Written Answers Nos. 65-80
65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to clarify whether the Barron inquiry was in receipt of all relevant files relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and any files that related to suspected perpetrators of those bombings. [25818/24]
View answerThe Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings led by the late Mr Justice Henry Barron was published in December 2003.
A sub-committee of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights was established to consider the Report and produce recommendations. These recommendations were published in March 2004 as the Final Report on the Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings.
Mr. Justice Barron made clear in his report (pages 12-20), and in his presentation to the Joint Oireachtas sub-committee, that he was satisfied that his Inquiry received all relevant documentation from official sources in this State that had not been lost or destroyed over time.
66. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the policing reform implementation programme office in his Department. [26186/24]
View answerA Policing Service for our Future is the Government’s Plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
The Implementation of the Plan has been overseen by a dedicated Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach and an Implementation Group on Policing Reform (IGPR), chaired by an independent person.
This phase is expected to conclude this year in line with the enhanced governance and accountability framework laid out in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill coming into effect.
A significant focus of the Implementation Plan has been concerned with strengthening the internal capabilities of An Garda Síochána so that the organisation possesses the capacity to drive future reform.
The new Bill will establish a Garda Board to help this process and will be complemented by external agencies such as the Policing and Community Safety Authority and Fiosrú, the reconstituted Police Ombudsman.
Given that the Report on the Commission of the Future of Policing in Ireland called for greater clarity and coherence in terms of police governance, it would be important to ensure that future governance is as streamlined and clear as possible.
This would help to continue the reform process which has already achieved significant progress including:
· Progressing the Operating Model for An Garda Síochána, which will enable a more visible, responsive and localised policing service to communities nationwide.
· Conclusion of the three pilot Local Community Safety Partnerships in Dublin’s North Inner City, Waterford City and County and Longford County which will inform the national roll-out of these arrangements in 2024.
· The Garda workforce was larger at the end of 2023 than at any year before 2019 and recent recruitment has been strong following the Government decision to increase the entry age limit to apply to become a Garda trainee from 35 years to 50.
· Distribution of nearly 15,000 digital communication devices enabling front-line gardái to perform their duties without returning to stations.
· Implementation of new human rights structures, strategies and training across the organisation; and
· Introduction of a three-year Garda Health and Wellbeing Strategy which recognises the stresses a Garda can face and provides assistance to deal with them.
There has also been progress on legislative reform:
· the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2023 which provides for the most wide-ranging and coherent reform of policing in a generation.
· the Garda Síochána (Digital Recordings) Act, which concerns the use of recording devices, including body worn cameras, was signed into law by the President on 5 December 2023, and is being piloted in three Garda Divisions
· In June Cabinet approved the drafting of a General Scheme for a new Garda Bill on Facial Recognition Technology.
This new Bill will deal with the concerns raised on FRT and allow for the prioritisation of the enactment of the Recording Devices Bill before the end of the year.
· the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill which combines and modernises police powers of search, arrest and detention.
In addition, the Garda Síochána Operational Areas Act came into law in 2021 to underpin the new Garda Operating Model.
These achievements represent only some of the wide range of actions completed or being progressed. The Implementation Group on Policing Reform is currently focused on the arrangements for ensuring the smooth transition to the new statutory governance and oversight arrangements.
67. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the implementation group on policing reform. [26187/24]
View answerA Policing Service for our Future is the Government’s Plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
The Implementation of the Plan has been overseen by a dedicated Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach and an Implementation Group on Policing Reform (IGPR), chaired by an independent person.
This phase is expected to conclude this year in line with the enhanced governance and accountability framework laid out in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill coming into effect.
A significant focus of the Implementation Plan has been concerned with strengthening the internal capabilities of An Garda Síochána so that the organisation possesses the capacity to drive future reform.
The new Bill will establish a Garda Board to help this process and will be complemented by external agencies such as the Policing and Community Safety Authority and Fiosrú, the reconstituted Police Ombudsman.
Given that the Report on the Commission of the Future of Policing in Ireland called for greater clarity and coherence in terms of police governance, it would be important to ensure that future governance is as streamlined and clear as possible.
This would help to continue the reform process which has already achieved significant progress including:
· Progressing the Operating Model for An Garda Síochána, which will enable a more visible, responsive and localised policing service to communities nationwide.
· Conclusion of the three pilot Local Community Safety Partnerships in Dublin’s North Inner City, Waterford City and County and Longford County which will inform the national roll-out of these arrangements in 2024.
