Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (379, 380)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

379. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons that the capital expenditure for his Department is €228 million lower in the first four months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021; if the pandemic lockdown in 2021 impacted on capital spending flows in that period and follow through in the past four months; if so, the individual project impacts of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23396/22]

View answer

Ivana Bacik

Question:

380. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons that capital investment in 2022 for his Department is currently €125 million below profile; the portion of this that relates to the provision of housing; the amount of the total €1.3 billion in additional capital funding for his Department in 2022 that relates to additional housing provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23397/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.

The Capital Provision for my Department’s Vote Group (inclusive of Vote 34 - Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Vote 16 - Valuation Office and Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority) for 2021 and 2022 is set out in the table below:

CAPITAL	2021	2022	2021 vs 2022
Gross*	€2,767bn	€3,410bn	+ €645m
Net*	€2,762bn	€3,407bn	+ €645m

*rounding affects totals

The 2022 provision for my Department, Vote 34, is supplemented by €275.8m capital carried over from 2021.

The impact of Covid restrictions on the construction industry, as well as other current economic issues impacting delivery, have contributed to the variance from profile. Expenditure does not generally arise in an even pattern throughout the year, and is dependent on the expected drawdown based on matters such as vouched expenditure, projects reaching milestones and completions etc. Profiles are set at the start of the year based on the prevailing circumstances and variances may arise over the course of the year.

The variance of expenditure from profile at the end of April arises from lower than anticipated expenditure across a small number of specific expenditure lines in the Housing Programme as a result of a combination of factors including: fewer than expected claims from Local Authorities, an element of expenditure being offset by Local Authorities against their Local Property Tax (LPT) receipts and the expenditure of capital carryover following the earlier than anticipated signing of the Deferred Surrender Order. Capital Carryover expenditure was due to commence in April however the Deferred Surrender Order was signed earlier than anticipated on 22 February and this has impacted the expenditure-profile variance.

My Department’s Housing Programme has a Gross Capital provision of €2.25 billion in 2022 – representing an increase of some €419 million on the Estimate for 2021. An additional €78.55m from LPT receipts will also be used by certain Local Authorities to fund housing programmes. A further €247.3m capital carried over from 2021 is allocated to the Housing Programme, bringing the total Gross Capital provision in 2022 to almost €2.6 billion.

My Department reports to Government on a quarterly basis on Capital expenditure. The report examines capital expenditure to date compared to profile identifying key areas where spending is either above or below profile; outlook for the year taking into account the impact of Covid-19 and other emerging challenges on programmes and projects; and measures required to mitigate any significant risks. The report for the first Quarter 2022 will be brought to Government shortly.

Question No. 380 answered with Question No. 379.

Planning Issues

Questions (381)

Matt Carthy

Question:

381. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to reform planning requirements for solar panels on the roofs of homes, schools and agricultural buildings; the timeframe he envisages for progress in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23399/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Section 4 of the Act and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations. Included in the planning exemptions set out in the Regulations are those applying to the installation of solar infrastructure on a variety of building types, including houses, businesses, industrial and agricultural to which specific conditions are attached.

My Department, in the context of the Climate Action Plan and in consultation with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, has undertaken a review of the solar panel planning exemptions set out in the Regulations, with a particular focus on facilitating increased self-generation of electricity. This review is now complete. Substantial changes to the current planning exemption thresholds for solar panels are proposed, as well as the introduction of new classes of solar panel planning exemptions for apartments and educational/community/religious buildings.

In light of the need to appropriately address aviation safety concerns arising from the “glint and glare” impacts of solar panels and the easing of the solar panel planning exemption thresholds, the regulations will cover the vast majority of the land area of the country, with limited restriction zones around airports.

