Written Answers Nos. 439-460
439. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a medical card to all children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance to ensure that all children with life-limiting conditions and profound disabilities receive the full medical care they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44148/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Where deemed appropriate in particular circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card even though an applicant's means exceed the prescribed threshold. Where a person does not qualify for a medical card, they may be provided with a GP Visit Card, appropriate therapy or other community supports or drugs.
The Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) payment is made by the Minister for Social Protection to carers in respect of a child at home under 16 years of age with a severe disability, where it has been determined that the child requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. Eligibility for the DCA is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. As such it is not possible to say if a particular child or any particular medical condition or disability will qualify for a payment under the DCA scheme.
The Deputy will be aware that the report of the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibility, known as the Keane Report, recommended that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card and that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions for medical card eligibility. Nonetheless, it is clear that there are people – including children - with medical needs and it is important that they should be able to access necessary assistance in a straight forward manner.
Consequently, the Clinical Advisory Group on medical card eligibility was established by the HSE to develop a framework for assessment and measurement of the burden of disease and appropriate operational guidelines for the medical card scheme. However, the Clinical Advisory Group has not recommended that children in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance should automatically qualify for a medical card. In advance of the Group completing its work, there are no proposals to issue automatic medical cards to one particular group.
The Government is committed to making the medical card system as responsive as possible to the circumstances of people with significant medical needs. As a result of a range of improvements, the HSE is exercising greater discretion. Consequently, the number of discretionary medical cards has increased by about 84% - from about 52,000 in mid-2014 to nearly 96,000 at the beginning of November this year.
Ultimately, the proper way to address this issue is to develop a system of universal health care, which is at the centre of Government health policy. Otherwise, whenever there are qualifying rules, there will always be a person who is above the means test, does not have the selected disease, or is not in receipt of the specific social welfare payment.
440. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners in receipt of the rural practice allowance, and the amount allocated by county in each year since 2010, in tabular form. [44155/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.
441. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment in Kerry General Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44161/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
442. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be assessed by a medical specialist and if this matter will be expedited, given its urgency. [44169/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
443. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive appropriate treatment in Tallaght Hospital in Dublin 24. [44170/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
444. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will re-introduce the back-to-work scheme for nurses who have been out of work for a period of time, given the shortage of nurses in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44187/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
445. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the ongoing situation of fourth year nursing students who are earning half the living wage and who cannot afford the long distances of travel to work or for accommodation closer to their work, which is a particular problem for student nurses from County Donegal who are automatically disadvantaged by its distant location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44191/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPursuant to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, the Department of Health and the HSE are to consider the issues of pay for student nurses during the fourth year 36 week placement with the nursing unions. This process has commenced.
Student nurses participate in the 4th year rostered clinical placement as part of their degree programme and are paid in accordance with the trainee rates specified in the National Minimum Wage Acts for the duration of the placement. At present they are paid €6.49 per hour for the first 12 weeks of the placement, €6.92 for the second 12 weeks and €7.79 for the third 12 weeks, excluding premium payments. This equates to approximately 53% of the 1st point of the staff nurse scale. Mental health student nurses are paid 2.3% more, reflecting existing relativities between general and psychiatric staff nurse pay scales. When undertaking the placement, the students are not qualified nurses and require supervision. This is reflected in the 2:1 replacement ratio for student nurses replacing staff nurses.
The current rates of pay will be increased from the 1st January 2016, in line with the increase in the minimum wage to €9.15 per hour announced in Budget 2016 and provided for in the National Minimum Wage Order 2015 (S.I. No. 442 of 2015).
446. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total cost to his Department, and those under his aegis, for the procurement of legal services in the State from 2011 to 2015, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44575/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested regarding the total cost for the procurement of legal services from 2011 - 2015 is not immediately available and will be collated and forwarded to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.
Details of such expenditure for bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly. I have requested the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
447. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a cross-Border group will be set up to prepare for a possible British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40016/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is very much aware of the key significance of UK membership of the EU for our national interests. We know how important it is not just for our economy but also for the continuing strength of British-Irish relations and for peace and stability in Northern Ireland. It’s also our firm view that the EU is better and stronger as a whole on account of UK membership. That is why our main focus remains on doing all we can to ensure that the UK remains part of the Union, rather than planning for their departure.
