Written Answers Nos. 128-147
129. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to each Garda divisional public order unit in each of the years 2015, 2016, and to date in 2017; and the number of vans attached to each divisional public order unit in each of the years 2015, 2016, and to date in 2017. [53355/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
130. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a report by the chief administrative officer of An Garda Síochána regarding the use by the former Garda Commissioner of a personal email account (details supplied); if he or persons in his Department have received such a report; if persons in his Department have been in correspondence with members of An Garda Síochána by email or other forms of correspondence regarding this report; if he has not received such a report, if he will request same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53362/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I set out in my reply to the Deputy's recent question in relation to the Policing Authority, the establishment of the Authority represents one of the most significant developments in policing since the foundation of the State. It constitutes a major element of the comprehensive programme of justice reform which is being delivered by the Government, aimed both at ensuring continuing confidence in the work of An Garda Síochána and at supporting the women and men of the service in the work they do on our behalf every day.
The Authority’s role is to oversee the performance of the Garda Síochána in relation to policing services, to promote public awareness of policing matters and to promote and support the continuous improvements in policing in Ireland. Its mission is to drive excellent policing through valued and effective oversight and governance.
In its independent oversight role in relation to An Garda Síochána, the Policing Authority has engaged actively with An Garda Síochána on the issue of ICT usage, including the use of personal email accounts. The Authority discussed the matter with the Commissioner at its meetings on 24 November 2016 and on 27 January 2017. At the latter meeting, a report provided to the Authority by An Garda Síochána was discussed. The minutes of these meetings are available on the Policing Authority website www.policingauthority.ie.
I am satisfied that the issue has been appropriately dealt with by the Authority and that no further action is warranted on my part at this time. My Department has therefore neither requested nor received a copy of this report. As I stated in my previous reply, I continue to have complete confidence that the Authority, with its wealth of experience and expertise, will contribute to making An Garda Síochána a modern, efficient and accountable policing service.
131. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status and plans for future use for the vacant courthouses in Bray, Wicklow and Baltinglass in view of the fact that a project (details supplied) is awaiting a premises in Bray to carry out vital mental health services for young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me, as follows, in relation to the vacant courthouses in Bray, Wicklow and Baltinglass:
Bray
The Courts Service has advised that the old courthouse situated on the Boghall Road in Bray has been vacant since 2006 when court sittings and services relocated to alternative accommodation leased by the Courts Service in the town centre. As part of the ongoing management of its property portfolio the Courts Service seeks to dispose of properties that are surplus to its requirements in accordance with its own internal policy and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's policy on property acquisitions and disposals.
The Courts Service has further advised that it initially considered the property on Boghall Road to be surplus to its requirements and since 2006 has engaged with a number of parties from public, private and community sectors who expressed an interest in acquiring or using the property, including the Jigsaw organisation in 2016. However, because of the fact that the existing courthouse in Bray town centre is operating at or near capacity, the Courts Service considered it prudent to assess whether the building on Boghall Road could have a role in the delivery of court services in the Bray area in the future. This assessment is ongoing at present.
Wicklow
The Courts Service has informed me that the courthouse in Wicklow town has been closed for a number of years on health and safety grounds. However, as part of the Courts Service provincial capital building programme, one of the objectives is to extend and refurbish the courthouse in Wicklow town to provide a significantly larger 4 courtroom venue together with a range of facilities for staff, the judiciary, persons in custody, jurors, legal professionals, other state agencies and members of the public.
The Courts Service has indicated that while detailed planning or design work has not yet commenced, it has purchased a number of adjacent properties, some of which will be demolished in order to create a larger site capable of accommodating a courthouse building on the scale envisaged. The Courts Service is, at present, considering bringing forward some of these demolition works.
Wicklow town is one of a number of provincial city/county town venues nationwide still requiring new or upgraded courthouse accommodation and collectively these venues will be the next priority for investment in courthouse facilities outside the capital.
Baltinglass
The Courts Service has also informed me that it stopped using Baltinglass Courthouse as a court venue in 2014. This courthouse was never vested by the Courts Service and it remains in the ownership of Wicklow County Council therefore the future use of the courthouse is a matter for the Council.
132. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to outline financial support his Department offers to community alert schemes; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government underlines the need for close engagement between An Garda Síochána and local communities . This is an essential feature of the strong community policing ethos which has long been central to policing in this jurisdiction. The Deputy will also be aware that as part of the overall strategy to oppose criminality, the Garda authorities pursue a range of partnerships with community stakeholders; for example, the well established Community Alert Programme and the highly successful Garda Text Alert Scheme to name but a few.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. In this regard I welcome the strong emphasis placed by An Garda Síochána on the Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, on further developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. Proposed initiatives include the establishment of local Community Policing Teams (CPTs) headed by an Inspector and made up of Gardaí from across a range of areas to proactively work with the community to prevent and detect crime; and the establishment of Community Safety Fora in every District comprising local Gardaí, local communities and key stakeholders.
Since the Community Text Alert scheme was launched in September 2013, it has developed as an important crime prevention mechanism with over 700 local groups involving in excess of 130,000 subscribers and with an estimated 200,000 text messages sent each month under the scheme. Every Garda Division, rural and urban, now offers the text alert service and An Garda Síochána has published guidelines to assist in the establishment and operation of local groups.
The Deputy might wish to note that funding from my Department is not used to provide direct assistance to local Community Alert (or Text Alert) Groups.
Community Alert funding is allocated by my Department for the employment and associated costs of the national Community Alert programme, including the employment of regional Development Officers. These Development Officers, operating in Muintir Na Tíre, provide support to Community and Text Alert schemes and offer advice on how to establish new schemes. The long-standing view has been that this is the best use of the resources available to the Department to support effective community crime prevention actions.
At the National Ploughing Championships this year, I was pleased to announce that an additional €100,000 was being made available to Text Alert Groups, registered with An Garda Síochána, to provide modest financial assistance with the running costs they incur each year. This Text Alert Rebate Scheme will be administered by Muintir na Tíre and Groups wishing to participate at the Scheme can find more details at www.muintir.ie.
133. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the dedicated drugs unit in counties Cavan and Monaghan for the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53380/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
As the Deputy will be aware all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences crime or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction.
In line with the Policing Plan, An Garda Síochána's National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which was established in 2015, continues to lead out the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies. In this regard the Bureau continues its policy of working with Garda Divisional Drug Units nationwide in tackling supply reduction at local level.
This work is further supported by other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide. Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure that those involved in illicit activity are effectively targeted including through the use of the proceeds of crime legislation, money laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau. I am informed that this approach adopts good practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and in utilising available criminal law to its fullest extent in tackling all forms of organised crime, including drug trafficking.
We have also seen unprecedented international cooperation between An Garda Síochána and policing services in other jurisdictions leading to important arrests and drug seizures.
Underpinning all these measures is this Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,600 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources he needs to allow him to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation including the Divisional Drugs Units.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the number of Gardaí allocated to the Cavan/Monaghan Divisional Drug Units for the past 10 years to 31 October 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set as follows:
Strength Cavan/Monaghan Divisional Drug Unit
|
Year |
Gardaí assigned |
|
2007 |
9 |
|
2008 |
11 |
|
2009 |
10 |
|
2010 |
11 |
|
2011 |
8 |
|
2012 |
5 |
|
2013 |
0 |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017* |
6 |
*As of 31 October 2017
134. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to the trawl of documentation in his Department that was ordered by An Taoiseach in response to the O'Higgins commission, the reason only seven email accounts of departmental officials were trawled through; his views on whether this was appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53382/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to refer the Deputy to the report published on the website of the Department of Justice and Equality on Monday 27 November 2017. The report outlined the search of documentation which was undertaken, which related to 13 officials (one retired).
As the Deputy will be aware, I have welcomed the fact that there will be an independent review of the response of my Department to requests for documents from the Disclosures Tribunal. The terms of reference for that review were published yesterday. The terms of reference include an examination of the actions taken by the Department in response to all requests for documents directed to the Department, including whether the Department has now carried out appropriately comprehensive search and retrieval to identify any relevant material for the tribunal and any concerns which arise. The review may also advise on what further measures, if any, might be taken to address those concerns. The Department will of course implement any further measures arising from the review.
135. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the proposal to support family reunification for 500 Syrian families who have fled the conflict there; if it will include Syrian families currently in the EU who have a spouse or parent who is not Syrian; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53390/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 14 November last, together with my colleague, the Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton T.D., I announced a new scheme of family reunification in support of refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and their families.
I would like to emphasise to the Deputy that this new scheme is aimed at assisting family members of all refugees from established conflict zones and not just refugees from Syria. This new Family Reunification Humanitarian Admission Programme (FRHAP) will form part of the Government’s commitments under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). The Family Reunification Humanitarian Admission Programme (FRHAP) will see, over a two year period, up to 530 immediate family members of refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection from established conflict zones come to Ireland as part of our overall commitment to accept 4,000 persons under the IRPP.
This humanitarian admission programme is an initiative of the Government for the benefit of the families of those in receipt of international protection in Ireland and is not part of any EU programme. The FRHAP will be operated under Ministerial discretionary powers and it will be in addition to the family reunification provisions provided for in the International Protection Act 2015. Officials in my Department are in consultation with the UNHCR and other stakeholders on developing the full operational details of the programme.
I will also continue to apply my discretion in the area of family reunification for those outside of the International Protection process in the ways described in the Non-EEA Policy Document on Family Reunification and scheme operated by INIS.
Additional details on the operation of the FRHAP programme will be announced on the websites of the Department of Justice and Equality (www.justice.ie) and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (www.inis.gov.ie) in the coming period.
136. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has formally requested an interim report from the Commission on the Future of Policing; if so, when this request took place; if he has received such a report; if so, if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland which began its work in May, is undertaking a comprehensive examination of all aspects of policing including all functions currently carried out by An Garda Síochána including community safety, security and immigration.
The themes it is to address are:
- the structures and management arrangements
- the appropriate composition, recruitment and training of personnel,
- the culture and ethos of policing, and
- the full range of bodies that have a role in providing oversight and accountability for their activities; the Policing Authority, the Garda Inspectorate, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, the Department and Government.
The Commission is to report by September 2018 and it may, in accordance with its terms of reference bring forward immediate proposals and rolling recommendations for implementation that it considers are required to be addressed in the short-term, and in advance of its final report.
The Commission is, of course, an independent body and it is important that it be free to carry out its work in whatever manner it sees fit. For that reason I have not requested an interim report from the Commission but it is of course open to the Commission to submit such a report, if it decides to do so.
137. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make public on his Department's website all email correspondence between the former Garda Commissioner and officials in his Department during the summer of 2017, concerning her position as Commissioner and her possible retirement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is generally not the practice to comment on or publish material relating to an individual's personal employment situation.
138. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether it is normal practice for An Garda Síochána to monitor the activities of political parties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53434/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that is it is not the normal practice for An Garda Síochána to monitor the activities of political parties.
The functions of An Garda Síochána in respect of providing policing and security services to the State are set out in the Garda Síochána Acts 2005-2015. In conducting those functions, there may on occasion be a requirement for policing deployments in respect of managing public gatherings or demonstrations that are political in nature that might include monitoring such gatherings or demonstrations in order to ensure public or road safety or to facilitate the conduct of such meetings or demonstrations.
I should emphasise, of course, that if persons involved in political parties were suspected of engaging in unlawful activity the Gardaí would have a duty to pursue them for that activity as they would pursue any other person suspected of unlawful activity.
In respect of the particular event to which the Deputy refers in her Question, I have sought a report from the Garda Authorities and I will communicate further with her directly when that information is to hand.
139. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in the Cork west, Cork city and Cork north divisions; and the number of gardaí in each of those three divisions. [53454/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,600 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 38, 20 and 20 have been assigned to the Cork City Division, the Cork North Division and the Cork West Division respectively. Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, will increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased that Budget 2018 maintains this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensures that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach the 14,000 mark by the end of 2018.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Division, including the Co. Cork Divisions.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength in the Co. Cork Divisions as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set as follows:
STRENGTH OF THE CORK CITY DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
ANGLESEA STREET |
ANGLESEA STREET |
291 |
|
BLACKROCK |
23 |
|
|
BRIDEWELL |
28 |
|
|
TOTAL |
342 |
|
|
GURRANABRAHER |
BALLINCOLLIG |
18 |
|
BLARNEY |
16 |
|
|
CARRIG NA BHFEAR |
1 |
|
|
GURRANABRAHER |
57 |
|
|
TOTAL |
92 |
|
|
MAYFIELD |
GLANMIRE |
22 |
|
MAYFIELD |
43 |
|
|
WATERCOURSE ROAD |
45 |
|
|
TOTAL |
110 |
|
|
TOGHER |
BISHOPSTOWN |
19 |
|
CARRIGALINE |
20 |
|
|
CROSSHAVEN |
2 |
|
|
DOUGLAS |
19 |
|
|
PASSAGE WEST |
2 |
|
|
TOGHER |
56 |
|
|
TOTAL |
118 |
|
|
CORK CITY TOTAL |
662 |
STRENGTH OF THE CORK NORTH DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
FERMOY |
BALLYNOE |
1 |
|
CASTLETOWNROCHE |
2 |
|
|
FERMOY |
62 |
|
|
KILDORRERY |
1 |
|
|
KILWORTH |
1 |
|
|
MITCHELSTOWN |
20 |
|
|
RATHCORMAC |
1 |
|
|
WATERGRASSHILL |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
90 |
|
|
MALLOW |
BUTTEVANT |
1 |
|
CHARLEVILLE |
20 |
|
|
DONERAILE |
2 |
|
|
GLANTANE |
1 |
|
|
KANTURK |
22 |
|
|
LISCARROLL |
1 |
|
|
MALLOW |
61 |
|
|
MILFORD |
1 |
|
|
NEWMARKET |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
111 |
|
|
MIDLETON |
BALLYCOTTON |
1 |
|
CARRIGTWOHILL |
2 |
|
|
CLOYNE |
1 |
|
|
COBH |
36 |
|
|
KILLEAGH |
1 |
|
|
MIDLETON |
51 |
|
|
WHITEGATE |
1 |
|
|
YOUGHAL |
23 |
|
|
TOTAL |
116 |
|
|
CORK NORTH TOTAL |
317 |
STRENGTH OF THE CORK WEST DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
BANDON |
BALLINEEN |
2 |
|
BALLINHASSIG |
2 |
|
|
BANDON |
82 |
|
|
INNISHANNON |
1 |
|
|
KILBRITTAIN |
1 |
|
|
KINSALE |
16 |
|
|
TIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
105 |
|
|
BANTRY |
BANTRY |
37 |
|
CASTLETOWNBERE |
5 |
|
|
DRIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
DURRUS |
1 |
|
|
GLENGARRIFF |
1 |
|
|
KEALKIL |
1 |
|
|
SCHULL |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL |
50 |
|
|
CLONAKILTY |
BALTIMORE |
1 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
39 |
|
|
DRINAGH |
1 |
|
|
DUNMANWAY |
10 |
|
|
SKIBBEREEN |
12 |
|
|
TOTAL |
63 |
|
|
MACROOM |
BAILE BHUIRNE |
2 |
|
BÉAL ÁTHA AN GHAORTHA |
2 |
|
|
BOHERBUE |
1 |
|
|
COACHFORD |
1 |
|
|
CROOKSTOWN |
11 |
|
|
MACROOM |
40 |
|
|
MILLSTREET |
13 |
|
|
RATHMORE |
1 |
|
|
STUAKE |
1 |
|
|
TARELTON |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
73 |
|
|
CORK WEST TOTAL |
291 |
140. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the terms of reference of the review of his department's handling of the trawl of emails in relation to the disclosures tribunal; if the failure to search the former minister's email account and the accounts of her advisors will be included in the terms of reference of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53496/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have welcomed that there will be an independent review of the response of my Department to requests for documents from the Disclosures Tribunal. The terms of reference for that review were published yesterday. The terms of reference include an examination of the actions taken by the Department in response to all requests for documents directed to the Department, including whether the Department has now carried out appropriately comprehensive search and retrieval to identify any relevant material for the tribunal and any concerns which arise. The review may also advise on what further measures, if any, might be taken to address those concerns. The Department will of course implement any further measures arising from the review.
141. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the extension of EU state aid rules to regulatory alignment between the EU and Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53198/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has always been clear that its absolute preference is to maintain the closest possible trading relationship between the UK and EU, including Ireland, based on a level playing field. This is an aim shared by the EU, and by the UK itself.
Phase 2 of the Article 50 negotiations will address how the overall framework for a future relationship between the EU and the UK might look. This will include the issue of alignment with EU State aid rules for the UK. I am encouraged to note that the UK has been a strong supporter of State aid rules to date.
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which her Department continues to pursue market opportunities for Irish products globally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53485/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is one of the world's most open, export-based economies. For Ireland, with a small domestic market, expansion to other markets is a prerequisite for our economic prosperity. Export growth in Ireland has been exceptionally strong in recent years, reaching a new record level of €259 billion last year.
The Government is strongly committed to promoting diversified export markets for our indigenous sectors, particularly in light of the potential economic impacts of Brexit. It is imperative that companies maximise opportunities to not only sustain and grow their exports to the UK but also to continue to diversify their export base.
Enterprise Ireland has an established process for working with companies as they identify opportunities and begin to enter new markets. Enterprise Ireland’s overseas structure, through its network of 33 overseas offices and its extended Pathfinder (Trade Consultant) network, has the capability of providing client companies with the appropriate support in markets where there are identified opportunities matched by client capability and demand. The activities of Enterprise Ireland’s overseas network are supported by the Market Research Centre and Strategic Marketing Unit based in Dublin, along with a range of financial and capability developments supports aimed at helping client companies to compete and win sales in overseas markets.
Ireland’s membership of the EU is absolutely critical in terms of global market access, not only to the 27 markets within the single market, but also to third country markets through EU negotiated Free Trade Agreements. Irish businesses benefit significantly from Free Trade Agreements with third countries in a range of ways, including the elimination of market access barriers and red tape and the abolition of tariffs. These existing EU agreements and new trade deals will continue to be very important for Ireland in terms of promoting Irish products around the world. Ireland works actively and closely with the European Commission and other institutions in the negotiation of these agreements, and my Department is responsible for promoting our national policy positions in this regard.
Earlier this year, the Government published a new trade strategy, ‘Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World’ which commits Ireland to deepening our enterprise resilience by intensifying our connections in existing markets and diversify to new markets; capturing new sectoral opportunities; and build more Irish companies of scale. In this context, Enterprise Ireland is consistently working with client companies focusing on enhancing their competitiveness, capability and levels of innovation to assist them to diversify into new markets. The Strategy also supports an extensive programme of ministerial-led trade missions, as part of the drive towards market diversification.
In August, the Government announced plans to double Ireland’s global footprint by 2025 which will further expand our investment and trade footprint in foreign markets through the provision of increased resources for diplomatic missions and state agency offices overseas.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which her Department has redoubled its efforts to establish new markets inside and outside the European Union for Irish products in order to compensate for the consequences of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53492/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPromoting diversified export markets in light of the potential impacts of Brexit is a key priority for my Department and its agencies. It is imperative that Irish companies respond to the challenges Brexit will bring now, and do not wait until the Brexit negotiations are complete. This will include maximising opportunities to not only sustain and grow their exports to the UK, but also to diversify their export base to other markets.
Released on the 9th November, “Building Stronger Business – responding to Brexit by competing, innovating and trading” sets out the work under way, and planned, by my Department and its Agencies in response to Brexit, including supports available to companies to help them prepare for Brexit. It also describes our research programme designed to inform that response.
In terms of increasing Ireland’s Global Footprint, my Department has secured an additional €3 million in funding to enable the Department and its agencies recruit a further 40 to 50 staff worldwide (on top of 50 additional staff secured in Budget 2017). These additional resources will be focused on helping Irish exports grow their international sales, diversify their markets and secure new investments in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland is working directly with clients most exposed to Brexit and continues to provide the necessary supports and expertise to help them navigate immediate challenges. It’s 2017-2020 ‘Build Scale, Expand Reach’ Strategy aims to increase the diversification of client exports into new markets, with two-thirds of exports going beyond the UK. The diversification strategy is focused on geographical markets, and on diversifying into new market segments.
