Written Answers Nos. 388-412
388. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of income eligibility by his Department for social housing supports in each local authority as part of social housing reform will be completed; and if all the criteria and decisions will be published when the report is completed. [35273/20]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Pension-Related Deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%; and 2.5% for each child, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%. On that basis if the household consists of two adults with two children, the maximum net income threshold for a household in Band 1 is €38,500, in Band 2 €33,000 and the maximum net income threshold for a household in Band 3 is €27,500.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. The review will also have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
389. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reintroduce the emergency management and fire and public safety Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35315/20]
View answerThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of each individual fire authority. This work of Local Authority Fire Services, has, to a large degree, been supported by the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 for nearly 40 years. While this legislation has served the country well it is an appropriate time now to ensure that it fully and accurately reflects the expanded and more dynamic role that our Fire Services have taken on in recent years.
It is my intention to bring forward legislation to consolidate and update the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. The Bill will also provide a statutory underpinning for certain recommendations in the “Report of the Fire Safety Task Force 2018”, which was brought to Government previously, and any issues emanating from the 1st Grenfell Report from the UK, published in late 2019.
Furthermore, the Bill will provide a statutory basis for aspects of emergency management as outlined in the Review Report on the severe weather events “Delivering Integrated Emergency Management” brought to Government in December 2019. It will effectively underpin the current established emergency management practice at national and local level.
Finally from a public safety perspective, the Bill will implement the findings of a review of funfair safety which is just being finalised within my Department. It will revise and enhance the legislative approach to safety at funfairs as well as more broadly amending the legislation dealing with the licensing of indoor events.
A General Scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation within my Department. I anticipate bringing a Memorandum to Government, on this issue, in the near future, followed by publication of the Bill.
390. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the emergency accommodation available in County Wexford for individual homeless women and homeless women with children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35318/20]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services required are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Statutory Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homeless Consultative Forum. A Management Group is in place for each homeless region, comprised of representatives from the relevant housing authorities and the Health Service Executive. The Management Group is responsible for considering the need for homeless services and the planning, implementation, funding and coordination of such services.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational issue in the day-to-day delivery of services and, as such, is a matter for the relevant housing authority.
391. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a representation by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35378/20]
View answerA reply to the representation in question issued on 6 November 2020. The subject matter of the representation is currently under active consideration.
392. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 601 of 3 November 2020, if a copy of the study referenced in the reply will be provided; the reason the report has not been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35382/20]
View answerThe report referred to in PQ No. 601 of 3 November 2020 will be furnished directly to the Deputy.
This report, by a highly experienced farm planner, gathered a large amount of complex information which is site-specific for Lough Funshinagh. The report was produced to inform the discussions concerning Lough Funshinagh and issues around flooded land. The report will be further shared with stakeholders.
393. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when announcements will be made regarding the URDF 2020 projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35386/20]
View answerA second call for proposals under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund was launched earlier this year. Seventy six proposals were received, with every local authority submitting at least one application for URDF support. Because of the nature of the URDF programme the proposals are very complex, and each will require detailed assessment.
The assessment process is under way. It is intended that a new tranche of approved proposals, which will augment the existing pipeline of projects from Call 1 and contribute to the achievement of Programme for Government commitments and the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040, will be announced before the end of the year.
394. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the powers available to local authorities to vet potential council housing tenants prior to offering them a council tenancy; the relevant legislation in place setting out the council’s powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35429/20]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The oversight and management of the lists of qualified households awaiting accommodation, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with Sections 20 and 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Assessment and Allocation Regulations, respectively. Under Regulation 28 of the Assessment Regulations, a household’s qualification for support may be reviewed at the discretion of a local authority and Regulation 29 provides that the household’s qualification for support shall be reassessed at the point of allocation of support.
The application form for social housing support prescribed by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, requires applicants to provide details of any convictions under a number of specified statutes relating to anti-social behaviour and public order offences.
