Tuesday, 21 Nov 2017

Written Answers Nos. 225-243

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (225)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

225. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the nature and terms of arrangements or agreements with each of the three schools occupying a site (details supplied). [49215/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department recently completed the purchase of the campus to which the Deputy refers.  The primary school on the site closed at the end of the 2016/17 academic year and the post-primary school will wind down and close at the end of the 2018/19 academic year.  As part of the agreement of sale, it was agreed that the post-primary school will continue to operate until June 2019 to ensure the orderly wind-down of the school and a licence agreement is in place with Notre Dame Schools Trust Limited in this regard.

The campus is also being utilised to facilitate the permanent accommodation for Gaelscoil na Fuinseoige and the temporary accommodation for Ballinteer ETNS, pending resolution of the planning issues at its permanent site.  Gaelscoil na Fuinseoige and Ballinteer ETNS are both located on the campus in a shared accommodation arrangement with the post-primary school since September 2017 based on agreed arrangements between the three schools.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (226)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

226. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the release of green space lands owned by his Department at Killegland in Ashbourne. [49245/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials from my Department are involved in discussions with officials from Meath County Council in relation to the future development of the site and plans for the Ashbourne area, and this is ongoing at present.  

It is not possible at present to provide a definitive timeframe at present until all elements of the proposal are agreed but there has been significant progress in recent months.

School Transport Eligibility

Ceisteanna (227)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

227. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will be assisted with transport issues by his Department to attend a course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49270/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

This is an operational matter for Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB).  I have asked LWETB to contact the Deputy directly.

DEIS Administration

Ceisteanna (228, 229)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

228. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the further expansion of the DEIS programme in 2018; his further plans to reopen the programme for those schools which did not receive DEIS designation in 2017 but fulfil the criteria as identified in the recently published deprivation report and that require additional resources and supports in their respective schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49293/17]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

229. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools added to the DEIS designations list 2017 following the verification process engaged in by the respective schools; his views on the verification process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49294/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.

We have, for the first time, introduced an objective, statistics based model for deciding which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS Programme, so that all stakeholders can have confidence that we are targeting extra resources at those schools with the highest concentrated levels of disadvantage.

The key data sources used in the DEIS identification process are the DES Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. Variables used in the compilation of the HP Index include those related to demographic growth, dependency ratios, education levels, single parent rate, overcrowding, social class, occupation and unemployment rates. This data is combined with pupil data, anonymised and aggregated to small area, to provide information on the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in the pupil cohort of individual schools.

A detailed document explaining the methodology used in the Identification process is available on the Department’s website at https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Identification-Process.pdf

Schools were not required to apply for assessment in DEIS as every school was automatically assessed as part of the DEIS Identification process. Therefore no 'appeals' process was required. However, under DEIS Plan 2017, a process to verify the data used was provided for and some schools availed of this verification process. As with the new DEIS Identification process the verification process was also a scientific exercise which involved checking the school data, as used in the Identification process, in terms of the quality and accuracy of the data supplied and the match rate to CSO small area. With regard to the number of schools added as a result of this process I can confirm that one extra school has been included in DEIS. Schools that availed of this process have been notified of the outcome.

Schools included in DEIS with effect from September 2017 are those whose level of disadvantage has been identified as those schools serving the highest concentrations of disadvantage among their pupil cohort. Schools which have not been included at this stage are those which have not been identified as having the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage amongst their pupil cohort, under the new identification model.

It is important to note that this is the first step in a process and the fact that a school has not been included now does not preclude its inclusion at a later date, should the assessment indicate a level of disadvantage that warrants additional supports. I am fully aware that there are further schools whose concentrated level of disadvantage may not be at the highest level, but may nevertheless be at a level which warrants additional supports for pupils under DEIS.

 A further process will take account of updated data as it becomes available. Schools are being advised to ensure that their POD/PPOD data is fully correct and up to date, including Eircode which can now be recorded by schools on both POD and PPOD databases. The HP Index, based on the 2016 National Census data has been published recently.

