Written Answers Nos. 628-648
628. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the regulations for outdoor dining (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31559/21]
View answerWith a view to supplementing the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Scheme which was announced earlier this year by my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and further to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, a package of amending planning regulations were made on 30 April 2021 to assist in facilitating outdoor dining as well as increased vibrancy and commercial activity in urban areas, particularly in relation to the hospitality and restaurant sectors.
The package of regulations includes the waiving of the street furniture licence fees in respect of tables and chairs used for serving food outside hotels, restaurants, pubs and other establishments in the current year; enabling restaurants to operate as takeaways for the remainder of 2021 without having to apply for change of use planning permission; and revised planning arrangements in relation to the erection of awnings, canopies and other structures at such establishments to support outdoor dining with no fee being applied for the erection of such structures where ancillary to a street furniture licence for tables and chairs.
Furthermore, detailed information on the content of the new regulations and advice on their practical implementation was communicated by my Department to planning authorities by way of Planning Circular Letter PL 06-2021 which issued on 30 April last and which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/b41c5-circular-pl-062021-takeaway-and-outdoor-dining-planning-amendments/
The street furniture licensing system provided for in section 254 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 relates to specific appliances and structures that are to be placed on, above, under or along a public road and does not extend to property in private ownership.
If a business requires an awning for separate purposes unrelated to outdoor dining along a public road, it will need to apply for planning permission to their relevant local authority, with the normal planning application and fee procedures applying. This allows the impacts of awnings including their scale, the need to observe relevant apparatus standards, impacts on pedestrians, residential amenity, traffic management, protected structures, the location of the premises etc to be taken into account in the consideration of any such planning application.
Where a question arises on whether development is or is not development, or is or is not exempted development, any person may seek a declaration from the planning authority under section 5 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
630. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of the local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme through the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; the way it compares to the average cost of mortgage protection insurance in the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/21]
View answerThe local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme applies to all Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans and is charged at the rate of 0.555%. This is added to the overall cost of the loan.
It is important to note that the local authority MPI scheme covers disability as well as death and that the disability cover is for the full period of the disability and not just 12 months as is the case in the majority of MPI policies available.
Standard MPI products are individually priced based on a member's age, amongst other factors, whereas the local authority MPI scheme is a group arrangement offering a single group rate per €1,000 sum assured to all participants in the scheme. Aside from the difference between an individual and a group rate, the following factors have the main influence on determining the price of the local authority MPI scheme:
standard mortality and morbidity factors based on population actuarial statistics;
the local authority borrowers’ risk profile;
the terms and conditions of the local authority MPI scheme and, in particular, the fact that all local authority housing loan borrowers are accepted without medical evidence;
the claims experience of the local authority MPI scheme.
In determining the rate for the local authority MPI scheme, consideration was given to all of the above factors, and the procurement process that was undertaken reflected those requirements. It is important to also point out that there are a number of additional features of the local authority MPI scheme as follows:
in the event of a claim, the insurance covers the amount of the mortgage repayable on death which is similar to standard MPI;
the member’s mortgage repayments are covered if there is a claim as a result of disability and not death; this additional feature is not included in standard MPI products;
an extra cover of €3,000 is also provided in the event of a member’s death, which is not included in standard MPI products;
the local authority MPI scheme covers members to age 75 for death, while ordinary MPI is usually based on a ceasing age of 65 unless an older age is agreed and priced.
631. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of employees in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department who have been in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years. [31878/21]
View answerThere is one employee in my Department in receipt of a higher duty allowance for over two years.
My Department does not hold the requested information in respect of the State Bodies under its aegis. These State Bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the table below.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
632. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the working group on rural planning guidelines in his Department; and when revised guidance on the issue of rural planning will be provided to local authorities that are currently revising their development plans. [31961/21]
View answerUnder the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing.
A working group was established to review and, where necessary, recommend changes to the 2005 Guidelines and this group met on five occasions between May 2017 and January 2019. During this period, in 2018, the National Planning Framework (the NPF) was published and provides an important strategic basis for interpreting the 2005 Guidelines. National Policy Objective (NPO) 15 of the NPF fully supports the concept of the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades, while simultaneously indicating the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns.
