Written Answers Nos. 401-420
401. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he and or his special advisers and or officials use or have used services (details supplied) to communicate in the past 18 months. [43075/21]
View answerMy Department has no records of requests for the named applications to be installed for business purposes by officials or my Advisors on departmental phones. I do not use the named applications for business purposes either.
402. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address the issue of youth homelessness; the number of young persons who have become homeless in the past three years; the options that have been available in the past for such persons; the options that are available currently; his views on whether the current homeless hostels and shelters are not suitable for young persons; the steps he is taking to ensure that young homeless persons are protected from abuse in all its forms and to being exposed to substance abuse and addiction; the steps he is taking to prevent youth homelessness occurring in the first place; if he plans to provide accommodation and services solely for young person's experiencing homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43171/21]
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.
My 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 most recently published data is in respect of July 2021. There were 6,003 adults and 2,129 dependants under the age of 18 years in emergency accommodation during the July count week. The Reports for each month are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, the Government’s strategic housing plan to 2030, sets out details on how the Government will approach this challenge, and includes a commitment to develop a National Youth Homelessness Strategy by the first quarter of 2022. Preparing this strategy will involve co-operation and co-ordination between myself and my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Key operational elements in the provision of supports to young people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, fall within the responsibility of a range of agencies and stakeholder bodies, and it will be important that their views can form part of the process in developing the Strategy.
Upon my appointment as Minister, I established a High Level Homelessness Taskforce, to provide a forum for engagement with key organisations working to address homelessness. The Taskforce is also inputting on the implementation of the commitments on homelessness in Housing for All. The membership of the Taskforce consists of the Chief Executives of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, Crosscare, Depaul, Focus Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, Dublin Simon Community and Threshold. Youth Homelessness is a core concern of the Taskforce and has been discussed at Taskforce meetings, most recently on 26 July, and 1 September, 2021.
The Youth Homelessness Strategy is being informed by the understanding that supporting young people at risk of becoming homeless through strategic interventions can help avoid a cycle of longer-term homelessness.
403. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41594/21]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to progressing the values of diversity and inclusion, promoting a fair and equal workplace for our people, and ensuring that our staff represents the society we serve. Reflecting this commitment, in 2020, my Department's Human Resources Division launched a staff survey on the 'Building Diversity Through Recruitment' staff and has engaged the Irish Centre for Diversity to work towards certification in an 'Investors in Diversity' process.
My Department is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024. The disability quota for my Department is currently 3% as per part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. In 2020, our HR returns of 5.25% exceeded those targets. I can, therefore, assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to meeting our 6% target by 2024.
While there has not been an advertised competition in relation to the quota, my Department’s Human Resources Division maintains regular contact with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and with the National Disability Authority (NDA) to ensure that we are adhering to best practice in this area in respect of all recruitment competitions.
404. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recruitment process used to appoint a person (details supplied) to the position of special envoy for freedom of expression; the location of the advertisement; the number of persons that applied for the job; the person or body that carried out the interviews; the person or body that made the final decision; the roles and responsibilities of the special envoy for freedom of expression; and the person or body to which they will report. [41615/21]
View answer410. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will publish the documentation and records of communication in relation to the selection, approach to and appointment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41732/21]
View answer411. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature of the work done by a person (details supplied) in relation to the Irish UN Security Council seat alluded to by him in an RTÉ radio interview; if this work was paid and or expensed; if so, the sum involved; the advertisements and tendering process including the number of tenders for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41733/21]
View answer412. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department or a State agency booked or paid for an event (details supplied); if so, the date the booking was made; the reason for the event and the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41734/21]
View answer418. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of formal and informal roles held by a person (details supplied) in the name of his Department or associated agency in the lifetime of this Government; when they were appointed to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41908/21]
View answer476. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a list of Ireland’s special envoys and the specific remit of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43020/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404, 410, 411, 412, 418 and 476 together.
