Written Answers Nos. 374-401
374. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a list of all honorary consuls that have been appointed in Ireland since the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations was enacted in 1963; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54156/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe functions, privileges and immunities of Honorary Consuls are set out in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963. The legal status of Honorary Consuls in Ireland is based on the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act, 1967 which gives effect in Irish Law to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
A full list of honorary consular representatives in Ireland is available on the Diplomatic List maintained by my Department and available on the Department's website here: www.dfa.ie/embassies/embassies-in-ireland/.
Below is the list of Honorary Consuls that have been appointed in Ireland between 2006 and 2021, identified by country, name, date of appointment and seat of post.
|
Country |
Name |
Date Appointed |
Seat |
|
Armenia |
Mr Ohan Yergainharsian |
2010 |
Dublin |
|
Austria |
Mrs Ursula Shields Huemer |
2020 |
Galway |
|
Belarus |
Mr Vincent Pierce |
2010 |
Wicklow |
|
Belgium |
Mr John Coyle |
2012 |
Galway |
|
Mr John Dundon |
2012 |
Limerick |
|
|
Botswana |
Mr Patrick Bernard O'Reilly |
2014 |
Dublin |
|
Brazil |
Fr Kevin Patrick Keenan |
2015 |
Roscommon |
|
Mr Brendan McAuliffe |
2015 |
Cork |
|
|
Chile |
Mr David Cronin |
2018 |
Cork |
|
Côte d’Ivoire |
Mr Daithí Ó Murchú |
2020 |
Dublin |
|
Ecuador |
Ms Dominique Cleary Perez |
2016 |
Dublin |
|
El Salvador |
Mr John Curran |
2016 |
Dublin |
|
Estonia |
Mr John Dennehy |
2016 |
Cork |
|
Finland |
Mrs Virpi Lynch |
2021 |
Leinster |
|
France |
Mr Josselin Le Gall |
2019 |
Cork |
|
Mr Loïc Guyon |
2019 |
Limerick |
|
|
Mrs Catherine Gagneux |
2015 |
Galway |
|
|
Ms Patricia Mallon |
2012 |
Cork |
|
|
Georgia |
Mr James Bridgeman |
2021 |
Co Louth |
|
Germany |
Mr. Hans-Walter Georg Jakob Schmidt-Hannisa |
2011 |
Galway |
|
Ghana |
Mr Brian Kiernan |
2016 |
Dublin |
|
Guatemala |
Mrs. Clelia Judith Letona Herrera de Rossi |
2015 |
Dublin |
|
Hungary |
Mr John Miller |
2007 |
Cork |
|
Iceland |
Ms Ása Björk Ólafsdóttir |
2020 |
Dublin |
|
Mr Brian O'Neill |
2011 |
Dublin |
|
|
Indonesia |
Mr Martin Murray |
2013 |
Dublin |
|
Italy |
Mrs Maria Gabriella Caponi |
2019 |
Cork |
|
Mr Roberto Gasperoni |
2013 |
Cork |
|
|
Mr Fabio Bartolozzi |
2010 |
Galway |
|
|
Jamaica |
Mr Barry O'Brien |
2017 |
Dublin |
|
Mr Patrick James Mara |
2007 |
Dublin |
|
|
Kazakhstan |
Mr Arthur French |
2017 |
Co Kildare |
|
Ms Sarah Kent |
2008 |
Dublin |
|
|
Luxembourg |
Mr Ivan Healy |
2017 |
Dublin |
|
Lithuania |
Mr Ronan Hannigan |
2006 |
Dublin |
|
Malawi |
Mr Michael Headen |
2020 |
Dublin |
|
Malta |
Mr John Minihan |
2019 |
Cork |
|
Mexico |
Mr David Niland |
2014 |
Galway |
|
Mr Ronan Branigan |
2015 |
Limerick |
|
|
Mr Anthony Smurfit |
2015 |
Kildare |
|
|
Mr Michael John Barry |
2015 |
Cork |
|
|
Moldova |
Mr Gerald Kean |
2017 |
Dublin |
|
Mr Raymond Coyle |
2011 |
Dublin |
|
|
Mongolia |
Mr Mark John Sherry |
2013 |
Dublin |
|
Morocco |
Mr Michael J Holland |
2020 |
Dublin |
|
Oman |
Dr Patrick Felle |
2020 |
Dublin |
|
Poland |
Mr Martin Brennan |
2019 |
Kilkenny |
|
Mr Michael Mulcahy |
2010 |
Cork |
|
|
Mr Patrick O'Sullivan |
2010 |
Limerick |
|
|
Portugal |
Mr George Richard Barter |
2014 |
Cork |
|
Philippines |
Mr Raymond Garrett |
2020 |
Dublin |
|
Mr Mark Congdon |
2013 |
Dublin |
|
|
Russian Federation |
Mr John Hanafin |
2014 |
Co Tipperary |
|
Rwanda |
Mr Frank Daly |
2011 |
Dublin |
|
Serbia |
Mr. Živko Jakšic |
2010 |
Dublin |
