Written Answers Nos. 307-330
307. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position with regard to a back to education allowance application for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28659/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Back to Education Allowance for the person concerned was sent to a Case Officer for review on 28/09/2016.
It is expected that a decision on the application will issue this week.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
308. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28723/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned applied for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) in respect of her child on the 24th August 2015. The application was not allowed as it was considered that the child did not meet the eligibility criteria for the allowance. A decision letter issued to her on the 12th November 2015.
A review of the decision to disallow DCA was requested on 2nd December 2015 and the person concerned was notified on 8th April 2016 that following an examination of the file the original decision was upheld.
An appeal of the decision was registered on 16th June 2016, additional information on her child’s condition/care needs was supplied on the 28th July 2016. The application together with the new information supplied has been forwarded to a Medical Assessor for their professional opinion. Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the case will be further examined by a deciding officer, who will revise the original decision if warranted or alternatively, forward the case for consideration by the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
309. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28724/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 4 November 2015. The first payment was made by his chosen payment method on 20 July 2016.
Arrears of payment due have also issued to the person in question.
310. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28725/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th July 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
311. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for carer's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28726/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 15th august 2016. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 12th September 2016 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
312. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28727/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the person concerned on 28 January 2016. The person concerned was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 04 May 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal. The person concerned requested a review and appeal of this decision and submitted further medical evidence in support of his request. Following a review of all the information available it has been decided that there is no change to the original decision. The person concerned was notified on 3 October 2016 of the outcome of the review.
As the person concerned has appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO), a submission is being prepared by the department and will be forwarded to the SWAO for determination.
The SWAO will be in touch with the person in question in due course in relation to the progress of their appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
313. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of retired public sector employees in his Department including bodies under its aegis who are in receipt of a public sector pension that have been re-employed either part-time or full-time, temporary or otherwise by the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28984/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith the exception of my own private staff, employees in my Department, whether permanent or temporary, are recruited on foot of competitions administered by the Public Appointments Service. There are no age restrictions in place in relation to participation in these competitions and therefore some of the successful candidates may have previously worked in the civil or public service and may be in receipt of a pension at the time of appointment.
The manner in which records are maintained does not allow for the identification of the number of people who may previously have been in receipt of a civil/public service pension on appointment to my Department.
However, in the course of making assignments, the circumstances of each person are taken into account to determine the rate of salary and superannuation arrangements that will apply.
In the course of these considerations the question of whether abatement of an existing pension is required is taken into account. Currently three members of staff in the Department are having their pensions abated in this way.
As present, there are no employees working within the Agencies which are under the remit of my Department in receipt of a public sector pension.
314. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28997/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table outlines the number of staff employed in the Department at 31st August 2016.
|
Staff |
Posts |
People |
|
Permanent Staff |
6170.88 |
6554.00 |
|
Temporary Staff |
552.00 |
552.00 |
|
Total Staff |
6722.88 |
7106.00 |
The figure for permanent staff in the table above includes staff who are currently seconded in to the Department from other public sector organisations.
315. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons awarded the centenarian bounty over the past five years, broken down by those who are resident abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28155/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the method through which his Department locates Irish centenarians living abroad; if the onus is on the person to inform his Department of their upcoming birthday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28156/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.
The Centenarian Bounty is the award made by the President of Ireland to people living in Ireland who have reached 100 years of age. On 23 March 2006, the Government approved the extension of the ‘Centenarian Bounty’ scheme whereby persons born on the island of Ireland, who have reached 100 years of age, wherever they may now reside, became eligible for the award of a €2,540. It should be noted that, while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade processes applications received from outside the State, the decision to award the Centenarian Bounty is the responsibility of Áras an Uachtaráin. Once the Department processes an application, a recommendation is made to Áras an Uachtaráin on awarding the Centenarian Bounty.
From 1st January 2011 to 30th September 2016 the Department made recommendations to Áras an Uachtaráin for 1,005 bounty recipients resident outside of the State - 14% were men and 86% were women.
Information on the Centenarian Bounty is available online, particularly through the Department’s website and also on the websites of the President and of the Citizens Information Bureau. The Department also advertises the Centenarian Bounty through its public outreach work and mission network. The Department does not locate centenarians living abroad and applications are usually made by a close relative of the centenarian or by other people who know them such as a close friend, medical staff or social worker. Following the first application, centenarian’s details are recorded and for all subsequent birthdays a letter and commemorative coin is issued by Áras an Uachtaráin.
