Written Answers Nos. 27 - 39
27. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence in view of his statements to Dáil Éireann on 9 June 2015 regarding the continued use of Lariam by the Defence Forces, if he has initiated medical advice on the matter; the medical experts he has consulted with; his plans to make their conclusions available; and if there is a timescale on their deliberations. [25090/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), formerly the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland. The Defence Forces policy, in relation to the use of anti-malaria medication, including Lariam, is in line with current HPRA approved summary of product characteristics (SmPC).
The health, welfare and safety of Defence Force personnel is a priority of the military authorities and of mine. Malaria is a very serious disease. It kills approximately 1 million people per year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. It is a grave threat to any military force operating in that area. The military authorities take considerable care in prescribing the best medication taking all circumstances into account. In the decade of deployment to sub-Saharan Africa by the Defence Forces, not a single member of the Defence Forces has died from malaria. The anti-malaria regime in place in the Defence Forces, including the use of Lariam, is working.
Former Ministers for Defence have had the various allegations surrounding the use of Lariam investigated thoroughly and obtained the advice of leading medical experts, who concur with the prescribing practices followed by the Defence Forces.
The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces. That position has not changed and I have no plans at present to further investigate the use of Lariam in the Defence Forces.
Anti-malarial medications, including Lariam is licensed by the HPRA and must remain in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by this highly dangerous disease.
28. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the additional annual costs in 2013 and 2014 of troops from Dundalk, County Louth, Athlone, County Westmeath, and County Donegal carrying out routine security duties in Dublin, in terms of fuel costs, wear and tear on vehicles, increased requirement for vehicle servicing, security duty allowance, subsistence payments for duty personnel and support troops accompanying them, additional cost of rations and barrack services and utilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25085/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible in the time available to provide the information sought by the Deputy. The information requested will be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
29. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24844/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Defence (2000) sets out the current defence policy framework. The role of the Air Corps as set out in the White Paper is to provide a range of military and non-military services in support of the State.
These supports include maintenance of:
- a general helicopter capability for a variety of tasks, including support to An Garda Síochána,
- provision of a fixed wing maritime patrol service,
- a ministerial air transport service,
- an air ambulance service on the basis of agreed arrangements with the Department of Health and
- provision of assistance to the principal response agencies, including the Irish Coast Guard, in relation to civil emergencies.
The preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is one of my key priorities. The White Paper process provides an opportunity to examine critically future demands and consider how to best meet associated operational requirements across the Defence Forces.
Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have considered likely future operational demands. The question of the future operational roles of the Air Corps has been considered in this context. I anticipate that the final draft of the White Paper will be submitted to Government by the end of July. Subject to Government approval, the White Paper on Defence will then be published.
30. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25112/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcomed the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare on 25th May 2015, the second day of his visit to Ireland. Our meeting provided an opportunity to restate Ireland’s continued commitment to the pursuit of international peace and security. Ireland is extremely proud of its long tradition of participating in UN and UN mandated peacekeeping missions with this year marking the 60th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the UN.
In addition, during the course of our meeting we discussed a range of issues. These included current issues. It also included important issues for the UN such as gender based violence. I briefed the Secretary General on progress in relation to Ireland’s initiative to support peacekeeper training in a number of partner African countries under the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership.
While in the Curragh, the UN Secretary-General also paid a visit to the United Nations Training School Ireland (UNTSI). The centre draws on the wide range of experience gained by Irish peacekeeping soldiers on many missions world-wide. UNTSI hosts a number of programmes which are also open to international students and to date some fifty-six countries, representing all continents, have attended courses at the centre.
Prior to his departure from the Defence Forces Training Centre, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon planted a tree to mark the 60th Anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations.
31. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence the involvement of the Defence Forces in the Ireland 2016 commemorative programme; and if the personnel involved will be drawn on a regional basis. [25115/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile responsibility for the Decade of Centenaries Programme rests with my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, both my Department and the Defence Forces will play a significant role in many of the events planned for 2016. There are two existing 1916 commemoration events which have significant Department of Defence and Defence Forces involvement annually. These are the 1916 Commemoration ceremonies that takes place at the GPO every Easter Sunday and at Arbour Hill in early May each year.
Following the launch by the Taoiseach and Minister Humphreys of the programme of events for Easter 2016, my Department is engaged in ongoing discussions in relation to the involvement of the Defence Forces in the various events planned. It has already been decided that the Commemoration at the GPO on Easter Sunday 2016 will be followed by a parade that will include significant military input. There will also be military participation in wreath laying ceremonies at Kilmainham Gaol and at Glasnevin Cemetery on Easter Sunday.
In 2016, the Arbour Hill 1916 Commemoration will be held on Sunday 24 April, the centenary day of the 1916 Rising. The Commemoration will take the form of Requiem Mass for all those who died in the 1916 Rising. It will be followed by a graveside ceremony, including inter-faith prayers, in the adjoining cemetery where 14 of the leaders of the Rising are buried.
A wide range of other State events are being organised to mark the centenary and many will involve participation by the Defence Forces. Planning for these events has commenced and the first of these will take place this year on 1 August next when the centenary of the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa will be marked with a State ceremony at Glasnevin Cemetery.
