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Thursday, 28 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 203-222

Sports Funding

Questions (203)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

203. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of fees or payments provided to social media influencers, media personalities and retired sportspersons, respectively, by Sport Ireland, in each of the years from 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the names of the persons who received fees; the amount they received; the analytics and-or online metrics related to each project that such a person was engaged on; and the title of the project they were engaged for. [21521/22]

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Written answers

I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply with details of the fees or payments made by Sport Ireland as requested by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Departmental Transport

Questions (204)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

204. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of electric vehicles and-or hybrid vehicles in her allocation of ministerial vehicles; and if she will provide the make and model of all vehicles in her allocation of ministerial vehicles by the year registration. [21615/22]

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Written answers

I can confirm to the Deputy that neither Minister of State Chambers nor I are allocated state vehicles for use in respect of our ministerial duties .

As I have previously advised the House, my Department does not operate any vehicles.

Sports Funding

Questions (205)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

205. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to a series of parliamentary questions in respect of a grant for a sports club (details supplied) in County Kildare, if she will provide an update on the situation as of 28 April 2022; and the next steps the club must take in order for funds to be released. [21622/22]

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Written answers

As outlined in previous replies on this matter,  the club to which the Deputy refers was provisionally allocated a grant of €81,500 under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) for the development of an artificial playing surface and a further €83,343 under the 2018 SCP towards the provision of floodlights and non-personal sports equipment. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the SCP, due to the value of the grants received by the club in the past, it is necessary to execute a Deed of Covenant and Charge in order to protect the public investment in the facility. These requirements were communicated to the club at provisional allocation stage and it was made clear that formal approval could not issue until the legal requirements were finalised. In this regard, I understand that my Department’s legal advisor, the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO), was in regular contact with the club’s solicitors since 2019 in relation to outstanding documentation.

I am pleased to confirm that the required documentation to advance the 2017 grant has now been received and formal approval for this 2017 grant issued to the club earlier this month. The club can now advance this element of the project and there will be no undue delay in paying this grant once the necessary drawdown documentation is submitted by the club.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (206)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

206. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of staff who have been recruited for the wildlife crime unit; when the staff will be in place; the roles and locations of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21506/22]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware from previous replies on this matter, the function of the enhanced Wildlife Crime Unit (soon to be known as Wildlife Crime Operations) is to support the law enforcement work that has been, and continues to be done by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Regional staff. 

Some 110 staff are working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime.  These include District Conservation Officers and Conservation Rangers, supported by Regional Managers and Divisional Managers.  Some 86 Conservation Rangers are stationed across the country, and it is my intention to further increase ranger numbers up to 120.  My Department is working towards this goal as part of an increase in resourcing being made available to NPWS. 

The work being carried out by NPWS saw 21 prosecutions successfully closed in 2021. 15 more have been successfully closed to date in 2022, and a further 48 are on hand at present. 

NPWS works closely with colleagues in An Garda Síochána and other enforcement agencies such as the Customs Division of the Revenue Commissioners to address wildlife crime.  I look forward to developing and building on these partnerships to increase pressure on those involved in wildlife crime.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (207)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the establishment of the seafood offshore renewable energy working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21544/22]

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Written answers

As I have previously outlined to the House, following the outlining of a variety of concerns from both sectors that were first brought to my attention during the development of the National Marine Planning Framework, I instructed my Department officials to establish a Seafood/ORE working group to assist the managed introduction of the offshore renewables industry into the maritime area.

Bearing in mind those concerns, which principally related to diverse levels and standards of communications between the fisheries and ORE industries, the initial stated aim of the seafood/offshore renewable energy working group will be to agree a communications protocol between these two strategically important Maritime sectors. With regard to the Seafood-ORE group inception timelines, I wish to acknowledge to the House that the commencement of this group has been delayed due to a number of factors, including Covid-related restrictions, the prioritisation of the finalisation process of the National Marine Planning Framework, and the successful progression of the Maritime Area Planning Act through the Houses of the Oireachtas, among other issues.

