Written Answers Nos 152-171
152. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status regarding child benefit payments for persons that reach 18 years of age and remain in full-time education; if this can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19020/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children up to their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to around 627,000 families in respect of some 1.2 million children, with an estimated expenditure of over €2 billion in 2017.
Budget 2009 reduced the age for eligibility for Child Benefit from 19 years to less than 18 years. A value for money review of child income supports, published by the Department of Social Protection in 2010, found that the participation pattern of children in education supports the current age limit for Child Benefit.
Given the universality of Child Benefit, allowing for it to be paid in respect of 18 year olds still in full time education would not be a targeted approach. The adoption of such a proposal would also have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
Families on low incomes can avail of a number of provisions to social welfare schemes that support children in full-time education until the age of 22, including:
- qualified child increases (IQCs) with primary social welfare payments;
- family income supplement (FIS) for low-paid employees with children;
- the back to school clothing and footwear allowance for low income families (paid at the full-time second level education rate).
I am satisfied these schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked with household income and thereby supports low-income families with older children participating in full-time education.
153. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if a cost benefit analysis has been carried out to justify the cessation of mortgage interest supplement to the 2,000 persons that are still in receipt of this payment; the supports being made available by his Department for those exiting this payment when it ceases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19042/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe original purpose of the mortgage interest supplement scheme was to provide short-term support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence.
The scheme was discontinued to new entrants from 1 January 2014. Customers availing of this support prior to 1 January 2014 have been able to retain entitlement to the scheme up to 1 January 2018. There are currently approximately 1,880 people in receipt of the scheme, for which Government has provided over €4 million in 2017.
It is expected that over the remaining period the existing customers will continue to exit the scheme through sustainable solutions being put in place with their lenders; securing employment; or exit strategies including the Mortgage to Rent Scheme. A cost benefit analysis has not been carried out to assess the impacts. The most appropriate way in which customers experiencing mortgage difficulties can be supported is through on-going engagement with their lender to explore sustainable solutions. The ongoing payment of this supplement on an indefinite basis will not address the longer term issues for people in serious mortgage arrears.
In line with all schemes administered by my Department, any further extension of the mortgage interest scheme for existing customers would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
The Deputy may be aware that the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments. As part of its free services, MABS provides help and advice to those in mortgage arrears.
The role of MABS was expanded in 2015 with the establishment of a Dedicated Mortgage Arrears MABS service (DMA MABS) across the MABS network, to help people specifically with home mortgage arrears. There are now 32 specialist DMA advisors working across 27 locations countrywide, assisting borrowers to assess the options available to them and, where required, negotiating with lenders on their behalf. To date, the DMA service has helped almost 3,450 such borrowers.
Additionally, MABS provides a national network of court mentors who attend each listed repossession Court hearing countrywide. The mentors provide support to distressed borrowers who are facing the loss of their home and signpost them to the appropriate services. To date, over 1,400 borrowers have been referred onward to MABS advisors through the court mentor service.
In 2016, a further initiative was announced by Government, known as Abhaile. This scheme further extends the free services already available to borrowers through the DMA MABS service and the court mentor service. The new voucher based scheme, for which MABS is the gateway, provides access for people, who are insolvent and in home mortgage arrears, to access independent expert financial and/or legal advice and assistance, free of charge. To date, approximately 6,000 vouchers for services have been issued, in respect of over 3,670 principle private residences.
I am continuing to monitor the supports and services which the Department has put in place to assist homeowners in serious mortgage arrears.
154. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will clarify his comments describing some community employment scheme participants as being persons who find it difficult to hold down a job; the basis for these remarks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19043/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) has its origins in 1994. At that time, long-term unemployment was undermining the employability of many individuals and the capacity of communities to function as cohesive social structures. The alienation experienced by the long-term unemployed often reflected a sense of disempowerment in their communities. CE acted as a resource for communities to identify their own needs and priorities and, over the years, it became a vital service to communities both in rural areas and areas of urban disadvantage. It developed into a unique programme that integrates employment interventions and training for the individual with community services. The programme addresses the multiple needs of people who are often far from ‘employment ready’ and experiencing a range of social and economic problems by operating within local and community contexts and responding to the needs identified by a variety of community agencies.
