Peter Burke
Ceist:101. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [36396/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (101)
Freagraí scríofa
This lady has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 26 October 2016. The first payment will be made by her chosen payment method on 14 December 2016.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments or in respect of outstanding overpayments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Benefit Applications
Ceisteanna (102)
Peter Burke
Ceist:102. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application for a carer's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied). [36398/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Benefit (CARB) from the person concerned on 20 October 2016.
It is a condition for receipt of a CARB that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 21 November 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions Payments
Ceisteanna (103)
Robert Troy
Ceist:103. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will investigate the non-payment of the €3 State pension rise in the first week of January 2016 and make provision to pay this to all eligible pensioners as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36463/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Budget 2016 provided for a €3 increase in the weekly rates of payment for pensioners in receipt of a state pension, the first such increase since 2009. This increase was legislated for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2015 with an effective date of 8 January 2016 for the State Pension Contributory and the State Pension Non Contributory schemes. Accordingly, state pensioners will receive 52 weeks of payment with the €3 increase in 2016.
I trust this clarifies matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (104)
Declan Breathnach
Ceist:104. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the issue of slow processing of disability allowance claims, in particular with regard to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36485/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm my Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) on 31 August 2015. In order to determine the circumstances of the person concerned, his file was forwarded to his local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI).
The SWI has now completed this assessment and has returned it to the DA decisions area. A decision on his entitlement to DA will be made by a deciding officer on receipt of the SWI’s report. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
My Department apologises to the gentleman in question for not completing the investigation in a reasonable timeframe. The delay was due to an oversight during a period of staffing reorganisation in the relevant division and measures are being taken within that division to prevent this from recurring.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Allowance Eligibility
Ceisteanna (105)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:105. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider making changes to eligibility rules governing the carer's allowance payment in respect of the requirement that recipients must not be engaged in education and-or training for periods longer than 15 hours per week; if consideration will be given to relaxing this requirement for persons that opt for care sharing, which enables carers who are providing care on a part-time basis in an established pattern share the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36497/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is a condition for receipt of carer’s benefit and carer’s allowance that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention to a person who requires such full-time care and attention because of a specified illness or disability. This condition is moderated by legislation allowing the carer to work or engage in training outside the home for an aggregate total of 15 hours per week. During this period of employment or education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person.
Care sharing, available to carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, provides a flexible arrangement that: supports a more equitable sharing of care within families; enables carers to retain contact with the world of work and training and facilitates carers in taking a break from their caring role.
Two carers who are providing care on a part-time basis in an established pattern can be accommodated on the carer's allowance scheme. Each carer will share the carer's allowance income support payment and the annual respite care grant. A carer providing full time care on a part time basis is required under legislation to provide care for a complete week i.e. Monday to Sunday and only one carer’s allowance payment may be paid in any week. The usual qualifying conditions for carer’s allowance, including the moderation allowing the carer to engage in work, education or training apply to carers availing of these arrangements.
The 15 hour moderation of the full-time care requirement achieves a reasonable balance between meeting the requirement for providing full-time care for the care recipient and the needs of the carer to engage in employment or education - while also helping to increase social participation.
While there are no current plans to change the 15 hour moderation my Department will continue to consult with carers’ representative groups to ensure that the overall objectives of the scheme are met.
Household Benefits Scheme
Ceisteanna (106)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:106. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason voluntary day centres for elderly persons have no entitlement to the free TV licence which is part of the household benefits package (details supplied). [36506/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €228 million this year on the household benefits package for over 421,000 customers.
The package is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to carers and people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. Widows and widowers aged from 60 to 65 whose late spouses had been in receipt of the household benefits package retain that entitlement. Therefore anyone aged under 70 years of age must be in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department or satisfy a means test in order to qualify for HHB.
Accordingly, HHB is a support to certain people with their household costs and not a grant aid to organisations in the voluntary sector. Such organisations may be eligible to grant aid under a number of Government funded programmes.
While elderly day care centres provide a valuable service to the people who are attending them, their general purpose is to help older people to live in their communities and to promote independent living, and would not be considered the persons main residence. The majority of elderly attendees of these day care centres will be receiving the HHB package for their main residence where I believe they need it most.