At the same time, the Government fully recognises that it must be prepared for all scenarios and we are already in regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders, both North and South of the border and across the UK. This should help identify the many different issues that could arise, including with regard to Northern Ireland.
Further work is also being undertaken across other Government Departments in this regard. The Department of the Taoiseach continues to coordinate cross-Governmental efforts in this area as we move forward with this work. This includes research that the Department of Finance has commissioned from the Economic and Social Research Institute on macro-economic links between the UK and Ireland in the context of EU membership.
My own Department, given its responsibility for both Foreign Affairs and Trade, is naturally heavily involved. My officials are engaging actively with counterparts across our own system, as well as within the Northern Irish and British administrations and further afield in other EU capitals.
A key aim for us is to ensure that stakeholders in Northern Ireland and across the UK understand why their EU membership matters as much as it does for Ireland. Most recently, on 26 November I joined the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance and Personnel, Ms. Arlene Foster MLA, in addressing a seminar in Belfast which was jointly organised by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA) and the Irish Association for Cultural, Economic and Social Relations. This provided a valuable opportunity to stimulate debate on this issue, raising awareness of the potential impacts for Northern Ireland.
I have also addressed influential audiences on this topic in Chatham House, London and most recently in Dublin at a Breakfast Seminar organised by the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce (BICC) and hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Iveagh House.
At a political level, my recent meeting with Foreign Secretary Hammond in London on 23 November provided an opportunity to re-emphasise the importance of the UK’s continued membership of the EU. The Taoiseach has had similar exchanges with Prime Minister Cameron, most recently on 9 November. We have underlined our commitment to supporting the UK’s efforts to reach agreement at EU level on reforms that address the broad issues raised by Prime Minister Cameron in his letter of 10 November to European Council President Donald Tusk, while ensuring an outcome that is not only good for the UK, but good for Ireland and good for the EU as a whole.
448. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of meetings requested by private external lobby groups and the number of meetings held, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43600/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment in July 2014 I have met with the groups listed in the following table, on the dates indicated. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also receives many requests for meetings at Headquarters and in Missions abroad from a wide-range of groups and individuals whom it is not always possible for me to meet.
|
Date of meeting |
Details of meeting |
|
27 August 2014 |
Meeting with Mary Robinson |
|
8 October 2014 |
Meeting with representatives of the following NGOs: Trócaire Dóchas Plan Sightsavers GOAL Oxfam Ireland Camara Tearfund Ireland World Vision Ireland |
|
27 November 2014 |
AmCham |
|
12 February 2015 |
Amnesty Ireland |
|
5 March 2015 |
AmCham (Launch of the Ireland-US Economic Relationship 2015 Report) |
|
15 May 2015 |
Meeting with Justice for the Forgotten/Pat Finucane Centre |
|
7 July 2015 |
Meeting with Front Line Defenders |
|
21 July 2015 |
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission |
|
27 July 2015 |
Fermanagh Orange Order |
|
7 October 2015 |
Meeting with ICTU |
|
22 October 2015 |
Meeting with members of the Civil Society Network |
449. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's photography costs since he came into office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance, by year in tabular form; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion; the policy in place regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43632/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department only avails of the services of external photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that media can easily and freely avail of photography where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated.
Examples of such events this year included the visit in May of HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, the hosting of the first Global Irish Civic Forum in June and the official launch in October of the Passport Card. In addition, the use of photography services by overseas missions for significant promotional events resulted in positive global coverage of Ireland.
In September 2011, my Department led a collaborative advertised tender process for the procurement of a multi-supplier competitive framework of photographic service providers. This is now available for use by all Government Departments. Details of the framework arrangements and the photographers used are posted on the National Procurement Service website: www.procurement.ie/suppliers/contracts/1298. The purpose of this framework is to ensure Departments' compliance with EU procurement rules and to ensure value for money by having a competitive process for photographic assignments.