The plan is for a further assessment of all schools, using these updated datasets. Should this exercise reveal that any school, which did not qualify for DEIS in 2017, meets the criteria applicable to schools with the highest concentration of disadvantage based on the updated information then additional schools may be included subject to available resources.

Student Data

Ceisteanna (230)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

230. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students attending courses at third level colleges who qualify for tax relief on tuition fees in each year since 2010; the number who paid fees in excess of the student contribution charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49311/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware tax relief is available for third level tuition fees (including Student Contribution) paid by an individual to an approved college in respect of an approved course.  Queries in relation to the number of individuals that qualify for that tax relief in any particular policy area are more appropriately directed to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

In accessing third level education in this State, students may be liable to pay tuition fees and a student contribution.

The Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees through the Free Fees Initiative which was introduced in 1995 by the then Government to assist third level undergraduate students in publicly funded higher education institutions. Currently, under the terms of the Initiative, the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved higher education institution. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.

The student contribution charge currently stands at €3,000 and applies to all full-time students who benefit under the Free Fees Initiative. However, it is important to recognise that the State pays this contribution (or part of it) on behalf of approximately 43% of undergraduate students as they qualify on means-tested grounds for exemption from the contribution under the Student Grants Scheme.

Tax relief provisions are also available so that second and subsequent siblings do not have to bear the full cost of the student contribution. In addition, higher education institutions have provisions in place to allow students to pay the contribution in at least two moieties. 

Additionally, some students may also be requested by their respective institutions to pay an additional student levy. The determination of the level and payment of such levies are a matter for the institutions themselves and are not collected centrally by my Department.

Irish Language

Ceisteanna (231)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

231. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to set up an Irish language immersion pilot scheme to teach designated subjects though Irish in primary schools as outlined in the 20 year strategy for the Irish language; the timeframe to implement such a pilot scheme; and if he has given consideration to a pilot (details supplied) of language immersion in County Cork. [49335/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The 20-Year Strategy for Irish emphasises the implementation of partial immersion in all primary schools.  The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment was asked to advise on partial immersion or Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) as part of its work on the development of a language curriculum at primary level.

A new integrated Primary Language Curriculum for junior infants to second class, incorporating both Irish and English, was introduced from September 2016. This curriculum supports children’s language learning in our two languages, Irish and English, through high-quality experiences. The curriculum aims to ensure that children acquire transferrable language skills which will assist them in learning both Irish and English during their primary education and in additional languages when they choose them at second level. Work is currently underway in developing the Primary Language Curriculum for third to sixth class which will be available to schools in autumn 2018.

My Department's current focus is on national delivery of the Primary Language Curriculum. A comprehensive continuing professional development programme is in place to support the implementation of the new Primary Language Curriculum. Teachers, as part of this professional development, receive advice on the use of different approaches to teach Irish and to use Irish as the medium of instruction across other aspects of the curriculum. This is the CLIL approach.

The Department's Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 also supports immersion education and the use of Irish as the language of communication and instruction to assist with the language acquisition of learners of Irish and the language enrichment of native speakers.  In April 2017 the Department issued an invitation to all primary and post-primary schools in Gaeltacht language planning areas to participate in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. Schools participating in the Scheme are eligible to access extra supports and resources on the implementation of specified language criteria, including total immersion education through Irish on a phased basis.

Minor Works Scheme

Ceisteanna (232)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

232. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and the immediate steps he will take to address same. [49373/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The normal practice is for the Minor Works Grant to be announced towards the end of the year if funding permits.

Over the next number of weeks the issue of the Minor Works Grant 2017/2018 will be considered in the context of my Department's overall capital position.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (233)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

233. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new school building for a school (details supplied); if his Department is treating this project with the utmost importance and dealing with it as a priority due to the pressures the school is under in its current building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49374/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.

The Design Team are currently finalising the Stage 2b report. Upon receipt and review of this report my Department will revert to Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.

Offshore Islands

Ceisteanna (234)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

234. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the secondary schools on the islands do not have small school status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49383/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. 

The schools to which the Deputy refers are Education and Training Board (ETB) schools.  

