed due to the Covid-19 restrictions and those that continue to operate and employ their workforce. The sector to which the Deputy refers is no different in this regard.
37. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the process in cases in which property owners that sell their homes must pay the local property tax for the full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7326/20]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that liability for local property tax for a particular year is to be established on a single date. This is a statutory requirement contained in sections 3 and 16 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended). Section 2 of the Act defines the "liability date" of a given year as the 1 November of the preceding year.
Liability for Local Property Tax (LPT) arises where a person owns a residential property on a liability date, which for 2014 and subsequent years is 1 November. Thus, liability for the year 2020 was established on 1 November 2019 and the person who was the liable person in relation to a property on this date is required to pay the LPT liability for the full year 2020, regardless of whether the ownership of the property changes during that year and before the following liability date of 1 November 2020 (for the year 2021). However, while liability is to be established on 1 November in a year, the LPT does not have to be paid until the following year.
There are good reasons why liability is established before the start of the relevant year and why the tax charge is not apportioned over a year between two different owners where a property is sold during a year. Having a single liability date provides certainty about who is responsible for payment and avoids disputes about the number of days for which different property owners might be liable. The period between the liability date at the beginning of November and the end of a year, allows the taxpayer time to put different types of phased payment arrangements in place for the following year such as direct debit or deduction at source from a person’s salary or occupational pension.
In many cases where a property is being sold, the seller is also purchasing a replacement property around the same time. While such a person may end up having to pay LPT in respect of the property being sold, the LPT for the property being purchased is likely, depending on the date of sale, to end up being paid by the previous owner. The net result for each party to the sale is the payment of LPT on a single property. Furthermore, now that LPT has become an established tax it has become common practice, as part of sale/purchase negotiations, for sellers and purchasers of residential properties to take the ongoing LPT liability of the seller into account and to adjust the sales price accordingly so that, in effect, the purchaser ends up paying the LPT liability for the part of the year for which he or she owns the property.
38. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if changes will be made to the wage subsidy scheme in order to grant the payment to mothers on maternity leave and due to return to work in view of the fact those who were not on payroll in March 2020 are not entitled to the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7352/20]
View answer39. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if changes have been or will be made to the wage subsidy scheme in order to grant the payment to mothers on maternity leave and due to return to work in view of the fact those who were not on payroll in March 2020 are not entitled. [7353/20]
View answer43. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Finance if women on maternity leave who are returning to work will be included on the Covid-19 temporary wage subsidy scheme. [7633/20]
View answer51. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if women returning from maternity leave are entitled to the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7139/20]
View answer56. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the provisions of the wage subsidy scheme to allow women coming back from maternity leave to take part in the scheme. [7335/20]
View answer70. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if women returning from maternity leave will be eligible for the temporary wage subsidy scheme in cases in which it is relevant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7690/20]
View answer79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the temporary wage subsidy scheme to ensure that women returning from maternity leave are eligible for this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7953/20]
View answer86. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance if adjustments will be considered to the wage subsidy scheme to allow those returning from maternity leave to be included; if not, if alternative financial supports can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8148/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 43, 51, 56, 70, 79 and 86 together.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) is a temporary emergency measure to deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, intended to maximise staff retention and firm viability by maintaining the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible through this truly exceptional period. In that regard, it is noted that, as of 25 May, almost 56,300 employers and over 482,800 employees have thus far benefited from the measure.
It ultimately gives a sum to employers to cover a portion of their wage bill in circumstances where the employer’s business has been negatively impacted by the restrictions that have had to be introduced to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The sum the employer receives is based on the employees who were on their payroll on 29 February 2020, the net salary such employees received in January and February 2020, as well as the extent to which the employer remains able to continue to discharge their legal obligation to pay their employees’ salaries.
The TWSS is built upon historic PAYE returns made to Revenue. One of the core principles of the scheme that is necessary to prevent abuse is the requirement that the employees for which a claim is submitted must be on the payroll of the employer as at 29 February 2020. Thus, where an individual commenced a new employment after 29 February 2020, or returned to the payroll of his or her employer after that date following a period of unpaid leave, whether maternity related or otherwise, that salary cannot be included in the calculation of the sum that is available to the employer under the TWSS.
The 29 February payroll decision has consequences for many groups, however, the scheme is being administered in a manner that is fully compliant with all relevant legislation and no discriminatory treatment of workers arises.
Further, the position in relation to the TWSS does not affect any legal obligations that the employer may have to their employee as regards any terms, conditions or entitlements of their employment, including pay. The question of an individual’s employment entitlements following their resumption of work after a period of leave, and the question of what wages an employer may or may not be in a position to pay such an employee are matters between the employee and the employer – and the entire period of pregnancy and maternity leave is a special protected period under the law.
It is understood that although the employer may not be able to claim the TWSS for a person who has not been on the payroll on 29 February but is entitled to return to work after this date, they remain obliged to honour their obligations as an employer as the full suite of employment rights legislation continues to apply in relation to all employees and their employers for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
As regards the operation of the TWSS, I am aware of the matter that has been raised by the Deputies and I have instructed officials to re-examine whether such workers may be accommodated at this time within the scheme.
40. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to property insurance during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7450/20]
View answerI appreciate that many people with premises due to re-open in the current environment have genuine concerns regarding whether they will have insurance cover for claims relating to COVID-19, including those involved in tourism such as guesthouses or other forms of accommodation. Whether a person’s property insurance provides cover for such claims will depend on the specifics of his/her insurance policy, and it is possible that some policies may cover such claims, but it is also likely that others will not. In addition, on renewal it is possible that many insurers will change their terms and conditions to exclude any claims for COVID-19. It should be noted however that neither I, nor the Central Bank, have any influence over the decisions of insurers in relation to the provision of such cover.
With regards to the Deputy’s point that individuals may claim against property owners if they allege that they have contracted COVID-19 on their property, the only comment I would make is that it may be difficult to prove where a person caught the virus in the first place, therefore taking such actions may not be straightforward, and even if initiated, there can be no guarantee of a successful outcome. For now, I believe that the best way that a business can protect itself from litigation is to follow public health guidelines and implement social distancing measures.
I am aware that there have been some suggestions that the State should provide an indemnity to re-opening businesses for COVID-19 claims in circumstances where they have not been able to get any insurance cover. However, I believe that it would be financially unsustainable for the State to provide such a blanket indemnity for all litigation relating to COVID-19 outbreaks, there would also be a significant moral hazard in doing so and could also be wider unintended consequences in the insurance market.
Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to be as pro-active as it can be on insurance issues and will continue to liaise with the Central Bank of Ireland, Insurance Ireland and the sector on an ongoing basis.
