Written Answers Nos. 433-452
434. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if documents have been received for a first-time baby passport application by a person (details supplied); the status of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11694/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicants' parent directly and advised that the documents have been received.
The Passport Service regrets that the Passport Tracker recently experienced technical issues which resulted in the tracker not correctly updating a small number of applications. The Passport Service became aware of the issue earlier this month and initiated an investigation at that point. This issue has been identified and is now fixed. While it has not been possible to immediately update all affected applications on the tracker, this will happen automatically when these applications reach the next stage of the process.
435. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application for a passport will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason, despite the fact that the application was lodged on 13 January 2022, that the applicant was only notified that there was a problem with their application via a letter sent to them in the past week; if the passport will issue to the applicant on time now that all documentation has been returned to the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11721/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was received on 17 January 2022 via Passport Express. The current average processing time for Passport Express applications is 8 weeks. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent directly to advise them of the status of the application.
436. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 637 of 22 February 2022, the steps that his Department has taken to ensure that persons can come to Ireland from Ukraine in the quickest way possible given the current urgency of the situation. [11740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased that my colleague the Minister for Justice announced on 25 February the lifting of visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals travelling to Ireland. This is effective immediately, and Ukrainian nationals who are considering leaving Ukraine to travel to Ireland can do so without a visa, if they judge it safe to travel.
My Department meanwhile continues to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens currently in Ukraine. The situation on the ground remains, of course, very difficult. A dedicated phone line has been established in my Department for any Irish citizen requiring emergency consular assistance and the number is +353 1 613 1700.
Ireland is continuing to co-ordinate with our EU partners and others on issues relating to exit routes from Ukraine. Updated travel advice is available at dfa.ie/travel for Ukraine, as well as for neighbouring countries that people may be planning to travel to or through.
439. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if funds will be allocated to the United Nations Population Fund supplies as part of Ireland’s overseas development assistance budget for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11753/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUNFPA is an important Irish Aid partner, which will receive €4 million in unearmarked core funding this year. No specific funding for the UNFPA Supplies Programme is proposed.
440. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Defence the progress made on the equality objectives of his Department specifically in relation to women. [11069/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department continues to operate in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in recruitment, promotion, training and experience of the workplace. Recruitment of civil servants is carried out for the Department by the Public Appointments Service which undertakes recruitment underpinned by its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023.
The Department's policy is that all personnel be accorded equality of opportunity and treatment. Women make up 60% of the membership of the Management Board of the Department. In 2021, 36% of Principals and 51% of Assistant Principal Officer posts were held by women. Overall, 47% of staff at the grades of Assistant Principal and upwards were filled by women. A Defence Women's Network is in place to support the full participation and progression of women in the Department
441. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Defence when he and-or the relevant Minister of State and his Department were each first notified of the proposed military exercises by the Russian Federation which were originally proposed to be conducted in Ireland’s exclusive economic zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11187/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy has highlighted, Russian naval exercises took place off the south west coast of Ireland in early February in an area outside Ireland's EEZ. My Department was informed of the planned exercises on Thursday 20th January via notification received from the Department of Transport. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) was informed of the planned exercises by Russian Authorities via standard procedures and issued a statement to that effect.
These exercises were originally planned to take place inside Ireland's EEZ. Under international law, including UNCLOS, states are entitled to carry out naval exercises in another state’s EEZ. It is not unusual for naval ships or vessels of other States to carry out training exercises within the Irish EEZ or to passage through this area. This is not in any way an infringement of our national territory. Foreign militaries are not obliged in most cases to inform the coastal authorities of their proposed activities.
442. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if and the way it was made clear to attendees and representatives of an organisation (details supplied) and other persons that the Minister of State in his Department was not representing his Department in the meetings detailed in his official diary; and if they were given the impression that the Minister of State was attending on behalf of his Department. [11196/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister Chambers was assigned an additional role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence in November 2020 in order to fill a position as a member of the Council of Defence. The requirement for a Minister of State for Defence, in this regard, arises from the provisions of section 11 of the Defence Act, 1954 on the establishment of the Council for Defence. Responsibility for defence policies, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces is with the Minister for Defence.
Minister of State Chambers receives meeting requests and has engaged in a number of meetings in relation to defence matters since his appointment in order to keep himself appraised of such matters. The Minister of State was accompanied by an official from my Department at the meetings referred to in the question.
443. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the purpose of the meeting labelled in the diary of Minister of State in his Department as briefing with defence involving persons (details supplied) on 2 November 2021. [11202/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence, officials from my Department meet with Minister Chambers from time to time as required. The meeting referred to by the deputy was to brief the Minister in advance of the Report Stage debate in Seanad Éireann on the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020.
444. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the capital works that were carried out at Casement Aerodrome in 2021 and to date in 2022; and the estimated cost of each capital works project, in tabular form. [11233/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Departments Infrastructure Development Plan the following capital works were at various stages of construction at Casement Aerodrome during 2021 and 2022:
|
Capital Project |
Estimated Cost- Vat Inc |
|
Watermains Upgrade |
€1m |
|
Upgrade of LED Runway Lighting |
€0.4m |
|
25M no danger area firing range and ancillary works |
€0.353m |
|
Hangar 5 Fire Detection and Suppression system |
€0.260m |
|
ISTAR Facility - Bldg 43 |
€0.214m |
|
Hardstanding to take helicopter training platform |
€0.210m |
|
Replacement of Standby Generators |
€0.2m |
|
Hard Standing Breathing Apparatus House Fire Training Ground |
€0.157m |
The Deputy may also wish to note a Design Team was recently appointed in respect of the development of a new Military Medical Facility at Casement Aerodrome.
445. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the estimated amount of the unspent allocation under Vote 36 for each of the years 2018 to 2021, in tabular form. [11234/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn an annual basis, the Vote 36 (Defence) allocation is determined within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Éireann, with multi-annual capital envelopes determined as part of the overarching National Development Plan.
The Defence Vote Group also includes Vote 35 (Army Pensions). Expenditure under the Army Pensions Vote is essentially demand-driven and non-discretionary. In any given year, it is very difficult to predict accurately the exact number of voluntary early retirements from the Defence Forces with entitlement to immediate payment of retirement benefits and as a result, there can be an underspend or a requirement for additional funding. Such additional funding is met through the Supplementary Estimate process. In 2018, an additional €3.5 million was required and in 2019, an additional €1.9 million was needed. These amounts were met from savings in Vote 36 (Defence).
Any savings arising in Vote 36 (Defence), with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, when not utilised to meet requirements in the Army Pensions Vote, are normally reallocated to address spending pressures elsewhere in Vote 36 (Defence). However in 2021, similar to many other Public Service organisations, the impact of Covid-19 and supply chain difficulties limited the extent to which my Department was able to re-direct these savings.
The Vote 36 (Defence) Gross Budget Allocation and amounts unspent for the years 2018-2021 are as outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
Vote 36 (Defence) Gross Allocation €m |
Vote 36 (Defence) Gross Outturn €m |
Amount Reallocated for Vote 35 Supplementary Estimate (€m) |
Unspent Allocation €m |
|
2018 |
€707.3 |
€701.4 |
€3.5 |
€2.4 |
|
2019 |
€758.1 |
€756.1 |
€1.9 |
€0.1 |
|
2020 |
€781.1 |
€781.0 |
n/a |
€0.1 |
|
2021* |
€809.8 |
€786.9 |
n/a |
€22.9 |
*Provisional Outturn
446. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the number of days that naval vessels were engaged in patrolling activities annually between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021. [11458/22]
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. In terms of fishery protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the EEZ. The Naval Service also carry out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance, and as such any Naval Service patrol should be viewed as a multifaceted activity.
The number of Fishery Patrol and Non-Fishery Patrol days completed from 2016 to 2021 are detailed below:
|
Year |
Fishery patrol days |
Non-Fishery patrol days |
Total Patrol days |
|
2016 |
1068 |
308 |
1376 |
|
2017 |
1091 |
317 |
1408 |
|
2018 |
1076 |
221 |
1297 |
|
2019 |
1036 |
25 |
1061 |
|
2020 |
781 |
226 |
1007 |
|
2021 |
766 |
66 |
832 |
Scheduled patrol days can be impacted by a range of factors including adverse weather conditions and unscheduled maintenance, as well as staffing issues.
At any one time the Naval Service can have a number of ships that are on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst a number of others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance and down time for ships companies. The high level of non-fisheries patrol days 2016-2018 can largely be attributed to the Naval Service's participation in Operations Pontus and Sophia in the Mediterranean during these years.
In July 2019, the Naval Service reduced its operational flotilla to six ships, placing two ships on operational pause, while a third ship entered a mid-life re-fit programme. The LÉ Roisín came back into operation last year following her mid-life re-fit, while the LÉ Niamh has begun her mid-life re-fit following the fire on board in October 2020. The reduction in overall Patrol Days 2020-2021 is mainly due to issues relating to Covid 19 as one of the ships, LÉ Ciara, could not go to sea given its inability, due to its size, to implement safely the necessary Covid 19 'clean ship' precautions. The fire on board the LÉ Niamh also contributed to the reduction in scheduled Patrol Days in 2020. A shortage of suitably qualified and experienced personnel during the period in question was also a factor. I acknowledge these challenges have had an impact on overall planned Patrol Days.
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. My focus is on returning the Naval Service to its full capacity.
447. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the measures that are in place to ensure that Defence Forces personnel serving on naval vessels during patrol activities are getting sufficient rest and recreation time. [11459/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 which transposed into Irish Law, the EU Working Time Directive. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána within the scope of its provisions, where appropriate.
Responsibility for preparing an appropriate legislative framework lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Officials from my Department are working closely with this Department to progress the regulatory amendment required to remove the blanket exclusion and bring the Defence Forces within the parameters of the Act, whilst having regard to some activities which may require exemption or derogation from the provisions of the Act.
