Written Answers Nos. 112-131
112. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects a decision to be made on an appeal for a summer works application by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31697/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an appeal from the school in question relating to its application under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) (2016-2017). My Department is considering the appeal and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.
113. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a copy of the funding statement from University College Cork for 2015 and 2016 that is provided by the college to his Department showing the way in which the resources provided by his Department to the college have been utilised; the way in which this information is examined by his Department prior to commencing the Estimates process for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31713/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2014/15 consolidated financial statements for University College Cork were submitted to my Department last May and were then laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I have forward a copy of those accounts for the Deputy's information.
The accounts for 2015/16 have not yet been signed off by the Comptroller and Auditor General but once finalized and received by my Department will also be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Draft audited accounts for 2015/16 and financial budgets for 2017 will be submitted to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) as part of the on-going budgetary process.
The financial positions of all of the higher education institutions is monitored on an ongoing basis by the HEA.
The consolidated financial statements from higher education institutions are an important element in informing the annual budgetary process. The information provided in the financial statements is complemented by data collated through the strategic dialogue process, the commitments contained in the Action Plan for Education and the Programme for Government, and the overall strategic needs of the sector.
114. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will release information on the allocation of special needs assistance for the forthcoming academic year; if he will ensure that in future years schools and parents are informed the SNA supports that will be made available for the following year in good time and before schools have closed for the summer to enable them to prepare properly for the year ahead; if he will address the concerns raised by the principal of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial Needs Assistants (SNAs) are provided to assist recognised schools to cater for pupils with disabilities, who have additional and significant care needs, in an educational context and where the nature of these care needs have been outlined in medical and other professional reports as being so significant that a pupil will require additional adult assistance in order to be able to attend school and to participate in education.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed. My Department’s policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.
The level of SNA support allocated to schools can change from year to year, as students with care needs leave the school, as new students with care needs enrol, or as students develop more independent living skills as they get older and their care needs diminish over time.
All schools were asked to apply for SNA support for the 2017/18 school year by 6 April 2017. The NCSE continues to process applications for access to SNA support which are received after the April deadline. Such applications will be processed in the order in which the applications are received. Schools will be advised shortly of their SNA allocations for the 2017/18 school year.
Where a school wishes to appeal the SNA support allocation which has been made to them, they may do so through the NCSE appeal process, details of which are set out at www.ncse.ie.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO and parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
115. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procurement framework agreements that are in place in the education sector; the organisation that operates each of these agreements on behalf of other institutions; the services or facilities that are covered by these agreements; the estimated expenditure covered by these agreements; the benefits to each of the particular participating institutions in these agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and the procurement hubs in the Health, Education, Local Authority and Defence sectors are the main sourcing organisations given responsibility under the Procurement Reform Plan to establish centralised procurement framework agreements. These framework agreements and contracts are available to all public sector bodies to contract goods and services.
The centralised procurement sourcing model consists of sixteen categories of expenditure, under which framework agreements are established. Of these, eight categories of common goods and services are procured by the OGP. Four sectors – Health, Education, Local Government and Defence – retain sector sourcing functions to procure the remaining categories that they are the main users of, on behalf of the State. The framework agreements and contracts established under these categories are available to the wider public service.
The Education Procurement Service (EPS) acts as the single centralised Education Sector Hub, and is responsible for procurement of the following categories of goods and services; Agriculture and Veterinary; Laboratory Equipment; and Library materials. It also procures education-specific goods and services for the education sector. The framework agreements put in place for these categories may be predominately used within the education sector but are made available to the whole public service. The framework agreements currently operated under the EPS categories are listed in the following table:
|
Category |
Framework Agreement Title |
Estimated Expenditure (Annual) |
|
Laboratory |
Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Supply of Laboratory Equipment, Consumables & Services |
€20,000,000 |
|
Laboratory |
Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Supply of Laboratory/Research Chemicals & Reagents |
€20,000,000 |
|
Library |
Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Supply of Library Goods |
€2,762,000 |
|
Agriculture & Veterinary |
Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Supply of Fertilisers |
€2,500,000 |
|
Library |
Single Supplier Framework Contract for the Supply of Library Journals & Periodicals |
€500,000 |
To date the EPS has estimated achieved forecast secured savings from sourcing exercises of:
- €2.4m in 2014
- €2.8m in 2015
- €3.1m in 2016
In relation to framework agreements outside the categories which the EPS has responsibility for, it is a matter for the OGP and its sector partners to put in place framework agreements which the entire public sector, including education, may draw from.
