Written Answers Nos. 209-215
209. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedures and policies that have been introduced in passport offices, in the wake of the decision of the Supreme Court in a case (details supplied) which clarified the interpretation of reckonable residence in the State, to ensure that children who are Irish citizens are able to access Irish passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38539/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passports Act, 2008 provides, among other things, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Department must, therefore, contain evidence that demonstrates that person’s entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue.
The Supreme Court decision in question dealt with a child born to non-EU parents in 2008. His entitlement to Irish citizenship is subject to the terms of section 6A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended (the 1956 Act).
The 1956 Act was amended in 2004 to provide that a person, born in the State on or after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without restriction at the time of that person’s birth, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for an Irish passport) only where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three years of the four years preceding that person’s birth.
Prior to the Supreme Court decision, this Department only accepted as evidence of lawful residence in the State the following items that are issued by Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB)
- permissions to remain in the State which are endorsed onto the passport of a non-EU parent;
- the parent’s registration books or cards; or
- a letter from GNIB that details a parent’s lawful residence in the State.
Following the Supreme Court decision two changes were made to passport practices which were:
- certain letters from the Department of Justice and Equality and
- Law Reform, acting on behalf of the Minister, could be regarded as a permission to remain in the State. This could allow for the inclusion of any residence between the date of that letter and the issue date of the subsequent permission from GNIB for the purposes of section 6A of the 1956 Act; and
- liaison officers were appointed in both Departments to deal with any passport or citizenship policy matters that may arise from this decision or any other related issue.
This framework has been operating effectively for over a year.
210. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the Argentinian Government in its peaceful and democratic quest for sovereignty over the Malvinas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38601/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been the subject of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as its special committee on decolonisation. In its most recent resolution, adopted on 25 June 2015, the committee expressed its regret that, in spite of the widespread international support for negotiation between the two Governments, implementation of General Assembly resolutions on the question had not yet started. The two Governments were requested to consolidate the current process of dialogue and cooperation through the resumption of negotiations in order to find as soon as possible a peaceful solution to the dispute relating to the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), in accordance with resolutions 2065 (XX) and 3160 (XXVIII), among others.
I would encourage the UK and Argentina, two countries with which Ireland has excellent bilateral relations, to pursue a peaceful resolution of their differences on this matter, based on the relevant UN resolutions.
211. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the vote of the United Nations on 27 October 2015 in support of a resolution calling for an end to the blockade of Cuba by the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38602/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 27 October, Ireland joined with the rest of the EU Member States in voting in favour of Cuba’s resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York, which called for the ending of the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. In light of the welcome restoration of US-Cuba diplomatic relations earlier this year, the embargo serves no constructive purpose. Ireland, along with the other member states of the European Union, is firmly of the view that the lifting of the embargo would facilitate an opening of the Cuban economy to the benefit of the Cuban people. Our concerns about economic, commercial and financial measures against Cuba which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade are long-standing and clear. We object to unilaterally imposed measures that impede the economic and commercial relations of EU member states with Cuba.
In supporting Cuba’s resolution calling for an end to the US embargo, the EU also highlighted recent progress in talks to finalise the EU-Cuba Partnership, Cooperation and Dialogue agreement. Through this future framework agreement, the EU is ready to accompany Cuba on its path of reform and modernisation. Human rights form a key part of the EU-Cuba dialogue, and I urge the Cuban Government to fully grant its citizens internationally recognized civil, political and economic rights and freedoms.
In last week’s UN General Assembly debate on the US embargo against Cuba, the EU recognised that the embargo contributes to Cuba’s economic problems, negatively affects the living standards of the Cuban people and has humanitarian consequences. However, the Union also encouraged Cuba to extend and implement the package of economic and social reforms that were adopted by the Cuban parliament in 2011, in a manner that would meet the concerns of the Cuban people.
212. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the percentage of staff in his Department capable of dealing with the public in the Irish language; if there are training programmes in place for staff to improve their level of working Irish; the provision there is for other minority languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38625/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade attaches a high priority to language proficiency. In accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, my Department is committed to increasing the number of functional bilingual officials, to promoting the use of the Irish language and to delivering services in Irish. The most recent skills audit of all staff revealed that 55 staff members in my Department had advanced or fluent Irish language skills, while a further 160 officers declared that their Irish language skills were at an intermediate level. This is approximately 20% of permanent HQ-based staff.
