Written Answers Nos. 362-381
362. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by his Department in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4530/21]
View answerUnder the Disability Act 2005, public service bodies have a duty to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and to ensure that at least 3% of their employees are people with disabilities. In addition the Department has a statutory requirement to maintain accurate records on the number of staff with disabilities in the Department. To meet this requirement, on an annual basis, staff are requested to declare, confidentially, if they have a disability.
The following table sets out total numbers of employees in my Department in the period 2015-2019; and the numbers/percentage of employees who have declared themselves to have a disability as part of our annual survey.
|
Year |
Total number of staff |
Number of staff who declared a disability as part of our annual survey under the Disability Act 2005 |
Percentage of staff who declared a disability as part of our annual survey under the Disability Act 2005 |
|
2015 |
758 |
35 |
4.75% |
|
2016 |
638 |
32 |
4.69% |
|
2017 |
656 |
34 |
5% |
|
2018 |
750 |
40 |
6% |
|
2019 |
839 |
47 |
5.72% |
Figures for 2020 are not available at this time as my Department has yet to conduct our annual survey for last year due to management of the COVID-19 situation placing significant additional demands on the HR team. Records are not retained in respect of whether the staff who have declared a disability are part time or fulltime.
My Department is committed to supporting employees with disabilities. In this regard some specific measures within my Department include:
- Participation in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) programme since 2018 offering graduates with disabilities a 6 month work placement within the Department.
- Support for the Job Shadow Day initiative on an annual basis, as part of the national project which brings people with disabilities and local employers together for one day; for the last number of years my Department has teamed with the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK). Due to Covid-19 we were not asked to participate in 2020.
- My Department recently introduced its Universal Design and Accessibility Policy and Action Plan, which aims to demonstrate the Department’s commitment to accessibility, the principles of Universal Design and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities.
- During 2020, my Department has run Disability Awareness Training and Autism Awareness Training, supporting our commitments under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
- My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer who provides additional support to staff with disabilities on an ongoing basis, providing reasonable accommodations as appropriate. We also have a mentoring programme open to all staff.
363. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of State and semi-State board appointments that fall under the aegis of his Department made since this Government took office including the name of the board or agency and the remuneration level associated with the board position in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/21]
View answer364. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all State and semi-State boards that fall under the aegis of his Department; the level of remuneration being paid to each board member including chairpersons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4569/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 364 together.
Since the formation of the Government, the following appointments have been made to State bodies which fall under the aegis of my Department.
|
State Body |
No. of Appointments |
Associated Fee |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
22 |
Nil |
|
Ervia |
1 |
Nil |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
1 |
Nil |
|
Heritage Council |
10 |
Nil |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
1 |
Nil |
|
Irish Water |
1 |
Nil |
|
Land Development Agency |
8 |
Nil to €15,750 |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
6 |
Nil |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
4 |
Nil to €7,695 |
|
Property Registration Authority |
1 |
€11,970 |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
3 |
Chair - €8,978 Members - €200 Per Meeting |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
1 |
€11,235 |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
12 |
Varies according to quantum of work |
|
Water Advisory Body |
1 |
Nil |
There are 23 State bodies which fall under the aegis of my Department, as set out in tabular form below, together with the level of fees for members of the associated Boards.
|
State Body |
Level of Fees |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Pay rates rather than fees |
|
An Forám Uisce (the Water Forum) |
No Board |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
No Board Appointments to Date |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
No Board |
|
Ervia |
Chairperson - €31,500 Member - €15,750 |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
Nil |
|
Heritage Council |
Nil |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
Member - Nil to €7,695 |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Nil to €3,847.50 |
|
Irish Water |
Nil |
|
Land Development Agency |
Chairperson - €31,500 Board Members – Nil to €15,750 |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
Nil |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
Chairperson - €11,970 Member - €7,695 |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
No Board |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
No Board |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Chairperson - €11,970 Member - Nil to €7,695 |
|
Property Registration Authority |
Chairperson - €20,520 Member - €11,970 |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
Chairperson - €8,978 Member - €200 Per Meeting to a Maximum of €2,400 Per Annum |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
Chairperson - €8,978 (Board) & €7,700 (Quasi-Judicial Role) Member - €5,985 (Board) & €5,250 (Quasi-Judicial Role) |
|
Valuation Office |
No Board |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
Varies according to quantum of work |
|
Waterways Ireland |
No Board |
|
Water Advisory Body |
Non Ex-Officio - €5,985 |
365. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated by his Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4759/21]
View answer366. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding spent by his Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4770/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.