Having regard to the publication of the NPF and other developments, work is currently being advanced by my Department in preparing an update of the 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for planning authorities. I expect to receive an initial draft of the updated guidelines in the coming weeks. Given the complexity of the issues involved, the need for environmental assessment and both internal and external consultation, I would expect updated guidelines to be available later in 2021.
My Department communicated to planning authorities (Circular letter PL 2/2017) on 31 May 2017, advising that the existing 2005 Guidelines remain in place until advised otherwise by the Department and this remains valid.
633. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Cork Event Centre; and when he last meet the local authority responsible for same. [31988/21]
View answerThe Cork Event Centre was included as a commitment under Project Ireland 2040 and it underlines the Government’s objectives around urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre.
It was agreed in the context of Budget 2020 that responsibility at central Government level for making the grant aid support available for the project would transfer to my Department.
Responsibility for the advancement of proposals for the development of the Cork Event Centre remains, in the first instance, a matter for Cork City Council.
A meeting between officials of my Department and officials of Cork City Council to consider the next steps for Exchequer grant support of this project took place on the 8th of April this year. My Department is awaiting further contact from Cork City Council on this matter.
634. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant land bank sites in ownership by each local authority, in tabular form; and the location of each land bank. [31989/21]
View answerSection 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. As such, it is a matter for each local authority to control its own land assets.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) is currently developing a register of all relevant public lands, which is lands owned by public bodies in population areas greater than 10,000. An initial version of the register has been completed and is available on the LDA website.
The Land Development Agency Bill will put the register on a statutory basis. When completed, it will contain information on all relevant public lands, including lands owned by local authorities in population areas greater than 10,000.
635. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loan applications submitted and approved, respectively by quarter and month to Wexford local authority in 2020 and to date in 2021 in tabular form. [31998/21]
View answerThe Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The most recent data, to the end of May 2021, provided by the Housing Agency regarding the number of applications submitted and recommended for approval for Wexford County Council in 2020 and to date in 2021 by quarter, are set out in the attached spreadsheet.
It is a matter for Wexford County Council to progress the next stages in the process in respect of approval and drawdown of these Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans.
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Figures for 2020 are available at the following link which updates as the most recent figures as they are published:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid
636. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on the homeless housing list in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32001/21]
View answerMy Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal www.data.gov.ie/
The most recently published data is in respect of April 2021. There were 22 adults in emergency accommodation in Wexford during the April count week, a reduction of 8 (36%) on the position one year previously. County Wexford is part of the South East region for the purposes of homeless reporting, along with counties Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Carlow. The combined South East region reported 15 families, with 29 dependants associated with these families in emergency accommodation in April 2021.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government is approaching this work as a priority. Homelessness is complex and causal factors and family circumstances vary considerably as do the responses needed. Homelessness is also inter-related with the other areas of the housing system and with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery. Therefore, a whole of Government approach is required in dealing with this challenge.
Important progress is being made. There was a 31% reduction in the number of families in emergency accommodation nationally in April based on the position one year previously.
637. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of long-term leases active in County Wexford in each year from 2009 to 2020 inclusive and to date in 2021; the annual cost of each lease type for each year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32002/21]
View answerThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the long term leasing of houses and apartments from private owners and Approved Housing Bodies.
At end Q1 2021, a total of 289 leased properties were supported under SHCEP across all leasing delivery programmes in Wexford County Council. A breakdown of the total number of leased dwellings by lease type for each year 2014 to end Q1 2021 is set out in Table 1 below. A detailed breakdown by lease type is not available for the period 2009 to 2013.
Details of the annual cost of each lease type in each year from 2018 to 2020 is set out in Table 2 below. Data in relation to the cost of each lease type is not available for the period 2009 to 2017.
