Written Answers Nos. 794-813
794. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the schedule for the drawdown of URDF funding for Tralee and Killarney, County Kerry; the specific elements of each application that will be prioritised for development using the allocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41297/21]
View answerUnder Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), a total of €32,005,146 has been provisionally allocated for Kerry County Council's successful Call 2 projects; Destination Killarney was allocated €16,068,429 while Positioning Tralee as a Regional Economic Driver & Destination Town was allocated €15,936,717.
In the coming weeks, my Department will be in touch with Kerry County Council concerning the arrangements and conditions attached to URDF support.
While my Department works closely with the successful applicants in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Kerry County Council.
In this regard, it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
795. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new local authority estate applications received by his Department in the past five years from Kerry County Council; the number that have been approved, allocated funding or constructed; the locations of each application; the number and type of units contained in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41298/21]
View answerMy Department publishes a Social Housing Construction Status Report each quarter, which contains details of all social housing developments completed, under construction or at the planning and design stage in each local authority area including Kerry. The report provides details of the location of each project, the status and the number of units approved. Information on the number and type of units in a particular development is not available centrally for reporting purposes. The most recent report, published on 28 May 2021, covers the period up to the end of Quarter 1 2021 and is available at the following link:
www.rebuildingireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Social-Housing-Construction-Status-Report-Q1-2021.pdf
Since 2016, 563 homes across 59 schemes have been completed in County Kerry. There is also 402 homes across 20 schemes currently ‘Onsite’ with a further 42 homes across 6 schemes at various stages of the approval process as per this latest report.
The data pertaining to the Construction Status Report for Quarter 2 will be collated in the coming weeks and published shortly thereafter.
796. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next round of the urban regeneration and development fund will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41306/21]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The Fund is providing part-funding for projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
To date there have been two Calls for proposals under the URDF with a total of €300m allocated to date in respect of the 87 projects approved under Call 1 while in March this year URDF funding support of €1.3 billion was announced in respect of 45 projects approved Call 2.
My Department's immediate focus is on the early advancement of proposals approved under Call 2. This being the case there are no plans at present for a further call for proposals.
798. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support the establishment of a statutory Galway Bay taskforce that can co-ordinate policies across local authorities, Departments and agencies to protect and preserve the ecology, coastline, and water quality of Galway Bay. [41374/21]
View answerA framework exists for the protection of Ireland's marine ecology, coastline and water quality through the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). It is overseen by my Department while the National MSFD Steering Group made up of my Department along with other Departments, agencies and representatives of civil society coordinates its implementation.
In tandem with this, Ireland's first National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) was launched by an Taoiseach on 1 July 2021, and is Ireland’s first comprehensive marine spatial planning framework. The NMPF brings together all marine-based human activities for the first time, outlining the Government’s vision, objectives and marine planning policies for each marine activity.
My Department has no plans to establish a taskforce as referred to in the question outside these structures.
799. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the guidelines or circular provided to local authorities on administering the housing for older people grant and the housing aid for older people grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41414/21]
View answerHousing Circular 41 of 2019, issued 20 December 2019, provided local authorities with revised guidelines for the operation of the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, in respect of private houses. This circular also included a revised single application form for use by all local authorities.
The new form and guidelines cover the operation of the three grant schemes available, namely the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, and came into effect from 1 February 2020.
801. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Human Rights Implementation Group under the Irish National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, has recommended including mandatory human rights due diligence mechanisms in line with similar provisions in other countries as he suggested in Dáil Éireann on 5 March, 2020 (details supplied); if these mechanisms will be employed by Ireland in the case of trade with the Cerrejón mine in Colombia; if he has engaged with the ESB on the Cerrejón issue; if imports of coal are continuing from Colombia to Ireland, including the Moneypoint plant in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39073/21]
View answerThe role of the Implementation Group for the National Plan on Business and Human Rights is to focus on the implementation of the commitments made in the National Plan. These include a series of commitments in relation to human rights due diligence.
Implementation of the National Plan is ongoing. Recent achievements include the publication of new guidance on business and human rights for business enterprises and accompanying webinars, all of which are available on my Department’s website.
While my Department provides the secretariat to the multi-stakeholder Implementation Group, the National Plan is a whole of Government plan. Moreover, implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights requires wide engagement from across Government, the business sector and wider society.
The European Commission is currently finalising proposals for a legislative initiative in relation to sustainable corporate governance. These are expected to include EU-wide mandatory social, human rights and environmental due diligence requirements in relation to the supply chains of business enterprises. I understand that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as lead Department, is following developments closely.