I have no plans to change the nature of the package to allow organisations to receive it.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Carer's Benefit Applications
Ceisteanna (107)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:107. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a carer's benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36510/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my Department received an application for carer’s benefit from the person concerned on 26 September 2016. It is a condition for receipt of carer’s benefit that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 28 October 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
My Department informs me that to date, no additional information has been received from her.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes Places
Ceisteanna (108)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:108. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who sought a transfer to another community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36515/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that a departmental case officer has met with the person concerned and that a number of options are being considered. The Department will contact the person again in the near future with a view to bringing the matter to a conclusion.
Carer's Allowance Applications
Ceisteanna (109)
Robert Troy
Ceist:109. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will grant a carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36518/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm that my Department received an application for Carer’s Allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 29 August 2016.
CA is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people who have a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the carer cannot engage in employment or self-employment outside the home.
However, a person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.
The application for CA was refused on the grounds that person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.
The person concerned was notified on 19 October 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
If the lady concerned has specific income needs that cannot be met by her household income, she may apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance payment from her local community welfare service.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Disability Allowance Payments
Ceisteanna (110)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:110. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has had an eight week delay for receipt of a disability allowance back payment having been notified by the social protection appeals office that the appeal was successful on 14 September 2016 and despite the fact that the extenuating circumstances surrounding applicant's finances have been communicated to his Department on more than one occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36519/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm my Department received notification that this lady’s appeal was successful on 19 September 2016. On 5 October 2016, a deciding officer implemented the appeals officer’s decision and the person concerned was notified of this on that date. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 2 November 2016.
This lady was in receipt of another social welfare payment during the period 18 November 2015 to 9 November 2016. The amount of social welfare already paid required to be confirmed and deducted from any arrears due. This process was completed by my department as quickly as possible. Disability allowance arrears issued to the person in question on 21 November 2016.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Community Employment Schemes Review
Ceisteanna (111)
Pat Casey
Ceist:111. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment, Tús and RSS supervisors and their respective boards that were consulted about the review of these schemes undertaken by his Department recently, by county and in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36520/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These include programmes such as Community Employment (CE), Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Tús.
CE schemes provide part-time temporary work in their local communities, including opportunities for training and development as a stepping-stone back to employment, for people in receipt of a range of social welfare payments, including those on a long-term jobseeker’s payment. The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. The RSS provides income support for farmers and fisherpersons who are currently in receipt of specified social welfare payments and the scheme helps to provide certain services of benefit to rural communities.
These schemes help to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market. My Department is also conscious of the valuable contribution the schemes are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland.
With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register, issues such as the appropriate level of expenditure, the number of places and the criteria for participation on employment schemes, including CE and Tús, are all being considered. In this context, an internal review has taken place and I met with my officials to discuss the outcomes of the review. I hope to be in a position to bring a Memorandum to Government on these matters in the coming weeks. If there are any changes to be made to the employment schemes, consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated at that point.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Invalidity Pension Applications
Ceisteanna (112)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:112. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36563/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The Department received a claim for IP for the lady referred to on 05 October 2016. She was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on the 22 November 2016 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children
Ceisteanna (113)
Clare Daly
Ceist:113. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a formal and proactive approach has been made to date to the French Government in order to locate the children formerly in the Calais camp and to bring them here. [36487/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Minister with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration, Mr David Stanton T.D., had an initial discussion with France’s Ambassador to Ireland on 10 November concerning the motion agreed by Dáil Éireann that day on the unaccompanied minors previously living in the unofficial camp at Calais. Subsequently, Ireland’s Ambassador to France, Geraldine Byrne Nason, met with senior officials from the French Interior Ministry and further contacts are anticipated.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Department of Justice and Equality are following up on their respective responsibilities as regards coordinating and planning for this issue. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has asked Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) to review its capacity to receive unaccompanied young persons into care, including the assessment of the resources that may be needed to achieve this.
