Written Answers Nos. 91-110
92. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the main policy achievements and initiatives undertaken by his Department during 2021; and his main priorities for 2022. [62198/21]
View answerMy Department's website, www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/ provides comprehensive information on our policy achievements and initiatives. Highlights during the course of 2021 would include:
- Publication of Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland. This is a whole of Government plan and sets out a pathway to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The plan is backed by historic levels of investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency and the Housing Finance Agency over the next 5 years.
- The first ever standalone legislation for affordable housing in the Affordable Housing Act 2021 providing the basis for two affordable purchase schemes and the Cost Rental Scheme.
- Delivery and tenanting the first ever cost rental homes in the country with tenants benefiting from rents that are 40% below market rates.
- New planning arrangements for large-scale residential developments - the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021 has passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas.
- Reviewed the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities to restrict future commercial co-living development in Ireland.
- Establishment of the Land Development Agency (LDA) as a Commercial State Agency.
- Publication of the General Schemes of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City & County) Bill 2021 and the Electoral Reform Bill 2021.
- Major reform of the remuneration of local authority elected members - arising from the recommendations of the Moorhead Report.
- A further €61.6m allocated to the local government sector to cushion the impacts of Covid -19 bringing the total expenditure specifically related to Covid-19 to €558.9m for the year.
- €480m allocated by Government to fund the cost of the 2021 commercial rates waiver from January to end-September 2021 in recognition of the impacts of COVID-19.
- A further commercial rates waiver was put in place for Q4 2021 (and recently extended to Q1 2022) targeting certain sectors that may need ongoing support.
- A major collaborative project that sees Met Éireann join forces with national weather services in Denmark, Iceland and the Netherlands to advance short-term weather forecasting.
- €6m awarded to 562 projects under the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
- Publication of the draft River Basin Management Plan for 2022 to 2027.
- Enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act
- Agreement of the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy 2021-2030 under the OSPAR Commission
In terms of our priorities for 2022, my focus is firmly on delivery. Local Authorities will shortly submit their Housing Delivery Action Plans to my Department, setting out details of both social and affordable housing delivery, as appropriate, over the period 2022-2026, in line with the targets set under Housing for All.
In 2022 we have a delivery target of 4,100 affordable homes that will be delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and the LDA. We will establish and deploy the First Home Affordable Purchase Shared Equity Scheme; see the first homes made available under the local authority affordable purchase scheme and make more homes available under cost rental.
Other priorities for 2022 include:
- Publication of a Bill to reform the judicial review provisions in the Planning and Development Act.
- Publication of the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City & County) Bill.
- Enactment of the Electoral Reform Bill and establishment of the Electoral Commission.
- Continuation of work with local authorities on the review of municipal districts.
- Progress an expanded programme of biodiversity investment and the restoration and conservation of protected peatlands.
- Accelerate the Conservation Measures programme to enhance protections and supports for nature at more than six hundred Natura 2000 sites across Ireland.
- Launch of new National Heritage Plan- Heritage Ireland 2030.
- Finalise the separation of Irish Water from the Ervia Group and implement the final steps in the legal transformation of Irish Water into a stand-alone national, publicly-owned, regulated, water services utility.
- Enactment of the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill.
- Establish Project Ireland Marine 2040 Governance Group to oversee implementation of the National Marine Planning Framework and its alignment with the National Development Plan.
- Publication of the programme of measures (2022-2028) for the marine environment under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
93. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if persons living in charity-run homeless hostels are counted as homeless in his Department’s figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62208/21]
View answerMy Department publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in all forms of emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and are produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by housing authorities. Additionally, biannual rough sleeper counts are in operation in regions of the country where rough sleeping is a known issue. These counts ensure that homeless individuals not engaging with local authorities are also enumerated by my Department, though these counts often include individuals who are also accessing emergency accommodation. Data from these rough sleeper counts are included within regional lead authority performance reports. All reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal, data.gov.ie/
The monthly reports outline the number of individuals accommodated in emergency accommodation over a designated survey week, including a breakdown by local authority. Emergency accommodation in these reports is categorised by Supported Temporary Accommodation (including family hubs and hostels, with onsite professional support), Private Emergency Accommodation (this may include hotels, B&Bs and other residential facilities that are used on an emergency basis, where supports are provided to services users on a visiting supports basis), and Temporary Emergency Accommodation (emergency accommodation with no, or minimal, support).