In addition, my Department now makes greater use of in-house resources for photography, including, for example, at last month's launch in Iveagh House of the National Report on Global Education in Ireland.
Total expenditure from my entry into office in July 2014 to date is €50,054.65, as detailed in the following table form:
|
July-Dec 2014 events |
Expenditure from July – Dec 2014 |
|
Missions* |
3,335.27 |
|
Visit of President of Mozambique |
3,102.50 |
|
Official visit to New York for United Nations General Assembly and Washington DC |
2,683.78 |
|
Credentials Ceremonies |
1,459.06 |
|
Visit of the Thai Royal Family |
1,377.60 |
|
Presidential Distinguished Service Awards 2014 |
839.89 |
|
National Ploughing Championship |
687.00 |
|
Schools Awareness Programmes |
561.00 |
|
Irish Aid Awards 2014 |
560.88 |
|
Visit of Scottish Minister Fiona Hyslop |
551.04 |
|
Reconciliation Forum |
516.60 |
|
Irish Aid Zero Hunger Event |
398.46 |
|
Unveiling of W.B Yeats Statue |
378.84 |
|
Visit by Canadian Foreign Minister |
378.84 |
|
Launch of Documents in Irish Foreign Policy |
344.40 |
|
Iveagh House Commemorative Lecture by Congressman John Lewis |
327.18 |
|
Irish Aid Fellowships Training Programme |
246.00 |
|
Irish Aid Volunteering Fair |
241.00 |
|
Meeting with Senator Gary Hart |
240.45 |
|
Meeting with representatives of the Orange Halls |
223.81 |
|
Irish Aid Annual Report Launch |
103.00 |
|
Images of Seal of Office |
34.44 |
|
Image of Xi Jinping Visit |
17.22 |
|
Total |
18,608.26 |
*It was not possible to provide a full breakdown in the time available
|
2015 Events – to date |
Expenditure to date |
|
Missions* |
8,873.93 |
|
Credentials Ceremonies |
3,917.54 |
|
The State Visit by the President of Germany |
2,773.65 |
|
Visit of HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall |
2,662.95 |
|
Global Irish Economic Forum |
2,057.83 |
|
Global Island Conference |
2,043.00 |
|
Global Irish Civic Forum |
1,015.98 |
|
Iveagh House Lecture and visit by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon |
998.76 |
|
Iveagh House Christmas Truce Lecture |
895.44 |
|
Official visit to New York for United Nations General Assembly 2015 and Washington DC |
736.41 |
|
The Irish Aid Annual Report launch |
654.36 |
|
Ireland 2016 Diaspora Commemorations Launch |
533.82 |
|
Official launch of the Passport Card |
516.60 |
|
The Iveagh House Lecture by the President of the World Bank Mr. Jim Young Kim |
482.16 |
|
Launch of the Iveagh Scholars Programme for 2016 |
464.94 |
|
The Iveagh House Lecture on the American Civil War |
378.84 |
|
The Iveagh House Lecture by Secretary General of the OSCE |
373.92 |
|
OECD DAC Peer Review |
361.62 |
|
Meeting and lunch in honour of Dr and Mrs Herrema |
344.4 |
|
Iveagh House Scholars Programme |
327.18 |
|
Announcement of the Passport Card |
258.30 |
|
Meeting with members of the Orange Order |
241.08 |
|
The Iveagh House Lecture with Governor of the Bank of England |
206.64 |
|
Diaspora engagement event with Sonia O'Sullivan |
172.20 |
|
Launch of 2015 St Patricks Day Programme at Ding |
137.62 |
|
Congressman John Lewis Lecture Photo |
17.22 |
|
Total |
31,446.39 |
*It was not possible to provide a full breakdown in the time available
450. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's use of external public relations firms since he came into office by year in tabular form; the uses of these firms and the policy regarding employing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43648/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA table containing the information is set out as follows. My Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations services since my entry into office in July 2014. The expenditure in question has rather arisen in the context of specific initiatives under Ireland’s overseas development programme for which we have from time to time commissioned companies with a public relations and communications background to provide other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management.