During the last months of 2020, and at regular intervals throughout this year, constructive discussions and consultations on the draft Terms of Reference have been held between my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and other relevant public sector bodies. One such example of these engagements was the participation of officials from all three Departments in a Seafood sector information session, which was held online on July 22nd 2021, in order to inform representatives of the Seafood sector of the intentions of the three Departments and outline the proposed objectives of the group. This information session was attended by the majority of the Irish Seafood sector organisations and was generally positively received by attendees.

More recently, there have also been Departmental engagements with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), and in February, my Department received sanction from DPER approving remuneration costs for the position of chairperson of the seafood/ORE group. As a result of this approval, I proceeded with publicly advertising the position of Seafood/ORE group chairperson on 8th March of this year.

The position was advertised for over a two week period, and I am happy to inform the House that it attracted strong interest from a broad range of suitably qualified candidates. My Department is currently carrying out a shortlisting process, after which interviews will take place with the selected candidates in the coming weeks. I will then move to appoint the chairperson at the completion of the interview stage, with the aim of commencing the inception meeting of the seafood/ORE working group at the earliest available opportunity. I would request that the House note that the independent chair will require a couple of weeks to review or amend the Terms of Reference as he or she sees fit, but I am confident that the inception meeting of this group will be held in Q2.

Departmental Transport

Questions (208)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of electric vehicles and-or hybrid vehicles in his allocation of ministerial vehicles; and if he will provide the make and model of all vehicles in his allocation of ministerial vehicles by the year registration. [21610/22]

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Written answers

There is no allocation of ministerial vehicles in my Department. The vehicles used by myself and the Ministers of State in my Department are privately owned. 

Passport Services

Questions (209)

James Lawless

Question:

209. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21490/22]

View answer

Written answers

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant's parent.

Passport Services

Questions (210)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

210. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to allow additional post offices within the UK to accept paper-based Irish passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21491/22]

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Written answers

The Passport Service provides a range of channels to Irish citizens worldwide who wish to apply for a passport. These include a postal application system, online passport application service, in person counter application facilities at the passport offices in Dublin, Cork and London, and the network of Irish Missions worldwide.

Passport Online is the priority channel for applications as there are many efficiencies built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. Passport Online can be accessed by all first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, South Africa, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mauritius, Lesotho, Colombia, Panama, Chile, Peru and Ecuador.

All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Currently, more than 90% of passport applications from Ireland and overseas are received through the passport online service. This is an increase from 47% in 2019.

The Passport Service is committed to continue to offer a range of application channels, including an offline service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service. The paper-based, mail-in "Passport Express" service is available to citizens applying from the United Kingdom at over 70 post office locations in Northern Ireland and at two post office locations in Great Britain, in Glasgow and Liverpool respectively. The turnaround time for this service is 8 weeks. The application form required for a Passport Express application (APS2 form) can be picked up from over 70 post office locations in Northern Ireland, 100 post office locations in Great Britain, from Irish centres in Great Britain or from the Embassy of Ireland in London. The Embassy can also post APS2 forms to applicants on request.

Details on how to apply using the Passport Express service from Northern Ireland or Great Britain can be found on my Department’s website (www.dfa.ie/passports/passport-express/). 

I am satisfied that the service provided through Passport Express is enough to meet current and future demand for paper-based passport applications in the United Kingdom. While there are no current plans to enable passport applications to be accepted at additional UK post offices, the Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance customer experience for citizens worldwide.

 I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time .

Passport Services

Questions (211)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in the processing of a passport application in the case of a person (details supplied); if further documentation remains outstanding in this case; when the mother’s passport will be returned given that both passports are required at an early date; when the passport for the minor will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21532/22]

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Written answers

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent in relation to the application. The Passport Service has returned the mother's passport.