Whenever an individual or family presents to a local authority as homeless, prevention is always the priority. In instances where a prevention is not possible, emergency accommodation is provided as a temporary measure to ensure individuals have a safe place of shelter while local authorities work on exiting them from homelessness. In a limited number of cases, it is acknowledged individuals may not be able to live independently and may present with complex and multiple health and social support needs. Long Term Supported Accommodation is the provision of quality accommodation and effective supports on a long-term basis for persons who have sought assistance from homeless services and who have specialised health, care and social support needs. As Long Term Supported Accommodation is regarded as neither temporary nor emergency and is more typically own-door, it is not enumerated within the monthly homeless statistics on emergency accommodation access.
In some instances, both Long Term Supported Accommodation and Supported Temporary Accommodation are offered by service providers within the same venue. In these cases, individuals accessing Supported Temporary Accommodation are included within my Department’s monthly homeless statistics.
94. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of serviced sites fund, affordable housing funding and affordable purchase homes that have been completed to date in 2021; the details of their location, unit size and sale price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62209/21]
View answerThe Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing.
Measures to deliver this housing are supported by over €4 billion in funding annually, representing the highest ever level of Government investment in building social and affordable housing. 54,000 affordable homes interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
The delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities will be submitting their Plans to me, to include social and affordable housing before end December 2021. This will allow each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly.
Funding to support local authority delivery of affordable housing was made available through the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF). Following the Programme for Government commitment to extend the SSF, a progress review of SSF projects was undertaken. Considering feedback from local authorities, significant improvements to the scheme, now named the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), have been agreed and communicated to local authorities by Circular in June 2021.
My Department has been accepting AHF applications since 1 September 2021. Furthermore, my Department has engaged with the 14 local authorities with SSF schemes approved in principle to clarify the status of their approved SSF projects.
For those SSF schemes that are currently under construction, the Covid pandemic has had an impact on the projected timelines for delivery of housing, due to the closure of the construction sector earlier this year. Accordingly, the first project to be delivered will be the pilot Cost Rental project at Enniskerry Road which will deliver 50 Cost Rental homes. The first affordable purchase homes will be the first phase of the Boherboy Road scheme in Cork City. There will be 9 affordable purchase homes delivered in the first phase. Both of these projects will be delivered in early 2022.
In relation to the scheme governing the affordable purchase of local authority provided or arranged affordable housing, it is intended that regulations regarding income eligibility in respect of the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will be in place very shortly.
95. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing first tenancies delivered and sustained to date in 2021; the target number of housing first tenancies for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62210/21]
View answerHousing First enables homeless individuals with high levels of complex needs to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive housing and health supports to help them maintain their tenancies.
The National Implementation Plan for Housing First, published in September 2018, which puts the programme on a national footing, is designed to provide this response, by delivering permanent housing solutions and associated supports for rough sleepers and long-term users of emergency accommodation. It extended the delivery of Housing First nationally, with the introduction of targets for each local authority. The Plan includes an overall target of 663 tenancies in the period 2018-2021 with a target of 220 tenancies nationally in 2021. The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE and the local authorities.
Data on the number of Housing First tenancies created are published every three months as part of my Department's Homeless Quarterly Progress Reports. The most recent report from the end of September 2021 shows that a total of 173 tenancies were created under the Housing First programme nationally in the year to date.
Housing for All commits to the further expansion of Housing First by 1,200 additional tenancies over the next five years. An updated National Implementation Plan, covering the period 2022-2026 is scheduled for publication before the end of December 2021.
96. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give advice to local authorities and An Bord Pleanála with regard to granting planning permissions for residential developments in areas likely to be prone to flooding as a result of rising sea levels in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62214/21]
View answerThe Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities were published jointly by my Department and the Office of Public Works (OPW), in November 2009. The Flood Risk Management Guidelines provide for the incorporation of flood risk identification, assessment and management into the planning process. The requirements of these guidelines apply not only to the implications of river/rainstorm flooding, but also to coastal flooding, mainly as result of high tides and storm surge effects. These Ministerial Guidelines were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to the Guidelines in carrying out their functions under the Planning Acts.
In particular, the Flood Risk Management Guidelines require Strategic Food Risk Assessment (SFRA) to be undertaken for statutory plans, such as county development plans and the results of such assessments to be integrated into the approved plan, including consideration of possible coastal flooding. The relevant statutory plan is a critical consideration in the assessment of any planning application.
