Written Answers Nos. 241-260
241. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications that have been submitted in County Mayo under a scheme (details supplied); the number of applications that have been approved; the number of applications that have commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25579/22]
View answerI 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 was estimated would 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.
The table below sets out the number of applications received from Mayo County Council (as at 19th April 2022) under the current scheme and the numbers that have progressed to Stage 1 and Stage 2 approval.
|
Local Authority |
Mayo |
|
Applications received |
227 |
|
Stage 1 Approval |
101 |
|
Stage 2 Approval |
19 |
Local authorities have responsibility for the administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved.
242. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual cost of cleaning and sanitising roofs of buildings under his Department’s control for the past five years to date in 2022. [25591/22]
View answerThe procedures to be followed by the Office of Public Works, Government Departments and certain State Agencies in relation to the maintenance of State Property Assets are outlined in theDepartment of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 1 of 2013. This circular outlines the funding arrangements for elective and non elective works in State buildings.
Generally, Departments fund elective works and the OPW fund non elective works. As per the circular; non elective works 'are works which must be done to meet statutory requirements or, in the opinion of OPW, are necessary for the maintenance and upkeep of the building'. The 'funding for non-elective works and reactive and planned maintenance, both internal and external, will rest with OPW'.
The cleaning and upkeep of roofs are considered non elective and have been funded by the OPW, when required, across Departmental locations.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make special arrangements to fund the early upgrade of a water scheme (details supplied) the which currently contains excessive levels of arsenic; if the capital cost can be made available to facilitate the upgrade in early date given the serious health and safety issues involved [25636/22]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to Kilteel Group Water Scheme (GWS) in the details supplied.
In the interest of public health, Kildare County Council, as the supervisory authority under the Drinking Water Regulations for private water supplies, issued a ‘Do Not Consume Notice‘ to the Kilteel GWS earlier this year. The notice prohibits the use of the water supply for either drinking purposes or for the preparation of food. As this is a private supply, primary responsibility for its resolution rests with the management of the supply.
My Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme provides capital funding under a number of measures, including for GWSs, to enable the resolution of infrastructural deficiencies in particular those that are causing or risk causing water quality issues.
The Council have informed my Department that it continues to work with the management of the supply to assist it in addressing its water quality issue. Given the public health concerns my Department have asked the Council to examine and report back on the most appropriate approaches for resolving the issues with the supply by looking at solutions in the short, medium and longer term.
In the short term the Council are examining the options for the supply providing a temporary water supply for its area using a tanker. As a medium term solution my Department has asked the Council to examine the feasibility of providing a supply using an alternative groundwater source. The Council, after obtaining expert advice, will provide my Department with an initial assessment on the feasibility of doing this in the coming weeks.
The more sustainable longer term solution for the supply appears to be its interconnection to the public (Irish Water) network and taking in charge. To progress this the Council, on behalf of the supply, submitted a Connection Application to Irish Water on 04/05/2022. Given the public health concerns with the supply my Department separately requested Irish Water to prioritise the request.
My Department will continue to engage with the Council on the matter of this supply. The Council will be providing my Department with regular updates on progress.
244. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application by a person (details supplied) considering that although a status update was provided previously, the passport has not yet been dispatched despite the fact that the application was received by the Passport Office on 28 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24143/22]
View answer247. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a person (details supplied) in County Derry will issue in time for planned travel on 18 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25423/22]
View answer252. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the passport given that the application was lodged on 26 January 2022; if assurances will be given that this passport will issue immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25462/22]
View answer253. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport appointment will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who is travelling on 19 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25463/22]
View answer255. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine and expedite the passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25511/22]
View answer267. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25654/22]
View answer268. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be provided for a baby (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25656/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 247, 252, 253, 255, 267 and 268 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
245. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be expedited. [25409/22]
View answer250. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25447/22]
View answer251. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25456/22]
View answer262. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a minor (details supplied) considering that it was received by the Passport Office on 15 March 2022 and it is urgently required for a school trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25550/22]
View answer265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a child’s passport application will be approved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25637/22]
View answer266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a child’s passport (details supplied) is likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25638/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 245, 250, 251, 262, 265 and 266 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications and progressed them as appropriate. The Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicants.
246. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the difference between breaches of international law by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine and those by Israel as part of its illegal occupation of Palestine; the response to Israel's occupation and oppression of Palestinians he would regard as appropriate; if he regards restrictive economic measures as an appropriate response in instances of illegal occupation and annexation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25422/22]
View answerThe Middle East Peace Process remains a key foreign policy priority for the government and Ireland continues to support a two-State Solution based on international law, the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and in line with previously agreed parameters.
Ireland raises issues of compliance with international law in our bilateral contacts with the Government of Israel and regularly in multilateral fora, including in the context of our current term on the UN Security Council.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the EU has adopted a wide range of sanctions targeting Russia as part of a coordinated international response with the US, Canada, UK and others. Ireland does not have any unilateral sanctions regimes and the Government has no plans to introduce any. Ireland implements UN sanctions, and EU sanctions adopted as part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The introduction of new sanctions regimes at UN level requires a vote by the Security Council, and new EU sanctions regimes require consensus among all EU Member States. There is no consensus either among EU Member States or at the UN Security Council in support of introducing sanctions against Israel.
248. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a resubmission link will be forwarded to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [25438/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a resubmission link to the applicant.
249. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of processing the backlog of applications to the foreign birth registry; when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25446/22]
View answerMy 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 (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources.
There are currently 37,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications on hand with the Passport Service. To date this year, the Passport Service has processed almost 5,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications.
Due to the complex nature of the FBR 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 FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR 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 7 July 2020, and is being stored in a secure environment.
FBR staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly. For other applications, the FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt.
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.
254. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications that are currently outstanding for persons residing in County Limerick in tabular form. [25502/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in tabular form below.
The table breaks down the number of applications from County Limerick that are currently being processed by the Passport Service and the number of applications that require further action from the applicant, such as the submission of additional documentation.
|
County |
Total applications in system |
Passport Service processing |
Further action required by applicant |
|
Limerick |
3,400 |
1,972 |
1,428 |
256. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff working in the passport offices section in his Department by grade, full-time, part-time and sections and number of staff assigned to each section. [25525/22]
View answer257. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the way in which the manual process of checking passport applications is conducted in view of the fact that errors are only being notified to applicants late in the process. [25526/22]
View answer258. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of representations made by each Deputy to him in respect of passport applications via the minister@DFA and HQ email addresses in 2021 and to date in 2022; and the number of phone calls to the telephone line for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas that have been processed in 2021 and to date in 2022. [25527/22]
View answer259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications that are currently being processed. [25528/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256, 257, 258 and 259 together.
There are currently 705 staff in the Passport Service. Of these, 616 are full-time staff and 89 are part-time.
There are currently over 360 staff assigned to the Passport Office in Balbriggan, over 120 staff assigned to the Passport Office in Cork and over 220 staff assigned to the Passport Office in Mount St, Dublin 2. Staff can be reassigned to different sections depending on the business needs of the Passport Service. Due to these internal reassignments, as well as promotions, resignations, retirements and mobility transfers, the number of staff in any one section can be fluid.
The numbers of Passport staff by grade are outlined below in tabular form.
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Counsellor |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
8 |
|
First Secretary |
2 |
|
Third Secretary |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
23 |
|
Executive Officer |
78 |
|
Clerical Officer |
356 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer |
233 |
The Passport Service sets turnaround times for each type of passport application based on the average time it is taking the Passport Service to process that type of application. Processing time starts from when the Passport Service receives the required supporting documentation for the application. The turnaround times are based on fully complete and correct applications. Applications that are incomplete cannot be processed within the average turnaround times. In cases where applicants are requested to submit further supporting documents, these applications are prioritised once the additional documents are received and they are processed within 15 working days.
The Passport Service continues to examine areas to increase internal efficiencies and improve the customer experience through the Passport Reform Programme. Over the next three years, a number of internal changes and upgrades to the technology that underpins passport operations will take place. The central project of the passport reform programme is the replacement of the current processing system with new, enhanced, core technology that will bring greater resilience, agility and capacity to passport processing systems. In advance of the new processing system coming into operation, a series of enhancements will also be made to the online application system. These enhancements will aim to assist customers applying for their passports by providing them with a list of documents required specific to their application type which will assist in reducing application errors.
There were 12,464 Ministerial representations made in respect of passport applications in 2021, and 5,489 made in January-April 2022. The Passport Service does not maintain records of how many representations are made by Members of the Oireachtas.
The dedicated Oireachtas phone line in the Passport Service was set up in October 2021. The phone line handled 2,703 calls during October-December 2021. The phone line handled 6,160 calls during January-April 2022. The total number of queries handled on these calls to date in 2022 was 10,194.
There are currently 195,000 passport applications in the Passport Service system. While there is a very high volume of applications in the system, 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. 61% of the applications in the system are fully complete applications being processed by the Passport Service. The other 39% 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.
260. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the issues that his Department is encountering with the provision of first-time passports; and the number waiting for passports by county and by country in tabular form. [25544/22]
View answerThe Passport Service is proactively managing the current demand for passports, particularly first time 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.
Since March of this year, the Passport Service has reduced the processing time for first time applications from 40 working days to 30 working days. This 25% reduction in processing time is as a direct result of the unprecedented level of investment that my Department has made in the Passport Service in terms of additional staff and improvements to the passport processing and customer service systems.
Over 460,000 passports have been issued to date in 2022, compared to a total of 634,000 passports issued in 2021. 117,000 passports were issued in April alone with 45% of adult renewal passports being issued within one to two working days.
Passport Service figures show that of the total number of passport applications in the system, 61% are fully complete and are being processed by the Passport Service. The other 39% of applications 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. Applications that are incomplete cannot be processed within the average turnaround times.
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 true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm his or her 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. Due to the intensive analysis and extra measures undertaken by highly trained and experienced staff, first-time applications take 30 working days to process.
