Written Answers Nos. 119-136
122. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application for a person (details supplied); if there is any possible alternative to the applicant having to supply a long-form birth certificate, given that the person has been granted Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17072/23]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (the "2008 Act"). Under the 2008 Act, a passport cannot be issued to a person unless the Minister is satisfied as to the identity of the person and that the person is an Irish citizen.
First time applicants for passports are required to submit their full original civil birth certificate, that is, the version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s). A short-form birth certificate does not meet all the requirements for a passport application.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service will contact the applicant directly in relation to the application.
123. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of any reimbursement schemes for Irish citizens who paid for emergency repatriation flights to return home to Ireland upon the outbreak of Covid-19. [17105/23]
View answerIn response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department undertook large scale consular operations in 2020 and 2021. A major element of the assistance provided was the repatriation of Irish citizens from around the world.
As a matter of ongoing policy, citizens being repatriated to Ireland in such circumstances are required to meet the costs associated with travel. No scheme is in place, or envisaged, to reimburse citizens for the costs of repatriation flights to Ireland in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In cases where it has been established that a citizen does not have the means to pay in advance of travel, repatriation takes place on the basis of an undertaking to repay the relevant costs at a subsequent time. Detailed procedures to oversee the recoupment of funds are in place.
124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a decision has been made on a foreign births register application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17168/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 25 February 2020. The Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 2 August 2022. Further supporting documents were received on 1 September 2022. The application is being processed by the Passport Service and the applicant will be contacted in due course.
125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who is being detained abroad; if his Department has engaged with authorities in the country in which the Irish citizen is detained in relation to this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/23]
View answerI remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department.
To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign Minister of Iran.
In our engagement we are stressing the urgent importance of the citizen being released from prison on humanitarian grounds, in light of his deteriorating medical condition.
My Department is providing ongoing consular support and assistance to the citizen, and to his family - with whom I have been in direct contact. We are liaising with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.
As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the specific details of the case.
127. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide data on the number of workers who engaged with the APS passport database system (details supplied). [17215/23]
View answerAs of 11 April 2023, there are 828 staff in the Passport Service who have been given access to the Automated Passport System (APS).
The Department has policies, processes and procedures in place for the appropriate access and use of APS and monitors the implementation of these on an ongoing basis.
In relation to your question, an internal process is underway at present and it would not be appropriate for me to provide any details at this time.
128. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish nationals living outside the State who received the centenarian bounty in each of the past four years, in tabular form. [17477/23]
View answerA person is entitled to apply for the Centenarian Bounty if the person has reached their 100th birthday, and the person is an Irish citizen, born on the island of Ireland, and living outside the State.
The numbers of awards for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, were as follows:
|
Year |
Total |
Male |
Female |
|
2019 |
222 |
51 |
171 |
|
2020 |
209 |
31 |
178 |
|
2021 |
231 |
41 |
190 |
|
2022 |
188 |
28 |
160 |
129. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17531/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, initial supporting documents for the application were received on 20 February 2023. Turnaround time begins from the date supporting documents are received. Turnaround time for first time online applications is 20 working days. On 14 March 2023 the Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant's parent. These further documents were received by the Passport Service on 27 March 2023. The turnaround time following the submission of further supporting documents is 15 working days. The Passport Service will contact the applicant's parent in relation to the application.
130. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on an application by a person (details supplied) for a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17614/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 11 August 2022. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in relation to this application in due course.
131. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will condemn in the strongest terms Uganda’s recent actions against the LGBT+ community; if the Irish Ambassador to Uganda has expressed Ireland’s condemnation of this abuse of human rights to the Ugandan government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17676/23]
View answerThe Government deeply regrets the passing of an “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” by Uganda’s parliament on 21 March. It would introduce discriminatory measures against Ugandan citizens and violate their fundamental human rights. President Museveni has not so far signed the Bill.
Through the Embassy of Ireland in Kampala, and in cooperation with EU and other like-minded partners, Ireland continues to raise concerns with the Ugandan government relating to the protection of the rights of LGBTI+ people.
The Ambassador of Ireland in Uganda has engaged directly with Ugandan political leaders and conveyed to them Ireland's deep regret at the impact of the passing of this Bill on human rights, on the LGBTI+ community and on Uganda's international reputation. The Ambassador has also engaged with the representatives of local LGBTI+ support groups. Our Embassy in Kampala will continue to engage the Ugandan authorities with the aim of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have their human rights promoted and protected, and are treated with dignity and respect. Ireland stands in solidarity with marginalised groups and works closely with civil society groups to promote human rights in Uganda.
Ireland’s engagement in Uganda, including through our international development programme, is based on our international development policy, A Better World, and by the Government’s Strategy for Africa to 2025. We are committed to supporting the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders on the ground. We recognise clearly the central importance of a human rights-based approach, and support the vital role played by civil society in building peaceful, inclusive and prosperous societies.
