Written Answers Nos. 392-411
393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland loans approved and drawn down in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46770/21]
View answerMy Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Local Authority drawdowns to Q1 2021 is available at the following link, which will be updated as updated figures are available at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of families who have to date in 2021 applied for local authority or similar housing, affordable housing or special needs housing by county with a view to responding at the earliest possible date to this need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46771/21]
View answerDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020, shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%. In relation to the question posed by the Deputy regarding the number of families that have in the year to date applied for local authority or special needs housing, information of this specific type is not held by my Department.
The summary report for 2020 includes information in a range of categories, including details on households with a specific accommodation requirement arising from a disability. A breakdown of the categories of disability is available in Figure 2.5 and Table A 1.5 of the report. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/.
It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time snapshot of the demand for social housing support in each local authority area and does not necessarily reflect the dynamic nature of entry to and exit from the housing waiting lists.
The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system. Central to the Plan is a major expansion in the role of the State in providing affordable and social homes. Overall we need to deliver an average of 33,000 new build homes each year out to 2030. This includes an average of 10,000 new social homes each year, 4,000 affordable purchase homes and 2,000 cost rental homes. Over 54,000 new affordable homes will be delivered by the end of 2030, including a projected 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes.
The provisions of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 were commenced in August of this year. The Act details provisions for the following measures: a new local authority led affordable purchase scheme; a new affordable purchase shared equity ‘First Home’ scheme for the sale of homes in private development; and establishing Cost Rental as a new form of tenure. To date, the first homes delivered under Cost Rental have been managed by Approved Housing Bodies and data is not retained centrally on applications. In terms of affordable purchase, it is intended that Regulations governing the application procedure for the local authority led scheme will be published by November.
395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take action to discourage house price increases that currently make it difficult or impossible for first-time house buyers to build or acquire a home of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46772/21]
View answerHousing supply has been impacted by Covid-19. The periods of lockdown since early 2020 have reduced construction activity and placed limitations on the ability to conduct normal sales activity, and this has impacted on house prices. The considerable growth in household savings, related to the public health restrictions which reduced consumption, also seems likely to be contributing to recent price inflation.
The ongoing removal of Covid restrictions will allow for a full reopening of the housing market. CSO data regarding new dwellings completions for Quarter 2 shows that the rate of completions is increasing and the effects of the periods of lockdown are abating. Data on commencements are also showing a significant increase over this period.
The full opening up of the housing market and construction activity, along with the increases in supply that will be delivered by the Government’s Housing for All Plan, will ensure that housing market activity normalises, and supply increases to meet demand as the Plan is implemented. In particular, a range of measures are being implemented which will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system. These will increase the supply of affordable homes through delivering affordable homes on local authority lands; cost rental; the 'first home' affordable purchase scheme; and expansion of Part V planning requirements to increase the 10% contribution requirement to 20% for social and affordable housing.
These measures are in addition to the previously established Help to Buy and the Rebuilding Ireland Homeloan schemes which also support first time buyers.
396. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households approved for adaptation works by local authority in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and the funding that will be made available for same in budget 2022. [46812/21]
View answerDetails in relation to the number of approved applicants for adaptation works by local authority for the years in question are not collated by my Department. This information may be available directly from the local authorities. However, details of the grants paid for all local authorities up to 2020, are available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
For 2021, a total of 5,213 grants have been paid to date. The detailed administration of the grants including their assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
Funding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/.
397. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority households approved for housing adaptation works but which are yet to be carried out broken down by local authority in tabular form. [46813/21]
View answerIn respect of the Disabled Persons Grants (DPG) Scheme (LA Tenants), all local authorities were asked to submit details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for 2021 earlier this year. These work proposals were evaluated and the 2021 DPG allocations issued to local authorities in May whereby all works that could be completed in 2021 were approved. Details of which can be found at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/20e02-minister-obrien-minister-burke-approve-over-23m-in-funding-for-the-disabled-persons-grant-scheme-improvement-works-in-lieu-of-local-authority-housing-scheme/.
Local authorities were also advised where extra funding was required or in emergency circumstances above their funding allocation a request for additional funding could be made and my Department would make every effort to accede to this request.
