Written Answers Nos. 88-105
88. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach to provide a breakdown of all EU funding made available to his Department which has not yet been allocated; and the purpose for which this funding has been made available by the EU. [9814/24]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach is not in receipt of EU funding.
89. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Taoiseach the ground rents payable by his Department, or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date. [10423/24]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach and the National Economic and Social Development Office do not pay ground rents. All properties used are provided and managed by the Office of Public Works.
90. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can provide a solution to an issue as regards guardianship (details supplied); if he will consider updating the legislation for someone who is the sole guardian in getting a child's passport; and if not, why not. [10054/24]
View answerWhere a child's guardian is deceased, the Passport Service requests the original death certificate of the deceased guardian, consent of the surviving guardian and a Sole Guardian Affidavit from the surviving guardian confirming that they are the only guardian of the child, in order to satisfy guardian consent requirements.
While the Passport Service of course recognises the difficulties this may present for bereaved families, in order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and the rights of the child and their guardian(s), it is important that the Passport Service is satisfied that all relevant guardians have given their consent to the issuance of a passport to a child. This is set out under Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008, as amended, and there are currently no plans to revise this Section of the 2008 Act. I would encourage people who find themselves in this unfortunate situation to contact the Passport Service for guidance and support.
91. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to visit Croatia within the first half of 2024. [10272/24]
View answerIreland and Croatia enjoy excellent bilateral relations. As smaller states within the European Union, we share a common outlook and work closely together both in the EU and in other multilateral fora. Both Ireland and Croatia also share a firm commitment to multilateralism and to adhering to the international rules-based order.
We were delighted to welcome the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, to Dublin last September for a programme of events during which he met with, among others, the Taoiseach and President Higgins.
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Mr Neale Richmond, TD will also visit Croatia for Saint Patrick’s Day this year for a wide-ranging programme.
My diary for visits for the first half of 2024 has yet to be finalised. However, I have not at present scheduled a visit to Croatia for this period.
92. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the Iraqi authorities regarding the illegal detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied) and anti-corruption advocate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10383/24]
View answer94. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a person (details supplied) who is being detained without legal explanation; if the Department is working to return this person to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10520/24]
View answer95. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the representations he has made to the Iraqi authorities regarding the illegal detention of an Irish citizen and anti-corruption advocate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10531/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 94 and 95 together.
Deputy, I was very disappointed to learn that the citizen was not permitted to leave over the weekend as expected. Naturally his family, who had been eagerly anticipating his return, are deeply distressed by recent developments. I have been in regular contact with the citizen's family throughout and fully appreciate how difficult this entire situation has been for them.
From the outset, officials in my Department and our Embassy in Jordan have been actively engaged on this case, seeking urgent clarification from the relevant authorities in Baghdad. I have raised this case directly with Dr Fuad Hussein, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, a number of times and most recently over the weekend.
As the Deputy will appreciate, there is an ongoing court case, and we understand that the next hearing is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, March 5.
Let me assure you that I remain seized of this case and officials in my Department and our Embassy in Jordan will continue to provide consular assistance until the citizen is reunited with his family in Ireland.
93. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the ground rents payable by his Department, or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10415/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs does rent or own any properties within the State as the OPW is responsible for providing such accommodation.
96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures the WTE currently have within the passport service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10579/24]
View answerThe Passport Service is well-resourced to meet forecasted demand for 2024. My Department has implemented a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand and is continuing to work to increase resources within the service.
Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand continues to be a priority for the Department in 2024 and is an issue that is kept under constant review. The Department has run over 20 competitions since 2021 to address staffing needs in the Passport Service and a competition for Temporary Clerical Officers in the Passport Office in Balbriggan is currently underway.
The Passport Service currently has a total of 804 staff (613 permanent staff and 191 temporary clerical officers). This total staffing number equates to 780 WTE when flexible working arrangements are taken into account.
2024 is expected to be another busy year for the Passport Service and the Passport Service is in an excellent position to meet the demand forecasted for this year.
