Written Answers Nos. 81-95
81. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions the Government has taken and is taking through its role on the UN Security Council and by other means to contribute to the search for the approximately 2,700 Yazidi women and children who are still missing as a result of being taken into captivity by ISIS seven years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45540/21]
View answerI welcome all efforts to identify and protect the victims of ISIS brutality, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and support the repatriation and resettlement of Yazidis, allowing them to return to their homes.
Ireland is a member of the Global Coalition Against Daesh. On the Security Council, Ireland has consistently called for full accountability for crimes committed by Daesh/ISIS. I strongly support the work of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD), and welcome the extension of its mandate on 17 September for a period of one year.
Ireland welcomes efforts by the Iraqi government to support women and children who were captured by ISIS, notably the passage of the Yazidi Survivors Bill. I encourage full implementation of the provisions of this Bill.
Ireland also continues to support the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), including their efforts to promote human rights, and to promote the safe, dignified and voluntary return of internally displaced persons.
82. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government is taking through its role on the UN Security Council and by other means to specifically address the religious element to the violence between Fulani herders and sedentary farmers in northern Nigeria; if the Government has raised with the Nigerian Government the disproportionate impact this violence has on Christians in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45541/21]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Nigeria. Conflict poses a serious challenge to the country’s stability, and impacts on the wider region.
The particular acts of violence referred to are between nomadic herders and settled farmers. While in Nigeria the vast majority of herders are Muslim and many of the farmers are Christian, conflict arises from differences of perspective regarding access to land. This is exacerbated by climate change and by rapid population growth in Africa's most populous country, which has increased strain on resources.
Resource conflict such as that between herders and farmers also complicates the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian authorities to contain the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria and the wider region. Ireland supports international efforts to reduce its influence and to strengthen the protection of civilians.
The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja actively monitors developments in Nigeria and advocates for the protection of human rights, including the free expression of thought, conscience and religion. Through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland provides humanitarian support to those affected by conflict in Nigeria and the wider region. Ireland also provides funding to the Institute for Integrated Transitions, an NGO working in Nigeria, which has assisted in the establishment of an inter-ethnic and inter-religious committee on long term solutions to ethnic, religious, and resource based violence, including conflict between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders.
Ireland, bilaterally and as a Member State of the EU, works with the Nigerian authorities and with UN partners to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups and insecurity, including as an elected member of the UN Security Council.
As co-penholder on the Security Council file on the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), together with Niger, Ireland’s key priority is to support and facilitate UNOWAS in its work on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in West Africa and the Sahel, and promoting democracy and human rights in the region. In its most recent Presidential Statement on this matter, on 17 August 2021, the Security Council strongly condemned continued attacks against civilians in the region, and expressed the need for accountability for human rights violations and abuses. The Council also recognised the adverse effects of climate change on security and stability in the region, and the need for long-term strategies to support stabilisation and build resilience.
The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja continues to closely follow developments in Nigeria in cooperation with government authorities, civil society organisations, and our EU and UN partners. The Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to continuing to provide much needed support to strengthening peace and security in the region.
84. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the continuation of the decision due to Covid-19 restrictions to suspend the deployment of any of the 500 persons who have been vetted and trained as election monitors to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe or the EU Election Monitoring System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45739/21]
View answerI refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 304, 305 and 311 of 26 May 2021, Parliamentary Questions No. 303 and 310 of 26 May 2021 and Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 24 March 2021 on international election observation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs facilitates an Election Observation Roster of suitably skilled and vetted volunteers who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions, organised by the OSCE and EU. The current Roster of approximately 199 volunteers is in place since 1 January 2019. Issues related to the size and duration of the roster were addressed in Parliamentary Question No. 410 of 24 November 2020.
Participation in election observation missions poses particular COVID-19 risks due to transit through international airport hubs, extensive in-country travel and interactions with observers from a significant number of other countries. This potentially exposes to COVID-19, not only election monitors, but also those whom they come into contact with in the host country and when they return home. As such, since March 2020, Ireland has not nominated election observers for EU and OSCE Election Observation Missions.