In the assessment of planning applications, the Flood Risk Management Guidelines provides comprehensive guidance in Section 5 of the document. It is noted that it is a requirement that “any known flood history on or affecting the application site must be declared on the application form” and this is also included in the standard planning application form as set out in Planning and Development Regulations, 2001.
The key considerations regarding the assessment of planning applications are set out in the introduction to section 5 of the Flood Risk Management Guidelines. These include:
- Planning applications will, where appropriate, need to be accompanied by a detailed flood risk assessment to be considered by planning authorities in determining applications.
- Development within flood risk areas, that would be defined as inappropriate as set out in chapter 3 of the guidelines, but considered to be necessary to meet the objectives of proper planning and sustainable development, will be subject to a ‘Justification Test’.
- Most flood-risk issues should be raised within strategic assessments undertaken by local authorities at the plan-making stage. Therefore, as more plans are reviewed and zoning reconsidered, there should be less need for development management processes to require detailed flood risk assessment.
It is a requirement that where applications are made in areas at risk of flooding, that they should be accompanied by a site-specific flood risk assessment, even for uses which are considered appropriate in flood risk zones.
In relation to assessment of a planning application, the Flood Risk Management Guidelines state (Section 5.14), that it should be based “principally on the policies and detailed objectives of the development plan, with flood risk considered along with the full range of planning considerations for the application”. The Guidelines go on to state that planning authorities “should adopt a risk-based sequential and balanced approach that gives priority to development in areas of lowest risk.”
I am satisfied that the Flood Risk Management Guidelines provide comprehensive advice on dealing with flood risk in the planning process. Consideration is now being given, in conjunction with the OPW, to update technical advice to take account of revised climate change information.
The assessment of individual planning applications is carried out on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, having regard to planning guidance and other relevant factors and are a matter for each planning authority and/or An Bord Pleanála to determine as appropriate.
97. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there will be a review of the transfer of homeless services from the Department of Social Protection in February 2019 to reflect on the challenges entailed in the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62231/21]
View answer98. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body that oversees the funding made available to each homeless action team to ensure balanced regional development and equity between regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62232/21]
View answer99. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the professional training homeless action team personnel have in order to be able to respond appropriately to vulnerable and at-risk persons who may have complex needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62233/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 to 99, inclusive, together.
My 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 a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by housing authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and funding required to address homelessness in each region.
It is the responsibility of each housing authority to ensure that an appropriately staffed homeless action team are in place to address homelessness in each administrative area. In doing so housing authorities should ensure action teams are configured and resourced with the appropriate skill sets, decision-making ability and functional capacity to address homelessness at a local level.
Prior to 2019 some housing authorities had arrangements in place whereby the Department of Social Protection secured and made financial arrangements for the provision of homeless emergency accommodation. In 2019, responsibility for such arrangements transferred to housing authorities. I have no plans to review the transfer arrangements at national level, as these were arrangements that had been in place at a local level, having regard to the statutory responsibilities of housing authorities.
100. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62024/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
101. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62065/21]
View answerI can reassure the Deputy that my Department is aware of this case and is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Irish Embassy in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country.
My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) who are engaged very regularly with the citizen, while we continue to provide all possible consular advice and support.
There has also been, and will continue to be, engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that my Department is continuing to engage on the matter.
102. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken in 2021 and the steps he will take in 2022 to increase the number of Covid-19 vaccines for developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62117/21]
View answerIreland 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.
Currently just over 55% of the global adult population is vaccinated, but this falls to rates as low as 1.3% in some of the world's poorest countries. The COVAX Facility is working to accelerate the distribution of vaccines to low and middle-income countries to address this inequity, and so far, over 610 million doses have been distributed to 144 countries across the globe.
The WHO has set a global vaccination target of 70% by the middle of next year. 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 improvements 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.
This year, Irish Aid has given €8.5 million in funding to the COVAX Facility to enable the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for low and middle-income countries. This week, the Government approved a decision to donate up to three million vaccines via the COVAX facility in the coming months. This is in addition to our on-going donation programme which so far has led to the gifting of 1.8 million vaccines. In September, Ireland donated 335,500 vaccine doses to Uganda, along with all of the necessary equipment to support immunisation. At the end of November close to 500,000 of doses were delivered to Nigeria, 122,000 doses were delivered to Indonesia on Saturday, 276,000 doses were delivered to Accra in Ghana on 14 December, and further deliveries to Indonesia, Egypt and other low and middle income countries are expected over the coming weeks.
