Cathal Crowe
Question:414. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding and status of an application for Irish citizenship by a person (details supplied). [46386/21]
View answerCitizenship Applications
Questions (414)
Written answers
The application to which the Deputy refers was received on 11 January 2021, and is currently waiting to be processed. All documentation submitted is being stored in a secure environment.
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.
The Passport Service is very concerned about this backlog situation and are actively planning to resume processing FBR applications as soon as possible. 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 cases of exceptional urgency applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly using email address: travelemergency@dfa.ie.
Question No. 415 answered with Question No. 403.
Passport Services
Questions (416)
Michael Ring
Question:416. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications received by the passport office on a monthly basis from January 2020 to August 2021, in tabular form; if the applications were online, through the post or through an embassy and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46560/21]
View answerWritten answers
The number of passport applications received by the passport office on a monthly basis from January 2020 to August 2021, is set out in tabular form below.
|
2020 |
Applications from Overseas Mission |
Online Applications |
Paper Applications |
Total Monthly Applications |
|
January |
5,229 |
59,486 |
25,433 |
90,148 |
|
February |
5,155 |
50,651 |
25,340 |
81,146 |
|
March |
3,622 |
27,595 |
15,662 |
46,879 |
|
April |
56 |
11,334 |
3 |
11,393 |
|
May |
538 |
12,782 |
119 |
13,439 |
|
June |
1,334 |
32,505 |
1,682 |
35,521 |
|
July |
1,764 |
29,490 |
1,227 |
32,481 |
|
August |
1,339 |
21,548 |
3,843 |
26,730 |
|
September |
1,417 |
21,474 |
4,420 |
27,311 |
|
October |
846 |
18,537 |
3,009 |
22,392 |
|
November |
134 |
16,071 |
38 |
16,243 |
|
December |
1,671 |
20,751 |
1,473 |
23,895 |
|
2021 |
||||
|
January |
40 |
24,943 |
25 |
25,008 |
|
February |
35 |
20,577 |
203 |
20,815 |
|
March |
135 |
30,671 |
446 |
31,252 |
|
April |
257 |
36,594 |
489 |
37,340 |
|
May |
764 |
68,227 |
211 |
69,202 |
|
June |
1,786 |
64,605 |
304 |
66,695 |
|
July |
731 |
67,117 |
3,066 |
70,914 |
|
August |
419 |
74,768 |
6,904 |
82,091 |
|
Total |
27,272 |
709,726 |
93,897 |
830,895 |
Since 2016, there has been an ongoing process of reform within the Passport Service, that has delivered a number of high profile and successful improvements for citizens at home and abroad who rely on this service. This includes the facility for online applications.
In 2019, online applications accounted for 47% of all applications received. The Online Service was enhanced at the end of 2019 to facilitate first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Europe. This has been further expanded this year to facilitate first time applicants in 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.
Passport Services
Questions (417, 418)
Michael Ring
Question:417. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of completed passports that were physically collected by applicants or by persons on behalf of the applicant at the passport office on a monthly basis from February 2020 to September 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46563/21]
View answerMichael Ring
Question:418. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons who were turned away from the public office of the passport office on a weekly basis from March 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46564/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 418 together.
The Passport Service maintained operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding the fact that the processing of passports requires physical attendance on site to deliver this service. As a result of well implemented safety protocols, our staff were able to assist citizens both at home and abroad who required passports for a range of emergency and urgent personal, business or legal reasons, or who had compelling humanitarian needs to travel.
In the first four months of this year 3,000 urgent passports, were issued to citizens who had either urgent personal or humanitarian needs for a passport. While schedules for urgent situations are not maintained, on a case by case basis, issued passports have been collected by citizens in person when the postal service was not an effective delivery option.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Cork and in Mount Street have been closed in line with COVID-19 public health restrictions and the public have complied fully with those restrictions. While the pandemic has massively disrupted Passport and other public services, I am pleased that so far this year we have managed to have multiple interactions with our citizens by phone and online, provided over 300,000 passports since 4 May while our emergency services have been maintained for those with a medical emergency or death of a family member abroad. There was one security related incident this year which has been reported to An Garda Síochána, where people were removed from our premises to ensure the safety of staff.