Humanitarian Aid Provision
Ceisteanna (114)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which commitments entered into in the wake of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti have been honoured to date; the number of countries that have already contributed to the extent indicated, those that have not and the extent of reconstruction recovery recorded to date in Haiti; the extent to which the international community has managed to provide basic food and shelter requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36545/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland responded quickly to the devastation and suffering caused by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Through Irish Aid, the Government has provided just over €2 million to date in humanitarian assistance through experienced NGO partners. In the immediate aftermath of the Hurricane, the Department organised two airlifts of humanitarian supplies to provide relief to 2,500 families in the worst affected areas.
The UN issued a Flash Appeal a number of days after the Hurricane seeking $119 million for the provision of life-saving assistance to 750,000 people. The appeal is currently 48 percent funded. This funding has contributed to the priority sectors of food security, nutrition, emergency agriculture, health, water, sanitation and education. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund also responded swiftly by releasing $5 million to address urgent needs. Ireland last year provided a total of €11.75 million to the Fund.
The immediacy of the response and initial needs assessment were hampered due to difficultly in accessing the most affected areas. Six weeks on, lifesaving humanitarian aid has reached these hard to access areas, ensuring the most vulnerable and affected people receive the necessary support. For example, the World Food Programme (WFP) has reached 520,000 people with food assistance. UNICEF and its partners have created access to safe water for some 216,000 individuals, through the establishment of water treatment units and repairs to the existing water system. As the response progresses, the numbers of those reached with assistance continues to increase.
While humanitarian assistance is ensuring immediate needs are met, efforts have also included provisions to sustainably restore the homes and livelihoods of affected communities. For example, WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation are jointly implementing seeds protection activities through their partners in time for the upcoming planting season. The European Commission has an extensive development programme across Haiti focused on strengthening resilience. Similarly, Irish NGOs operating in Haiti in receipt of Irish Aid’s emergency funding have been able to respond to the needs of the affected communities in which they work, while also aiming to protect the gains of longer term development work.
Ireland has been a strong supporter of Haiti since the earthquake in 2010, and has provided a total of €25.9 million in humanitarian and development funding. The Department continues to monitor the situation in Haiti very closely.
EU Issues
Ceisteanna (115)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU continues to have a positive relationship with Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36546/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The European Union has a very positive relationship with Georgia. The relationship is enhanced by Georgia’s active participation in the Eastern Partnership.
Georgia signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU in 2014. By removing customs tariffs and quotas and by comprehensively approximating trade-related laws and regulations to the standards of the European Union, the Agreement offers Georgia a framework for boosting trade and economic growth. This will facilitate Georgia's progressive integration into the EU’s single market. The Agreement fully entered into force on 1 July 2016. As part of this process, Georgia has committed to undertaking a number of reforms, including on democratic development and fundamental freedoms, constitutional and parliamentary reform, and anti-corruption. The EU remains fully supportive of the Georgia’s reform process.
Ireland has excellent relations with Georgia and is a strong supporter of Georgia’s current reform path and of the country’s continued efforts towards closer political and economic relations with the EU.
EU Issues
Ceisteanna (116)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU continues to have a positive relationship with Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36547/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The European Union has a very positive relationship with Ukraine.
The EU is committed to assisting Ukraine in delivering its ambitious and wide-ranging programme of reform and has provided unprecedented levels of support. This assistance includes loans, budget support, humanitarian assistance, technical assistance and trade preferences, granted under the framework for the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, which entered into provisional application on 1 January 2016. In addition, the EU provides valuable assistance in civilian security sector reform through its Advisory Mission to Ukraine.
The 18th EU-Ukraine Summit will take place in Brussels tomorrow, 24 November and will provide an opportunity to assess the progress of political and economic reforms in Ukraine.
As regards the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the EU continues to support diplomatic efforts to secure full implementation of the Minsk Agreements within the OSCE Trilateral Contact Group (OSCE, Russia and Ukraine) and its four working groups and the Normandy Format (France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine). The Minsk agreements offer the only basis for a stable and lasting political resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and the European Union will continue to support and facilitate their full implementation. In addition, the EU has condemned and refused to recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.