In 2020, my Department spent €192,907 on public information material as part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This related to the printing and translation, including into braille and sign language, of an information brochure on the Community Call initiative which was delivered to every home, and the design of the COVID-19 Guide for the Bereaved.
This funding was met from the Department Vote in 2020. No additional allocation has been made for 2021.
367. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the detention of a person (details supplied) by Russian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3547/21]
View answerAs you will have observed in my statement of 18 January, I join the EU, US, UK and others in condemning the detention of Alexei Navalny on his return to Moscow on 17 January and I call for his immediate release.
Having survived an attempted poisoning on Russian soil, Mr Navalny chose to return home of his own free will. His detention, immediately upon arrival, raises serious questions around the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. I am also deeply concerned by the mass detentions and scenes of police violence during peaceful protests across Russia on 23 January.
Unfortunately there has been deterioration in the environment for civil society in Russia. The recent changes in the foreign agents’ law are an example of this and I am concerned that these laws could be used to further crack down on civil society and critical voices.
I reiterate the call for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation into the poisoning of Mr. Navalny in full cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Ireland's view on this detention has been communicated directly to the Russian Ambassador at official level. EU Foreign Ministers considered this issue at our meeting on Monday 25 January and we discussed the next steps for a response. As a first step HR/VP Borrell intends to convey the EU's position to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when he travels to Moscow in early February. I will continue to engage with my colleagues to develop a firm EU response.
368. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it will be ensured there will be sufficient staff in place to deal with the backlog of applications for passports and the anticipated demand for new passports once Covid-19 travel restrictions are no longer required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3634/21]
View answer379. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which persons who need passports for urgent or compassionate reasons can apply for same during level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3981/21]
View answer409. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Passport Office can issue a passport for members of families on an emergency basis when they are relocating and moving abroad to access work or for other reasons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4310/21]
View answer412. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the processes available for persons to apply for a passport under Covid-19 restrictions. [4362/21]
View answer414. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason standard passport applications cannot be processed during the level 5 restrictions; the way in which he plans to deal with the backlog of passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4391/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 379, 409, 412 and 414 together.
The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas.
The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or to travel for urgent reasons, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident that any backlog will be cleared quickly. When the Passport Service resumed operations in June 2020, the backlog was cleared in four weeks. It was similar in December 2020 with the majority of the backlog cleared within three weeks.
The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3 of the National Framework.
369. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the situation regarding an entitlement to an Irish passport by a UK born and UK citizen who is married to an Irish citizen who is an Irish passport holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3635/21]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement.
Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation.
An individual born on the island of Ireland before 2005 is automatically an Irish citizen. For individuals born outside of Ireland, they may claim citizenship if they had at least one parent who was born in the island of Ireland before 2005.
Individuals born outside of Ireland can also claim citizenship through a parent who was not born in Ireland but was an Irish citizen at the time of the individual's birth, or through a grandparent born in Ireland. Individuals who wish to claim citizenship through these means must have his/her birth entered on the Foreign Births Register (FBR). Citizenship commences after inclusion on the FBR. Further details regarding the process can be consulted at the Passport Service's website.
There are no provisions for the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen to acquire Irish citizenship solely by virtue of marriage or civil partnership. Post nuptial citizenship was repealed with effect from 30 November 2005. There is no provision to apply for post nuptial citizenship retrospectively.
An individual may apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation. Minimum residency terms must be satisfied before an individual is eligible for citizenship through naturalisation. The Department of Justice is responsible for citizenship matters, including applications for naturalisation.
370. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise concerns regarding the recent arrest of a person (details supplied) with the Russian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3638/21]
View answerAs you will have seen in my statement of 18 January, I join the EU, US, UK and others in condemning the detention of Alexei Navalny on his return to Moscow on 17 January and I call for his immediate release.
Having survived an attempted poisoning on Russian soil, Mr Navalny chose to return home of his own free will. His detention, immediately upon arrival, raises serious questions around the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. I am also deeply concerned by the mass detentions and scenes of police violence during peaceful protests across Russia on 23 January.
Unfortunately there has been deterioration in the environment for civil society in Russia. The recent changes in the foreign agents’ law are an example of this and I am concerned that these laws could be used to further crack down on civil society and critical voices.
I reiterate the call for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation into the poisoning of Mr. Navalny in full co-operation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Ireland's view on this detention has been communicated directly to the Russian ambassador at official level. EU foreign Ministers considered this issue at our meeting on Monday 25 January and we discussed the next steps for a response. As a first step HR/VP Borrell intends to convey the EU's position to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when he travels to Moscow in early February. I will continue to engage with my colleagues to develop a firm EU response.
371. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the processing of an application for a passport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be finalised; the reason for the delay in processing this application; if his attention has been drawn to the financial and future employment implications that will be imposed on the family who are moving abroad permanently if they are forced to cancel their flight on 5 February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3711/21]
View answerThe Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas.
The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or to travel for urgent reasons, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed. The Passport Service is confident that any backlog will be cleared quickly. When the Passport Service resumed operations in June 2020, the backlog was cleared in four weeks. It was similar in December 2020 with the majority of the backlog cleared within three weeks.
The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3 of the framework.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, an official from the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant’s mother on 19 January 2020 to advise that the application will be processed at Level 4 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. First time applications for children can only be processed in case of an emergency such as medical treatment overseas or the death or serious illness of a close relative.
372. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on submitting the final report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation to the Holy See for an official response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3740/21]
View answerFirstly I wish to repeat the apology of the Government and the State to the Irish mothers and their children who ended up in a mother and baby home or a county home. As the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes clearly states, "they should not have been there."
Minister O'Gorman has publicly stated that all parties who were involved in the management or delivery of these services have a shared obligation to support appropriate actions in response to this Report. He has written to those parties, including the leaders of the Catholic Church in Ireland, to seek urgent engagement on the issues raised in the report.
The Government has previously raised the ongoing work of the Commission with the Holy See and I have asked our Ambassador to bring this important Report to the attention of the Holy See.
373. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of overseas development assistance Ireland gives to Pakistan; if more can be done by Ireland to counter reported prejudices against Christian and Hindu minority groups in Pakistan; if he will examine claims of institutionalised tolerance of sexual abuse in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3880/21]
View answerIreland provides funding to Pakistan for humanitarian and development assistance through multilateral and bilateral channels. This funding amounted to more than €3.4 million between 2015 and 2019. Meanwhile between 2009 and 2019, the EU provided over €565 million to Pakistan to support families affected by conflict, malnutrition and food insecurity.
Ireland has consistently condemned all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. I am concerned by reports regarding the position of religious minority groups in Pakistan. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental freedom, provided for under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which has been ratified by Pakistan. I am aware also of very disturbing reports of forced marriages and other cases of sexual abuse in Pakistan.
The EU has a Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) with Pakistan aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas including to “enhance intercultural and inter-faith dialogue and understanding to promote tolerance and harmony”. Ireland participates actively at EU bilateral dialogues with Pakistan, most recently during the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue on 3 November 2020. EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore met last year with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, as part of ongoing EU-Pakistan human rights dialogue.
Ambassador Sonya McGuinness visited Islamabad earlier this month to present credentials and she met with Minister Mazari to discuss human rights challenges in Pakistan. The discussion covered a wide range of human rights topics including freedom from discrimination on the grounds of religion in Pakistan and Europe.
374. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department plans to introduce vaccination passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3881/21]
View answerPassports are internationally recognised travel documents that attest to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Irish passport is a highly valued identity document and its integrity is paramount to the maintenance of the level of visa-free access that Irish citizens enjoy to 93 countries worldwide today. Any changes to the format of the Irish passport must be fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations and standards.