In addition, the Defence Forces will play a part in a comprehensive programme of events relating to the National Flag, including flag raising ceremonies in Dublin and elsewhere. In this regard, it is planned that all primary schools in the State will be presented with a National Flag and a copy of the proclamation by a member of the Defence Forces.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will play a very central and important role in the Commemoration events that will take place over the coming 12 months and personnel from all over the country will be drawn to fulfil these commitments.
32. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the current number of personnel permanently based at Custume Barracks in Athlone, County Westmeath; the number of staff who perform operational duties in the Dublin area on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24845/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the relevant military authorities that Custume Barracks has an establishment strength of 995 personnel. The current strength figure is 909 personnel. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at or close to 9,500 personnel. To this end, targeted general service recruitment will continue.
On average per month, operational duties in the Dublin area account for 206 man-days provided by staff permanently based in Custume Barracks. As the duties normally require the conduct of wide-ranging familiarisation patrols throughout the greater Dublin area, the execution of such duties has the advantage of providing the units involved with improved security situational awareness of the capital.
33. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on concerns that the JobsPlus scheme may be preventing persons with suitable qualifications from obtaining employment as they are at a disadvantage to JobsPlus eligible candidates; the record of the scheme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25557/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who availed of the JobsPlus subsidy during 2014; the cost of same; the number that it is estimated will benefit from it in 2015; and the estimated total spend for 2015. [25524/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total savings to her Department for every person employed through the JobsPlus scheme. [25525/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 63 and 64 together.
JobsPlus provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers who recruit long-term unemployed persons from the live register. In the first 5 months of this year, the Department made payments of €8.25 million to almost 3,600 employers in respect of 4,900 employees. Two levels of payment are provided - €7,500 or €10,000 over two years – provided the employment is maintained. The rate of payment depends on the length of time the person is unemployed.
Since 2015, the scheme has been expanded to include those transitioning into employment from the one-parent family payment scheme, and short-term unemployed young people under the Youth Guarantee.
A review of the pilot phase of JobsPlus, covering the first year of its operation (from July 2013 to June 2014), confirmed that the aim of putting in place an easily identifiable and user-friendly scheme targeted at employers had been achieved. It also found that over 60% of jobseekers, more than 24 months on the live register, have benefitted from the initiative, contrary to expectations prior to the introduction of the initiative. The review noted that the average level of subsidy paid at the end of June 2014 amounted to just under €374 per employee per month and that the net benefit to the Exchequer from each employee maintained in employment was in excess of €11,750 per annum.
While the risk of distortion may occur in recruitment practices by employers, I am satisfied that JobsPlus has been useful in influencing employers to consider longer-term jobseekers over those more recently unemployed or moving employment. In line with commitments made in the context of Pathways to Work, the Department recently looked at the first 18 months of operations of JobsPlus. This confirmed that the findings from the earlier review remain valid. I propose to publish the outcome of the reviews in the coming weeks.
34. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently taking part in the community employment scheme for early childhood care and education. [25655/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the end of May 2015, there were 1,423 Community Employment (CE) participants taking part in the dedicated childcare training programme at FETAC Level 5 (Early Childhood Care and Education). The process is not yet completed in the Dublin area.
This dedicated training programme is aimed at CE participants who are working directly with children. Overall, it has resulted in a re-structuring of CE childcare provision which will improve the career paths for participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. These improvements provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community childcare.
35. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if there is a current application under the disability allowance scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the reason the person's previous application was refused. [25458/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for disability allowance from the person in question was disallowed on 19 June 2015 on the ground that, based on the information supplied in support of the application, he does not satisfy the medical conditionality for the scheme.
The person in question was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of the option to submit further evidence in support of his application for review and of his right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). If he opts to provide further evidence for review and that review confirms the original decision to disallow, he will retain the right to appeal the decision to the SWAO.
36. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average time spent in receipt of the one-parent family payment, per parent. [25461/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra37. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total number of parents who have received the one-parent family payment for 22 years or more. [25462/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.
One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) was introduced by the Government in 1997 and was administered by the Department’s office in Sligo. On 1 May 2005 a localisation project commenced to transfer administration of the scheme to the Social Welfare Local Offices throughout the country. Unfortunately due to the necessity for claims to be registered on a different computer system it was not possible to migrate payment history details to the current payment system and therefore the information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
38. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of parents in receipt of the one-parent family payment and the family income supplement in each year from 2007 to 2014 and in 2015 to date. [25463/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of parents in receipt of the One Parent Family and Family Income Supplement payment concurrently each year from 2007 to 2010 is not readily available in my Department. However, the information requested for the years 2011 to 2015 is set out in the following tabular statement.
Concurrent recipients of the One Parent Family Payment (OFP) and Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment 2011 to 2015
|
Year |
Recipients of FIS |
Percentage of FIS recipients in receipt of OFP concurrently |
|
December 2011 |
28,876 |
26.4% |
|
December 2012 |
32,307 |
25.7% |
|
December 2013 |
44,159 |
23.2% |
|
December 2014 |
50,306 |
20.8% |
|
May 2015 |
51,372 |
21.6% |
39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason there is no option given on the application form for the family income supplement to have payment paid via the post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25468/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to outline to the Deputy that the Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment is a weekly payment for families at work on low pay. As the Family Income Supplement is an in-work payment the department considers that payment through an account in a financial institution better facilitates those who are in work.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the option for payment of FIS through the post office network has not been included on the application form for that scheme since before 2007.