Ireland has excellent relations with Ukraine and is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s reform programme and of diplomatic efforts to secure full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
European Security Strategy
Ceisteanna (117)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he in conjunction with his EU colleagues can continue to combat the rise of ISIS in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36548/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, and particularly by Daesh, has been and remains high on the EU agenda. Foreign Ministers have consistently underlined that ultimately there will be no defeat of Daesh without a political solution to the crisis in Syria. This is reflected particularly in the comprehensive conclusions on a ‘Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Daesh threat’, which were adopted by the Council in May this year.
Foreign Ministers have also focused on the contribution that the EU can make through external action to preventing and countering terrorism. Engagement with third countries to prevent violent extremism and to strengthen their capacity to detect and prevent terrorism, in full compliance with international law and human rights, is at the heart of the EU’s strategy and is reflected in a substantial increase in assistance to third countries in this respect.
The EU’s approach is guided by, and is consistent with, the approach taken by the UN to countering Daesh and by the principles and measures set out in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including UNSCR 2161 (2014) on freezing funds and other assets of terrorist groups, and UNSCR 2178 (2014) on measures to suppress the recruiting, organising, transporting or equipping of individuals who travel to another State to plan or carry out terrorist acts or training.
The UN Secretary General’s comprehensive Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, presented earlier this year, and his related reports are an important and welcome contribution to addressing the threat posed by Daesh, and to highlighting the measures being taken against them in areas such as countering their financing, preventing and disrupting the travel of foreign terrorist fighters, countering recruitment and preventing violent extremism.
Ireland supports the comprehensive approach being taken at EU level to preventing and countering terrorism. At meetings of the Council, I have stressed the need to tackle underlying factors that contribute to radicalisation and terrorism and in particular the importance of the link between security and development. I have also emphasised the need to ensure a joined-up approach in relation to the discussions of Foreign Ministers and those of our Justice and Home Affairs counterparts.
Increasing the effectiveness of information and intelligence-sharing and enhancing border security have been priority themes at recent meetings of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council. A series of measures is being rolled out to strengthen cooperation and to develop the EU's legal framework for information-sharing, combating terrorism and controlling illegal firearms. Ireland is fully engaged in pursuing these developments.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (118, 125)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the top ten locations worldwide currently in the throes of warfare, genocide, victimisation, starvation and abuse continue to receive attention and assistance from the EU and UN; the extent to which positive intervention and action continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36549/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the most serious locations of war, famine, genocide and abuse of human rights remain a concern for the EU and UN and global communities with particular reference to targeting specific areas such as use of child soldiers, abuse of women and children and in general the civilian populations; if any success has been achieved in restricting the supply of arms to the locations most seriously affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36556/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 125 together.
The locations currently experiencing war, starvation, genocide, violence against women and children, and the use of child soldiers remain a constant concern to the EU, UN and wider global community.
The priorities set out following the Foreign Policy Review in ‘The Global Island’ recognise that we are increasingly confronted by an array of challenges that have little precedent in recent decades, either in range or in seriousness. The complexity and cross-cutting nature of global challenges demand a coordinated approach, in particular at the international level. Ireland’s support for a fairer, more just, more secure and more sustainable world through our development programme, human rights policies, peacekeeping, disarmament and security policies, finds expression in our active engagement in the development of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and our participation in the work of the United Nations. Regional organisations are also playing an ever more important role.
As I have said many times, these crises will continue if the root causes of conflict - political instability, inequality, and poverty in countries of origin - remain unresolved. Ireland will continue to play its role in responding to crisis and emergency situations, while not ignoring the underlying factors. Investment in conflict prevention and an increased focus on post-conflict reconciliation and other forms of peacebuilding demonstrate Ireland’s more nuanced approach to achieving sustainable peace.
Promoting stability and supporting efforts towards peace and security in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East continue to require and receive major international attention. UN-authorised peacekeeping missions have a major role in stabilising former and current conflict zones throughout both regions and in protecting vulnerable populations.
Ireland has a long-standing tradition of contributing to UN and EU peace-support missions. Ireland currently participates in seven UN peacekeeping missions. The majority of the 548 Irish UN peacekeepers currently deployed overseas are serving at the three UN missions in the Middle East while smaller numbers are deployed to missions in Africa and Eastern Europe.