The ICAO is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport.
The ICAO has nominated experts to participate in the established WHO Smart Vaccination expert group. The expert group has three work streams which will work with the objective to provide a framework and related specifications for reliable and secure vaccine certification.
Officials from the Passport Service were briefed on the work of the expert group on 21 January 2020.
My Department currently has no plans to introduce vaccination passports. The HSE is planning for the production of vaccine certificates at part of its implementation planning for a COVID-19 vaccination programme.
375. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3885/21]
View answerThe Passport Service has paused the processing of Foreign Births Registration applications as Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Normal service will resume once Level 3 restrictions are in place. Any developments in this regard will be notified on the Department’s website.
The delivery of the FBR service has been delayed by up to eighteen months. This is due to significant Brexit-related increases in the number of applications received in recent years as well as the current and previous Covid-related pauses in the FBR service.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 21 October 2019 and is waiting to be checked for registration entitlement. Once normal service is resumed at Level 3, it is expected that this application will be processed in a matter of weeks thereafter.
376. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if clarity will be provided to a person (details supplied) given the lengthy period of time which has passed since the initial passport was held; if a new passport application is required; if a passport renewal will suffice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3903/21]
View answerIn response to the move to Level 5 on the Government's National Framework for Living with COVID-19, the Passport Service is operating an emergency service at this time. Applicants can apply using Passport Online and processing will resume at Level 4.
In cases where an applicant's most recent passport has expired by more than five years, i.e. their last passport was issued more than 15 years ago, the new passport application will have the same documentary requirements as a first time application.
377. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if further consideration has been given to the abolishment of the current cost of a ten-year passport for a senior citizen in particular if the person can show they are of a low income, for example, for persons in receipt of the fuel allowance on their State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3909/21]
View answerThe Passport Service does not provide a reduced fee to any category of adult applicant for a passport, whether for the renewal of a passport or for a first time application. A reduced fee is applied on applications for passports for minors in recognition of the fact that a minor’s passport is valid for only five years. Most adult passports will be issued for a period of ten years.
I am satisfied that, at a cost of €75 for an online renewal, which breaks down to €7.50 per year, the Irish passport fee compares favourably with the services offered elsewhere.
Given that any shortfall in revenue would have to be met by the taxpayer, a decision to waive or reduce the application fee for any category of applicant would require careful consideration. It is important to ensure that the major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements which have taken place in recent years can be maintained and further developed.
378. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his approach to dealing with the new US administration, in particular the impact of its proposals for immigration reform on the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3969/21]
View answerStrengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government, as well in our Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025. We continue to maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum, and will continue to seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with the new administration of President Joe Biden.
In particular, we look forward to working with the new Administration, as well as with the United States Congress, across the aisle, to pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US. I am delighted to see that immigration issues, including regarding pathways to citizenship, are a priority for the new US President. Our Embassy and network of Consulates General will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to engage with Federal and State initiatives on these issues.
The issue of Irish immigration to the US, particularly the status of the undocumented Irish, has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with US Administrations and political leaders. I have raised these issues in contacts with members of the previous US Administration and both Houses of Congress, including during my visit to Washington D.C. at the end of September last year.
In terms of securing future pathways for immigration, we continue to prioritise the E3 Visa Bill. If passed, this could allow access to thousands of US visas each year to Irish citizens, providing new opportunities to live and work in the US. Now that the new Administration and new Congress is in place, we will seek the reintroduction of the Bill at the earliest opportunity.
380. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the specific funding streams available to local authorities to apply for; the amount that has been given by county; the amount awarded under each scheme in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4056/21]
View answerMy Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and administers a number of funding schemes under both votes. This includes, under Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs), funding for Diaspora projects, funding for certain projects under the communications budget and the Department’s Reconciliation Fund. Details of funding allocated to local authorities for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 are set out in the table below. No funding was provided under Vote 27 (International Cooperation) to local authorities during this period.
