Written Answers Nos. 452 - 465
452. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will make contact with Seetec to establish a satellite office for the service in Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe JobPath contracts provide that a customer should not have to travel more than 60 minutes in normal circumstances to attend an appointment. Where a customer has transport difficulties the JobPath Provider may assist the customer with travel arrangements including the reimbursement of reasonable travel costs.
Seetec currently have 29 full-time and 20 part-time offices throughout their operating region. At present, eight offices are accessible within a normal journey time of 60 minutes by public transport or private motorised transport from Ardee. Clients referred to Seetec have the option to engage in the Seetec office most convenient for them.
The offices are based in:
- Dundalk (Full time) – 19.5 km from Ardee, 20 min by car and 38 mins by bus
- Carrickmacross (Outreach) – 20.8 km from Ardee, 18 mins by car and 22 mins by bus
- Drogheda (Full time) – 25km, 22 mins by car, 38 mins by bus
- Kells (Outreach) – 29.5km, 30 mins by car
- Navan (Full time) – 32 km, 33 mins by car
- Balbriggan (Full time) – 47.7km, 34 mins by car
- Monaghan (Full time) – 59.4 km, 44 mins by car
- Swords (Full time) – 60km, 40 mins by car
Customers claiming their jobseekers payment from Ardee Branch Office are currently being referred to JobPath at a rate of ten per week. In total 231 jobseekers from Ardee and the surrounding areas are engaged with the service. Given the number of options available to customers in the region, there is no current requirement for a separate Seetec office in Ardee.
Towards the end of 2016 my Department commissioned an independent survey to assess customer satisfaction with the service provided by both JobPath companies. Seetec scored 4.27 out of 5 for ease of travel to their offices. This survey is available on my department’s website at – http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/JobPath-performance-report-January-2017.pdf.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
453. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the tribunals established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts, 1921 to 2011, in tabular form; the number of days each tribunal sat for; the gross cost of each tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10773/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTribunals of inquiry are established by resolution of the Houses of the Oireachtas to inquire into matters of urgent public importance.
The Department of Social Protection has not been responsible for any such tribunals of inquiry.
454. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he and his European counterparts will make to assist South Sudan in view of the fact that a famine has been declared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9585/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra469. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the State’s response to the official declaration of famine in South Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10169/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he will use Ireland's influence at UN and EU levels to work toward the securement of a political solution that will end conflict and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid into South Sudan (details supplied); and if he will raise the issue at the upcoming EU Foreign Affairs Council. [10357/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 454, 469 and 473 together.
I am very concerned about the situation in South Sudan, particularly in light of the declaration of famine in parts of the country this week. The UN has estimated that 100,000 people are facing starvation, with a further one million people on the brink of famine. Three UN agencies have also warned that urgent action is needed to prevent more people from dying of hunger.
Ireland has provided €39 million in humanitarian assistance for South Sudan since 2012. Our assistance is focused on saving lives and alleviating the suffering of the South Sudanese people through meeting their immediate and most basic needs, providing food and livelihoods assistance, treating acute malnutrition, providing shelter and enhancing their protection. In 2016 alone, Ireland contributed just over €11 million to South Sudan.
In view of the rapidly deteriorating situation this year, we have released €265,000 for South Sudanese refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo and for internally displaced persons in South Sudan. Further assistance is now being planned to support the humanitarian and emergency response operations of our UN and NGO partners on the ground.
The concern is shared strongly at EU level. On 21 February 2017, the European Commission announced an emergency aid package of €82 million which is aimed at addressing the urgent humanitarian situation in the country. Since December 2013, the EU Commission has provided €381 million in humanitarian funding, which, including vital assistance for internally displaced people, refugees, returnees and other vulnerable people.
In addition to our humanitarian assistance, Ireland and our EU partners have issued strong political statements, most recently through the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2016, condemning the outbreak of violence in South Sudan, and clearly stating that there can be no military solution to the crisis. The Conclusions called on all parties to observe the ceasefire in full and to take the decisive steps necessary to end the conflict. The Conclusions also underlined the need for a political solution through the implementation of the existing peace agreement, agreed in 2015, and urged the Government of South Sudan to work with regional and international bodies such as the UN, the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development to resolve the political crisis. The EU also called on all parties to allow the full, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to all those in need, which is essential in order to save lives.