Section 15(2) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997 provides for a housing authority to request from another housing authority or a specified person (as outlined in Section 15(1) of the 1997 Act), information in relation to any person seeking a house from the authority or residing or proposing to reside at a house provided by the authority or whom the authority considers may be or may have been engaged in anti-social behaviour.
Furthermore, under section 45(6) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, local authorities may refuse to provide, or cease providing, housing assistance in respect of a qualified household where the local authority considers that any household member is or has been engaged in anti-social behaviour.
Similarly, under this section, the local authority may also refuse to permit a person who proposes to take up or resume residence or enter or be in a dwelling the subject of housing assistance where the local authority considers that the person is or has been engaged in anti-social behaviour.
In addition, Section 55 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 2014, provides for a relevant person (as outlined in Section 55(2) of the 2014 Act), upon a request from a housing authority, to provide the housing authority with such information in the possession or control of the relevant person as the housing authority may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling the housing authority to perform its functions under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2014.
395. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent posts filled by his Department at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35488/20]
View answerThe information sought is set out in the table. It should be noted that my Department has seen several structural changes since 2016 as a result of various transfer of functions processes. Accordingly, the figures in the table will, of necessity, include posts which may have since moved from my Department to other Departments as part of the transfer out of Environment and Community functions. In addition, my Department has also seen the transfer inwards of functions in relation to Heritage matters as part of the formation of the current Government and posts related to that function have only been included since their transfer on 8th September 2020. It should be noted that these posts are a mix of additional staff and filling of vacancies arising as a result of staff leaving roles.
The salary costs listed are the average annual costs for the relevant year.
|
Year |
Average Annual Salary Cost |
Full Time Equivalent |
Part Time Equivalent |
|
2016 |
|||
|
Principal Officer |
€81,822.500 |
4 |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
€64,696.60 |
10 |
0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
€46,821.00 |
6 |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
€31,230.58 |
10 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
€22,297.62 |
10 |
0 |
|
2017 |
|||
|
Principal Officer |
€82,388.00 |
7 |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
€64,301.59 |
17 |
0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
€48,282.09 |
21 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
€31,575.59 |
23 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
€23,258.33 |
9 |
0 |
|
2018 |
|||
|
Principal Officer |
€88,163.26 |
3 |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
€66,692.97 |
17 |
0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
€49,224.65 |
30 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
€33,249.72 |
32 |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
€23,229.90 |
18 |
0 |
|
2019 |
|||
|
Principal Officer |
€91,727.00 |
8 |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
€65,161.16 |
26 |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
€51,160.41 |
11 |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
€32,161.82 |
24 |
0 |
|
Clerical Officer |
€24,354.00 |
19 |
0 |
|
2020 |
|||
|
Principal Officer |
€89,045.00 |
3 |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
€67,147.22 |
9 |
0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
€49,161.83 |
10 |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
€32,281.16 |
6 |
0 |
|
Clerical Officer |
€24,948.91 |
6 |
0 |
396. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the statement by the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (details supplied) on legacy issues issued on 18 March 2020. [34596/20]
View answerIt has consistently been the position of the Government that only through a collective approach can we hope to deal fairly and comprehensively with the legacy of the Troubles, in a way that responds to the needs of victims and survivors, and society as a whole.
The Stormont House Agreement framework is the way forward on these issues. Agreement was reached by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations. In March, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland issued a statement that proposed significant changes to that framework. I engaged with Secretary of State Lewis directly following this statement, to set out the Government's serious concerns about those proposed changes, and we have remained in regular contact with the UK Government on this issue since then to underline this message.
Where the UK Government is proposing significant changes to that framework, these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive.
The need for agreement by both Governments to any changes of approach applies importantly and specifically to the legislation that would implement the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval on foot of the Treaty between our two Governments signed in 2015. Any approach has to be coherent across both jurisdictions.
In terms of the issues the UK Government raised in its statement about the treatment of British military veterans, the Government's position is again clear. There should be effective investigations into all Troubles-related deaths, regardless of the perpetrator. The Government would not support a proposal to introduce any special measure or treatment regarding investigation of state or non-state actors in Northern Ireland.
