Written Answers Nos. 378-390
378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when consideration will be given to granting invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16674/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 23 February 2017. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 20 April 2017. Any arrears due from 23 February 2017 to 19 April 2017 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on 3 April 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
379. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants on the rural social scheme at present; his plans to increase participation throughout 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16756/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rural social scheme (RSS) provides employment opportunities for low income farmers and fishermen who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments. While communities benefit from the skills and talents of local farmers and fishermen, participants have the opportunity to improve existing skills, or develop new skills.
In January last, in recognition of the significant work undertaken in rural communities under the Scheme, I announced, as part of the social welfare budget package for 2017, an additional 500 places for the scheme. These places became available with effect from 1st February 2017 and bring the total number of participant places available on RSS to 3,100.
As of 24th March 2017, there were 2,632 participants on RSS. The remaining additional places will be rolled out over the coming months.
The question of further additional places will be considered in the context of future Budgets.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
380. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider reinstating the phone allowance for older persons in view of the fact that for areas with poor reception it was suitable to have a landline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16784/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe savings arising from the initial reduction and subsequent discontinuance of the telephone allowance meant that my Department was able to retain the other valuable elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. My Department will spend approximately €232 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 425,000 customers. The cost of the telephone allowance scheme had risen significantly each year, as the number of eligible customers grew. At the end of September 2013 there were almost 396,000 receiving the telephone allowance compared to approximately 316,000 people in 2007. This was an increase of 25%, or an average increase of approximately 4% per annum.
The Government is keenly aware of the impact of Budget decisions on the Department’s clients, and strives to ensure that the money available is targeted in the most effective way. In Budget 2016, the first increase in the basic rate of the State pension in seven years was given. This increased the personal rate of the State pension (non-contributory) to €222, and that of the State pension (contributory) to €233.30. There was also a €2.50 increase in the rate of the Fuel Allowance, from €20 to €22.50 per week.
In Budget 2017, I announced a further increase in the rate of State pensions by €5, bringing the maximum personal rate of the State pension (non-contributory) to €227, and that of the State pension (contributory) to €238.30.
Therefore, over the past two Budgets, the maximum weekly rate for State Pensions has increased by €8 per week, which is the equivalent of over €34 per month. The value of these increases is significantly in excess of the value of the telephone allowance previously provided.
Any decision to restore the telephone allowance would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations. To date, the Government has concentrated additional resources on increasing the rate of the pension, rather than on the Household Benefits package.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
381. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of exceptional needs payments made under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme towards funeral expenses in excess of €1,500 per person, by county for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16787/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra382. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection the position with regard to assistance towards funeral expenses in circumstances (details supplied); if he will consider an exceptional needs payment towards the full funeral expenses in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16788/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The Government has provided €31.5 million for ENPs and urgent needs payments (UNPs) in 2017.
An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses. An ENP is a means tested payment payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the applicant and that of the deceased person including any savings, property, insurance policies, etc. The Department official will also consider if a bereavement payment is available from any other source including former employer, credit union or trade union.
In addition, the Department may provide for the burial of a person who has died and in respect of whose burial suitable arrangements are not otherwise being made. In such cases, the Department may meet all expenses necessarily incurred in the burial of a person. The Department may obtain repayment of those expenses from the estate of the deceased person or from any person who was liable to maintain the deceased person immediately before his or her death. The Deputy is advised that any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an ENP towards funeral and burial costs under the SWA scheme should contact the Department so that the specific circumstances can be examined in detail.