I wish to inform the Deputy that, in line with our continued scaling up of services, the Passport Office in Mount Street resumed its Urgent Appointment Service for renewal of Passports on Monday, 27 September 2021. The Urgent Appointment Service for renewal of passports will be available to people who unexpectedly require their passport renewed at short notice and opt for this fee based service to do so.
Applicants are now able to book an appointment to attend the public passport office in Mount Street. Passport applicants who require a same day passport renewal can book appointments 3 days in advance. Applicants who require a four day renewal service can book appointments 3 weeks in advance.
The Passport Service will continue to prioritise its emergency service for those who require a passport for a medical emergency or death of a family member abroad.
Question No. 418 answered with Question No. 417.
Passport Services
Questions (419)
Michael Ring
Question:419. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff reassigned from the passport office FRR section to the HSE for essential contact tracing, to the Department of Social Protection for the processing of essential pandemic unemployment payments and to support the Department of Health with quarantine issues; when those staff members will return to work for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46566/21]
View answerWritten answers
To assist with the response to COVID-19, 166 Passport Service personnel were redeployed into essential public service roles, such as contact tracing for the HSE, assisting the Department of Social Protection to facilitate the processing of COVID-19 related benefits, providing consular assistance to Irish citizens overseas and assisting the Public Appointments Service.
Two officers from the Passport Service are currently assigned to the Department of Health Mandatory Hotel Quarantine advice line. Officials in my Department are engaging with the Department of Health to return these officers following the recent decision to discontinue the Mandatory Hotel Quarantine advice line. In addition, two officers from the Passport Service remain assigned to the Public Appointments Service to assist with recruitment efforts.
At present, of the 519 staff working in the Passport Service in August 2021, less than one per cent were working from home on a full-time basis, as staff directly involved in customer service and the production of passports are required to work on site.
Passport Services
Questions (420)
Michael Ring
Question:420. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the exact number of temporary clerical officers assigned by the Public Appointments Service to the passport office in recent weeks; if all of those temporary staff have commenced their employment to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46567/21]
View answerWritten answers
From the 23 August to date, 44 Temporary Clerical Officers were assigned through the Public Appointments Service. Nine TCOs who were assigned did not take up employment with my Department.
I can assure the Deputy that staffing needs for the Passport Service, including additional resources to meet the projected demand continues to be an ongoing priority for my Department and an issue which is kept under constant review.
Passport Services
Questions (421)
Róisín Shortall
Question:421. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application by persons (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46589/21]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has already issued passports to the applicants.
Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 403.
Question No. 423 answered with Question No. 403.
Question No. 424 answered with Question No. 403.
Defence Forces
Questions (425)
Dara Calleary
Question:425. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a submission from an organisation (details supplied) relating to a funding request for the Asgard programme; and his views on supporting this worthy project. [46515/21]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that a pre-budget submission was received in to my Department on 24 September relating to a sail training ship. Officials in my Department will now review and assess the submission. I also understand that officials have contacted the organisation to arrange a meeting in order to discuss the details of the proposal.
The State operated a national sail training programme for many years, unfortunately this programme ended following the sinking of the Asgard in 2008. I understand that there are a number of organisations engaged in this area now. I am aware of the positive impact sail training has on participants. It is a valuable tool for youth development and not just simply teaching people to sail.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (426)
Carol Nolan
Question:426. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 371 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. [46198/21]
View answerWritten answers
Further to the Deputy’s earlier question, I wish to advise that places on this programme were initially facilitated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department availed of the opportunity to send participants on this programme but was not involved in the original procurement process.
Interest in participating in the programme was sought from employees in appropriate grades and the individual participation fee per employee was met by my Department. Learning of this nature offers a unique opportunity for senior managers to engage in a dynamic programme that focuses on developing key capabilities for personal growth. Learning and development opportunities are kept under review on an ongoing basis to ensure the requirements of the Department are met.
