Written Answers Nos. 228-253
228. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties that have been approved for upgrades, by each local authority, under the energy efficiency retrofit programme in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and the number of upgrade works that have been completed, by each local authority in 2021, in tabular form. [26232/22]
View answerSince 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 75,000 homes have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €184 million under the scheme.
In response to the Programme for Government commitment, my Department launched a newly revised ten year Energy Efficiency Programme in 2021 for local authority owned housing. This new programme set a BER performance requirement of “B2” or cost optimal level. The upscaling of the works included in the programme sees a substantial overall increase in funding being made available for insulation, windows and doors and heating upgrades, specifically the installation of a Heat Pump and associated works. The installation of gas/oil boilers are no longer supported under the energy efficiency programme funded by my Department.
An annualised breakdown of the funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
My Department announced earlier this year that funding will be provided for the upgrade of approximately 2,400 social homes this year. The table below outlines the allocation at local authority level.
|
LA |
2022 EERP Target Allocation |
|
Carlow |
48 |
|
Cavan |
30 |
|
Clare |
54 |
|
Cork City |
246 |
|
Cork County |
188 |
|
DCC |
304 |
|
DLR |
68 |
|
Donegal |
102 |
|
Fingal |
81 |
|
Galway City |
36 |
|
Galway County |
71 |
|
Kerry |
61 |
|
Kildare |
69 |
|
Kilkenny |
43 |
|
Laois |
39 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
|
Limerick |
75 |
|
Longford |
38 |
|
Louth |
105 |
|
Mayo |
26 |
|
Meath |
39 |
|
Monaghan |
54 |
|
Offaly |
26 |
|
Roscommon |
52 |
|
SDCC |
146 |
|
Sligo |
35 |
|
Tipperary |
100 |
|
Waterford |
76 |
|
Westmeath |
33 |
|
Wexford |
68 |
|
Wicklow |
71 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
2,400 |
Upgrade works under the 2022 programme are underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to the 2022 EERP will be available early in 2023.
229. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the expression of interest document that his Department and the Housing Agency are circulating to developers related to the croí cónaithe cities scheme. [26270/22]
View answer230. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all the developers, building contractors, professional organisations and others that his Department and the Housing Agency consulted in developing the croí cónaithe cities scheme. [26271/22]
View answer231. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a standard developer's margin will be permitted in the market price charged for apartments benefiting from the croí cónaithe cities scheme.. [26272/22]
View answer232. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if build to rent apartments with the build to rent design standards will not be eligible to apply for funding via the croí cónaithe cities scheme.. [26273/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 229 to 232, inclusive, together.
Addressing the current housing shortage requires short, medium and long-term action to stimulate housing supply. Housing for All set out four pathways to achieve its vision of a sustainable housing system. Under Pathway 3, the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme will help to kick-start urban apartment developments that are currently not being developed to meet strong demand.
The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is focused on delivering additional apartment supply in our cities for those who wish to own rather than rent. Every apartment within a proposed development must be sold to an eligible purchaser, who will be an individual or household intending to owner-occupy, in accordance with the terms of the scheme.
As the scheme is specifically for supply of build to sell apartments, developments which are specifically build to rent will not be eligible.
In developing the scheme, the Housing Agency held a stakeholder engagement workshop on December 10th last to gain feedback on the proposed scheme with representatives from State Agencies, Local Authorities and representative bodies from the industry. Those organisations were-
|
Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage |
|
|
Housing Agency |
|
|
Banking and Payments Federation Ireland |
|
|
Home Building Finance Ireland |
|
|
Institute Of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers |
|
|
Irish Home Builders Association |
|
|
Ireland Strategic Investment Fund |
|
|
Land Developement Agency |
|
|
National Developement Finance Agency |
|
|
Property Industry Ireland |
|
|
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
|
|
Society Of Chartered Surveyors Ireland |
|
|
Irish Institutional Property |
The appropriate margin for each apartment development considered under the scheme as part of the all-in development cost will be scrutinised and considered carefully during the due diligence process. Developers/risk margins vary by type, location, density and overall scale of schemes and buyer appetite to purchase apartments. To access finance to deliver schemes, funders require that the developer can demonstrate a risk appropriate margin. Setting an absolute cap and setting it at a low rate will prevent developments from accessing finance, or add to the cost of finance, widening the viability gap or preventing schemes being built. The due diligence process and competitive nature of the bid will ensure that unduly high margins will be identified and will not be proceeded with.