|
Seychelles |
Mr Barry Galvin |
2016 |
Cork |
|
Mr Declan Barber |
2008 |
Dublin |
|
|
Slovak Republic |
Ms Lorraine Higgins |
2019 |
Connacht |
|
Slovenia |
Mr Liam Moloney |
2020 |
Co Kildare |
|
Spain |
Mr Ross Tobin |
2017 |
Galway |
|
Mr Oisín Browne |
2014 |
Galway |
|
|
Ms Catalina Goode |
2012 |
Cork City |
|
|
Mr Diarmuid O'Donovan |
2012 |
South West Cork |
|
|
Sri Lanka |
Ms Darina Allen |
2018 |
Cork |
|
Mr Don Aelerd Samarakoon |
2011 |
Dublin |
|
|
Sweden |
Mr Paul Keane |
2010 |
Dublin |
|
Switzerland |
Ms Valérie Swan |
2017 |
North-East Region |
|
Ms Anne-Kristine Kjelsen |
2017 |
Munster |
|
|
Thailand |
Mr Barry Thomas Connolly |
2014 |
Dublin |
|
Uganda |
Mrs Sylvia Gavigan |
2009 |
Dublin |
|
United Kingdom |
Mr Mark Hutchinson |
2018 |
Cork |
375. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if in view of the declaration by Israel that six Palestinian civil society organisations in the Occupied Palestinian territory are terrorist organisations, his views on whether the root cause of this problem is an illegal occupation which has little regard for the human rights of Palestinians and that it is now time to take more concrete action to have this attack on human rights defenders stopped immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54218/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI made a statement on 27 October expressing my concern at these designations. We were not informed in advance of these designations, and have not received detailed substantive evidence.
Our partners in the EU are also aware of this matter, and have been in touch with Israeli authorities to seek further clarification.
I raised this matter directly in my meetings in Israel during my visit to the region last week. I stressed that civil society organisations and human rights defenders play a critical role in promoting international law, peace, human rights and democratic values. These designations have the potential to impact, not only these six organisations, but civil society more broadly across the oPt and to seriously undermine vital humanitarian, development and human rights work.
Ireland will continue to support the work of NGOs and Human Rights Defenders bilaterally and at EU and UN level. On 25 October, Ireland made a statement at the General Assembly during the Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk, expressing appreciation for the critical role of human rights defenders and stressing the importance of protecting civil society space and a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders.
I have been consistently clear about the need to address the root causes of tensions in the occupied Palestinian territory. At an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 27 May, I called on EU colleagues to address such root causes, including settlement expansion, in a more robust way. I raised similar points at the Security Council on 16 May and the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 June. I underlined the need for root causes to be addressed with the Israeli Foreign Minister during my visit to the region on 3 November.
It is vital that the international community does all it can to seek to address the root causes of tensions in this region.
376. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current average waiting time for the processing of foreign birth registrations; his plans to address delays and backlogs due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54238/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of plans to reopen the foreign birth registration application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54531/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 385 together.
