Results 38,501-38,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices and in the delivery of its services in line with the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, Equal Status Acts 2000-2018, Disability Act 2005 and the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. My Department is also guided by the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are currently two entry streams by which Medical Officers are recruited into the Defence Forces, namely Direct Entry and via the Military Medicine Training Scheme. I am informed that there is currently no designated pathway for Direct Entry Medical Officers to be entered onto the Specialist Division of the Medical Council’s Register of Medical Practitioners in General...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am informed that the completion of a joint civil-military review of the Military Medicine Training Scheme is currently imminent, which will inform the process of future inductions. I am further informed that discussions remain ongoing between the various parties to the scheme regarding a number of outstanding administrative issues which will require resolution prior to the advertisement of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Salaries for my Department are paid at the rates determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Revised payscales with effect from 1 July 2022 for the grades requested by the Deputy are set out below. For Civil Servants appointed on or after 6th April 1995, paying the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and making an employee contribution in respect of personal superannuation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: In recognition by the Defence Organisation that modern Defence Forces must reflect the demographics of Irish society, a Joint Civil/Military working group was established in 2019 with a view to progressing the development of a Transgender Policy for the Defence Forces. The Terms of Reference (TOR’s) to guide the deliberations of the Working Group, are as follows: 1. Steps to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in pay, recruitment, promotion, training and experience of the workplace. Recruitment of civil servants is carried out for the Department by the Public Appointments Service which undertakes recruitment underpinned by its...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including a recommendation on the establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs in the chapter on Defence Forces structures. The recommendations of the report, along with a High Level Action Plan detailing a proposed response to each, were recently presented to Government and agreed. The recommendation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Offices of the Department of Defence are secure and access controlled. They are not buildings that are usually open to the general public. As such, services in these buildings are not accessible to the general public. Defence buildings occupied by the military are not open to the general public. On occasion some organisations, such as schools and sporting clubs, apply for use of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021 is the key framework for policy and action to address the needs of people with disabilities. Its aim is to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Ireland. My Department is committed to doing all that is reasonable to assist people with disabilities seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402, 404, 406, 408, 412 and 423 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow over 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for bringing my attention to this campaign concerning the needs of those fleeing the war being waged against Ukraine by Russia. My Department is in ongoing contact with the Embassy of Ukraine in Ireland and is leading on the foreign policy aspects of this crisis, including on support to the Ukrainian armed forces for the defence of Ukraine's territorial integrity and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Pension Provisions (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: While my Department is aware of and compliant with the abatement provisions of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, there are currently no staff who are subject to abatement.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. The witnessing of these forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: As has been the case throughout the Brexit process, the Taoiseach and Ministers continue our intensive engagement with our counterparts from other Member States, the EU institutions, and globally in support of our Brexit priorities. This outreach is supplemented by our Embassies abroad and by senior officials across the civil service. Solidarity with Ireland’s position and support for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries. There are currently seven recognised candidates for membership of the European Union: Turkey, North...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 424 together. The Passport Service is already out-performing any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. Over 720,000 passports have been issued to date in 2022, compared to 634,000 in the whole of last year. The Passport Service continues to outperform its previous busiest year, 2019, by over 20%. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired the Passport Service has reviewed the application and progressed it as appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a network of 92 Honorary Consuls in 54 countries. The position is honorary and Honorary Consuls play an important role in delivering consular assistance and services to our citizens and in representing Ireland abroad. While the role and functions performed by Honorary Consuls can vary, they are generally appointed to provide consular services and assistance to Irish citizens...