The EU also takes a leading role in peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention and in the strengthening of international security in support of the United Nations, through the Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Crisis management missions are established under the CSDP in order to prevent the initiation or renewal of conflict and to help societies or fragile states to recover from violent conflict. At present, the EU operates 17 CSDP missions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Ireland has been a strong supporter of the Common Security and Defence Policy since its inception. We currently deploy both military and civilian personnel to a total of 8 CSDP missions across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. My Department currently seconds 11 Experts to 6 civilian CSDP missions.
The UN is very active in the area of child soldiers, particularly through the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui. Since the launch in March 2014 of the ‘Children, Not Soldiers’ campaign, significant steps have been taken toward the goal of ending and preventing recruitment of child soldiers.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, on Women, Peace and Security, and seven subsequent bolstering resolutions, have brought increased focus to issues such as sexual violence in conflict, and women’s participation in decision making. Ireland’s second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security reflects the importance of these issues and has ensured that gender perspectives have been incorporated in Ireland’s work in humanitarian and development aid, peace-keeping, post-conflict activities and interventions.
Almost 65 million people are now displaced globally, half of them children, and the great majority of them living in situations of conflict.
In addition to these emergencies, this year the El Niño effect has also had a significant impact in many countries, most notably in Africa, leading to threats to food security and a spike in humanitarian need. UN Agencies and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, or CERF, are key in providing humanitarian assistance. Ireland is currently the eighth largest donor to the CERF. The EU also has mechanisms to respond to the crises through the European Development Fund and the EU humanitarian budget.
Ireland is committed to working with a range of partners including non-governmental and UN organisations, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The development of Ireland’s Rapid Response Initiative, established to support the broader Humanitarian Reform Process in 2006, is an operational tool to supplement these efforts. The Rapid Response Initiative consists of two key elements - the Rapid Response Corps, a roster of highly experienced and specialized personnel for deployment at short notice to emergency situations; and stockpiling, the pre-positioning and transportation of essential relief supplies into crises through the UN Humanitarian Response Depots (UNHRD) network. Over 350 tonnes of supplies were airlifted into crises so far in 2016, and 37 rapid responders have been deployed as surge capacity to UN partners’ emergency response operations this year.
Ireland pursues a strategic and comprehensive approach to countries in Africa facing challenging humanitarian, conflict, or human rights situations. Informed by the Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and One World, One Future, our policy for international development, this approach encompasses political and diplomatic engagement, humanitarian assistance, support for peacekeeping operations, and development cooperation programming. Engagement at the international level, in particular through the UN, regional bodies and within the EU, is at the heart of this approach.
Ireland is committed to supporting the recovery efforts and successful transition of countries emerging from conflict or significant and protracted humanitarian crises. The announcement in 2013 that Sierra Leone would become one of Irish Aid’s key partner countries is a testament to this commitment.
Ireland’s total humanitarian assistance to global crises reached some €140 million in 2015, and four of the five countries receiving the largest share of this aid were in Africa. This level of funding will be maintained in 2016, in response to unprecedented levels of humanitarian need. When the first ever World Humanitarian Summit took place in Istanbul earlier this year, President Higgins, who led the Irish delegation, spoke passionately on Ireland’s commitment to humanitarian action. In addition, my colleague, Minister of State McHugh, made 35 specific commitments on Ireland’s behalf to achieving more sustainable and effective humanitarian action.
Disarmament and non-proliferation are a major focus for Ireland’s foreign policy and the issue of illegal and irresponsible transfers of weapons to conflict regions is a very serious one. For this reason the successful negotiation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which aims to end such transfers has been a major focus for Ireland over the last few years and I welcomed its early entry into force in December 2014. Successful implementation and universalisation of the ATT remain the best means of ensuring that the flow of arms transfers to conflict areas should decrease in the future. Ireland therefore will continue to prioritize and use every opportunity to advance the ATT and its aims, including in our bilateral contacts. The ATT is also a priority for the European Union.
