Written Answers Nos. 114-124
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who is having ongoing difficulties obtaining same since their application for naturalisation was granted last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22210/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 30 January 2023. The application cannot proceed without the required supporting documents. The Passport Service contacted the Applicant again on 9 May 2023 in relation to the required documents.
115. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a person (see details supplied) who applied to the foreign birth register will have their application processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22229/23]
View answerWith regard to the Foreign Birth Registration application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application has been approved and a Foreign Birth Registration certificate will issue to the applicant in the coming days.
116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports will issue on time for children (details supplied) in County Donegal travelling abroad to a family wedding; if photographs submitted meet the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22233/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, new photographs for these applications were received on 2 May 2023. The turnaround time from receipt of a new photograph by the Passport Service is 10 working days. These applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.
The Passport Service has a helpful video guide on my Department's website to assist applicants with submitting their photograph Photo Guidelines - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie).
117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport given that the estimated date of issue is passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is currently being processed by the Passport Service. The Passport Service will contact the applicant directly in relation to the application.
118. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a child (details supplied) can be issued on time for travel on 18 May 2023, which is the expected issue date. [22320/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is within the current turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date. The Passport Service has advised the applicant of the option of booking an Urgent Appointment for passport renewal.
119. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive coarse fish and invasive pike in Ballyquirke Lough (part of Lough Corrib SAC), under the Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 respectively, to the detriment of the marginalised native salmonid populations in the Lough Kip River system that flows into Ballyquirke Lough; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22211/23]
View answerI refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 63 of 29 March 2023 and 54 of 3 May 2023. The position is unchanged.
Response to Question no. 63 0f 29 March 2023
The Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 , referred to by the Deputy relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of Pike. This Bye-Law is in force for the last 17 years on a National basis.
As recently advised by my officials at a meeting of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland, a review of all Bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their application will be commenced shortly. It is intended that Bye-law 809 of 2006 will be reviewed early in that process.
I refer to the response to Question No.12139/23,of 9 March last, in relation the operational character of species management and the transboundary nature of the waters in question.
Response to Question no. 54 of 3 May 2023
The Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of all coarse species including perch. The Bye-Law is in force for the last 17 years on a National basis.
As recently advised by my officials at a meeting of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland, a review of Bye-Laws in force for 10 years or more and their application will be commenced shortly. It is intended that Bye-Law 806 of 2006 will be reviewed early in that process.
120. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a route for a college (details supplied) which offers retraining and upskilling services, to avail of Just Transition funding to assist in the development of its campus and the construction of a new teaching block; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22240/23]
View answer121. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a route for Just Transition funding to be made available to an activity centre (details supplied) to assist in its plans for the development of an astroturf floor which will provide an indoor area for leisure and sporting activity for all ages within the community and also the wider west Offaly community, through collaboration with the local areas of Doon, Pullough and Tubber; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22243/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
The Programme for the EU Just Transition Fund was approved by Government and adopted by the European Commission in December 2022.
The Programme aims to address the long-term economic transition of the Midlands, following the end of commercial peat extraction and peat-fired power generation, incorporating €84.5 million of funding from the EU Just Transition Fund for the period 2021 to 2027. When national co-financing is included, this new Programme will provide for investments of up to €169 million.
The programme, which will be managed by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, will be delivered in cooperation with a number of different Departments and Agencies, focussed on three priorities:
Priority 1: Generating employment for former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy by supporting productive investments in enterprise, SMEs and community actions, focusing on sectors and activities which can address the economic challenge of the transition. This priority includes support for the development of tourism enterprises, bioeconomy initiatives, and for the implementation of Local Economic and Community Plans and Regional Enterprise Plans .
Priority 2: The restoration and rehabilitation of degraded peatlands and the regeneration and repurposing of industrial heritage assets to enable the transition towards climate-neutrality while also facilitating the diversification and modernisation of the economy of the Territory. This priority includes support for wetlands restoration, tourism trails network developments, and work on farm peat soils.
Priority 3: Providing former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition by supporting clean, green mobility to build regional attractiveness and support economic development. This priority includes support for the electrification of rural link services, electrification of commercial bus services, and the installation of EV charging infrastructure.
It is planned to launch calls for proposals for individual schemes during the course of this year. Allocation of funding through each scheme under the programme will take place in accordance with the scope and terms of individual schemes. When available, information on how to apply for funding under each scheme, including which organisations are eligible to apply, will be published by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly on www.emra.ie/eu-jtf/ and by relevant partner Departments and Agencies.
122. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person in receipt of an invalidity pension can qualify for a roof cladding grant to cover the full cost. [22250/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 150,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department.
Eligibility for the Warmer Homes Scheme is linked to receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments, including the Fuel Allowance. I understand that the Invalidity Pension is a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance, which is a means tested payment. Households can contact the Department of Social Protection to check whether they meet the relevant criteria.
There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Warmer Homes Scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded. These can include:
• Attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
• Wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
• Secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting;
• In certain circumstances: heating system replacements, window replacements where the wall is being insulated
Please note that roof cladding is not a measure provided under the scheme, but attic insulation for pitched roofs can be provided. All information on the Warmer Homes Scheme is available on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/free-upgrades-for-eligible-homes
123. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport the National Development Plan expenditure envisaged by his Department; the road projects that are being considered in terms of upgrading the N24 and N25 roads (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22060/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of projects on the N24 and N25.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
In relation to the National Development Plan expenditure, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case.
The NDP published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland out to 2030 and delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes identified in the National Planning Framework.
In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, and, most importantly, delivering the infrastructure to support our future climate, social and economic requirements.
The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP.
Approximately €491m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through Transport Infrastructure Ireland to local authorities in 2023.
124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the reason there are no options to buy or top-up TFI Leap cards in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22294/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts. In addition the NTA has responsibility for the tendering and procurement of a provider to supply Leap support and maintenance services which includes the provision of retail services and facilities to sell and top up Leap cards.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the lack of options to buy or top-up TFI Leap cards in County Kerry, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