In terms of the benefits available from centralised procurement, public service bodies benefit from price reduction based on aggregated demand, the professionalism of the procurement process, increased certainty and compliant sourcing solutions. In addition, procurement reform is a key element of the Government's overall reform programme and is aimed at delivering increased value for money, more accurate and timely data and improvement in the capacity and capability of procurement across the public service.
The central procurement framework agreements and contracts established by the OGP, and used under each of the different categories of goods and services, including those that the EPS is responsible for, have been designed to optimise benefits including savings to the State through the strategic aggregation of its buying power.
Given the budgetary pressures facing the public service, public procurement enabled savings can support the dual objectives of meeting our fiscal targets and of maintaining/improving services for the public. The strengthening of procurement professionalisation will in turn provide public bodies who use the contracts and framework agreements with increased certainty and reduced risk by providing them with compliant sourcing solutions.
116. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the identification and acquisition of a site for the new second level school in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31722/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department have been working closely with Laois County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites in order to identify and procure a suitable site for the new post-primary school to open in Portlaoise in September 2017.
A number of potential site options were identified and assessed and a shortlist of preferred site options is currently under further consideration.
While a site acquisition process is under way, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
117. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reexamine the case of a person (details supplied) regarding incremental credit in view of the fact that the person was teaching a programme that was part-funded by the HSE and had an agreement with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31737/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of Incremental Credit, for qualified teaching service given in a private second level school, are set out in my Department's Circular 29/2010. These criteria were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council. This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education & Skills chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The application for Incremental Credit referred to by the Deputy has been re-examined by Officials of my Department. The application was not approved as the service did not meet the requirements of the Scheme as outlined in Circular 29/2010 which states “Incremental Credit may be awarded in respect of teaching service given with a private post-primary school within the European Union a) which is open to receive pupils for the duration of the post-primary school year and b) which prepares students for a recognised second-level State Examination and Qualification”.
118. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if support can be provided for a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31742/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the service provided by the company referred to by the Deputy. This company operates on a commercial basis and consequently, it would not be appropriate to allocate public funding to this service in the absence of a public procurement process.
My Department through the PDST-TIE provides support and guidance to schools on internet safety. The PDST-TIE works closely with the Office of Internet Safety in that regard. Responsibility for internet usage by children outside of school hours, and access to social networks, resides with parents.
Webwise (a team within PDST/PDST Technology in Education) is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre co-funded by the Department of Education and Skills and Europe (the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility).
Webwise promotes the autonomous, effective, and safer use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting parents, teachers, and children themselves (through a Webwise Youth Advisory panel and collaboration with the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU)) with consistent and relevant messages.
The Webwise team develop and disseminate resources that help teachers integrate internet safety into teaching and learning in their schools. The team works closely with the Health and Wellbeing team in PDST to ensure internet safety messages are considered in the mediation of strands of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum/syllabus. Information, advice, and tools are also provided to parents to support their engagement in their children’s online lives.
The Department of Education & Skills has published a Digital Strategy for Schools which links with the work of other Departments and agencies and outlines a vision for the use of technologies in teaching and learning. There are specific actions in relation to the safe and ethical use of technology.
From a Government perspective, responsibility for cyber safety rests with the Department of Justice & Equality. The Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Children also have roles.
119. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school building programme at primary and second level in County Wexford to meet the demand for school places in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases.
With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed. My Department is currently in the process of completing demographic exercises nationwide. This process is detailed and rigorous and will take some time to complete. It is anticipated that decisions based on these exercises will be announced later in 2017.
My Department's 6 Year Capital Programme prioritises building projects for areas where significant additional school places are required. Details of the current status of the 7 major school building projects in County Wexford that are included on the Capital Programme are outlined in the attached table for the Deputy's information.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of such funding approved in all schools, including those in County Wexford, is available on my Department's website www.education.ie which is updated regularly.