My Department fully supports all staff in the development and maintenance of their Irish language proficiency and has provided in-house classes in recent years, which over 200 officers registered to attend, with a particular emphasis on staff in our public offices. Officers at our diplomatic missions may also avail of Irish language classes, particularly in countries with large diaspora communities. New, intensive and targeted courses were delivered this year to officers going on post in an effort to further enhance the capacity of our overseas missions to promote the use of the Irish language abroad.
Officers are also encouraged to develop their Irish language skills in their own time and my Department is happy to fund appropriate and relevant tuition undertaken outside office hours.
While our staff at home are required to provide services through Irish and English, foreign language proficiency is regarded as an important skill in an officer’s career development and the conduct of their duties when serving abroad. Language training, across a wide range of languages, is made available to officers in advance of posting and during their time at Missions overseas. Funding is also provided for staff at HQ. Language training is supported using a variety of methods, including; in-house classes, evening courses, intensive tuition, immersion courses, online courses and the use of self-learning materials.
213. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding allocated by his Department to organisations not audited directly by the Comptroller and Auditor General; the names of these organisations; the funding allocated to each over the past five years; the process in place to ensure that value for money is achieved and that the funding allocated is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38671/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough hardly any of the organisations funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are directly audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, I am satisfied that, as a general principle, organisations allocated funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s two Votes (Vote 27 – International Co-operation and Vote 28 – Foreign Affairs and Trade) are required to have their accounts independently audited and/or certified and the Department attaches the highest priority to seeking to ensure that value for money is achieved.
Regarding Vote 27, Ireland has provided in excess of €3 billion to Official Development Assistance (ODA) over the past five years. On average about 80% is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 – International Cooperation. The remaining 20% is accounted for by ODA-eligible contributions made through other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget. A summary of ODA allocations for the past five years is as follows:
Summary of ODA 2010 - 2014
|
Other ODA |
Vote 27 |
Total ODA |
|
|
Year |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2014 |
138.57 |
476.29 |
614.86 |
|
2013 |
140.39 |
496.70 |
637.09 |
|
2012 |
121.52 |
507.38 |
628.90 |
|
2011 |
136.86 |
520.18 |
657.04 |
|
2010 |
154.28 |
521.55 |
675.83 |
|
Total |
691.62 |
2,522.10 |
3,213.72 |
Regarding funding to organisations from Vote 28, a tabular statement follows the reply detailing allocations to organisations over the past five years.
Ireland provides development assistance to over eighty of the world’s least developed countries. We focus in particular on nine key partner countries, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Our engagement with our key partner countries is at a strategic level, and we provide support for their long-term development, especially in the areas of health, nutrition, education, gender equality and governance.
The Government’s aid programme is delivered through a wide range of partners and channels, including government systems, Irish and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and missionary organisations, and UN and other multilateral agencies and organisations. For example in 2014 just under 50% of Ireland’s total ODA was delivered through the multilateral system – as both assessed and voluntary contributions - slightly in excess of one quarter was delivered through NGOs, while about twelve percent, or some €75 million was delivered through partner country systems.
Each year my Department publishes an analysis of expenditure under Ireland’s aid programme in the statistical annexes to the Irish Aid Annual Report. These annexes provide a detailed analysis of Ireland’s aid programme, including an analysis of funding provided to our key developing partner countries, and listings of grants paid to multilateral organisations and NGOs in excess of €50k. The detailed annexes are available at www.irishaid.ie for each year 2010 through to 2014.
Ireland’s aid programme is implemented in challenging, complex and often inherently risky environments. My Department has implemented a comprehensive system of internal controls to mitigate against these risks, ensure the efficient and effective use of resources and deliver value for money. It operates rigorous systems for planning, monitoring, evaluating and auditing all funding provided for under the aid programme. Programmes are closely monitored at mission and headquarters level to ensure they deliver on the intended results, and are meeting our overall objective of contributing to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries and communities in the world.
I am satisfied that the Department has in place a comprehensive system of controls which ensures all expenditure provides value for money, and that funding provided under the aid programme is used to the greatest possible effect for the purposes intended.
Turning to Vote 28, a summary of the auditing and control processes in place in the main organisations that the Department funds is as follows:
My Department makes substantial assessed contributions to the United Nations (UN) each year. The UN has a robust audit function with internal and external audit functions. The United Nations Board of Auditors oversees the external audit function. Under their supervision audit opinions and financial statements for each UN organisation are prepared and submitted for examination to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) who in turn forward to the General Assembly. In addition, in coordination with our EU partners, Ireland also participates in negotiations on the UN Regular and Peacekeeping budgets in the Fifth Committee, and strives to ensure that value for money is achieved for the United Nations and its member states.
