Written Answers Nos. 357-370
357. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated amount that it would cost to pay postgraduate research students a stipend for 40 hours per week (details supplied); the cost per research postgraduate student; and the cost for all postgraduate research students in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18984/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDoctoral education programmes in Ireland educate and develop researchers to the highest skills levels so that they become creative, critical and independent individuals who will advance the boundaries of research. Through the process of doctoral education, the student is provided with opportunities to develop a range of skills to a very advanced level. These skills relate both to the research process itself and to broader professional training and development.
In the academic year 2020/21, there were some 7,938 full time PhD students enrolled. There were also 1,352 full time research Masters students. In total there were 30,059 full time postgraduate students enrolled in the academic year 2020/21. In addition, there are also part-time students enrolled in these categories.
In relation to PhD students, a number would be in receipt of grants from research funders, a number would be receiving institutional or other scholarships, while others would be self-funded.
PhD students undertake a range of elements designed to further their training and development. In particular PhD students, in addition to conducting research, participate in other activities to develop generic and transferable skills, which can include a range of academic support activities, such as taking tutorial groups, demonstrating at practical classes, co-supervising undergraduate projects and student mentoring.
I do not have full information on the hours involved by the PhD students in these activities to determine the basis upon which to make an estimate taking all of these factors into account.
358. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science 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. [19035/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has one member of staff based and working with the European Union in Brussels, as Research and Innovation Attaché in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union. The officer represents Ireland at the Working Party on Research. The Working Party on Research handles matters in the research and innovation area, including legislation, before they are discussed in the Competitiveness Council meetings.
The working party mainly focuses on:
- European research framework programmes and other European research and innovation-related instruments
- European Research Area (ERA) and general framework conditions for European research
- international agreements in the area of research, science and technology
Additionally, the officer works closely with all teams within the Permanent Representation of Ireland in ensuring that they contribute to overall collective Ireland interests.
There is also work carried out on behalf of my Department by the Education Attaché in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union. The Education Attaché is Department of Education staff and represents education interests for both departments in Brussels. The Education Attaché post is a key position within the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, particularly in light of the significantly increased profile of education and training issues in the EU’s European Education Area Initiative, EU Education and Training Strategy and European Semester process. The Attaché has involvement in education issues at all levels in which European policy co-operation is being developed and in Ireland’s participation in European Programmes, including Erasmus+, the European Social Fund, the European Globalisation Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative. In addition, the Attaché represents the Department on the Education committee, OECD Education Policy Committee in Paris and participates in related OECD activities, as necessary.
The position on 23 June 2016 was that my Department had not been formed.
359. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science 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. [19172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department shares a number of office locations with the Department of Education. I have been in touch with their officials and can confirm that defibrillators are available in the shared locations in Athlone, Tullamore and Marlborough Street.
My Department also has an office located on St Stephen's Green, I can confirm that a defibrillator is available at this location.
In addition, my Department promotes a policy of recruitment and training of Occupational First Aiders from within its internal staff cohort. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the operation of Automated External Defibrillator devices are both primary components of all such training programmes.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with her query.
360. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total value of consultancy contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied) for work with his Department and bodies under auspices of his Department in each of the years from 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science came into existence in 2020. Prior to the department's establishment the information regarding consultancy was managed and published by the Department of Education and is available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/department-of-education-and-skills-expenditure-on-consultancy/.
The data in respect of 2021 are being compiled as part of the Appropriation Account and will be published online as soon as it is available at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-higher-education-innovation-and-science/.
361. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí suspended from duty who have had their suspension lifted by the courts in each year since 2018 to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
The Garda Commissioner has sole responsibility and authority regarding the suspension of members of An Garda Síochána. The Courts do not have any role in the oversight of a member’s suspension, other than to rule on its lawfulness where proceedings are taken, and the Garda Commissioner is bound by the Court’s ruling in those instances.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that in the period from 2018 to date, one member has had their suspension lifted arising out of Court proceedings.
362. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí notified by the Garda Commissioner of his intention to dismiss them from An Garda Síochána in which the courts subsequently reversed this decision in each year since 2018 to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18991/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
363. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff within her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [19038/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) team at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels currently consists of seven officials from the Department of Justice made up of one Counsellor, four Attachés and two administrative staff. There are currently no vacancies in the JHA team.
