Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Written Answers Nos. 118-132

Cabinet Committees

Questions (118)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

118. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [21483/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Government Coordination Committee is scheduled to meet again on Monday, 15 May 2023.

Cabinet Committees

Questions (119)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

119. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services will next meet. [21484/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services.

The Committee covers a range of topics, including immigration and integration, in the areas of social policy with a particular focus on equality and public service reform. Other topics covered by the Committee include sport, social protection, arts and culture and justice issues such as policing reform, community safety and domestic sexual and gender-based violence.

The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services met on 8 May and will meet again in the period ahead.

In addition to meetings of the Cabinet Committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at cabinet and individually to discuss priority issues relating to their Departments.

Meetings have also been held between my officials and officials from relevant Government Departments on a range social policy issues.

Legislative Reviews

Questions (120)

Carol Nolan

Question:

120. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if he will list all reviews of Acts carried out by his Department in line with the provisions of the Act in question from 2000 to date; and if a summary will be provided of any substantive amendments of the Act in question that occurred on foot of each review, and the amending legislation, if any, in each case. [21192/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Department of the Taoiseach has not identified any legislation which falls to be reviewed by the Department in the period specified and therefore no reviews of Acts have taken place.

Passport Services

Questions (121, 122, 131)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on a passport application by a person (details supplied), given there is an urgent need for this passport as the applicant is travelling on 9 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21062/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

122. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a passport by a person (details supplied), given there is an urgent need for this passport as the applicant is travelling on 12 May 2023 to take up work experience in Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21064/23]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

131. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if two passports will issue in time for two children (details supplied) in County Donegal who are travelling next week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21312/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 122 and 131 together.

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

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 121.

Information and Communications Technology

Questions (123)

Ciarán Cannon

Question:

123. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if officials from his Department are using an application (details supplied) to conduct business; if his Department has had official meetings regarding the use of the application by officials; if his Department has assessed the risk of using the application by Department officials and the input of Government-related data into the application; if his Department is using or is considering using other forms of artificial intelligence; if his Department is considering banning the use of the application by Department officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21103/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs requires that all applications must be used in line with Department’s policies and procedures and advice provided by the NCSC. The Department is currently risk assessing this application in accordance with GDPR and Data Protection legislation. The Department is keeping the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review.

Legislative Reviews

Questions (124)

Carol Nolan

Question:

124. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will list all reviews of Acts carried out by his Department in line with the provisions of the Act in question from 2000 to date; if a summary will be provided of any substantive amendments of the Act in question that occurred on foot of each review, and the amending legislation, if any, in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not been required to review an Act in the period specified.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (125)

Carol Nolan

Question:

125. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of Irish citizens and their dependents who were present in Sudan at the outset of recent violence in that country; their reasons for being present in the country, to the extent that his Department is aware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Irish citizens travelling or living overseas are encouraged to voluntarily register their contact details using the Citizens' Registration platform of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but there is no requirement to do so. No authoritative records are available as to the exact number of Irish citizens living in any given place, nor is there information available for citizens' reasons for being in a particular country.

At the onset of the crisis in Sudan, a total of 34 individuals were registered on the Department’s Citizens’ Registration platform as present in the country. Over the course of the crisis, a large number of additional registrations were made, and our Embassy in Nairobi (which is accredited to Sudan) maintained close contact with all those who had registered throughout.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has assisted over 250 Irish citizens and their dependents to evacuate from Sudan since the crisis began. This operation is being led by a consular crisis response team for Sudan in the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has been in place since the outbreak of conflict on 15 April, and by our Embassy in Nairobi, together with other Embassies of Ireland in the region.

I am particularly grateful for the efforts of all those who have been involved, and the assistance of our EU and international partners during this period.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is in ongoing contact with remaining Irish citizens in Sudan who wish to leave. Our experienced consular teams in Dublin and in the region will continue to respond actively to the needs of our citizens as the situation evolves.

Passport Services

Questions (126)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

126. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider streamlining the process by which a married person going through separation or divorce reverts to their maiden name on their passport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21213/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

All passport applications are subject to the requirements of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (the 2008 Act).

In accordance with Section 10(3) of the 2008 Act, if an applicant for a passport applies to have a passport issued in a name other than the name entered in their most recent passport, the Minister shall require the applicant to produce such evidence as appears to him or her to be satisfactory of the use by the applicant of the new name before a passport may be issued to the applicant in that name.