The scheme will be managed by the Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. Over the next six weeks the Housing Agency will be accepting Expressions of Interest from developers for eligible schemes.
The Expressions of Interest Document is available on the Housing Agency's website at the following link Expression of Interest (EOI) Call Croí Cónaithe Cities_.pdf (housingagency.ie).
Question No. 230 answered with Question No. 229.
Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 229.
Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 229.
233. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the caravan purchase loan scheme will be operational again in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26297/22]
View answerMy Department commenced a pilot Caravan Loan Scheme to improve access to traditional Traveller-specific accommodation options for Traveller families in July 2021 for a trial period of 6 months, following consultation with stakeholders including the local authorities, the National Traveller MABS and the Traveller representative organisations.
The participating local authorities are Cork City Council, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council and Limerick City and County Council. The maximum funding available under the pilot Caravan Loan Scheme is €30,000 per loan. The terms of the Caravan Loan Scheme do not specify that units must be new or second hand, allowing the loan recipient the freedom to source a unit suitable to their needs.
My Department reviewed the operation of the pilot Caravan Loan Scheme and received approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to extend the pilot phase nationwide to all local authorities until the end of 2022. A circular will issue shortly to all local authorities on the extended pilot phase of the Caravan Loan Scheme.
234. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of investigations, internal or external, commissioned by his Department into instances in which Departmental documents or information was leaked to the media, which were commissioned or conducted in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; the nature of such leaks and investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26341/22]
View answerMy Department has not commissioned any formal investigations, internal or external, regarding information leaked to the media in the period under question.
235. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected cost of an affordable unit in Cork city. [26393/22]
View answerThe Housing for All strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. It will see 54,000 affordable home interventions which includes 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes to be delivered between now and 2030 by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through ‘First Home’ a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In relation to Local Authority Affordable Purchase delivery, any funding being made available through the Affordable Housing Fund will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities, including Cork City Council, submitted their initial Plans to me last December. Preparation of the Plans allows each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. The Plans are being revised and updated by local authorities in the light of ongoing engagement and clarifications, and I expect that they will be ready for publication by the summer.
I have signed two sets of Regulations which underpin the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, made under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which came into effect on 13 April 2022. The Regulations provide the basis for the making available of affordable purchase homes by local authorities and the administration of sales.
The Affordable Housing (No. 2) Regulations 2022 prescribe, among other things, the notification of affordable dwelling schemes to the public, the use by Local Authorities of schemes of priority, the calculation of home purchase prices and the equity shares to be taken by the Local Authority, and the minimum payment for a homeowner redeeming the Local Authority's equity interest. The text of these Regulations is available online at:
https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/184/made/en/print
Affordable Purchase homes are being delivered by Cork City Council in Boherboy, Cork City in the near future using Departmental Serviced Sites Funding. This includes 22 two- and three-bed dwellings to be delivered at a purchase price of €218,000 to €243,000. A further 15 units are be completed by year end, and will be sold according to the associated regulations, meaning they will be sold at a price related to applicants’ means, subject to a minimum set sales price. Under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, the difference between the market price and the sales price will be held as a percentage equity stake held by the local authority until redeemed.
Cork City Council have also indicated that they will deliver 36 Affordable Purchase homes in Cluain Chaoin, Tower in two phases this year, with indicated prices of €237,000 for a 2-bed, €275,000 for a 3-bed, €300,000 for a 4-bed Affordable Purchase home.
In addition to the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, the First Home shared equity scheme will be available nationally on a demand-led basis and it will help applicants to afford new homes in the private market through the use of an equity share model. First Home will only support purchases of homes within regional price ceilings, set with reference to the median prices for new homes purchased by first-time buyers in the area. I expect that a significant proportion of First Home supported home purchases will be located in Cork, in proportion to the market for newly constructed homes. It is anticipated that the scheme will be rolled out over the coming months.