The rule of law and the protections afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights must apply equally to everyone and must be upheld, and this principle is at the core of the Stormont House framework.
Victims and survivors have had to wait for far too long for a suitable and effective system in Northern Ireland to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. The Government remains ready to engage and work with the British Government and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive in partnership on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead, with a view to reaffirming a collective approach that is consistent with the Stormont House Agreement.
397. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans for an independent information commission for information retrieval similar to that contained in the Stormont House Agreement 2014. [34597/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, which was collectively agreed by the two Governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland after extensive talks.
The framework of the Stormont House Agreement provided for a set of institutions to deal comprehensively and fairly with the legacy of the Troubles, and this framework included an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) for truth recovery, to be available to victims and survivors across the UK and Ireland.
The objective of the ICIR will be to enable victims and survivors to seek and privately receive information about the Troubles-related deaths of their next of kin.
The Irish and UK Governments concluded an agreement on the establishment of the ICIR in October 2015. As set out in that agreement, the Commission will consist of five members; an Independent Chairperson of international standing, appointed by the two Governments, one Commissioner each appointed by the Irish and UK Government, and two Commissioners appointed jointly by Northern Ireland's First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The ICIR agreement was signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in October 2015 and laid before the Oireachtas in January 2016. The Independent Commission can only be formally established once the necessary legislation has been enacted and the two Governments have notified each other of completion of all other domestic legal procedures required to bring the agreement into force.
I have engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on these issues, and we remain in ongoing contact to support a way forward on the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy bodies, including the ICIR.
398. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an issue relating to a passport renewal for a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34705/20]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”), which provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices which are applied by the Passport Service in the issue of passports.
Section 9 of the Act makes provision for the Minister to issue passports for different periods, for different categories of applicants and for the issue of passports in different circumstances.
Any adult citizen who loses an Irish passport can apply for and will be issued with a full 10 year passport.
Where the holder of a passport loses two or more in date passports, a passport of restricted duration will be issued. On expiry of this restricted passport, the applicant can apply for and may then be issued with a full 10 year passport.
The decision to restrict the validity of a passport is made following an examination of the applicant’s personal passport history.
The Irish passport is a valuable identity document and its integrity is paramount to the maintenance of the level of visa free access which Irish citizens enjoy into 93 countries worldwide.
I am advised that the Passport Service has corresponded with the individual concerned and has outlined the policy in this area in full. A passport application has not yet been received by the Passport Service.
399. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the work of the UN working group on arbitrary detention; if his attention has been drawn to the UN report by the working group on arbitrary detention relating to the Catalan political leaders in jail and the calls for their immediate release; the discussions he has had with the EU, Spanish and UK authorities to secure the release of the Catalan public representative; the legal options available to his Department in such matters; if Ireland can bring a case to the ECHR similar to that of the Hooded Men case that Ireland brought against the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34708/20]
View answerMy Department follows developments in Spain closely and I am aware of the United Nations Working Group to which the question refers.
As I have previously stated, the constitutional and political arrangements in Spain are matters to be determined by their own citizens, through their own democratic processes and institutions, in keeping with the rule of law.
We respect the constitutional and territorial integrity of Spain. The Government is not considering any legal action with regard to this matter.
400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No.158 of 15 September 2020, the date on which it was decided to suspend the contribution by Ireland to international election observation missions of the OSCE; the person who made the decision; if his attention has been drawn to details of the current OSCE election observation missions in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine that include 177 volunteer long-term election observers from 17 countries, including extensive contributions from the UK and other EU member states; if he plans to make contact with the Department of Health to discuss when Ireland can recommence contributing to these and future OSCE election observation missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34887/20]
View answerSince the restriction measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic were implemented in March 2020, Ireland has not nominated observers to participate in international election observation missions.
Due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE suspended standard election observation missions (EOMs). The OSCE EOM to North Macedonia which had commenced activities on 1 March 2020 was suspended due to the global health emergency and all the election observation personnel already in place were withdrawn.