The Working Time Directive, as the Deputy is aware, recognises the unique nature of certain military activities and allows for derogations or exemptions of such activities. A significant amount of work undertaken by civil and military management has determined that a high percentage of the normal everyday work of the Defence Forces is already in compliance and that a range of activities may also qualify for exemption. Legal interpretation of the Directive continues to evolve and recent case law relating to military service is also informing the deliberations of civilian and military management. It is understood that these deliberations are at an advanced stage and will feed into amendments to the legislative framework.
The operational profile of Naval Ships is a security matter and details of operational routines cannot be discussed. That notwithstanding, the Officer Commanding of each ship has the authority and discretion to allocate rest periods to the ship’s crew during operational deployments whilst maintaining operational readiness to respond as required. Ships crews are afforded rest and leave time during self-maintenance periods at the Naval Base whilst the ship is not operationally deployed.
I can assure the Deputy that the health and safety of personnel in the Defence Forces remains a priority for myself and the Chief of Staff and we remain fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied throughout the Defence Forces.
448. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence the policy instructions or policy documents that he has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since coming into office. [11594/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the Property Management Branch of my Department, which monitors applications for planning consents in the context of the potential impact on military installations, has not issued policy instructions nor policy documents as referred to by the Deputy.
449. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the status of the transfer of lands at Rockbrae House in Bray to Wicklow County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraContracts for Sale have been exchanged and the formal legal transfer should conclude shortly, subject to the normal exigencies of the conveyancing process.
450. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Defence if a singular amendment can be made to Defence Force Regulation A9 to allow for the provision of a pandemic service medal for the Defence Forces (details supplied) given the acknowledgment of the significant contribution made by the Defence Forces during Operation Fortitude to the HSE and to the populace of Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11722/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government Covid-19 response. A wide range of supports have since been provided by the Defence Forces to the HSE as well as to other Departments and Agencies, including support to the ongoing vaccination programme. Currently the focus remains on dealing with the ongoing Recovery phase.
As the Deputy is aware, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces in line with Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9, which sets out the qualifying criteria, delineates the procedures required for the awarding of Defence Forces Medals and sets out the various types of medal awards. Currently there are no plans to amend DFR A9 in relation to the introduction of new medals and the question of issuing a medal to Defence Forces personnel engaged in aid-to-the-civil-authority operations in conjunction with the Health Service Executive or in Operation FORTITUDE, is not under consideration at this point in time.
451. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received for assisted technology for students in primary school in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive; the number which were successful; the average length of time the process took; the budget allocated to this specific assistance scheme; the funding allocated to each school in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10873/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum.
It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.
Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, and which have a general application outside of school, are not provided for under the Assistive Technology scheme, however. Such equipment is normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
An appeal can be made against a refusal to provide an assistive technology grant to a school on the grounds that it does not fulfil the criteria set out in this circular, or an appeal can be made against the refusal of the Department to sanction equipment recommended by an NCSE SENO, to sanction part of the recommendation, or to sanction an alternative form of equipment other than that recommended in a professional report.
The appeals process is outlined on the Department’s website gov.ie/en/form/e583f8-assistive-technology-appeal-by-school-form/.
Where there is a lack of clarity with regard to the appropriateness or requirement for the provision of equipment applied for, the Department may seek the advice of the National Centre for Technology in Education, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), the Special Education Support Service or the Departments Inspectorate Division.
If new information becomes available, it is open to the school to submit a new application to the SENO for consideration.
It is also open to parents to contact SENOs directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/seno-contact-list.
A review of the assistive technology scheme and circular has begun this year and a working group has been established to progress this review.
My Department does not hold a record of the average wait time from start of application to the time a student receives their assistive technology, however I can confirm that 791 applications have been received via the NCSE since January 2022 and there is currently no backlog.
Expenditure 2017-2021
|
YEAR |
Primary |
|
2017 |
1,922,583 |
|
2018 |
1,702,652 |
|
2019 |
1,925,577 |
|
2020 |
1,510,466 |
|
2021 (provisional) |
2,687,734 |
Laptops and associated equipment / software Primary
|
YEAR |
Applications |
Approvals |
Refusals/Incomplete applications |
|
2017 |
2273 |
1946 |
327 |
|
2018 |
2447 |
2122 |
320 |
|
2019 |
3007 |
2280 |
727 |
|
2020 |
2675 |
2105 |
570 |
|
2021 |
3939 |
3031 |
908 |
Specialised equipment for the visually and hearing impaired
|
YEAR |
Applications |
Approvals |
|
2017 |
557 |
557 |
|
2018 |
537 |
537 |
|
2019 |
545 |
545 |
|
2020 |
460 |
460 |
|
2021 |
536 |
536 |
452. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education when her Department will respond to the recommendations outlined in the report by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of published reports have highlighted the ongoing needs of survivors of institutional abuse and the lifelong difficulties they may experience. A survivor-led consultative forum was also established and has provided a very good insight into the areas where supports may be provided in the future.
This work, including the reports produced by the consultative forum, are currently being considered by my Department with input from colleagues from other Departments. Significant resources are being devoted to progressing this which will feed into my consideration of proposals to Government in this context.