The Department provides a staffing allocation to each ETB and the distribution of this staffing allocation including Island School posts and Small School posts is a matter for the Chief Executive of the ETB schemes in question. 

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (235)

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

235. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to introduce powers to revoke passports in circumstances in which a person is charged with paedophilia offences here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48691/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

There are provisions in the Passports Act 2008 (“the Act”) which provide a legal basis for the Minister to refuse to issue a passport or to cancel a passport and require its surrender.

As set out in more detail in the reply recently provided by my Department to PQ 39822/17, one of the grounds in the Act for refusal of a passport is where the Minister is notified by the Courts Service of a court order requiring a person to surrender his or her passport and to refrain from applying from a passport.

The Act also provides, at section 18, for the circumstances in which a passport may be cancelled. These include cases where the Minister becomes aware of a fact or circumstance that would have required or permitted refusal of a passport.

Any refusal to issue a passport or decision to cancel and require surrender of a passport must be evidence-based and defensible in the case of legal challenge. The Passport Service does not have any statutory power to impose or monitor travel restrictions on a passport holder.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (236, 237, 239, 241)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

236. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the comments on 12 November 2017 by Michel Barnier regarding preparing for a hard Brexit. [48892/17]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

237. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations his Department is making in the event of there being a hard Brexit. [48893/17]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

239. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations made in his Department in the event of no agreement being reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the terms of the UK's exit from the EU; if such preparations involve the drawing up of detailed and specific contingency plans in the event of a hard Brexit and a trade regime based on WTO tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48778/17]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

241. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations his Department is making in the event of there being a hard Brexit and in particular following Michel Barnier's comments on doing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 237, 239 and 241 together.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I am working closely with colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies.

Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental coordination structures. All relevant Departments are providing research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit, including its priorities for the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.

An important focus of planning and preparation is deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios, including one in which no Withdrawal Agreement is concluded. This represents an intensification of the Government‘s previous contingency planning. All Departments are assessing in a very concrete way the immediate legal or practical consequences of a no-deal Brexit in their areas and what mitigating measures might be possible. It will then be necessary for the Government to consider the situation in the round and discuss whether specific actions are required at that stage.

Aside from its wider co-ordination responsibilities, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has lead responsibility for planning for, preparing positions on, and following the EU-UK negotiations. This requires research on and analysis of very many legal, institutional, and political issues. The eventual outcome of negotiations will of course be decisive in determining the shape and effects of Brexit. Our Permanent Representation in Brussels, and our Embassies in all Member States, send in a constant stream of reports describing and analysing the concerns and priorities of the EU Institutions and our partners.

This work is reflected in the Government’s policy positions and public statements, such as the comprehensive document on the Government‘s approach to the Article 50 negotiations and our response to Brexit which was published on 2 May as well as through in depth analysis such as the series of Department of Finance/ESRI research papers on the implications of Brexit. The Government will continue to consider how best to present further work. We are also communicating through public consultations and stakeholder engagement, such as the All-Island Civic Dialogue and the Brexit Stakeholder Forum.

Furthermore, the Government is already actively responding to the implications of Brexit and putting measures in place to mitigate the adverse effects for Ireland. We have already taken important steps to prepare the economy, including in Action Plan for Jobs 2017 and the Government’s Trade and Investment Strategy.

Significant measures were announced in Budget 2018 including a new €300m Brexit Loan Scheme for Businesses and a €25m Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agri-food sector as well as additional supports for capital investment in food industry and Bord Bia marketing and promotion activities, amounting to over €50m in total. There is also increased funding for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support our Brexit related work as well as to support the opening of six new diplomatic missions as part of Global Footprint 2025 to help our exporters find new markets and diversity their exports.

Clearly, a disorderly exit would be very damaging, particularly for Ireland, and Michel Barnier’s recent call for EU Member States to plan for such a contingency is fully in line with the Government’s approach. And while we are not at the cliff edge yet, our preparations and contingency planning for such an unwelcomed outcome will continue. However, our primary focus remains on making the negotiations a success and working with EU partners and UK to ensure an orderly withdrawal that protects the peace process, maintains the Common Travel Area and agrees a transitional arrangement which leads the way to the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK.