My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
People may apply for Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration if one of their grandparents was born in Ireland or if one of their parents was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, even if their parent was not born in Ireland. Once a person is entered onto the Foreign Births Register, they are an Irish citizen and are entitled to apply for an Irish passport.
In order to protect the integrity of the citizenship process, Foreign Birth Registration applications require very careful analysis in order to validate both the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Accordingly, such applications undergo rigorous checking by experienced staff at the Passport Service.
Demand for Foreign Birth Registration services reached unprecedented levels following the Brexit referendum in 2016, resulting in a peak of 32,000 online applications received in 2019. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing time for Foreign Birth Registration applications stood at 18 months. This processing time is due to the unprecedented peak in applications as a result of Brexit and the aforementioned rigorous validation which citizenship applications undergo.
Operations at the Passport Service were severely disrupted by public health restrictions brought about by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. During this period, it was necessary to pause Foreign Birth Registration processing in order to focus also on the provision of urgent passport services. When Passport services were scaled up in May 2021 to more normal operational levels, in line with the phased easing of restrictions, Foreign Birth Registration staff were redeployed to assist with the delivery of our expanded essential passport services operation. That redeployment has had to remain in place to date due to the continuing strong demand for Passport services. Over 500,000 passports have been issued so far this year.
The Foreign Birth Registration Service continues to consider urgent requests to expedite an application on a case by case basis, in cases such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Over 5,000 emergency Foreign Birth Registration applications have been processed in 2021. Expectant parents and other emergency applicants should make contact with the Passport Service Customer Service Hub to advise of their circumstances, and can do so by telephone or webchat on the Department’s website (www.dfa.ie).
The Passport Service is actively preparing to resume processing Foreign Birth Registration applications as soon as possible and an announcement of the resumption date can be expected shortly. My Department is fully committed to allocating the necessary resources to assist with the high volume of applications, with a focus on reducing turnaround times.
In the context of the National Development Plan, the Government is making a major investment in the future of the Passport Service. Over the next couple of years, the Department will replace the core technology underpinning the service, which will deliver efficiencies to the Foreign Birth Registration and passport services. Budget 2022 also included an investment of an additional €10m for the Passport Service in response to the increasing demand for passports and Foreign Birth Registration.
378. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives being taken at United Nations Security Council level or elsewhere within the European Union to protect human rights and opportunities in Myanmar. [54270/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and its attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime. The coup is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that has taken years to establish. We are gravely concerned by the violence and displacement in the country and the humanitarian and human rights situation. Ireland is actively engaging at the European Union and United Nations to call on all sides to refrain from violence, and to fully respect human rights and comply with international law including international humanitarian and human rights law.
Ireland fully supports the strong and comprehensive approach to the coup set out in the Council Conclusions adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on February 22. The European Union has adopted three packages of sanctions against the perpetrators of the coup and the economic entities that sustain them and pre-existing EU restrictive measures also remain in place. These include an embargo on arms and equipment that can be used for internal repression, an export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications that could be used for internal repression, and a prohibition on military training and cooperation with the Tatmadaw.
The European Union has allocated €24.5 million in humanitarian aid funding for the most vulnerable for 2021. Ireland has provided almost €2.5 million in finding this year for humanitarian and civil society support in Myanmar.
Ireland is also proactively engaging in work at the United Nations Security Council. The Council has expressed deep concerns regarding developments in Myanmar, strongly condemned the use of violence by the military, and called for the release of all those detained. It is welcome that the Security Council has taken a united position on this crisis, sending a strong message to the Myanmar military. Ireland was also a member of the core group of nations who proposed the June 2021 United Nations General Assembly resolution which called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar. The situation remains on the agenda of the Security Council and we will continue to work with partners in search of a resolution to the deepening crisis.
Military rule opens significant scope for further human rights abuses in Myanmar and Ireland has voiced its concern at four sessions of the Human Rights Council since February 2021. We welcome the unanimous resolutions agreed at these sessions which address human rights issues in Myanmar and call on the Myanmar military to take action to remedy them. We have consistently voiced support for international efforts towards ensuring accountability and justice in Myanmar, including the ongoing processes at the IIMM, the ICJ and the ICC.