Capital Programme –Major Projects.
|
COUNTY |
ROLL NO |
SCHOOL NAME |
SCHOOL TYPE |
STATUS |
|
Wexford |
63660A |
Loreto Secondary School, Wexford |
Post Primary |
Under Construction |
|
Wexford |
18280I |
St Joseph’s Primary School, Gorey |
Primary |
Under Construction |
|
Wexford |
01840C |
St Canice’s Convent, Rosbercon, New Ross |
Primary |
Department liaising with School. |
|
Wexford |
71610E |
Bridgetown College |
Post Primary |
Department liaising with Waterford/Wexford Education Training Board |
|
Wexford |
20333P |
Wexford Educate Together N.S. |
Primary |
Site to be acquired |
|
Wexford |
68080H |
Meánscoil Gharman, Enniscorthy |
Post Primary |
Site to be acquired |
|
Wexford |
71620H |
Vocational College, Bunclody |
Post Primary |
Schedule of Accommodation in preparation. |
120. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the outstanding moneys that are owed to the State by each religious denomination as part of the residential institutions redress scheme. [31812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date contributions amounting to some €220 million in cash, counselling and property transfers have been made by the 18 religious congregations who managed most of the residential institutions in which child abuse took place. These contributions are being made under two rounds: the legally binding 2002 Indemnity Agreement and the voluntary offers made in 2009 in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the “Ryan Report”).
Some €123 million of the €128 million (or 96%) provided for under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement has been fully contributed including all cash and counselling commitments. Seven property transfers remain to be fully completed. Work to complete these transfers is actively progressing and I should point out that in most of the remaining cases the transfer process is at a very advanced stage. It should be noted also that most of the properties are already in use by the intended recipients.
The offers made in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report, included cash and properties and were valued by the congregations at €352.6 million. I should stress that these offers are voluntary and do not form part of any agreement. Post Ryan contributions from congregations and cash from property disposals amounting to some €95.9 million have been received. It is expected that the outstanding congregational cash contributions will be received by 2018. To date, five of the 18 properties accepted by the Government for transfer to the State and valued at the date of transfer at €1.38 million, have fully transferred and work is progressing to complete remaining transfers. It should be noted also that when changes in the valuation of properties previously offered and the value of properties offered but not being reckoned as a contribution are taken into account, the total value of the voluntary offers achievable will be lower than the amount of €352.6 million offered.
121. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will prevent religious organisations that owe the State moneys under the residential institutions redress scheme for institutional abuse from being awarded patronage of new schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date contributions amounting to some €220 million in cash, counselling and property transfers have been made by the 18 religious congregations who managed most of the residential institutions in which child abuse took place. These contributions are being made under two rounds: the legally binding 2002 Indemnity Agreement and the voluntary offers made in 2009 in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the “Ryan Report”).
Some €123 million of the €128 million (or 96%) provided for under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement has been fully contributed including all cash and counselling commitments. Seven property transfers remain to be fully completed. Work to complete these transfers is actively progressing and I should point out that in most of the remaining cases the transfer process is at a very advanced stage . It should be noted also that most of the properties are already in use by the intended recipients.
The offers made in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report, included cash and properties. I should stress that these offers are voluntary and do not form part of any agreement.
It is understood that much of the education property owned by the religious congregations (note that not all of the 18 did own such property) has been transferred to trusts and accordingly the issue of granting patronage of a school of an individual congregation is unlikely to arise.
As the Deputy may be aware, once it has been established from the demographic exercises that a new school, primary or post-primary, is required to meet the demographic need in a school planning area, a separate process is conducted to establish who will run the school.
It is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of a new school under the patronage process. Parental preferences for each patron, together with the extent of diversity currently available in the area, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
122. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) [31815/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application for significant capital funding from the school in question to provide additional school accommodation.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department’s current priority is focused on the provision of essential classroom accommodation to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and where an additional teacher is being appointed. The school in question is a two teacher school with a current enrolment of 42. This enrolment level does not warrant the appointment of an additional teacher and consequently, my Department advised the school that it is not therefore in a position to provide grant aid for the additional accommodation sought.
The school subsequently wrote to my Department advising that it expects enrolments to increase in the coming years. My Department responded to the school's correspondence stating that should enrolments increase in the coming years to warrant the appointment of an additional teacher, that it was open to the school to submit an application for consideration at that point.
123. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the level of overseas aid is decided each year; and the criteria which determine the eligible projects. [31634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. In the Programme for Government we have set out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target of providing 0.7% of GNP to Official Development Assistance (ODA) as resources permit.
Over the past two years we have managed to increase funding allocations for ODA, providing an increase of €40 million in 2016 and a further €10 million for 2017. The total 2017 allocation for ODA is €651 million.
Annual Budget allocations for ODA, as with all public expenditure, are a matter for Government, and are set in the context of available resources, our commitments and competing budgetary demands. During the upcoming 2018 Estimates process, I and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be making the strongest possible case for a continued increase in the allocation to ODA.
Our priorities for the aid Programme are very clearly laid out in the Government's development policy, ‘One World One Future’. In line with our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, our aid programme is sharply focused on delivering our goals of reducing poverty and hunger, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and building more equitable and better systems of governance, particularly in our key partner countries.
Detailed financial allocations are made annually across the aid programme in response to existing needs, humanitarian crises and overall programme priorities. Clear criteria are in place to inform the budget allocation process. Sub-Saharan Africa remains our priority region, where we direct assistance to the poorest communities, particularly in our key partner countries. Our aid programme focuses on delivering real and sustainable improvements to the lives of some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people in the areas of basic health, education, agriculture, and food production.
Grants to partners are made to support development and humanitarian programmes. Eligible partners include civil society organisations and missionary organisations, multilateral organisations and national and local governments in partner countries. All partners are assessed to ensure that they have the appropriate governance systems in place, that they can ensure proper accountability of funds and that they have the capacity to deliver effectively.
124. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the World Food Programme, WFP, has indicated more than 500,000 children will die in the next three to four months in northeastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen if emergency food supplies are not urgently delivered and that funding shortfalls are hindering its ability to help these children and deliver the emergency food supplies; and if he will respond to the WFP funding drive and assist it in tackling these humanitarian crises. [31636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, I share the urgent concern internationally for the 20 million people in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, who are at high risk of famine. These include 1.5 million acutely malnourished children.
Ireland is responding to each of these protracted emergencies through the timely allocation of humanitarian assistance. So far in 2017, we have allocated €4 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen; €9.2 million to South Sudan; €5.7 million to Somalia and almost €5.2 million to the Lake Chad Basin, including northeast Nigeria. Ireland’s assistance is provided through NGO, UN and Red Cross partners and is focused on meeting the immediate needs of those affected by these crises. This is done by providing access, for example, to food and malnutrition treatment services, and building the resilience of communities through livelihood-related activities.
The World Food Programme is a critical actor in responding to humanitarian emergencies around the world. In recognition of its key role, Ireland is providing €20 million annually to the WFP over a three year period (2016-2018) under a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This agreement ensures that the WFP has access to timely and predictable funding. Ireland is also the 8th largest contributor to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), through which the WFP is the largest recipient. Officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture engage very closely with the WFP, both at country level and at WFP headquarters in Rome, to advocate on particular crises situations.
Together with our EU and UN partners, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and to work internationally for respect for international humanitarian law and the safe delivery of assistance to those most in need. We will also continue to advocate at international fora for an end to the conflicts that are contributing significantly to these humanitarian crises.
125. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of Ireland's stated support of calls for an independent international investigation into alleged violations of international humanitarian law in Yemen; if Ireland has taken substantive measures, diplomatic or otherwise, to demonstrate concerns in this area; if Ireland has taken actions at EU or UN level to instigate an investigation into human rights violations in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has been monitoring the situation in Yemen with concern, in particular in recent months as the humanitarian situation has reached crisis point.
I am extremely concerned about allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during the conflict. 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 yet been possible.
However, Ireland will continue to call, including through the EU, on all parties to this conflict to cooperate 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.
The Foreign Affairs Council in April agreed Conclusions reaffirming its serious concern about the situation in Yemen and urged all parties to lay down arms and negotiate a peace agreement. The EU further committed to increasing its engagement with Yemen, once a political solution to the conflict is agreed. In this regard, Ireland commends the efforts of UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and his team, who continue to work towards a peace agreement that is acceptable to all parties to the conflict.
My predecessor, Minister Flanagan, discussed Yemen with the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on a number of occasions, and with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nizar bin Obaid Madani, in November of last year, when he raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict in Yemen.
I will also use any appropriate opportunity to raise these concerns in the future.