The budget of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is negotiated on a biennial basis to reflect the priorities of member countries and ensure value for money. The budget is approved by the OECD Council. Ireland participates fully in this process. The OECD also operates a thorough system of internal and external audit procedures. Annual financial statements are prepared by the OECD Executive Directorate and examined by the external auditor, currently the French Cour Des Comptes which also audits French Government accounts. The external auditor reports to the Audit Committee, comprising six members from the permanent delegations of members and three experts proposed by the supreme audit institutions of member countries. The external auditor and the Audit Committee make regular financial reports to the OECD Council.
The Council of Europe budget is approved by the Committee of Ministers which consists of the Foreign Ministers of each member state. Internal audits are conducted by the Directorate for Internal Oversight and the external audit function is discharged by the supreme audit institution of a member state, appointed by the Committee of Ministers for a non-renewable term of five years.
The International Fund for Ireland (IFI) is an independent international organisation set up by the Irish and British Governments in 1986. The Board of the International Fund for Ireland, as set out in its rules and procedures, appoints independent accountants and auditors who are selected by competitive tender. The audit report is incorporated into the annual report and accounts of the IFI, submitted to the Irish and British Governments. Details of the funding provided to individual organisations is published in the Annual Reports of the IFI.
The Department’s Reconciliation Fund awards grants to organisations working to further peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, on a cross-border basis and between Ireland and Britain. In 2011, the budget allocated to the Reconciliation Fund was €3m. Since then, the budget has been maintained at €2.7m. In the context of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government underlined its commitment to support measures to promote reconciliation, including through continued annual provision of €2.7m in the Reconciliation Fund.
Details of grants awarded from the Reconciliation Fund, including the names of all organisations granted funding, is available on the Department’s website going back to 2012 (ww.dfa.ie/reconciliation).
Applications to the Fund are assessed on the basis of a number of criteria, as set out in the Reconciliation Fund Strategy 2014-2017. These criteria include a requirement to assess the value for money of the proposed project, as well as the organisation’s financial management capacity and sustainability. Each project is assessed through a combination of project visits and monitoring as well as completion of narrative and financial reports outlining in detail the activities carried out, the costs involved, and progress towards the objectives of the project, and detailing how the grant has contributed to the achievement of some, or all, of the Reconciliation Fund key objectives; and, submission of a signed copy of either: (i)The organisation’s accounts, (where the grant is less than €12,500 or equivalent) or (ii) The audited financial statements of the organisation (where the grant exceeds €12,500 or equivalent). Organisations are required to keep supporting documentation for all grant expenditure and are obliged to cooperate fully with any form of audit, evaluation or requests for further reporting on this grant requested by the Department.
In relation to the Department’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), a planned programme of audits is in place to ensure the continued quality of the projects funded. In 2014, audits were completed on six organisations funded by the ESP: five in Britain and one in Ireland. These were undertaken by a consultant appointed on the basis of a public tender. A further six audits will take place in 2015 – with another five organisations based in Britain along with one based in Ireland being audited this year by an external consultant. In addition, reviews of two US-based organisations funded by the ESP were undertaken in 2014 by the Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit. Separately, in 2013, a review of the work of six of the largest recipients of ESP funding in Britain was undertaken and, in 2014, the Clinton Institute in UCD completed a future needs analysis of the Programme.
As part of ‘Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy’ which was launched in March 2015 a commitment has been made to spending 1% of the overall Emigrant Support Programme on quality assurance to ensure that the limited resources available are used to best effect to support the Irish diaspora abroad.
It should also be noted that all applicants for funding under the Emigrant Support Programme are required to submit either certified or audited accounts. For organisations granted below €100,000, the organisation’s accounts should be certified by an independent, practising accountant. For organisations granted over €100,000, the audited financial statements of the organisation are sought. Recipients of funding are also required to submit narrative and financial reports outlining progress since the award of the grant and detailing how the grant has contributed to the achievement of some, or all, of the Emigrant Support Programme’s key objectives. Where an organisation has used ESP funds inappropriately, has failed to use funds for the purposes for which they were granted or fails to satisfactorily report on how funds were utilised, the Department will take follow-up action, up to and including the refund of the identified amount of funds.