97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications received from people with addresses in the North of Ireland in the years 2013 to date, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10580/24]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Just over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
The number of passport applications received for applicants residing in Northern Ireland from 2013 to date are outlined below in tabular form.
|
YEAR |
TOTAL |
|
2013 |
47,952 |
|
2014 |
48,501 |
|
2015 |
53,923 |
|
2016 |
68,153 |
|
2017 |
83,134 |
|
2018 |
88,578 |
|
2019 |
120,759 |
|
2020 |
50,565 |
|
2021 |
59,778 |
|
2022 |
128,966 |
|
2023 |
123,724 |
|
2024 |
33,106 |
98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications received from people with addresses outside of Ireland in the years 2013 to date, by year and by country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10581/24]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Just over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
The total number of applications received from applicants with addresses outside this island from 2013 to date is 1,563,703. The Passport Service has compiled the requested figures broken down by year and country, however the file is too large to include through ePQ. The Passport Service will share these figures directly with the Deputy by email.
99. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current number of passport applications on hand, including incomplete applications, by the number of months they have been in the system, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10582/24]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Just over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
The Customer Service Hub currently responds to an average of 10,000 queries per week where customers can easily access the information they need.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage your constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
The numbers of passport applications currently in the system are outlined below in tabular form. Online applications are recorded by the date the applicant makes their application online. It is the experience of the Passport Service that it can take weeks and sometimes even months for Passport Online applicants to submit the documents required in order to progress their application. Once the applicant has submitted an application through Passport Online, the Passport Service emails them regularly to remind them to submit the required supporting documentation.
The numbers below are broken down between applications that are with the Passport Service for action and those that require further action by the applicant. Applications that are with the applicant cannot be progressed by the Passport Service until the applicant takes the required action.
Passport applications in the Passport Service (PPS) system by month
|
With PPS |
With Applicant |
|
|
|
MONTHS since most recent correspondence from applicant |
# Applications |
MONTHS |
# Applications |
|
Less than 1 month |
76,983 |
Less than 1 month |
24,469 |
|
1 |
5,108 |
1 |
10,525 |
|
2 |
92 |
2 |
3,545 |
|
3 |
93 |
3 |
3,844 |
|
4 |
36 |
4 |
3,593 |
|
5 |
45 |
5 |
1,534 |
|
6-12 months |
104 |
6-12 months |
6,954 |
|
13+months |
88 |
13+ months |
10,130 |
|
Total with PPS |
82,549 |
Total with Applicant |
64,594 |
The number of passport applications that are with the Passport Service for processing six months or more represents 0.001% of the total number of applications in the system. These are very complex or sensitive cases that may involve citizenship, guardianship or legal issues. These require very thorough examination by experienced staff and can take longer to process. There are often multiple interactions between the Passport Service and the applicant or their guardians during this time, as well as with other government departments and agencies if required.
100. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 27 February 2024, how Irish medical volunteers can offer their services specifically to communities of individuals displaced from Gaza to third countries, for example, Egypt; the steps his Department will take to assist individuals or groups who contact them expressing an intention to do so; what contact points in the Department are suitable for such individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10589/24]
View answer101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 27 February 2024, if he is aware of an offer by a group which has a team of over 20 highly qualified specialist doctors, licensed and experienced in various medical fields in Dublin, ready to volunteer their services to communities displaced from Gaza into third countries, for example, Egypt (details supplied); if he has considered this offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10590/24]
View answer102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 27 February 2024, if his Department has considered the direct deployment of Irish medical personnel in the region, including supporting or facilitating volunteer aid from Irish individuals; what in-kind and personnel contributions Ireland has made for same to European bodies for the purposes of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, in tabular form; whether the Department will consider unilateral deployment of in-kind aid in the absence of an adequate response from the above European bodies, given discordant views on the conflict between member-states (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10591/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 101 and 102 together.
The Government is extremely concerned about the appalling suffering of the people of Gaza and the immediate need for a humanitarian ceasefire.
Our Rapid Response Initiative supports the deployment of experts and the prepositioning of emergency stocks for immediate release in humanitarian crises. The Department maintains a Rapid Response Roster, of a range of experts required by our humanitarian partner organisations, in areas such as water, sanitation, nutrition, logistics, shelter, gender and child protection.