Defence Forces
Questions (427)
Sorca Clarke
Question:427. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the number and location of Civil Defence units currently operating from temporary accommodation; his plans to provide permanent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46818/21]
View answerWritten answers
Civil Defence operates on a partnership basis between the Department of Defence and the local authorities. Civil Defence policy is set down by the Minister for Defence through the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence and Civil Defence services are delivered at local level by the relevant Local Authority.
The 2015 White Paper on Defence states that it is the responsibility of each Local Authority to provide suitable accommodation for their Civil Defence Unit. Most Local Authorities have provided high quality accommodation for their Units. For example, I recently had the pleasure of opening a new headquarters for Clare Civil Defence in Ennis. I note that both Meath and Monaghan County Councils have recently completed major new building projects for their Civil Defence Units. The Department of Defence provided some funding for each of these projects and, subject to budgetary constraints, is willing to support similar projects in other local authority areas.
I am aware that further improvements in accommodation for Civil Defence units are required in a small number of Local Authorities. Officials in the Department of Defence are in contact with a number of Local Authorities in this regard. While the Department of Defence is willing to assist, the provision of suitable accommodation for Civil Defence Units is ultimately a matter for each Local Authority.
Defence Forces
Questions (428)
Sorca Clarke
Question:428. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the reason behind not meeting with those involved in a documentary (details supplied) until after it had aired given that it has been reported requests were made of him at an earlier stage. [46825/21]
View answerWritten answers
There has been considerable interaction between my officials and some of the women who participated in the documentary mentioned before the documentary aired. This took the form of written correspondence, phone calls and a meeting between an individual and officials.
All requests for meetings in person are considered within the circumstances pertaining to individual cases.
Defence Forces
Questions (429)
Sorca Clarke
Question:429. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if there has been any contact between his Department and RTÉ following the release of a documentary (details supplied); and if so, the purpose of same. [46826/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that following the broadcast of the Documentary a representative from my Department contacted RTÉ for the purpose of providing Departmental contact details to the Women of Honour.
As a result of this contact, an initial meeting subsequently took place between the Secretary General of my Department and the Women of Honour last week and I am scheduled to meet with them today.
Protected Disclosures
Questions (430)
Bríd Smith
Question:430. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will commission an inquiry into the handling of protected disclosures and the failure of relevant authorities to act promptly and protect public finances in view of recent events and disclosures in relation to both CMETB and LMETB and in view of concerns relating to the processes and procedures of both bodies in dealing with these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46008/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under section 21(1) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, all public bodies, including Education and Training Boards (ETBs), are required to establish and maintain procedures for the making of protected disclosures by their employees. Where an ETB receives a protected disclosure, they are required to follow those procedures.
Any follow up actions in relation to a protected disclosure made to an ETB are a matter for the ETB concerned. Depending on the nature of the disclosure, the ETB may need to deal with the matter in accordance with other relevant internal procedures and/or refer the matter to an external investigative or regulatory authority where appropriate. In handling a disclosure, ETBs must also adhere to their obligations under the Act to maintain the confidentiality of the employee concerned.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued guidance to assist public bodies, including in the performance of their functions under the Act. The guidance includes that the procedures should allow for a system for review in respect of the outcome of an assessment/investigation undertaken in respect of the protected disclosure or of any complaint of penalisation.
Both of the ETBs referred to by the Deputy have confirmed that they have a protected disclosure policy in place. All ETBs are also required to report the number of Protected Disclosures received in their annual reports. The ETBs in question have published this information in their annual reports and separately as a standalone document and both are available on their respective websites.
School Transport
Questions (431)
Sorca Clarke
Question:431. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of students by county in tabular form; and the number of children who were unsuccessful in their application for concessionary school transport places. [46821/21]
View answerWritten answers
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition, all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and who have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for.
Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2021/2022 school year.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that to date some 104,900 pupils have been issued tickets for the School Transport Scheme. This number is continuing to change as tickets continue to be allocated to pupils where capacity is available. As such the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. School Transport Section of my Department will revert directly to the Deputy with this information when it is available.