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Tuesday, 29 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 341-360

Housing Schemes

Questions (341)

Matt Carthy

Question:

341. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 355 of 28 July 2020, if he plans to amend the tenant purchase scheme to allow for tenants residing in dwellings acquired under Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16590/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. The scheme is governed by the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. These regulations provide for specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including those provided to local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

The Part V provisions seek to promote social integration and secure mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Accordingly, Part V properties are excluded from the scheme to ensure the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time and the properties remain available for people most in need of social housing support.

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (342)

Matt Carthy

Question:

342. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to grant a derogation from the closed season for the hunting of wood pigeons in order to ensure that crops are not damaged, prior to the current derogation elapsing at the end of the April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16591/22]

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Written answers

The current Wild Bird Declarations (General & Air Safety) that were signed in April 2021, allowing for the control of certain wild bird species, are due to expire on 30 April 2022. A decision on new Declarations covering the period 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023 will be made prior to the expiry of the current Declarations. My Department recently held a public consultation to inform this process and all views submitted are currently being reviewed. There are no plans to grant a separate derogation from the closed season for the hunting of wood pigeon.

Departmental Reports

Questions (343)

Matt Carthy

Question:

343. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of the external reports commissioned in 2021; the cost of each; the external reports that were received by his Department in 2021; when such reports were or are expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16592/22]

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Written answers

The information requested is set out in the below table. Consultancy service providers are only engaged by my Department where specific expertise is required which is not available in the organisation at the relevant time.

Consultancy Report Title

Year of Commission

Year Received

Cost of Report

To be Published Yes/No

Date of publication

Maritime Area Planning Bill, Independent Review of Governance Arrangements, November 2021

2021

2021

€22,878.00

No

N/A

National Marine Planning Framework - SEA Statement

2019

2021

€17,670.98

Yes

30/06/2021

National Marine Planning Framework - Post Consultation Natura Impact Statement

2019

2021

(included in 17,670.98 above)

Yes

30/06/2021

World Heritage Strategy

2020

Ongoing

€14,925.00

No

N/A

Advice to the Minister from the EAG and 6 Tentative List Recommendation Forms

2021

Ongoing

€5,000.00

No

N/A

Advice to the Minister from the EAG and 6 Tentative List Recommendation Forms

2021

Ongoing

€2,100.00

No

N/A

Advice to the Minister from the EAG and 6 Tentative List Recommendation Forms

2021

Ongoing

€3,000.00

No

N/A

Advice to the Minister from the EAG and 6 Tentative List Recommendation Forms

2021

Ongoing

€1,550.00

No

N/A

Independent Analysis & Reporting on MPA Public Consultation submissions to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

2021

Ongoing

€86,567.40

No

Due to be published 31/03/2022

INTERREG Atlantic Area Oceanwise Project Work package P 8 report - title not yet available

2021

2021

€34,501.50

No

Due to be published in 2022

INTERREG Atlantic Area OceanWise Project Work Package 5.6 reports:

2020

2021

€48,193.20

No

Due to be published in 2022

A policy document in relation to Natura 2000 and other target areas

2021

2021 & 2022 (TWO PARTS)

€14,700.00

No

N/A

Shannon Fish Passage

2019

2021

€170,908.15

No

N/A

Third Cycle River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 - Strategic Environmental Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement

2021

2021

€145,100.64

Yes

2021

Ireland's Fifth Nitrates Action Programme - Natura Impact Statement and SEA Environmental Report

2021

2021

€111,505.65

Yes

2021

3 year Research Programme

2019

Ongoing

€311,010.53

No

N/A

Scoping Exercise for the Modernisation of the Irish Radar Network

2019

2020 - Six Reports received2021 – Two reports received

€449,476.34

No

N/A

Review of Radar Tower Design

2020

2021

€21,780.00

No

N/A

Socio-economic Impact Assessment of the Living Bogs Project

2020

Ongoing

€15,869.76

No

N/A

EIA screening threshold traffic light review

2021

Ongoing

€19,200.00

No

N/A

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of draft Exempted Development Regulations relating to installation of solar PV and thermal equipment.

2021

Ongoing

€23,278.98

No

N/A

Research and information on the Rural Water Sector (no official title - report not intended to be published)

2021

Ongoing

€199,365.78

No

N/A

LTACC Experience and Learning paper

2021

2021

€1,845.00

No

N/A

Screening for Appropriate Assessment

2021

2022

€5,596.50

Yes

24/02/2022

Guidance for Public Authorities on the Provisions of Article 6(3) and Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive

2020

Ongoing

€86,992.00

No

ongoing

A Review of Deer Hunting Training and Certification Syllabi

2021

2021

€4,425.00

No

N/A

Departmental Surveys

Questions (344)

Matt Carthy

Question:

344. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 8 March 2022, the local authorities that have commissioned hedgerow surveys at county level; the years in which these occurred; the cost associated with same; the funds allocated in support of same through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16593/22]

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Written answers

My Department does not have an overarching responsibility for the coordination of hedgerow surveys and does not collect data from local authorities in relation to surveys carried out by them from their own resources.

The Local Authority Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) is a stream of grants to assist local authorities with biodiversity projects in their areas that support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. There is no specific funding allocated to hedgerow surveys in this grant stream. However, it is open to local authorities to include such activity in their applications for funding under the LBAF.

Local Authorities

Questions (345)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

345. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional staff that have been provided to local authorities in the past 12 months to support the delivery of housing; the roles and number per authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16659/22]

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Written answers

Housing for All recognises the need to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to initiate, design, plan, develop and manage housing projects. It also commits to making additional resources available to local authorities to further build housing delivery teams.