Full details of all recipients of ESP funding since 2006 are available at the following link: https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/the-irish-abroad/emigrant-support-programme/
The Department has funded Atlantic Corridor Ireland in facilitating, through its network activities and international linkages, the development of projects that assist in supporting sustainable development and enhanced educational attainment in the midlands region. Over the course of the Department’s involvement with Atlantic Corridor procedures were put in place requiring reports providing financial information, clear description of aims and outcomes of projects, and information as to other sources of funding secured by Atlantic Corridor. An up to date tax clearance certificate and auditor’s certificate were also required before funding was disbursed.
|
Vote 28 – Grant locations |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
Emigrant Support Programme |
12,152,909 |
10,859,058 |
11,586,357 |
11,567,810 |
11,933,470 |
|
Communicating Europe |
- |
- |
- |
127,394 |
259,210 |
|
European Movement |
- |
- |
- |
100,000 |
234,000 |
|
Anglo-Irish & North-South Co-operation |
2,861,290 |
2,697,761 |
2,696,962 |
2,997,704 |
2,998,993 |
|
International Fund for Ireland |
5,150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
195,000 |
|
Grant to Irish College Paris |
150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
|
Asia Europe Foundation |
65,000 |
65,000 |
99,987 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
|
Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention |
3,998 |
4,541 |
5,305 |
7,197 |
2,846 |
|
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons |
- |
3,691 |
6,604 |
5,178 |
- |
|
Council of Europe |
2,611,624 |
2,714,872 |
2,900,247 |
2,937,198 |
2,985,697 |
|
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) |
404,789 |
400,434 |
477,700 |
459,414 |
427,767 |
|
Intergovernmental Legal Bodies |
189,381 |
169,567 |
164,969 |
160,969 |
153,725 |
|
Misc. Contributions to Int. Organisations |
203,696 |
23,843 |
19,340 |
- |
1,000 |
|
The (Nuclear) Non-Proliferation Treaty |
8,406 |
1,636 |
10,001 |
- |
- |
|
OECD |
2,162,829 |
1,958,138 |
1,918,493 |
1,932,193 |
1,997,694 |
|
Grants for N/S & Anglo-Irish Co-operation |
2,861,290 |
2,697,761 |
2,696,962 |
2,997,704 |
2,998,993 |
|
Grant to Administration of International fund for Ireland |
5,150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
195,000 |
|
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |
275,885 |
224,310 |
331,738 |
603,029 |
340,760 |
|
Organisation for Security Co-operation in Europe |
1,167,608 |
1,095,642 |
1,092,402 |
1,119,840 |
1,062,233 |
|
UN Contributions |
31,013,219 |
31,832,777 |
34,910,496 |
39,135,179 |
45,259,772 |
|
Wassenaar Arrangement |
10,232 |
11,128 |
11,004 |
10,389 |
8,020 |
|
World Trade Organisation |
- |
- |
1,916,306 |
1,936,728 |
- |
|
Grants to Organisations - Title V of EU Treaty |
397,462 |
366,389 |
227,379 |
225,621 |
493,522 |
|
Atlantic Corridor Project |
175,000 |
175,000 |
175,000 |
175,000 |
175,000 |
214. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports her Department provides to primary school children diagnosed with dyslexia and related conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38418/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that parents of children with dyslexia must pay extremely high charges if they are to provide the essential educational attention needed by their children; that such costs include assessments for dyslexia which have to be repeated annually, membership costs for the Dyslexia Association of Ireland, charges for room hire and teacher provision, etc; her views that such costs represent an unfair burden on these families in ensuring that their children can receive the same educational opportunities as other children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38447/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides a range of supports for pupils with Dyslexia attending school.
All mainstream Primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model (GAM) to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs, including Specific Learning Disability (SLD), of which dyslexia is one such SLD.
It is a matter for individual schools to use their professional judgment to identify pupils who will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils.
Schools are supported in this regard by the National Educational Psychological Services. My Department has provided guidelines for schools in relation to the utilisation of additional teaching resources including Circular SpEd 02/05 and the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) Continuum of Support Guidelines.
In addition, my Department provides funding for a number of special schools and special classes attached to mainstream primary schools which have been sanctioned to meet the needs of children with SLDs, including Dyslexia. There are 4 Special Schools and 12 Special Classes attached to mainstream Primary schools catering for pupils with SLD.
Further supports which are provided to support pupils with Dyslexia include funding for schools for the purchase of specialised equipment; an information resource pack on Dyslexia which has been made available to all primary and post-primary schools as well as provision for continuing professional development for teachers with additional training needs in the area of Dyslexia through the Special Education Support Service (SESS).
Primary schools also have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides funding to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland at national level which helps the organisation operate an information service for members and the public as well as assisting in meeting the costs associated with the attendance of some children from disadvantaged backgrounds at workshops and programmes organised by the association. Fees charged by the organisation to its service users are a matter between the organisation and its membership.