Finally, Ireland will also continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemen. In April of this year, Minister of State McHugh announced additional humanitarian funding of €4 million at a pledging conference in Geneva. This brings Ireland’s contribution to the humanitarian response in Yemen since 2015, when the conflict began, to almost €10 million.
I will continue to give a high priority to the conflict in Yemen, and in particular continue to call for all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law to be investigated, and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
126. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has raised issues with either the United States of America or the United Arab Emirates in view of the recent reports by an organisation (details supplied) into torture prison camps being run by the UAE with US support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the report referenced by the Deputy.
My predecessor, Minister Flanagan, directly raised concerns about the conduct of the war in Yemen with the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on a number of occasions. He also discussed this issue with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nizar bin Obaid Madani, when he visited Riyadh in November.
I will use any appropriate opportunity to pursue these concerns in the future.
I am extremely concerned about the appalling humanitarian situation in Yemen, and I urge all parties to this conflict to accept UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed’s invitation to return to the negotiating table for a peace settlement.
Furthermore, Ireland will continue to support calls for an independent, international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law in Yemen and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
127. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagements with the UUP, the SDLP and the Alliance Party since he assumed office. [31239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI began my engagement with all parties in Northern Ireland immediately upon being appointed to the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, making contact by phone. Since 19 June I have represented the Government at the talks process in Belfast to support the formation of an Executive and will continue to do so as necessary in the coming weeks. I have engaged with all the political parties as part of this process, including the SDLP, UUP, and Alliance Party.
Significant progress has been made in the talks, although a number of key issues remain to be resolved. Notwithstanding the challenge of the remaining issues to be resolved, I believe that an agreement can be reached – an agreement that would allow a power-sharing Executive to be formed on a sustainable basis. All parties are committed to the successful operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and everyone agrees that devolution is the best way to deliver for all of the people of Northern Ireland.
We will spare no effort to fulfil the Government’s duty as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and this includes working to ensure the effective operation of its institutions. We will continue to work to this end with the British Government to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to reach agreement.
128. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the regulatory system for estate agents particularly with regard to the validity and truthfulness of rival house price offers that are submitted during the house bidding process; his plans to introduce tighter regulation of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31597/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was formally established on 3 April 2012, pursuant to the Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011. One of the main statutory functions of the PSRA is the licensing of Property Service Providers, i.e. auctioneers, estate and letting agents and property management agents. The Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Under Part 7 of the Act, the Authority may also investigate complaints of improper conduct made against licensees and, where improper conduct is found to have occurred, may impose sanctions on the licensee, subject to appeal under Part 8 and potentially, subject to High Court approval, up to and including loss of licence.
Section 61 of the Act requires licensees to retain a record of all offers received, including conditional acceptances, in respect of each property offered for sale for a period of six years. Any failure to retain such records would constitute improper conduct and would render the licensee eligible for investigation and sanction under Part 7. In a similar vein, during 2015, the PSRA commenced a programme of compliance audits using the powers granted to it under Part 7. It is a standard feature of these audits to check that bids on properties have been retained in compliance with section 61 and any failure to do so renders the licensee liable to the full range of sanctions contained in Part 7. Additionally, Section 58 of the Act prevents licensees from accepting bids at auction from the owners of properties for sale and those connected with them and, again, a licensee found to be in contravention of this section is liable to be investigated and sanctioned under Part 7.
In terms of transparency generally in the property market, the Deputy may wish to note that the PSRA maintains a Residential Property Prices Register which contains prices for all residential properties sold in the State. Anybody wishing to gain an insight into the market rate for properties in a given area may consult this register at www.psr.ie when considering and or making a bid.
129. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be efforts made in his Department to lead on reaching out to the Muslim community to prevent an increase in radicalism in this community. [27556/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Deputy's question inevitably arises in the context of concern about acts of terrorist violence committed against innocent people, I know that he will agree with me that terrorism is not the product of any one faith or ideology. The only people responsible for the appalling attacks we have witnessed in Britain and elsewhere in recent times are those extremists who carry them out. Those attacks can bring an unfair focus to bear on Muslim communities. It is absolutely essential that entire communities should not be stigmatised because of the actions of a few. The acts of violent extremists do not reflect the views of the majority of our Muslim community, which is a peace-loving community of citizens who enrich our national life and who are as appalled as anyone at the brutality of terrorism.