Passport Services

Questions (212)

Michael Ring

Question:

212. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21534/22]

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Written answers

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Passport Services

Questions (213, 215, 217)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

213. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport renewal for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21565/22]

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Michael Ring

Question:

215. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be ready on time for a child to travel with their family (details supplied) in view of the fact that this application has been with the Passport Office since 16 January 2022 and that passports have issued to the siblings of the child. [21628/22]

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James Lawless

Question:

217. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on passport applications by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21659/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 215 and 217 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Passport Services

Questions (214)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

214. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an issue (details supplied) in relation to some applications for the passport card; the number of applications that were impacted by the issue; and if applicants impacted are being advised to submit a new application while waiting to be refunded. [21572/22]

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Written answers

The Passport Service receives approximately 5,000 passport applications daily. On rare occasions, an application may encounter an error while information is being transferred from the external website to our internal systems. The Passport Service has a process in place to identify these applications within 24 hours of the applications being made and a refund is usually issued within 3 working days. The Passport Service encourages applicants who experience this technical error to re-apply for their passport with a new application, in the knowledge that a refund will issue in due course for the first application.

They can also contact the Passport Service Customer Service team via phone on 01.671.1633 or webchat on my Department’s website (www.dfa.ie/passports/contact/).

The Passport Service will contact the applicant referenced to confirm that a refund has issued. The Passport Service regrets any inconvenience caused to applicants who have encountered this error.

Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 213.

Ukraine War

Questions (216)

Holly Cairns

Question:

216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if sexual and reproductive health and rights have been integrated into Ireland’s humanitarian response in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21651/22]

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Written answers

A feature of the war on Ukraine is that 90% of those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes are women and children, which makes them highly vulnerable.  Among these vulnerabilities is that women's access to health and other social services has been severely impacted, and a tenet of the €20 million Irish Aid response to date has been to ensure that these women are protected.

In addition to mainstreamed support for protection which partners are taking forward, this package includes a specific €1.5 million for UNFPA's essential work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to protect women and girls from multiple forms of gender-based violence. This enables UNFPA to provide health services directly in Ukraine, including the delivery of 39 metric tons of reproductive health supplies, medicines and equipment to maternity and other hospitals.  Irish funding supports UNFPA provision of safe spaces, shelter and crisis rooms, as well as the roll out of dignity kits to women who have been displaced, including those now in Moldova. Since the start of the conflict, UNFPA has reached more than 1 million people, mostly women, with information about the availability of sexual and reproductive health services, protection and psychological support. In this work, it is coordinating efforts with other UN agencies, international and local partners.

Ireland has also provided €1.5m to the World Health Organisation’s urgent appeal to ensure continuity of health services, including sexual and reproductive health care within Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. Amongst other things WHO is providing emergency obstetric and new-born care; health care for survivors of sexual violence; STI and HIV management; family planning services and other lifesaving interventions.

In addition to this financial aid, Ireland has consistently condemned all reports of sexual and gender-based violence, exploitation and abuse, including at every opportunity at the Security Council. We have also encouraged our humanitarian partners to prioritise protection, gender-responsive and life-saving services for women and girls, including sexual and reproductive health services.

Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 213.

Departmental Transport

Questions (218)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

218. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the number of electric vehicles and-or hybrid vehicles in his allocation of ministerial vehicles; and if he will provide the make and model of all vehicles in his allocation of ministerial vehicles by the year registration. [21602/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has no role in the administration or the allocation of Ministerial vehicles.

School Admissions

Questions (219)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

219. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the lack of school places in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21498/22]

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Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System (GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.

My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas including in County Westmeath.

However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils cannot get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

My Department is proactive in working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including patrons of schools in County Westmeath to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.

Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. It is expected that the enrolment pressures will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in Co Westmeath may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (the Additional Accommodation Scheme) including schools in County Westmeath can also be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.