Middle East Peace Process
Ceisteanna (119)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which ongoing efforts remain to encourage re-engagement in the peace process in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36550/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland remains active and engaged on the objective of trying to achieve a two state solution in the Middle East; few European countries are as consistently engaged on this issue as we are. There is an urgent need to find ways to end the occupation, and to achieve lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
I have worked continuously to try and maintain the Middle East Peace Process on the international agenda, in particularly at EU level, despite a wave of concurrent crises in the immediate neighbourhood, and have urged for stronger international actions. For example, last week I was in the Gulf, and I took that opportunity to discuss the MEPP with Foreign Ministers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In Council Conclusions, EU Foreign Ministers have continued to call for the resumption of a political dialogue, which is the only solution to the current situation, and to offer both parties political, economic and security support in the event of a final peace agreement.
Ireland strongly supports the French efforts to rebuild momentum in the Middle East Peace Process, which has been in effective suspension since 2014. I attended the Paris Conference in June to this end, and my Department has engaged in official-level work on the foot of the French initiative. I hope that another conference can take place before the end of the year.
The Middle East Peace Process is a priority foreign policy for the Government, and I will continue to encourage the parties to this conflict to engage with it, and the international community to support it, as it remains the best way to end the occupation and create peace.
Irish Aid
Ceisteanna (120)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which aid continues to be made available to refugees arising from the ongoing situation in Syria and other similar locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36551/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2012, Ireland has provided a total of €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region. At present, it is Ireland’s largest response to any humanitarian crisis.
Of the €20 million in funding provided by Ireland so far in 2016, €14 million has been delivered through the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, and €6 million through the Department of Agriculture’s support to the World Food Programme’s Syria response.
Irish Aid funding focuses on the needs of those inside Syria, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and also the needs of refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries, in particular Lebanon and Jordan. Funding is channeled through a range of partners, including NGOs, UN organisations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, who are best placed to respond. These partners provide humanitarian supplies and urgently-needed health, education, water and sanitation services, as well as support measures to protect children and vulnerable families.
In addition, members of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps have been deployed to the Balkans and Middle East, to work with UN agencies responding to migration challenges resulting from the Syrian conflict.
Through our annual contributions to EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response in Syria and the region.
In 2016, a significant focus of the EU’s response to the refugee crisis arising from the Syrian conflict has been the implementation of the Turkey Refugee Facility, to which Ireland will contribute almost €23 million over the four-year period 2016-2019. In 2016 alone, funding from the Turkey Refugee Facility has been used to launch the largest humanitarian programme in EU history, the Emergency Social Safety Net, which provides direct cash transfers to the most vulnerable refugee families in Turkey, supporting them to meet their everyday needs.
We are continuing to monitor developments in Syria and the region very closely and, given its complexity and severity, I would expect that we will need to provide additional support to refugees fleeing the conflict, as well as their host communities, over the coming months.
EU Issues
Ceisteanna (121)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union in principle remains committed to the principle of unity of purpose in respect of economic, monetary, political and social institutions notwithstanding the emergence of extreme political viewpoints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36552/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Europe has been through some difficult years. We have seen deep economic crises which have affected a number of member states, including Ireland; there have been terror attacks in some of our major cities which have caused appalling suffering for individuals and communities. The Continent has been grappling with the biggest movement of people seen in peacetime coming from our southern neighbourhood and further afield. Parties from the far-right have made electoral inroads in a number of EU states and for the first time in the Union’s history, a member state has decided to leave.
Despite these enormous challenges, Europe has not disintegrated. 27 Heads of State and Government meeting in Bratislava in September issued a declaration stating that the Union was “indispensable” for them and pledging to offer EU citizens in the upcoming months a vision of an attractive EU they can trust and support. Ireland will work with its partners, as a committed EU member, to bring that vision to fruition. We will succeed only if we maintain the unity of purpose to which the Deputy refers.
Overseas Development Aid
Ceisteanna (122)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which overseas aid continues to be made available to those for whom it was intended notwithstanding the difficulties experienced in the past throughout Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36553/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am acutely aware of the need for a high degree of assurance that our overseas aid continues to reach its intended beneficiaries, even in challenging environments.
Ireland has long been committed to making a difference in the lives of the poorest people. Ireland’s Official Development Assistance increased in 2016, demonstrating the continuing importance we place on providing aid to address poverty, hunger and humanitarian crises around the world.