The majority of the recipients processed to date under the extended scheme are resident in Northern Ireland (approximately 55%) with residents of United States (approximately 20%) and people living in England (approximately 18%) accounting for the majority of the other recipients.
317. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the ongoing incarceration of a person (details supplied) in Maghaberry Prison on revocation of licence with no clear reason provided by the authorities; and his views on whether this is a breach of international law. [28312/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials in the Belfast Secretariat monitor this and other cases as part of their ongoing work on prison issues generally in Northern Ireland.
The person concerned was detained in March 2016 when the release licence granted to him under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement was revoked by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. The case has been raised with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) by my officials. It also has also been the subject of representations to the NIO by various public representatives in Northern Ireland.
I am informed that as part of the revocation process, the independent Northern Ireland Parole Commissioners carry out a full review of the case. The Parole Commissioners are charged with taking into account the obligations on the State of the European Convention on Human Rights in making their recommendation. This includes assessing the risk to the public should the person remain at liberty. Those whose licence is revoked under this process are provided with a copy of the independent Parole Commissioners recommendation, which sets out the reasons the licence was revoked.
318. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28317/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with obligations under the Public Services Management Act (1997), my Department is currently preparing a new Statement of Strategy which will be published later this year. The Statement of Strategy will articulate how this Department intends to implement the commitments assigned to it under the Programme for a Partnership Government.
Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, this Department must have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and treatment of our staff and customers, and protect the human rights of staff and customers. An initial assessment of the human rights and equality issues arising from the Department’s role as a policy maker, service provider and employer has begun in tandem with the drafting of the Goals, Outcomes and Outputs which make up the Statement of Strategy. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has also offered its assistance to our Department to identify the best possible approach to this public duty and officials from my Department intend to draw on their expertise.
The Irish Government has a consistent record in relation to the promotion of human rights and equality globally. My Department chairs the Inter-Departmental Committee on Human Rights and actively engages with civil society domestically and abroad. Human rights and equality issues are mainstreamed into the development of all our external policies. In addition, the Department is also conscious of the need to reflect the obligations of the Act into our internal policies and procedures as they are developed. In recent years, the Department has taken a number of steps in relation to gender equality. These include the establishment of a Management Board Sub-Committee on Gender and Diversity, as well as the development of a Gender Equality Action Plan. Two working groups – one on gender equality and one on diversity and equality – have been set up to take work forward in this area.
I am aware of the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment relating to equality and gender proofing in the Departmental and Budgetary process. I understand that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is replying today to a similar Question from you on what his Department is doing centrally to seek to ensure that budgetary processes are equality and gender proofed. I fully support such efforts and am committed to ensuring that the staff of my Department are equipped with the skills necessary to enable them to fulfill this commitment. The Department will continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to this end.
319. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of revenue collected in respect of Irish passport applications for each month of 2015. [28364/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe revenue collected in respect of passport applications for 2015 is as follows:
|
2015 |
€ |
|
January |
3,230,154 |
|
February |
3,545,489 |
|
March |
3,837,807 |
|
April |
5,472,677 |
|
May |
4,742,979 |
|
June |
4,726,473 |
|
July |
4,481,140 |
|
August |
3,087,477 |
|
September |
2,824,242 |
|
October |
2,253,850 |
|
November |
2,442,537 |
|
December |
1,623,548 |
|
Total |
42,268,373 |
The revenue is appropriation in aid and is remitted directly to the Exchequer.
The passport is a key travel and identity document. The processing of applications by the Passport Service involves the deployment of significant resources including to develop new business processes to modernise enrolment, checking and production systems and improve customer service. Software solutions and data analytics, including facial recognition, are also used to combat identity theft and maintain the integrity and high international reputation of the Irish passport.
320. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding reports that civil servants from his Department, along with the Irish Aviation Authority, entered into a bilateral agreement with the RAF, the Civil Aviation Authority, the British Ministry for Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to permit the British military to conduct armed operations in Irish sovereign or Irish-controlled airspace in the event of a real time envisaged threat of a terrorist related attack from the skies on either this country or a neighbouring state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27095/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI cannot comment on any reports concerning arrangements for national security or responses that might be taken in the event of a terrorist attack.
The Government’s engagement in international security co-operation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority.
321. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will increase efforts to secure the release of a person (details supplied) from prison in Egypt in view of his recent decision to refuse visitors in case the visits are being used by authorities to delay the trial process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28488/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent health issues of a person (details supplied); if his Department has made a representation to ensure that he, as an Irish citizen imprisoned without due course to international law, is being provided with the appropriate medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28490/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent efforts that have been made to secure the release of a person (details supplied); if the next trial date set for October 2016 will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28515/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra327. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has been complaining of chest pains and that he has a family history of heart problems; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the prison authorities are refusing him permission to see an independent doctor; and if he will raise the issue with his Egyptian counterpart. [28565/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra328. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met or spoken by telephone to his Egyptian counterpart to formally discuss the Government's support of a person's (details supplied) appeal for release by presidential decree under law 140; and if officials of his Department have spoken to the Taoiseach's office to request that he calls the Egyptian President to outline Ireland's support for this appeal. [28566/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 323, inclusive, and 327 and 328 together.
The case of this citizen remains a high priority for me and the Government. The Government is continuing to use every possible opportunity to underline our concerns about this case to the Egyptian Government, and also with the EU.
I met with Foreign Minister Shoukry last week in New York where I highlighted my concerns at the repeated delays in the court proceedings and reinforced the Government’s support for the recent Decree 140 application made by this citizen’s lawyers. Both I and An Taoiseach have communicated our support for this application in writing to Minister Shoukry and President el-Sisi respectively.
As has been previously reported to the House, An Taoiseach has been in direct contact on a number of occasions with President el-Sisi of Egypt about this case, underlining the Government’s concerns about the continuing detention of this young man, who has been in prison for over three years now without having been convicted of any crime, and who is part of a group trial that has been adjourned on fourteen occasions.
At the last hearing (29 June), the trial was adjourned until early October following an application by defendants for an expert review of the audio-visual evidence in this case. It was originally anticipated that a technical hearing connected to the audio-visual evidence review would take place on 2 October. However the hearing did not proceed as 2 October was designated in recent days as the opening day of the Hijra (Islamic New Year) Feast, and a public holiday.
The Court Office has indicated that the next hearing date is likely to be 12 November and we are awaiting confirmation of this date through official channels. On Sunday last, 2 October, I spoke directly to Egypt’s Ambassador to Ireland, Soha Gendi expressing my concern about further delays and underlined the Government's strong desire to see this citizen returned to Ireland as a matter of urgency. My officials are continuing to work closely with this citizen’s family and with his lawyers in Dublin and Cairo.
The Taoiseach and I stand ready to further engage with the Egyptian Government as and when appropriate, in line with our key focus of securing this citizen’s best interests; this means continuing our determined efforts to see him released by the Egyptian authorities at the earliest possible opportunity and, in the meantime, providing consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.
All of the sustained and focused actions that have been taken by my Department throughout this case have been aimed at furthering these two objectives, and importantly, avoiding any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to this citizen’s best interests.
Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of consular assistance in this case and my officials are in close contact with both the citizen’s family and their legal representatives.
To date, the Egyptian authorities have been co-operative in allowing regular access by Ireland’s Embassy in Egypt to this citizen for the purpose of conducting consular visits. While the Ambassador travelled to the prison last week, on that occasion the citizen declined the opportunity of a visit. We are aware of the reports of this citizen’s medical condition and any such concerns on his behalf have been promptly raised by the Embassy with the relevant authorities, most recently on Thursday, 29 September. The occasion of prison visits provide an important opportunity for the Embassy to discuss with the citizen any issues relating to his health and well-being and to raise any concerns directly with the prison authorities. I therefore regret that this citizen declined the visit last week.
324. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department is paying €46,000 a month to rent an apartment in Tokyo for the Irish ambassador to Japan; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the ambassador's residence is reportedly more than twice as expensive as any other property rented by his Department in 2015; the reason this is happening; and his plans to rectify this situation. [28562/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note that such official properties are not solely or primarily the living quarters of Ireland’s Heads of Mission abroad. They are first and foremost official facilities for use by the Embassies and State Agencies, working together in the promotion of Ireland’s political and economic interests. These official spaces are used extensively to promote our exports and tourism, to attract inward investment, to promote our culture and heritage, to reach out to our diaspora communities, and to build relationships with key contacts and influencers in the countries where we have diplomatic representation.
This is very much the case in Tokyo, where nearly half of the rented space is actually for representational purposes. The State Agencies, in partnership with the Embassy, use this space to showcase Ireland as a centre of excellence in areas such as research and development, fin-tech, ICT, agri-food, tourism and culture. So far in 2016, the Embassy has hosted 32 events and welcomed some 1,214 guests there.