DHR Communications has been contracted to manage and administer grants to journalists reporting on international development issues under the Simon Cumbers Media Fund (SCMF) and to manage and administer annual Africa Day celebrations.
The SCMF involves managing three funding rounds each year and managing the SCMF student competition. This typically involves the following activities:
Convening national and regional information workshops;
Managing and administering the application process;
Organising the judging process
Providing detailed feedback to all applicants;
Processing grant payments and keeping detailed administrative and financial records;
Maintaining and updating the SCMF website.
It should be noted that expenses paid to third parties account for approximately 30% of the total paid to DHR for managing and administering the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. This includes costs associated with maintaining and updating the SCMF website, facilitating the judging process and raising awareness of the Fund among journalists. DHR was awarded a new two-year contract in April 2015 following a competitive tendering process.
Following a further competitive tendering process, DHR was also engaged to plan, manage and execute a national Africa Day 2015 flagship event in Dublin. Like annual Africa Day events held over successive years, this incorporated musical entertainment and cultural activities aimed principally at family audiences. DHR’s role involved the administration of a small grants scheme for regional events which they managed on behalf of the Department in partnership with a number of local authorities. DHR also worked to raise public awareness of the Africa Day events, including through the use of social media and the Africa Day website. This work represented a very minor element of the overall project and was conducted in close cooperation with my Department’s communications office.
In relation to the expenditure on Africa Day, expenses paid to third parties accounted for between 70% and 80% of the total costs listed below. This included expenditure on security, sanitation, venue set-up, health and safety issues and small grants to facilitate the participation of community groups.
The table below sets out the payments to DHR since July 2014.
Expenditure July 2014 - Date
|
Receipt and Project/Event |
2014 |
2015 |
|
DHR Communications – Simon Cumbers Media Fund |
€32,220 |
€84,565.48 |
|
DHR Communications – Africa Day |
€39,587 |
€173,345.1 |
It is important to note that the variance in Africa Day amounts for 2014 and 2015 is accounted for by the fact that a majority of 2014-related expenditure was incurred prior to my entry into office in July of last year.
451. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reports he commissioned from external consultants since March 2011, by year, title, cost, date published and company in tabular form. [43664/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).
The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and particularly where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagements, these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department.
In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed - and continues to inform - my Department's policies, allowing for more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
These services are procured by open competitive tender in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objective of the Department.
Separately, a low number of consultancies are occasionally engaged directly by our Missions abroad from time to time.
The following tables set out the details of external reports commissioned by the Department since March 2011.
|
- |
Commission |
Experts/Consultants |
Report/Subject |
Cost (€) |
Date of publication |
|
2011 |
Kevin Moore |
Support to the Governments of Zambia and South Africa to develop Special Economic Zones for the promotion of inward investment and employment |
17,861 |
Not Applicable – see footnote* |
|
|
2011 |
Paul Sheane |
Support to the Governments of Zambia and South Africa to develop Special Economic Zones for the promotion of inward investment and employment |
9,965 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
Stefanie Meredith |
Review of Irish Aid Support for Product Development Partnerships in developing countries |
10,100 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
Samia Saad |
Review of Irish Aid Support for Product Development Partnerships in developing countries |
9,198 |
* |
|
2011 |
Paud Murphy |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
9,064 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
80:20 |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
9,870 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
Eilis Murray |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
