Written Answers Nos. 407-431
407. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of prosecutions that have been taken by the Residential Tenancies Board in relation to unregistered landlords. [13378/21]
View answerThe information requested is not available in my Department.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
408. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provisions in place to protect those in multi-occupancies from unsuitable conditions and in particular to prevent two to three-bedroom houses from renovation into large occupancy units of five to ten persons in cramped conditions. [13379/21]
View answerMinimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. These Regulations focus on tenant safety and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, safety of gas, oil and electrical supply and fire. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let and are available at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2019/si/137/made/en/print
These Regulations do not address the minimum area of a dwelling or any of the rooms contained within.
With very limited exemptions, the regulations apply to all private rented residential accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply. Responsibility for enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
Local authorities have a strong legislative framework available to them which provides for the issuing of Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices where landlords are in breach of their obligations. Under Section 34 of that Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, any person who fails to comply with an improvement notice or re-lets a house in breach of a prohibition notice, will be guilty of an offence and will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
Part IV of the Housing Act 1966 deals with overcrowding and establishes effective limits on the numbers of people that can occupy the same bedroom. The Act requires, inter alia, that there is at least 400 cubic feet of free air space for each person in a bedroom. Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of this legislation.
Under the Act, a housing authority may request information from the owner or occupier of a house such as will allow that authority to determine if a house can be deemed to be overcrowded, having regard to section 63 of the Act.
Under the Act, a local authority can prohibit the use of an overcrowded dwelling, irrespective of whether it is being let or not, and can serve notice on the owner of a dwelling specifying the maximum number of persons that may occupy it without causing overcrowding. If the owner of a house is causing or permitting the house to be overcrowded, the authority can require the owner to desist from this within a period not exceeding 21 days. Any person who neglects or refuses to comply with these requirements is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a class C fine not exceeding €2,500 and/or to imprisonment for up to one month.
Overcrowding may give rise to concerns in respect of fire safety, and may lead to enforcement action by fire authorities.
I am committed to empowering local authorities to deal with overcrowding more effectively.
My Department is currently working on proposed legislative changes to the Housing Act 1966 which are designed to strengthen the statutory framework for the enforcement of the Act's overcrowding provisions.
409. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of residents living near colleges in relation to the 2021 summer months and the prospect of short-term large occupancy rentals. [13380/21]
View answerThe Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 introduced legislative changes in relation to the regulation of the short-term letting sector through the planning code to help address its impact on the supply of private rented accommodation, particularly in urban centres of high housing demand i.e. rent pressure zones (RPZs). The planning system facilitates the regulation of such short-term letting uses undertaken by the individual carrying out the activity, i.e. the owner/occupier of the house or apartment, rather than the online platforms advertising such properties.
The provisions do not generally affect the operation of purpose built student accommodation, for which permissions are typically granted with planning conditions that generally facilitates the use of student accommodation complexes as alternative summer or holiday accommodation but which are reserved as student housing during the academic year. This is on foot of advice provided by my Department to planning authorities, by way of Circular Letter PL8/2016 issued in July 2016, regarding matters to consider in relation to the handling of planning applications for student accommodation. In this regard, the Circular makes it clear that housing for students is a specific and important segment of the overall housing sector with distinct characteristics and requirements. Accordingly, appropriate safeguards are required to ensure that student accommodation is not used as permanent residential accommodation or for other uses and is restricted to the accommodation of students during the academic year.
However, planning authorities were reminded of the need to establish a steady rental income for such student accommodation developments throughout the year in order to ensure the deliverability and viability of student accommodation development projects from a funding perspective and to recognise that such complexes can also play an important role in providing affordable accommodation for tourists and visitors in major urban areas during the peak summer demand periods.
410. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason new housing developments cannot at present be uploaded onto the Building Control Management System; if this can be changed in order that development can recommence promptly once restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13400/21]
View answerBuilding owners, and builders are responsible for ensuring that buildings or works are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. Under Article 8 of the Building Control Regulations 1997 – 2020, ‘A person who intends to carry out any works, or to make a material change of use as regards a building to which this Part applies, shall give, to the building control authority in whose functional area the works or building are, is or will be situated, notice in writing of such intention (in these Regulations referred to as a “commencement notice”) not less than fourteen days and not more than twenty-eight days before the commencement of the works or the making of the material change of use’.
The Building Control Management System (BCMS) provides a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector. The BCMS is an IT enabler, set up to facilitate building control authorities, building owners, builders and construction professionals in discharging their separate responsibilities under the Building Control Act 1990.
As Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the operation of the BCMS which is managed by the National Building Control Office (NBCO) within Dublin City Council (DCC) as an effective shared service in the 31 Building Control Authorities. The NBCO may be contacted by phone at 01 222 7947/7948 or by email to support@nbco.gov.ie.
Current covid restrictions are set out in the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 701 of 2020), as amended. Under these regulations construction is closed with the exception of essential services. An essential service means a service specified in Part 2 of the Schedule to the Principal Regulations. An explanation of what is considered essential in relation to construction and development is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/#construction-and-development
Finally, the issues referred to by the Deputy are a matter for local Building Control Authorities, who are independent in the use of their statutory powers under the Building Control Acts 1990 -2020. However, my Department is currently engaging with the relevant authorities with a view to ensuring that development can recommence promptly once restrictions are lifted.
412. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Meath County Council is correct when it states that the National Quality Standards Framework pertains only to services delivered by NGOs and are funded by section 10 homeless funding in view of his recent statement that the framework is being applied to all providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13442/21]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by housing authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
All emergency accommodation, whether provided by local authorities, NGOs, voluntary bodies or privately are required to comply with standards and these standards are monitored. The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority and NGO delivered services. The Framework was developed to ensure a consistent approach in how local authorities and service providers respond to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and to improve the quality of services provided. In general, the operation of these emergency accommodation facilities is contracted out by local authorities, under service level agreements, to NGOs involved in the delivery of homeless services.
Local authorities also carry out inspections on facilities that are not covered under the Framework. This regime operates in parallel with, and is based on, the NQSF arrangements. Separate to the service standards expected of providers via service level agreements, all homeless service providers must meet the requirements of statutory codes, in particular the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Fire Services Acts.
413. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average waiting times for approved housing applicants in County Tipperary by local electoral area in tabular form. [13452/21]
View answerDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area are provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020, shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%.
Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, including Tipperary, across a range of categories. SSHA data is collected and collated at local authority level and therefore a breakdown of the numbers by electoral area cannot be provided.
In relation to the question posed by the Deputy regarding the average time spent on the housing list, information of this exact type is not held by my Department. However, details on the length of time spent on the record of qualified households (waiting lists) can be found at tables 2.8 and A1.8 of the report.
It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time snapshot of the demand for social housing support in each local authority area and does not necessarily reflect the dynamic nature of entry to and exit from the housing waiting lists.
2020 Report
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/
414. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of HAP payments in each local electoral area in County Tipperary over the past five years. [13453/21]
View answerMy Department does not hold data on Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenancies by local electoral area, but rather collects and publishes data by local authority area.
A breakdown of the number of tenancies supported under HAP for the period 2014 to 2020, broken down by local authority, is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision .
HAP is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. At end Q4 2020 there were nearly 60,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 33,520 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme. HAP commenced in Tipperary on 29 June 2015 and the total numbers of active HAP tenancies at end Q4 2020 was 1,868. The Q4 2020 average monthly rent paid to landlords under the HAP scheme in Tipperary was €503.69.
In respect of the provision of HAP funding, Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but, rather, recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.
Data in relation to funding provided by the State for HAP tenancies, broken down by local authority area, can be found on my Department's website at this link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#housing-assistance-payment
This funding represents the portion paid after receipt of the differential rent – that is, the tenant contribution - paid by the tenant to the local authority.
416. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has read the recent NESC report on housing. [12564/21]
View answerIn June 2020, as a precursor to review of the National Development Plan (NDP), the NESC Secretariat were asked by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to undertake research in relation to the policy options available to facilitate the delivery of public and private housing, in line with the compact growth targets set out in the National Planning Framework and related policies in the Programme for Government.
NESC published a paper in October, Housing Policy: Actions to Deliver Change. The report provides useful input on key policy issues for my Department, including examining the current and emergency institutional arrangements, how existing policy instruments could be improved and new policy innovation.
Increasing the supply of private, affordable and social homes is a priority for the Government and for my Department and I welcome the analysis undertaken by NESC in the report. My Department has already taken action on many of the recommendations set out in the report. Other measures are being evaluated in the context of the development of the new housing strategy, ‘Housing for All’, which I intend to publish this summer.
418. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to plans to carry out an independent report or analysis of the fire service in Bray, County Wicklow; if so, the details of this proposed analysis; the terms of reference of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13471/21]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, there are 31 fire authorities which provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 218 fire stations nationwide, with 16 of these stations being full-time stations, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 198 retained stations.