To deliver results for those most in need across a variety of contexts, Irish Aid works in close partnership with local and national Governments, NGOs, and multilateral partners including the United Nations and the European Union. Ireland’s development programme has maintained a strong focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and on other countries where the need is greatest. We work in very difficult environments. Eight of the top ten recipient countries of Irish development assistance are in Africa.
The Government’s Policy for International Development, One World One Future, has a strong focus on supporting the most vulnerable and poorest communities. A high standard of monitoring of the policy’s implementation by Irish Aid and all its partners is maintained through the use of a detailed framework which sets out clear objectives, targets and a monitoring mechanism.
To ensure that the aid reaches its intended beneficiaries, high standards of accountability are essential. All programmes being considered for funding assistance are rigorously appraised by Irish Aid staff against clear criteria, including efficiency in the use of resources, and the capacity of the implementing organisations to deliver results and account for resources received. Programmes in receipt of funding are subject to regular internal and external monitoring to ensure that the intended results are being achieved and resources have been used appropriately. This monitoring is undertaken by a combination of specialist staff, Embassy-based internal auditors, independent experts, and the independent Evaluation and Audit Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. That Unit’s work is regularly reviewed by the independent Audit Committee of this Department. In addition, the Comptroller and Auditor General provides independent assurance that Official Development Assistance is being provided in accordance with the law, is managed to good effect, and is properly accounted for.
Western Balkans Issues
Ceisteanna (123)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU remains focused on the issues affecting the western Balkans with particular reference to the need to ensure the future of the democratic process and compliance with the acquis communautaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36554/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are currently five countries which have Candidate Status, including four in the Western Balkans – Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.
Ireland has long been a supporter of the Enlargement policy of the EU, believing that it is a transformative driver for peace, stability and prosperity.
The European Commission continues to work actively to support prospective member states in implementing reforms in order to make progress on their respective EU paths. The Commission published its most recent reports on the ‘state of play’ in the candidate and potential candidate countries on 9 November. The reports are currently being assessed by the working groups of the European Union and will be discussed by Ministers at the General Affairs Council in December.
The European Union is committed to promoting ‘fundamentals first’ - a focus on the rule of law, including security, fundamental rights, democratic institutions and public administration reform, as well as on economic development and competitiveness. This year’s reports show progress in these key areas and also highlight remaining challenges and areas where more work is required. Ireland remains committed to working with our EU partners as well as with the candidate countries to assist in meeting these challenges.
Overseas Development Aid Provision
Ceisteanna (124)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland's bilateral aid programme continues with countries most seriously in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36555/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Supporting countries and communities most seriously in need is the core work of Ireland’s development assistance programme. The Government’s Policy for International Development, One World One Future, has a strong emphasis on bringing lasting benefits to the poorest and most vulnerable.
The most recent Peer Review by the OECD of the Irish Aid programme, in 2014, singled out Ireland’s efforts to benefit the poorest countries in the world. The review commended our aid distribution to Sub-Saharan Africa and other areas of greatest need. These areas continue to be a major focus, with over 60% of Ireland’s bilateral aid going to Sub-Saharan Africa in 2015. Eight out of the top ten recipient countries of Irish development assistance are in Africa.
Ireland’s bilateral aid programme also continues to have a key focus on Least Developed Countries. Ireland’s percentage of bilateral aid to Least Developed Countries was the highest of OECD donors last year and Ireland’s total ODA to Least Developed Countries exceeded the United Nations’ target of providing 0.15% of GNI in such assistance.
In One World One Future, the Government affirmed its commitment to countries experiencing instability and fragility, including countries recovering from crisis or conflict. A focus on these countries helps to ensure that assistance is given where it is needed most.
Ireland also has a strong record of providing aid to areas experiencing severe humanitarian crises. In 2015, Ireland provided over €140 million in humanitarian assistance globally, with a focus on areas of greatest need. Ireland also maintains a focus on forgotten crises.
Maintaining an emphasis on countries and communities most seriously in need remains of the highest importance for Ireland’s aid programme, full data and information on which can be found in the 2015 Annual Report, accessible on the Irish Aid website, www.irishaid.ie.
Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 118.