The number of properties approved for funding by local authority is available in tabular form below. Local authorities are currently progressing their 2021 work programmes but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to the 2021 Programme will be available early in 2022.
|
Local Authority |
Properties Allocated Funding in 2021 |
|
Carlow County |
27 |
|
Cavan County |
38 |
|
Clare County |
35 |
|
Cork City |
81 |
|
Cork County |
177 |
|
Donegal County |
84 |
|
Dublin City |
162 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
82 |
|
Fingal County |
70 |
|
Galway City |
47 |
|
Galway County |
88 |
|
Kerry County |
152 |
|
Kildare County |
24 |
|
Kilkenny County |
29 |
|
Laois County |
40 |
|
Leitrim County |
26 |
|
Limerick City & County |
49 |
|
Longford County |
45 |
|
Louth County |
30 |
|
Mayo County |
77 |
|
Meath County |
35 |
|
Monaghan County |
19 |
|
Offaly County |
26 |
|
Roscommon County |
17 |
|
Sligo County |
68 |
|
South Dublin County |
79 |
|
Tipperary County |
78 |
|
Waterford City & County |
31 |
|
Westmeath County |
62 |
|
Wexford County |
147 |
|
Wicklow County |
86 |
|
Total |
2,011 |
398. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the fire stations currently assessed as needing upgrading works; and when each of these works will be undertaken. [46819/21]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
- established Health and Safety needs;
- state of development of the project (is site acquired, etc.?); and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
- This new Programme will see six replacement fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines.
- My Department works closely with the relevant local authority to progress each fire station project through the necessary stages. Project consideration stages include submission of preliminary and detailed appraisals; submission of design brief; selection of site; application for approval in principle; appointment of design consultants; submission of a preliminary design; planning application; submission of preliminary cost plan, detailed design and cost plans; and tender process and construction stage.
- In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and that offer best value-for-money, taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally.
399. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the affordable housing in the area of Cherrywood, Dublin as a result of the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, funding; the number of units, the size of units and whether they will be affordable purchase or affordable rental; the cost or rent in each case; when they are scheduled for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46831/21]
View answerThe objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF is designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
LIHAF was not primarily intended as an affordable housing scheme, although it will enable the development of more affordable housing on sites. It is a scheme which funds the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. This infrastructure in turn unlocks associated sites for housing development quicker than would otherwise have occurred. As such, my Department does not routinely retain information on size of dwellings which may be made available by private developers building homes on private lands.
In 2017, grant agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities. One such project was at Cherrywood, Co. Dublin. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council were approved grant funding for the construction of a new N11 junction 'Q' at Druid Glen Road, Druid's Glen Road (road only), Druid’s Glen bridge - (short bridge structure traversing valley) and Druid's Glen Road (bridge feature).
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has advised that the total residential units over the entire build out of the Cherrywood SDZ is for c.7,000 homes. The total housing associated to the LIHAF grant agreement is for 2,000 homes, including 200 Part V and 100 affordable homes. These homes are for purchase and will primarily be 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, therefore rental costs are not applicable. Completion is expected on the total LIHAF related affordable units by end 2023 and price points in relation to LIHAF reductions will be agreed between the local authority and developer in advance of sale.
400. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of all Part Vs delivered over the past five years, by local authority including the cost to the local authority or approved housing body; if these units are being leased or bought; if they are being leased or bought by an approved housing body or local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46832/21]
View answerDetails on Part V social housing delivery for each local authority are included in social housing statistics published by my Department. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is available on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/fd048-affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/.
The table below, sets out an indicative average purchase price of Part V delivered units for each local authority in the years 2016 - 2020, based on the information submitted to my Department. It should be noted that average costs vary depending on design and type of units (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house). Average costs are also determined by the number of units delivered in individual local authorities.