My Department was made aware by email in late February 2021 of a proposal to carry out a report/analysis of the provision of fire services in Bray, Co Wicklow. However, it has not been informed of the detail of the proposed analysis or its terms of reference or other documentation in this regard. It is expected that any analysis of fire service provision should have due regard to national standards and guidance set out in the "Keeping Communities Safe" national policy document published in 2013 and take account of support available from adjoining fire services.
419. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the follow-up process that was due to be carried out by the external validation group commissioned by the management board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management; the scope of the follow-up process; the terms of reference; if the Directorate engaged with Wicklow Fire Service; when a report from the external validation group will be ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13472/21]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department, primarily through the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. At the moment there are 31 fire authorities which provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 218 fire stations nationwide.
Over the course of 2014/2015, an External Validation Group (EVG), commissioned by the Management Board of the NDFEM, visited every fire service in the country as part of a new external validation process arising from implementation of the "Keeping Communities Safe" national policy document. In April 2016, the Management Board published the first EVG Report titled “Local Delivery - National Consistency”. The findings of that process are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/fire-and-emergency-management/fire-services-ireland-local-delivery-national
This first EVG report was a welcome benchmark of local authority provision of fire services in Ireland, and reviewed a number of themes. For the first time, it reported on the matching of provision of fire services with assessed fire risk. It reviewed fire safety work and undertook an assessment of the impact of national guidance on safety, health and welfare of staff in fire services. The Report concluded that the public are served well by the locally authority provided fire service arrangements and can retain confidence in the integrity and professionalism of those with responsibility for managing and delivering fire safety and fire services in Ireland.
In May 2019, the Management Board of NDFEM considered a proposal for a second round of external validation, or EVG II. Stakeholder engagement was undertaken in preparation for a thematic review process, which was scheduled to commence in Q1 2020. However, due to Covid-19, the Board made a decision to postpone this process.
As an alternative, the Board mandated staff in the NDFEM to undertake a review of the impact of Covid-19 on local authority fire service resilience and response, as well as on fire safety work and to look at fire services roles in supporting Covid-related emergency management. The objective was to capture issues arising, lessons to be learned and good practice which worked during the first phase of Covid-19 response, so that essential services could continue to be maintained in case of further surges.
This review was undertaken by means of ‘virtual visits’ (i.e. by Webex link) to each of the 27 fire services and three Regional Communications Centres. This ‘virtual’ process was undertaken by an NDFEM team, working in association with Chief Fire Officers and their staff and local authority executives. These visits were undertaken between the 24th of June and the 22nd of September 2020. A composite report on themes related to the impact of Covid-19 on fire services was compiled and presented to the NDFEM Management Board in October 2020.
The position in relation to undertaking an EVG II will be kept under review by the NDFEM Management Board, taking account of the virtual experience of the response and resilience study and in light of the evolving Covid-19 situation.
421. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent across his Department on advertising in relation to Covid-19 by month and by media outlet (details supplied) from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021. [13562/21]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any expenditure on advertising in national newspapers, regional newspapers, national radio, regional and local radio stations and across social media platforms on COVID-19 awareness raising campaigns.
However, in 2020, my Department spent €192,907 on public information material as part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This expenditure 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.
422. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on matters raised in correspondence in relation to a building (details supplied) in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12482/21]
View answerThe American Irish Historical Society, a registered not-for-profit organisation, is a cherished symbol of the profound relationship that has grown between our two countries through the centuries. While the Society is more than its premises, the building on Fifth Avenue is an iconic emblem of Ireland in New York and a vital part of the infrastructure that underpins US-Ireland relations.
I am disappointed and concerned about the proposed sale and I have put on the record of the House my opposition to that sale. Through our Consulate in New York, I have urged the Board of the AIHS to reconsider this decision. The building's loss would be keenly felt by the community in New York and beyond.
I welcome the Statement by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence urging efforts to ensure that the building remains available to the people of New York, the US and Ireland.
There have also been statements by high-profile Irish and Irish-American individuals and institutions in opposition to the sale.
Our Consulate General in New York has been in contact with a range of individuals and organisations in the city about this issue. From these discussions, their assessment is that there is sufficient support among the community for the Society to remain in its current iconic location and to thrive, subject to the right structures being put in place. The Consulate is also maintaining ongoing contact with the President of the AIHS on the situation.
I welcome the Deputy’s question and the correspondence supplied as further evidence of the value and importance the building and the Society play in US-Ireland relations and the desire for the building to remain available to the Irish community of New York and beyond. Keeping the premises on Fifth Avenue available could benefit a huge range of Irish organisations, including Higher Education Institutions and their alumni in the US.