Ireland’s contribution is part of a very significant Team Europe contribution to the pandemic response, collectively approaching €3.2 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 acceleration of vaccine deliveries to low income countries in the coming months.
103. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the main policy achievements and initiatives undertaken by his Department during 2021; and his main priorities for 2022. [62195/21]
View answerThis year my Department published its new Statement of Strategy for the 2021-2023 period which outlines in more detail the key priorities for the period, and frames our efforts to protect and promote the values and interests of Irish citizens, at home and abroad.Over the past year, my Department has continued to make an important contribution to the Government response to the pandemic, particularly in strengthening information flows across Government on global developments and trends, which have informed critical decision making. This work will continue next year as required.
Ireland is a committed member of the European Union and during 2021 my Department has been working with our European colleagues to support each other during this time of crisis, and as we rebuild our economies. This year, a new strategy to increase Irish representation in the European Union's Institutions and Agencies, was also launched. All of this work will continue and deepen in 2022 and beyond.
My Department will work to protect the island of Ireland from the worst effects of Brexit, and as the inextricably linked histories of Ireland and Britain enter a new phase, we will foster enhanced links between our States to protect and strengthen our bilateral relations. A key priority of Government is the commitment to work with all communities and traditions on the island of Ireland to build consensus around a shared future. This consensus will be underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement and by absolute respect for the principle of consent. Membership of the UN is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy and in January this year, we took up our seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. At a time of ever-more complex global threats, only coordinated international action and collaboration will bring about solutions. At the outset, the Government set out three overarching principles for Ireland’s membership of the Security Council: building peace, strengthening conflict prevention, and ensuring accountability. Throughout the year, including during our successful presidency of the Council in September, we have been engaging actively across the full Security Council agenda, which includes some 30 country and regional files and 20 thematic files. Ireland has been particularly engaged in work on the humanitarian situation in Syria, the deeply concerning situation in Ethiopia, the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), Climate and Security, Women, Peace and Security, and Peacekeeping. We have also held leadership roles on Somalia sanctions and the UN Office in West Africa and the Sahel, and we played an active role in the Council’s response to the crisis in Afghanistan, as well as a range of other pressing issues on the Council agenda. Delivering first class consular and passport services to our citizens will remain an essential priority. Our global diaspora remain an integral part of the wider Irish family and my Department will continue to work with them in maintaining and deepening this vital relationship. This includes through continued support to Irish communities abroad as they too manage the impact of the pandemic. Recognising the significance of the transatlantic relationship between Ireland and the US, which is set out in the US Canada Strategy 2019-2025, we have worked successfully to strengthen our diplomatic, cultural, and economic relationship with the US at all levels in 2021. This will remain a central priority for Government in 2022.
Ireland’s Overseas Development Assistance programme is an essential element of our overall foreign policy and national presence overseas. The Government is committed to reaching our goal of contributing 0.7% of GNI on overseas development cooperation. In 2021 we have continued efforts to support investment in public health, by way of response to the pandemic. Next year we will continue to provide support for those countries that are poorest and most vulnerable to climate shocks and ensure that climate change is included as a core theme in strategy development where Ireland has a significant development cooperation programme including Small Island Developing States. Our Missions abroad are charged, among other things, with promoting Ireland, identifying new markets and opportunities for Irish business, and protecting and supporting Irish citizens. We will continue to implement the Global Ireland Strategy, which includes the commitment to double our global footprint by 2025. In 2021, new Embassies opened in Morocco, the Philippines and Ukraine and a Consulate General in Manchester. New missions provide enhanced capacity to support Irish citizens abroad, as evidenced recently by the repatriation of Irish citizens managed by the newly-arrived team in Rabat. Next year, work will continue to support the opening of a further three consulates in Miami, Lyon and Toronto, as well as an Embassy in Senegal. The implementation of Global Ireland also sees my Department building and utilising other platforms to promote Ireland across the world. For 2021, major achievements included the delivery of a successful Irish pavilion and theme at EXPO2020. Also, amidst considerable limitations to in-person St. Patrick’s Day activity, my Department developed and managed an expansive and substantive digital programme. For 2022, we will build on these efforts and deliver a safe and meaningful celebration of St Patrick's Day around the world.
