Written Answers Nos. 162-183
162. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken at national, EU and international level to ensure that the perpetrators of war crimes in Syria are brought to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24355/18]
View answerThe situation in Syria remains of grave concern. The conflict has cost the lives of well over 400,000 people, 13 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance, over 6 million people are displaced within Syria and an additional 5 million have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. There have been numerous brutal attacks on civilians by the Assad regime and others, including the use of medieval starve or surrender tactics, the use of chemical weapons and the deliberate targeting of medical facilities and personnel.
Ireland supports a broad range of efforts to ensure full legal accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria as part of a sustainable peaceful resolution to the conflict and has consistently called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court. Ireland supports the work of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry established in August 2011 by the Human Rights Council to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in Syria. Furthermore, in December 2016 Ireland and a group of like-minded countries successfully pressed for the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly to establish an International Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria. Last year my predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D. announced a contribution of €100,000 to support the work of this mechanism. Further support for the work of the Mechanism in 2018 is currently under consideration.
Ireland is also a strong and consistent supporter of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) whose Fact Finding Mission (FFM) was set up in 2014 to “establish facts surrounding allegations of the use of toxic chemicals, reportedly chlorine, for hostile purposes in the Syrian Arab Republic”. We support their work financially with annual contributions amounting to nearly €1million since 2014. In addition, Ireland contributed €200,000 specifically to the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mission to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria.
Ireland deeply regrets Russia’s veto of the renewal of the mandate of this Joint Investigative Mission last October. It is extremely frustrating that the UN Security Council has not been able to take meaningful action to maintain peace and security in Syria and to ensure accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. Those who have vetoed effective UN action in this regard bear a heavy responsibility.
Ireland is supporting an initiative to convene a Special Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention with a view to considering the introduction of a mechanism for attributing responsibility for the use of chemical weapons.
Ireland also supports EU sanctions targeting the regime and its supporters, and will continue to do so as long as repression continues. The sanctions currently in place include notably an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank within the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications. In addition, over 250 persons and almost 70 entities are targeted by a travel ban and an asset freeze over the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria. Most recently, in March, the Council added an additional 4 persons to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against the civilian population. On 28 May 2018, the Council extended EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime until 1 June 2019. Given the ongoing repression of the civilian population, the EU decided to maintain its restrictive measures against the Syrian regime and its supporters, in line with the EU strategy on Syria.
Ireland has also supported calls for sanctions at UN level also and very much regrets that a draft UN Security Council resolution that would have established a sanctions regime, a committee and an expert panel to hold accountable those using and producing chemical weapons in Syria was not passed in February 2017. Ireland will continue to support all efforts to ensure a lasting peace and full accountability for war crimes in Syria, in the context of bringing peace and stability to the region.
163. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new applications and renewal applications for Irish passports that have come from Northern Ireland since 1 January 2018; and the number of these applications that are being processed in the system. [24490/18]
View answerBetween 1 January and 31 May 2018, the Passport Service received over 46,000 passport applications from applicants resident in Northern Ireland. Of these, over 19,000 were first time applicants and over 26,000 were applying to renew existing passports.
Between 1 January and 31 May 2018, over 35,000 passports were issued to applicants resident in Northern Ireland.
164. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the system through which elected representatives can communicate with the Passport Office; and his plans to review this system to better improve it. [24491/18]
View answerThe Passport Service currently has a dedicated channel of communication for Oireachtas representatives. To ensure resources are used effectively many of my Department’s functions, including communication channels, are centralised and accordingly, my office is the dedicated point of contact for public representatives. This ensures consistency, efficiency and fairness in responses to the queries of all public representatives. Any passport-related queries raised through this channel are dealt with without delay.
I am grateful to Deputies for their continued assistance in advising constituents to submit their application in good time before their planned travel date, to consult the Passport Service’s webpage on my Department’s website before applying and to sign up for our passport renewal reminder service.
165. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consideration he is giving to the need for a new and dedicated passport service located in Northern Ireland. [24492/18]
View answerThe Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens and I am satisfied that the options available meet the current needs of passport applicants without the need for the establishment of a further passport office.
An online passport application service was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, without the need for application forms, printed photos or witnesses. At present, the online passport application service accommodates adult passport renewal applications and passport card applications. It is planned to extend the online application facility to other categories of renewal by the end of 2018.
People who cannot or do not wish to apply online have the option of applying through their local post office. The vast majority of applications received by the Passport Service from applicants residing in the island of Ireland are submitted through Passport Express and Northern Ireland Passport Express. Northern Ireland Passport Express allows applicants living in Northern Ireland to apply for their passport through more than 70 post offices.