The rationale for Ireland’s decision not to nominate volunteers for EOMs at this time has been outlined in detail in response to Parliamentary Questions No. 396 of 6 October, No. 158 of 15 October, and No. 655 of 3 November. Upholding the health and safety of all concerned is the overarching priority, feeding into the wider array of factors to be taken into account in considering the nomination of election observers. The pandemic poses significant risks to the health and safety of election observers, the communities in which election observation would be carried out, and to observers' families and home communities on return. This requires careful consideration of prevailing public health and overseas travel advice in Ireland; the epidemiological situation in Ireland and abroad; and the particular challenges posed by election observation missions, given extensive travel within the destination country and close contact with residents as well as election observers from other countries.
While the OSCE initially requested nominations for short-term observers (STOs) for elections in Montenegro, Ukraine, Georgia and Republic of Moldova, public health reasons meant the OSCE then reconstituted the missions as a Limited Election Observation Missions (LEOM). Observers from eleven of the 27 EU Member States participated in these missions.
Just as national COVID-19 measures more generally are a matter for each Member State of the EU and the OSCE to decide, so too is the decision to participate in election observation missions. COVID-19 conditions and measures vary widely due to the unpredictable and dynamic nature of the pandemic.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, along with other concerned Departments and public bodies, participates in the COVID-19 Senior Officials Group coordinated by Department of An Taoiseach. This working group is concerned with ensuring the operation and services of Departments and public bodies are aligned with the COVID-19 (Level 5) framework currently in place. In the event that the possibility of resuming nomination to international election observation missions is likely, that group would be the proper forum for broader consultation to consider the risks to public health as outlined above. I look forward to a return to nominating potential Irish election observers as soon as the public health situation prudently allows.
401. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the approval by the higher planning council of the Israeli Civil Administration of an additional 4,948 settlement units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34889/20]
View answerI am aware of the development raised by the Deputy and I commented on the matter in a statement on 16 October 2020. I include the statement below for reference:
“I condemn the latest announcement of significant further settlement expansion of close to 5000 new housing units in the West Bank and in and around Jerusalem. The construction of settlements in the Har Homa and Givat Hamatos and E1 areas undermines the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State. All settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal under international law. These activities damage efforts to rebuild trust between Palestinians and Israelis. I urge the Israeli government to reverse its actions in relation to these settlement plans, and to halt all settlement construction.
I am extremely concerned at the spike in demolition or confiscation of Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank in recent months notwithstanding the severe impact of Covid-19. I reiterate my call on Israel to halt demolitions and to allow for legal construction for Palestinian residents.”
402. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay involved in posting out passports that have been processed by the passport office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35144/20]
View answerThe Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications as Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19.
The Passport Service continues to provide an essential, emergency passport service at this time for Irish citizens at home and abroad. A same day emergency service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.
A weekly service is also in place for citizens who require a passport for urgent travel.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes or for urgent reasons should contact the Passport Service via the Webchat function on our website. Our Customer Service Hub continues to respond to customer queries and can give advice about how to make an application in an emergency or in urgent situations.
The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. This provides for the resumption of processing of routine applications received via the online service at Level 4. The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3.
403. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of permits granted for military aircraft to land at Shannon Airport; the number granted to fly through Irish airspace in each of the years 2002 to 2019; the breakdown by country in each case in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35234/20]
View answerPermission for foreign military aircraft to overfly the State is subject to strict conditions. These routinely include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations. Overflights by US military aircraft are permitted without prior notification, where the aircraft are unarmed, carry only cargo and passengers and comply with navigational requirements.
The table at the link provides details of the overflights granted permission from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019, along with details of the number of aircraft granted permission to land at Shannon airport in the same time period.
This data has been compiled by staff working remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions and it is limited to the most recent five full years, for which complete electronic records are available. Staff do not have the access to the physical files required to compile data for the earlier time range. I will be in direct contact with the Deputy with regard to the remainder of the data she has requested.
404. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will support a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly calling for the establishment of an independent tribunal of inquiry into the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran in 1988 and the need to bring to justice those responsible for the atrocity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35249/20]
View answerThe human rights situation in Iran is very worrying, and has long formed an important part of Ireland's engagement and dialogue with Iran. At the 45th session of the Human Rights Council in October, Ireland co-signed a Joint Statement expressing deep concern at the continuing human rights violations in Iran, making particular reference to Iran’s ill-treatment of detainees and use of the death penalty.
At the current session of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, Canada has tabled a Resolution on the situation of human rights Iran, which Ireland has co-sponsored.
The Resolution calls on Iran to “launch a comprehensive accountability process in response to all cases of serious human rights violations, including allegations of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest and detention, and torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against peaceful protesters and political prisoners." It also calls on Iran to investigate "long-standing violations involving the Iranian judiciary and security agencies, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions."
Ireland also raises concerns with Iran on human rights as a member of the EU. Since 2011, the EU has had in place restrictive measures related to violations of human rights, which list individuals and entities responsible for grave human rights violations; as well as a ban on the export to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression and monitoring telecommunications.
405. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to the ambassador of New Zealand to Ireland in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35309/20]
View answerI have not met with Ambassador Burgess in the past three months but I greatly appreciate his work in promoting our bilateral relations with New Zealand since the establishment of a resident New Zealand Embassy here two years ago, in parallel with the opening of our Embassy in Wellington.
Ambassador Burgess is in regular, close contact with my Department on many issues and, most recently, he helped arrange a phone conversation between the Secretary General of my Department and the CEO of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 20 October.
406. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on any engagement he has had with the United States of America. [35058/20]
View answerIreland and the United States enjoy close political, economic and people-to-people relations. This Government engages regularly with the US Administration and with US elected representatives from across Congress. This engagement extends to our contacts from across the political spectrum at federal, state, city and local levels.
In September, as the House will be aware, I travelled to the US for a series of engagements in Washington D.C. This included meetings with representatives from the Administration, as well as with members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, from the House of Representatives and the Senate. The visit came at an important time for both Ireland and the United States and reinforced the commitment this Government has made to strengthening both our bilateral relationship and wider transatlantic relations. It also offered a valuable opportunity to discuss key priorities including Brexit, Northern Ireland and our upcoming tenure on the UN Security Council.
In addition to political engagements, I also met with members of the US Chamber of Commerce to reiterate the strength and mutual benefits of our economic relationship with the United States. This will be more important than ever as both countries look towards recovery following the global pandemic.
Over the past few months, I have also spoken with the US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Crawford, as part of our regular dialogue. Prior to my trip to Washington D.C. in September, I met in Dublin with US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Mick Mulvaney, with whom our Embassy in Washington D.C. is also in regular contact.
Ireland has always maintained close relations with the US and will continue to do so, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., our other diplomatic Missions across the United States and through the US Embassy in Dublin.
407. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent posts filled by his Department at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35485/20]
View answerMy Department has filled staff posts through open competitions, inter-departmental competitions and internal competitions. This was targeted at filling vacancies; supporting Brexit-related negotiations and preparations; modernising the passport service through the move to online applications and fraud prevention; the expansion of Ireland’s diplomatic and consular mission network as part of the Global Ireland 2025 strategy, and providing additional operational and policy reinforcement in headquarters.
Since the launch of Global Ireland in June 2018, new Embassies have opened in New Zealand, Colombia, Jordan, Liberia and Chile, and new Consulates General in Vancouver, Mumbai, Cardiff, Frankfurt and Los Angeles. This brings to ninety the number of diplomatic Missions in Ireland’s global network. Next year new Embassy openings are planned for Kyiv in Ukraine, Manila in the Philippines and Rabat in Morocco.
My Department has strengthened capacity in the passport service by recruiting additional permanent and temporary staff to respond to a significant increase in the number of applications from Great Britain and Northern Ireland arising out of Brexit and the provision of enhanced customer service/call answering facilities.
The number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent roles filled by the Department of posts at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years in my Department is set out in tabular form in Table 1 at the link, as is the total cost to the Exchequer of those posts. It is important to note that new staff filling vacancies represent no additional cost.