As the Deputy is aware, CE is a labour market activation programme which helps long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged groups to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine. The programme assists participants to enhance and develop skills which can then be used in the workplace.
Many people on the Live Register generally exit it again within a short-time frame, without any recourse to employment schemes or intensive activation measures. However, some people do require more assistance and support to return to work and schemes like CE are designed to do just that. These types of programmes deliver on two levels. On the one hand, they provide a person who is unemployed with the opportunity of work experience and to develop new skills to prepare them for employment in the open labour market. Secondly, they play a very important role in augmenting service delivery to local communities in key areas such as childcare, health and social care, drug rehabilitation and local amenities.
Both participant and local communities have benefitted from these programmes. In fact, I have seen this myself, at first hand, over the past few months when I visited various schemes throughout the country and spoke directly to participants about their experience on CE.
My commitment to CE is evident in the recent changes I announced which will widen the range of people who can take part. My Department will be undertaking a consultation process with stakeholders in the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
155. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to review procedures on the way priests were prohibited from paying a contribution before 1988 (details supplied). [19070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, workers in insurable employment or self-employment and whose income from that employment exceeds the relevant insurable threshold, are liable to pay PRSI. The payment of PRSI entitles them to access a range of social insurance benefits including the contributory State pension, depending on the nature of their employment or self- employment. Similar to other people, priests in employment, are liable to pay PRSI and can subsequently access social insurance benefits depending on the nature of the employment or self-employment in which they are engaged.
Social insurance coverage was introduced for self-employed workers for the first time in 1988, to provide access to long-term benefits such as the contributory State pension. Self-employed workers, including self-employed clergy, were not covered for any pensions or benefits prior to that year and did not pay PRSI contributions.
There are no plans to review the position of people who did not pay contributions in the past.
Clergy who were employed prior or subsequent to 1988 were liable to pay PRSI based on their earnings and their appropriate PRSI Class. It should be noted priests who were employed in some public service occupations (e.g. teachers) and who were appointed prior to April, 1995 paid PRSI at reduced rates of contributions and are covered for a limited range of benefits and pensions. In particular such contributors are not covered for the contributory State pension contributory. However like other public servants they would, in general, have access to the appropriate occupational pension schemes.
Where any person, including a member of the clergy, is unable to meet the qualifying conditions for the contributory State pension or is only eligible for a reduced rate of contributory pension, they may alternatively apply for the means-tested State pension. The level of payment for the means tested State pension (amounts to up to 95% of the maximum contributory pension rate.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an emergency payment or exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19121/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned made an application for an OFP payment on 30 March 2017, which has been awarded. The first payment was paid into the nominated Post Office on 7 April 2017 and all other payments will be issued to her bank account. The person concerned has been contacted by the Intreo Centre to advise her of these payment arrangements.
An application form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance issued to the person concerned on 5 April and she was contacted on 10 April. Once the form is submitted a decision will issue on the application.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when carer's benefit will be accepted and approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19122/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department received an application for carer’s benefit (CARB) from the person concerned on 12 January 2017 for a care recipient who is resident in Lithuania.
In order to process a CARB application, both the applicant and the care recipient must have a Personal Public Service Number (PPS No).
This application cannot be processed until the care recipient has obtained a PPS No. In addition, further employment information was requested on 4 April 2017. Once this information is received and a PPS No is assigned to the care recipient, the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has been requested to register for the standard authentication framework environment, SAFE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19124/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection, in conjunction with a number of other Government Departments, has developed a rules based standard for establishing and authenticating an individual’s identity for the purposes of access to public services. This programme of work is known as the Standard Authentication Framework Environment or SAFE for short.
