Marc MacSharry
Question:105. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passports of children (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36586/22]
View answerPassport Services
Questions (105)
Written answers
With regard to the first application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant's guardian as to the steps they must take to progress the application. With regard to the other two applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service is currently reviewing the applications and will progress them as appropriate.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (106)
Denis Naughten
Question:106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present length of time to process a foreign births registration; when an application of a person (details supplied) received 28 months ago will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36645/22]
View answerWritten answers
Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration resumed in November 2021. FBR staff have since processed over 7,300 FBR applications while also continuing to provide support to passport services due to the unprecedented levels of passport demand.
The FBR Service provides an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents or stateless persons. Such applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly. For other applications, the FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt.
In relation to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 10 March 2020 and is due to be processed in the near future. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in this regard.
The Passport Service has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand for passports and FBRs since June of last year. A major recruitment drive, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service, has been underway over the past several months. This has seen the Passport Service taken on over 540 staff since June 2021.
The unprecedented level of staff currently working in the Passport Service will be maintained in the months ahead. This will allow for the reassignment of additional staff to the processing of FBR applications with the aim of significantly reducing turnaround times for these applications by the end of this year.
Ukraine War
Questions (107)
Carol Nolan
Question:107. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way that the amount of €44 million being provided to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility was determined; if this funding was provided from the Department’s own vote or from elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36649/22]
View answerWritten answers
The war on Ukraine has seen a significant mobilisation of funding through the European Peace Facility (EPF), with the EU agreeing to provide a total of €2 billion in military assistance thus far, based on requests for equipment from the Ukrainian government.
During the negotiations to establish the EPF and in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, Ireland together with a number of like-minded EU Member States, ensured the inclusion of a provision allowing Member States to exercise constructive abstention from assistance measures involving lethal equipment. Constructive abstention removes from the Member State involved any obligation to cover the costs of the provision of lethal equipment.
In the case of the military assistance provided to Ukraine, Ireland has made use of this provision and will instead provide a corresponding elective contribution to the provision of non-lethal support only.
Ireland’s total contribution under the EPF for Ukraine currently amounts to approximately €44 million. This contribution has been calculated on the basis of a Gross National Income (GNI) key which is provided for each Member State and will be funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The full amount of €44 million will not fall due for payment in 2022 and is likely to be spread across a number of years.
Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 81.
Passport Services
Questions (109)
Michael Ring
Question:109. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will be dispatched to siblings (details supplied) given that the applications were received by the Passport Office on 14 March 2022 and they have well exceeded their issue due date of 12 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36684/22]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired the Passport Service has reviewed the applications and progressed as appropriate.
Public Sector Staff
Questions (110)
Michael Ring
Question:110. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Defence the number of former county managers and CEOs of local authorities who are currently working within his Department and any agency or body under the remit of his Department, including details for persons employed in any format such as on a contract or advisory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36294/22]
View answerWritten answers
There are currently no former county managers or Chief Executives of local authorities employed by my Department in any format.
The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces. There are currently no former county managers or Chief Executives of local authorities employed by the Army Pensions Board in any format.
Defence Forces
Questions (111)
Peter Burke
Question:111. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Defence when a report will be published into his plans to recognise the efforts of volunteers and officers of the Civil Defence and their contributions during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36449/22]
View answerWritten answers
Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer-based organisation with a nationwide footprint. Volunteering within Civil Defence demonstrates the very best of Irish society and the Government is conscious of and grateful for the work that Civil Defence volunteers undertake on a weekly basis.
The Government acknowledges the exceptional service given by Civil Defence volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil Defence have been, and continues to be, a core part of the emergency response structures within each Local Authority for the past 70 years. Civil Defence volunteers have contributed so much to their communities since the beginning of the pandemic.
Officials in my Department have been engaging with Civil Defence Officers to consider a suitable way to honour Civil Defence members and recognise their efforts in the response to COVID-19 since March, 2020. Significant work has been undertaken in relation to this and I expect to be able to share further details in the coming months.
Defence Forces
Questions (112)
Sorca Clarke
Question:112. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel by rank attached to the Defence Forces School of Music as of 28 June 2022; the number of vacancies by rank in the school; and when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [36480/22]
View answerWritten answers
The military authorities have provided the following details in relation to the strength and vacancies in the Defence Forces School of Music, as at 28 June 2022:
|
Rank |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Captain |
Lt |
CS |
CQ |
Sgt |
Cpl |
Pte |
|
Strength |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
32 |
26 |
43 |
|
Vacancies |
0 |
0 |
1* |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
*This vacancy was filled on 29 June 2022 by direct entry recruitment.
