Written Answers Nos. 287-300
287. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19034/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels is dedicated to pursuing, securing and protecting Ireland's interests and objectives in the EU. As the State's largest overseas mission, the Permanent Representation has staff posted from the Department of Foreign Affairs and staff seconded from almost all Government Departments.
By negotiating and lobbying on behalf of Ireland, on the instruction of Government Ministers and in close consultation with the home administration, the staff in Ireland's Permanent Representation ensure Ireland’s influence on all EU laws and decisions. They do this by working closely with the 26 other countries in the Council of the European Union, with the Commission, the European Parliament, other institutions, the Council Secretariat, and a wide variety of other stakeholders.
In 2016, there were a total of 84 posted officers in the Permanent Representation. This has increased to 96 posted officers as at March 2022. There are currently 4 vacant secondment posts from other Departments, one of which is expected to be filled imminently. In addition, there is one vacancy in the posted staff from my Department, which will be filled in August 2022.
A list of roles and responsibilities at the Permanent Representation in Brussels updated in November 2021 can be accessed at this link: Staff - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie)
290. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if defibrillators are installed in all offices and buildings accessible by the public in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19171/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has defibrillators installed in all HQ offices and buildings accessible by the public. There are no public bodies and agencies under the remit of my Department.
291. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total value of consultancy contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied) for work with his Department and bodies under the auspices of his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19190/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not awarded consultancy contracts to the company referred to by the Deputy from 1 January 2017 to date. There are no bodies under the auspices of my Department.
292. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19215/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has been the consistent position of the Government that the Stormont House Agreement provides a balanced and comprehensive framework to address the legacy of the Troubles. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented – for the families and victims who have waited for too long.
We have taken every opportunity in our regular engagements with the British Government, including at the recent British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) on 23 March, to set out this position. We have cautioned the British Government strongly against any unilateral action on this most sensitive of issues.
As agreed at the BIIGC in June 2022, the Government joined the British Government and the Northern Irish parties in a process of engagement of these issues, with discussions beginning in July 2021. The intention is to find an agreed way forward that will allow implementing legislation to be introduced in both the UK and Ireland.
As we have consistently stated, a statute of limitations as proposed by the UK Government in their Command Paper is not something the Government can support. It is important to say that there has been a clear message from victims groups throughout this process that this cannot be the way forward. It has also been strongly and publicly opposed by all the parties. It would also go against the conclusions of the UK Government’s own extensive public consultation in Northern Ireland on legacy legislation in 2019. There would be very serious questions as to whether such an approach would be consistent with the obligations of the European Convention on Human Rights, which is itself a key element of the Good Friday Agreement. We believe it would face well-founded legal challenges, causing further years of uncertainly and pain for families.
We have consistently said that we are ready to engage with concerns or issues to do with the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement but any such changes must be discussed and agreed by the parties and both Governments. It is vital that any approach is collective if it is to work, and crucially, that it meets both the needs of victims and our shared international human rights obligations.
293. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any response from the British Government in respect of the unanimous requests of Dáil Éireann for an independent international legal person to have access to the files and papers relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19216/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these All-Party Dáil motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government. At the most recent British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference in Farmleigh on 23 March 2022, I raised the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, as well as other individual legacy cases.
We have made clear to our counterparts that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government, and that there remains an urgent need for a response. The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request, at senior political level and in official level engagement by my Department, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue until a resolution is found.
The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings that was adopted by Dáil Éireann on 25 May 2016, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, calls on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow. The Programme for Government reiterates Ireland’s commitment to engaging with the British Government on this issue as matter of priority, in accordance with the All-Party Dáil motions.
294. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19029/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently provides a number of staff to support Ireland’s engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and the related EU institutions, including the European External Action Service, the European Defence Agency and the European Commission. To this end, officials from the Department are assigned to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) delegation within the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union. A number of the staff are also double hatted and support Ireland’s engagement in NATO Partnership for Peace through the PfP Liaison Office in Brussels. The total current number of staff within my Department that are based and working in the Permanent Representation in Brussels and in the PfP Liaison Office is five.