· The Garda workforce was larger at the end of 2023 than at any year before 2019 and recent recruitment has been strong following the Government decision to increase the entry age limit to apply to become a Garda trainee from 35 years to 50.
· Distribution of nearly 15,000 digital communication devices enabling front-line gardái to perform their duties without returning to stations.
· Implementation of new human rights structures, strategies and training across the organisation; and
· Introduction of a three-year Garda Health and Wellbeing Strategy which recognises the stresses a Garda can face and provides assistance to deal with them.
There has also been progress on legislative reform:
· the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2023 which provides for the most wide-ranging and coherent reform of policing in a generation.
· the Garda Síochána (Digital Recordings) Act, which concerns the use of recording devices, including body worn cameras, was signed into law by the President on 5 December 2023, and is being piloted in three Garda Divisions
· In June Cabinet approved the drafting of a General Scheme for a new Garda Bill on Facial Recognition Technology.
This new Bill will deal with the concerns raised on FRT and allow for the prioritisation of the enactment of the Recording Devices Bill before the end of the year.
· the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill which combines and modernises police powers of search, arrest and detention.
In addition, the Garda Síochána Operational Areas Act came into law in 2021 to underpin the new Garda Operating Model.
These achievements represent only some of the wide range of actions completed or being progressed. The Implementation Group on Policing Reform is currently focused on the arrangements for ensuring the smooth transition to the new statutory governance and oversight arrangements.
68. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the child poverty and well-being unit of his Department. [26200/24]
View answer70. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work carried out as part of Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Well-being 2023-25. [26202/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 70 together.
The Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office was established in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2023 to prioritise action across government in areas that will have the greatest impact for children and families experiencing poverty.
From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Well-being 2023-2025 was published last year and is the initial Programme Plan for the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office.
The Programme Plan takes a focused approached on six key areas which have the potential to bring about significant change for children and their families. These are:
1. Income supports and joblessness
2. Early learning and childcare
3. Reducing the cost of education
4. Family homelessness
5. Consolidating and integrating public health, family and parental assistance, and well-being services
6. Enhancing participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty
The Programme is intended to be a living and dynamic document. If we need to, we will revisit our priorities to make sure we are focusing on those things that will really make a difference.
The role of the Department of the Taoiseach is to co-ordinate and focus government action.
To help facilitate this, the Programme Office has established a Cross-Government Network on Child Poverty and Well-being. Three Network meetings have taken place to date.
The Office also hosted an inaugural Child Poverty and Well-being Summit on 23 May 2024 in Dublin Castle.
A summary report on the Summit will be published by the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in due course.
As well as focusing on the implementation of government commitments across the six key areas, the Office is undertaking a small number of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of cross-government responses.
The first of these was a commitment to focusing on children and their families who are experiencing poverty in Budget 2024.
The Programme Office applied a cross-government approach, that culminated in the development of the report Breaking the Cycle: New Measures in Budget 2024 to Reduce Child Poverty and Promote Well-being published in November 2023.
The Programme Office is building on this work and will seek to support and deepen the focus on child poverty and well-being in Budget 2025.
My vision for Ireland is a country where all children are given an equal chance, where we break down the barriers to education, where we give people the security of home ownership and the certainty of dignity in ill health and old age. A country where we realise a fair, caring, tolerant and diverse society, founded on the strong economy and full employment. We can underpin this societal aspiration by setting an overarching goal. Ending child poverty is that overarching goal and we will make Ireland the best country in Europe to be a child. This will be the guiding focus of everything I do.
69. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the proposed child poverty and well-being summit scheduled to take place this year. [26201/24]
View answerI was delighted to host the Child Poverty and Well-being Summit on Thursday 23rd May in Dublin Castle.
I welcomed the former UK Prime Minister and Chancellor the Right Honourable Gordon Brown, who shared what he had learned from his experience of reducing child poverty rates in the UK in his keynote address. My colleague Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth also gave a keynote address.
Children’s participation was an important feature of the day and included an art exhibition, a specially written musical performance from Music Generation, and engagement with our Youth Advisory Group on Child Poverty and Well-being.
It was a pleasure to see the artistic contributions from children and young people and it was a highlight of my day to meet many of the children and young people on the day of the Summit.
The Summit itself had three objectives: to increase the focus on child poverty across government, take stock of progress and learning to date, and to inform future considerations.