Vacancies will be filled in line with promotional arrangements and by recruitment. 2 Direct Entry recruitment competitions (Instrumentalists and Conductor) were held in 2021 and further such recruitment will be considered.
Defence Forces
Questions (113)
Sorca Clarke
Question:113. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number of full-time qualified vets working in the Defence Forces Equitation School in the years of 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [36481/22]
View answerWritten answers
The military authorities have advised that there are no full-time qualified vets in the Equitation School. Veterinary care is outsourced to a private veterinary practice, the tender for which is advertised every four years.
Defence Forces
Questions (114)
Carol Nolan
Question:114. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence if there are persons assigned to the role of gender adviser within the various branches of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36647/22]
View answerWritten answers
I have been advised by the Military Authorities that within the Defence Forces, each Army Brigade, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Air Corps, and the Naval Service have their own Gender Advisers (GENADs). There is also a Defence Forces Gender Adviser based in Defence Forces Headquarters.
The Defence Forces Gender Adviser is responsible for incorporating a gender perspective into the planning and execution of Defence Forces operations and procedures, both domestically and overseas. The role of the Gender Adviser is outlined in the Defence Forces Third Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) and related resolutions 2020-2024, and includes, inter alia, the following:
- Overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions within Defence Forces policies, programmes and operations, both on island and overseas.
- Monitoring the implementation of the Defence Forces Third Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 and Related Resolutions.
- Advising Defence Forces General Staff on all matters pertaining to the incorporation of a gender perspective within military planning and operations.
- Responsibility for the co-ordination of gender related training for Defence Forces personnel.
- Responsibility for the nomination of suitable candidates/representatives to attend national or international courses, conferences, seminars etc. in the area of Women, Peace and Security.
- Advising and supporting Brigade/Formation Gender Advisers on the implementation of the Defence Forces Third Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 and Related Resolutions.
- Ensuring the education, monitoring and support, of nominated Gender Focal Points Defence Forces wide.
- Liaising with relevant national and international organisations and representatives, to include the UN, NATO, EU and OSCE on all matters pertaining to Women, Peace and Security.
- Promoting and advising on a gender aware approach to Defence Forces policies and procedures.
The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
Defence Forces
Questions (115)
Carol Nolan
Question:115. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the steps that are being taken to recruit members of the LGBTQIA+ community to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36648/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Defence Forces are fully committed to the equality and diversity policy objectives as detailed in the White Paper on Defence, which includes explicit commitment to the principles of equal opportunity in all employment policies, procedures and regulations and equal opportunities irrespective of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
The Defence Forces recognises the need to ensure that the societal changes being witnessed in Ireland would also be reflected in the Defence organisation. In 2016, the Defence Forces current Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan was launched and detailed the Defence Forces approach to diversity and inclusion across the various strands of the organisation’s activities, including recruitment.
Examples of initiatives implemented with a view to increasing the diversity of Defence Forces personnel include:
- Equality and diversity outreach opportunities, at regional and local levels, availed of to promote recruitment opportunities.
- The Military.ie website includes an education piece on Gender, Equality and Diversity.
- A review of the Defence Force’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan in 2020 provided recommendations for the development of the strategy into the future.
- Both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are represented on a Committee, led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, established to oversee and monitor progress on the implementation of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021.
- A Joint Civil/Military working group was established in 2019, to progress the Transgender Employment Policy for the Defence Forces. This work is continuing.
In addition, the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces included deliberation on diversity in the Defence Forces. Consideration of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is ongoing. I intend to revert shortly to Government with a proposed response to those recommendations and a high-level action plan, which will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.
Ukraine War
Questions (116)
Carol Nolan
Question:116. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence when Ireland will next participate in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group; if he will insist that a record of the contents of this meeting will be made publicly available following same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36650/22]
View answerWritten answers
A provisional date of 20 July has been set for the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.
As on previous occasions, I expect that Ireland will be represented at senior official level from the Department of Defence and at senior military level by the Defence Forces.
The question of making any record of the contents of the meeting publicly available is a matter for the organisers.
Education Policy
Questions (117)
Brendan Griffin
Question:117. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36361/22]
View answerWritten answers
The terms and conditions of employment of teachers in Ireland, who are paid out of monies provided by the Oireachtas, are a matter for the Teachers' Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education chaired by an Official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The terms and conditions set out in that circular were agreed under the auspices of the TCC.
The criteria required to have incremental credit awarded to Primary teachers is set out in the Department of Education Circulars 10/2001. This circular provides for both prior teaching service and prior relevant non-teaching service. In the context of this circular teaching service is service given in a recognised school by a qualified primary teacher.
With regards to this named individual, as their prior service pre-dates their post-graduate diploma in primary education (2003), circular 0010/2001 does not provide for the award of incremental credit for teaching service.