Ireland, along with our European Union colleagues, has been a steadfast supporter of Myanmar’s civilian and democratic transition, its peace process and national reconciliation, and its inclusive socio-economic development. We are currently working with the European Union to consider further actions which will work to restore the democratic path in Myanmar. Through the UN and our Embassy network, we are encouraging those who have influence on the military leadership, including ASEAN and countries within the region, to use it to find a political resolution to this crisis and protect the human rights of the Myanmar people.
379. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in the processing of a passport application by a person (details supplied) despite the fact that there is an emergency travel case involved and despite the fact that the indicated date of issue was 10 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54271/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service issued a Passport Book to the applicant on 3 November and a Passport Card on 4 November.
The process applied to the application in question has been reviewed and while this was a complex application a delay was incurred in verifying the submitted documents and in checking the applicant’s entitlement to a first time passport.
The Passport Service regrets the inconvenience and stress caused to the applicant in this case.
384. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that are being made to ensure that measures announced by France in retaliation against the UK over the fisheries dispute will not impact the use of the landbridge for hauliers coming to and from Ireland to the mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54520/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that are being made to ensure that the measures announced by France in retaliation against the UK in relation to the fisheries dispute will not impact the use of the landbridge for hauliers coming to and from Ireland to the mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54646/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 389 together.
I understand that discussions are continuing between the UK, France and the European Commission on the question of the implementation of the terms of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) on the licensing of vessels fishing in traditional waters in the UK.
It is vital that all provisions of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement are properly implemented by the UK, and the TCA is clear on this matter: vessels should continue to have access to waters that they have traditionally fished. We support all efforts to resolve this issue quickly through constructive engagement, to protect impacted communities and to ensure full and proper implementation of the TCA.
We remain in close contact at Ministerial and official level with the French Government. Minister McConalogue and Minister of State Byrne have engaged with their counterparts on this specific matter in recent days, including with regard to the impact any retaliatory measures will have on Irish operators.
386. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way a person (details supplied) can secure the return of sensitive information submitted as part of the foreign birth registration application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54532/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing time for FBR applications stood at 18 months due to an unprecedented surge in applications as a result of Brexit and the necessarily rigorous processing that applies to citizenship applications.
The application referenced was registered on 30 September 2020, and is waiting to be processed. All documentation received is being stored in a secure environment.
Due to the pandemic, FBR staff have been reassigned to assist in the delivery of essential services. This has resulted in a pause in overall FBR processing. FBR staff have continued to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. In cases of exceptional urgency FBR applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
The Passport Service is actively preparing to resume processing Foreign Birth Registration applications as soon as possible and an announcement of the resumption date can be expected shortly. My Department is fully committed to allocating the necessary resources to assist with the high volume of applications, with a focus on reducing turnaround times.
The FBR team has been in contact with the applicant regarding their query on the return of their documents.
390. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the established figure and the current strength levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54168/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra391. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the established figure and the current strength levels of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54169/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 391 together.
The table below provides a breakdown, by Branch, of the whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 30th September 2021, which is the latest date for which such data is available, along with those of the agreed establishment.
|
Branch |
Establishment |
Strength |
|
Army |
7,520 |
6,886 |
|
Air Corps |
886 |
726 |
|
Naval Service |
1,094 |
892 |
|
Total |
9,500 |
8,504 |
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).
I have previously acknowledged the current staffing issues within the Defence Forces, particularly within the Naval Service. A range of actions have been taken to address these issues which includes the 15 projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention. Most of these projects have been completed with others being considered in the context of wider public sector pay arrangements.
Other measures undertaken, aimed at retaining capacity, include two Commitment Schemes, one in the Air Corps which has had a stabilising effect on pilot numbers and one in the Naval Service to incentivise sea going duties. In addition, a sea-going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270, introduced in 2020, was extended for the current tax year and increased to €1,500, and will be further extended into 2022.
Concurrent recruitment initiatives have been, and continue to be, undertaken which complement the above retention measures in countering current staffing challenges. Recruitment in 2021 has resulted in 576 inductions as at 5th November which includes 77 inductions into the Naval Service.
