Richard Bruton
Question:296. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the take-up in each local authority in each year since 2016 to date by option (details supplied). [57490/21]
View answerLocal Authorities
Questions (296)
Written answers
Details on social housing delivery for each local authority, across a range of delivery mechanisms, are included in the social housing statistics published by my Department. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website. Details on the Repair and Leasing Scheme delivery are available at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls.
Since Buy and Renew was introduced in 2016, local authorities have purchased and renewed over 700 homes for social housing use. The table below outlines the delivery in each local authority.
|
LA |
Units |
|
Carlow |
37 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
28 |
|
Cork City |
43 |
|
Cork County |
51 |
|
DLR |
13 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
|
Dublin City |
63 |
|
Fingal |
42 |
|
Galway City |
1 |
|
Kerry |
42 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
|
Laois |
24 |
|
Leitrim |
6 |
|
Limerick |
72 |
|
Longford |
11 |
|
Louth |
83 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Meath |
52 |
|
Monaghan |
19 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
25 |
|
Waterford |
50 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
|
Wexford |
15 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
An Acquisitions Fund of €70m was established with effect from 1 January 2017, with the objective of acquiring homes for onward sale to Approved Housing Bodies for use for social housing purposes. Below is a detailed breakdown of Housing Agency Fund delivery by local authority.
My Department does not maintain a record of vacant properties acquired under compulsory purchase order by local authorities. This data may be available from relevant local authorities.
Under Housing for All, the Government is introducing a range of measures to address vacancy and to ensure the efficient use of existing stock. Pathway 4 of the Plan sets out details of these measures. An electronic version of Housing for All is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/
Vacant Properties
Questions (297)
Richard Bruton
Question:297. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of properties which are vacant for longer than a transitional period which might become the target of policies to tackle vacancy. [57491/21]
View answerWritten answers
Addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing housing stock is a primary concern of this Government, as demonstrated by one of the four pathways dedicated solely to this priority area in the new Housing for All strategy. The most recent figures available from Census 2016 indicate that there were 183,000 vacant homes nationwide, a 20% reduction on figures reported in Census 2011 (230,000).
Work is underway by the Department of Finance through the current Local Property Tax returns to assess the present vacancy situation and once collated and analysed this data will provide a new data set on vacant homes.
Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes are not collated by my Department.
Statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy in local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2020, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NOAC-Local-Authority-Performance-Indicator-Report-2020.pdf.
My Department and local authorities, supported by the Local Government Management Association, are working to transition from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the implementation of centrally hosted ICT system to support the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes which will be supported by my Department’s stock improvement funding programmes. It is envisaged that these surveys will commence early in 2022.
Vacant Properties
Questions (298)
Richard Bruton
Question:298. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and aggregate area of vacant sites registered on the vacant sites register in each local authority; and the estimated liability and collection of revenue from the levy. [57492/21]
View answerWritten answers
The requested information is outlined in the attached spreadsheet. The legislation which governs the Vacant Sites Levy, the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, does not require local authorities to record the area of the sites which are entered on the register, and therefore this information is not available to my Department.
The information in the attached spreadsheet was collected by my Department following the issuing of Circular Letter PL 03/2021 on 8 March 2021 requesting the submission of a progress report on the collection of the levy by each local authority.
VSL Payments (in respect of 2020- 7% rate)
|
Demands Issued |
€ payments collected |
€ outstanding |
|||||
|
Planning Authority |
No. sites liable 2020 |
No. |
Value |
No. |
Value |
No. |
Value |
|
Carlow |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Clare |
14 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Cork City |
9 |
0 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Cork County |
12 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
4 |
€34,094.55 |
|
Dublin City |
37 |
37 |
€10,611,300.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
37 |
€10,611,300.00 |
|
DLR |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Fingal |
5 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
5 |
€264,845.00 |
|
Galway City |
6 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
6.00 |
€322,000.00 |
|
Galway County |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
10 |
€456,750.00 |
|
Laois |
12 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
12 |
€803,845.00 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
5 |
€481,950.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
5 |
481950.00 |
|
Longford |
1 |
3 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
6750.00 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Meath |
16 |
9 |
€647,850.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
16 |
647850.00 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Roscommon |
18 |
22 |
€100,100.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
17 |
€100,100.00 |
|
Sligo |
21 |
1 |
21000.00 |
1.00 |
€21,000.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
South Dublin |
11 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
2 |
€21,000.00 |
0.0 |
0.00 |
2 |
€21,000.00 |
|
Wicklow |
18 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
18 |
€621,250.00 |
|
Total |
215 |
79 |
€11,883,200.00 |
1 |
€21,000.00 |
133 |
€14,371,734.55 |
Vacant Properties
Questions (299)
Richard Bruton
Question:299. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the local authorities that have reported that they have a full-time vacant property officer in place. [57493/21]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2018, my Department has provided funding of €50,000 per annum to each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer. There are presently 37 Vacant Homes Officers in place, 34 of which are currently part time.