I briefed the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defence in detail on this issue on 7 September 2021 and my statement to the Committee is available on the Oireachtas website. In September 2019, then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms Katherine Zappone T.D., was appointed Special Envoy for Ireland’s candidature for election to the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. This decision was taken in order to bolster Ireland’s profile in the final months of the campaign and underlined the importance attached to our candidature across the whole of Government. During her nine months in this role, then Minister Zappone led twenty-five bilateral meetings during which our candidature was raised, mainly with Ministerial-level representatives of countries in which Ireland does not have resident Embassies. These meetings took place in the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2019, at the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi in November 2019, and in parallel with official engagements in New York in March 2020.The role was additional to the then Minister’s existing responsibilities and was not remunerated; as is normal for any person travelling on official business, associated travel expenses were covered. The appointment ended on Ireland’s election to the Council in June 2020. On 24 February 2021, during a conversation with the then Secretary General of my Department, I asked the Secretary General whether former Minister Zappone could support Ireland's team at the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. He advised me that he would reflect on it. Several days later, the Secretary General informed me that the United States planned to appoint a Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons. In that context, he raised the possibility of exploring whether a similar position for Ireland might add value to the existing work of the Department in this area. I approached Ms. Zappone and asked if she would be interested in principle in assuming a position relating to LGBTI rights, should the Department develop such a role. She responded positively, at which point officials in my Department took the process forward.The debate on human rights is increasingly polarised internationally and there is debate significant push back against the very definition of human rights and gender equality. Civil society space is shrinking in many countries; and the rights of LGBTI+ persons are being undermined. As a result, many States that share Ireland’s approach to human rights have appointed Special Envoys or Ambassadors at large with mandates in these areas.In this context, officials in my Department developed a mandate for a Special Envoy role focused on freedom of opinion and expression, encompassing the human rights of LGBTI+ persons, civil society space, freedom of the media and freedom of association. It was envisaged that the Envoy would engage with peers across the EU and in other countries, and represent Ireland in targeted bilateral engagements and at specific international fora including the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee; the Commission on the Status of Women; and the UN Human Rights Council. It was also expected that the Envoy would support international advocacy initiatives around key events such as World Press Freedom Day; International Women’s Day; Pride month; and International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Supporting international aspects of Ireland’s National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy would also have been a key element of the role. The proposed remuneration was based on the midpoint of the Civil Service Principal Officer pay scale, excluding the two Long Service Increments. The proposal to appoint former Minister Zappone as Special Envoy was approved by Government at a meeting of Cabinet on 27 July 2021. Ms Zappone declined the position on 4 August 2021. I can confirm that all records in relation to the appointment of former Minister Zappone as Special Envoy on Freedom of Opinion and Expression that are held by my Department, and by me, have been made publicly available on the Department’s website since 6 September 2021.I can also confirm that Ms Zappone did not hold any other formal or informal position in my Department during the lifetime of this Government.
Ireland currently has two Special Envoys. Mr. Tom Arnold is serving as Government Special Envoy on Food Systems, a role which was jointly proposed by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and which is linked to preparations for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 on 23 September next, and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 in December. Mr. Kenneth Thompson is serving as Special Envoy for francophone Africa and the Sahel, a role linked to Ireland’s term on the Security Council.
Finally, I wish to state that my Department had no role in relation to organising or paying for the private event referred to by the Deputy.
405. 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. [41619/21]
View answer423. 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. [42024/21]
View answer442. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his advice on a matter in relation to a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42378/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 405, 423 and 442 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has already issued these passports.
The Passport Service is meeting their current turnaround times of 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online and 8 weeks for Passport Express for applications which have been completed correctly.
406. 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. [41620/21]
View answer407. 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. [41675/21]
View answer417. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) for which an urgent passport query request was submitted; and when the family can expect the passport to be issued given an impending travel commitment. [41904/21]
View answer419. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for child (details supplied) for which an urgent passport query request was submitted; and when the family can expect the passport to be issued given an impending travel commitment. [41913/21]
View answer434. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application by a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42200/21]
View answer458. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the extenuating circumstances of the case.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42687/21]
View answer461. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42729/21]
View answer462. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42730/21]
View answer464. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport can issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the extenuating circumstances of this case. [42813/21]
View answer465. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42819/21]
View answer472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be issued in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42906/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 407, 417, 419, 434, 458, 461, 462, 464, 465 and 472 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has been in contact with the applicants and has provided an update on the status of the passport applications.The current turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online and 8 weeks for Passport Express for applications which have been completed correctly.
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.
408. 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. [41681/21]
View answer479. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo [43161/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 479 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has tried to make contact with the applicants to provide an update on the status of the passport applications.
The current turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online and 8 weeks for Passport Express for applications which have been completed correctly.
409. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the impact a non-FDA approved vaccine (details supplied) will have on admissions to the United States for essential reasons for Irish citizens, given that they are currently ineligible for any other vaccine under domestic policies here; and the representations he has made to the US authorities on the matter. [41687/21]
View answer414. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had with the authorities the USA in relation to allowing Irish citizens and residents visit the USA if fully vaccinated with a European Medicines Agency approved vaccine including a vaccine (details supplied) or who have had a pre-journey PCR test; the result of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 414 together.
Admission to the United States of America is solely a matter for US authorities. Vaccination status currently does not have any bearing on such admissions, for essential reasons, or otherwise.
I know that the current situation is causing unprecedented disruptions and is placing enormous pressure on families, businesses, and individuals. As I have stated before, ease of travel is vital to our economic relationships and for building connections across the Atlantic and therefore ensuring that it can resume in a safe way is a priority for the Government.
Last month the Taoiseach wrote directly to President Biden noting the disruptive impact that US travel restrictions have had, and sharing information about Ireland’s successful and ongoing vaccination programme. My Department also continues to engage with the US at the highest levels. I myself raised the question of resumption of travel between our two countries during my meeting with US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in May this year. Our Embassy in Washington D.C. continues to reach out to contacts in the US Administration and Department of State on the issue, emphasising the impact of the travel restrictions on citizens in both countries, as well as the economic repercussions. Our Ambassador in Washington has written twice to the US Administration, including in recent weeks, urging them to ease the restrictions. My Department also has a very positive working relationship with the US Chargé d’Affaires and her team at the US Embassy in Dublin and we continue to encourage them to process exceptions to their travel restrictions for those travelling to the US for essential reasons.