104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied) in relation to a passport application; if he can assist in getting these documents back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62269/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant and their documents will be returned as requested.
105. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the processing time on a passport is reset on receipt of additional documentation thereby resulting in first-time passport applications or passport express renewal applications taking significantly more than eight weeks; when this new procedure was introduced; if he will review it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62318/21]
View answerThe processing times for all passport applications are based on current average application turnaround times and apply to passport applications that are fully complete, where all required supporting documentation has been correctly submitted to the Passport Service by the applicant.
Applications can take longer than the average turnaround time if applicants have not provided all of the required documentation to correctly complete their application. Passport Service figures show that a high proportion of applications are incomplete. The onus is on the applicant to submit the required documents to the Service. The Passport Service engages with all applicants who have not submitted the required documentation. However, their applications are not complete and cannot proceed through the processing system until all required outstanding documentation is submitted.
The Passport Service is attaching particular priority to the nearly 7% of online applications that have not been issued on or before estimated issue date that was indicated to the applicant. Intensive work is underway to eliminate these delays which are very much regretted by the Service.
The Passport Service continually examines how to improve processing times and engagement with applicants. Preparation is currently underway for several system and service improvements that will enhance the customer service experience and will improve processing times. A particular improvement that will be of interest to the Deputy is a change to the documentary management process that will reduce the turnaround time when additional documents need to be submitted by the applicant. These improvements will be rolled out in early 2022.
My Department has been actively working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit permanent and temporary staff between now and the end of January 2022. This recruitment drive is well underway and will double the number of staff in the Passport Service from June 2021 levels to a total of 920 staff by the end of January.
These staff members are currently being trained and assigned across all areas of the Passport Service, including to the teams who handle the registration, verification and scanning of the supporting documents required to complete a passport application. This can be a time-consuming process depending on the complexity of the application and the origin of the supporting documents. The rigorous verification of supporting documents is a critical measure to protect the integrity of the Irish passport.
I am confident that the additional staff currently being assigned to the Passport Service will help to reduce turnaround times, including for applicants who are requested to submit supporting documentation, and to respond to the current and anticipated high demand for passports in 2022.
106. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason it took 47 working days after receipt of documents by the Passport Office for the documents to be checked in relation to an application by a person (details supplied); the reason it will take another 40 days after receipt of the certified documents for this application to be progressed, considering that the application was received online on 29 August 2021; when this passport will be dispatched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62323/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service regrets that this application was not checked within the current average turnaround time of 40 working days. The Passport Service contacted the applicant on 17 November 2021 to request a document that was required to complete the application. A document has been submitted by the applicant and the application is progressing through the processing system.
With regard to the applicant's previous passport, this passport was issued over 20 years ago and is not an acceptable form of identification for the purposes of issuing a new passport. For that reason, the Passport Service requested a current form of photo identification.
The processing times for all passport applications are based on current average application turnaround times and apply to passport applications that are fully complete, where all required supporting documentation has been correctly submitted to the Passport Service by the applicant.
This application currently has an estimated issue date of 3 February 2022. If the applicant has a travel emergency, they can contact the Passport Service Customer Service Hub via webchat (www.dfa.ie/passports/contact/) or telephone (01.671.1633).
107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised concerns with his British counterpart regarding the nationality and borders Bill which will impact on free movement in this country for persons without Irish or British citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62383/21]
View answerI am aware of the UK’s Nationality and Borders Bill, which was recently passed in the House of Commons and has now proceeded to the House of Lords. As currently drafted, this Bill would provide that the UK’s immigration rules may require that specified categories of individual, to be set down in the rules, have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in order to travel to the UK. This may include ‘local journeys’ to the UK from within the Common Travel Area (CTA). It is important to note that, while the Bill provides that such a requirement may be introduced, any such requirement would be introduced by way of future amendments to the UK’s immigration rules. It is also important to note that the Bill provides that the proposed ETA system will not apply to Irish or British citizens and the UK Government has made clear that there will continue to be no immigration checks on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The UK Government has spoken about the requirement coming into effect by 2024, though this timeframe could change. Officials in my Department are seeking clarification with the UK Government as to how it is proposed to apply the requirement in Northern Ireland and what changes are intended to be introduced in future immigration rules. As the Deputy is aware, tens of thousands of people, including many non-Irish and non-British nationals living in Ireland, cross the land border every day – visiting friends and family, going to work, socialising. There are also considerations in terms of supply chains and for tourism on an all-island basis should this proposed legislation impact on any cross-border movements for non-Irish and non-British nationals. For our part, the Government has made its position clear that there should be no hard border on the island of Ireland. This legislation remains under consideration within the UK Parliament and we will continue to engage with the UK Government to ensure that our position is clearly heard as this legislation progresses.
108. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if allegations of a recent sexual assault on an Irish soldier at an Irish military overseas United Nations mission involving another Irish soldier have been referred to An Garda Síochána. [62044/21]
View answerThe alleged offences are currently under investigation and for this reason, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the case.
109. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether innocent military personnel who are rotating with the current Defence Forces detachment in the Lebanon should suffer a form of collective punishment with newly imposed restrictions as a consequence of the actions of a member who allegedly sexually assaulted another soldier after drinking alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62045/21]
View answerThe incident referred to in your question is currently under investigation and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment.
With regard to the decision to employ a no-alcohol policy, the military authorities have informed me that this decision was made by the General Staff, to replicate a policy that has already been successfully employed in other troop missions overseas.
This decision supports a positive culture and working environment within the Defence Forces and will continue to contribute to promoting the health and well-being of our personnel overseas on peace support operations.
110. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the main policy achievements and initiatives undertaken by his Department during 2021; and his main priorities for 2022. [62190/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme.
During 2021, one of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces. The work of the Commission will inform the future development of the Defence Forces. The Department of Defence will continue to support and assist the Commission in their work.
The Defence Organisation has played a significant role in the State's overall response to the Covid 19 pandemic. The response has involved the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and Civil Defence, having regard to their specific roles. The Defence Organisation has participated in a number of official groups such as the High Level Task Force for Covid 19 Vaccination. In addition to supporting the HSE, the Defence Forces have also provided a broad range of supports to other Departments and Agencies. Provision of this support will continue to remain one of my Department's main priorities for 2022.
Implementation of projects arising from the White Paper on Defence (2015) has continued. In total, of the initial 95 projects, 47 are now formally completed and closed with an additional four in the closing process. The review of progress on all projects, taken in Q1 this year, has led to the approval of an updated White Paper Programme Implementation Roadmap. An additional five projects were to be initiated during 2021, four of which have commenced with a further one to commence shortly. I have also approved the commencement of 15 projects in the period 2022 to 2025. 14 other projects have been deferred, pending recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the Defence Organisation will interact with the Commission on these issues.
The three year implementation plan for "Civil Defence - Towards 2030" has been approved and is being implemented and other Public Sector Initiatives have been progressed. In March 2021, my Department entered into a contract for the provision of a new on-line Civil Defence volunteer and equipment management system (VEMS) which will allow more efficient management of around 3,000 Civil Defence volunteers, their training and activities. It will also assist equipment and vehicle management. The new VEMS system will 'go-live' in 2022.
My Department also completed the procurement and introduction of an online Learning Management System for Civil Defence, facilitating blended learning for Civil Defence volunteers nationwide. In conjunction with Local Authorities and Civil Defence Officers, my Department completed the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council 'Government Validation Framework' and ' Quality Review Framework' for Civil Defence. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is an independent statutory body who set the standards for education and training for pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland.
In 2022, my Department will progress the introduction of a modern aggregated legislative basis for Civil Defence and will also complete the development of, and roll-out the new on-line Civil Defence Volunteer and Equipment Management System.
My Department has progressed a number of activities including recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces, and related HR issues. Central to this was the continued implementation of the High Level Implementation Plan “Strengthening Our Defence Forces”. A range of other recruitment initiatives have been introduced including commissioning from the ranks, the re-entry of former PDF personnel with specific skills and a sea-going service commitment scheme for members of the Naval Service. In addition, a range of direct entry specialist competitions have also been initiated as a further means to fill critical positions.
An Independent Review will be established to examine the effectiveness of systems, policies and procedures in place in the Defence Forces to deal with incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace. The Independent Review ‘Dignity and Equality in the workplace, The Defence Forces – an Independent Review’ will be established in early 2022 and will be undertaken by external and independent experts in the field. The final Report will be brought to Government and all recommendations will be considered in full.
An organisational capability review of the Department of Defence commenced in 2021. The Review is being conducted by the Organisational Capability Review team and has involved engagement with Departmental staff and key stakeholders in the policy and operational domains of the Department. Their report is due to be finalised soon.
The Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2021-2023 was published in April 2021 and comes at a pivotal time for the Defence Organisation with the establishment of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the Organisational Capability Review of the Department of Defence. This Strategy Statement will be subject to a mid-term review in 2022.
In relation to international initiatives, my Department's main focus in early 2021 was Ireland's policy input into negotiations around the establishment of the European Peace Facility (EPF), the new mechanism to finance Common Security and Defence Policy activities. In addition, my Department is actively engaged in the negotiations on the EU's Strategic Compass which aims to enhance and guide the implementation of the Level of Ambition arising out of the EU's Global Strategy by defining policy orientations and specific goals and objectives in areas such as crisis management, resilience, capability development and partnerships. In the latter end of 2021, we entered the stage of final negotiations on the draft text of the Strategic Compass, so further policy input will be required by my Department in 2022 prior to its expected adoption in March 2022.
Since taking a seat the UN Security Council at the start of this year, the additional structures put in place between the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence and the Defence Forces have worked effectively to achieve great coordination on peacekeeping policy issues. Notable successes include UNSCR 2594, spearheaded by Ireland, which will make a significant structural difference to the UN's peacekeeping architecture, defining what the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding entails, and how it should be managed.
At the recent UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Seoul, I announced a concrete package of commitments including new and existing pledges that will work towards the UN Secretary General's Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative and agreed Security Council priorities.
In 2021, my Department and the Defence Forces established a joint (civil-military) Research Technology and Innovation (RTI) unit. The Unit led engagement with Science Foundation Ireland on a Defence Organisation Innovation Challenge with a total prize fund of €2.3 million. Following review by an international panel following best academic practice, ten projects have been selected to progress to the initial concept phase.
In 2022, in addition to the ongoing support of the Defence Innovation Challenge culminating in an award of €1m to the winning project, the RTI unit will focus on the development of an innovation ecosystem, fostering innovation within the Department and Defence Forces, accessing International Funding and promoting R&D Capability Development.
Significant progress has been made during 2021 in updating Defence Force Regulation R5, the regulation pertaining to the Reserve Defence Force. The updated version is at the last stage of finalisation, and will be sent for Ministerial approval shortly.
The 11th 'Be Winter Ready' public safety campaign was launched in November 2021. My Department also planned, published and launched the 'Be Summer Ready' public safety campaign in April 2021. Under the chairmanship of my Department, the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning prepared and published the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Structures and Framework Guideline Document 1 on National Emergency Coordination Groups, and revised and published SEM Guideline Document 3 - Critical Infrastructure Resilience, Version 2. My Department also coordinated and led the Irish position negotiating the proposed EU Directive on the resilience of critical entities.
In 2022, my Department will continue to prioritise and enhance interdepartmental strategic emergency management through capacity building and knowledge sharing and will develop a governance model to meet Ireland's obligations under the proposed EU Critical Entities Resilience Directive. My Department will review the existing SEM suite of documents to ensure they reflect international best practice for the Irish context and develop a new SEM Guideline Document on National Exercises. Work will also commence on the 2023 iteration of the National Risk Assessment process. The National Risk Assessment identifies and assesses the likelihood and impact of key risks facing the State across a broad range of emergencies. It will also form part of the EU-wide risk assessment process.
My Department will continue to implement the rolling 5 year Infrastructure Plan and rolling 5 year Equipment Development Plan for the Defence Forces. Major equipment projects are being progressed and delivered including the upgrade of the Mowag Armoured Personnel Carriers, PC 12 and C-295 aircraft and the new Mulit Role Vessle (MRV ) for the Naval Service. Climate action has been integrated into equipment & infrastructure programmes of work and this will continue in 2022.
In relation to legislation, the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted during 2021. The Act updates provisions in the Defence Acts relating to overseas operations and the enlistment of minors. It also provides for an enhancement of the role played by the Reserve Defence Force in support of the Permanent Defence Force, including the removal of the absolute prohibition in the Defence Acts on members of the Reserve Defence Force serving overseas. During 2022, my Department's main priority in relation to legislation will be the enactment of the Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill.
I am satisfied that significant progress is being made in implementing the Government’s ambitious programme for Defence and I look forward to ongoing delivery of key commitments and priorities for my Department and the Defence Forces throughout 2022.