6,068 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
ISOS |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
42,247 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
Bernard McLoughlin |
Review of the Irish Aid Centre, Dublin |
6,143 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
Cathal Higgins |
Preparation of a report on the programme of education sector budget support towards school infrastructural development in Karamoja region and skills development in the oil sector (Uganda) |
5,000 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
Mike Williams |
Review of Humanitarian Programme Plan for Irish Aid |
18,742 |
* |
|
|
2011 |
Humanitarian Policy Ltd |
Review of Security Policy & Practice among Irish Aid Humanitarian Partners |
33,930 |
* |
|
|
2012 |
Mike Williams |
Evaluation of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation |
12,247 |
July 2013 |
|
|
2012 |
PA Consulting Group |
Evaluating the value of the economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland |
73,083 |
July 2013 |
|
|
2012 |
Cathy Roche |
Review of the Our World Awards 2005-2011 |
6,300 |
* |
|
|
2012 |
Everywhere Consulting |
Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Humanitarian Hub at Shannon Airport |
40,584 |
* |
|
|
2012 |
Fintan Farrelly |
Review of the Irish Aid Strategic Environmental Partnership Programme |
6,000 |
* |
|
|
2012 |
Mike Williams |
Review of Misean Cara |
15,099 |
* |
|
|
2012 |
Pham Quang Hoa |
Local consultancy contract 'Review of P135 infrastructure projects funded by Irish Aid' |
5,453 |
* |
|
|
2012 |
IOD Parc |
South Africa Country Strategy Programme 2008-2012 Final Report |
73,256 |
January 2013 |
|
|
2012 |
Itad |
Evaluation of the Irish Aid Ethiopia Country Strategy Programme 2008-2012 |
143,886 |
May 2013 |
|
|
2013 |
Peter McEvoy |
Evaluation of a number of Organisations funded by the Emigrant Support Programme(ESP) |
13,075 |
July 2013 |
|
|
2013 |
Wright Consultancy Ltd |
Gender Equality Audit |
14,000 |
* |
|
|
2013 |
Mary Jennings |
Review of HRD (Human Rights and Democratisation) Scheme Irish Aid Palestine |
15,500 |
* |
|
|
2013 |
Bronagh Hinds & Karen McMinn Consultants |
Report on the implementation of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security |
20,811 |
June 2013 |
|
|
2013 |
ASTEC Global Consultancy Ltd |
Review of Irish Aid Financial Policies and Procedures |
44,493 |
* |
|
2013 |
Gareth Williams |
Review of Financial and Programme of the Camara Education Programme |
20,000 |
* |
|
|
2013 |
John Geraghty |
Review of University College Cork’s Programme of Technical Support Internships for Food Security |
7,568 |
* |
|
|
2013 |
Natural Research Institute |
Review of Irish Aid Support to Fair and Ethical Trade Initiatives |
19,292 |
* |
|
|
2013 |
Pham Quang Hoa |
Review Programme 135 (for Ethnic Minorities) of Irish Aid funded infrastructure projects |
5,588 |
* |
|
|
2013 |
IOD Parc |
Evaluation of Irish Aid's Sierra Leone Strategy Paper, 2011-2013 |
77,907 |
August 2014 |
|
|
2013 |
Mokoro |
Evaluation of Ireland's Support to Timor Leste, 2001-2014 |
85,203 |
August 2014 |
|
|
2014 |
Tierney & Associates, Risk & Governance Consultants |
Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme |
19,934 |
* |
|
2014 |
Hogan Lovells, Washington |
Review of tax, social insurance and health obligations and other conditions of service in respect of locally-recruited staff members at our missions in the United States |
57,756 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
Gallup Korea (Korea Gallup Poll Co. LTD) |
Working Holiday Agreement Report |
7,217 |
March 2015 |
|
|
2014 |
Andy Pollak |
Review of Irish Aid support for Initial Teacher Education |
11,564 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
ADETEF |
OECD DAC EVALNET Study on Collaborative Partner- Donor Evaluation Work |
25,000 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
Tran Thi Ngoc Diep |
Local input into Review of Irish Aid scholarship programmes |
1,502 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
Tom Collins |
Feasibility Study - Celebrating and Sustaining Ireland’s relationship with Africa |
5,000 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
ITAD Limited |
Mid Term Review of the Civil Society Support Programme |
68,135 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
David Goodman Payne |
Review of Irish Aid Civil Society Facility in Vietnam |
8,589 |
On-going |
|
|
2014 |
Cathy Gaynor/Niamh O’Grady/Gill Roe |
Evaluability Assessment of the Programme of Strategic Cooperation |
43,200 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
Willis Risk Services (Ireland) Limited |
Consultancy for insurance policy report and tender documentation for the Rapid Response Corps |
5,000 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
Mekong Dev Research Institute |