The draft regulations have been reviewed under the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive 2001/42/EC and it has been determined that they are likely to have significant effects on the environment, necessitating the undertaking of a full SEA on the draft proposals. The formal SEA process commenced on 28 April 2022 with consultation with the statutory environmental authorities to inform the content of the Environmental Report. Following this statutory process, the SEA Environmental Report will be published alongside the draft regulations for a period of public consultation of not less than 4 weeks. This public consultation is expected to commence in the coming weeks. A copy of the draft regulations and the Environmental Report will be made available for inspection over this period. Written submissions or observations will be taken into consideration before finalisation of the draft regulation.

As required under planning legislation, the proposed exempted development regulations must be laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas and receive a positive resolution from both Houses before they can be made and the SEA process concluded. Accordingly, the process for finalising the solar panel planning exemptions will be completed in the coming months.

While these regulations are being advanced, my Department is concurrently examining the scope to draft supplementary regulations to further expand the exemptions by way of reducing the proposed restriction zones around airports.

Housing Policy

Questions (382)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

382. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the social housing acquisition limits and or targets for each local authority for 2022. [23405/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026.

Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and, with this, to reduce the numbers of social homes delivered through acquisition programmes. Social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focussed on a number of priority areas, as follows:

- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;

- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and

- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs.

Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.

Local authorities have not been assigned individual acquisition targets under Housing for All. Priority acquisitions will be supported by my Department, including acquisitions of properties that support households to exit or prevent homelessness. In April, I reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions. The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy.

Emergency Accommodation

Questions (383)

John Lahart

Question:

383. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons accessing emergency accommodation in Dublin who are not on a local authority housing list in Dublin.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23450/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The 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 most recently published data is in respect of March 2022.

In relation to the question posed regarding the number of individuals in Dublin accessing emergency accommodation who are not on a housing list, my Department does not collect data on social housing entitlements amongst individuals who access emergency accommodation.

Housing Policy

Questions (384)

Noel Grealish

Question:

384. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person can individually or personally execute a determination order by the Residential Tenancies Board in cases in which a District Court order has upheld same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23454/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.

Due to the quasi-judicial role of the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me or any officials in my Department to comment on, or to interfere in, the specifics of any case.

When landlords, tenants and third parties bring disputes to the RTB through mediation, adjudication or tribunal, they receive a legally binding Determination Order, which, if not complied with, can be enforced through the District Court through two enforcement options.

With the first option, a landlord or tenant can request Legal Assistance from the RTB through its Legal Assistance Programme. This is a programme whereby the RTB assists parties to enforce Determination Orders through a panel of solicitors local to each District Court. Further information on the programme and how to make an application can be found at: www.rtb.ie/images/uploads/forms/Application_request_legal_assistance_enforcing_Determination_Order.pdf.

Requests for Legal Assistance in urgent cases are prioritised, this includes cases concerning over-holding, serious rent arrears, the non-return of deposits and unlawful termination.

The second option allows a landlord or tenant to take their own enforcement proceedings in the District Court. In order to support parties who wish to take their own enforcement proceedings, the RTB have developed a step-by-step guide to the new process in the District Court which can be downloaded at: www.rtb.ie/images/uploads/general/RTB_Guide_to_taking_Enforcement_Proceedings_A5_FINAL_VERSION.pdf.

Should further information be required by the Deputy, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose and may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (385)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

385. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all houses affected by pyrite and mica in the State will be eligible for the mica or pyrite compensation scheme; if not the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23469/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn.

I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.

In the interim three enhancements from the new scheme have been brought into effect through amendments to the existing scheme regulations. On the 24 February 2022 I signed the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 which amend the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, so as;

to make provision, in the case of an application for confirmation of eligibility received before the date of the coming into operation of these regulations, for the recoupment of the fees connected with the provision of the engineer’s report without the need for a prior stage 1 confirmation of eligibility

to make provision for the inclusion as an allowable cost ‘essential immediate repair works’, up to a value of €5,555, which are identified by a competent engineer in a ‘building condition assessment report’ and relate to the structural stability of any part of a home affected by defective concrete blocks

to make provision for an increase from 75% to 85% in the value of stage payments which can be recouped to an approved applicant prior to the final grant payment

I may, with Government approval, extend the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme beyond the counties of Donegal and Mayo to additional counties, where the evidence supports such an extension.