The matter of naming the building or other such changes would, of course, be a matter for decision by the Board of the Society at the right time.
We remain ready to engage in finding a constructive solution that meets the needs of the community and other stakeholders.
423. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views that the international community must provide humanitarian assistance and support a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict in Syria; if Ireland in the role of co-penholder on the Syrian humanitarian file within in the UN Security Council can help to achieve these objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12523/21]
View answerThe conflict in Syria continues to generate significant humanitarian needs and to have profound repercussions for the overall stability of the entire region. More than 13 million people are in need inside the country and more than 5.6 million refugees in neighbouring countries. The onset of winter and the threat Covid sees many millions of people in an enormously vulnerable position
Protecting those in need is our primary focus and obligation. Ireland has contributed almost €170 million in humanitarian assistance to the Syria crisis to date, our largest response to a single crisis. I continue to call on the international community to do all that it can to ensure that extensive needs of the Syrian people can continue to be met.
In order to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end, we need a sustainable end to the conflict in Syria. I strongly support all efforts to bring resolve the conflict, led by UN Special Envoy Pederson under the framework of Security Council 2254. As we approach a decade of conflict, I call on all parties to the conflict to redouble their efforts towards the political solution that the people of Syria so badly deserve.
As noted, Ireland is co-penholder on the Syrian humanitarian file on the Security Council with Norway. In this role we will continue to strongly advocate on the Council that humanitarian assistance must reach all people in need in Syria.
424. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland is supportive of the promotion of democracy and basic human rights in Bahrain; if Ireland can advance these objectives through the membership of the EU and the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12526/21]
View answerRespect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of serious concern.
Although Bahrain has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, we are concerned by ongoing instances of violations of fundamental freedoms, including violations of freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the targeting of human rights defenders.
Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain through the European Union, including through the EU Delegation in Riyadh which is accredited to Bahrain. The most recent EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue took place on 22 February and was chaired by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore. A number of issues of concern were raised with Bahrain at the forum, including rule of law, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, death penalty, torture, and the impact of Covid-19 on the human rights situation.
Ireland has also raised concerns on human rights in Bahrain in relevant international fora, notably the UN Human Rights Council.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain, and to call on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights.
425. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland is supportive of the introduction of fundamental rights and liberties particularly for women in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12529/21]
View answerProtecting and promoting human rights is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland has consistently supported women human rights defenders and continually advocates for the freedom of all civil society actors to operate in a safe and enabling environment.
We acknowledge the progress that Saudi Arabia has made in recent years on human rights in a number of areas, particularly gender equality, penal reform and a decrease in the use of the death penalty. However we remain concerned regarding civil liberties and in particular the ongoing detention of a number of women’s rights defenders. Ireland has raised our concerns on these issues bilaterally with the Saudi authorities.
Ireland also raises these issues in international fora. At the most recent Human Rights Council in February, Ireland co-signed a Joint Statement which expressed concern at the continued restrictions on political and civil rights in Saudi Arabia.
We welcome that plans are advancing to establish an EU-Saudi Arabia Human Rights Dialogue. This will provide a valuable additional forum to discuss human rights issues.
426. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will support the imposition of sanctions on Belarus through membership of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12530/21]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in Belarus. We continue to see the daily harassment and intimidation of civil society, journalists and independent media, unjust detentions and apparent attempts to criminalise human rights work. The repression of the Belarusian people, who are peacefully and courageously defending their democratic and human rights, is totally unacceptable.
As is well known, a concern for human rights is at the core of Ireland's international engagement. We have been very clear that the violations of human rights in Belarus must end immediately. Allegations of such violations need to be independently, transparently and credibly investigated and all those unjustly detained, including political prisoners, must be released. These are fundamental principles for us and this is what we and the EU have communicated during the latest session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
We continue to support civil society in Belarus along with our EU partners, while pressing the Belarusian authorities to adhere to their international obligations and commitments. One such measure is through the imposition of targeted sanctions. There have now been three tranches of EU sanctions imposed against individuals responsible for the ongoing repression of the Belarusian people and businesses which benefit from or support the regime. Ireland is open to further restrictive measures and we have communicated this to our EU colleagues.
I can assure you that Ireland will keep the situation high on the international agenda and do what we can to bring about a peaceful, inclusive and democratic resolution to the current crisis.
427. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has raised concerns regarding the welfare of a person (details supplied) living in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12531/21]
View answerI am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers, and the reports are a cause for serious concern.
We note that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised the case with the UAE authorities and has requested more information and clarification on the current situation. We fully support the High Commissioner’s intervention and look forward to a full and early response from the UAE to the request.
428. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland is supportive of the imposition of sanctions on Venezuela through membership of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12532/21]
View answerThere is a commitment in the Programme for Government to support international efforts to achieve a democratic solution to the Venezuelan crisis.
Ireland works closely with our EU and international partners to seek to ensure a coordinated approach to the political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, based on shared democratic, rule of law and human rights values. The EU introduced restrictive measures on Venezuela in November 2017, and in November 2020, and the measures were further extended until 14 November 2021.
On 22 February 2021, 19 additional individuals were added to the EU restrictive measures list, bringing the total number of listings to 55. The individuals were listed due to their role in acts and decisions undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, or because of serious human rights violations. The measures are targeted and designed not to have adverse humanitarian effects or otherwise unintended consequences for the people of Venezuela. Ireland supports the imposition of these targeted measures in light of the worsening crisis in Venezuela.
Ireland also supports the EU Council Conclusions of 25 January 2021 which stated that the legislative elections held in Venezuela on 6 December 2020 could not be considered credible, inclusive or transparent, and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting a peaceful, negotiated and democratic solution to the crisis.
I remain deeply concerned by the serious and deteriorating situation in Venezuela. The different elements of this crisis are inextricably linked and continue to have a grave impact on the people of Venezuela. I was troubled by the September 2020 report of the Independent Fact-Finding Mission to the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Venezuela. The 46th Session of the Human Rights Council will today, 10 March, hear an oral update on the Fact-Finding Mission.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation in the country. The mass migration that has occurred as a result of the crisis is also severely impacting on neighbouring countries. In 2021, it is estimated that the total number of people to leave Venezuela since the beginning of the crisis could rise to 7 million.
In October, the EU expanded its Guidance Note on how COVID-19-related humanitarian aid could be provided to countries that are subject to EU restrictive measures to include a chapter on Venezuela. The Note gives practical guidance on how to comply with EU sanctions when providing humanitarian aid, in particular medical assistance to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This ensures that humanitarian operators have the reassurance they need to deliver assistance to Venezuela during this unprecedented time.
Ireland has been active in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Since 2019, we have provided almost €2.5 million in funding to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), as well as to NGOs responding to the needs of migrants and refugees from Venezuela.
I will continue to support efforts to overcome the crisis which can only be resolved through a negotiated and peaceful process that fully involves and is owned by the people of Venezuela.
429. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised concerns with his Polish counterpart regarding the recent rolling back of sexual and reproductive rights for women and girls in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12552/21]
View answerThe recent changes to laws concerning abortion in Poland are of great concern to many people in Poland and the EU more generally. We hope that the Polish authorities will pursue a compassionate and fair approach to this issue, taking into account the important issues that have been raised in response to the recent developments.
Ireland has its own recent experience of these issues and we have seen major changes in recent years. Our experience in Ireland in achieving broad consensus in this area is something we are proud of and always willing to engage on with others.
The Government engages regularly with our Polish counterparts, at Ministerial and official level. We will continue this engagement across this and a broad range of issues, including where it pertains to the protection of women’s sexual and reproductive health and issues of gender equality.
430. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the rationale behind the closure of the Passport Office; if the staff have been redeployed elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12678/21]
View answer431. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the level 5 pause in respect of the issuing of passports by the Passport Office; his plans to deal with the impending delays for passport issuing given that persons need their passports on a daily basis for identification purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12685/21]
View answer434. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects the online passport application and renewal process to be back up and running (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12808/21]
View answer435. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the passport renewal services will resume; if plans are in place to deal with the backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12824/21]
View answer440. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedure in place for persons who require a new passport that is not a renewal to receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13060/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 431, 434, 435 and 440 together.
The Passport Service has paused the 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 and urgent service. The emergency 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. The urgent service also assists citizens who are resident abroad who require a valid passport for visa purposes or citizens who require a renewal for work purposes.
The Passport Service continues to process all renewals for work-related travel where evidence is provided. Where it is a first time application, the application will be assessed where the applicant has no other citizenship. Adult first time applications require a very high level of verification to protect the integrity of the Irish passport.
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.
Irish citizens who are resident overseas should make contact through the local Irish Embassy or Consulate General, or WebChat.
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, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that any Passport Online backlog can be cleared in six to eight 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.