Impact assessment of Irish Aid funded infrastructure projects under P135 in 2011 & 2012 |
43,912 |
* |
|
|
2014 |
Karen McMinn |
Report and final review on the implementation of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security |
9,750 |
2015 |
|
|
2014 |
Mokoro |
Evaluation of Irish Aid’s Uganda Country Strategy Paper 2010-2014 |
113,739 |
Not published yet |
|
|
2014 |
ASM (B) Ltd |
Payroll System Audit |
11,636 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
ASM |
Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme |
€9,800 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
Peter McEvoy |
Professional Services for the appraisal of Irish Aid fellowship Training Programme |
16,560 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
Coffey International Development Ltd |
Review of the Irish Aid Programme Grant Mechanism |
23,588 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
Tran Thi Ngoc Diep |
Local input into scoping study to explore Ireland’s cooperation in the agriculture & agribusiness sector under the IDEAS programme |
4,442 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
Johnny O ‘Regan |
Organisational Assessment of Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice |
4,400 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
ASM |
The provision of audit services to examine grants awarded under the ESP |
14,700 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
Mazars |
ICT Audit |
27,552 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
Crowleys DFK |
Payment System Audit |
19,004 |
* |
*is report commissioned by the Department is an internal management report and not for publication.
452. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of special advisers on his staff and their yearly salary, from 2011 to 2014, inclusive, and to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43680/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe names and salaries of the Special Advisers appointed to the Ministers and Minister of States in this Department during the period in question are set out in the following table:
|
Name |
Position held |
Annual Salary – years in question |
Period of service |
|
Mark Garrett |
Chief Adviser - Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. |
€168,000 - 2011, €168,000 - 2012 €168,000 - 2013 *€156,380 – 1 July 2013 – end of contract |
10 March 2011 – 11 July 2014 |
|
Colm O’Reardon |
Economic Adviser – Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. |
€155,000 - 2011 €155,000 - 2012 €155,000 - 2013 *€144,550 – 1 July 2013 – end of contract |
10 March 2011 – 11 July 2014 |
|
Jean O’Mahony |
Special Adviser – Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. |
€80,051 - 2011 €83,337 - 2012 €86,604 - 2013 *€81,676 – 1 July 2013 €84,706 - 2014 |
10 March 2011 – 11 July 2014 |
|
Niamh Sweeney |
Special Adviser – Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. |
€80,051 – 2012 *€75,647 – 1 July 2013 €78,670 – 2014 |
7 November 2012 – 11 July 2014 |
|
Stephen O’Shea |
Special Adviser - Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, T.D. |
€61,966 - 2011 €61,966 - 2012 €64,257 - 2013 |
28 November 2011 – 22 July 2013 |
|
Deborah Sweeney |
Special Adviser - Minister of State for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, T.D. |
€68,293 - 2014 |
6 January 2014 – 31 July 2014 |
|
Sarah Kavanagh |
Special Adviser - Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, T.D. |
€79,401 - 2014 €82,587 - 2015 |
11 July 2014 - date |
|
Susie O’Connor |
Special Adviser - Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, T.D. |
€79,401 - 2014 €82,587 - 2015 |
11 July 2014 - date |
|
Conor Gouldsbury |
Special Adviser – Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection Dara Murphy, T.D. |
€61,966 - 2014 €64,257 - 2015 |
6 October 2014 – date |
*Reduction in salary due to the Haddington Road Agreement
453. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the prohibition of peaceful demonstrations in France and the measures taken by the police authorities to break up peaceful demonstrations; if he has raised any concerns regarding the matter with the French authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43717/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the horrific attacks of 13 November in Paris in which 129 people were killed, and more than 350 injured, President François Hollande declared a State of Emergency. On 19 November the French Parliament, definitively adopted the three-month extension and expansion of the State of emergency.
The French Government decided that in order to avert possible further terrorist attacks, and to protect public safety, some restrictions on demonstrations and public gatherings were necessary. While such restrictions are a serious matter in any society, the terrible circumstances which gave rise to them has to be taken into consideration.