In relation to the Deputy’s questions regarding the ESB and importation of coal from the Cerrejón mine in Colombia, policy responsibility with regard to the ESB and importation of coal falls outside the remit of my Department. Detail on any current developments may be available from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications as the ESB’s parent Department.
802. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he will take to help alleviate the Covid-19 crisis in Uganda; the level of PPE, treatments and vaccines that Ireland can assist Uganda to rapidly access; his views on the Covid-19 assistance to Irish Aid’s other partner countries and to the other countries described to be experiencing devastating conditions such as Paraguay and Peru; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39076/21]
View answer821. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the aid including pieces of medical equipment and vaccines Ireland is offering to countries including Tunisia that are struggling to combat Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39566/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 802 and 821 together.
Our response to the COVID pandemic in Africa, as elsewhere, is informed by Ireland’s commitment to reach the furthest behind first, set out in the international development policy, ‘A Better World’ and reiterated in the Africa Strategy.
Building on Ireland’s strong track record over many years of strengthening healthcare systems across Africa, Ireland took the lead to ensure effective co-ordinated international action to support the COVID-19 response of several African states.
Ireland was the first bilateral donor in 2020 in Uganda to release funding amounting to €1.8 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support the country’s COVID response plan, which enabled the procurement of 145,000 COVID-19 test kits and lifesaving equipment by the WHO.
In responding to COVID-19 in Uganda, Ireland is working to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged by supporting the provision of social welfare grants to senior citizens and the provision of cash and food to Uganda’s 1.4 million refugees, as well as education and training. COVID-19 has increased the vulnerability of refugees and Ireland’s response has included the doubling of financial support to the UN’s World Food Programme in Uganda to €2m in 2020 and 2021.
In 2021, through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland has allocated approximately €100 million to global public health. Some €5 million of this has gone directly to support COVID-19 vaccines for developing countries. €4 million of this has been in direct support to the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility. In some instances, Irish Aid support to health systems to cope with the pandemic has been supplemented with support from the HSE Global Health Programme.
Ireland’s support sits within the broader Team Europe response. While the EU and Member States have committed over €3.2 billion to COVAX, clearly still much more needs to be done. COVAX is beginning to show some real results, shipping over 129 million vaccines to 136 participant countries as of mid-July, including more than a million doses delivered to Uganda; almost 930,000 doses to Tunisia, more than 1.6 million doses to Peru; and more than 300,000 doses delivered to Paraguay. Further support to COVAX before the end of the year is under consideration. Over recent months, Ireland has also shipped equipment and drugs directly to India, Brazil and Nepal, from HSE supplies. Those supplies are now exhausted.
Complementary to our work with EU partners and multilateral agencies, such as Gavi and the Global Fund, Ireland has been working with partner countries for many years to strengthen their health systems and build preparedness capacity, such as our support in 2019 for Ebola preparedness in Uganda. This pandemic has reinforced the importance of such efforts, and the need for further concerted action to build national capacities.
803. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason the due date on the online passport tracker has not been updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39090/21]
View answer807. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39170/21]
View answer808. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39172/21]
View answer811. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited given the extended length of time they have waited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/21]
View answer813. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39347/21]
View answer814. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39358/21]
View answer817. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport applications by persons (details supplied); the turnaround time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39451/21]
View answer818. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39511/21]
View answer819. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39513/21]
View answer822. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine the passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39575/21]
View answer823. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); the turnaround timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39586/21]
View answer824. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39652/21]
View answer827. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); the reason it has taken five months to complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39707/21]
View answer828. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39730/21]
View answer829. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39744/21]
View answer830. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39759/21]
View answer831. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39800/21]
View answer832. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39810/21]
View answer838. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40091/21]
View answer841. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue in the case persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40207/21]
View answer842. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40227/21]
View answer855. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40483/21]
View answer856. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied). [40491/21]
View answer865. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/21]
View answer871. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a matter regarding the case of a passport for a baby (details supplied) will be addressed. [40912/21]
View answer877. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied). [41096/21]
View answer878. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied). [41393/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 803, 807, 808, 811, 813, 814, 817, 818, 819, 822, 823, 824, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 838, 841, 842, 855, 856, 865, 871, 877 and 878 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service was in contact with the customers to provide an update on the status of the passport applications.
The Passport Service scaled up 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”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Tracker provides an estimated issue by date for a passport. 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 phone or WebChat to make the Passport Service aware of their situation.
804. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications currently delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions; when the backlog will be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39094/21]
View answer806. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he plans for the Passport Office to reopen. [39145/21]
View answer815. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeframe for all backlogged applications for passports to be cleared; the emergency procedures in place for persons who must undertake travel to other countries but are affected by the current delays in passport application processing and by the delays in the registration of births as a result of the cyberattack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39400/21]
View answer835. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the current reopening of the Passport Office; the number of applications and renewals outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39838/21]
View answer836. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications currently waiting to be processed; the number that are overdue; the number that would need to be done on a weekly basis to get on top of the backlog; and the resources that were allocated to the passport office to get through the backlog. [39857/21]
View answer846. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of standard passport applications and renewals that have been processed to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40232/21]
View answer847. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of standard passport applications and renewals that are currently awaiting processing to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40233/21]
View answer848. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of standard passport applications that are awaiting processing to date in 2021, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40234/21]
View answer849. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current turnaround times for new passport applications and passport renewals broken down by online and paper applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40235/21]
View answer850. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the passport office in Dublin will be reopening for appointments for the rapid renewal passport service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40236/21]
View answer852. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when both the Cork and Dublin passport offices will reopen to the public given that international travel has resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40303/21]
View answer857. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the passport offices will reopen. [40592/21]
View answer876. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current passport office backlog of passport applications; his plans to address these delays specifically in relation to expediting child passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41020/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 804, 806, 815, 835, 836, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 852, 857 and 876 together.
The Passport Service commenced the scaling up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
The Service has been focused since then on four priority areas.
- Clearing the COVID-19 backlog of 89,000 passport applications.
- Processing all adult renewal applications (including new applications) within 10 working days.
- Processing urgent and emergency applications.
- Providing customer services through our telephone and WebChat team.
Very substantial progress has been made in clearing the COVID-19 backlog: all backlog applications which were completed properly have been processed and related passports issued. As regards incomplete COVID-19 backlog applications, the Passport Service has been in contact with the applicants regarding the need to send in outstanding documents. Once all outstanding required documentation is received, issuance of passports will be expedited.
The Passport Service has issued approximately 375,000 passports to date in 2021.
The number of applications in the system currently stands at approximately 112,000 book and card applications. The applications can be split as incomplete applications standing at 50,000 (where the Passport Service is awaiting further documentation), with 62,000 applications with the Passport Service. These figures are accurate to 22 July 2021.
The approximate number of online applications per county under process currently in the system is set out in the table below.
|
County |
Applications |
|
ANTRIM |
4,878 |
|
ARMAGH |
1,036 |
|
CARLOW |
495 |
|
CAVAN |
592 |
|
CLARE |
910 |
|
CORK |
4,596 |
|
DERRY |
1,495 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,176 |
|
DOWN |
3,322 |
|
DUBLIN |
15,250 |
|
FERMANAGH |
365 |
|
GALWAY |
2,268 |
|
KERRY |
1,122 |
|
KILDARE |
2,393 |
|
KILKENNY |
727 |
|
LAOIS |
691 |
|
LEITRIM |
234 |
|
LIMERICK |
1,707 |
|
LONGFORD |
365 |
|
LOUTH |
1,294 |
|
MAYO |
963 |
|
MEATH |
2,058 |
|
MONAGHAN |
419 |
|
OFFALY |
549 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
465 |
|
SLIGO |
489 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1,212 |
|
TYRONE |
1,186 |
|
WATERFORD |
955 |
|
WESTMEATH |
685 |
|
WEXFORD |
1,193 |
|
WICKLOW |
1,432 |
These figures are correct to 22 July 2021.
The average possessing time or wait time for a new passport varies depending on a number of key factors including;
- The nature of the application - first time application or a renewal of existing.
- Whether a passport is for a minor or an adult.
- If the application is completed correctly and supported by all necessary documentation in the first instance.
- If the photograph supplied by the applicant met the criteria as described in detail on the application website.
The onus is on the applicant to provide documentation demonstrating their entitlement to an Irish passport. Birth Certificates which are issued by the General Register Office (GRO) must be submitted in support of a passport application to prove this entitlement. Neither Baptismal Certificates nor any other non-civil form of documentation can be considered in support of a first time passport application.
With regard to Passport Online applications, the average time currently for simple adult renewals is 10 working days; complex renewals, including children, is 15 working days and 40 working days for first time applicants.
Passport Express resumed processing on 19 July. The current estimated turnaround time for these applications is eight weeks.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Public Offices in Dublin and Cork are closed at the moment. This is to allow all of our staff work on processing passport applications. Customers should not attend our public offices as they will not be able to speak to a member of staff or submit documents.