Syrian Conflict

Ceisteanna (238)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

238. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to make representations to have the 54 Syrian Shia children (details supplied) who were kidnapped following the suicide bomb attack on the bus evacuating them from Foua and Kafraya in April 2017 returned home. [48685/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The attack on a convoy of busses transporting evacuees from the besieged towns of Foua and Kefraya in North West Syria last April, which left over 100 people dead, many of them children, was utterly abhorrent and I condemn it unreservedly. Attacks on civilians in Syria, such as the bombing of this convoy of evacuees, further underline the need for full accountability for these appalling acts. Those responsible for such crimes on all sides must be held accountable. In relation to the allegation of kidnapping raised by the Deputy, it is extremely difficult to get reliable and verified information on the situation in contested areas of Syria. Reliable evidence is essential for follow up and accountability.

Ireland supports a broad range of efforts to ensure full legal accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria as part of a sustainable peaceful resolution to the conflict. We have consistently called for the referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. Ireland supports the work of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry established in August 2011 by the Human Rights Council to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in Syria. Furthermore, in December, Ireland and a group of likeminded countries successfully pressed for the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly to establish an International Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria. Earlier this year my predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade announced a contribution of €100,000 to support the work of this mechanism.

Conflict and war have a particularly horrific impact on vulnerable groups such as children, and Ireland is committed to working to ensure that their needs are taken into account in humanitarian response in a meaningful way. Ireland has made a significant contribution to the humanitarian response to the Syrian conflict. Since 2012, Ireland has contributed over €90 million to the humanitarian effort. This includes over €3.4 million in funding to UNICEF for the No Lost Generation Initiative (NLG), which works to protect children, adolescent and youths from the threat of poverty through the provision of education and protection within Syria and neighbouring countries. Through our annual contributions to EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, from which €445 million was contributed in 2016.

Ireland will continue to prioritise the protection of civilians, and particularly the most vulnerable of these, including children, in our response to the Syria crisis.

Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 236.

Departmental Staff Training

Ceisteanna (240)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of providing external coaching and-or training services for staff development in his Department over the past five years and to date in 2017, by cost per year, in tabular form; the company that delivered the training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48807/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department supports the continuous development of its officers through the implementation of a broad range of professional programmes, focusing on leadership, management, compliance and evaluation with a view to strengthening the management and diplomatic capabilities of its staff.

In addition to intensive language training, my Department provides its officers with a comprehensive pre-posting training programme in advance of taking up duty in missions overseas. My Department participates in the European Diplomatic Programme (EDP) where officers benefit from exchanges with colleagues from other EU Member States. Officers also regularly attend courses delivered by the European External Action Service (EEAS). Since 2016, all newly recruited Third Secretaries and Administrative Officers participate in the Civil Service-wide Graduate Development Programme. Management development programmes are also delivered to support officers in supervisory roles at Executive Officer and Higher Executive Officer level. Officers from across my Department also benefit from support for third-level education under the Refund of Fees Scheme. Training and development programmes are advertised widely across the Department reflecting the commitment to lifelong learning and personal development contained in the Civil Service Renewal Plan.

Language training accounts for approximately one third of my Department's training and development expenditure. In 2016, the Department’s training and development total expenditure was €643,623 of which €212,901 was spent on language training. The overall expenditure on Training and Development under Vote 28 for 2012-2017 is contained in the table.

2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017 (to date)
€503.045	€513,413	€631,686	€698,427	€643,623	€494,027

The companies which delivered the training courses from 2012 to 2017 are as follows.