The tabular statement below contains the number of payments in excess of €1,500 paid under the ENP scheme in respect of funerals and burials in 2015 and 2016 on a county basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement: Number of ENP payments in excess of €1,500 in respect of Funerals and Burials, 2015-2016
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
14 |
30 |
|
Cavan |
18 |
24 |
|
Clare |
7 |
14 |
|
Cork |
143 |
219 |
|
Donegal |
12 |
21 |
|
Dublin |
881 |
913 |
|
Galway |
63 |
46 |
|
Kerry |
42 |
33 |
|
Kildare |
93 |
92 |
|
Kilkenny |
26 |
31 |
|
Laois |
29 |
32 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
97 |
90 |
|
Longford |
21 |
17 |
|
Louth |
81 |
65 |
|
Mayo |
36 |
52 |
|
Meath |
34 |
45 |
|
Monaghan |
20 |
16 |
|
Offaly |
33 |
39 |
|
Roscommon |
28 |
18 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
74 |
66 |
|
Waterford |
54 |
33 |
|
Westmeath |
38 |
42 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
13 |
|
Wicklow |
65 |
59 |
|
Total |
1,925 |
2,019 |
383. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take in the event of the electorate of Northern Ireland voting to join the Republic; if a referendum is required here to allow for such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16040/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements is a priority for my Department and indeed the Government as a whole. In this context we are of course also guided by the aspiration contained in Article 3 of the Constitution as amended by the people in 1998.
The principle of consent and the possibility of a change in constitutional status in Northern Ireland is a fundamental part of the Good Friday Agreement, which was endorsed by the people of this island North and South. The trigger for a referendum in this jurisdiction is connected with the calling of a border poll, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, in Northern Ireland. This occurs when the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland considers it likely that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland. At present, the Government does not believe it likely that such a border poll in Northern Ireland in the near future would result in constitutional change; that is also the view of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In those circumstances, such a poll now might only increase uncertainty and division at an already difficult and sensitive time.
In the event of any such referendum in the future, the Government would proceed according to the requirements of the Constitution and in accordance with the principles and procedures of the Good Friday Agreement. The Deputy will appreciate that the prospect of any such referendum in the future would be a most significant step for the Government and for the country and could only proceed on the basis of extensive preparation and appropriate consultation.
There are of course aspects of this constitutional issue which relate to my Department’s ongoing work. In the context of Brexit, the Government has made clear its determination to ensure respect for all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, including those relating to a possible change in constitutional status for Northern Ireland, regardless of the UK’s status within the EU.
384. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that police officers in the UK have been ordered to refuse to sign passport renewal applications for Irish citizens seeking Irish passport renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16042/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has an extensive list of eligible witnesses for passport application forms for citizens who are resident outside of Ireland. This list is available on the Passport Service website at www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/top-passport-questions/how-to-get-your-passport-application-witnessed/. It is not a requirement to know the applicant, but to be satisfied as to his or her identity.
The Passport Service is not aware of new instructions relating to witnessing issued to the police authorities in the United Kingdom. However, it should be noted that there is no obligation on any witness to undertake the role.
As part of the Passport Reform Programme, an online passport application service is now available for adult Irish citizens renewing their passport. This service allows citizens to renew their passport books and cards online from wherever they are in the world. It removes the requirement to have a paper form witnessed and is a fast, secure and convenient way to renew a passport.
385. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to address the ongoing conflict in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16134/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to prevent children's rights being violated in Yemen; the actions that have been taken in circumstances in which it is found that violations have occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16135/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together.
I have been monitoring Yemen with concern, in particular in recent months as the humanitarian situation has reached crisis point. The war has entered into its third year, the country is on the brink of famine, the political process has stalled and, despite recent conclusions by the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen that an outright military victory by either side is no longer a realistic possibility, fighting continues with increasingly devastating consequences for the civilian population.
Yemen was on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg yesterday. We agreed Council Conclusions reaffirming the EU's serious concern about the Yemeni situation, and urging the parties to lay down arms and negotiate a peace agreement. We also called on them to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Along with my European colleagues, we confirmed our commitment to increasing the EU's engagement with Yemen, once a political solution to the conflict is agreed.