Furthermore, the LDA is working on the former HSE Site at St Kevin’s Hospital in Cork City. The LDA has secured planning permission for 265 social and affordable homes for this development. The first homes are expected at the end of 2023/Q1 2024.
The LDA will also support the delivery of 5,000 affordable purchase and cost rental homes through acquisitions under Project Tosaigh. Project Tosaigh will comprise multiple phases over the coming four years and a ‘Phase 1’ transaction pipeline is expected to yield affordable homes including in our key cities.
Additional affordable housing delivery will be facilitated under the provisions of the expanded 20% Part V requirement as and when they arise, and subject to the planning process.
236. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of cost-rental units to be delivered in Cork city for the years 2022 to 2026. [26394/22]
View answerUnder the Government's Housing for All strategy, 10,000 Cost Rental homes will be delivered from 2021 to 2026 by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency (LDA).
AHBs will be supported by Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) funding and Local Authorities will be able to avail of funding for Cost Rental delivery through the Affordable Housing Fund. The LDA will also deliver Cost Rental on its own portfolio of sites or through acquisitions under Project Tosaigh.
Under Budget 2022, €70 million was allocated to the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme for Cost Rental delivery by AHBs in 2022-2023. Approval in principle has been confirmed for approximately 900 new Cost Rental homes to be delivered in urban centres by AHBs under the CREL scheme over the period 2021-2023, with a total of almost 4,000 CREL-funded homes being targeted for delivery over the 5 years to 2026. As it is the first full year of the Cost Rental programme, pipeline projections are only being developed and numbers may increase over the year as schemes get approved.
Of this initial suite of Cost Rental homes, approximately 150 are scheduled to be delivered in Cork City in 2022 and 2023, through four different schemes. Of these, 73 Cost Rental homes are scheduled for delivery by the Clúid AHB at Lancaster Gate, Cork City, later this year. The cost-covering rents for these apartments will be at least 32% below comparable open-market prices in the area: 1 bed apartment with rent of €990 per month and 2 bed apartment at €1,100 per month.
The necessary financial and commercial arrangements in relation to the remaining Cost Rental projects are being completed by the relevant AHBs. When these arrangements have been concluded, full details of the projects, including specific locations, housing typologies and cost-covering rents, will be made public.
In relation to Cost Rental delivery by the local authority itself, this will be supported by my Department through the Affordable Housing Fund. Proposed delivery in Cork City will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities submitted their initial Plans to me last December. Preparation of the Plans is allowing each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. The Plans are being revised and updated by local authorities in the light of ongoing engagement and clarifications, and I expect that they will be ready for publication by the summer. The local authority Housing Delivery Action Plans will provide a comprehensive overview of projected delivery of Cost Rental and Affordable Purchase housing by local authorities nationally.
Furthermore, LDA is working on the former HSE Site at St Kevin’s Hospital in Cork City. The LDA has secured planning permission for 265 social and affordable homes for this development and this includes over 100 cost rental units. The first homes are expected at the end of 2023/Q1 2024.
Over the period to 2030, Housing for All commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes, and delivery will incrementally increase to an average of 2,000 Cost Rental homes per year.
237. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to scrap An Bord Pleanála and to put a new system in place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26430/22]
View answerI have no such intentions in relation to An Bord Pleanála.
I am aware of allegations which have been made in relation to a Board member of An Bord Pleanála and understand that those allegations are denied by the Board member concerned. I have appointed Mr. Remy Farrell, Senior Counsel to examine those allegations, in accordance with a Terms of Reference published on May 12th, and to provide a report to me. I will consider the Senior Counsel's report, when submitted, and determine further measures, if appropriate.
238. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional financial assistance that will be provided to approved housing bodies involved in the provision of social housing projects in order to ensure that the delivery of much-needed social housing projects is not negatively impacted in view of significant construction cost increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26436/22]
View answerThe Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 social homes per annum from 2022-2030. 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 in 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. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are important delivery partners in the provision of social housing. My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist local authorities to work in partnership with AHBs to construct, purchase and lease new homes and make them available for social housing. The main funding programme that AHBs progress construction projects through is the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF). AHBs also deliver projects funded from my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
In recent months it has been clear that the levels of construction inflation were causing difficulty for many public housing projects. On 10 May, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform introduced further measures to address the impact that exceptional inflation in construction materials and energy is having on public works contracts. These measures include the introduction of an ‘Inflation Cooperation Framework’. This Framework will facilitate both parties to engage with one another for the purpose of addressing the impacts of this most recent onset of exceptional inflation and supply chain disruption and will operate on an ex gratia basis. My Department has also issued information to local authorities and AHBs in relation to the application of similar arrangements for housing projects being delivered through developer agreements (turnkeys).
My Department will continue to work closely with the local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to support the delivery of housing projects.
239. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on preparations for a referendum on the public ownership of water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26504/22]
View answerThe Government published a Policy Paper entitled Irish Water - Towards a National, Publicly-Owned, Regulated Water Services Utility in February 2021 setting out our views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector, to involve the integration of water services operations within Irish Water's organisation structure.
The matter of a referendum on water ownership is under active consideration at present in the context of the ongoing engagement with ICTU and the relevant affiliated unions on water sector transformation in line with the Government Policy Paper.
240. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual budget allocated by his Department to each local authority in 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [26546/22]
View answerThe funding system that applies to local authorities in Ireland is a complex one, as authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government including my Department, but also other from government Departments and state agencies.
My Department has a significant business agenda, covering a broad range of functions, including local authority housing, voluntary housing, homeless services, estate regeneration, energy efficiency retrofitting, housing grants, rural water schemes and fire services. In order to achieve its business objectives, my Department allocates significant resources to an extensive range of organisations, including local authorities, dedicated agencies, and other bodies. Some allocations, depending on the programmes concerned, are made on a national or other non-county basis in the form of grant funding.
Funding is provided primarily on the basis of vouched expenditure, as opposed to specific up front annual allocations. Across all schemes and funding sources, my Department provided €3.99bn, €4.07bn and €0.95bn to local authorities in the period from 2020 to the end of April 2022. The breakdown of total funding provided by my Department is in the associated table.
241. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that has been allocated for the repair and refurbishment of local authority housing in 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [26547/22]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019. Local authority officials and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process. Notwithstanding the legal obligations on local authorities to manage and maintain their housing stock, my Department does provide annual funding to local authorities to support their work in this area across a number of programmes.
Under the Disabled Persons Grant Scheme, my Department funds local authorities in carrying out necessary adaptation works to local authority properties to cater for the needs of elderly and disabled tenants and families living in overcrowded conditions in local authority properties. An annualised breakdown of the funding provided for the years 2011-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/061cd-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c472d-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown-2011-2020/.
Under the Voids programme, funding introduced in 2014 was initially available to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted at ensuring minimal turnaround and re-let times for local authority vacant stock. The Voids Programme is grant funded at 100% of costs where local authorities take a pragmatic approach and complete only works necessary to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. This will also ensure that the property is re-let as quickly as possible.
An annualised breakdown of the funding provided and the number of properties remediated under the Voids programme for the years 2014-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/0906a-other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/#voids-programme.
Under the Energy Efficiency Programme, Exchequer funding has been provided since 2013 to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 75,000 homes have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €184 million under the scheme.
In response to the Programme for Government commitment, my Department launched a newly revised ten year Energy Efficiency Programme in 2021 for local authority owned housing. This new programme set a BER performance requirement of “B2” or cost optimal level. The upscaling of the works included in the programme sees a substantial overall increase in funding being made available for insulation, windows and doors and heating upgrades, specifically the installation of a Heat Pump and associated works. The installation of gas/oil boilers are no longer supported under the energy efficiency programme funded by my Department.
An annualised breakdown of the funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2021 is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/.