2012

PAI PUBLICATIONS LTD,

BMF BUSINESS SERVICES

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

ORDER OF MALTA

THE IRISH TIMES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LTD

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL (FIRE BRIGADE)

INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

TRINITY COLLEGE

IRISH RED CROSS

EMERGENCY CARE PRODUCTS

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

CIVIL SERVICE LANGUAGE CTR

GAELCHULTUR TEORANTA

GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE

CREA LANGUES FRENCH

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

HIGH PERFORMANCE

PAUL LOFTUS & ASSOCIATES INC

AVONDALE MEDIA SERVICES

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

TIGER CONSULTING

WRIGHT CONSULTANCY

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

2013

ICS SKILLS TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

PAI PUBLICATIONS LTD,

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

NIFAST

ORDER OF MALTA

DUBLIN CITYCOUNCIL (FIRE BRIGADE)

HIGH PERFORMANCE

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR IRELAND

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

TRINITY COLLEGE

INSTITUTO CERVANTES

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

EN FRANCAIS

GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE

TIGER CONSULTING

EMCO CUMARSAID TEO

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

AVONDALE MEDIA SERVICES

PITMAN TRAINING CENTRE

WRIGHT CONSULTANCY

CLARE MULLIGAN CONSULTING LTD

SHANNON CONSULTING

THE WHEEL

SURESKILLS

BIG WAVE MEDIA TRAINING LTD

EMERGENCY CARE PRODUCTS

THE IRISH TIMES

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD

MARIE THERESE SAFFRE

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR IRELAND

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE CORK LTD

INSTITUTO CERVANTES

GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

PEAK CONNEXXION LTD

TIGER CONSULTING

WRIGHT CONSULTANCY

SHANNON CONSULTING

BIG WAVE MEDIA TRAINING LTD

EMCO CUMARSAID TEO

PITMAN TRAINING CENTRE

CENAD

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

KIMMAGE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES CENTRE

NIFAST

EMERGENCY CARE PRODUCTS

UNITAR TRAINING

THE IRISH TIMES

PITMAN TRAINING NAAS

GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE

FIRE AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING

BRYAN ANDREWS T/A BA & ASSOCIATES

AVONDALE MEDIA SERVICES

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

ORDER OF MALTA

LEGAL-ISLAND LTD

CONRADH NA GAEILGE

GAELCHULTUR TEORANTA

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

SEVEN

MAPLES CONSULTING

THE COMMUNICATIONS CLINIC

LA TOUCHE TRAINING

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK LANGUAGE CENTRE

OIDEAS GAEL

OLIVE SAFETY SERVICES

USAFETY

LIAM SCOLLAN

2014

IRISH  CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN LAW

PAI PUBLICATIONS LTD

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

NIFAST

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL (FIRE BRIGADE)

THE WHEEL

SURESKILLS

ORDER OF MALTA

BIG WAVE MEDIA TRAINING LTD

EMERGENCY CARE PRODUCTS

DCM LEARNING

THE IRISH TIMES

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD

MARIE THERESE SAFFRE

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR IRELAND

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE CORK LTD

INSTITUTO CERVANTES

GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN

AVONDALE MEDIA SERVICES

PEAK CONNEXXION LTD

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

TIGER CONSULTING

WRIGHT CONSULTANCY

SHANNON CONSULTING

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

BIG WAVE MEDIA TRAINING LTD

SURESKILLS

EMCO CUMARSAID TEO

PITMAN TRAINING CENTRE

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

CENAD

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

SURESKILLS

2015

PAI PUBLICATIONS LTD,

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

NIFAST

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LTD

ORDER OF MALTA

DUBLIN CITYCOUNCIL (FIRE BRIGADE)