The criteria for selecting official diplomatic accommodation is that it should be centrally located in safe and secure areas, it should have appropriate floor space for representational functions, as well as living quarters for the Head of Mission and his/her family, that the rent should be in line with local market rates and that it should be available for extensive use by the embassy and the State agencies for official events.
Once a location has been identified, it is reviewed by the relevant HQ unit in Dublin against these criteria, with cost, location and suitability being the key factors in deciding whether or not to grant approval to proceed with the lease.
Rental prices are based on floor space. The space in Tokyo consists of 720.45 square metres, 302.22 sq. metres of which are used for representational space and the remainder for private accommodation.
The lease contract for this property was agreed and signed on 28 November 2001. The lease commenced on 17 July 2002, and will expire on 31 March 2017. The original lease contract contained an automatic upward rent structure, but that was discontinued in November 2009 following negotiation with the landlord. The last rent review was completed in September 2015. During the most recent negotiation, the core rent was reduced from JPY 5,670,000 to JPY 5,103,000 – a saving of JPY 567,000.
The current rent for the residency works out at €62 per sq. metre. The owner of the residence is now renting the same type of accommodation to new tenants at €79 per sq. metre. The rent paid by the Embassy is therefore significantly below the current market price.
My Department continues to review all options in relation to official accommodation in all countries where we have diplomatic representation so as to ensure value for money. Where possible, we also examine the scope for purchase with a view to converting rental payments into a long term assets for Ireland.
325. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the French Government has vowed to destroy the so-called jungle camp in Calais; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the camp is home to thousands of person, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that thousands of unaccompanied minors have already gone missing in Europe due to the refugee crisis; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the destruction of this camp will likely increase this number; and if he has discussed the issue with his French counterpart. [28563/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra326. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any official from his Department has been in touch with volunteers or aid workers who work in the jungle camp in Calais, many of whom are Irish. [28564/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have raised concerns regarding the welfare of children and other vulnerable persons in Calais with the French and European Union authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28568/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 326 and 329 together.
The case of unaccompanied minors is a very distressing aspect of the ongoing Migration crisis and the situation in Calais is particularly so.
According to French estimates there are some 7,000 migrants living in the Calais area. Of these, 900 are estimated to be unaccompanied minors. On a visit to Calais on 26th September, President Hollande announced the definitive closure of the Camp and the redistribution of its inhabitants to centres throughout France. The President described the planned closure as a “full and final” dismantlement which will be completed by the end of this year.
The French Government is to provide for 9,000 places in the centres throughout the country. Migrants will be offered the chance to apply for asylum in France, and those who do not qualify will be sent home. For unaccompanied minors, there will be specific accommodation arrangements.
President Hollande said that the objectives of these actions are to “guarantee the security of the people of Calais, to maintain public order and to ensure for the migrants and refugees that conditions are dignified”.
It should be noted that persons who are currently in another EU Member State - including those in the camps in Calais - and who are in need of international protection, are entitled to make an application for asylum in that country, should they wish to do so.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. In announcing the IRPP, the Government recognised the importance of prioritising family groups and in addressing the position of unaccompanied children. A significant number of those who have arrived to date are children with one or two parents. With regard to unaccompanied minors Ireland has formally indicated to Greece its desire to accept unaccompanied minors under the relocation mechanism and we now have a commitment from the Greek authorities that Ireland will be receiving the first group of unaccompanied minors later this year.
Matters relating to Asylum and Refugees in Calais are a matter for France in the first instance, acting in conformity with applicable EU agreements and processes, and I have confidence in the French authorities to manage this issue.
Of course I share the concerns expressed by Deputies in relation to unaccompanied minors as an especially vulnerable group.
330. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of retired public sector employees in his Department, including bodies under its aegis, who are in receipt of a public sector pension who have been re-employed either part-time or full-time, temporary or otherwise by the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28980/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails are set out in the table of the retired officials of my Department who were re-employed on temporary contracts in 2016 in my Department:
|
Grade |
Position Held |
Duration |
|
Assistant Secretary |
To assist in the preparation of files for the National Archives |
Contract for a maximum of 10 weeks spread over the twelve months of 2016 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
To assist in the preparation of files for the National Archives |
Contract for 4 – 6 weeks spread over 2015 and 2016. |
|
Counsellor |
Passport Appeals Officer |
Three-year contract from 4 April 2014 to deal with appeals as and when they arise |
|
Clerical Officer |
Temporary Clerical Officer in the Passport Service |
Contract for 17 weeks in 2016 |