The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI+ people, who continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systematic discrimination in many countries, is a foreign policy priority for Ireland. Alongside EU and other partners in Uganda, Ireland will continue to be a strong advocate of LGBTI+ rights.
132. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking in response to increased tensions in Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17701/23]
View answer138. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking in response to increased tensions in Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17959/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 138 together.
The recent upsurge in violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is of deep concern.
I have clearly condemned the violence by Israeli forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and have urged respect for the status quo at the holy sites. Furthermore, I have condemned rocket fire into Israel and all violence against civilians, including acts of terrorism in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
I have also made it clear that the events we have witnessed are a direct consequence of the failure to address the root causes driving the conflict.
I welcome the Israeli and Palestinian commitments made at Aqaba on 26 February and Sharm El-Sheikh on 19 March to pursue actions to de-escalate the current cycles of violence and move towards peaceful settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians. However, we must see credible and urgent actions to fulfil these.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council will address recent developments at its forthcoming meeting in April. The EU has consistently underlined that the only lasting solution to the conflict can be through relaunching meaningful negotiations between the parties on realising a two-State solution. The focus of all parties, must be on urgent de-escalation and on the restoration of a genuine political horizon.
133. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of departmental staff currently on sick or stress leave; and the number who took stress or sick leave in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17779/23]
View answerThe Department actively manages sick absences in accordance with Civil Service rules and procedures. Details of long term sick absences, which occur when a civil servant is absent for four weeks or more, are set out below.
It should be noted that the number of civil servants employed in my Department has increased from 1,360 in 2018 to 2,067 on 3rd April last as we roll out the expansion of Ireland's network of Embassies under 'Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’, the Government’s initiative to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025.
The information is set out below.
|
Year |
Number of staff on long term sick absences |
whose absence related to stress |
|
2018 |
82 |
4 |
|
2019 |
84 |
5 |
|
2020 |
72 |
7 |
|
2021 |
95 |
5 |
|
2022 |
113 |
8 |
|
2023 to date |
26 |
1 |
|
On 13th April 2023 |
16 |
2 |
134. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of allegations of bullying made by departmental staff against departmental staff in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will detail what actions are being taken by his Department to investigate the allegations, or if they are being investigated. [17797/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs subscribes fully to the Civil Service value that every member of staff has a right to work in an environment free of any form of bullying and that bullying behaviour is totally unacceptable
All complaints or allegations made by members of staff are treated seriously and fairly under the terms of the Civil Service Dignity at Work policy.
It should be noted that the number of civil servants employed in my Department has increased from 1,360 in 2018 to 2,067 on 3rd April last as we roll out the expansion of Ireland's network of Embassies under 'Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’, the Government’s initiative to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025.
The number of allegations of bullying managed through the Dignity at Work policy in my Department over the past five years are set out below.
|
Year |
Number of cases |
|
2018 |
1 |
|
2019 |
2 |
|
2020 |
0 |
|
2021 |
2 |
|
2022 |
2 |
|
2023 to date |
3 |
135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of departmental staff dismissed in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17815/23]
View answerI have set out below the information requested.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2013 |
2 |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017 |
1 |
|
2018 |
2 |
|
2019 |
4 (plus 1 Temporary Clerical Officer [TCO]) |
|
2020 |
3 (plus 2 TCOs) |
|
2021 |
3 (plus 1 TCO) |
|
2022 |
1 (plus 6 TCOs) |
|
2023 |
0 |
136. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the requirements on prospective surrogate parents in terms of travel documents to bring their newborn children home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17845/23]
View answerAll travel document applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. That legislation sets out specific requirements that any travel document applicant must fulfil, and issues of which the Minister for Foreign Affairs must be satisfied, before a travel document can issue.
A Guidance Document was published in 2012 on citizenship, parentage, guardianship and travel documents issues in relation to children born outside the State as a result of surrogacy arrangements. The Guidance Document was agreed by an Interdepartmental Group on Surrogacy, comprising the Departments of Justice, Health, Children, Foreign Affairs, and Social Protection, and the Office of the Attorney General (AGO). The guidelines can be accessed on my Department's website, www.dfa.iedia/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/childrens-issues-surrogacy-guidance-document.pdf.
Issues around surrogacy are complex and fact specific, involving issues including citizenship, parentage and guardianship. Each travel document application submitted to this Department in the context of international surrogacy is reviewed on its own merits having regard to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008, the above-mentioned guidelines, and the specific factual situation that applies.
With regard to the specific case to which the Deputy has referred, my Department is in direct contact with the intending parent, and has provided guidance on the documentary requirements for the issuing of an emergency travel document.