Bearing in mind the availability of both the online and postal application channels, very few citizens living in the island of Ireland are required to travel a significant distance in order to apply for their passport. In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork offer an appointment service.
Advice and guidance on the above channels and other useful information on passports is available on the Department’s website at www.dfa.ie/passport.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the correct procedure to be followed by a person (details supplied) whose passport expires in July 2018 but who reaches 18 years of age in November 2018; if an adult passport is the correct passport to be applied for in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24534/18]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008 (“the Act”) which sets, among other things, special requirements for the issuing of a passport to a minor. The Passport Service is bound by Irish law, and under no circumstances may it deviate from these statutory requirements. Therefore, an applicant may not apply for an adult passport until they have reached 18 years of age.
In this particular instance, if the person in question intends to travel before they have reached 18 years of age they must renew their passport as a minor. Passports issued to a minor are valid until the date of expiry listed on the document, regardless of whether the passport holder is at that time an adult or a minor. When they seek to renew their passport again in 5 years’ time upon expiry of that document, they may then apply for an adult passport.
167. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the implementation of A Programme for a Partnership Government as it applies to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24576/18]
View answerA Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the key Government commitments which will enable us to articulate ourselves on the world stage, contribute to peace-building initiatives across the globe, and share our culture and values. My Department has primary responsibility for twenty-nine actions, particularly in the Ireland and the World chapter. These commitments, alongside our Brexit response and our broad foreign policy priorities, are reflected in the Department’s latest Statement of Strategy 2017-2020 and in business planning for the Department and its Mission network.
The Department’s reports on its progress in implementing commitments are integrated into Annual and Progress Reports on the Programme for Government published by the Department of An Taoiseach. The Government recently approved its second Programme for a Partnership Government annual report which provides a comprehensive update on progress since May 2017. The report will be laid before the Oireachtas in the near future.
Since the launch of the Programme for a Partnership Government, work has been taken forward across all actions assigned to this Department, with a particular focus on a whole of Government response to Brexit, the wide range of issues relating to Northern Ireland, delivery of an innovative Passport Service to citizens, the development of holistic relationships with Asia and the Americas, progressing Ireland’s engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensuring the delivery of an effective and accountable aid programme and humanitarian response. Ireland’s commitment to a rules based international system and conflict resolution and peacebuilding also remains a bedrock of our work programme.
168. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Israel's rejection of the UN and EU calls for an independent inquiry into the recent atrocities in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24674/18]
View answerOn Friday 18 May the UN Human Rights Council held a Special Session to consider the recent events in Gaza. The HRC adopted a resolution – which was co-sponsored by Ireland – which includes provision to establish a Commission of Inquiry into these events. The current President of the HRC will now take this forward.
Israeli Ministers have responded with public statements indicating that they refuse to recognise the inquiry, and will not co-operate with it. This is the same position taken by Israel in recent years in relation to previous UN inquiries, when non-cooperation was undertaken to the extent of refusing to allow the inquiry to enter the country and take evidence.
The Israeli response is not unexpected, but is nonetheless deeply regrettable. I and other EU Ministers have acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself, while at the same time making strong criticisms of what we saw as its excessive and unjustified use of force in this instance. Israel has claimed to have been engaged in legitimate self-defence, but its refusal to cooperate with scrutiny of that claim, and to explain and justify its actions, sends an unfortunate signal. The need for an international inquiry arose, in part, due to the fact that Israel did not conduct a comprehensive review of the use of deadly force on previous occasions.
169. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has formally made known his views to the US Administration on the decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24675/18]
View answerThe Government’s view of the move of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem was expressed in my statement of 6 December when the decision was announced. I stated that the decision was premature and ill-advised, and would be unhelpful to efforts to reach a resolution of the Middle East Peace Process, something which is very urgently needed. Indeed prior to this announcement, I had conveyed to the US Government my concern about reports of their intentions. Very many other governments around the world, including those like us which are long-standing friends of the United States, did the same. The announcement, when it was made, was thus very disappointing and difficult to understand.
These views have also been expressed in statements at EU level, and in direct contacts with US officials, by myself and officers of my Department. The US Government can be in no doubt about our view on this question.
Ireland looks forward in due course to establishing Embassies in Jerusalem to both Israel and the future Palestinian state, following the conclusion of a peace agreement and in accordance with international law. Until then, our Embassy to Israel will remain in Tel Aviv.