The Imams in all the main mosques and prayer houses in the State have spoken out publicly against the activities of ISIL and other similar groups and it is well known that our Muslim community is not supportive of such groups and their activities.
The risk of persons within the Muslim community becoming disaffected or marginalised has long been recognised by An Garda Síochána. Proactive steps were taken soon after the events of ‘9/11’ to seek to address this. These early preventive measures have formed the basis of a strong model of community engagement with our Muslim community here which is aimed at supporting and protecting that community and identifying and supporting the community to deal with vulnerable individuals within it.
This engagement is led through the Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office (GRIDO), which is in contact with many of our minority communities through the Garda network of Ethnic Liaison Officers. In respect of the Muslim community, there is direct and ongoing liaison with the main Mosques and Islamic cultural centres. The GRIDO also feeds into the European Commission-sponsored Radicalisation Awareness Network.
The State’s policies concerned with resettlement, migrant integration, equality, combating discrimination and building relationships with minority communities play an essential role in respect of minority communities, including Muslim migrants, through positive integration into society and my Department actively leads in this regard. A new Integration Strategy has been developed and was launched in February this year. The Strategy contains 76 actions targeted at Government, public and private sector organisations and local communities. We recognise that the local community is key to the integration process and have launched a Communities Integration Fund which will provide funding to build capacity within local communities to engage in integration activities.
Engagement with young people from all backgrounds is also crucial in combatting radicalisation and under the new Strategy, it is intended that the youth work sector will reach out to migrant young people, including Muslim youth, to seek to engage them in youth activities.
130. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he and his officials have discussed the latest dissident activity and bomb making find in Ballybough. [27837/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate the particular incident to which he refers is the subject of ongoing criminal proceedings and in that context it would not be appropriate to comment on it in detail.
In general terms, the House will be aware that the primary security threat faced by the State is that from republican paramilitary groups. There is a real and persistent threat here and in Northern Ireland from these so-called ‘dissident republican’ groups whose aim is a return to the misery and bloodshed of past decades. These groups have no support in the wider community. They are inextricably linked in their activities to organised criminal gangs. Indeed, they are deeply involved in serious crime in order to fund their activities and their lifestyles. Their actions are quite simply an affront to the peaceful wishes of the vast majority of law-abiding people on this island who abhor these groups, their violence and their criminality.
I can assure the Deputy that countering terrorism has always been a priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána and nothing has changed in that regard. The Garda authorities continue to work actively to disrupt and counter these paramilitary groups and to tackle the crime gangs with which they are linked. That work will continue and be enhanced. The Gardaí also co-operate very closely with their police and security counterparts in Northern Ireland in bearing down on these groups. That close, operational relationship is central to maintaining security on this island and the Garda and PSNI authorities deserve praise for their continued work to ensure the safety of all communities on this island.
I am strongly committed to ensuring that the Gardaí continue to have the resources they need to bear down on these groups, not just in terms of personnel and equipment, but also in terms of the legislative provisions available. The House can rest assured that the Gardaí will take all appropriate measures, within the rule of law, to defeat these groups.
131. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the issues that were discussed and, in particular, the actions which were being taken to address the migration issue at the June 2017 EU council meeting in view of the fact that thousands of persons are still crossing the Mediterranean Sea; and if a new policy is being introduced at EU level or at Government level. [29803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the European Council meeting on 22-23 June, the Heads of State of Government endorsed the comprehensive approach on Migration, including effective control of external borders to stem illegal flows; the reform of the Common European Asylum System; and the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement of 18 March 2016. This issue of Migration was also discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 8-9 June.
While there have been some positive developments, particularly along the Eastern Mediterranean route, the situation in terms of arrivals through the Central Mediterranean route remains critical. In this regard, the European Council agreed in its Council Conclusions to step up coordination and delivery on all elements contained in the Malta Declaration, the Partnership Framework and the Joint Valletta Action Plan, to try to put an end to the tragic situation where there are so many people losing their lives in the Mediterranean while attempting to reach Europe. Enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit will also be important.
The migration crisis is a highly challenging issue and has been central to discussions at meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the European Council over the past two years. I expect that it will continue to be a focus of discussion over the coming months.