At the UN level, Ireland co-sponsored a resolution on South Sudan at the Special Session of the United Nation’s Human Rights Council, stressing the need for all parties to end the conflict and respect international humanitarian law in December 2016. At the Universal Periodic Review of South Sudan in November 2016, Ireland requested that the South Sudanese authorities provide unimpeded humanitarian access to vulnerable populations.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely, with our EU partners, through our Embassy in Addis Ababa, which is accredited to South Sudan, and our Embassies in Kampala and Nairobi.
455. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has issued any alerts to Irish embassies in regard to the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9610/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset it is important to state that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes (and certain related Matters) is independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore, the communications strategy is a matter for the Commission.
No request has been received by my Department in this regard.
However, I am informed that the Commission has used information published on my Department’s website, on organisations abroad that my Department works with, as part of its work.
456. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the legal fees incurred on FOI requests received by his Department; the staff hours involved in the processing of FOI requests for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9679/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the period specified by the Deputy, no legal fees were incurred in relation to FOI requests received in my Department.
In relation to the staff hours involved in processing FOI requests, as the Deputy will be aware, the first five hours spent by staff in search, retrieval, scheduling and copying, do not attract fees; this time forms part of the duties of officials with responsibility for FOI and is not monitored separately.
All requests during the period specified by the Deputy where search, retrieval and scheduling time exceeded five hours, and the staff hours involved in the processing of these FOI requests, are set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Number of FOI Requests |
Staff hours spent processing FOI requests (where time exceeded five hours) |
|
2016 |
214 |
0 |
|
2015 |
122 |
12 (one request) |
|
2014 |
117 |
13 (one request) |
457. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the need for a special status for Northern Ireland in view of Brexit has been placed on the agenda and discussed formally at any EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9795/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the immediate aftermath of the UK referendum on EU exit, the European Council agreed, inter alia, that there would be no negotiations with the UK in advance of the Article 50 application being triggered. Accordingly, the UK’s decision to withdraw from the European Union has not to date been an item on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). Although formal discussions on Brexit have not taken place at the FAC, I have since June spoken at least once with each of my EU Foreign Minister colleagues on the issue of Brexit, over the course of more than 35 engagements; my programme of meetings continues in the weeks ahead.
Protecting the peace process and Northern Ireland is one of the Government’s four headline priorities in dealing with the UK decision to leave the European Union. The established framework for all engagement on Northern Ireland is the Good Friday Agreement. This has been strongly reaffirmed by the Government and the British Government following the UK decision to leave the European Union. The Good Friday Agreement is an international treaty, registered with the United Nations and it provides for a unique political and constitutional settlement in Northern Ireland, which is the foundation of the peace process. This is something the European Union as a whole has long recognised and supported.
On 23 February, the Taoiseach held a very positive meeting with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at which the Commission President expressed his support and solidarity with Ireland in dealing with the challenges of Brexit, including to uphold the Good Friday Agreement and seek the maintenance of the open border. The Taoiseach will have a further round of meetings in Brussels this week, when he will meet with President Tusk of the European Council and Michel Barnier, Chair of the European Commission Taskforce.
On 30 January, the Taoiseach discussed with Prime Minister May the serious implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland and the imperative of retaining the open border on the island of Ireland. There will be a need for the British Government to reflect the unique challenges Brexit poses for Northern Ireland in the position they adopt in the negotiations with the EU27. I reinforced this message in my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire in our meeting on 14 February.
The Government has been clear that there are entirely unique circumstances in respect of the island of Ireland that must be taken account of in the negotiations for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and the future EU-UK relationship. While the Irish Government is actively seeking recognition and accommodation of the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, our extensive discussions with partner governments across the EU – including the UK - have made clear that concepts and terms like “special status” give rise to serious concerns for other EU partners about precedents that might be set elsewhere. This would risk undermining the Government’s efforts to specifically address and mitigate the very real impacts facing our island – and the people of Northern Ireland in particular - due to Brexit.