The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities to provide information/statistics to my Department from a dedicated contact point within each local authority. The Vacant Homes Office therefore plays a key role in the co-ordination of this work within each local authority.
Housing for All commits to ensuring that vacant homes officers are full-time officers. This will ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development. This will include options for both social housing and affordable housing in many towns. My Department will be communicating with local authorities before the end of the year around the future process to ensure that a member of staff is assigned to these tasks on a full-time basis.
Vacant Properties
Questions (300)
Richard Bruton
Question:300. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the most recent data from each local authority on the number of voids within their housing stock; and the average time which elapses between a home being vacated and a new tenant being placed in each authority. [57494/21]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process.
Statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the level of vacancy and turnaround times broken down by local authority. The most recent report, relating to 2020, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NOAC-Local-Authority-Performance-Indicator-Report-2020.pdf.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (301)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:301. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of successful applications made under the improvement works in lieu scheme in each of the past three years by local authority; the amount expended on the scheme on the same basis; if he plans to amend the terms of the scheme to broaden its appeal as a solution to issues of substandard housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57535/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides capital funding to Local Authorities for both the Disabled Person Grants (DPGs) and Improvement Works in Lieu of local authority housing (IWIL’s). The DPG scheme is available to local authorities which allows them to undertake housing adaptations and extensions to their housing stock in order to meet the needs of tenants who are elderly or disabled or to address overcrowding.
The IWIL scheme allows local authorities to fund the repair, improvement or extension of privately owned houses that are occupied or will be occupied by approved housing applicants as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing. The scheme may also be used to improve private houses intended for occupation by a person surrendering a local authority house.
There are specific terms and conditions which govern the administration of the schemes and local authorities are responsible for such administration, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications with both programmes funded from the same funding stream.
My Department's approach each year is to issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan and implement these grants programme. My Department have also further reviewed allocations and funding drawdown this year and have advised those local authorities with higher grant activity additional funding can be made available which they can apply for.
The table below outlines the amount of funding drawn down in years 2018, 2019 and 2020 under the IWILs programme. Details of the 2021 scheme will be available early in 2022.
|
Local Authority |
IWILs 2018 |
IWILs 2019 |
IWILs 2020 |
|
Carlow |
€0 |
€67,500 |
€66,138 |
|
Cavan |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Clare |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Cork City |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Cork County |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Donegal |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Dublin City |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
DLR |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Fingal |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Galway City |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Galway County |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Kerry |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Kildare |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Laois |
€0 |
€32,178 |
€0 |
|
Leitrim |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Limerick |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Longford |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Louth |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Mayo |
€16,852 |
€0 |
€39,695 |
|
Meath |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Monaghan |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Offaly |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Roscommon |
€0 |
€102,152 |
€2,619 |
|
Sligo |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
South Dublin |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Tipperary |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Waterford |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Westmeath |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Wexford |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Wicklow |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
€16,852 |
€201,830 |
€108,452 |
Departmental Funding
Questions (302)
James Lawless
Question:302. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the eligibility for the community monument fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57621/21]
View answerWritten answers
The eligibility criteria for the Community Monuments Fund are clearly laid out in the explanatory memorandum for the fund.
The Community Monuments Fund provides funding for projects in relation to:
(i) Archaeological Monuments that are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) under the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended);
(ii) Archaeological Monuments that are identified in the Sites and Monuments Record compiled by the National Monuments Service.