Sections 241 and 247(C) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, require a person, when requested, to verify his or her identity. This is done by attending for a SAFE registration which involves the capture of an individual’s photograph and signature, the verification of identity and current address as well as the capture of additional data such as answers to security questions to be used in ensuring the future integrity of customers’ data. A Public Services Card is then issued to each successful registrant.
Details of the registration process and information on the documents which a person should provide are available on the Department’s website at www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Public-Services-Card_holder.aspx.
Should a person fail or refuse to comply with the requirement to register, then the legislation provides for either the disallowance of the person’s claim, where it is a new claim, or the disqualification from payment, if it is an existing claim. The circumstances of persons are taken into account, related to their ability to attend and complete the registration process, before a payment is discontinued. Where a person is unable to attend for reasons of illness or frailty, my Department may be able to conduct the registration using a mobile registration facility.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for a refusal for a jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); if an appeal claim will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19127/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance from 4 July 2016 but the claim was disallowed following review. An appeal of this decision has been received by the Intreo Centre concerned and an Inspector is reviewing the case as a matter of urgency.
The Intreo Centre will also review the case on receipt of a report from the Inspector.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the exact entitlement on a weekly basis of carer's allowance in respect of their family in the case of a person (details supplied); if all arrears have been discharged in regard to this or previous entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19128/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the person concerned is in receipt of the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance payable to a person caring for one care recipient of €209.00 per week.
This includes a budgetary increase of €5.00 per week effective from 16 March 2017.
In addition she is in receipt of the maximum rate payable for each of her 3 qualified children of €29.80 weekly per child.
The person concerned has an outstanding Supplementary Welfare Allowance debt which the department is recovering by weekly deductions of €30.60 from her carer’s allowance resulting in a net payment of €267.80 per week.
Following a previous successful appeal, all arrears owing her from 28 January 2016 issued directly to her on 1 September 2016.
I hope this clarified the matter for the Deputy.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position in regard to an appeal or oral hearing in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19131/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 8 February 2017. 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 20 March 2017 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.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an emergency or exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19133/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per response to PQ Ref 17329-17 an application form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance has been posted to the person concerned. If they wish to apply for an Exceptional Needs Payment they should complete the application form and send it to the CWS in Maynooth where it will be considered.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if arrangements will be made to arrange for payment of dependant allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [19134/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) can be paid to a jobseekers allowance recipient when the child is over 18 if that child is in full time education, up to 22 years of age or up to the end of the academic year in which he or she reaches 22. The person concerned is required to provide the Intreo Office with a registration letter from the college confirming the child is attending full time education in order for an application for an increase for a qualified child to be assessed and a decision to issue.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
164. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount provided under the capital plan for the information technology infrastructure across his Department; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19290/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is a major user of Information Technology and has made significant investment in supporting technical infrastructure over previous years. The final agreed capital funding available for investment in information technology infrastructure and office equipment in 2016 was €10.4m and €8m in 2017.
The Department has agreed capital allocations for the remaining period of the Capital Plan ‘Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021’ i.e. 2018 - €9m; 2019- €9m; 2020 - €8m and 2021 - €8m. However, the specific breakdown for information technology infrastructure has still to be determined.
From January 2016 to end March 2017 the Department spent €9.8m in supporting technical infrastructure. The following outlines the progress made in 2016 and the key areas that the Department intends focussing on in 2017.
- Building on the significant investment made in 2016 there will be further investment in 2017 on the infrastructure in direct use by staff. During 2016 some 4,000 new PCs were deployed, almost 600 PCs were upgraded, 786 laptops were made available to staff and 2,170 scanners were installed. The investment in the PCs was made to replace obsolete equipment and to deliver far more processing power at the desktop in support of business initiatives under the digital agenda. The laptops were made available to field working staff to facilitate access to up-to-date data and to reduce maintenance of paper files. The scanners are being deployed to allow capture of electronic versions of documents and reduce the size of the Department’s paper data holdings. This investment will continue in 2017 but on a lesser scale given that this was a major focus area in 2016.