The biggest cause of delays for first time applications is where incorrect or insufficient supporting documentation is submitted by the applicant. The Passport Service encourages applicants to check the requirements for their type of application carefully on my Department's website. The recently updated website 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.
The Passport Service is taking a number of additional 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.
- The Urgent Appointment Service is available for customers who wish to renew their passport at short notice. Customers availing of this service can renew their passport within 1 or 4 days in Dublin, within 4 days in Cork and within 5 days in London.
- 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.
- Public information media campaigns reminding citizens to check and renew their passports will continue during this busy year.
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.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in tabular form below:
|
County |
Total applications in system |
Being processed by Passport Service |
Awaiting further action by applicant |
|
Antrim |
6,123 |
3,541 |
2,582 |
|
Armagh |
1,530 |
959 |
571 |
|
Carlow |
486 |
244 |
242 |
|
Cavan |
556 |
264 |
292 |
|
Clare |
749 |
387 |
362 |
|
Cork |
3,691 |
1,948 |
1,743 |
|
Derry |
2,269 |
1,362 |
907 |
|
Donegal |
1,102 |
579 |
523 |
|
Down |
4,593 |
2,712 |
1,881 |
|
Dublin |
9,253 |
4,850 |
4,403 |
|
Fermanagh |
447 |
280 |
167 |
|
Galway |
1,920 |
994 |
926 |
|
Kerry |
892 |
471 |
421 |
|
Kildare |
1,660 |
913 |
747 |
|
Kilkenny |
648 |
327 |
321 |
|
Laois |
582 |
317 |
265 |
|
Leitrim |
222 |
123 |
99 |
|
Limerick |
1,288 |
698 |
590 |
|
Longford |
279 |
132 |
147 |
|
Louth |
1,010 |
518 |
492 |
|
Mayo |
888 |
484 |
404 |
|
Meath |
1,545 |
821 |
724 |
|
Monaghan |
450 |
242 |
208 |
|
Offaly |
507 |
279 |
228 |
|
Roscommon |
396 |
210 |
186 |
|
Sligo |
446 |
230 |
216 |
|
Tipperary |
1,040 |
570 |
470 |
|
Tyrone |
1,706 |
1,019 |
687 |
|
Waterford |
850 |
467 |
383 |
|
Westmeath |
686 |
381 |
305 |
|
Wexford |
1,106 |
553 |
553 |
|
Wicklow |
1,059 |
569 |
490 |
|
Country |
Total number of applications in system |
Being processed by Passport Service |
Awaiting further action by applicant |
|
Afghanistan |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Albania |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Antigua And Barbuda |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Australia |
1,874 |
769 |
1,105 |
|
Austria |
32 |
20 |
12 |
|
Bangladesh |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Belgium |
82 |
43 |
39 |
|
Bulgaria |
6 |
4 |
2 |
|
Canada |
1,051 |
526 |
525 |
|
Canary Islands |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Chile |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Colombia |
10 |
6 |
4 |
|
Croatia |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Cyprus |
16 |
12 |
4 |
|
Czech Republic |
19 |
6 |
13 |
|
Denmark |
44 |
19 |
25 |
|
Ecuador |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
Estonia |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Finland |
34 |
17 |
17 |
|
France |
406 |
230 |
176 |
|
Georgia |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Germany |
298 |
155 |
143 |
|
Gibraltar |
27 |
11 |
16 |
|
Greece |
18 |
11 |
7 |
|
Guernsey |
39 |
26 |
13 |
|
Hungary |
18 |
11 |
7 |
|
Iceland |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
India |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
Isle Of Man |
68 |
40 |
28 |
|
Italy |
71 |
31 |
40 |
|
Japan |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Jordan |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Latvia |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Lithuania |
9 |
4 |
5 |
|
Luxembourg |
17 |
11 |
6 |
|
Malta |
15 |
9 |
6 |
|
Mauritius |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Moldova, Republic Of |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Netherlands |
134 |
66 |
68 |
|
New Zealand |
369 |
166 |
203 |
|
Nigeria |
25 |
3 |
22 |
|
Norway |
49 |
25 |
24 |
|
Pakistan |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Panama |
9 |
2 |
7 |
|
Peru |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Philippines |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Poland |
65 |
45 |
20 |
|
Portugal |
44 |
22 |
22 |
|
Romania |
9 |
7 |
3 |
|
Russia |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Singapore |
33 |
18 |
15 |
|
Slovak Republic |
10 |
3 |
7 |
|
Slovenia |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
Somalia |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
South Africa |
76 |
25 |
51 |
|
Spain |
338 |
179 |
159 |
|
Sri Lanka |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Sweden |
134 |
80 |
54 |
|
Switzerland |
151 |
91 |
60 |
|
Syrian Arab Republic |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Turkey |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
United Kingdom |
24,872 |
13,239 |
11,633 |
|
United Republic Of Tanzania |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
United States |
4,668 |
2,387 |
2,281 |
|
Zimbabwe |
4 |
0 |
4 |