The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme. The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.

Foreshore Issues

Questions (386)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

386. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a reply will issue to Galway County Council in relation to a query regarding whether the provision of moorings for yachts in Cuan na Beirtí Buí, near Carna would need a foreshore licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23475/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, requires that a lease or licence must be obtained for any activity on State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest. A lease relates to buildings or other structures and is generally used for a development that requires exclusive occupation of the foreshore.

A licence is generally issued for a development or activity that does not require exclusive occupation of the foreshore and moorings also fall into this category. Details of how to make a Foreshore application are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/f2196-foreshore-applications-and-determinations/.

My Department are engaged with Galway County Council in relation to this matter.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (387)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

387. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the protections that are in place in the planning process for offshore wind installations to protect the interests of local fishers; if he intends strengthening these protections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23477/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department has made significant advances in the development of marine policy over the last number of years, culminating in the launch of the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) last summer and the signing of the Maritime Area Planning Act in December 2021, elements of which have already been commenced.

The NMPF creates an overarching framework for decision-making that is consistent, evidence-based and secures a sustainable future for all activities in the maritime area. It contains the objectives, policies and supporting actions which the Government considers necessary to support the effective management of marine activities and more sustainable use of our marine resources.

The NMPF includes a detailed section on fisheries (section 16) and a series of policies on fisheries, which will inform the assessment of all planning applications in the maritime area. Any proposal that may have a significant adverse impact must demonstrate how it will, in order of preference, (a) avoid, (b) minimise or (c) mitigate any such impact. These measures will have to be addressed in the planning application and will be assessed by the relevant planning authority.

The NMPF will be the key consideration for assessing applications for marine authorisations and making a balanced decision, taking into account the various marine activities, including fisheries. All applications for development will be considered in terms of their consistency with the objectives of the plan.

In addition, the Maritime Planning Act 2021 facilitates public consultation on applications for development in the maritime area. This allows those with fishing interests to make submissions on applications for development. The Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) require planning authorities to give notice of valid planning applications to certain prescribed bodies where the development would be relevant to the functions of that body. Reports prepared by prescribed bodies and submitted to the relevant planning authorities are considered as part of the assessment of the planning application. My officials are preparing secondary legislation, which will address the identification of prescribed bodies for maritime applications.

In addition, the setting up of a Seafood/Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) working group is at an advanced stage. This will assist the managed introduction of the offshore renewables industry into the maritime area. The initial stated aim of the working group will be to agree a communications protocol between these two strategically important maritime sectors.

The position of chairperson to this group was recently advertised and attracted strong interest from a broad range of suitably qualified candidates. My Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, conducted a shortlisting process and subsequently interviewed the shortlisted candidates. I expect a recommendation from my officials as to the nomination for chairperson in the coming days and I will then move to appoint the chairperson as a matter of priority, with the aim of holding the inception meeting of the Seafood/ORE working group at the earliest available opportunity.

Foreign Policy

Questions (388)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

388. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the exact nature and objectives of discussions between Ireland and Iran to expand bilateral relations. [23345/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department maintains dialogue with Iranian counterparts on a wide range of bilateral and international issues.

One of the most important roles Ireland has been given on the Security Council is as Facilitator of Resolution 2231, covering the Iranian nuclear deal, the JCPOA. Ireland strongly supports all efforts to restore the JCPOA, and in this context we have engaged extensively with Iran to encourage them to seize the opportunity of agreement. I have visited Tehran twice for discussions with the President and Foreign Minister, most recently in February 2022.

We have also discussed regional issues which feature heavily on the agenda of the Security Council. This includes Yemen, where I have encouraged Iran to use its influence to support UN led efforts towards peace, and the crisis in Afghanistan, which has significantly impacted Iran, which hosts millions of Afghan refugees.

In our discussions with Iran we have also raised concerns over human rights, including freedom of expression, the use of the death penalty, and discrimination against women and religious minorities, including the Baha’i.