Table 1: Wexford County Council, Leasing Year End Figures 2014 to end Q1 2021 (as part of SHCEP)
|
Year |
AHB MTR |
AHB Private Lease |
LA Direct |
NAMA SPV |
Private MTR |
RLS |
Total |
|
2014 |
81 |
81 |
|||||
|
2015 |
1 |
86 |
15 |
102 |
|||
|
2016 |
4 |
20 |
105 |
25 |
154 |
||
|
2017 |
8 |
20 |
103 |
39 |
2 |
172 |
|
|
2018 |
12 |
20 |
111 |
49 |
11 |
203 |
|
|
2019 |
18 |
20 |
127 |
49 |
13 |
227 |
|
|
2020 |
20 |
20 |
141 |
49 |
13 |
243 |
|
|
End Q1 2021 |
28 |
20 |
151 |
49 |
14 |
27 |
289 |
Table 2: Wexford County Council, Leasing end 2018 to 2020 Spend
|
Scheme |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
AHB MTR |
€82,090 |
€121,578 |
€148,934 |
|
AHB Private Lease |
€110,760 |
€128,980 |
€128,628 |
|
LA Direct |
€709,912 |
€900,561 |
€1,105,613 |
|
NAMA SPV |
€371,897 |
€349,700 |
€348,745 |
|
RLS |
€67,641 |
€87,524 |
€82,225 |
|
Total |
€1,342,300 |
€1,588,343 |
€1,814,145 |
All data is based on local authority claims for operational agreements recorded on the Department's SHCEP financial management system. Any variations in data between operational figures and total output under leasing delivery streams may be due to the time lag in the submission of claims to my Department in respect of new claims after delivery.
638. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review will be published for the 2016 tenant incremental purchase scheme. [32026/21]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
A review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. In addition, the Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home with some changes to eligibility. The review and the commitments in the Programme for Government are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda. I expect to be in a position to finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.
639. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which a public authority housing programme is expected to deliver affordable housing throughout north County Kildare; if a special effort will be made to ensure an accelerated programme in this regard within the shortest possible timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32101/21]
View answerThe Affordable Housing Bill 2021, which is currently before the Oireachtas, provides for three schemes delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) affordable homes on local authority lands, (2) a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme, and (3) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental.
Affordable homes on local authority land are to be made available through the support of the €310 million Serviced Sites Fund (SSF).
To date, the Department has received one application from Kildare County Council for funding under the Serviced Sites Fund, for affordable homes in a planned mixed tenure development in Ardclough, Celbridge. The Department is currently liasing with Kildare County Council to progress these affordable homes.
Information on the schemes that have received approval in principle under the Serviced Sites Fund are available at:
www.rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-gives-the-go-ahead-for-ten-local-authority-sites-for-affordable-housing-under-the-serviced-sites-fund/ , and
www.rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-approves-funding-of-e84m-to-support-delivery-of-1770-affordable-homes-under-the-ssf/ .
These homes will come with an initial price of between 10% and 40% below market price, with the discount provided remaining as fully-repayable equity charge against the property. The scheme is targeted at first-time buyers, with some limited exceptions as detailed in the Affordable Housing 2021 Bill.
In addition to the affordable homes to be delivered through the SSF, Budget 2021 allocated €75 million for the forthcoming Affordable Purchase Shared Equity Scheme, which is aimed at first-time buyers buying a new-build private home. It will help first-time buyers secure their own home by bridging the gap between the mortgage available to them and the price of the home they want. Work on the detailed design of the proposed scheme is ongoing and at an advanced stage.
The provision of new-build affordable homes through the measures mentioned above are designed to increase housing supply in general, thereby helping to address the under-supply that currently exists.
Some people, however, may prefer to rent than to buy, making Cost Rental a more appropriate and viable option. Three initial Cost Rental projects are already underway. The first Cost Rental homes in Ireland, 50 two-bedroom apartments at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, will be delivered by the Tuath and Respond Approved Housing Bodies in Quarter 3 2021. Dublin City Council is also progressing a site at Emmet Road, Inchicore (the former St Michael’s Estate), and the LDA is collaborating with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on a site at Shanganagh, Shankill.
The provision of Cost Rental housing is also being implemented through the new Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, allocated €35m in Budget 2021. I have approved in principle the financing, this year, of 390 new homes across eight sites, located in Dublin, the Greater Dublin Area, and Cork. CREL support and careful cost management has generated initial rents which are at least 25% below comparable open market prices, delivering significantly improved affordability for renters.
In addition to the measures in the Affordable Housing Bill 2021, the Land Development Agency (LDA) is tasked to work with Government Departments, local authorities, state agencies and other stakeholders to assemble strategic sites in urban areas and ensure the sustainable development of social and affordable homes for rent and purchase. On establishment, the LDA had access to an initial tranche of 8 sites that have near term delivery potential for approximately 3,400 new homes. Information on the work of the LDA is available at: www.lda.ie/ .
Other affordability measures, such as the Help to Buy Scheme, and the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, are also available to eligible purchasers nationally to make home ownership more affordable.