Under the Regeneration Scheme, my Department supports multi-annual programmes of large-scale regeneration projects in Limerick, Cork and Dublin and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. These projects seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these communities through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration. Projects funded under this subhead include the provision of social housing, other capital projects, social interventions and thermal upgrade programmes. In 2020 and 2021 funding in excess of €74 million was recouped to local authorities under the Regeneration subhead with a further €50 million being made available in 2022. In order to provide as much flexibility as possible to local authorities in terms of delivery, I have not allocated specific funding within the subhead to the individual elements of regeneration, that is, the delivery of physical, social or economic projects. This allows my Department to deploy this funding where it is most needed at any particular time to maximise the implementation of the regeneration programme.
Works under the 2022 programmes are underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to output under the various programmes in 2022 will be available early in 2023.
242. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he last requested the full release of all documents and files related to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 from the British Prime Minister [26216/22]
View answerLast Tuesday marked the 48th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered, the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles. Together with the families of those killed and injured, the Taoiseach attended a ceremony in Talbot St to remember those that lost their lives that day.
The Taoiseach assured those families that the implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to be a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government.
These motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow.
The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these all-Party Dáil motions. We have consistently raised the issue with the British Government on a bilateral basis, including at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference, most recently on 23 March.
I made clear to my counterpart at the Conference that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government, and that there remains an urgent need for a considered response.
Following last week’s commemoration, the sense of frustration and disappointment at the lack of progress of this issue was conveyed in the strongest terms to the Northern Ireland Office. We reiterated our commitment to finding truth and justice for the innocent victims of the Dublin Monaghan bombings.
The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request, at senior political level and in official level engagement by my Department, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House and until a resolution is found.
The Government has welcomed the work of Operation Kenova and former Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who is heading an Independent Police Team to conduct an analytical report on collusion in what has become known as the Glenanne Gang series of cases. This is very relevant to a number of cases including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
The Government maintains a close and cooperative relationship with Justice for the Forgotten, as we continue work to seek the full facts of the appalling events of 17 May 1974 and of other attacks in this jurisdiction during the Troubles.
243. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when applications for a certificate of co-impediment will issue to persons in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25700/22]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs may issue a civil letter of freedom (Certificat de Coutume) to Irish citizens getting married abroad. We recommend that applications are submitted no later than four months, and no earlier than six months, before the intended date of marriage.
Our aim is to issue the Certificat de Coutume two months before the date of marriage where the application has been submitted in the correct timeframe and has been approved - as the Certificat has a limited validity.
The applications for the individuals in question were received in the Marriages Abroad Office on 13 April 2022. They have gone through the checking process and will be issued shortly.
244. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport applications by persons (details supplied). [25727/22]
View answer248. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport application for a child (details supplied) will issue. [25747/22]
View answer252. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if child passport applications (details supplied) will issue on time for travel on 2 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25761/22]
View answer253. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an adult passport (details supplied) will issue on time for travel on 2 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25762/22]
View answer254. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Passport Office will provide assistance to resolve a passport application issue for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25763/22]
View answer255. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25768/22]
View answer256. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25769/22]
View answer257. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25770/22]
View answer262. Deputy John Brady 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. [25775/22]
View answer265. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25778/22]
View answer266. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25779/22]
View answer267. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25780/22]
View answer268. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25781/22]
View answer269. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25782/22]
View answer270. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25783/22]
View answer272. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25810/22]
View answer274. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25855/22]
View answer279. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25863/22]
View answer280. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25864/22]
View answer281. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25865/22]
View answer282. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25866/22]
View answer287. 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. [25886/22]
View answer288. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25902/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 248, 252 to 257, inclusive, 262, 265 to 270, inclusive, 272, 274, 279 to 282, inclusive, 287 and 288 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
245. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo [25744/22]
View answer249. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport application by a person (details supplied) will issue. [25752/22]
View answer251. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an online passport renewal application will issue on time for a person (details supplied) who is travelling on 21 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25760/22]