In the case of an applicant whose previous passport was issued in their married name, but who wants their new passport issued in their birth surname, they are required to submit a judicial separation court order, separation agreement, or divorce decree as part of the supporting documents for their application. Two years proof of usage is not required for such applications.

However, if a separation or divorce document cannot be produced, the applicant can submit two years proof of usage of the name they now wish to have on their new passport.

With regard to the specific applicant to which the Deputy refers, the Passport Service has contacted the Deputy's office to obtain contact details for the applicant.

Humanitarian Access

Questions (127)

Holly Cairns

Question:

127. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to help address the humanitarian need in Sudan as a result of hostilities in the region. [21239/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Government is deeply concerned by the current situation in Sudan. The ongoing violence is exacerbating what was already a severe humanitarian crisis in the country. Almost 16 million people – one third of population – were in need of humanitarian assistance even before the recent outbreak of violence. Humanitarian operations have been severely disrupted by the fighting but Ireland’s humanitarian partners are making contingency plans to provide assistance to those in need where possible.

Ireland has been a longstanding partner to the people of Sudan, providing over €35 million in aid since 2018. This includes humanitarian assistance, as well as development, peace, and human rights programmes. In March, we provided €3 million to the UN Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which supports local organisations in delivering humanitarian asssistance. In addition, we have provided funding for development and humanitarian aid to three Irish NGOs with operations in Sudan, bringing Ireland’s total direct assistance to Sudan so far in 2023 to €6.2 million. Ireland is also funding programmes through the UN, Red Cross and Irish NGOs in bordering countries, now dealing with thousands of people displaced and fleeing conflict.

Ireland has also contributed to the humanitarian response through our support to multilateral humanitarian funds such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland is currently the 6th largest donor to the CERF, and has contributed €12.5 million so far this year in core funding. The CERF has already provided €18 million to Sudan this year. The International Red Cross, to which Ireland provides annual core funding, has released €400,000 to the Sudanese Red Crescent Society working with affected communities since the start of the crisis, and was one of the first to mobilise a rapid deployment team and send an initial life-saving cargo of medical supplies to Sudan.

Since the outbreak of conflict, the Tánaiste has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the facilitation of humanitarian access. On 21 April, officials from the Department also met with the Ambassador of Sudan to Ireland to discuss the crisis and to emphasise the obligation on the authorities to ensure the protection of all civilians and the provision of humanitarian access.

We will continue to monitor the humanitarian situation in Sudan in the weeks ahead and will work closely with our EU and other partners for an end to the conflict.

Consular Services

Questions (128)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

128. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the post of Irish Honorary Consul in Malaga has been filled. [21288/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland currently has over 80 Honorary Consuls operating in more than 50 countries across the globe. Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers key support to my Department across a range of priorities, including providing consular assistance to Irish citizens in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission. These appointments are honorary in nature - unsalaried and non-pensionable.

Ireland has a network of 10 Honorary Consuls in Spain, managed by our Embassy in Madrid. Mr José de la Torre y Morín was appointed Honorary Consul of Ireland in Málaga in 1980. He served as Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Málaga for over 40 years, providing key support to the Embassy, particularly in the context of provision of assistance to Irish citizens visiting or residing in the region. Mr de la Torre y Morín sadly passed away in October 2022.

The consular needs of Irish citizens in the Málaga region continue to be met through the Embassy and our wider diplomatic network in Spain. The question of how best to provide consular services and assistance to Irish citizens in the Málaga region in the period ahead is under active consideration.

Consular Services

Questions (129)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

129. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on recent activities of the Irish Consulate in Hong Kong, including staffing numbers. [21289/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The role of the Consulate General in Hong Kong is to develop relations between Ireland and Hong Kong across a range of political, economic and people-to-people activities, to provide services to the Irish community, and to report on developments in Hong Kong. There are three diplomatic staff posted from the Department of Foreign Affairs and three locally engaged staff. The Consulate General works closely with the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing.

The Consulate General provides consular and passport services to a community of over 3,000 Irish citizens. These services range from emergency and crisis consular advice to facilitation of passport renewals. In the period of January to April 2023, the Consulate General facilitated the delivery of over 200 passports and dealt with over 1,500 email queries.