HIGH PERFORMANCE

LAW SOCIETY OF IRELAND

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR IRELAND

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

MARIE THERESE SAFFRE

TRINITY COLLEGE

INSTITUTO CERVANTES

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

EN FRANCAIS

GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE

TIGER CONSULTING

EMCO CUMARSAID TEO

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

AVONDALE MEDIA SERVICES

PITMAN TRAINING CENTRE

WRIGHT CONSULTANCY

CLARE MULLIGAN CONSULTING LTD

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

OLIVE SAFETY SERVICES

THE WHEEL

SURESKILLS

ORDER OF MALTA

BIG WAVE MEDIA TRAINING LTD

EMERGENCY CARE PRODUCTS

THE IRISH TIMES

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE CORK LTD

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD

GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

PEAK CONNEXXION LTD

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

TIGER CONSULTING

WRIGHT CONSULTANCY

SHANNON CONSULTING

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

SURESKILLS

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

CENAD

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

SURESKILLS

TRINITY COLLEGE

KIMMAGE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES CENTRE

EMERGENCY CARE PRODUCTS

THE IRISH TIMES

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE

GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN

OIDEAS GAEL

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

FIRE AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING

BRYAN ANDREWS T/A BA & ASSOCIATES

EMERGENCY CARE PRODUCTS

IRISH HOSPICE FOUNDATION

2016

IRISH CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN LAW

PAI PUBLICATIONS LTD

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

NIFAST

ORDER OF MALTA

DUBLIN CITYCOUNCIL (FIRE BRIGADE)

HIGH PERFORMANCE

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR IRELAND

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

MARIE THERESE SAFFRE

TRINITY COLLEGE

INSTITUTO CERVANTES

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

EN FRANCAIS

GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE

TIGER CONSULTING

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

TIGER CONSULTING

AVONDALE MEDIA SERVICES

PITMAN TRAINING CENTRE

WRIGHT CONSULTANCY

CLARE MULLIGAN CONSULTING LTD

OLIVE SAFETY SERVICES

EMCO CUMARSAID TEO

SHANNON CONSULTING

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LTD

THE WHEEL

SURESKILLS

BIG WAVE MEDIA TRAINING LTD

THE IRISH TIMES

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD

KIMMAGE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES CENTRE

GERMAN LANGUAGE CENTRE

OIDEAS GAEL

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

IRISH HOSPICE FOUNDATION

LEGAL-ISLAND LTD

GAELCHULTUR TEORANTA

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN

LA TOUCHE TRAINING

PEAK CONNEXXION LTD

CENAD

BRYAN ANDREWS T/A BA & ASSOCIATES

OLIVE SAFETY SERVICES

EMCO CUMARSAID TEO

SEVEN

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

THE COMMUNICATIONS CLINIC

APPIAN POINT LTD

USAFETY

2017

PAI PUBLICATIONS LTD,

LEGAL-ISLAND LTD

CPL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT LTD

ORDER OF MALTA

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

FILMBASE LTD

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL (FIRE BRIGADE)

SAFETY SOLUTIONS SWIFT LTD

LA TOUCHE TRAINING

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

GOETHE INSTITUTE DUBLIN

GAELCHULTUR TEORANTA

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DUBLIN

SANDFORD LANGUAGE INST. LTD.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE LIMERICK LTD

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK LANGUAGE CENTRE

LANGUAGES UNLIMITED SERVICES LTD

MILLEFEUILLE PROVENCE S.A.R.L.

INSTITUTO CERVANTES

OIDEAS GAEL

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR IRELAND

PEAK CONNEXXION LTD

CENAD

BRYAN ANDREWS T/A BA & ASSOCIATES

SHANNON CONSULTING

TIGER CONSULTING

OLIVE SAFETY SERVICES

THE IRISH TIMES

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

SEVEN

EMCO CUMARSAID TEO

IRISH HOSPICE FOUNDATION

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

PATRICK SUTTON T/A COMMUNICATE

USAFETY

DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

THE COMMUNICATIONS CLINIC

LIAM SCOLLAN

SHANNON CONSULTING

APPIAN POINT LTD

SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES

Question No. 241 answered with Question No. 236.

Departmental Communications

Ceisteanna (242)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

242. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the domain names registered to or owned by his Department or through a third party company. [48944/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department operates more than 80 websites in total, comprising those that relate to our activities here in Ireland as well as those of Ireland’s diplomatic missions abroad.

From January 2017 to date, these websites have together received in excess of 37 million page views. Users include Irish citizens seeking to access services such as Passport Tracking, Travel Advice and Online Passport Renewals, as well as other international users seeking information about various Ireland-related matters.

Against this background, and from the checking that proved possible to conduct in the time available, I can confirm that my Department currently holds ownership rights to the web domain names listed as follows.

Our primary domain name structure is dfa.ie. The need arises for us to retain ownership of the other domain names as listed below since these were previously used by the Department and Ireland’s diplomatic missions abroad prior to the creation of the centralized dfa.ie structure. While a small proportion of the other domain names in question continue to be in active use, the majority re-direct users to dfa.ie as appropriate.

