​Question No. 5
Parliamentary Question - Oireachtas

To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade how he will reach the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product for Overseas Development Assistance  as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.
For PRIORITY answer on Thursday, 26th May, 2016.
Ref No: 12238/16

REPLY
(Minister of State Mr. Joe McHugh T.D.)

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy.  We have restated this clearly in the Programme for Government.  One World, One Future”, our policy for international development, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) as Official Development Assistance (ODA).  
 
The Programme for Government sets out our ambition to making progress towards the UN Target as resources permit.  It is important that such progress is made in a sustainable and manageable way which strengthens Ireland's recognised role as a reliable and effective partner in providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to the fight to end global poverty and hunger.
 
Since 2011, Ireland has provided in excess of €3.8 billion in ODA.  This has involved very significant annual contributions in excess of €600 million, at a time of great economic difficulty.   Over this time, the Taoiseach and Ministers have consistently stated that we would make progress towards the 0.7% target once economic conditions allow.  
 
Now as our economic recovery consolidates and strengthens, we are in position to begin to make good on that commitment.
     
For 2016, we have provided a total of over €640 million in ODA, an increase of €40 million, or almost 7% on the 2015 budget allocation.  This represents the first substantial increase in the aid budget in over seven years.

​Question No. 3
Parliamentary Question - Oireachtas
To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his contingency plans in the event of a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 
- Darragh O'Brien.
For PRIORITY answer on Thursday, 26th May, 2016.
Ref No: 12237/16 

REPLY

A fully developed “Plan B” for Ireland is not possible without knowing the terms and conditions of a future British relationship with the EU.  However, Government Departments, including my own, have been working for some time to identify the key strategic and sectoral issues that could arise for us if the UK were to vote to leave the EU.  We will continue to deepen our analysis of the risks and key issues that would require priority attention in the event of a UK vote to leave, recognising that such an outcome would represent a major challenge for this country.  

The Department of the Taoiseach is responsible for cross-government co-ordination on this issue, in close partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and all other Government Departments. In the event that the referendum results in a decision to leave, the response and scenario planning across Government will be closely coordinated and actively managed. 

In addition, there is already a clear framework in place for bilateral co-operation between the Irish and UK Governments under the Joint Statement which both the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron signed in 2012.  For my part, I have an excellent working relationship with my UK counterpart, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. 

Such bilateral engagement will continue, whatever the outcome of the UK referendum, but will become particularly important in the event of a vote by the UK to leave the EU.

Ireland would have a range of national concerns and issues that we would wish to see addressed at EU or bilateral level in the context of a negotiated withdrawal by the UK.  These include the operation of the Single Market and the effects on trade between us, as well as the impact on the common travel area and energy interconnection between the islands.

In the weeks ahead, my Department and all Departments across Government will continue to prepare for all outcomes. Notwithstanding these preparations, it is Government’s earnest wish that the people of the United Kingdom will vote to remain in the European Union on the 23rd June.    Our national interest,  and the interest of British-Irish relations, are best served by Britain’s continued membership of the EU based on four main reasons; (i) a strong UK can help drive the reform agenda in the EU helping the Union to regain competitiveness and growth, (ii) our joint EU membership helps us preserve an important and underestimated support for the process by which Northern Ireland can transition to its full economic and social potential, (iii) preservation of the strong relationship between Ireland and Britain, including the Common Travel Area, is a priority for us as is (iv) preserving the €1.2billion per week trade between our two islands. 

Over the last year, the Taoiseach and I have been very active in engaging with a range of stakeholders – in Ireland and the UK – to make clear Ireland’s strategic interest in the outcome of this referendum. This engagement has included our respective meetings with the British Minister and Foreign Secretary and a series of speaking occasions in both parts of Ireland and in Britain. The referendum issue featured prominently on my visit to Belfast last week and to Derry this week, where I addressed the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce on the matter.

 Over the coming weeks the Taoiseach, I and other Ministers will travel to the UK to engage with the Irish community there, to articulate the perspective of the Government, which I know is shared by most Deputies. This outreach is designed ensure that the Irish community is fully aware of the very important reasons outlined above why they should vote on 23 June and, hopefully, opt for remain. 

​Question No. 10
Parliamentary Question - Oireachtas

To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans discussions with the authorities in the United States of America, given the ongoing concerns at the difficulties the undocumented Irish face and the concerns of their families at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 26th May, 2016.
Ref No: 11904/16 

​REPLY
(Minister of State Mr. Joe McHugh T.D.)

Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US remains a priority for the new Government. Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are active in advocating immigration reform and the issue is also regularly addressed in high level political contacts between Ireland and the US Government. 

While in Washington for St. Patrick’s Day, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade met President Obama, Vice President Biden, Speaker Ryan, Senator Schumer and other key Congressional contacts from both sides of the aisle. During these meetings they emphasised the plight of the undocumented Irish in the US and encouraged both Houses of Congress to work on a bipartisan basis towards a comprehensive package of immigration reform measures. 