- There will be further investment in new storage technology. The volume of data that the Department maintains continues to grow. Data that was hitherto retained on paper is now being captured electronically and maintained centrally. The investment in storage will be in traditional disk storage and also in WORM (Write Once Read Many) and solid state storage. The investment in WORM will be used to store scanned images. The solid state technology will be deployed in support of big data initiatives and to help improve batch performance.
- All of the Departments offices are connected back to the central data centres located in Dublin. Building on the investment already made in the Department’s Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) there will be a major focus in 2017 on the Wide Area Network (WAN) and on delivering new and upgraded network links to these offices and to build varying degrees of resilience to these offices based on their workloads. This will be a major investment for the Department in 2017 and will deliver high-bandwidth links that will sustain the Department for some years to come.
- The demand for computer room servers is ever present. The investment here in 2017 will be targeted at replacing old equipment and on delivering new computer servers configured to best industry standards to support a range of business functions.
- The Department’s Unified Communications strategy is focused on centralising its telecommunications services and carrying all voice traffic over the main network. There will be investment therefore in hardware and software infrastructure during 2017 in support of this strategy.
- There was a major focus in 2016 on investment in security technology. New anti-malware / anti-virus software was deployed to all devices. A significant investment was made in new firewalls to further strengthen and maintain perimeter security. There will be continued investment in this area in 2017 to ensure that the Department’s security systems stay current.
- As part of its commitment to the Digital Agenda the Department will start an investment in self-service technology during 2017. The objective here will be to build on the services available through MyWelfare.ie and to facilitate facilitated and non-facilitated engagement by the customer with the services of the Department.
- Finally there were smaller investments made in such areas as computer room racking cabinetry, provision of printing services, purchase of software licences and provision of ancillary equipment.
165. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he travelled abroad as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the locations he travelled to; the duration of the trip; the cost of the trip, including travel and accommodation in addition to other expenses incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18896/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas, with levels of publicity and media attention unmatched by the national day of any other country. Ministerial visits around this period are organised to ensure that we use this exposure to maximise the promotion of Ireland’s trade, tourism and investment interests and to spread a positive message about Ireland remaining a committed member of the EU.
This year, I undertook a four day St Patrick’s Day promotional programme and trade mission to Milan and Rome. The programme began in Italy’s economic capital, Milan; with a series of events with state agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bía and Tourism Ireland.
Italy is an important partner for Ireland – indeed it’s our ninth largest trading partner with annual trade exceeding €12 billion annually. Italy is also an important tourist market for us with over 300,000 Italians visiting Ireland annually and great potential to grow that market. With the pending departure of the UK from the European Union, Italy will be the third largest economy in the EU. Ireland’s trade and cultural links with the Italian people will only increase in the coming years.
The visit also took in the Italian capital Rome, for an important bi-lateral meeting with the Italian Foreign Minister, Angelino Alfano where I raised Ireland’s unique concerns and priorities. The Italian government has a strong understanding of our approach, and I have had the opportunity to brief Prime Minister Gentiloni when he visited Ireland in his capacity as Foreign Minister last year.
I also addressed a number of Irish community engagements including the now-annual “greening” of the Colosseum for St Patrick’s Day, a major St Patrick’s Day reception at the Irish Embassy, and the hosting of the gala “Celtic Ball” in the city.
As well as these individual meetings, the St. Patrick’s Day period is also used to promote trade, tourism and investment at larger business events and to promote Ireland in the international media.
Each Minister and Department is responsible for their own costs and, where Embassies incur costs on behalf of Ministers, these are agreed with the Ministers’ offices in advance. Before travelling, all Ministers are reminded that the programme of Ministerial visits for St. Patrick’s Day should be undertaken in the most cost efficient way possible.
With these guidelines on travel in place, the cost of my Saint Patrick’s Day travel in 2017 was just over €965, including accommodation and incidental costs.
166. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the development of a United Nations convention on the rights of older people; the input of the Government to date in respect of such a convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18977/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe international human rights framework exists to protect and promote the human rights of all people and its advancement is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland.