However, given the re-opening of non-essential international travel and the progress of Ireland’s vaccination programme, my officials are working to clarify the safe conditions for volunteer election observers before, during and after their participation in Election Observation Missions. This is with a view to early resumption of nomination of volunteer observers from the roster for EU and OSCE Election Observation Missions on a case by case basis, subject to adjudication of duty of care.
85. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Defence if his Department’s IT infrastructure is monitored for security breaches on a 24/7 basis; the guidance provided from Government on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45306/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department’s IT Infrastructure has a breadth of infrastructure monitoring in place and provide a 24/7 service. However, for operational security reasons, my Department is not in a position to provide further details of its cyber security systems as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent.
Guidance from Government in relation to ICT security is a matter for the National Cyber Security Centre.
86. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the steps taken by his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within his Department who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; his plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45363/21]
View answerA central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department or Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas. Once the framework is finalised, my Department will develop a policy, appropriate to the business needs of the organisation.
Approximately 97% of staff within my Department have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing, and the capacity to work remotely. These services are provided via the Build-to-Share Managed Desktop service supplied by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
87. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the steps taken by agencies under the remit of his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within these agencies who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; if there are plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45380/21]
View answerThe only agency under the remit of my Department is the Army Pensions Board, which is a statutory independent body, established under the Army Pensions Acts. The board comprises three members, all of whom have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing, and the capacity to work remotely. These services are provided via the Build-to-Share Managed Desktop service supplied by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
88. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the role that members of the Reserve Defence Forces played at vaccination centres during the pandemic; the number of members that were stationed at vaccination centres; the number of hours they worked; the payment they received; and if no payment was received, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45611/21]
View answerAt 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. A wide range of supports have since been provided to the HSE as well as to other Departments and Agencies. The Defence Forces are also represented on the High Level Task Force for Covid-19 Vaccination and continue to provide transportation and logistical supports to the HSE in the rollout of the Covid 19 vaccination programme.
A number of Reserve Defence Force (RDF) members are currently engaged, on a voluntary basis and where personal circumstances allow, in authorised COVID-19 activities in a supporting role to the response of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to the COVID19 crisis. In this regard, members of the Reserve served a total of 1,457 Covid-related days in 2020 with a further 778 such days served by RDF members in 2021, to the end of August. Members of the Reserve are paid in such circumstances and their support is welcomed.
To date, three members of the RDF have been involved in vaccinating at vaccination centres. They have completed 26 shifts, each of 12 hours duration. All such RDF personnel receive the corresponding day’s duty pay for each shift, equivalent to that of their PDF colleagues, plus the applicable COVID-19 allowance for their engagement in a pandemic related activity.
89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of females who have included family care issues among their stated reasons for seeking inter service transfers or discharge from the Naval Service over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/21]
View answerAn individual member of the Permanent Defence Force may be discharged for any one of the twenty-six prescribed reasons set out in Defence Force Regulations which cover various matters. Discharge citing family care issues is not included as a category type and is therefore not recorded.
However, some other measures have been introduced as a method of gaining further feedback and insight for the organisation. Exit interviews were introduced as part of the discharge process in March 2021. There has been one female member of the Naval Service who was interviewed upon discharge in the intervening period and family care issues were not cited in her reasons for leaving.
Online Exit Surveys were also introduced in May 2020. This survey contains a series of questions on a range of topics including; perceptions held in relation to the job, decisions for leaving the organisation, work life balance and discrimination. Of the 117 surveys completed in this time, 7% of the respondents were female (5% did note state gender). In terms of the Deputy's specific query on female members of the Naval Service who have discharged, one female member stated that working in the Naval Service was incompatible with having a family due to the requirement for sea going rotations.In respect of requests for transfers, I am advised by the Military Authorities that there is no requirement to state a specific reason for transfer owing to the fact that it may be of a personal nature, therefore the data requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Deputy may be aware that there are a number of facilities available to serving Defence Forces personnel in terms of work life supports. First and foremost Defence Forces members are entitled to maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, parents leave and term time in line with national legislation.
