Written Answers Nos. 79-86
79. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach how many staff members in his Department received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50806/23]
View answer80. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided. [50824/23]
View answer81. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50842/23]
View answer82. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50860/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 80, 81 and 82 together.
The Department of the Taoiseach implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security in line with the Public Sector Cyber Security Baseline Standards.
Supplementing the technical measures, staff working in the Department of the Taoiseach are provided with regular cyber security awareness communications and all staff are supported in completing the Introduction to Cyber Security Awareness training module run through the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's OneLearning programme.
In common with other Government Departments, the Department of the Taoiseach has in place comprehensive arrangements to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the relevant authorities including the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the National Cyber Security Centre. It is not the practice, for sound operational and security reasons, to disclose the detail of these arrangements.
83. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51053/23]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach has no contracts with any Israeli state agency nor any Israeli-based company.
84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51071/23]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of the Department, have no involvement with any Israeli state agency in the performance of its functions nor receives services from any company with an address in Israel.
85. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of Budget 2024; and the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case [51186/23]
View answer€37.393 million has been allocated to the Department of the Taoiseach in Budget 2024. This will be sufficient to provide for administration and payroll expenditure supporting the broad work of the Department and includes funding to the National Economic and Social Council and for a number of independent inquiries and Citizens Assembly.
86. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application, submitted over 12 months ago, will be approved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50526/23]
View answerDemand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of all required supporting documents. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