Ireland intends to pursue this important dialogue. In August 2021, Ireland re-opened a diplomatic mission in Tehran, headed at Chargé d’Affaires level, with a view to re-opening a full Embassy in 2023.

Passport Services

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 389, 407, 429 and 439 together.

The Passport Service is proactively managing the current demand for passports and has put in place resources and structures to address the estimated significant increase in demand for passports in 2022 in this essential citizen service.

A Passport Service communications campaign was deployed at the start of the year with the objective of informing the public about the passport application process and to encourage citizens to go online for applications and renewals. This campaign ran over print, broadcast and digital mediums, as well as stadium, event and airport advertising. It included advertisements in national and local radio, as well as advertisements in national press, during a two week period in January. Further activity is planned for the second half of the year across digital, social media, print and radio.

Since late January, all Passport Service sites in Dublin and Cork have been operating at full capacity following the ending of many Covid-19 public health restrictions, and all services have fully resumed as they were in place before the pandemic. The Urgent Appointment Service is available for customers who wish to book a counter appointment and renew their passport at short notice. Customers availing of this service can renew their passport within 1 or 4 days in Dublin and within 4 days in Cork.

There are currently 183,000 applications in the Passport Service system. While there is a very high volume of applications, this does not represent a backlog. These applications are all being processed in the usual way, with a continuous stream of new applications and a continuous dispatch of completed passports happening every day.

Figures show that of the total number of applications in the system, 61% are fully complete and are being processed by the Passport Service. The other 39% of applications in the system are incomplete, which means the Passport Service is waiting for the applicant to submit the necessary documentation required. While the Passport Service makes every effort to contact applicants in such circumstances, their experience is that many applicants take weeks and sometimes months to send in the necessary documents.

The vast majority of applications are processed within the turnaround times outlined below:

- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals

- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals

- 30 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online (applications received from 19 April)

- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service

In addition, 45% of adult renewal online applications are issued within one to two working days of receipt.

The Passport Service has recently reduced the turnaround time for first time applications from 40 working days to 30 working days. This is a direct result of the staffing and resources the Department has invested in the Passport Service.

The Passport Service is currently experiencing high demand for first time passports, particularly for children. First time passport applications take longer to process than renewal applications and there are a number of reasons for this. First time applications are necessarily complex to process, since, in many cases, they are applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. It is the statutory responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants.

In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated.

The Passport Service is taking a number steps to deal with increased demand on its services:

- The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan to ensure that adequate staff, accommodation and technology supports are in place to meet expected demand for passports in 2022.

- A major recruitment drive has been underway over the past several months, which has seen the number of Passport Service staff increase by over 300 since June 2021.

- The Passport Service is currently running its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers. This recruitment effort will bring staffing numbers to over 900, which represents a doubling of staff compared to June 2021.

- Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff is underway to increase the resources that can process complex applications, such as first time child applications.

- The Passport Service is prioritising first time applications and directing increased resources to processing these complex applications with a view to reducing the current turnaround time. Passport Service staff are working targeted overtime in this regard.

- In February, the Passport Service increased the number of appointments at its public offices by 100%, providing an extra 170 Urgent Appointments per week.

- A new document management system was put in place at the beginning of March. This aims to improve the processing speed in the Passport Service offices, and subsequent turnaround times for the applicant. One particular feature of the new system improves the processing time for applicants who have been asked to submit additional documents. Once the additional documents are received, they are being prioritised and complete applications can then be processed in 3 weeks. This significantly reduces the processing time, particularly for first time applicants.

- There is an updated Department of Foreign Affairs website, which includes a new passport service section where applicants can easily find out what additional documents are required for their type of application.

- The Passport Service is also working on public education materials, including video tutorials, with a view to assisting applicants to complete their application correctly. These videos will be shared on social media and will include instructions on submitting consent forms for child applications properly.