In May 2017, Enterprise Ireland launched a new Eurozone Strategy to assist Irish exporters increase exports in Eurozone countries by 50%, from €4 billion to €6 billion by 2020. This will be accompanied by a new ‘Irish Advantage’ communications campaign which will target Eurozone buyers to buy Irish innovation in key Brexit impacted sectors such as med-tech and engineering.
In addition, enhanced programmes of minister-led trade missions and bilateral visits overseas will deepen existing trade and investment relationships and forge new linkages across a range of markets.
My Department will also continue to work to promote expansion of the EU’s portfolio of Free Trade Agreements to encourage market-deepening and expansion to new markets for Irish based enterprises.
144. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has recruited technical experts in legal and trade negotiations in respect of Brexit. [50328/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not specifically recruited technical experts in legal and trade negotiations in respect of Brexit, but has drawn on the experts in these areas across the Department. These officials are best placed to deal with the Department’s response to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, and have been assigned to additional postings in the areas across the whole Department that have been most impacted by Brexit.
On the day that the referendum result was known a Co-ordination Group on Brexit was established in my Department, consisting of the CEOs of both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, and relevant enterprise, Single Market and trade officials from the Department to oversee implementation of our response to the emerging national, UK and EU developments. This Group, which I Chair, meets regularly and oversees the management of our response to the referendum result. It also facilitates regular engagement with the Agencies and Offices of the Department impacted by Brexit.
My Department has also established a Senior Officials Group on Brexit, chaired by the Secretary General, which supports the Management Board of the Department in ensuring a coherent and co-ordinated approach to Brexit across all areas of the Department.
To facilitate and encourage regular and comprehensive dialogue with enterprise, my Department also established an Enterprise Forum on Brexit and Global Challenges. Membership includes 13 representatives from enterprise groups and I Chair the Forum, with meetings held every 6-8 weeks. This Forum provides an opportunity for the Department to share emerging research and policy approaches with the enterprise sector and to receive feedback on proposals. It also gives enterprise a platform to share their research and feedback from companies with the Department and to raise issues of concern, to highlight opportunities, and to suggest policy responses.
In 2016, my Department established a dedicated Brexit Unit to deal with the challenges of Brexit. The Unit is led at Assistant Secretary level within the EU Affairs and Trade Policy Division, and is supported by one Principal, three Assistant Principals, two Higher Executive Officers and one Clerical Officer. This Unit leads on the coordination of the Department’s policy and operational responses to Brexit, including our approach to the negotiations within the EU and bilateral relations with the UK. The Brexit Unit oversees research and analysis being undertaken by the Department and its Agencies and monitors research published by external bodies to better inform our policy response. The Unit also leads on engagement with a broad range of stakeholders to inform and validate our response to Brexit.
145. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that the charge of €80 which some hospital groups have imposed on persons with haemochromatosis requiring venesection will be ceased (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the charging of persons with haemochromatosis requiring venesection in certain hospital groups (details supplied); his plans to issue an instruction to cease such charging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53265/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the difficulties facing persons with haemochromatosis regarding the charge of €80 which certain hospital groups have imposed on those persons requiring venesection; his views on the petition signed by over 2,400 persons to have this charge removed; if he is in receipt of this petition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53266/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the new charges being imposed by certain hospital groups for the carrying out of venesection for persons with haemochromatosis; his views on whether it is acceptable that this can result in charges of up to €320 per month for these persons; if he will request the HSE to end these charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53313/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 145, 149, 150 and 157 together.
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all people ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services and to public out-patient hospital services. Under the Health (In-Patients Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, a person who has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis, will have to pay the statutory daily charge, currently €80 per day, up to a maximum of €800 per year. On this basis, where venesection is classed as a day case procedure and is not carried out in an out-patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies.
I confirm receipt of the petition in favour of removing the in-patient day case charge for haemochromatosis patients. I am aware of this issue and have asked officials in my Department to examine it, including the particular points made by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association, and to provide me with advice.
146. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [53260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
As the information requested by you comes under the remit of the Health Service Executive your correspondence has been sent to the HSE who will arrange for a reply to issue to you directly.
147. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a mental health service (details supplied) in County Wicklow, in particular, taking note of its search for a premises in Bray; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53261/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
