Written Answers Nos. 248-262
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full extent of the numbers of deer here including each separate breed; the most likely location or habitat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27394/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are three species of deer recorded as occurring in Ireland; these are red deer, fallow deer and sika deer. A fourth species, muntjac deer, has been reported from the wild on a number of occasions, but my Department does not have evidence that this invasive species of deer has established itself in the wild in Ireland.
No national census of deer populations has been carried out to date. However, my Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as National Parks and the indications are that all three deer species are increasing in range and numbers.
Although not a direct measure of deer population size, the licence returns from deer hunters also provide some indication of wild deer numbers. The number of deer reported shot during the hunting season rose steadily from c10,000 in 2000 to over 30,000 in 2010 and this figure has increased again in recent seasons, reaching 40,000 for the first time in the 2017/2018 season.
249. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if domestic abuse services will be classified as homeless providers in view of their provision of emergency accommodation for vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27416/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. These reports serve as important management information for my Department, the housing authority sector and the various State funded non-governmental organisations involved in the delivery of homeless services. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal https://data.gov.ie/
These reports do not capture details of individuals utilising temporary accommodation that is not overseen by housing authorities, such as clients of domestic violence refuges. While my Department does provide support through the Capital Assistance Scheme for accommodation for victims of domestic violence, responsibility for the development and provision of services in this area rests with my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and I understand that the delivery of these services is managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Any relevant data compilation and management in relation to those clients is a matter for Tusla.
250. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of civil servant posts that were filled through open and internal panels, since April 2020, in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department, by county and by month in tabular form. [27600/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is set out in the tables below. It should be noted that the figures only include appointments in the Heritage Division since 9th September 2020 when functions in the Heritage area were formally transferred to my Department. My Department has its main offices in Dublin, Wexford and Mayo (Ballina) but there are other smaller offices throughout the country, including in the National Parks and Met Éireann.
Open Competitions 2020
|
County |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
Dublin |
3 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
21 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
3 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
29 |
Open Competitions 2021
|
County |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
April |
Total |
|
Dublin |
7 |
3 |
2 |
11 |
23 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
9 |
8 |
11 |
36 |
Internal Promotions 2020
|
County |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
Dublin |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Total |
0 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
Internal Promotions 2021
|
County |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
April |
Total |
|
Dublin |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cork |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Galway |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Clare |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
19 |
My Department does not hold the requested information in respect of the State Bodies under its aegis. These State Bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the table below.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
251. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No 521 of 28 April 2021, the discussions he has had with European and international partners in relation to the detention of a person (details supplied) by the National Investigation Agency of India for alleged Maoist links; his plans to call on the Indian Government to safeguard the health and well-being of the person and to call for the release of same; the discussions he has had with the Indian Government in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27130/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the authorities in India the detention of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27434/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 258 together.
My Department has been monitoring the case of this individual since October of last year. His case has been raised by Ireland at senior level both bilaterally and jointly with EU partners. Our Ambassador in India has raised the issue at senior level in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Ireland also joined with EU partners in raising this case. The EU recently held a High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights with India in which both sides exchanged views on strengthening human rights in various areas.
Our Embassy in New Delhi joined other EU Member States in raising this case with the National Human Rights Commission of India, expressing concern about the conditions of his detention, given the age and health profile of the human rights defender, and raising the possibility of his release on humanitarian grounds.
As you will appreciate, the promotion of human rights, including the protection of human rights defenders, is a priority of Ireland’s foreign policy. In light of his advanced years and the spread of COVID-19 in the vicinity of the prison, Ireland expects the Indian authorities to have special regard for the health and wellbeing of Fr. Swamy during his detention. In its international human rights commitments, India has undertaken to have full respect for the rule of law, including the presumption of innocence.
Our Embassy will continue to monitor developments in this case, notably the bail proceedings currently before the courts.
252. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated number of persons resident in the State that have a valid passport or passport card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27134/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passport applications are processed by the Passport Service in Ireland.
The total number of passports currently issued is approximately 5,055,000. The total number of passport cards currently issued is approximately 256,000.
The Passport Service does not hold data based on the country of residence of applicants. As such, it is not possible to provide data on how many persons currently resident in the State hold valid passports.
253. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be approved for a person (details supplied). [27154/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that the Passport Online applications on hand can be cleared in six to eight weeks.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service contacted the applicant on 18 May 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
254. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27210/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that the Passport Online applications on hand can be cleared in six to eight weeks.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service contacted the applicant on 18 May 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
255. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a schedule will be provided of IT and email security costs incurred over the past five years to date; and the contractor engaged to deliver the services and or system. [27278/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department takes the risk of cyber attacks on its ICT network very seriously. There are no separate figures for email security costs in my Department as security is an integrated aspect of all ICT services. The figures for expenditure on ICT in my Department for the last 5 years are:
|
1 |
2016 |
€ 11,718,240.56 |
|
2 |
2017 |
€ 10,304,745.12 |
|
3 |
2018 |
€ 12,072,621.11 |
|
4 |
2019 |
€ 12,011,064.79 |
|
5 |
2020 |
€ 12,858,108.94 |
Various contractors are used to supply ICT services in my Department and these are listed and costed on the Department's website.
256. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department is fully compliant with GDPR EU requirements, the EU network and Information Security Directive and standards with respect to his Department’s IT infrastructure including Article 29 of GDPR which requires that data processors access only the data they need for their task; if ISO 27001 Annex 9 standards on privileged access are fully met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27340/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is compliant with obligations as a Data Controller under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and has implemented the appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk so that the processing of personal data is performed in accordance with the GDPR. My Department is also compliant with obligations under the EU Network and Information Security Directive. The Department follows the guidance of the National Cyber Security Centre and best international practice in information security management.
257. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any state or semi state bodies which report to his Department are fully compliant with GDPR EU requirements and the EU network and Information Security Directive and standards with respect to their IT infrastructure including article 29 of GDPR which requires that data processors access only the data they need for their task; if ISO 27001 annex 9 standards on privileged access are fully met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27358/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no State Bodies or Semi-State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
259. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the need to appoint an ambassador to Ireland as soon as possible with the US Administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27435/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of Ambassadors by the United States is solely a matter for the US authorities. However, during their meeting on St. Patrick's Day, President Biden assured the Taoiseach that the matter is under active consideration by the White House.
Pending the nomination of a new US Ambassador to Ireland by President Biden and the subsequent confirmation of the appointment by the US Senate, we continue to engage closely with the US Embassy in Dublin on the whole range of issues pertaining to the Ireland-US relationship.
We have a very strong and positive working relationship with the US Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Alex McKnight, and her team. I know that this will continue to be the case until, and indeed after, a new Ambassador is appointed. I am particularly grateful for the ongoing cooperation during the COVID 19 pandemic and for the work of the previous US Ambassador, Edward Crawford, during his time in Ireland.
We do of course look forward to the arrival of a new US Ambassador in due course. Ireland has always maintained close relations with the US and will continue to do so, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., our other diplomatic Missions across the United States, and through the US Embassy in Dublin.
260. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the US Administration the appointment of a Special Envoy to Northern Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that recently senior members of the US Congress have written to President Biden in relation to the merit of such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27436/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is working closely with President Biden and the US Administration on our bilateral agenda, including in relation to Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.
A longstanding commitment to peace on the island of Ireland continues to be felt strongly in the US. The Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process in Northern Ireland are not simply an achievement of the Irish and British Governments and the political representatives of the people of Northern Ireland, but one to which successive US Administrations and Members of Congress have also contributed.
The role of the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland has been greatly valued by the Irish Government over many years. The appointment of a Special Envoy would be warmly welcomed by the Government. In any circumstances, the US will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role in supporting peace, stability and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
I am grateful that President Biden continues to make an important contribution to this ongoing effort, as he has done consistently throughout his career to date, and that the US continues to stand in support of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government greatly values the continued support, friendship and engagement of the US on the Peace Process, and for the stability and prosperity of Northern Ireland. I know these messages were reiterated by the Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US in March.
I also met virtually with the Friends of Ireland Caucus in the US Congress in March. This meeting, as well as the recent statements from President Biden’s Administration, underline once again the bipartisan support from America’s most senior political figures for stability in Northern Ireland and safeguarding the gains of the Good Friday Agreement.
261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if a schedule will be provided of IT and email security costs incurred over the past five years to date; and the contractor engaged to deliver the services and or system. [27273/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cybersecurity. My Department migrated its core IT infrastructure to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service in 2020.
The Government’s services are still actively involved in managing and remediating the recent cyberattack on the HSE. Our technical staff continue to operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the OGCIO and the NCSC to seek to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects of cybersecurity. For operational and security reasons, we are advised by the NCSC not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to assess potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and my Department does not comment on operational security matters.
There are no separate figures available for IT and email security costs in my Department as security is an integrated aspect of all ICT services. I have set out the details of ICT related expenditure incurred by my Department over the past 5 years in the table below. The costs incurred do not relate to internal staffing costs, but do include costs of hardware, software, licences, support and maintenance services.
|
Year |
Expenditure (incl. VAT) |
|
Year |
Expenditure (incl. VAT) |
|
2016 |
€2,820,752 |
|
2017 |
€2,983,020 |
|
2018 |
€3,274,199 |
|
2019 |
€2,587,180 |
|
2020 |
€4,559,917 |
262. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Defence if his Department is fully compliant with GDPR EU requirements and the EU network and Information Security Directive and standards with respect to his Departments IT infrastructure including Article 29 of GDPR which requires that data processors access only the data they need for their task; if ISO 27001 Annex 9 standards on privileged access are fully met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27335/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. The services provided by the OGCIO are compliant with GDPR. In reference to your question which points to in Article 29 of the GDPR in particular, OGCIO processes data under instruction from my Department. I have been advised by OGCIO that as a data processor, they have taken all reasonable measures to prevent unauthorised access to personal data through the use of appropriate security processes and controls. These processes and controls include the ability to ensure the ongoing confidentiality, compliance, integrity, availability and resilience of processing systems and services; and the ability to restore the availability and access to Personal Data in a timely manner in the event of a cybersecurity, physical or technical incident.
The OGCIO has adopted a defence-in-depth security strategy which is achieved by utilisation of people, processes, and technology to support the implementation of ICT security services. The threat landscape is constantly evolving and significant effort is expended to continually enhance and strengthen ICT security to mitigate against emerging threats, risks, vulnerabilities and cybersecurity issues. In addition to deploying perimeter security measures, such as intrusion protection systems, software vulnerabilities are managed by maintaining up-to-date versions and aggressively deploying updates and patches to endpoints and applications as they become available.
The OGCIO has employed a policy of least privilege security principle. IT staff are only assigned security roles with levels of access which are essential to perform the tasks and duties associated with their functions. The allocation and usage of privileged user accounts are reviewed and monitored.
The OGCIO has developed an Information Security Management System (ISMS) aligned with the industry security standard ISO27001. This ISMS provides an overall governance framework for information security and sets out security policies, objectives, management oversight, practices and governance and ensures continual improvement of information security management.