During 2021, the Housing Delivery Coordination Office (HDCO) engaged with each local authority to identify their additional staff requirements to deliver social housing. Following this engagement, my Department approved funding for over 200 housing posts in local authorities nationally to address social housing. Details of the posts for each local authority are set out in the tables below. The resource requirements for the four Dublin local authorities with respect to the delivery of social housing are still being examined and further posts will be approved for the Dublin local authorities, as appropriate, when this examination has concluded.

My Department is currently engaging with the HDCO and the local authorities to consider any additional resource requirements that may arise in relation to the delivery of affordable housing. Subject to the outcome of this engagement, further posts may be approved to support the delivery of affordable housing.

Additional Staff

Official Engagements

Questions (346)

Matt Carthy

Question:

346. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of all official engagements and meetings attended by him and Ministers of State within his Department during the period of 3 March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16701/22]

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Written answers

Since my appointment in June 2020, my diary and those of my Ministers of State are routinely published on my Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/5f6f1-ministers-diaries/#.

The information requested predates my appointment as Minister. This information is being compiled from our archives and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The diary of my predecessor Eoghan Murphy contains the following details insofar as they refer to official engagements and meetings on 3 March 2020.
09.00 Talks plenary
11.45 Cabinet
14.30 Meeting with Dublin DOSs.
There are no official engagements listed in the diaries of the former Ministers of State in my Department on the date in question.

Middle East

Questions (347)

Patrick Costello

Question:

347. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the proposals contained in a recent report (details supplied); his views on whether the proposal that this entire situation should be referred to the International Criminal Court; his further views on whether an international tribunal should be established to try alleged perpetrators of international crimes; the concrete action he intends to take at European Union and United Nations level in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15762/22]

View answer

Written answers

I refer the Deputy to questions 15351/22 and 15466/22 answered on 24 March and to my recent statements in the Dáil on the report mentioned.

Ireland’s position on these issues is, and will continue to be, based on international law, including Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power in the occupied Palestinian territory under the Fourth Geneva Convention. I remain deeply troubled by the lack of accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law arising out of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I note that the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into the situation in Palestine in March 2021 and that the Court has jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, amongst other alleged international crimes that have occurred in the occupied Palestinian territory since June 2013. Ireland is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and views the Court as the cornerstone of the system of international criminal justice.

Passport Services

Questions (348, 351, 352, 358, 366, 367, 369, 370, 381)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

348. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15769/22]

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Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

351. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15783/22]

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Paul McAuliffe

Question:

352. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application by a person (details supplied) can be expedited. [15795/22]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

358. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport renewal for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15832/22]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

366. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a passport for a person (detail supplied). [15938/22]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

367. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a passport for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15939/22]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

369. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the passports of a parent and child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15986/22]

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Brendan Howlin

Question:

370. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16043/22]

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Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

381. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal before the travel date of 26 March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16387/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348, 351, 352, 358, 366, 367, 369, 370 and 381 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (349)

Michael Ring

Question:

349. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15770/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of Foreign Birth Registration staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.

The application referenced was registered on 15 April 2020, and is due to be processed in the near future. The FBR team will be in contact with the applicant shortly in this regard.

My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (350)

Michael Ring

Question:

350. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15771/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of Foreign Birth Registration staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.

The application referenced was registered on 15 April 2020, and is due to be processed in the near future. The FBR team will be in contact with the applicant shortly in this regard.

My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.

Question No. 351 answered with Question No. 348.
Question No. 352 answered with Question No. 348.

Passport Services

Questions (353, 354, 355, 356, 360, 361, 368, 371, 383)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

353. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the passport renewal for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15815/22]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

354. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the passport renewal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15817/22]

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Michael Collins

Question:

355. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a baby (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15824/22]

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Michael Collins

Question:

356. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for an infant (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15825/22]

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Pearse Doherty

Question:

360. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Armagh before the travel date of 19 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15852/22]

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Steven Matthews

Question:

361. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15874/22]

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Michael Ring

Question:

368. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be processed on time for a child (details supplied) in County Mayo to travel with their family. [15941/22]

View answer

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

371. 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. [16136/22]

View answer

Michael Ring

Question:

383. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport can be processed on time for a child (details supplied) to enable them to travel with their family. [16400/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 to 356, inclusive, 360, 361, 368, 371 and 383 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of their passport applications to the applicants.

Question No. 354 answered with Question No. 353.
Question No. 355 answered with Question No. 353.
Question No. 356 answered with Question No. 353.

Passport Services

Questions (357, 374)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

357. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Oireachtas urgent query line (details supplied) has been discontinued; if so, when it was discontinued; if he will consider reinstating the line due to the ongoing high demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15826/22]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

374. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a matter in relation to the phone lines relating to the Oireachtas urgent query service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16168/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 374 together.

In response to the high volume of applications being submitted to the Passport Service, a temporary phone line was established in October 2021 to respond to Oireachtas Members' queries on urgent passport cases. This phoneline responded to over 2,700 queries in 2021 and has handled over 3,600 queries to date in 2022.

The Oireachtas line is fully operational and has seen a significant increase in the volume of calls received, as well as the number of queries associated with each call since January.

A representative of the Passport Service has contacted Deputy Conway-Walsh and Deputy Ó Murchú to ensure that they are able to access the Oireachtas line and confirmed that their queries have been handled.

Question No. 358 answered with Question No. 348.

Passport Services

Questions (359, 388)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

359. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport renewal for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15851/22]

View answer

Michael Ring

Question:

388. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be delivered to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16633/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 388 together.

With regard to the specific applications referred to by the Deputies, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Question No. 360 answered with Question No. 353.
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