To further that end, policymakers from across the public service were in attendance, as well as representatives from the non-Government sector and research organisations. A panel discussion took place in the morning and 17 innovative Case Clinics on realising the ambition of working together took place in the afternoon. Case Clinic topics were wide ranging and included preventing family homelessness, maximising the impact of social welfare payments, and improving educational outcomes for migrant children.
A summary report on the Summit will be published by the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in due course.
Further details about the Summit and the Report will be available on: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/7c189-child-poverty-and-well-being-programme-office/
71. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet committee on children, education and disability, outlining the number of times it has met this year. [26203/24]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability oversees Programme for Government commitments relating to Children, Education and Disability and receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being, local area disadvantage and the reform of disability services.
In addition to the meetings of the full Cabinet and of Cabinet committees, I meet Ministers on an individual basis to focus on different issues.
Disability services are a key focus for me and this Government and this is why I have established this new Cabinet Committee.
The Committee will have a particular focus on the forthcoming new National Disability Strategy which will set out the blueprint for further realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The membership of the Cabinet Committee comprises the:
· Taoiseach;
· Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence;
· Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and for Transport;
· Minister for Health;
· Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth;
· Minister for Education;
· Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform;
· Minister for Finance;
· Minister for Social Protection and for Rural and Community Development;
· Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and,
· Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Minister of State with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, and the Minister of State for Disability will be invited to participate in all of the Cabinet Committee meetings. Other Ministers or Ministers of State will be invited to participate as required.
Two meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability have taken place to date since its establishment in April. It will meet again on 24 June and in July.
72. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if discussions will begin on applying another round of tough sanctions on Russia at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting. [25900/24]
View answerIreland has consistently supported strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal aggression in Ukraine. The sanctions adopted to date are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. These targeted measures are focused on impeding Russia’s ability to wage war.
Over 2,000 individuals and entities are now subject to travel bans and asset freeze measures. There are also a broad range of targeted sectoral measures in place, including restrictions on the export of sensitive goods and technology from the EU to Russia to prevent Russia from accessing key materials for its military, energy, technology and transport sectors.
On 23 February 2024, the EU adopted a 13th package of sanctions, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine. That package included the listing of almost 200 additional individuals and companies involved in Russia’s war effort and the addition of 27 Russian and third country companies to the list of entities associated with Russia's military-industrial complex subject to tighter export controls. The package also included further measures targeting the sale and supply of drone components to Russia.
Discussions are currently ongoing on a 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which I hope to see adopted shortly. We welcome the focus in this package on further strengthening efforts to combat circumvention, in particular to limit Russia’s access to sensitive items and battlefield goods.
In discussions with EU partners, Ireland will continue to emphasise the need to maintain pressure on Russia through the adoption of strong, targeted sanctions.
73. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be escalated as the applicant’s travel date is imminent and the application has passed the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25935/24]
View answer74. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be escalated as the applicant’s travel date is imminent and the application has passed the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25936/24]
View answer78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the passport given the application was submitted in March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25983/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74 and 78 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
75. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 30 May 2024, the reason a passport application (details supplied) has not been processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25955/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the case for a refund will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25957/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, a refund was issued on 11 June 2024.
77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite a passport application and provide an update (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25964/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 4 June 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
79. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to two first-time passport applications (details supplied) and issues relating to the expected date of issue; if these applications can be expedited given the date of travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26022/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications and progressed as appropriate.
80. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times the Irish Consul General or Deputy Consul General based in New York have met formally with the Commissioner of the New York Police Department in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [26099/24]
View answerMy Department, through the Consulate General in New York, frequently engages with the New York Police Department. While they have not had formal meetings with the NYPD Commissioner in 2023 or 2024, the Consul General and other colleagues in the Consulate General have met the Commissioner and Deputy NYPD Commissioners informally on a number of occasions, including at an Irish cultural event at the Irish Arts Center in June 2023, at this year's St. Patrick’s Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and at a John Jay College of Criminal Justice reception in March 2024.
More broadly, the Consulate General engages on a regular basis with the New York Police Department, both due to its importance as a major law enforcement agency in the United States and also given the longstanding Irish heritage links of generations of Irish and Irish Americans who served in the Police Department.
The Consulate General also engages regularly with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York as part of its Detective Garda Jerry McCabe Fellowship Programme, which facilitates the regular exchange of police officers from An Garda Síochána and from the New York area.