Rental Sector
Questions (303)
Sorca Clarke
Question:303. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections to examine the standards of rental accommodation undertaken by Westmeath County Council in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of improvement notices issued in each year as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57623/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. With very limited exemptions, these apply to all private rented accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
If an inspection identifies that a property has been found to be non-compliant with the regulations, it is a matter for the Local Authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate, including the issuing of an Improvement Letter, Improvement Notice, Prohibition Notice or further legal recourse.
To aid increased inspections of properties and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations, increased Exchequer funding has been made available to local authorities each year since 2018 to enable them to build inspection capacity incrementally, with payments based on the number of inspections undertaken. Significant progress was made across the sector. The number of inspections more than doubled from 19,645 in 2017 to 40,728 in 2019. A total of €6 million in Exchequer funding was made available to local authorities in 2020 and this was increased to €10 million this year.
However, given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, pandemic restrictions have greatly impacted on inspection activity since March 2020. The number of inspections undertaken last year fell to 25,703.
In response to the restrictions some local authorities have piloted virtual inspections. While virtual inspection systems present certain challenges and limitations, they do offer a way of improving the standard of rental accommodation despite the pandemic. I support these initiatives and my Department has provided Exchequer funding to local authorities participating in the pilot projects.
The lifting of pandemic restrictions has permitted the resumption of on-site inspections since 14 July 2021.
The number of private rental inspections undertaken by Westmeath County Council in the years; 2019, 2020 and to Q3 2021 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Rental Inspections Carried Out |
Improvement Letters Issued |
Improvement Notices Served |
|
2019 |
723 |
552 |
0 |
|
2020 |
466 |
55 |
0 |
|
2021 to Q3 |
195 |
138 |
0 |
It should be noted that in terms of enforcement local authorities will typically try to work in partnership with landlords to ensure that any non-compliances are corrected. This is can be done outside of the more formal Improvement Letter/Notice system.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/.
Rental Sector
Questions (304)
Sorca Clarke
Question:304. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections to examine the standards of rental accommodation undertaken by Longford County Council in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of improvement notices issued in each year as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57624/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. With very limited exemptions, these apply to all private rented accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
If an inspection identifies that a property has been found to be non-compliant with the regulations, it is a matter for the Local Authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate, including the issuing of an Improvement Letter, Improvement Notice, Prohibition Notice or further legal recourse.
To aid increased inspections of properties and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations, increased Exchequer funding has been made available to local authorities each year since 2018 to enable them to build inspection capacity incrementally, with payments based on the number of inspections undertaken. Significant progress was made across the sector. The number of inspections more than doubled from 19,645 in 2017 to 40,728 in 2019. A total of €6 million in Exchequer funding was made available to local authorities in 2020 and this was increased to €10 million this year.
However, given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, pandemic restrictions have greatly impacted on inspection activity since March 2020. The number of inspections undertaken last year fell to 25,703.
In response to the restrictions some local authorities have piloted virtual inspections. While virtual inspection systems present certain challenges and limitations, they do offer a way of improving the standard of rental accommodation despite the pandemic. I support these initiatives and my Department has provided Exchequer funding to local authorities participating in the pilot projects.
The lifting of pandemic restrictions has permitted the resumption of on-site inspections since 14 July 2021.
The number of private rental inspections undertaken by Longford County Council in the years; 2019, 2020 and to Q2 2021 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Rental Inspections Carried Out |
Improvement Letters Issued |
Improvement Notices Served |
|
2019 |
428 |
327 |
0 |
|
2020 |
324 |
200 |
0 |
|
2021 to Q2 |
173 |
106 |
0 |
It should be noted that in terms of enforcement local authorities will typically try to work in partnership with landlords to ensure that any non-compliances are corrected. This is can be done outside of the more formal Improvement Letter/Notice system.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/.
Maritime Jurisdiction
Questions (307)
Pat Buckley
Question:307. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to the Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57403/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2021 was enacted by the Oireachtas on 22 July this year. It updates the State’s law on maritime jurisdiction to reflect developments in international and domestic law and consolidates the previous legislation in one, stand-alone enactment.
Sections 17, 18 and 19 of the Act deal with the continental shelf and replace and update sections 2 and 3 of the Continental Shelf Act 1968. The continental shelf is the natural prolongation below water of the State’s land territory beyond the limits of its territorial sea. To the west and south-west Ireland’s continental shelf extends several hundred kilometres from the coast before it reaches the deep ocean floor.
