Written Answers Nos. 345-364
345. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an official travel restriction will be considered to allow persons to avail of their travel insurance in view of the strong advice from NPHET against non-essential foreign travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14361/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Foreign Affairs publishes Travel Advice for over 200 countries. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas, with a view to helping them to make informed decisions for themselves.
The Travel Advice is based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country and our international partners, together with our domestic partners where appropriate. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the priority of protecting public health, we have cooperated particularly closely with the Department of Health and the HSE.
In mid-March of this year, my Department issued a general advisory for the public to avoid all non-essential travel overseas, and the security status rating for each country was amended to reflect this advice. This advice initially applied until March 29, and was subsequently extended until further notice. The Government continues to advise against all non-essential travel overseas. This advice remains under regular review.
As the Deputy will appreciate, while we are currently advising against non-essential travel overseas, we are not in a position to advise as to whether any individual citizen's trip is essential or otherwise. Any issues relating to terms and conditions of flights, holiday packages, insurance policies or refunds should be pursued directly with the airline, tour operator or insurer. These are not a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Restrictions or requirements for travel into the State are of course a matter for other Departments.
346. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new functions, units or work areas his Department has gained; the functions, units and work areas which have been moved to other Departments; the destination for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14369/20]
View answerThe transfer of functions between Departments is governed by the Ministers and Secretaries Act and will be determined by a Government Decision and resulting Transfer of Functions Order under Section 6 of that Act.
Detailed provisions on managing the transfer of functions are set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Transfer of Functions – Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook.
In line with the document, my Department has established a group to implement the transfer of trade-related responsibilities and is working with Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to identify detailed arrangements for the transfer.
My Department expects that arrangements will be agreed subject to Government approval within the timelines set out.
347. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of recent reports of the illegal collation of secret files on civil society organisations, including human rights defenders, the press and others in Colombia; if the embassy in Colombia will monitor investigations into the alleged gathering of secret files on civil society organisations; if the creation of an international commission including the participation of the UN and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to support and oversee investigations into illegal intelligence gathering and misuse by Colombian state authorities will be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14380/20]
View answer348. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the conflict between armed groups in Rio Quito in Chocó, Colombia and the impact this is having on the local population and the environment; if he will direct the embassy to make representations to the Colombian Government on the safety and security of the affected communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14381/20]
View answer349. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps the embassy in Colombia is taking to monitor the progress of the peace process and the disarmament of neo-paramilitary groups in the Chocó and Urabá regions in Colombia; if the embassy is giving support to the National Commission for Security Guarantees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14382/20]
View answer350. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the embassy in Colombia is supporting the implementation of the environmental action plan for Chocó, developed in response to the landmark T-622 decision of 2016 by the Colombian Constitutional Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14383/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 350, inclusive, together.
I am concerned at the persistent high levels of violence in some areas of Colombia, including in the Chocó and Urabá regions, and the effect that this is having on local populations and the environment. The signing of a peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP in 2016 led to a substantial reduction in conflict in Colombia but local conflicts between illegal armed groups, and between these groups and the security forces, continue. During the pandemic, the conflicts have increased in the aforementioned areas as well as in a number of other locations.
I am pleased that the international community is addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on conflict and welcome the recent United Nations Security Council Resolution on that issue. I would like to reiterate the UN Secretary General’s call for humanitarian ceasefires during the pandemic.
Ireland has supported peace-building in Colombia since discussions took place in Havana leading to the peace agreement and we will continue to do so. We have been clear, in all our discussions with the Colombian Government, that an integral implementation of the agreement will be most effective in stabilising these post-conflict areas where violence persists. This includes the regular convening of the National Commission for Security Guarantees and a more holistic view of how to ensure the security of local communities. We have also emphasized to the Colombian Government the importance of increasing the presence of the State in these areas to ensure access to basic services and to build communities’ confidence in the ability of the State to protect them.
The effects of this ongoing violence on local populations are unacceptable, with increases in displacement and the killing of leaders and human rights defenders. Our Embassy in Bogotá is continuing to work closely with other members of the international community to convey our concerns to the Colombian Government and to work with them to strengthen implementation of the peace agreement. We believe that providing services to post-conflict communities, in particular through building local economies to provide alternatives to membership of armed groups, alongside crop substitution programmes to reduce drug production, should form part of this holistic response.
The Embassy has participated in monitoring visits to areas of concern, including a visit to Chocó in 2019, and works with its partner, Peace Brigades International, to follow developments in terms of Human Rights and to offer support to Human Rights Defenders. In addition to monitoring the situation, Ireland has contributed to the implementation of the peace agreement by financing both the European Union Trust Fund and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund, which work with Government on implementation projects. We also support civil society organisations through our grant to Christian Aid and aim to strengthen human rights in Colombia through support to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) office in the country. Ireland has contributed over €14 million in support of the Colombian peace process since 2007.