The breakdown of grade and numbers are as follows:
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
There is currently one post vacant at the grade of Assistant Principal making a total establishment of six. There has been no change in the numbers serving in Brussels since 2016.
The number of staff within my Department who were based and working in Brussels on 23 June 2016 and the breakdown of numbers and grades are as follows:
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total |
6 |
295. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence if defibrillators are installed in all offices and buildings accessible by the public in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19166/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the nature of the business of the Department of Defence, the buildings and offices of the Department and the Defence Forces are not generally open to or accessible by members of the public. However, I can confirm that all Department of Defence offices and premises, including Defence Forces facilities, under my remit have defibrillators installed. The defibrillators are available and accessible to all personnel and staff in these premises.
296. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the total value of consultancy contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied) for work with his Department and bodies under the auspices of his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19185/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. No consultancy contracts were awarded to the company referred to by the Deputy for work with my Department and-or the Army Pensions Board in any of the years 2017 to 2021.
297. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if a reimbursement scheme will be put in place for voluntary taxi drivers who are transporting Ukrainian children to and from local schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18915/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if his Department intends to help with school transport for Ukrainians who have arrived in Glenbeigh, County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18913/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 300 together.
My Department, in consultation with Bus Éireann, is putting in place a new process to facilitate the provision of School Transport Scheme Services for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine. Children will be accommodated on existing services where there is capacity. Children will not be charged for their ticket and normal eligibility criteria will be waived. If there is no service or capacity, a grant can be offered to the family as appropriate.
Further details will issue shortly in regard to this process. In the meantime, Department is dealing with requests on a case by case basis. Queries/requests should be addressed to School Transport at transportapplications@education.gov.ie or by phone during office hours to 057 9325467.
298. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied) who requires bus transport to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In general children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest post primary school/post primary centre.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Bus Éireann has advised that while the pupil referred to by the Deputy is attending a school that is not their nearest school and therefore does not meet the eligibility requirements, the pupil has been successful in obtaining a concessionary ticket and has commenced on the Bus Éireann School Transport service on 5 April 2022.
299. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education her views on whether it is appropriate that a member of an education and training board senior management team direct an investigation into a school under CL 48/2018 in which such a member could be conflicted or party to the issues being looked into. [18909/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraETBs and Principals have a responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of education and the management of staff in a school as set out in the Education Act 1998. Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 provides for the suspension and dismissal of teachers and principals by employers. The Minister for Education has no role in such matters.
Circular 48/2018 sets out agreed procedures between Employers and Unions to be used in the case of individual disciplinary cases but the Department is not involved in such procedures and is not a party to any individual process. The only role for the Minister of Education in the circular is in nominating people to the list of independent chairs for use in appeals under the procedures.
While no procedures can be definitive about the range of circumstances which might give rise to the initiation of disciplinary procedures in general these are likely to be related to misconduct, a threat to the health and safety of students and/or sustained failure to perform adequately the professional duties and responsibilities expected of a teacher. The procedures provide for two separate and independent strands which should be utilised in appropriate circumstances, namely (i) procedure relating to professional competence issues and (ii) Procedure relating to work, conduct and matters other than professional competence.
The procedures are designed to deal solely with issues of employment and supersede all prior existing disciplinary procedures in existence save for those provided in law. The actual operation of the procedures including any investigation is a matter for the employer. The circular does set out that individuals may be placed on administrative leave while an investigation is carried, where the circumstances warrant, and that any process should to comply with the general principles of natural justice.
As outlined in Department Circular 48/2018 all matters relating to the disciplinary procedure are strictly confidential to the parties and their representatives. These procedures are without prejudice to the right of a teacher to have recourse to the law to protect his/her employment.