A breakdown of the total staff numbers by means of joining is set out in tabular form in Table 2.
408. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the optimum strength level of the Permanent Defence Forces; and the current strength of same broken down by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps personnel. [34659/20]
View answerThe following table details the current strength (Whole Time Equivalent) figures of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 30th September 2020, and those of the agreed establishment.
|
Branch |
Establishment |
Strength |
|
Army |
7,520 |
6,878 |
|
Air Corps |
886 |
752 |
|
Naval Service |
1,094 |
899 |
|
Total |
9,500 |
8,529 |
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).
409. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of planning operations by the Permanent Defence Forces which had to be cancelled in the past six months due to personnel shortages. [34660/20]
View answerThe Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks. The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and ATCA supports to other Government Departments and Agencies. In particular, the Defence Force are playing an active and important role in the Covid 19 response, providing a broad range of supports to the HSE.
Notwithstanding the above, the Government has acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces that are resulting in operational challenges primarily across the Naval Service and Air Corps.
I can confirm that no planned air or land operations were cancelled due to personnel issues during the period in question, 01 May to 31 Oct 2020.
In addition I can confirm of a total of 524 planned ship days at sea in the Naval Service, 24 individual days were cancelled due to personnel issues during the period 01 May to 31 Oct 20.
A range of actions have been taken to date to address the recruitment and retention issues and a range of HR initiatives are being progressed which are aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Defence Forces.
The Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.
410. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the extent and nature of the role of members of the Permanent Defence Forces in contact tracing during the Covid-19 pandemic to date. [34661/20]
View answerWhilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is made available for deployments, within current means and capabilities, as the need arises.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government COVID-19 response. It has the authority to draw together, in a joint manner, the contribution of all of the elements of the Defence Forces – Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve, etc. This was provided for in a Defence Forces Regulation signed by and under the authority of the Minister for Defence.
The Defence Forces Joint Task Force is based in McKee Barracks and its priority from the beginning has been to provide support to the HSE, while retaining, at all times, a contingent capacity to provide Aid to the Civil Power support. The Defence Forces has provided a wide range of supports to the HSE, as coordinated by the Joint Task Force including the deployment of personnel to support the HSE in the area of contact tracing.
Since March, the Defence Forces has provided support to the HSE in the area of contact tracing. Initially Defence Forces Cadets were deployed to assist with contact tracing efforts. Personnel from the Defence Forces School of Music were also then deployed to support in the area of contact tracing and the cadets returned to regular training. Recently, when a surge contact tracing capacity was required, Defence Forces Cadets were again deployed to support contact tracing efforts. Up until very recently, personnel from the Defence Forces School of Music continued to provide support to the HSE in this area. While there are currently no DF personnel providing contact tracing support , the contingency is there for DF personnel to provide support to the HSE in this area should the need arise.
Other supports that the Defence Forces have provided to the HSE include:
- operation of the COVID-19 testing centre at the Aviva stadium;
- transportation by the Air Corps of COVID-19 tests to Germany;
- collection of PPE from more than 260 cargo flights and the storage and distribution of this PPE to various HSE sites;
- support for HSE testing efforts including through the deployment of Naval Service vessels to Dublin, Cork and Galway;
- PPE training to workers at Cork and Waterford harbours by Naval service personnel;
- provision of tentage and marshalling support at various HSE testing sites around the country;
- transportation of patients for testing;
- assistance with the fit out of temporary facilities for the HSE (for example, the HSE facilities at City West and the University of Limerick);
- production and assembly of PPE using 3D printing facilities; and
- the use of lands at Ballymullen Barracks as a COVID-19 testing facility and contact tracing hub.
In addition to support the HSE, the Defence Forces have also provided a broad range of supports to other Departments and Agencies. Provision of this support was also coordinated by the Joint Task Force and examples include:
- Support has been provided to the National Ambulance Service through Defence Forces ambulance and crew supports along with tele-triage supports and Covid 19 testing supports.
- Support to the Office of Government Procurement through assistance with storage and distribution of PPE.