In the area of Diaspora support, in 2018 my Department funded the 2018 Global Irish Festival Series, a Diaspora-focused tourism programme delivered by local authorities, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland. This provided support of €100,000 to Limerick County Council and €60,000 to Donegal County Council, as well as €40,000 in marketing for the events and €10,000 for training and evaluation of the programme. A second series was envisaged for 2020-2021, with a two year funding programme, to provide funding for a planning and development phase in year 1 and operational costs for delivery in year 2. Due to the impact of COVID-19, this was postponed for 12 months. Agreements to support Mayo and Kerry Councils organise and host Diaspora tourism events were agreed last year. My Department will provide €100,000 over two years, with matching funding from Fáilte Ireland. The Councils will also contribute to the costs of the festival series. My Department plans to provide €40,000 for the planning and development phase this year and €60,000 for the operations and delivery phase in 2022.
The Department's Reconciliation Fund was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, as well as between Ireland and Britain. Over €60 million has been allocated to approximately 2,800 projects during this time. Generally speaking, two funding rounds take place under this scheme annually. The first funding round of 2021 is due to be advertised in the coming weeks and details of funding criteria and how to apply will be available on my Department’s website at: www.dfa.ie/reconciliation. In the period since 2018, a small number of grants has been issued to support work by Local Authorities, in particular for project initiatives by county museums in the area of commemoration of events of the decade of centenaries.
Under the Department's communications budget, my Department has also supported a programme of events to celebrate Africa Day since 2006, including making grant funding available to local authorities to support the organisation of local authority- and community- led events around Ireland. In 2020, my Department engaged with local authorities on Africa Day, but no funding was awarded due to the cancellation of public events arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. No Africa Day funding has been awarded to local authorities in 2021 to date.
|
Local Authority |
Purpose of Funding |
2018 € |
2019 € |
2020 € |
2021 € |
Fund |
|
Cavan |
Cavan County Museum: "Choices Made - Journeys Taken" Exhibition |
7,500.00 |
- |
- |
- |
Reconciliation Fund |
|
Cavan |
Cavan County Museum: Outdoor Exhibitions Audio Equipment |
- |
15,000.00 |
- |
- |
Reconciliation Fund |
|
Cork |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
8,209.68 |
15,000.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Donegal |
Global Irish Festival Series |
- |
60,000.00 |
- |
- |
Diaspora |
|
Donegal |
Donegal County Museum: "Update and Reprint of the County Donegal Book of Honour" |
7,000.00 |
- |
- |
- |
Reconciliation Fund |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
Global Irish Festival Series – Diaspora focused tourism programme delivered by local authorities |
140,000.00 |
- |
- |
40,000.00 |
Diaspora |
|
Fingal |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
- |
11,500.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Galway |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
6,760.99 |
11,300.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Kildare |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
- |
6,670.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Laois |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
- |
10,871.56 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Limerick |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
8,675.49 |
13,650.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Limerick |
2018 Global Irish Festival Series |
- |
100,000.00 |
- |
- |
Diaspora |
|
Louth |
Local Authorities Museums' Network: "Does the Border Matter?" Conference |
5,000.00 |
- |
- |
- |
Reconciliation Fund |
|
Meath |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
5,351.00 |
14,900.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Monaghan |
Screening of "Project Children" Documentary |
2,000.00 |
- |
- |
- |
Reconciliation Fund |
|
South Dublin |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
- |
6,800.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Waterford |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
7,765.13 |
14,800.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
|
Wexford |
Organisation of Africa Day events |
1,850.00 |
3,400.00 |
- |
- |
Communications |
381. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider acting to remove the punitive measure of charging married women the full cost of attaining a new passport, which they are forced to incur if they have taken their husband's surname; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4100/21]
View answerA passport is valid up until the expiry date stipulated on the passport. An applicant may choose to update their passport in advance of this expiry date for reasons such as changing their name through marriage. There is no requirement for a person to update their name on a passport to that of their spouse after marriage, it is a choice which the Passport Service accommodates.
The application of the relevant fee is not a punitive measure, but rather reflects that the applicant is choosing to replace a valid passport with a new passport which will be valid for 10 years.