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 phone or WebChat, to make the Passport Service aware of their situation
805. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will jointly place a resolution before the UN General Assembly in advance of the COP26 Summit calling for a global ban on fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39097/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes clear that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Following upon a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government published a Policy Statement on May 2021 which outlines both constraints and opportunities for Government action in this area, including in the context of Ireland's obligations as a Member State of the European Union.
In relation to the United Nations General Assembly it is important that any proposed Resolution garner sufficient Member State support to be passed by a clear majority in the General Assembly. At this time I do not believe from our soundings on the ground that this support currently exists. A failed Resolution would set back progress on this important issue. The work of building support must continue.
Nevertheless, the Government is committed to taking action in ways which are consistent with the proposed Resolution. In the short term, the revision of the European Union’s Gas Directive and Gas Regulation provides an opportunity to build consensus within the EU, itself an important constituency for any work at the UN.
Separately, upcoming climate related events provide an opportunity to advance understanding of international dynamics around this proposal. Such events include the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy in September 2021, the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in October 2021 (COP15), the Conference of Parties to United National Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2021 (COP26), the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (date TBC), and the United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in 2022. This will complement Ireland's engagement on the Climate and Security agenda during our term on the Security Council.
809. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of funding provided to date through his Department to UNESCO for its programme on comprehensive sexuality education; the countries in Africa that have been and will be supported by such funding; if his attention has been drawn to the actual content of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39189/21]
View answerMy Department has supported the UNESCO programme, Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3), since 2017. supporting the empowerment, health and resilience of adolescents and young people across Sub-Saharan Africa. Ireland has provided €1,850,000 in funding to-date, to support programming in four African countries; Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. €500,000 further funding to the programme is planned for 2022. This support is in line with A Better World, the Government's policy for international development and is part of the Irish Aid international development programme.
810. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the provision that has been made for EU Digital COVID Certificates for Irish citizens who have been vaccinated in Canada and the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39207/21]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department continues to work closely with the Department of An Taoiseach, the Department of Health and the HSE, the Department of Justice, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Government Information Services, and the Department of Transport in relation to the EU Digital COVID Certificate. As the Deputy will appreciate, specific questions around issuance of EU Digital COVID Certificates to individual citizens are a matter for other Departments as appropriate.
I can advise that the EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) is proof (in digital or paper format) that an individual has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has received a negative COVID-19 test result or has recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. The DCC will help individuals travel safely and more easily within the EU/EEA during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DCC is valid in all EU Member States, including Ireland, and provided by the Member State within which the vaccination, COVID-19 test, or recovery took place. Each individual Member State decides on how to use the DCC as part of their own national public health measures and the information in relation to individual countries is available on reopen.europa.eu.
The EU Regulation gives the option to issue vaccination certificates to persons vaccinated elsewhere, with EMA approved vaccines, upon receipt of appropriate proof. The main development focus, at the moment, is on the delivery of the obligations of the EU Regulation with respect of persons who received a vaccination or a test in Ireland. Arrangements for provision of vaccination certificates to persons not vaccinated in Ireland will be actively considered once the initial roll-out is in place.
With regard to passengers arriving from outside the EU, Ireland is in broad alignment with the EU approach to non-essential travel from Third Countries. Any quarantine requirements, where applicable, will depend on the specific country of origin and the public health situation in that jurisdiction. Information on travel to Ireland from outside the EU is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/77952-government-advice-on-international-travel/#passengers-arriving-into-ireland-from-outside-eu-iceland-lichtenstein-norway-switzerland
812. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the European Commissioner for Home Affairs statement calling on Greece to stop the practice of pushbacks forcing refugees and migrants back to Turkey instead of allowing them into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39303/21]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am committed to continuing to work with our EU partners, including Greece, to resolve these specific issues and to ensure that humanitarian and legal obligations are fully met.
Border control measures across Europe must be without prejudice to the rights of refugees and other people requesting international protection. While Member States have the sovereign right to control entry into their territory, they must exercise this right in line with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.
It is also imperative that our international partners, such as Turkey, stand by their commitments to prevent irregular departures and to facilitate return operations without delay.
On the wider migration issue, I have consistently ensured that Ireland voices its support for EU efforts to put in place more effective and humane arrangements to manage the migratory pressures which the EU continues to face. The EU Commission’s “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” represents an opportunity to renew efforts to put in place such arrangements. This proposal from the Commission includes a new independent monitoring mechanism for all Member States which would examine any reports of ‘pushbacks’ at the borders. While discussions on the Pact are continuing, Ireland will continue to be a constructive participant in trying to find sustainable solutions to the wider migration issue, involving consensus among Member States and based on a balance of solidarity and responsibility.