I am aware of the ruling which grants the Rio Atrato, which flows through Chocó to the gulf of Uraba, a form of legal personality in order to strengthen the environmental protection of the area. Ireland is not directly supporting the implementation of the environmental action plan for Chocó but, as a member of the European Union, contributes to a number of environmental projects. In 2019, 26 projects for over €68 million were either in implementation or about to start. A previous project on sustainable fishing in the Atrato region was successfully concluded and a new forestry project is being considered. Our Embassy will continue to work with the EU delegation in country to ensure that supports to environmental projects, including the regional action plans, are developed and implemented.
I am also aware of the reports to which the Deputy refers regarding the collection of information on civil society organisations, human rights defenders, journalists and other groups in Colombia. Our Embassy in Bogotá has been monitoring the situation since reports came to light in January. Last month, Ambassador Milton participated in an EU Heads of Mission meeting with the Minister of Defence, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, where he outlined the Government’s response. President Duque has been clear that he is taking a zero tolerance response to the illegal collation of secret files. An internal investigation, started in December, is ongoing and the Ministry of Defence is sharing information with the Attorney General and Inspector General. A number of resignations from the Armed Forces, linked to the events, have taken place. The Embassy will continue to follow the situation closely, working with civil society partners, and will consider any requests for assistance including proposals for the involvement of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and OHCHR.
353. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will publish the departmental briefing paper on his role, remits and powers afforded to him upon appointment to the Cabinet. [14526/20]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be arranging for the publication of briefing material, in accordance with the usual procedures, provided to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, upon my appointment to the Cabinet.
354. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the costings carried out on the programme for Government; and if he will provide documents on those costings. [14027/20]
View answerThe recently agreed Programme for Government contains a range of actions concerning the defence sector that will be implemented over the lifetime of the Programme. The potential cost implications arising from implementation of the actions will be determined in the context of the normal planning, estimates and budgetary cycles governed by any relevant separate Government decisions where these are required. It should be noted that actions outlined in the Programme may not, of themselves, have significant cost implications, or, would be provided for within the existing annual resource envelope.
355. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department from 2018 to date; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14052/20]
View answerMy Department utilises a range of learning and development resources delivered by Department staff and through the Civil Service training body, One Learning. This is occasionally supplemented by external providers. In terms of external costs incurred for diversity and inclusion training, unconscious bias training was provided in 2019 by Shannon Consulting at a cost of €1,700.
356. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the expenditure his Department incurred in respect of external legal fees in each of the years from 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14069/20]
View answerThe expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of external legal fees in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020 is set out in the following table
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2016 |
€9,213.67 |
|
2017 |
€40.00 |
|
2018 |
€645.75 |
|
2019 |
Nil |
|
2020 |
€71,300.54 |
The Chief State Solicitor's Office is responsible for the costs of the State's legal teams in litigation cases that it manages on behalf of my Department. The State Claims Agency (SCA) manages and provides legal representation in relation to personal injury cases taken against the Minister for Defence. External legal costs incurred by the SCA arising from the defence of any claims managed by the Agency for my Department are refunded to the Agency by the Department.
357. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will supply historic details of the social insurance record of a person (details supplied) that requires this information in order for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to carry out a review of the rate of payment of widower’s contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14160/20]
View answerMy Department has examined the matter and I can confirm that the required information was posted to the person in question on 2 July 2020.
358. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence the number of aircraft handlers in the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14303/20]
View answer359. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence the number of aircraft handler posts vacant in the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14304/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.
I am advised by the military authorities that there is no provision in the Naval Service establishment for aircraft handlers. The requirement for specific appointments in the Naval Service will be kept under review.
360. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence the status of the replacing of the LÉ Eithne; if a contract for the replacement of the vessel will be put out to tender in the second half of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14305/20]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh, as well as, in due course, the replacement of LÉ Eithne. The P50 mid-life upgrade programme is well underway. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the next scheduled component of the White Paper fleet investment programme. 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 and the Equipment Development Plan (EDP) process. The EDP outlines that the MRV project is in planning ongoing stage within the indicative timeframe of 2020 to 2024.
Naturally, concurrent progression of all projects included in the White Paper is not possible within the capital funding envelope available to Defence, and as a result, some projects such as the replacement of LÉ Eithne are planned to commence later in the ten-year life-span of the White Paper. This project is being managed by a civil-military project team and work is ongoing on the pre-tender concept of operations stage and on preparing a detailed specification of capability requirements for a tender competition.
361. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the full year cost of purchasing ten extra horses for the Defence Forces equitation school; his views regarding the number of Defence Forces personnel and civilian staff attached to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14365/20]
View answerThe mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish horse.
The Army Equitation School continues to source suitable Irish bred horses that meet the required standard as judged by the School's Horse Purchase Board. Horses are acquired through either purchase or lease agreement.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is difficult to predict the number of future acquisitions and the purchase price of any horse varies depending on a number of factors including age, ability, temperament etc.
With the COVID 19 Pandemic impacting on the ability of the Horse Purchase Board to convene, there have been no new horses purchased to date in 2020.
The current personnel strength of the School is 31, comprising seven Officers (including four Riding Officers), seven Non-Commissioned Officers and 17 Privates.
I am satisfied that the current arrangements allow the School to maintain its competitiveness at national and international events in fulfilment of its mission.
362. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if he will publish the departmental briefing paper on his role, remits and powers afforded to him upon appointment to the Cabinet. [14522/20]
View answerA copy of the Ministerial Brief, provided following my appointment as Minister for Defence, will be published shortly on my Department's website. Where there are any redactions, these will be in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
363. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to safeguard the English language teaching sector in view of the difficulties faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the potential decrease in revenue for the industry as a whole for 2020, reportedly in the region of 80%; her views on the continued implementation of provision of funding in line with a document (details supplied) to protect and enhance the reputation of Ireland and the English language industry from abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13722/20]
View answerI am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on its students, teachers and providers.
As part of the response to the pandemic, my Department established a specific Working Group for this sector. This group is comprised of representatives of relevant Government Departments and representatives of both students and English language education providers.
As part of this process, the representative bodies for English language education providers have engaged with the Working Group surrounding the loss of revenue experienced by their members and their proposals, such as those continued in the document in question, for supports to aid the recovery of this sector. In this forum, the providers have been advised of the measures introduced by Government, as part of the wider Covid-19 response, to support businesses at this time. These measures include the temporary wages subsidy scheme to facilitate employers to keep employees on the payroll throughout the Covid-19 pandemic in order to retain this link for when business increases after the crisis. This scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and is available to providers in the English language education sector. Additionally for those staff in this sector who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, they are eligible to apply for the Government’s Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Further to the above, the provider representatives have been advised of the eligibility of businesses in this sector to apply, where appropriate, for further business supports made available by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation via Enterprise Ireland and through its network of Local Enterprise Offices. A full list of these supports and related information is available for providers here:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ .
Engagement with provider representatives will continue as this sector moves towards its full re-opening and continues on a path to recovery.
364. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines for admission to the July provision scheme for children with Down's syndrome; her views on a potential shortage in tutors for the scheme due to increased numbers seeking access to same; the steps she has taken to ensure children are not excluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13726/20]
View answer475. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding access to the July provision scheme for preschool, primary school and post-primary school pupils with Down's syndrome; her plans to include preschool and secondary school in the 2021 allocation of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14584/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 475 together.
Covid-19 has presented an unprecedented global challenge for all of society, including our children. Learning has been challenging for many students since school buildings closed.
In response my Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.
Summer Provision 2020 is a discrete response to Covid-19 and is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.
The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.
My Department has been flexible in its approach to the programme so as to maximise the number of children participating. In-school or home-based supports can now be delivered in July or August. Where Parents cannot secure the services of tutor they can engage an SNA to provide care support.
In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complex special educational needs.
The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:
- Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
- Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
- Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary School
- Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings
- Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:
- Children with Down syndrome
- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing
- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment
- Children who have a moderate general learning disability
- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties
Following a decision from Cabinet this week the home based summer programme is also open to children with down syndrome who are attending post primary school.
Funding for summer provision is not available to in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. I have asked my officials to review the programme having regard to the need to ensure equity as far as possible. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.
If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website:
https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html
All special schools and primary schools with special classes are invited to provide the school based summer provision for their students. This programme will run for a minimum of two weeks and can extend up to four weeks where the schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants are willing to participate.
Home-based provision will be available where a child’s local school is not providing a programme or does not have the capacity to accommodate a child in a planned programme this year. In this situation my Department will provide grant funding towards the engagement by Parents of a registered teacher / SNA to provide home based support for 10 hours a week for 4 weeks.
The programme will be reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published information to assist Parents in sourcing the services or a Tutor or SNA for the 2020 Summer Provision. The information is available on the NSCE website at: https://ncse.ie/information-for-parents-on-private-home-tutor-services-advertising-platforms-for-the-2020-summer-provision-scheme
Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at:
Gov.ie/summerprovision