I am confident that the measures that have been implemented will help to reduce passport turnaround times in the course of 2022, particularly for first time applications, and will assist the Passport Service in meeting the high demand forecast for this year.

I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time.

Passport Services

Questions (390, 401, 402, 422, 423, 430, 433, 434, 437, 459)

View answer

Pearse Doherty

Question:

433. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for planned travel for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23382/22]

View answer

Pearse Doherty

Question:

434. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue on time for planned travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23383/22]

View answer

Thomas Gould

Question:

437. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport resubmission form will be sent to a person (details supplied). [23390/22]

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Michael Ring

Question:

459. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue on time for a child to travel with their family (details supplied) to an important event. [23456/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 390, 401, 402, 422, 423, 430, 433, 434, 437 and 459 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.

Passport Services

Questions (391, 393, 394, 399, 400, 403, 404, 421, 424, 425, 432, 435, 436)

James Lawless

Question:

391. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/22]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made in processing an application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22709/22]

View answer

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

394. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be expedited for a person (details supplied) who is due to travel on 5 May 2022. [22723/22]

View answer

Niamh Smyth

Question:

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 391, 393, 394, 399, 400, 403, 404, 421, 424, 425, 432, 435 and 436 together.

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

United Nations

Questions (392)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

392. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will take an initiative at the United Nations Security Council to place the issue of Ethiopia on the formal agenda of the Council given the ongoing slow genocide unfolding in Ethiopia; if he has had contact with the Ethiopian authorities in relation to the provision of humanitarian aid to those in urgent need of food and medical assistance; the efforts that are being made by the International community to investigate allegations of war crimes by all in the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22638/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

Ireland has played a leading role in the international response to the crisis in Ethiopia, at the UN Security Council, through our bilateral engagements, and within the European Union.

Since taking up our seat in January 2021, Ireland has been to the fore of the Security Council’s efforts to address the crisis in Ethiopia. We believe that the Security Council has an important role to play, given the impact on national and regional peace and security. Since the conflict began in November 2020, there have been 14 meetings of the Council on Ethiopia. Ireland has played a leading role on the Council, particularly in negotiating statements that, despite difficult dynamics, have achieved unanimous support in calling for unhindered humanitarian access, a ceasefire and a national dialogue. Ireland has also repeatedly raised the need for accountability for the widespread human rights abuses and atrocities that have been committed by all sides in the conflict.

Ethiopia was most recently discussed at the Security Council on 14 April, when the focus was on the humanitarian situation. At that meeting, Ireland called for immediate implementation of the recently agreed humanitarian truce, and delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most in need.

Putting Ethiopia on the formal agenda of the Council would require support around the table, and the reality is that some current members of the Council do not want this. Despite these challenges, responding to the acute humanitarian crisis in Tigray and Ethiopia more generally will remain an urgent priority for Ireland during our term on the Council and beyond.

Minister Coveney continues to engage on the situation in Ethiopia with key interlocutors in the region including African Union Special Envoy Obasanjo. Minister Coveney also met with Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen in February, and stressed the need for full humanitarian access and an end to hostilities; restoration of basic services; and political dialogue. We continue to advocate for an effective response to the situation through a full range of regular and ongoing contacts with Ethiopia, including in Addis Ababa, the Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, as well as in EU forums in Brussels.

The publication on 3 November of the findings of the joint investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed in Tigray was a vital first step towards accountability. I look forward to full implementation of the report’s recommendations and progress on investigations. Ireland also supports the decision of the Human Rights Council in December to establish an international commission of human rights experts on Ethiopia and welcomes the recent appointment of the members of the Commission.

Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 391.

Question No. 394 answered with Question No. 391.

Passport Services

Questions (395, 396, 397, 398)

Gary Gannon

Question:

395. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of first-time passport applications that have been escalated in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [22734/22]

View answer

Gary Gannon

Question:

396. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of first-time passport applications that have been escalated more than once in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [22735/22]

View answer

Gary Gannon

Question:

397. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the average length of time between a first-time passport application being escalated and the passport being issued. [22736/22]

View answer

Gary Gannon

Question:

398. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of first-time passport applications made to his Department in 2022; and the number of applications that went over 30 working days. [22737/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 395, 396, 397 and 398 together.