Ireland was among a number of countries, including all EU Member States, that co-sponsored the resolution on the rights of older persons, adopted by the Human Rights Council on 29 September 2016. The resolution aims to contribute to substantive understanding of how human rights standards apply to older persons, and provides for consideration of the possible elaboration of a multilateral legal instrument on the rights of older people. The resolution also renewed the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte. The establishment of this new mandate in 2013 was supported by Ireland.
Older persons already enjoy a number of important protections within the existing international framework although we recognise there are some shortcomings in terms of implementation.
International obligations to older persons are implicit in the core human rights Treaties, including the two Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and on Civil and Political Rights.
Moreover, since 1982, the international community has explored the situation of older persons, including by the adoption of the 1991 United Nations Principles for Older Persons and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002. The third review of the Plan of Action is taking place this year and the UN Secretary General will present the report to the Commission for Social Development in 2018. Ireland submitted its report for the third review in February this year.
In addition, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, clearly identifies older people as an integral part of our population. Implementation of each of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals will contribute directly or indirectly to improve the lives of older people.
Accordingly, while Ireland is prepared to engage in discussions, in particular in the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, on the case for a dedicated legal instrument for older people on its merits, efforts to strengthen the promotion and protection of the human rights of older people should include a focus on better implementing the existing international human rights framework which will, in turn, help to establish to what extent further measures might be required.
167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the persecution of Christians has been discussed at any recent European Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19073/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is deeply concerned by the continued discrimination, intimidation and systematic harassment of people based on their religion or belief. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are.
Our commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, which was published in January 2015 and more recently in the Programme for Partnership Government. We work to advance our commitment to promoting freedom of religion or belief at the EU, the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and through our bilateral contacts.
Ireland has reiterated this commitment on many occasions, including during my address to the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2016, where I reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to speak out in defence of religious minorities who continue to suffer persecution. More recently at the 71st Session of UNGA in October 2016, Ireland made a statement expressing our concern for those facing persecution on the basis of their religion or belief.
Ireland also supported an EU-led resolution on freedom of religion or belief adopted during the UN General Assembly in 2016 and the March 2017 session of the Human Rights Council.
Ireland works within and alongside the EU to address the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. During our Presidency of the European Council in 2013, Ireland played a key role in the development of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which provide a framework for the promotion of this right in the EU’s external human rights policy. In 2015, Ireland also pressed for the inclusion of a reference to the promotion of this right in the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019, which ensures that the EU will continue to engage on the issue of the promotion of freedom of religion and belief.
168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consideration is being given to the establishment of a major civil society hub here for overseas development and the humanitarian assistance sector, in view of the fact many non-governmental organisations are based in London at present and EU funding is of critical importance in their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19074/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the value of a strong, independent and inclusive civil society and has a long history, through Irish Aid, of supporting Irish civil society organisations in fighting poverty and hunger and responding to humanitarian crises. Irish Aid manages a range of civil society funding partnerships to implement these objectives.
When I addressed the World Humanitarian Summit last May, I highlighted our commitment to providing long term funding and increased coherence between humanitarian and development work and this has been reflected in the structure of some of the key multi-annual funding streams this year. This was the result of an extensive and rigorous process of cooperation with civil society partners, to ensure that the most effective possible development results and humanitarian interventions are achieved with Irish taxpayers’ support.
Irish Aid will continue to co-ordinate with other donors and with international and national civil society to support poverty reduction and humanitarian response efforts. We are also giving close consideration, along with our EU Member State partners, to the implications for the EU’s development work and development budgets of the UK’s planned departure from the European Union. In terms of non-governmental organisations based in London, and indeed NGOs generally, we recognise the importance of the autonomy of these organisations to determine their areas of focus and operational priorities. Decisions on the part of civil society organisations as to how and where they conduct their fundraising and grant-application operations are fundamentally a matter for those organisations. However, the establishment of a hub to facilitate applications for EU funding is not under consideration.