The Conclusions made special reference to children who, along with women and other vulnerable groups, are paying the heaviest price in this war. Of particular concern are reports emerging of violations of the rights of the child, recruitment of child soldiers, and attacks on schools and health facilities, which deny children access to education and health care. Nearly four fifths of all Yemeni children need humanitarian assistance, and UNICEF estimates that at least one child dies every ten minutes from preventable causes. The only way to improve the outlook for these children is to put an end to the conflict.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, announced last week that a new framework for peace negotiations has been presented to the warring parties. The Special Envoy called on the International Community to encourage the parties to make the concessions necessary for a peace agreement. As is often the case, Ireland’s voice is stronger when raised in conjunction with our EU partners, and the EU has made clear that it will increase its efforts to support UN actions to reach a political settlement to this crisis.
I have also discussed Yemen with the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nizar bin Obaid Madani. I raised concerns about the appalling humanitarian situation in Yemen resulting from the conflict and about attacks which have directly impacted on civilians.
We will also continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemen. Ireland has been a significant donor to the crisis, giving almost €6 million since the conflict began. We intend to maintain a similar level of support in 2017, and Ireland will attend a High-Level Pledging Conference for Yemen in Geneva on 25 April, jointly hosted by Sweden, Switzerland and the OCHA.
Finally, this conflict has been characterised by allegations of violations of human rights, including rights of the child, and international humanitarian law. Ireland has been consistent in calling for an impartial, international investigation into these reports. Unfortunately, consensus at an international level to launch such an investigation has not been possible. However, through the EU, we will continue to call on all parties to this conflict to co-operate with the National Commission of Inquiry, as well as with the enhanced OHCHR Yemen Office, and to allow investigators full access to all parts of Yemen. Ireland will continue to call for all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law to be investigated, and for those found guilty of violations to be held accountable.
387. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent events in Mosul; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16234/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI deeply regret the deaths of all civilians in every military conflict.
I am conscious of multiple reports, including from civilians in Mosul, claiming that Daesh is deliberately using civilians as human shields.
I am also aware of the reports that airstrikes by the US-led counter-ISIS coalition have led to a significant number of civilian deaths in Mosul last month.
I would also note that the liberation of Mosul, from a terrorist group which a UN body has found responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, has been legally mandated by the UN Security Council under resolution 2249, which calls on UN Member States to "prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL" and "to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria".
Security operations taking place against Daesh inside Iraq are also conducted under the legal authority of the sovereign Government of Iraq.
However, international humanitarian law is clear: parties to the conflict, all parties, are obliged to do everything possible to protect civilians.
I understand that the details of what exactly happened in Western Mosul on 17 March are not yet entirely clear and I welcome US Central Command’s announcement of an investigation to establish the facts. It is our hope that the results of this investigation will help to prevent future loss of civilian life in Mosul and elsewhere as the Global Coalition and the Iraqi government work to rid the country of the scourge of ISIS.
388. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the developments at EU and international level since the UN Security Council Resolution 2334 was adopted on 23 December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16235/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSecurity Council Resolution 2334 was an important restatement of principles in relation to the Middle East conflict, particularly as relates to Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. The Resolution stated that these settlements have no legal validity and are a major obstacle to peace; it called for an immediate end to settlement activities, and underlined negative trends operating on the ground. It also called on all states to distinguish in their dealings between the State of Israel and the occupied territory.
In all these aspects the Resolution echoed the positions already taken by the European Union, to which Ireland had made a significant contribution. I very much welcomed and supported this important Resolution by the Security Council.
The broader international community also expressed itself at the Paris Conference on the Middle East, which I attended on 15 January. The conference Declaration focused on international support for the two state solution and for the principles that must underlie any peace agreement, and called for an end to unilateral actions that hinder the realisation of that goal.
Resolution 2334 and the Paris Declaration together constituted a clear statement of the policies and positions of the international community as a whole.
Going forward, however, it is evident that the political process to reach an agreement on these lines is stalled. The initiative by France which culminated in the Paris Conference helped focus attention on the difficulty but could not restore momentum to the process.