Depending on their location the State’s harbours and inland bays are located either in its territorial sea or its internal waters and accordingly sections 17 – 19 of the Act do not apply to them. There are however outstanding jurisdictional issues with the UK in respect of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough. Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the Irish and British Governments agreed to try to resolve these. Since that time a series of meetings and contacts have taken place at official level between the Foreign Office and my own Department and this engagement is ongoing.
The issues involved in these discussions are complex and involve a range of different actors on both sides, but I am satisfied that all sides are committed to reaching a positive resolution as soon as possible.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (308)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:308. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 9 September 2021, the status of the application for the foreign birth registration of a person (details supplied); the expected timeframe in which this application will be processed; if the original documentation can be returned to the person given the lengthy wait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56885/21]
View answerWritten answers
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications resumed on 15th November and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources.
My Department is fully committed to allocating additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the high volume of new applications anticipated and the 32,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand. This will be a major challenge, but one that we are committed to achieving.
Foreign Birth Registration applications are citizenship applications and, as in all jurisdictions, involve a complex and lengthy process. The Passport Service has a statutory responsibility to protect the integrity of this citizenship process. Accordingly, it has to assure very careful analysis takes place across its systems to verify both the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Experienced staff at the Passport Service provide systematic, detailed and rigorous checks of all Foreign Birth Registration applications.
The application referenced was registered on 31 January 2020 and is waiting to be processed. All documentation submitted must be retained until it can be authenticated when the application is checked for entitlement. In the meantime, it is being stored in a secure environment.
Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants are being advised that they should allow approximately 2 years for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time.
The Foreign Birth Registration teams have worked since the pandemic began to consider all urgent requests to expedite applications on a case by case basis, for example applications from expectant parents, or stateless persons. Over 5,000 emergency Foreign Birth Registration applications have been processed in 2021. In cases of exceptional urgency FBR applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
Passport Services
Questions (309, 310, 319)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:309. 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. [56945/21]
View answer
Michael Ring
Question:310. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a first-time passport will be dispatched to a person (details supplied) given that it was lodged with the Passport Office on 21 August 2021 and it has passed the estimated issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56960/21]
View answerMichael Ring
Question:319. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason an adult passport application by a person (details supplied) that is with the passport office for over 42-working days has still not been dispatched considering that it is urgently required for travel on 25 November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57280/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309, 310 and 319 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 309.
Passport Services
Questions (311, 314)
Michael Ring
Question:311. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding first-time passport applications for persons (details supplied) given that these applications were received by the Passport Office on 6 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56967/21]
View answer
Pearse Doherty
Question:314. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in time for intended travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57093/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 314 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 applications to the applicants.
Foreign Policy
Questions (312)
Brendan Griffin
Question:312. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the current situation in Sudan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57056/21]
View answerWritten answers
After almost 30 years of military dictatorship, the 2019 people’s revolution put Sudan on the path to democratic civilian government. The military coup, which began on 24/25 October, represents a major setback to this transition.
The military leadership’s violent crackdown on the country’s civilian and civil society leadership, mass detention of protestors, attacks on medical personnel and facilities, and methodical dismantling of transitional institutions are utterly unacceptable. The actions of the military, both army and former militia leaders and signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement, have put in jeopardy the hard-won transition, and the legitimate wishes of the Sudanese people for freedom, peace, justice and inclusive development. They also have worrying implications for peace and security in the region more broadly.
Sudan’s democratic transition is too important to fail, for the people of Sudan, and for the stability of the Horn of Africa region as a whole. The reported release and reinstatement of Prime Minister Hamdok on 21 November must be accompanied by an immediate halt to violence and repression, and the freeing of all civilian leaders and political detainees. Telecommunications must also be fully restored. Credible discussions can then commence on a way forward which honours the demands of the Sudanese people for freedom, peace and justice and puts the country back on the path to democracy.
Ireland welcomed the decision of the African Union (AU) last month to suspend Sudan from AU activities until “the effective restoration of the civilian-led Transitional Authority”. We are also closely following efforts by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Volker Perthes, in Khartoum, and the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, to engage with Sudanese and regional stakeholders.