We are also retaining ownership of most of these other domain names over the longer term so as to help prevent any confusion arising for users of our websites at home or abroad and to guard on an ongoing basis against the danger of so-called ‘cyber-squatting’ – that is, acquiring of domain names by third parties for unauthorized commercial or other negative purposes.

My Department will keep our policy in this area under ongoing review.

List of Registered Domains:

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade	dfa.ie
	foreign-affairs.ie
	foreignaffairs.ie
	foreignaffairsandtrade.ie
	gnothaieachtracha.ie
	gnothaieachtrachaagustradala.ie
	dfat.ie
	dfanet.ie
	irishcertificateofheritage.ie
	certificateofirishness.ie
	foreignaffairs.gov.ie
	iveagh.irlgov.ie
	passport-office.ie
	gnothai-eachtracha.ie
	consulate.ie
	embassy.ie
	consalacht.ie
	ambasaid.ie
	iveagh.ie
	irish-passport.ie
	irishpassportcard.com
	Passport.irish
	Passports.irish
	gnothai-eactracha.net
	uibheacha.ie
	global.irish
	irishabroadgrants.ie
	globalirishforum.ie
	globalirisheconomicforum.ie
	certificateofirishancestry.com
	Heritage-certificate.ie
	Heritagecertificate.ie
	Certificateofirishheritage.ie
	Heritagecertificate.com
	certificateofirishancestry.ie
Irish Aid	irishaid.ie
	climatelearningplatform.org
	ourworldirishaidawards.ie
	irishaidfellowships.ie
	africaday.ie
Ireland’s Diplomatic Missions Abroad	embassyofireland.ae
	embassyofireland.org.ng
	embassyofireland.org.et
	embassyofireland.org.tr
	irishembassy.org.tr
	irlandabuyukelciligi.org.tr
	nsmc.info
	embassyofireland.gr
	irishembassy.gr
	embassyofireland.cn
	irishembassy.cn
	irlv.cn
	embassyofireland.de
	irishembassy.de
	botschaft-irland.de
	embassyofireland.ch
	irishembassy.ch
	embassyofireland.org.br
	embaixada-irlanda.org.br
	irishembassy.org.br
	embassyofireland.sk
	irishembassy.sk
	irskaambasada.sk
	embassyofireland.be
	irishembassy.be
	ambassadevanierland.be
	ambassadeirlande.be
	botschaft-irland.be
	embassyofireland.ro
	irishembassy.ro
	embassyofireland.hu
	irnagykovetseg.hu
	irishembassy.hu
	embassyofireland.org.ar
	irishembassy.org.ar
	irlanda.org.ar
	embassyofireland.org.eg
	irishembassy.org.eg
	embassyofireland.au.com
	irishembassy.au.com
	consulateofirelandatlanta.com
	consulateofirelandatlanta.org
	consulategeneralofirelandboston.org
	consulateofirelandboston.org
	irishconsulateboston.org
	irishconsulate.org
	consulateofirelandnewyork.org
	irishconsulatenewyork.org
	irishconsulatenewyork.us
	consulateofirelandnewyork.us
	consulateofirelandnewyork.com
	irishconsulatenework.com
	consulateofirelandsanfrancisco.org
	consulateofirelandsanfrancisco.us
	irishconsulatesanfrancisco.org
	irishconsulatesanfrancisco.us
	irishconsulatesydney.net
	consulateofirelandsydney.net
	embassyofireland.dk
	irishembassy.dk
	irlandsambassade.dk
	embassyofireland.or.tz
	irishembassy.or.tz
	irishconsulatescotland.co.uk
	embassyofireland.vn
	irishembassy.vn
	embassyofireland.fi
	irishembassy.fi
	embassyofirelandholysee.it
	irishembassyholysee.it
	embassyirelandholysee.it
	consulateofireland.hk
	embassyofireland.ug
	irishembassy.ug
	embassyofireland.my
	irishembassy.my
	kedutaanireland.my
	embassyofireland.com.my
	embassyofireland.net.my
	embassyofireland.org.my
	irishembassy.com.my
	irishembassy.net.my
	irishembassy.org.my
	kedutaanireland.com.my
	kedutaanireland.net.my
	kedutaanireland.org.my
	Ireland-embassy.com.my
	embassyofireland.mw
	embassyofireland.pt