The position of the new US Administration will obviously be an important factor in the next developments, but this has not yet become clear.
Ireland continues to participate actively, both in my own interventions at the Foreign Affairs Council and at official level, in EU level discussions on how to defend and reactivate the two state solution.
389. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has received any additional funding or requested additional funding to help meet the challenge of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16236/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Article 50 process for the UK exit from the EU has now formally commenced. Since the UK Referendum result last year my Department, like other Government Departments, has been preparing for and engaging on the Brexit process. The 2017 Allocation for my Department included an initial allocation to support the Brexit negotiation process.
Specifically my Department received an additional allocation of €3.2M which facilitated the transfer back to my Department from the Department of the Taoiseach of 14 staff to facilitate the establishment of a new and enlarged EU Division which has overall responsibility for the management of the Brexit negotiations. In addition programme funds to support the secondment of Irish staff to the EU institutions and enhanced public communications and debate on the EU issues were also transferred.
It is clear that these exit negotiations will be complex and intensive. The Department has therefore allocated an additional budget of €2M from the extra allocation provided as part of the 2018 Budget process. This budget will be used to increase the number of staff assigned to the management and support of the negotiations and to increase the level of support provided to our colleagues across all Government Departments and agencies. This will result in the assignment of additional staff resources to our missions in Brussels, London, Paris, and Berlin and in the Department here in Dublin. Some of these additional resources have already been put in place, with the remainder to follow in the immediate period ahead.
It is becoming clearer that there are other implications arising from Brexit that the Department will need to manage. There has been a sustained increase in passport applications from Britain and Northern Ireland follow the UK vote to leave the EU last June. In addition there has been a substantial and sustained increase in the number of Foreign Birth Registrations (that is, the process of acquiring citizenship through an Irish-born grandparent) right across the world.
My Department is continually monitoring the additional needs associated with management of this Brexit process and engaging with the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform.
390. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had on new embassies opening here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16237/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI warmly welcome the recent decisions by New Zealand and Peru to open resident Embassies in Dublin.
Working with like-minded countries to achieve our common goals has always been a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Resident Embassies are an important resource in this regard as they allow us to deepen our understanding of the local context and to communicate clearly and effectively our priorities and concerns.
The positive decisions taken by two important international partners to open Embassies here reflect the increasing economic, political and people to people links that Ireland enjoys with both countries. We share values, co-operating closely constructively within the UN on global priorities such as climate change and human rights. We also enjoy growing bilateral interests, including increased trade. Ireland’s place at the heart of the EU is now of growing importance to our international partners.
My New Zealand counterpart, Murray McCully, visited Dublin in January and we discussed then the possibility of his government deciding to open an Embassy here. I am delighted that Minister McCully announced on 24th March that New Zealand will open an Embassy in Dublin. This decision testifies to the ever growing political, economic and cultural links between our two countries. As Minister McCully noted when he announced the decision to open an Embassy, our countries enjoy a very warm relationship which is underpinned by our shared values. We work closely together on issues such as climate change, disarmament, and human rights, and are also both members of the Small Advanced Economies Initiative. The new Embassy will help us to deepen our friendship, strengthen our co-operation and further develop our trade and economic links.
The announcement by Peru’s government of its decision to establish an Embassy in Dublin was made shortly before President Higgins made an official visit to Peru. When the President, accompanied by my colleague Minister Varadkar, met with Peru’s President, Foreign Minister and other Ministers, the decision by Peru to establish an Embassy in Dublin was warmly welcomed. My Peruvian counterpart, Ricardo Luna Mendoza, extended to me recently St. Patrick’s Day greetings and he took that opportunity to express his strong conviction that the opening of an Embassy of Peru in Dublin will contribute to enhancing our bilateral relations and also to our collaboration on common global interests such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law and trade. I share fully Minister Luna’s objectives and I look forward to working with him and his officials in the period ahead.