|
LA |
LA Part V 2016 |
LA Part V 2017 |
2017 Average CALF Capital Outlay |
2017 Average Annual Lease |
LA Part V 2018 |
2018 Average CALF Capital Outlay |
2018 Average Annual Lease |
LA Part V 2019 |
2019 Average CALF Capital Outlay |
2019 Average Annual Lease |
LA Part V 2020 |
2020 Average CALF Capital Outlay |
2020 Average Annual Lease |
|
Carlow |
€185,451 |
€55,000 |
|||||||||||
|
Cavan |
€130,000 |
||||||||||||
|
Clare |
€222,500 |
€235,703 |
€221,187 |
€54,336 |
€271,991 |
€54,444 |
|||||||
|
Cork City |
€180,344 |
€223,429 |
€24,793 |
€213,343 |
€55,690 |
||||||||
|
Cork County |
€179,772 |
€164,221 |
€211,246 |
€314,703 |
€69,370 |
||||||||
|
DLR |
€71,842 |
€15,057 |
€14,210 |
€16,936 |
€54,467 |
€28,310 |
€179,237 |
€32,691 |
|||||
|
Donegal |
€161,160 |
€253,980 |
€245,324 |
€198,163 |
|||||||||
|
Dublin City |
€147,000 |
€240,434 |
€127,500 |
€231,041 |
€3,671 |
€16,320 |
€272,629 |
€85,326 |
€16,320 |
€220,619 |
€87,308 |
€17,155 |
|
|
Fingal |
€205,227 |
€32,412 |
€31,155 |
€337,963 |
€18,446 |
€23,982 |
|||||||
|
Galway City |
€135,000 |
€137,512 |
€58,510 |
€182,240 |
€75,385 |
€188,671 |
€47,274 |
€190,242 |
€48,131 |
||||
|
Galway |
€170,145 |
€180,900 |
€166,575 |
||||||||||
|
Kerry |
€50,000 |
€240,460 |
€226,032 |
€55,318 |
€244,044 |
€52,362 |
€7,728 |
||||||
|
Kildare |
€174,533 |
€37,613 |
€18,149 |
€198,628 |
€48,368 |
||||||||
|
Kilkenny |
€12,899 |
€11,520 |
€189,141 |
€60,907 |
€204,994 |
||||||||
|
Laois |
€165,000 |
€40,476 |
|||||||||||
|
Leitrim |
€199,845 |
€199,601 |
€251,001 |
||||||||||
|
Limerick |
€170,221 |
||||||||||||
|
Longford |
€114,673 |
€231,850 |
|||||||||||
|
Louth |
€187,340 |
€58,260 |
€161,743 |
€57,473 |
€43,173 |
||||||||
|
Mayo |
€210,985 |
€236,649 |
€53,820 |
€235,070 |
|||||||||
|
Meath |
€61,458 |
€207,727 |
€52,802 |
€225,519 |
€28,642 |
€225,413 |
€31,789 |
||||||
|
Monaghan |
€204,829 |
€203,572 |
|||||||||||
|
Offaly |
|||||||||||||
|
Roscommon |
€153,724 |
€178,667 |
€133,389 |
||||||||||
|
Sligo |
€240,000 |
€145,000 |
€237,109 |
€242,379 |
€255,452 |
||||||||
|
South Dublin |
€211,183 |
€64,154 |
€14,310 |
€167,771 |
€25,631 |
€198,566 |
€19,099 |
€193,000 |
€10,599 |
€18,530 |
|||
|
Tipperary |
€168,777 |
€8,400 |
€204,131 |
€191,691 |
|||||||||
|
Waterford |
€183,113 |
€124,438 |
€127,235 |
€238,811 |
|||||||||
|
Westmeath |
€142,789 |
€229,120 |
€5,270 |
€203,632 |
€68,182 |
||||||||
|
Wexford |
€61,154 |
€184,857 |
€188,909 |
€25,122 |
€220,376 |
€63,558 |
|||||||
|
Wicklow |
€315,000 |
€48,477 |
€13,636 |
€24,612 |
Note 1: The information above is calculated using the financial information available to the Department where Local Authorities have submitted a recoupment claim to the Department.
Note 2: The CALF Capital Outlay represents the average amount of CALF funding provided. (A maximum of 30%).
Note 3: Agreement on Part V arrangements are a matter for the local authorities. In some cases the Part V average is affected by delivery of homes that were subject to agreements prior to the current Part V arrangements. Complete details of PART V arrangements are available from the local authorities.
Note 4: The Part V average lease cost is based on the average full year cost of the Part V lease agreements entered into by each local authority in the relevant year and does not represent the amount claimed or paid in respect of that period. In a Part V leased unit, the lease payment can vary depending on how the equivalent net monetary value has been reflected in the agreement. This is usually achieved by either a rent free period up front or a discount on the lease payment over the term of the lease (or part thereof). Where a rent free period is negotiated in respect of Part V units, no amount will be claimed or paid in respect of the units for that period.
401. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the retrofitting programme for local authority housing by number of units to be retrofitted each year to 2030; the cost for each unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46834/21]
View answerThe newly revised ten year Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme launched in 2021 is designed around the Programme for Government commitment to retrofit 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard by 2030, of which approximately 36,500 of those homes are expected to be local authority homes.
A target of 2,400 social homes for upgrade works has been set for 2021, 750 of which relate to the Midlands Retrofit Pilot. The average cost of homes under the 2021 programme is expected to be €30,000. The newly revised programme involves a move from a 'shallow' to a 'deeper' retrofit of local authority homes. Learning from this years programme will inform the programme in future years, including the expected average cost per home and the annual targets.
402. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the establishment of a citizens' assembly on Ireland's biodiversity crisis. [46208/21]
View answerThe convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department. The timing and scheduling of the Assembly will depend on the outcome of these discussions and on a number of external factors which need to be considered before the scope and terms of the Assembly are framed.