169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his discussions to date with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly regarding the need to have the Northern Ireland Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19082/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Assembly election, I spoke on 5 March with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister May. Both Governments agreed on the need for intensive engagement to address outstanding issues and commitments to ensure the early establishment of an Executive. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, both Governments have a role to play in supporting the effective operation of the devolved institutions, and in upholding both the letter and the spirit of the Agreement as a whole, in the interests of all in Northern Ireland.
In this context I am representing the Government in the current intensive talks in Belfast. These talks have two objectives. Firstly, to allow the political parties to reach an agreement on the formation of a new Executive. Secondly, to address the implementation of outstanding issues from previous Agreements. The discussions are structured around a shared approach put forward by both Governments following on from talks last month where it did not prove possible for the political parties in Northern Ireland to reach agreement on the establishment of a power-sharing Executive before the statutory deadline of 27 March.
Overall there is encouraging progress being made in this renewed phase but I am under no illusions about the challenge of resolving the core issues that remain outstanding. Serious issues remain to be resolved - including those which were to the fore before the collapse of the last Executive and during the election campaign. However with resolve and determination from all the parties, and support and encouragement from the two Governments, I believe a successful outcome is possible.
As part of my engagement with the Secretary of State and with each of the parties in the discussions in recent weeks, I have strongly emphasised the critical importance of forming a new Executive so that Northern Ireland's interests can be effectively represented, as part of the process of the EU-UK negotiations which are about to commence. I very much hope that the necessary agreement between the parties will be reached on formation of the Executive as soon as possible, so that it can directly represent the interests of the people of Northern Ireland in these negotiations which are of major significance.
As the formal talks pause briefly for Easter, I encourage everyone to maintain informal contacts and to reflect on what can be achieved if, in the weeks ahead, an Executive is established that operates effectively and sustainably. I am convinced that all parties are willing to play their part in reaching such a sustainable agreement which will provide for stable power-sharing government in Northern Ireland underpinned by the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Irish Government as a co-guarantor of that Agreement and the peace process will continue to play its part in facilitating these ongoing talks, working with the British Government and encouraging all parties to reach agreement on the formation of a new Executive that is demonstrably in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland.
170. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to have further discussions with the United States authorities on immigration reform, in view of the concerns of the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19086/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the United States of America continue to actively monitor the situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States. We also systematically avail of opportunities to raise their situation with the US Government and Congressional representatives, pressing our case that a solution to their plight will be found.
I raised these issues during my meetings with senior members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and representatives of the new Administration when I visited Washington DC in January and early February. In these discussions (which included Speaker Ryan and other Congressional leaders), I emphasised that the Government’s objectives remain constant: relief for the undocumented and finding greater pathways for legal migration to the United States.
An Taoiseach subsequently used the opportunity of his meetings with President Trump, Vice-President Trump, Speaker Ryan and other senior US leaders during the St. Patrick’s Day events in Washington DC to raise immigration-related issues and to convey the continuing importance which we attach to them.
Minister of State Joe McHugh was also very active on these issues during his recent visit to New York where he met a number of emigrant support groups who are directly involved in supporting the undocumented and heard their perspectives on recent developments.
In addition to these contacts at political level, the Embassy in Washington and our Consulates across the United States continue to work with Irish immigration centres on a daily basis in providing support to Irish citizens in the United States.
Our Embassy in Washington DC remains in ongoing contact with key immigration stake-holders within the Irish community across the US. The Government and my Department are committed to providing practical support to undocumented Irish citizens in the US, while also continuing to advocate for immigration reform.
The Government will continue to avail of opportunities to raise these important issues in our contacts with the US and to seek relief for undocumented Irish citizens.
171. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount provided under the capital plan for the information technology infrastructure across his Department; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19288/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra€1.22 million in capital funding was allocated to ICT for this Department in 2017. To-date, €48,700 has been spent.
€7.3 million in capital funding was allocated to the Passport Service for 2017. To date €250,031 has been spent.
My Department has made considerable progress in the provision of a global ICT infrastructure to underpin the provision of its services. The Passport Reform programme, including the recent launch of an On-line Application service, will continue to provide major enhancements in the quality of Passport Services for Irish citizens.