The Help to Buy Scheme may return tax paid in the previous four years to eligible first-time buyers, up to a maximum amount of €30,000, for a new home. Information is available online at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx .
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. There are no set minimum income limits; however, applicants do need to have sufficient borrowing and repayment capacity and must be capable of repaying the mortgage. Further information on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available at www.rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/ .
640. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on plans for reform of Seanad Éireann. [30931/21]
View answerThe Seanad plays an important role as part of our legislature under the Constitution. In a democracy, any reform of the legislature must enjoy the confidence of the public as well as legislators. In this regard The Programme for Government contains a broad range of electoral reforms including a commitment to establish an independent, statutory Electoral Commission. The Government is committed as a priority to the establishment of the Commission to enhance the governance of our democratic electoral processes.
While Seanad electoral reform is a matter for my Department, wider Seanad Reform is a matter for the Department of An Taoiseach. The all-party Seanad Reform Implementation Group published its report in December 2018, which contained many recommendations that related to electoral matters, and included proposals on implementation of the 2015 Manning Report. The report’s recommendations were not unanimously endorsed by the group’s members.
An Taoiseach has confirmed previously that while there was some brief consideration of that report by the Houses in late 2019, if further examination of its proposals by the current members of the Houses were to lead to a consensus around some of the report’s recommendations, such a consensus would provide a basis for their implementation.
641. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his priorities for the forthcoming Generation Equality Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31964/21]
View answer642. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his priorities for the forthcoming Generation Equality Forum; if Ireland will make a policy commitment on comprehensive sexuality education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31967/21]
View answer643. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his priorities for the forthcoming Generation Equality Forum; if Ireland will make a commitment to adopt a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health policy for adolescents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32104/21]
View answer679. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the State's national commitments at the forthcoming Generation Equality Forum will include policy and funding commitments on the establishment of the State-funded contraception scheme, including an allocation in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31960/21]
View answer682. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the policy and funding commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights that will be made at the forthcoming generation equality forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32059/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 641 to 643, inclusive, 679 and 682 together.
The Generation Equality Forum hosted by the Government of France and convened by UN Women will take place in Paris from 30 June to 2 July. Ireland has engaged closely with the Generation Equality process, including through my participation at the virtual high-level event hosted by the Government of Mexico in March.
The Paris Forum will see the launch of a series of actions to be taken over the coming years to further progress on gender equality. My focus has been on education, building on our Drive for Five initiative, which Ireland, with UN Women, the Global Partnership for Education, ONE and the Malala Fund, launched in February 2020 and which asked all Governments to commit to five actions to improve girls access to education. With this focus, Ireland has played an active role in the preparations for Paris, including advocating for a strong focus on gender transformative education and girls’ education across all strands of the Forum’s work, reflecting the importance of girls' education to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is why I have pledged €60 million to the Global Partnership for Education over the next five years, with €10 million earmarked to the Girls’ Accelerator Mechanism.
Comprehensive sexuality education plays an important role in strengthening girls’ abilities to make autonomous decisions about their bodies, sexuality and reproduction. It can also help to gradually change societal norms and attitudes, and remove policy and legal barriers to sexual and reproductive health services.
Work is ongoing within my Department in coordination with other Government Departments to finalise the Government’s commitments ahead of the Summit. These will reflect our strong domestic and international commitment to advance gender equality. All Member States have been asked to identify commitments, across six thematic areas. These commitments will be collectively monitored to 2026, and will form the basis for global momentum on gender equality.
644. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the foreign births register will reopen; the length of time it will take to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30503/21]
View answer660. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the processing of foreign births will resume given the easing of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30971/21]
View answer661. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the criteria for urgent applications to the foreign births register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30972/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 644, 660 and 661 together.
The processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications has been temporarily paused as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions.
Prior to COVID-19 it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to the complex nature of FBR applications and the very high volume of applications due to Brexit.
The Passport Service will resume processing FBR applications as soon as the COVID Passport backlog is fully cleared. In relation to exceptional urgency the applicant may contact the Passport Office directly.
645. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport for a minor (details supplied) will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30523/21]
View answerPassport applications are only valid for six months primarily due to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Regulations on the requirement for a recent photograph. The ICAO is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport.