While I entirely understand the rationale of those seeking a “special status” designation, the fact is that such a proposal would unnecessarily distract from work to secure arrangements which reflect the genuine uniqueness of Northern Ireland’s situation, founded in the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement, as well as its geographic status as the only land border between the UK and the EU27.
On 21 February, I outlined to the House the need for specific, effective, and realisable measures that could address the major issues of concern under Brexit, whether these relate to the border, or to the citizenship, constitutional and human rights provisions of the Agreement, or otherwise. The Government will also be advocating for the continuation of the range of EU policy supports to Northern Ireland and the peace process, including in relation to EU funding and is looking at existing precedents and potential innovative approaches in this regard.
The Government will continue to work with our EU partners and EU Institutions and prepare comprehensively in support of our overall negotiating objectives.
458. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons assigned to the re-established EU division within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9796/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently twenty-six officials assigned to EU Division. Its resources will be kept under constant review in response to evolving needs.
I would also add that a number of officers of my Department are seconded to the Department of the Taoiseach and working on EU matters, while two officers are seconded to the International and EU Relations Division of the Department of Finance.
459. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of meetings he has attended of the Cabinet committee on Brexit chaired by An Taoiseach since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on Brexit, chaired by the Taoiseach, has met six times to date.
A further meeting is scheduled to take place on 8 March, just in advance of the European Council in Brussels (9-10 March).
I have attended five of the six meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Brexit, missing only the Committee meeting on 7 November 2016, as at that time I was accompanying President Higgins on the State Visit to Vietnam. In addition to this Cabinet Committee, Brexit related matters are also regularly discussed at plenary meetings of Cabinet and in a wide variety of other meetings and fora.
460. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the programmes under his Department's remit that support and engage the diaspora and Irish overseas; the planned expenditure in 2017 for each of those programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Emigrant Support Programme administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides funding for projects to support and engage Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of deeper and more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish community.
The Emigrant Support Programme prioritises culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services that address the needs of the most vulnerable Irish emigrants. The programme also supports a wide range of other diaspora engagement projects, particularly cultural, community and heritage projects that foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity, as well as strategic capital projects.
The overall budget for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2017 is €11,595,000. This matches the allocation for 2016. The 2017-18 grant closed on the 15 February and the received applications are currently being reviewed.
In addition to the Emigrant Support Programme which is specifically targeted at funding projects supporting and engaging the global Irish community, this important objective is also an integral part of the wider work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in particular the work of our Missions abroad. As such this important area of the Department’s work attracts significant other resources, both human and financial, but this expenditure is not part of a specific allocation or diaspora activity budget that is reported on separately. Rather this work is undertaken annually as part of the core work of Missions, within the wider Departmental and Mission budget.
For 2017 an additional budget of €400,000 was allocated to my Department to support local diaspora engagement. My Department is currently considering strategic priorities around this aspect of our engagement with the global Irish and how that new fund can be best structured and administered to achieve priority outcomes.
A full list of previously funded organisations under the ESP can be found at https://www.dfa.ie/global-irish/support-overseas/emigrant-support-programme/
461. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open new embassies in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9799/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department periodically reviews Ireland’s representation abroad, taking a range of factors into account when considering the expansion of the Embassy and Consular network overseas. These factors include our national political, economic and trade priorities. A further consideration is the availability of resources to expand the diplomatic network. In recent years, my Department has been able to achieve savings across the network (in the period 2009-2013, cost savings of 21% were achieved), while ensuring that the Government was in a position to open new embassies in Indonesia, Kenya, Croatia, Thailand and the Holy See. In addition, three new Consulates General were opened in the following cities: Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, and Austin, Texas. These locations were principally chosen on the basis of their strategic value in the promotion of Ireland’s economic interests. The Department is committed to keeping the Mission Network under review and to ensuring that it maintains the ability and agility to respond to new opportunities for Irish citizens and businesses.
462. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current expenditure of GNP on overseas development aid; the cost based on current growth forecasts of reaching levels (details supplied) of the United Nations target for overseas development aid in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9800/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis year the Government has allocated a total of €651 million for Official Development Assistance (ODA), an increase of €10 million on the 2016 allocation. This is the second consecutive year we have increased the overall allocation to ODA.
Of this total, €486 million will be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 International Cooperation. A further estimated €165 million will come from other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Co-operation Budget.
This allocation represents a very substantial investment of public funds in Ireland’s aid programme and is a clear indication of our commitment to increase allocations in a sustainable manner as resources permit. It is worth restating that since 2011 the Government has made annual contributions in excess of €600 million to ODA, amounting to a total of some €4.5 billion up to the end of 2017. This is a hugely significant contribution to the fight to eradicate global hunger, reduce extreme poverty and provide live-saving humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
The table below sets out the potential levels of ODA required to deliver the ODA/GNP percentage levels outlined in the Deputy’s Question. These calculations are based on the Department of Finance Budget Day forecast for GNP for 2017.
|
ODA as a % of GNP |
Potential ODA 2017* |
|
0.34% |
760 |
|
0.35% |
790 |
|
0.36% |
810 |
|
0.38% |
850 |
|
0.39% |
880 |
|
0.40% |
900 |
|
0.41% |
920 |
|
0.42% |
940 |
|
0.43% |
970 |
|
0.44% |
990 |
|
0.45% |
1,010 |
|
0.46% |
1,030 |
|
0.47% |
1,060 |
|
0.48% |
1,080 |
|
0.49% |
1,100 |
|
0.50% |
1,120 |
* Calculated to the nearest €10 million
463. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to reinstate the free passport for over-65s. [9840/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA decision was taken in the 2005 budget to exempt applicants aged 65 and over from the passport fee. In 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the exemption and to apply the same ten-year passport fee to all applicants aged 18 years or over.
The annualized fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favorably with many other jurisdictions. At €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €9.60 for a French passport, €9.60 per year for a British passport, €10.80 per year for an American passport and €20 per year for an Australian passport.
Given that any shortfall in revenue or additional costs would have to be met by the taxpayer I do not have any plans at this time to reduce the fee charged to older applicants.
464. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make urgent representations to the Israeli Embassy and Government requesting them to reverse the demolition orders issued by the Israeli Government for all 42 homes and businesses in the village of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank. [10078/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will send Irish diplomats, along with other heads of missions, to the village of Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank as a public sign of support to the community there following the issuing of demolition orders by the Israeli Government for all 42 homes and businesses in the village. [10079/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make immediate representations to the Israeli embassy and Government to reverse the demolition orders on the village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10284/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra471. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will instruct Irish diplomats to visit Khan al-Ahmar in Palestine with other heads of missions as a public sign of support to the community urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10285/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 464, 465, 470 and 471 together.
The Bedouin community of Khan al Ahmar has been under demolition orders for some years, although there has also been an injunction on execution of these orders. The issuing of 42 new Stop Work orders, and military activity in the area, has given rise to fears that a mass eviction and demolition action against the village was being planned.
There has been a strong international response to this threat, in which Ireland has taken an active part.
In October 2016 the Irish and other EU Heads of Mission in Palestine visited Khan al Ahmar to demonstrate support, and show that the actions of the authorities there were being scrutinized.
In response to the recent increased threat, there have been strong statements on the case from the relevant UN agencies on the ground, and from the EU representative.
The Irish Ambassador in Israel has made a demarche at a senior level in the Israeli Foreign Ministry, drawing attention to the threats and expressing the strong concerns of the Government in relation to the threats of demolitions, contrary to international law.
The Irish Representative in Ramallah will be joining other EU Heads of Mission in a further visit to the community in the next few days.
The most recent reports suggest that the threat of demolition may not be as imminent as was feared. The prompt attention to the case may have helped in this regard. Ireland’s missions in the area will keep this case under close observation.