	irishembassy.pt
	embaixada-irlanda.pt
	embassyofireland.si
	irishembassy.si
	embassyofireland.co.uk
	embassyofireland.co.zm
	irishembassy.co.zm
	embassyofireland.lu
	irishembassy.lu
	botschaft-irland.lu
	ambassade-irlande.lu
	embassyofireland.es
	irishembassy.es
	irlanda.es
	embajadairlanda.es
	embassyofireland.org.mz
	hibernia.org.mz
	embaixadairlanda.org.mz
	irishembassy.org.mz
	embassyofirelandmozambique.ie
	embassyofireland.org.ls
	irishembassy.org.ls
	irishembassy.com.mx
	embajadadeirlanda.com.mx
	embassyofireland.ru
	posolstvoirlandii.ru
	embassyofireland.in
	irelandinindia.com
	irishembassy.in
	ireland.co.nz
	embassyofireland.com.cy
	irishembassy.com.cy
	embassyofireland.no
	irishembassy.no
	irlandsambassade.no
	embassyofireland.ca
	irishembassyottawa.ca
	ambassadeirlande.ca
	embassyofireland.fr
	ambassade-irlande.fr
	irishembassy.fr
	irelandrepbrussels.be
	irelandrepbrussels.eu
	irishmissiongeneva.ch
	irelandunnewyork.org
	embassyofireland.cz
	irishembassy.cz
	embassyofireland.org.za
	irishembassy.org.za
	embassyireland.org.za
	irishrep.ps
	embassyofireland.lv
	irishembassy.lv
	irijasvestnieciba.lv
	embassyofireland.org.sa
	irishembassy.org.sa
	embassyofireland.it
	irishembassy.it
	ambasciata-irlanda.it
	embassyofireland.or.kr
	irishembassy.or.kr
	irelandhouse-korea.com
	irishconsulateshanghai.cn
	consulateofirelandshanghai.cn
	aierlanlingshiguan.cn
	embassyofireland.sg
	embassyofireland.bg
	irishembassy.bg
	irishembassybulgaria.bg
	embassyofireland.se
	irishembassy.se
	irlandsambassad.se
	embassyofireland.ee
	embassyofireland.ir
	irishembassy.ir
	embassyofireland.co.il
	embassyofireland.org.il
	irishembassy.co.il
	irishembassy.org.il
	irelandinthailand.com
	embassyofireland.nl
	irishembassy.nl
	ambassadevanierland.nl
	embassyofireland.jp
	irishembassy.jp
	irelandinjapan.jp
	embassyofireland.org.mt
	irishembassy.org.mt
	embassyofireland.at
	botschaftvonirland.at
	irelandOSCE.at
	embassyofireland.lt
	irishembassy.lt
	airijosambasada.lt
	embassyofireland.pl
	irishembassy.pl
	irlandia.pl
	embassyofireland.net
	irishembassy.biz
	embassyofireland.org
	embassyofireland.us
	irishembassy.us
	irishembassy.info

Public Services Card

Ceisteanna (243)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

243. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for incorporating the use of the public services card within his Department; the services that it will be used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48945/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Since 29 March 2016, my Department has required all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland to hold a valid Public Services Card (PSC). This requirement also applies to the small number of adult passport applicants whose last passport was issued before 1 January 2005 and has since been reported as lost, stolen or damaged.

The Government decided on 17 July this year that the PSC would be required for all passport applications made in the State by the end of 2018. The PSC and the relevant issuing process, which is managed by the Department of Social Protection, is secure and robust and gives a high degree of assurance regarding the identity of the holder.

My Department will ensure that any changes to the passport application process are communicated to the public well in advance and will work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Social Protection on the practicalities involved.