In his speech at the Speaker’s lunch at Capitol Hill, the Taoiseach addressed the issues of immigration reform and urged Republicans and Democrats to work together to address the concerns of the undocumented Irish in the US. The Taoiseach also spoke of the need for improved legal migration channels for those Irish people who wish to live, work and develop their skills in the US for a time and emphasised the exceptional contribution made by Irish people to American society over the course of centuries of shared history.

Our Embassy in Washington continues to closely monitor the progress of the judicial case on President Obama’s Executive Actions on immigration reform. This case, which was brought by a coalition of US States seeking an injunction against the Executive Action, has now reached to the US Supreme Court, and it is expected that the Court will declare its decision next month. If the appeal succeeds and the measure is implemented, the Executive Action could benefit a significant number of our citizens by lifting the threat of deportation and allowing those undocumented immigrants who have been in the US for more than five years and who have children who are US citizens or legal permanent residents to work and travel more freely within the United States. 

The new Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassy in Washington, will continue to actively pursue all opportunities to advance immigration reform that would be of benefit to our citizens, with the US Administration, both sides of the aisle in Congress and the US Embassy in Ireland. 

Question No. 1
Parliamentary Question - Oireachtas

​To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current waiting times for the passport express service; if the waiting times have been extended due to the volume of applicants; the number of passports currently awaiting to be dispatched in the passport express service; the number of passports that have not been issued within the usual 15 day deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.

 REPLY
The Passport Express service operated in partnership with An Post offers a target turnaround time of fifteen working days from posting for correctly completed passport renewal applications. I would like to underline that this is a target turnaround time and not a stated guarantee. First time passport applications take longer as the identity of the person as well as their entitlement to citizenship have to be established.
As of the 23rd May, compared to the same period last year, demand is up by 13% which is exceptional.  There were over 68,200 passport applications being processed on the same date.   
In the case of Passport Express renewal applications, which account for around 90% of all applications in the state, correctly completed applications are currently being processed within the target issue date at 13-14 working days.  
Applications from Northern Ireland and first time applications are taking up to 25 working days.  Passport Service staff are currently working overtime to reduce and minimize delays.
A total of 223 Temporary Clerical Officers have been recruited so far this year which is an increase of 52 officers on last year.  In view of the sustained increase in applications over last year processing work has been redistributed across passport offices in recent months and staff re-deployed from other areas of the Department as needed to respond to the increased workload. The Passport Service will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure the effective deployment of staff resources.
The indications so far are that this year will see a significant increase in outbound travel from Ireland.  The Central Statics Office (CSO) states the total number of overseas trips made by Irish residents during the period January – March 2016 increased by 13.1% over the same period last year. The trend is positive in economic terms and it points to a vibrant travel industry but it will put sustained pressure on our Passport Service.
Over half of all applications for passports are received in the busy season between April and July and the pattern is the same this year so it is more important than ever that people apply early. 
I strongly recommend that citizens check their passport validity before booking holidays or business travel and apply for the service which will ensure passports arrive in good time. The key points for citizens, are to:
check the validity of passports before booking a holiday, 
to remind that children’s passports vary in length of validity
follow best practice and apply at least six weeks before the intended date of travel
choose the most appropriate application channel depending on the date of travel
if travelling in three weeks or more (15 working days) the Passport Express channel is the cheapest and most convenient option. 
if travelling in three weeks or less an appointment for the Passport Office in Dublin or Cork should be made online at www.passportappointments.ie 

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the 
provision of a new secondary school for the Malahide and Portmarnock area of 
County Dublin, as announced in November 2015; and if she will make a statement 
on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a 
new secondary school for the Swords area of County Dublin, as announced in 
November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
-Darragh O'Brien.



* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 26th April, 2016.
Reference Number: 8254/16, 8255/16

Freagra


Minister Jan O'Sullivan

I propose to take questions 393 and 394 together.

My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where 
the pressure for school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central 
Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection 
and information from my Department's own databases.

The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that in November 2015, I 
announced the establishment of 13 new schools to open nationwide in 2017 and 
2018 to cater for increased demographic needs. One of the new post-primary 
schools will serve the Swords school planning area and one will serve the 
Malahide and Portmarnock school planning areas.  Both new schools are scheduled 
to open in 2017 and both are included in my Department's six year construction 
programme (2016-2021).  Details on the progress of all projects on this 
programme will be published on my Department's website and this will be updated 
regularly.

New school establishment procedures provide that a process is conducted to 
select the patron of a new school.  This process is due to take place shortly 
for the new schools to be established in 2017.  The new school patronage 
process  is open to all patrons (and prospective patrons) who will be required 
to provide evidence of parental demand for their particular type of school. ​