View answer258. Deputy John Brady 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. [25771/22]
View answer259. Deputy John Brady 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. [25772/22]
View answer260. Deputy John Brady 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. [25773/22]
View answer264. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25777/22]
View answer273. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied). [25852/22]
View answer286. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [25880/22]
View answer295. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26094/22]
View answer298. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a renewal passport for a child (details supplied) will issue on time for travel on 23 May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26158/22]
View answer299. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review an application (details supplied); if he will provide an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26173/22]
View answer300. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26184/22]
View answer302. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a minor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26186/22]
View answer303. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a minor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26187/22]
View answer304. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a minor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26188/22]
View answer306. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a minor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26190/22]
View answer318. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26309/22]
View answer325. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26399/22]
View answer326. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26400/22]
View answer333. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26448/22]
View answer334. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for a person (details supplied) who is travelling on 4 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26449/22]
View answer337. 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. [26453/22]
View answer338. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports will issue to siblings (details supplied) in County Mayo in order that they can travel with their family. [26466/22]
View answer340. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be expedited on time for a person (details supplied) in order that they can travel by 26 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26486/22]
View answer342. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [26510/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 245, 249, 251, 258 to 260, inclusive, 264, 273, 286, 295, 298 to 300, inclusive, 302 to 304, inclusive, 306, 318, 325, 326, 333, 334, 337, 338, 340 and 342 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 application to the applicant or the applicant's guardian.
246. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the death of a journalist (details supplied); the measures that he will take at the levels of the European Union and United Nations to highlight the ongoing abuse of human rights in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25745/22]
View answerI strongly condemn the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh on 11 May as she carried out her vital work as a journalist.
Media freedom and the safety of journalists must be protected, including in situations of conflict, and I call for an immediate impartial, independent and effective investigation into Ms Abu Akleh's killing. Accountability must be ensured and those responsible brought to justice.
I also condemn unreservedly the policing of the funeral in Jerusalem, which was attended by Ireland’s Representative in Ramallah. The use of force against mourners by the Jerusalem police was wholly unacceptable and rightly attracted widespread condemnation.
On 11 May, the EU condemned Ms Abu Akleh’s killing, calling for a thorough and independent investigation. The EU expressed solidarity with journalists and emphasised the importance of supporting their fundamental work, in particular while covering conflicts. On 13 May, the EU’s High Representative/Vice President, Josep Borell Fontelles, also made a statement in response to the use of force by the Israeli police at Ms Abu Akleh’s funeral.
On 13 May, Ireland joined other members of the UN Security Council in condemning Ms Abu Akleh’s killing and stressing the need for accountability. The Council called for an immediate, thorough, transparent, and fair and impartial investigation into her killing and recalled that journalists should be protected as civilians.
The overall human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a key priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Ireland will continue to seize every opportunity to stress the need for respect for human rights and full accountability. I am committed to working with partners to promote coherent and effective EU and UN action towards a lasting and peaceful two-state solution.
247. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25746/22]
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. 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 19 March 2021, 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.
250. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that are being taken by Ireland at the United Nations and European Union to raise the case of a person (details supplied) who is being held in solitary confinement in a prison in Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25758/22]
View answerI am aware of the case of Mr. Isbilen, one of a number of Turkish politicians detained under emergency measures in Turkey since 2015. Mr. Isbilen was arrested in December 2016 and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 for alleged involvement in the 2016 coup attempt against the government of President Erdogan.
Mr. Isbilen is one of many thousands of Turkish citizens who have been imprisoned for alleged involvement in the 2016 coup attempt. His case underlines the strong concerns which Ireland and our EU Partners have regarding the overall human rights situation within Turkey. Both nationally and together with our EU Partners, Ireland has been clear in its messaging that Turkey must address its internal human rights situation as a priority and comply with all its international obligations as regards safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms. In particular, Ireland and the EU have regularly called on Turkey to accept and implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
The European Council has made clear its wish to develop a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. It has reiterated the EU’s readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas of common interest. While Ireland supports this position, and agrees with the incremental approach set out by the European Council last year, we have also been clear that such steps can only be taken if Turkey adopts a more constructive attitude to doing so. Addressing EU concerns relating to human rights, particularly those relating to rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, will be an important part of this.