Efforts to restart the Middle East peace process are currently centred on the initiative being developed by the United States. The US move on Jerusalem has unfortunately made this initiative more difficult, but I believe that it is essential that these efforts persist. I have spoken at the Foreign Affairs Council to urge EU partners to engage with the US to encourage this initiative and to seek to shape it and ensure that it is in line with the key parameters for a settlement. I have myself spoken with the US Middle East team a number of times in this regard. I also spoke with Israeli and Palestinian leaders last week on this issue.
170. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation in Yemen; the efforts being made by the EU in regard to the conflict and the humanitarian situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24676/18]
View answerI am extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen, which is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. I, and officials in my Department, have been monitoring the state of affairs in Yemen with growing anxiety, particularly in recent months as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. After three years of war, three quarters of the population are estimated to require some form of humanitarian assistance. The situation is already untenable. I am particularly troubled by reports of growing tensions around the port of Hodeidah. About 80% of Yemen’s humanitarian and commercial aid runs through this port and any interruption of this flow would lead to further suffering for civilians in Yemen.
Humanitarian access is a critical issue, and I have consistently called on all parties to the conflict to ensure that the people of Yemen receive the assistance they urgently need. Commercial access is equally important, since a population of over 20 million people cannot survive on aid alone. Officials from my Department met with the Saudi Embassy in Dublin late last year and again last month and relayed my strong concerns in relation to humanitarian access. The EU has also made representations to Saudi Arabia on this issue.
The EU is the largest humanitarian donor to Yemen and has provided over €170 million in aid since the conflict began, to which Ireland contributes via the EU Development Budget. Ireland has provided €15.5 million in bilateral humanitarian assistance to Yemen since 2015, including €4million in assistance which was announced in March this year. Ireland also provides global funding to a number of organisations which are particularly active in Yemen including the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Ireland has also worked in the UN system to raise our grave concerns about human rights in Yemen. At the Human Rights Council in September 2017, Ireland was part of a small core group of countries that drove forward the adoption by consensus of a Resolution on Yemen. The resolution established a group of international experts to examine the facts in relation to violations of human rights and humanitarian law on the ground.
The EU has worked to keep communication channels open with all stakeholders and regional actors in Yemen. At the Foreign Affairs Council in December last year, I urged stronger EU action on humanitarian access in Yemen, and I will continue to raise these concerns with all appropriate interlocutors whenever possible.
The EU supports the work of Martin Griffiths, the new Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Yemen, and his team, and in particular his efforts to prepare a framework for negotiations to present to the UN Security Council in June. We hope that peace negotiations can be re-launched shortly afterwards. I believe that the new envoy will be able to engage all parties to the conflict to come back to the negotiating table, in order to achieve a sustainable solution for the people of Yemen. My EU colleagues and I are committed to supporting his work, and would be happy to meet with him at the Foreign Affairs Council to hear how we can best do that.
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to take every appropriate opportunity to press for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Yemen, as well as respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, and improved humanitarian access. I believe that only way to bring about a long-term sustainable improvement in the situation for the Yemeni people is through a negotiated end to this conflict, and the EU stands ready to support this.
171. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on recent efforts to restore the Executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24677/18]
View answerOver the course of many months, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form an Executive. The devolved, power-sharing institutions are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive engagement. In light of this, the Government has been working with the British Government to consider means by which we can support the political process, in accordance with the Agreement, in the period ahead.
The Taoiseach has spoken with Prime Minister May and emphasised the Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and our continuing determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.
I am in very regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, as we seek a way beyond the current impasse.
The Secretary of State and I have each conducted a round of contacts with the Northern Ireland political parties to hear their views on how, at this stage, the two Governments can support the political process, in accordance with the Agreement.
All parties have re-affirmed their commitment to operating the devolved institutions and provided views on their key concerns and issues to be addressed in seeking a way forward.
In light of these consultations, the Secretary of State and I will consider how best the two Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, can chart a way forward that will give the best prospects for getting the devolved institutions operating again without delay.
I will continue to engage intensively, working with Secretary of State Bradley and the leaders of all of the political parties, until that is achieved.
The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable framework for providing stable, inclusive, power-sharing government for all the people of Northern Ireland and for sustaining our interlocking relationships – within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and between the UK and Ireland.
172. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has or is considering the prospect of reopening the embassy in Tehran particularly in view of the plan to double Ireland's global footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24678/18]
View answerThe Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul.
A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Government is conscious of the political, economic and trade factors that might warrant the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in Iran – as in a number of other countries. This will be taken fully into account in ongoing work on the Global Footprint to 2025.
173. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps and actions that have been taken since the publication of the report on challenges being faced by returning Irish emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24679/18]
View answerSince the publication of the Indecon Economic Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has undertaken a number of steps, in conjunction with other Government Departments and State Agencies, to address the thirty recommendations made in the report.
In the first instance my colleague the Minister of State for the Diaspora, Ciarán Cannon T.D., wrote to all Government Departments seeking their response to the report, and specifically to the recommendations in the report that fell within their areas of responsibility. Further updates were provided by respective Departments at the meeting of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Irish Abroad chaired by Minister of State Cannon on 16th May at Government Buildings.
Minister of State Cannon has also recently met directly with the Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D. to discuss the education related recommendations that were made in the Indecon Report.
My Department has already implemented several of the Indecon Report’s recommendations in relation to information provision. An enhanced ‘Returning to Ireland’ section containing more information and advice for returning emigrants has been developed for our dedicated diaspora website, the Global Irish Hub. Officials are working closely with the Citizen’s Information Board to ensure that returning emigrants have the best information and advice possible to assist them in making the return back to Ireland.
Minister of State Cannon has also written to all motor insurance underwriters that operate in Ireland requesting information as to their approach, with a view to further information on motor insurance for returning emigrant drivers being made available, as recommended in the report.
It is my intention that a report will be made to Government on the progress made since the publication of the Indecon Report, in advance of the summer recess.
174. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is he is satisfied that the Passport Office has sufficient resources to deal with the peak in demand during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24851/18]
View answerThe Passport Service is currently in its peak season for passport demand with the vast majority of applications being received between February and August each year.
The Passport Service monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand. In order to respond to anticipated application increases and to seasonal demands, the Passport Service received sanction for 220 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) this year to be appointed to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. These TCOs are working together with permanent staff to process passport applications and to deal with the high number of enquiries being made through the Passport Service’s various customer service channels.
The demand for passports is 7% higher at this period, in comparison to the same period last year. The Passport Service is meeting its target turnaround times for certain categories of applicants, and I acknowledge that there are delays in other categories. For applicants that have used the Online Passport Application service, the target turnaround timeframe of 10 working days (plus postage) is being met and in 50% of cases, applications are being processed in 5 working days (plus postage). The target timeframe of 15 working days for Passport Express renewals is also currently being met.
The Passport Service acknowledges that for certain categories such as first time applicants and applicants with lost or stolen passports, processing is taking longer due to additional security checks. The Passport Service is doing everything possible to ensure that passports are processed as quickly as possible. In addition to the intake of TCOs, staff from other Divisions in the Department have been reassigned to assist with enquiries, and targeted overtime is available.
A central element of my Department’s approach to managing increasing application volumes has been the implementation of service improvements in order to minimise the impact unusually high application volumes have on turnaround times. The Passport Reform Programme is delivering major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements. The online passport application service, which was launched last year, will continue to make a major contribution to the effective management of exceptionally high volumes by allowing existing resources to be more effectively deployed within the Passport Service. I would encourage all applicants wherever possible to renew their passports using the online renewal service.
The Passport Service is satisfied that the combination of delivery upgrades to the technology platforms and application process, together with the recruitment of adequate TCOs and reallocation of resources from other divisions on a temporary basis, will meet the demand during peak season.
175. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the guidelines and timeframe for withdrawing an active passport application at an appointment in the Passport Office; the documentation required when submitting the new or duplicate application at the time of appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24974/18]
View answerApplicants who have submitted a passport renewal application through Passport Express may withdraw their original application and re-apply through the counter application service. This service is designed to accommodate applicants who have upcoming travel plans and have, in error, submitted their passport application through a channel which would not allow the application to be processed before their travel date.
If proof of travel is provided, the counter service allows for applications to be processed in timeframes shorter than those offered by Passport Express and the online passport application. First time passport applications can not avail of this service as the necessary security and identity checks do not allow for expediting of such applications. Full details on eligibility, terms and conditions and timeframes for all individual passport application channels are available on the Passport Service’s website www.dfa.ie/passport.
All applicants who wish to resubmit a Passport Express application must book a counter appointment online at www.passportappointments.ie.
Resubmission of an application will require the original application to be cancelled. Applicants who are cancelling a Passport Express application must submit a written request to cancel their original application at the time of their counter appointment. This written request must be signed by the applicant (or applicant’s parent/guardian in the case of a child’s renewal application). All cancellation requests must cite the application number of the original application.
The applicant will be required to submit all necessary documentation at the time of their appointment, including:
A new fully completed application form, suitably witnessed and accompanied by new photographs.