Additionally, the independent Commission on the Defence Forces is examining a range of recruitment and retention matters and I look forward to receiving their recommendations, which will be considered and implemented as appropriate.
My focus remains on retaining/restoring all branches of the Defence Forces at their full capacity, but there is no quick fix to the current challenges. In that context, I would reiterate that there has been significant work undertaken to date, and such work continues, but it will take time to see the full effect of the measures introduced.
Question No. 391 answered with Question No. 390.
392. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the established figure and the current total strength of Air Corps personnel; and the number of qualified military pilots, cadet pilots in training, qualified military aircraft maintenance technicians, qualified military avionics technicians and military apprentices in training of both disciplines. [54170/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe military authorities have advised that, on the 3rd November 2021, the current strength of the Air Corps stood at 748 wholetime equivalent personnel, while the establishment strength is 886. The table below shows the requested breakdown of personnel, on the same date:
|
Personnel Stream |
Strength |
|
Qualified pilots |
89 |
|
Cadets currently completing military training |
16 |
|
Young officers in pilot training |
16 |
|
Qualified aircraft maintenance technicians |
133 |
|
Qualified avionics technicians |
34 |
|
Apprentices |
68 |
Cadets are scheduled to commence their Pilot Wings course once they graduate as Officers.
Of the 68 apprentices, 24 are undergoing basic military training along with 3 Direct Entry Aircraft Technicians. The remaining 44 apprentices are undergoing their qualification process and will be streamed into Rotary, Fixed Wing or avionics technician categories during that process.
My focus remains on retaining/restoring all branches of the Defence Forces at their full capacity, but there is no quick fix to the current challenges. In that context, there has been significant work undertaken to date, and such work continues, but it will take time to see the full effect of the measures introduced.
393. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service operations and patrols which have been cancelled to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54171/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary.
Scheduled patrol days can be impacted by a range of factors including adverse weather conditions, unscheduled maintenance as well as staffing issues.
The number of scheduled Naval Service patrols days which have been cancelled up to 30 September 2021 are 210 across the Naval Service fleet.
Notwithstanding some mechanical and staffing issues being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime security operations.
394. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54173/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces who are currently serving overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54174/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.
As at 30th September 2021, there were 565 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel serving overseas, of which 19 were female. On the same date, there were 8,504 wholetime equivalent personnel in the PDF of which 605 were female. The requested breakdown of this strength, by rank, is as follows:
|
OFFICER |
LT GEN |
MAJ GEN |
BRIG GEN |
COL |
LT COL |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
|
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
62 |
52 |
49 |
|
|
OTHER RANKS |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGT |
CPL |
PTE |
CADET |
|
0 |
0 |
5 |
9 |
69 |
101 |
248 |
6 |
In line with current policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. These include:
- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework.
- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces are committed to gender equality and employ a gender perspective in the planning and execution of operations both at home and overseas and in all policies and regulations. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.
- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
Over the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence, a number of projects will be progressed to ensure the development and promotion of strategies that continue to support increased female participation in the Defence Forces.
The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
Question No. 395 answered with Question No. 394.
396. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women members of the Defence Forces who have left in 2021, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54175/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table details the number of women members of the Permanent Defence Force who have left, by month, to the end of September 2021:
|
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Total |
|
No. of Discharges |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
33 |
Personnel leave the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for a number of reasons including, on age grounds, at the end of contract and on voluntary discharge. More than 50% of those who leave the Defence Forces do so with some form of pension. This can make taking up a position in the private sector very attractive where a full-time position, could lead to an increase in an individual’s earnings.
In that context, I have fully acknowledged the retention issues affecting both Officers and Enlisted Personnel. A range of actions have been taken to address these issues which includes the 15 projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention. Most of these projects have been completed, with others being considered in the context of wider public sector pay arrangements.
Complementing these retention measures, a number of recruitment initiatives are playing a role in countering the current staffing challenges, which include re-entry schemes for former members of the PDF.