The Passport Service does not maintain records of passport applications that have been expedited.

The Passport Service has a dedicated Travel Emergency team that work to expedite passport applications in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad.

In these cases, if the application is fully complete and has all required supporting documentation, the Passport Service will aim to issue the passport to the applicant in a matter of days, whilst still carrying out all the necessary checks to ensure that the integrity of the Irish passport is maintained.

If the Passport Service becomes aware of an application that has passed its estimated issue by date or has experienced delays due to an error on the side of the Passport Service, the Passport Service will prioritise the application to ensure that no further delays are experienced by the applicant.

The vast majority of applications are processed within the turnaround times outlined below:

- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals

- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals

- 30 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online

- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service

The Passport Service has recently reduced the average turnaround time for first time applications from 40 working days to 30 working days. This reduction in processing time is as a direct result of the staffing and resources my Department has invested in the Passport Service. The Passport Service is focused on reducing this processing time even further in the coming months.

The Passport Service has received 100,000 first time applications since the beginning of this year. The Passport Service has issued 70,000 first time passports since the beginning of this year.

The average turnaround time for first time applications received prior to 7 March 2022 was 40 working days. First time applications received after this date had an average turnaround time of 35 working days, until 19 April when the average turnaround time for first time applications received from that date was reduced to 30 working days. Therefore, all first time applications received prior to 19 April will have an turnaround time of greater than 30 days.

The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for first time passports. Out of a total of 183,000 passport applications currently with the Passport Service, 88,000 or 48% are for first time applications. Approximately, half of all first time applications are for children.

37,700 or 43% of current first time applications are incomplete. This means that the applicant has either not sent any documentation after they apply online or additional documentation has been requested by the Passport Service. The Passport Service simply cannot process applications that are not complete.

There is a rigorous checking process in place for first time applications. The Passport Service must ensure the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. In the case of children, it is essential that the Passport Service verifies the consent of the child’s guardians before a passport can issue. This ensures that the Passport Service protects the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and their guardians.

Due to the intensive analysis and extra measures involved by highly trained and experienced staff, first time passport applications currently take 30 working days to process. In more complex cases, unfortunately, it can take longer.

My Department has been pro-actively planning to ensure the necessary resources are in place to meet the current and expected level of demand in 2022 and is making an unprecedented investment in the Passport Service in terms of additional staff and improvements to the passport processing and customer service systems.

Since June 2021, over 300 members of staff at all grades have been assigned to the Passport Service. In addition to this, the Passport Service is running its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers with a view to assigning additional staff and to maintain staffing levels to meet the expected demand in the coming months. This competition is currently underway and once completed, will see staffing numbers of over 900 at the Passport Service, which represents a doubling of staff numbers since last summer.

It is a priority for the Passport Service to improve processing times for first time applications in 2022. Along with increased staffing, the Passport Service is implementing a number of further measures that will positively impact the current turnaround times and improve customer service:

- Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff is underway to increase the resources that can process complex applications.

- Passport Service staff are working overtime with a focus on prioritising first time applications with a view to reducing the current turnaround time.

- A new document management process has been put in place that allows for a much quicker turnaround time when an applicant is asked to submit additional documents. Once these documents are received, they will be prioritised and complete applications will be processed in 3 weeks. This will greatly reduce the waiting time for applicants who are missing documents in their initial application.

My Department is confident that the measures that have been implemented will help to reduce passport turnaround times in the course of 2022, particularly for first time applications, and will assist the Passport Service in meeting the high demand forecast for this year.

Question No. 396 answered with Question No. 395.

Question No. 397 answered with Question No. 395.

Question No. 398 answered with Question No. 395.

Question No. 399 answered with Question No. 391.

Question No. 400 answered with Question No. 391.