The full relevant passport fee. Application fees in respect of the original application will be refunded to applicants following processing of the cancellation request. Additional processing fees apply for the counter application service depending on the processing timeframe requested. Full details on all applicable fees can be found on the passport Service’s website here:
www.dfa.ie/passports-citizenship/top-passport-questions/passport-fees/ .
Any required documents that were not submitted in respect of the original application must be submitted before the new application can proceed. Submission of incomplete application forms and supporting documentation will result in the passport application being delayed.
176. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the supports available for second level schools that are promoting the option of second level education for international students here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25062/18]
View answerMy Department does not undertake such activities. The national International Education Strategy – outlined in Irish Educated, Globally Connected: An International Education Strategy for Ireland, 2016-2020 – is under the direction of the Minister for Education and Skills. Furthermore, the Department of Education and Skills has informed my officials that it does not provide supports for second level schools seeking to attract international students. However, our Mission Network is always ready to guide and assist those seeking to promote their activities abroad.
177. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications processed by the Dublin passport office in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [25151/18]
View answerThe Passport Service located in my Department is one unified service composed of 3 constituent offices located in Mount Street, Dublin; Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and South Mall, Cork.
The following table shows how many passport applications were processed by the Passport Service’s Dublin and Cork offices for the years requested:
|
Year |
Total Passport Applications |
|
2016 |
750,833 |
|
2017 |
789,701 |
|
2018* |
450,055 |
*Jan 1 to May 31 2018
178. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of whole-time equivalent staff working in the Dublin passport office in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [25152/18]
View answerThe following table details the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service in both Dublin offices (Mount St. and Balbriggan) at the end of the year for 2016 and 2017 and at the end of May 2018.
|
Year |
Number of staff |
|
2016 (December 31) |
225.3 |
|
2017 (December 31) |
244.5 |
|
2018 (May 31) |
266.9 |
179. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the annual pay bill for the Dublin passport office in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [25153/18]
View answerThe Department employs approximately 350 people in the Passport Offices in Mount Street, Balbriggan and in Cork.
The pay bill, including Employer’s PRSI, for the permanent staff employed in Dublin and Balbriggan for 2016, 2017 and to the end of May 2018 is set out below.
My Department also employs Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) to meet seasonal demand, and the pay bill for these staff over the period in question, inclusive of Employer’s PRSI, is also set out below.
|
Passport Office – Dublin/Balbriggan |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 to end May |
|
Permanent Staff |
€10,740,147 |
€11,358,079 |
€4,778,942 |
|
TCOs |
€1,692,444 |
€1,431,431 |
€409,350 |
|
TOTAL |
€12,432,591 |
€12,789,510 |
€5,188,292 |
180. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications processed by the Cork passport office in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [25155/18]
View answerThe Passport Service located in my Department is one unified service composed of 3 constituent offices located in Mount Street, Dublin; Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and South Mall, Cork.
The following table shows how many passport applications were processed by the Passport Service’s Dublin and Cork offices for the years requested:
|
Year |
Total Passport Applications |
|
2016 |
750,833 |
|
2017 |
789,701 |
|
2018* |
450,055 |
*Jan 1 to May 31 2018
181. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of whole-time equivalent staff working in the Cork passport office in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [25156/18]
View answerThe following table details the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service’s Cork office at the end of the year for 2016 and 2017 and at the end of May 2018.
|
Year |
Number of Staff |
|
2016 (December 31) |
76.5 |
|
2017 (December 31) |
78 |
|
2018 (May 31) |
85.9 |
182. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the annual pay bill for the Cork passport office in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [25157/18]
View answerMy Department employs approximately 350 people in the Passport Offices in Dublin, Balbriggan and in Cork.
The pay bill, including Employer’s PRSI, for the permanent staff employed in Cork for 2016, 2017 and to the end of May 2018 is set out below.
My department also employs Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) to meet seasonal demand, and the pay bill for these staff over the period in question, inclusive of Employer’s PRSI, is also set out below.
|
Passport Office – Cork |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 to end May |
|
Permanent Staff |
€3,602,100 |
€3,603,236 |
€1,622,237 |
|
TCOs |
€497,947 |
€445,224 |
€149,158 |
|
TOTAL |
€4,100,047 |
€4,048,460 |
€1,771,395 |
183. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the sections and parts of all legislation brought forward by his Department in each of the past four years that have yet to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25179/18]
View answerThe Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill is the only legislation brought forward by my Department in the past four years that has yet to be commenced. It will commence in August 2018 to coincide with the entry into force of the Convention, for Ireland.