In addition a range of ‘harmony’ measures have also been implemented including ‘hot desking’ for certain enlisted and commissioned personnel who have been posted away from their home address, and remote working is considered for a limited number of personnel depending on the circumstances.
Additionally, I am advised that a number of family friendly overseas appointments for commissioned and enlisted personnel have been introduced whereby the normal 6-month tour of duty can be ‘shared’ with another member of the Defence Forces, resulting in a 3-month deployment. While this measure has been restricted as a result of the COVID pandemic, it is an acknowledgement of the importance of a family-friendly approach.
Personnel in the Defence Forces serving both at home and overseas have an array of supports available to them, including in-house medical teams, critical incident response teams, chaplaincy services and support services through the Personnel Support Service (PSS). The PSS operates within each installation of the Defence Forces and consists of a team of occupational social workers and trained military support personnel. The Department of Defence also provides an external confidential counselling service to all personnel.
The Naval Service has a Female Forum, for all ranks, that meets regularly to discuss female issues relevant to the Naval Service. Importantly it provides both support to females in the service and to develop a network to extend their support opportunities and enhance their Naval experience.
Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, the Independent Commission on the Defence Forces is currently examining a range of issues in the Defence Forces and its terms of reference encompass the setting out of a strategic perspective on HR policies and associated strategies.
90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the length of time it takes for a complaint of sexual assault to be dealt with currently in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45709/21]
View answerI wish to reiterate that all members of the Defence Forces have the right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate authorities.
I am advised by the military authorities that complaints of unacceptable behaviour can be dealt with at different levels, either by way of an informal approach or formal process. Specially trained Designated Contact Persons (DCPs) are available to assist complainants. The formal procedure requires that a complaint is made in writing.
These complaints are dealt with by the military chain of command either through the legal/disciplinary process or by administrative action. Administrative instruction A7, Chapter 1, 'Interpersonal Relationships in the Defence Forces" is the Defence Forces' policy document which deals with sexual harassment, harassment and bullying.
I am further advised that in the event that a complaint of a criminal nature is reported, I understand that the standard procedure is that the matter is investigated immediately by the Military Police. In line with other investigations of this nature in this jurisdiction, each investigation differs depending on the complexities of the case, it is therefore not possible to define a timeframe for the investigation of such complaints.
Where allegations of serious criminal incidents among serving members are brought to the attention of the Military Police, they are traditionally passed to An Garda Síochána for their consideration and investigation who have the lawful authority, skills and resources to investigate such matters.
I can assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, working closely with the Chief of Staff, and the Secretary General, am committed to ensuring that Defence Forces personnel are provided with a safe working environment as exemplified in the DF Dignity Charter and the other policies and procedures in place. The health and safety of personnel in the Defence Forces remains a priority for the Government.
91. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he will make provision to allow serving and retired male and female victims of sexual abuse, harassment and gender discrimination in the Defence Forces an opportunity to tell their experiences of abuse anonymously during the inquiry stage of the external commission that is being called for by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45710/21]
View answerI listened with concern to the women who recounted their experiences on the Women of Honour programme on RTE Radio on the 11 September 2021. I expressed my willingness to meet with the participants, should they wish to do so, and I am pleased to say that my offer has been accepted.
I have instructed my officials to make the necessary arrangements without delay. In the meantime, I also wish to confirm that the Secretary General and senior officials of the Department are meeting with a number of the participants this week.
I would like to reiterate again in the strongest possible terms that all members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate authorities.
Terms of reference for the Independent Review, which had been advancing in recent months, are being reviewed in light of the RTE programme, and are being finalised. The purpose of this Independent Review, which will be conducted by independent and unbiased personnel, is to examine the effectiveness of current policies and procedures for dealing with workplace issues such as dignity, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and discrimination.