Ireland supported a strong Security Council Press Statement on 28 October condemning the coup, and was unequivocal in denouncing the action by Sudan’s military leaders at two Security Council meetings on Sudan, most recently on 11 November. We continue to keep further Council action under consideration as the situation unfolds, including through the three Sudan-focused mandates over which the Council presides: UNITAMS (UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan), UNISFA (Interim Security Force for Abyei) and the Sudan sanctions regime. Ireland has also supported a strong EU response. High Representative Josep Borrell issued a statement on 26 October on behalf of the 27 EU Member States warning of serious consequences if the move to dismantle the transitional government was not reversed. The situation was also discussed by Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 November.On 19 November in the wake of the killing and injury of over 100 peaceful protesters in Khartoum, Minister Coveney issued a statement condemning the reckless and unlawful actions of the coup leaders and undertaking to consider what further measures might be taken to protect and reset the path to democratic transition, and to maintain peace and security. Ireland is ready to consider further restrictive or financial measures, including under the EU’s Global Human Rights sanctions regime, while keeping in mind the increasing humanitarian needs on the ground. Ireland joined calls for a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on Sudan on 5 November where we commended the courage of the Sudanese people and urged the military authorities to fully respect the rights of peaceful assembly.As the crisis evolves, my officials, including through our Embassy in Nairobi accredited to Sudan, will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with our partners for a cohesive collective response, and for a restoration of the democratic transition.
Passport Services
Questions (313)
Pearse Doherty
Question:313. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a foreign birth registration will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57089/21]
View answerWritten answers
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications resumed on 15th November and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources.
My Department is fully committed to allocating additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the high volume of new applications anticipated and the 32,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand. This will be a major challenge, but one that we are committed to achieving.
Foreign Birth Registration applications are citizenship applications and, as in all jurisdictions, involve a complex and lengthy process. The Passport Service has a statutory responsibility to protect the integrity of this citizenship process. Accordingly, it has to assure very careful analysis takes place across its systems to verify both the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Experienced staff at the Passport Service provide systematic, detailed and rigorous checks of all Foreign Birth Registration applications.
The application referenced was registered on 6 July 2021, and is waiting to be processed. All documentation received is being stored in a secure environment.
The Foreign Birth Registration teams have worked since the pandemic began to consider all urgent requests to expedite applications on a case by case basis, for example applications from expectant parents, or stateless persons. Over 5,000 emergency Foreign Birth Registration applications have been processed in 2021. In cases of exceptional urgency, Foreign Birth Registration applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
Question No. 314 answered with Question No. 311.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (315)
Paul Kehoe
Question:315. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the roll-out of vaccines to third-world countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57100/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is committed to universal and fair access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. This is essential for our health at home as well in low income countries where the impact of the pandemic is reversing hard won gains and deepening social and economic inequalities.
The WHO has set a global vaccination target of 70% by the middle of next year. Currently just over 40% of the global adult population is vaccinated, with rates as low as 1% in some of the world's poorest countries. So far, over 500 million doses have been distributed to 144 countries across the globe. Over 80% of vaccines that have been delivered to low income countries have been facilitated via COVAX.
My Department, with the Department of Health and the HSE, is working to help achieve this target. Recognizing the need for effective health systems if vaccination campaigns are to be successful, since the beginning of the pandemic at least €200 million in Irish Aid funding has been invested in improving in global health, working with bilateral partners and at the global level, with the WHO, GAVI the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund. Ireland is currently on the board of the Global Fund, using this opportunity to ensure continued and effective focus on the need to strengthen health systems.
Irish Aid work in partner countries has been complemented by HSE know-how, for example sharing lessons from our COVID-19 response with the Mozambican health service or supporting the psychological resilience of frontline health workers in Jordan and Ethiopia.
So far this year, Irish Aid has given €7 million in to the COVAX facility to enable the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for distribution to low- and middle-income countries. In addition, the Government has donated 1.3 million vaccines to COVAX, which will shortly arrive in Nigeria, Indonesia, and Egypt, among other countries.
Last month, I visited a vaccine centre in Kampala and saw some of the 335,500 AstraZeneca doses Ireland donated directly to Uganda, and heard from the local WHO representative about the difference this donation was making.
This forms part of a very significant Team Europe contribution to the pandemic response, collectively approaching €2.5 billion in contributions to COVAX alone. The recent increase in the volume of financial and dose donations, particularly by the EU and its Member States, will enable the pace of vaccine deliveries to low income countries to accelerate in the coming months.