Where additional documentation has been requested and has not been received within this timeframe, these applications are cancelled. This timeframe also ensures that a refund of the fees can be processed electronically where required. If the refund is not made electronically within six months then it can take up to 12 months to process a refund by bank transfer.
While I appreciate it is disappointing for applicants, I would encourage them to make a new application.
In the event that any applicant has urgent or emergency reasons for requiring a passport, they should contact the Passport Service’s Customer Service Hub, by WebChat, to make the Passport Service aware of their situation.
646. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the conditions for a person (details supplied) who is fully vaccinated and is travelling to Scotland on 19 July 2021 to visit family. [30524/21]
View answer657. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the criteria for travelling to and from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30924/21]
View answer672. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of an Irish resident who must travel to the UK for an essential purpose and who is fully vaccinated; if such a person must have a PCR test prior to travel and return; if such a person will be required to quarantine in a hotel or at home; if so, the period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31715/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 646, 657 and 672 together.
At present, Government advice is to avoid non-essential international travel. For those who must travel the restrictions and guidance that apply are outlined on the COVID-19 Travel Advice pages on Gov.ie. These are subject to ongoing amendment subject to public health advice.Currently, those arriving into Ireland from abroad, including those travelling from Great Britain, must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, obtain a pre-travel negative RT-PCR test and quarantine on arrival in Ireland in line with the terms listed on Gov.ie. In general, these requirements do not apply to persons who travel from Northern Ireland. However, they do apply to persons who arrive here via Northern Ireland and have been overseas in the 14 days prior to their arrival. Those travelling to Ireland who have been in one of the listed high-risk Designated States in the 14 days before they arrive, must complete mandatory hotel quarantine. Great Britain is not at present on this list. Those travelling from Great Britain should however arrange a COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test at least 5 days after arrival.The UK Government and the UK's devolved administrations have established regulations for international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, individuals whose journey begins in Ireland and who have remained in Ireland, or elsewhere in the Common Travel Area, for 10 days prior to travel, do not require a pre-travel PCR test or evidence of having been vaccinated to travel to any part of the UK. They are also not subject to mandatory quarantine rules once they have entered the UK, but they do remain subject to the local restrictions and guidance in place. While this is current advice, I cannot of course anticipate what rules the UK Government and the UK’s devolved administrations will apply at a future date. Under current Scottish Government regulations, travel between Ireland and Scotland should only take place for listed permitted reasons, for example for work or education. At this time, the Scottish authorities do not require Irish citizens to complete a passenger locator form. For a more detailed understanding of Scottish regulations and to check for changes, those who need to travel should monitor the Scottish Government web pages on “Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel and transport” or consult with the UK or Scottish authorities directly. From 19 July, subject to the prevailing public health situation, Ireland will broadly align itself to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from outside the EU/EEA, including with regard to our policy on travel from Britain to Ireland. It is expected that the general travel advisory against all non-essential international travel will end and that we will instead advise citizens to travel safely and in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions. An ‘emergency brake’ mechanism will be coordinated at EU level to react swiftly to the emergence of variants of concern or variants of interest. I wish to see travel between Ireland and Britain taking place in a seamless manner as soon as this is feasible and safe.
647. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he has made to countries in which vaccines (details supplied) or other non-EMA approved vaccines have been administered to Irish citizens. [30529/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department continues to work closely with our international partners to support the health and welfare of Irish citizens overseas in the context of COVID-19. I have not made direct representations relating to non-EMA approved vaccines; however, our Embassies and Consulates liaise closely with local health authorities to ensure that relevant public health information is made available to Irish citizens, including in relation to local vaccination programmes. My Department is also in ongoing contact with the Department of Health regarding the provision of advice and support to our citizens abroad. Our advice to citizens is to follow the guidelines of the public health authorities in the region or country in which they are located.
648. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports in the backlog waiting to be issued (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30605/21]
View answerThe Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Since scaling up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, the Customer Service Hub has responded to more than 25,000 enquiries by telephone and WebChat.
Substantial progress has been made on clearing the COVID-19 passport backlog and 52 per cent of it has been cleared. At the moment most online routine adult renewals are being processed in 10 days. In total, the Passport Service has issued more than 96,000 passports in May 2021 and is on track to clear the entire backlog by the end of June.
The Passport Service is maintaining its emergency service. The telephone number for the Customer Service Hub is 01 671 1633 and WebChat can be accessed through the Passport Service's website.