Every government has a responsibility to balance the duty to protect its citizens with their entitlement to freedom of assembly. I have no doubt that the French Government is fully sensitised to the need for such balance.
454. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an Irish citizen imprisoned abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43806/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a clear strategy in this case which is focused on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible for this citizen. That strategy is based on two key objectives: Firstly, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, secondly, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.
In furtherance of these objectives, I have intensively engaged with the Egyptian authorities, including the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, and with EU and international partners, including High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini. The Taoiseach also raised the case in person on two occasions with Egyptian President al-Sisi. The information we receive from all of these contacts is carefully considered and used in reviewing our approach to this case on a constant basis.
Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both the citizen and their family. I would also note that Embassy officials visited this citizen in detention for the forty-eight time on 23 November.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to accord a high priority to this case and our approach is guided at all times by the two key objectives set out above.
455. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance given to a person (details supplied) who is currently detained in Egypt awaiting trial. [43926/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis citizen and his family have been the recipients of comprehensive consular assistance from my Department and the individual in detention has been visited on forty-eight occasions by Embassy officials, most recently on 23 November. Numerous positive interventions have been made with the Egyptian authorities on his behalf. The Embassy has also attended all his trial hearings to date, and they will also attend the next one later in December.
456. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on the initial two months of the passport card, if there have been any reports of it not being accepted at any locations in Europe, to outline what communications have been made with the various border authorities in Europe, if he is aware that it is not listed on the European Council's public register of travel and identity documents online website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43927/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the Passport Card on 5 October. Since then over 12,000 applications have been received and over 11,200 cards produced. The card is accepted for travel in all EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland (31 countries in total) and gives exactly the same entitlements and protections as a passport book. There has been a positive public reaction to this Irish-led innovative project including from those Irish citizens who travel frequently within Europe. It is also appears to be in demand by young adults for age-identification purposes.
We have been informed by a small number of citizens that they have encountered difficulties with the card being accepted. This appears to have happened at regional airports in the main. To avoid this in the future I have asked our Embassies in each EU and EEA country and Switzerland to make contact with Ministries of Justice/Home Affairs as relevant and request them to ensure that all border guards are fully appraised of the validity of the Irish Passport Card for travel.
Additionally the details of the Passport Card have been uploaded to Keesing’s document checker database. This is a comprehensive database for identity documents and bank notes and is widely used by government agencies including military and police, immigration offices, customs, embassies and tax authorities.
An Garda Síochána have arranged for that document to be uploaded to the Edison Database (Electronic Documentation and Information System on Investigation Networks). This database can be accessed by all 190 Interpol member countries through a secure internet system known as I-24/7.
The process of uploading the document onto the European Union “False and Authentic Documents Online” (FADO) database is underway by An Garda Síochána. FADO is available to document experts in partner states including in all member states of the EU. When this process is complete the document will be uploaded to the European Council’s Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online website. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that this final stage could take up to four months.
457. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the revelations in the British Broadcasting Corporation's programme "Spotlight" on 24 November 2015 regarding the murder of a person (details supplied), the 50 allegations regarding the double-agent known as Steaknife, the implications for the truth and reconciliation process in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43467/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the announcement in October by the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland that he has requested the PSNI Chief Constable to investigate the full range of alleged offences which relate to the activities of the individual commonly known under the codename ‘Steaknife’ or ‘Stakeknife’. This includes the investigation of any criminal activity that may have been carried out by Security Service Personnel and the murder of the person in question.
Given the broad scope and range of possible offences, relating to up to fifty murders, this investigation will require considerable PSNI resources if it is to be concluded effectively. I understand that the PSNI is currently engaged in a scoping exercise to determine the potential scale of the investigation necessary, with a view to potentially seeking additional resources from the Northern Department of Justice or from the Northern Ireland Office.
The issues raised in this case are serious and complex, and are a reminder of the importance of dealing with the legacy of the violence perpetrated by all parties to the Troubles. I remain convinced that the institutional framework as agreed in the Stormont House Agreement offers the best possible way of bringing whatever healing is possible to those affected by the loss of loved ones and those who continue to suffer trauma. The Government remains committed to achieving the establishment of these institutions so that we can, in a fundamental way, deal with the past and foster reconciliation.