I very much look forward to meeting with the women profiled in the programme, and listening to their views.
I can assure the Deputy that both I, as Minister, and the Defence Organisation, are committed to providing a safe place of work for all employees.
92. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education if her Department is engaging with National Broadband Ireland to ensure that schools currently devoid of broadband services will be fast-tracked for the National Broadband Scheme; if she will investigate the circumstances of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo with a view to providing the school with an adequate service; her views on whether it is acceptable for any school to be devoid of a stable internet service in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45281/21]
View answerThe policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. Broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools.
The primary broadband scheme operates off existing infrastructure on the whole and the providers on the Primary Broadband Framework access this infrastructure to deliver the service to the schools. The Department does not put in place such infrastructure.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy the school opted to leave the schools broadband programme and it currently has a private connection. If the school is interested in re-joining the schools broadband programme, the school should record their request with the schools broadband service desk and the school will be included in the next available tender for broadband services to schools, at which point the level of connectivity that can be provided can be determined. The Broadband service desk is the Department's dedicated broadband service desk which is managed by the Professional Development Service for Teachers - Technology in Education (PDST-TiE). They can be contacted by phoning 1800334466 or by emailing broadbandservicedesk@pdst.ie.
The school referred to is included in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, and my Department is working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the implementation of the National Broadband Plan Intervention area, including the School Connection Points under the Broadband Connection Points programme, all of which will see almost 700 primary schools provided with high speed connectivity by the end of 2022. Implementation of this programme is currently underway.
93. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education if her Department’s IT infrastructure is monitored for security breaches on a 24/7 basis; the guidance provided from Government on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45307/21]
View answerIn relation to guidance from Government, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which is located within the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The NCSC provides a range of cyber security services to operators of Critical National Infrastructure, Government Departments and Agencies. My Department's cyber security protocols are supported by the work of the NCSC and the national computer security incident response team, CSIRT, which provides early warnings, alerts, announcements and dissemination of information about risk and incidents to my Department.
My Department implements multiple Cybersecurity protocols and measures including 24X7 IT Security Monitoring, User Awareness, Perimeter Security, Anti-virus/Anti-Malware, Email and Web filtering, System Patching, Risk Management, Policies, Regular Vulnerability Assessments/Penetration Testing, Mobile Device Management, Access Management, Incident Management, Event Monitoring, Information Security Governance, GDPR Awareness, Disaster Recovery, Offline backups, Supplier Management and Encryption
94. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education if she will report on progress made to date on the commitment to reduce the primary level pupil-teacher ratio to 25:1 with emphasis on those classrooms which currently experience ratios of 30:1 and above; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45332/21]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting small schools.
As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the number of pupils needed to retain a teacher. For the 2021/22 school year the staffing schedule is on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 16:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2020/21 school year. Average class sizes improved from 24.9 to 23.3 in the same period. The most recent budget announcement will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes.
The staffing schedule which now stands at a new historical low will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher. Any further reductions of the pupil teacher ratio will be considered as part of the annual budgetary process.
95. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education the number of mainstream teaching posts, special education teaching posts and special needs assistants added at each of primary and post-primary levels for the 2021-2022 school year; the way these numbers compare to commitments made for each in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45333/21]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to schools annually and are available on the Department website.
At primary level, Budget 2021 provided for 394 posts to reduce further the primary staffing schedule by one point, bringing this to a historically low level of 25:1, and to reduce the retention schedule by three points. This measure will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.
Some 268 additional mainstream teachers in schools will be recruited to meet demographic-related demand due to the expected overall increases in the number of pupils enrolled in schools at both primary and post primary levels.
An additional 145 Special Education teachers were provided for in Budget 2021, while 990 SNA posts were allocated as part of the Budget.
The allocation process for the 2021/22 school year is ongoing and the final allocation will not be known until the Autumn when the staffing appeal process has been completed.