Since January, the Consulate General has engaged in a number of activities in line with the objectives set out in the Government's Asia Pacific Strategy. Following the lifting of travel restrictions to Hong Kong, there has been an increase in events and visits, re-establishing in-person engagement with Hong Kong business and cultural sectors.

In February, the Consulate General hosted a successful launch event and exhibition in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong to mark the 90th anniversary of the visit by George Bernard Shaw to Hong Kong.

In March, the Consulate facilitated the visit of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, as part of a programme of ministerial visits for St. Patrick’s Day. The Minister's programme included engagement on climate action and support for Irish businesses operating in Hong Kong. The Consulate General also supported a number of community events in Hong Kong to mark the national day.

In the first quarter of this year, the Consulate participated in European Union Member State observation of trials of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong brought under the National Security Law and other legislation.

The above key activity is in addition to a programme of ongoing engagements with diplomatic counterparts, the Hong Kong administration, key stakeholders in the financial services industry, other members of the business community, the sporting community and the resident Irish community and members of the diaspora.

Official Travel

Questions (130)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

130. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to visit Portugal this year. [21290/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland enjoys strong and warm bilateral relations with Portugal.

2022 marked the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations and saw a range of activities and visits undertaken, including a successful State Visit to Ireland by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa last October. Engagement between our two countries continues to grow. Two Ministerial visits to Portugal have already taken place in 2023 and a number of others are expected in the coming weeks and months.

As Taoiseach, I travelled to Portugal in May 2021 in the context of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union to participate in an informal European Council meeting, Social Summit and EU-India Leaders meeting. I would welcome the opportunity to do so again at some point in the future and look forward to exploring suitable opportunities with my Portuguese counterpart should they arise over the period ahead.

My colleague, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Deputy Burke, has accepted an invitation from his Portuguese counterpart, to attend a meeting of the European Atlantic Group in Portugal on 23 May.

Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 121.

Passport Services

Questions (132, 133)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

132. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Passport Office is aware that in some instances, the date of issue on the Irish Passport website differs from the dates on the internal Passport Office system; if so, the measures being taken to sync these dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21378/23]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

133. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken specifically in relation to the three-week time period it takes the Passport Office to check the validity of documentation once received by it, in view of the exceptionally long delays and impact on families that existed in the weeks of summer 2022. [21479/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

My Department is currently in the busiest season of the year for processing passport applications, as citizens prepare for their upcoming summer travel plans. Thanks to operational and staffing plans implemented by my Department, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current high demand, and has issued over 403,000 passports to date this year. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. The Customer Service Hub is responding to over 3,000 queries per day.

The turnaround times outlined on my Department's website apply to fully complete and correct applications. Applications that are incomplete or incorrect can take longer.

In cases where insufficient or incorrect supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, every effort is made to let the applicant know as soon as possible. Applications enter a queue and are checked in order of date received.

The Passport Service has a system in place to ensure that where an application is incomplete and further supporting documents are required and requested, these applications do not go to the back of the queue, rather they are processed within 15 working days of receipt of the additional documents.

The Passport Service continually works to enhance the service and provide further efficiencies for customers. A number of improvements were recently made to the Passport Online platform. These include a customised list of the supporting documents for first time applicants, an Eircode look-up tool to facilitate the input of postal addresses, and a new integration feature with the General Register Office. This integration will benefit a significant cohort of first-time child applicants who will no longer be required to submit a physical birth certificate. So far almost 8,000 digital birth certificates have been received by the Passport Service from the General Register Office. These upgrades help to reduce the administrative burden for these applicants. In addition, the customised list of documents aims to reduce the number of applications for which insufficient or incorrect supporting documents are submitted.

I strongly encourage the Deputies to advise their constituents of the benefits of applying online. It is by far the quickest and cheapest way to apply for a passport, and is now used by over 90% of citizens worldwide.

Passport applicants can track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on my Department's website: www.dfa.ie/passporttracking/. The information available on the tracker is an excellent guide as to where an application is in the system.

The tracker provides applicants with an indication of how their application is progressing through the system and gives an estimated issue date based on the current average application processing time. This issue date is an estimate, and is not a service guarantee. For a very small number of paper-based applications, the issue date on the online tracker is up to three days earlier than the advertised turnaround time for paper-based applications. The Passport Service is aware of this issue and is working to amend the affected applications. In addition, where the Passport Service is made aware of affected applications, these applications are processed in line with the issue by date seen on the tracker.