It is my intention to meet with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP, and with the Northern Minister for Justice, David Ford, later this month. Among the issues which we would discuss would be how to make progress on legacy matters. This would include how the PSNI’s legacy investigations would be resourced pending implementation of a new institutional framework for dealing with the past.
458. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports issued and the number of times where the ten-day turnaround was not met in 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44200/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued 644,481 passports to date this year which represents an increase of over 15,000 from the 629,446 passports that were issued in 2014.
The ten day turnaround applies to those applications submitted in person at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and through the An Post Passport Express service.
All applications which were submitted in person at the Passport Offices met the guideline turnaround times in 2014 and 2015.
Passport Express applications fall into two categories, renewals and first time applications. First time applications take longer to process than renewal applications as the Passport Service requires detailed documentation relating to identity and citizenship entitlement. In the case of a renewal the identity and citizenship of the applicant has normally already been firmly established.
There follows details of the average turnaround times on a monthly basis for applications submitted via the Passport Express service in 2014 and 2015 to date. The average annual turnaround time for renewals was 10.5 days last year. So far this year it is 9.3 days.
The Department stresses, including on passport application forms and on the website, that turnaround times are a guideline rather than a stated guarantee. For this reason we recommend that citizens apply at least six weeks in advance of any planned travel.
|
2014 |
First Time - Passport Express |
Renewal – Passport Express |
||
|
Applications Processed |
Average Turnaround in days |
Applications Processed |
Average Turnaround in days |
|
|
January |
5372 |
11 |
29836 |
9 |
|
February |
5136 |
11 |
28284 |
11 |
|
March |
6629 |
11 |
32926 |
10 |
|
April |
9440 |
12 |
39425 |
10 |
|
May |
8254 |
12 |
44596 |
11 |
|
June |
7063 |
12 |
40181 |
11 |
|
July |
8897 |
13 |
36903 |
11 |
|
August |
4475 |
11 |
21550 |
11 |
|
September |
4365 |
14 |
19590 |
13 |
|
October |
3208 |
11 |
15811 |
10 |
|
November |
2588 |
10 |
13817 |
9 |
|
December |
1653 |
11 |
9154 |
10 |
|
Annual Average |
10.5 |
|
2015 |
First Time - Passport Express |
Renewal – Passport Express |
||
|
Applications Processed |
Average Turnaround in days |
Applications Processed |
Average Turnaround in days |
|
|
January |
4579 |
13 |
29837 |
12 |
|
February |
5249 |
13 |
32160 |
11 |
|
March |
6903 |
11 |
37418 |
9 |
|
April |
9206 |
11 |
45049 |
10 |
|
May |
8059 |
12 |
47182 |
11 |
|
June |
7478 |
14 |
46372 |
12 |
|
July |
7346 |
13 |
36094 |
10 |
|
August |
4311 |
9 |
23626 |
7 |
|
September |
3330 |
5 |
21656 |
5 |
|
October |
2667 |
7 |
16846 |
6 |
|
November |
1490 |
10 |
11430 |
10 |
|
Average to date |
9.3 |
459. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will meet the Belgium Foreign Minister, Mr. Didier Reynders, outside the European Union Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44201/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI meet regularly with my foreign minister colleagues at the monthly Foreign Affairs Council meetings including with my Belgian counterpart with whom I have excellent working relations.
I have no immediate plans to meet the Belgian Minister outside the Council framework at this juncture.
460. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he will fill the post of ambassador of Ireland to Bulgaria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44202/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government, on foot of proposals made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, nominates officers to Ambassadorial posts. The nominated Ambassadors are subsequently appointed by the President.
The former Ambassador of Ireland to Bulgaria retired from his post in October 2015. Candidates for this post are currently being considered and I will bring a proposal for a successor to Cabinet early in the New Year. In the interim, the Deputy Head of Mission is acting as Chargé d’Affaires, in line with the usual practice.