At the EU level, following the EU-US summit in June, a joint EU-US Experts’ Working Group to exchange information and expertise to reinstate safe and sustainable travel between the EU and the United States was set up, and has met twice since then. Due to the Common Travel Area, Ireland has also had a role in the UK-US working group.
We continue our work to ensure that the restrictions will not have any long-term impact on existing channels of migration, business, tourism and exchange, which benefit our countries significantly.
413. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the foreign births register will be reopened; the estimated backlog in applications; if he will consider reviewing the way the register is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41738/21]
View answer416. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of plans to resume foreign births registration in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41887/21]
View answer421. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date for the resumption of processing of applications for Irish citizenship via the foreign birth register which has been paused for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41998/21]
View answer424. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an application for the register of foreign births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42052/21]
View answer430. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when his Department will recommence the processing of foreign birth registrations (details supplied). [42157/21]
View answer431. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of foreign birth applications awaiting processing; and if applicants are advised that it can take 12-18 months to process a completed application. [42158/21]
View answer432. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the workflow and the reason it can take 12 to 18 months to process a foreign birth registration application. [42159/21]
View answer438. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the processing of foreign birth registrations will recommence for new passport applications; the reason processing of foreign birth registrations continues to be paused; if his attention has been drawn to the frustration the closure of this service is having on parents who wish to apply for a foreign birth registration for their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42270/21]
View answer439. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the application for the foreign births registration of a person (details supplied); the expected timeframe in which this application will be processed; if original documentation can be returned to the person given the lengthy wait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42274/21]
View answer452. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the processing of foreign birth registration applications will recommence; if he will commit to assigning additional staff to the relevant Department section in view of the huge backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42592/21]
View answer460. 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. [42728/21]
View answer470. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects foreign birth registrations to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42880/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 416, 421, 424, 430, 431, 432, 438, 439, 452, 460 and 470 together.
My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (“the 1956 Act”), as amended. We take our legal responsibility in relation to Foreign Birth Registration very seriously and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing time for these applications stood at 18 months. This is due to the complex nature of Foreign Birth Registration applications and the very high volume of applications we received due to Brexit. At present, there are just over 31,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system awaiting processing.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic FBR application processing was paused to give priority to the provision of other priority services. Notably, we reassigned staff to the HSE for essential contact tracing; to the Department of Social Protection for the processing of essential PUP payments, and to support the Department of Health with quarantine issues.
These emergency pandemic measures did not impact the provision of passports for essential reasons and we also continued to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, or where an applicant required the return of documents. As with many other areas of public service provision, a backlog of applications has inevitably grown due to the COVID 19 disruptions of our normal processes.
The Passport Service is very concerned about this backlog situation and are actively planning to resume processing FBR applications as soon as possible. We will be making a public announcement on specific dates in the coming weeks. My Department is committed to allocating further resources to this service to assist with the high volume of applications when regular processing resumes with a focus on reducing turnaround times to pre COVID-19 levels by the end of 2021. In the medium term, changes to the FBR process to increase efficiencies and improve the customer experience will be delivered under the next phase of my Department's Passport Reform Programme.
In cases of exceptional urgency applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly using email address: travelemergency@dfat.ie.
415. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to address long delays in waiting for passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41854/21]
View answer428. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the delayed processing of passports (details supplied) and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42124/21]
View answer448. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current turnaround times for new passport applications and passport renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42501/21]
View answer455. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the passport express will open for applications; if the service will be able to provide the normal turnaround time for passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42639/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 415, 428, 448 and 455 together.
The Passport Service has received nearly 500,000 applications in 2021 to date, with approximately 110,000 under process. The current turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time applications on Passport Online and 8 weeks for Passport Express for applications which have been completed correctly.
These turnaround times for online applications begins when all required supporting documentation is received by the Passport Service. For reasons of integrity, the Passport Service is not in a position to process applications that are incomplete. Such applications will inevitably encounter longer processing times.
First time applications for adults and children are extremely complex to process to ensure the identity of the applicant, their entitlement to Irish citizenship and, in the case of children, that all guardians have consented to the issuing of the passport. Particular complexity relates to the process of application from children born in Ireland after 2004 due to the need to verify entitlement for Irish citizenship.
Customers are encouraged to contact our Customer Service Hub if they require assistance. The Passport Services continues to operate an emergency service for the priority cases.
420. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to wi-fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41953/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs supports the aims of the National Remote Working Strategy and is committed to implementing a model of blended working that will provide flexibility to staff, while supporting the continued delivery of high quality services to Government and the Irish people.
While a formalised policy is currently under consideration and due for development by March 2022, it will align with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service organisations.
At present, and with the exception of the Passport Office, the majority of staff continue to work remotely in line with Government guidance. This has been achieved through the use of all-in-one laptop devices, the majority of which were issued prior to the pandemic.
Coupled with this, the Department late last year approved the rollout of a Reimbursement for Home Working Equipment scheme. This scheme covers the costs associated with the purchase of a home office set-up subject to certain limits and includes provision for a desk, chair, monitor, keyboard and mouse. To date the Department has spent €156,000 on this scheme.