Specifically in County Westmeath, there are currently 21 projects ongoing at both primary and post primary schools. This includes significant capital investment in the following post primary schools: Marist College, Athlone, Moate Community School, Mullingar Community College, Colaiste Mhuire, St Finian’s College and Wilson’s Hospital School, Mullingar, Columba College, Killucan, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfordbridge and Scoil an Chlochair, Kilbeggan.

My Department is continuing to engage with all patrons of schools in the area referred to in order to identify any additional required interim solutions to meet the need for post primary places. My Department will continue its focus on advancing these and other projects in County Westmeath and to ensure sufficient mainstream and SEN school places at both primary and post primary level.

School Transport

Questions (220)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the reason that bus drivers over 70 years of age with the relevant full licences are not allowed to drive on contracted school bus services for Bus Éireann; if she will consider changing same; if she will make it a stipulation of the conditions of any contract with Bus Éireann that this ageist provision be removed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21560/22]

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Written answers

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on 7,000 school routes.  This includes vetting and background checks.

It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years.  However Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite licence and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.  This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.   

The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. There is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time.  However the matter will continue to be kept under review.

School Transport

Questions (221)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

221. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the reason that buses contracted by Bus Éireann under school bus contracts have to undergo a second fitness test with Bus Éireann despite already having passed the Department of Education test which is mandatory for all buses; the cost of this second testing to the Department each year; if she intends to inform Bus Éireann that she will no longer pay for same as part of her Department's contract with Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21561/22]

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Written answers

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021. 

The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

The school transport fleet is made up of both Contractors Vehicles and Bus Éireann vehicles. The safety of children and those on board school transport vehicles is the number one priority for the Department and Bus Éireann

In order to be considered roadworthy a bus must pass an annual Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT), conducted under the auspices of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) at approved test centres around the country.  Bus Éireann school transport providers are contractually obliged to ensure that their vehicle has an up to date roadworthiness certificate issued by an RSA accredited test centre when a contract is signed. The contractor is obliged to keep their roadworthiness certificate current and up to date at all times and provide Bus Éireann with evidence of this. All school buses in service - procured by Bus Éireann to provide services under the School Transport Scheme - that are subject to roadside inspections must have current roadworthiness certification at the time of inspection.

A detailed contract is put in place for all contracted services – which includes numerous safety-related items. There is a strict process in place before any vehicle or driver is added to the approved list for provision of services under the School Transport Scheme. Required documentation is checked and copies are held by Bus Éireann offices. This documentation includes insurance and insurance indemnity, valid Road Passenger Transport Operator Licence (with required vehicles added), valid Certificate of Roadworthiness (CRW), appropriate valid Public Service Vehicle licence (large/small) (PSV) and evidence of Tax Clearance. Bus Éireann contracts also include a stipulation that requires all contractors to have planned maintenance programmes, with checking intervals of not more than six weeks. Every Contractor is also responsible as an individual bus operator, licensed by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, to ensure they comply with legislation in all respects.

In addition to statutory requirements, Bus Éireann arranges for additional examinations of vehicles operating under the Scheme – which are both targeted and random. These additional quality assurance checks are carried out by an independent agency on Bus Éireann’s behalf.  Circa12% of the fleet receives an extra roadworthiness check each year under this audit, which is designed to enhance the safety of the school bus services in the intervening period between annual RSA roadworthiness tests. 

The Department continues to  work in collaboration with Bus Eireann and the RSA to ensure safety remains a key priority in the operation of the school transport services.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (222)

Pat Buckley

Question:

222. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education if a successful contractor has been appointed to a school (details supplied); if so, when work will commence; the expected finishing date for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21570/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Letter of Intent (LOI) issued on the 15th of February 2022 to the preferred tenderer.  This allows the preferred bidder to put in place the Bond, Insurances and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.  

Following receipt of all the necessary documentation, the Department will be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LOA), which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site. 

My Department will advise the Board of Management when the Letter of Acceptance issues.

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