- Support to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government through the use of lands at Sarsfields Barracks for the location of one of the National Temporary Body Storage Facilities. The Defence Forces were also on standby to provide support if required at the Dublin based National Temporary Body Storage Facility at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
411. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Permanent Defence Forces currently serving overseas; the locations they are serving; and the mandate under which they serve. [34662/20]
View answerAs of 4 November 2020, Ireland is contributing 569 Defence Forces personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.
The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate on overseas peace support operations are set out in the Defence Acts. Where the Defence Forces contingent comprises part of an International United Nations Force, the conditions, known as the “triple lock”, must be satisfied, that is the operation must be authorised/mandated by the United Nations; it must be approved by the Government; and it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of a Defence Forces contribution is more than twelve personnel. No Dáil Éireann approval is required where members of the Defence Forces are deployed in a training role, which is consistent with the provisions of Section 3(1)(b) and 3 (1)(d) of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006.
The main overseas missions in which the Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 340 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 137 personnel.
Ireland has a long and continuous record of contributing to peacekeeping missions. Participation in these missions demonstrates Ireland's strong support for the role of the United Nations in international peacekeeping.
Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the tabular statement.
MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS AS OF 04 NOVEMBER 2020
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQUNIFIL 116th Infantry BattalionUNIFIL Sector West HQ |
93274 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
12 |
|
MINUSMA (United Nations mission in MALI) |
14 |
|
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) |
2 |
|
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic of the Congo) |
3 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side)UNDOF 58th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
9128 |
|
TOTAL |
508 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission) |
13 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
13 |
|
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini HQ) |
3 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
542 |
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
6 |
|
EU BATTLE GROUP |
|
|
German Led Battle Group 202-2, FHQ, Stadtallendorf |
10 |
|
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
1 |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels) |
4 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
3 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
569 |
412. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of the 97% of Naval Service missions which his Department claims are unaffected by staff shortages and operational capacity that are Naval Service day patrols; and his views on variance in disruption between day patrols when compared with more substantive operations. [34714/20]
View answerThe 97% referenced by the Deputy relates to the advised position as at 30 September 2020. The following table sets out the number of patrol days completed up to 30 September 2020 against the number of scheduled patrol days cancelled.
As at 30 September:
|
No. |
% |
|
|
Number of Patrol Days (fisheries and non-fisheries) carried out |
793 |
95% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Mechanical Reasons |
19 |
2.5% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Personnel Issues |
21 |
2.5% |
|
Total scheduled Patrol Days |
833 |
100% |
For completeness please also note the position as at 31 October:
|
No. |
% |
|
|
Number of Patrol Days (fisheries and non-fisheries) carried out |
865 |
93.5% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Mechanical Reasons |
32 |
3.5% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Personnel Issues |
27 |
3% |
|
Total scheduled Patrol Days |
924 |
100% |
The Deputy will appreciate that the recent fire onboard the LÉ Niamh has had a considerable impact on the number of Patrol Days lost for mechanical reasons in October. In addition, in July 2019, the Naval Service reduced its operational flotilla to six ships, placing two ships on operational pause, while a third ship entered a mid-life re-fit programme. There are 5 operational ships that remain available at present. I expect the LÉ Roisín to come back into operation following her mid-life re-fit early next year. I acknowledge these challenges have an impact on overall planned Patrol Days at present. My focus is on returning the Naval Service to its full capacity.
The following revised tables were received on 25 November 2020.
As at 30 September 2020:
|
Number |
% |
|
|
Number of Patrol Days (fisheries and non-fisheries) carried out |
795 |
95% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Mechanical Reasons |
16 |
2% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Personnel Issues |
24 |
3% |
|
Total scheduled Patrol Days |
835 |
100% |
As at 31 October 2020:
|
Number |
% |
|
|
Number of Patrol Days (fisheries and non-fisheries) carried out |
869 |
93.5% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Mechanical Reasons |
29 |
3% |
|
Patrol Days Lost: Personnel Issues |
30 |
3.5% |
|
Total scheduled Patrol Days |
928 |
100% |