403. 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. [45968/21]
View answer405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46009/21]
View answer406. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be approved for a person (details supplied). [46069/21]
View answer410. Deputy Marc MacSharry 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. [46344/21]
View answer412. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this person submitted their application on 14 July 2021. [46363/21]
View answer415. Deputy James Lawless 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. [46516/21]
View answer422. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will be issued for the children of persons (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46613/21]
View answer423. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46647/21]
View answer424. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this person has imminent travel plans. [46663/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 403, 405, 406, 410, 412, 415 and 422 to , inclusive,424 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant.
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 applications which have been completed correctly.
404. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45995/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific passport application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has tried to make contact with the applicant to provide an update on the status of the passport application. The Passport Service currently has a turnaround time of 8 weeks for Passport Express applications which have been completed correctly and we are currently within this turnaround time.
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 applications.
407. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46197/21]
View answerThe Department did not run a training programme or course and therefore a procurement process was not required. Participation in this programme was requested by a member of staff, in line with their learning and development needs. A business case for the request, setting out the benefits of participation in this course, was submitted and approved. As the total cost of participation was under the €5,000 threshold, under public procurement guidelines, additional quotes were not required.
408. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland supports the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action against racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; his views on the Durban+20 agenda of the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46298/21]
View answerIreland delivered a national statement on the 22nd September 2021 at the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Our participation in the event was an expression of our unequivocal condemnation of racism in all its forms. It also provided the opportunity to categorically reject the anti-semitic statements and other hateful speech associated with past meetings.
Ireland’s national statement acknowledged the aim of the Durban Declaration: to reinforce the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination and to provide a comprehensive framework for combating racism, racial intolerance, xenophobia and related intolerance.
It further outlined Ireland’s efforts to promote a tolerant and inclusive society free from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The statement expressed concern about the alarming proliferation of religious intolerance, and its contribution to the denial of human rights and to fuelling conflict. Ireland welcomed the Political Declaration’s explicit condemnation of prejudices based on religion or belief, including hatred or discrimination of an anti-Christian; anti-Muslim; or anti-Semitic nature.
We expressed our belief that all States have the responsibility to condemn racism and to ensure that their legislative systems provide adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief to all people without distinction.
Recognising multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, and the layered experiences of racism experienced by women and minorities, we also stressed the importance of addressing the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.
Finally, Ireland’s National Statement outlined work underway in Ireland including the development of a national Anti-Racism Plan, the Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2021, and ongoing work in the field of education.
409. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue for travel on 28 September 2021 in the case of a person (details supplied); if an individual and specific reply will issue in respect of this Parliamentary Question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46303/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant.
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 applications which have been completed correctly.
411. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the urgent help needed by the Tigrayan people; if he will raise this matter with his EU colleagues and at the United Nations requesting that they set up an international independent body to investigate these atrocities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46362/21]
View answer413. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the work his Department has done on the crisis of the Tigrayan people in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46371/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 413 together.
I remain deeply concerned by the human rights and humanitarian situation in Tigray, including the ongoing blockade of the region and attacks on humanitarian workers. As famine-like conditions are reported, there is an urgent need for full humanitarian access, a negotiated ceasefire, and the commencement of political dialogue to find a resolution to the conflict: I wish the former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who has been appointed AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, well in his mediation efforts.
I am alarmed by the conflict’s impact on civilians, including harrowing reports of widespread and ongoing sexual violence, and other serious human rights violations and abuses. It is vital that perpetrators be held to account. In this regard, Ireland strongly supports the work underway by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), to investigate reported atrocities. The publication of their joint report on 1 November will be a crucial first step towards accountability.
Ireland continues to take the lead at the UN Security Council to ensure a focus on the situation in Tigray. Ireland spearheaded calls for the most recent open Council meeting on 26 August, where UN Secretary General Guterres underscored the severity of the humanitarian situation, and urged all parties to immediately end hostilities, and negotiate a lasting ceasefire. At that meeting, Ireland reiterated its call for an urgent end to the violence, full humanitarian access, accountability for atrocities, and for a political solution to the conflict.
The Government also continues to support a strong and constructive EU response to the crisis. There will be a further discussion on Ethiopia and Tigray at the Foreign Affairs Council in October, in which Minister Coveney will participate. Minister Coveney also continues to engage on the situation in Tigray with key interlocutors, including leaders in the region and the Africa Union (AU). On 15 September he met with the EU Special Representative on the Horn of Africa, Dr Annette Weber, to discuss options for addressing the conflict.
Ireland’s continued priority will remain, as always, supporting the needs of the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia, including those affected by conflict in Tigray. Ireland, through the Irish Aid programme, has so far provided over €3.2 million to support the humanitarian response in Tigray and the refugee response in neighbouring Sudan, through trusted UN and NGO partners on the ground. On 7 July, I announced additional humanitarian funding of €2.75m for Ethiopia, to address hunger and insecurity, including in Tigray.