The Deputy will be aware that as part of the terms of reference of the Independent Commission on the Defence Forces, the Commission is considering appropriate turnover and retention approaches, having regard to work undertaken to date and international best practice, to deliver the capabilities required of a modern military force. I look forward to receiving the Commission’s recommendations.
The Deputy may also be aware that I met recently with participants from the Women of Honour group and with a group of serving female members of the Defence Forces, where I had the opportunity to listen carefully to their experiences, in what were very informative meetings. In addition, participants from the Women of Honour group have met with the Secretary General and senior officials from my Department and I understand these were also productive meetings.
The Terms for an Independent Review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures currently in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces, had been under consideration for several months and are being reviewed in light of these recent meetings and the views expressed. This Review will be undertaken by external and entirely independent and unbiased experts in this field and a range of stakeholders, including the Women of Honour Group and the Representative Associations have been invited recently to engage on the finalisation of those terms.
I have additionally, announced interim measures for both former and serving members of the Defence Forces who have been affected by unacceptable behaviour in the workplace. Former members of the Defence Forces, both male and female, affected by any of the issues raised, are being advised to note details of these supports.
With the support of the Chief of Staff, I remain committed to maximising recruitment and retention of both men and women to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.
397. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a response form the Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54528/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council registers teachers in line with the requirements set out in the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
All applicants for registration are required to submit a completed application form including supporting documentation (e.g. qualification transcripts, Character Reference Forms) and complete the Garda vetting process via the Council. All applicants are advised of both phone and email contact information for the Council.
The Teaching Council has informed my official that they will follow up with the applicant again with a view to finalising her registration.
It is important that the person referred to should continue to liaise directly with the Teaching Council and follow their guidance in order to meet the criteria to obtain her registration.
398. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to schools that have excluded children from certain educational activities, after-school activities, or school trips due to their vaccination status or that of their parents; and if this is in line with the policy of her Department. [54017/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to the safe operation of schools. Public health has consistently advised that schools are safe places for both students and staff because of the infection prevention and control measures in place in our schools.
As part of the public health response to the pandemic, all those who are eligible are being strongly encouraged to avail of a vaccine when it is offered. The vast majority of teachers and staff have now been vaccinated. Those who are not vaccinated are not precluded from safely attending school or taking part in school activities.
Vaccinations are available for all children over 12 years. Children aged 12 to 15 cannot be vaccinated without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The uptake in this age cohort is also very encouraging.
399. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she has engaged with NAMA or a receiver in respect of a site in Donaghcumper, Celbridge, County Kildare that is suitable for a school building project; and if she has an alternative plan in place if the site cannot be secured. [54029/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, My Department have Agreement in Principle with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a suitable site for the project to which you refer at Donaghcumper, Celbridge.
While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
Please rest assured that this project is being given priority attention and we are attempting to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible.
400. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will reassess the application to expand the first-year intake of a secondary school (detail supplied); the schools adjoining it which have spare capacity; and if she has collected details of the waiting lists of this school and of the schools adjoining and the practicality of local children in this rapid growth area having to leave their area for school. [54053/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a major building project to construct permanent accommodation for the school in question is included in the Department’s school building programme. When constructed, the new school will provide accommodation for 1,000 pupils and will also include a special education needs base. The building project is currently at Stage 3 of the architectural planning process (tender action).
My Department has engaged with the Patron of the school in relation to the first year pupil intake for the 2022/2023 academic year and the school has confirmed that the first year intake for 2022/2023 will be 96 pupils.
My Department is satisfied that this intake, together with the capacity in the existing post primary schools in the school planning area (SPA), will be sufficient to cater for first year pupil demand in the SPA.
401. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if a sruth Gaelach will be approved for a school (details supplied) which is a feeder school for a Gaelscoil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54055/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA sruth is a limited provision of tuition through the medium of Irish, within a parent school where English is the language of communication and teaching language of the school. A sruth is an informal arrangement made within a school’s existing resources.
An application to operate a sruth must be supported by the patron of the school. Any such application received by the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered by my Department and a decision will issue to the school in due course.