The role of officials in the JHA team is to offer assistance to Ministers and other delegates during their visits to Brussels, and to advance Irish policy objectives and the Department’s mission in EU matters under the direction of the relevant Departmental experts.
Staff of the Permanent Representation participate in the various Council working groups dealing with Justice and Home Affairs issues, to support the Minister for Justice in attending and participating in EU Justice & Home Affairs Councils, and more generally to ensure good communication between the Department of Justice in Dublin and relevant contacts in the EU institutions and other EU Member States.
On 23 June 2016, the JHA team at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels consisted of five officials from the Department of Justice, made up of one Counsellor, two Attachés and two administrative staff.
364. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of 3 February 2022, if the draft report has been reviewed by her Department; the status of the public consultation; the likely timeline for her Department to finalise its consideration of these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19131/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, among the recommendations made in the Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Reform of the Family Law System was that consideration be given to whether laws should be amended to take into account situations where one parent is wrongfully influencing their child or children against the other parent, thereby creating unfair and unwarranted alienation that can be destructive and life lasting.
In that regard and to better inform further discussion on parental alienation, my Department arranged for research to be carried out.
The aims of the research included to:
- Identify the various definitions and characteristics of parental alienation being used internationally.
- Investigate what is known about the prevalence of this issue (in Ireland or internationally) through examination of the literature.
- Identify and outline the various approaches and responses being taken in other jurisdictions to deal with the issue of parental alienation (legislative and otherwise).
- Describe, outline and evaluate any studies which have examined the effectiveness of these various international approaches and assess the relevance of these studies to the Irish context.
I am pleased to say that a draft report was received by my Department at the end of November. This report was reviewed and my officials have engaged with the authors regarding some clarifications on the initial draft. The authors have agreed to undertake some further work on the report.
It is also my intention to commence a public consultation on the topic shortly. Both the research and consultation will, I expect, create a deeper understanding of the issue, and inform my Department’s consideration of policy and law in this area.
The best interests of the child will of course be paramount in any considerations.
365. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional resources will be provided for Garda divisions such as Cavan and Monaghan in view of the unique policing demands in the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19151/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible, under Section 33 of the Act, for the deployment of Garda members and staff throughout the State. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I am advised, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continuous review to ensure their optimum use in light of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, operational demand and emerging crime trends.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 28 February 2022, the latest date for which the information is available, there were 382 Gardaí assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Division. This is an increase of 20% compared to December 2015, when there were 318 Gardaí assigned to the Division.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that there has been an increase recently in supervisory resources within the Division with the allocation of 6 additional Sergeants. This has included the assignment of three Sergeants to Monaghan District, two to Cavan and one to Bailieborough. The Deputy will also be aware that the recently launched Armed Support Unit (ASU) in the area has enhanced and supported border policing and security.
366. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 595 of 15 February 2022, the position regarding the restoration of services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19163/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the management of the Garda Estate. I can advise the Deputy that a new Garda Capital Plan is currently undergoing consideration between my Department, An Garda Síochána and the OPW. In this regard I have sought an update from the Commissioner on the position with respect to the location referred to, and will write to the Deputy when I have this information.
367. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if defibrillators are installed in all offices and buildings accessible by the public in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is available.
368. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice the total value of consultancy contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied) for work with her Department and bodies under auspices of her Department in each of the years from 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that there were no contracts awarded to the named organisation by my Department or the offices, agencies and bodies under its remit, in the timeframe outlined.
369. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the labelling requirements under Irish law in relation to food products that contain GMO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFood products which contain authorised genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may be marketed in the EU. Under current legislation if more than 0.9% of a food or an ingredient is derived from a genetically modified source, then it must be labelled accordingly.
For pre-packaged products consisting of, or containing GMOs, the words ‘This product contains genetically modified organisms’ or ‘This product contains genetically modified [name of organism(s)]’ must appear on the label.
For non-pre-packaged products consisting of, or containing GMOs, offered to the final consumer the words ‘This product contains genetically modified organisms’ or ‘This product contains genetically modified [name of organism(s)]’ must appear on, or in connection with, the display of the product.
The FSAI is the competent authority for GM foods in Ireland. It monitors food to ensure that only EU-authorised GM foods and ingredients are on the market and that they comply with the labelling requirements.
370. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the extremely long waiting time that primary school children are forced to endure to receive orthodontic appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18905/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