Irish Aid does not maintain a roster of healthcare volunteers and the Government does not currently maintain military or civilian Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) for international deployment. We are therefore not considering such a deployment to the Middle East. The Department has responded to the group of medical professionals referred to by the Deputy.
Operating in highly challenging environments demands unique expertise that many healthcare professionals will not have developed in the course of their routine duties. For these reasons, all major organisations responding to a health emergency now provide rigorous pre-deployment training for volunteers, and usually maintain rosters of trained individuals. It may therefore be challenging for individuals who have not previously completed the training or registered with a humanitarian organisation to volunteer their services for short-term deployments in the middle of a crisis.
For healthcare professionals able to volunteer their services for longer periods, or seeking temporary employment, the most direct approach, whether in Gaza or in neighbouring countries, is to offer their services to existing organisations which have the necessary support structures and training programmes in place. These organisations would include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Health Organisation or one of the humanitarian agencies already operational in the region.
The Department currently advises Irish citizens against all travel to the occupied Palestinian territory, with the exception of East Jerusalem, where we advise against all but essential travel. The Department recommends a high degree of caution for travel to Egypt.
Under the EU health response, partners have been delivering critical medical supplies, drugs, and medications across Gaza. These partners continue to deliver health services including support to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for lifesaving services. The Humanitarian Air Bridge launched and funded by the EU to support humanitarian partners has transported 1,763 tonnes of supplies including medicines and medical supplies. Additionally, the EU has provided various medical devices from EU medical stockpiles.
In response to a request from the Egyptian health authorities, Ireland has provided three pallets of medical blood bags through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). We have also provided 50 tonnes of relief supplies, including 500 family tents and 3000 tarpaulins from Irish Aid emergency stocks for distribution in Gaza, under the Rapid Response Initiative. These were distributed to 1,500 families in Gaza, in partnership with Trócaire and Catholic Relief Services.
We will continue to provide critical assistance to the Palestinian people in the most effective ways possible, including through the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). We have provided €40 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the suffering caused by the conflict in Gaza since last October.
103. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be processed on time for date of travel for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10592/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 20/02/2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
104. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a study published by Don't Buy into Occupation, a Palestinian civil society group, which found that 776 European banks provided financial support for 51 companies involved in the construction of the illegal settlements, and which found that from January 2020 to August 2023, these banks contributed $164.2 billion to these illegal activities; his response to this report; his efforts at EU level to prevent European banks from engaging in financial illegal activities in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10694/24]
View answerIreland’s position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is clear - they are illegal under international law. This was reiterated by the Attorney General at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on 22 February last.
In accordance with international law, Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 and ensures that any bilateral agreements with Israel do not apply to the occupied territories.
A whole of Government approach is applied to this policy of differentiation. My Department supports other Government Departments by providing guidance and clarification on the policy of differentiation and ensures that there is information available for the public and companies regarding Ireland's policy on settlements.
In this regard, my officials are reviewing the report to which the Deputy refers and will as necessary bring it to the attention of relevant Government Departments engaged with regulatory and due diligence initiatives in the areas it covers.
105. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline Ireland's position, and that of the EU, with regard to the present government in Iran, and if the Irish Government is pushing for the IRGC to be recognised as a terrorist organisation. [10708/24]
View answerI have previously set out our major concerns about Iran in relation to human rights, Iran's nuclear activities, support for Russia's unjust attack on Ukraine, and support for militant and extremist groups around the region.
We continue to engage with Iran, bilaterally and at EU level, to try to encourage them to take a different, and more positive, path. The reopening of Ireland's Embassy in Tehran is testament to our commitment to a positive engagement and direct dialogue. Ireland's new resident Ambassador is expected to take up duty shortly.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been closely involved in many of these areas of concern. The question of designating the IRGC as a terrorist organisation has been considered at EU level, but there are differing views as to the value and effect such a move would have, as the IRGC is already subject to extensive EU sanctions based on nuclear and human rights concerns. Such a designation in the EU is a legal process which requires unanimity and must be based on a legal designation as a terrorist organisation by a member state.
Ireland and the EU will continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure that there is a coordinated and firm response to Iran and its ongoing human rights abuses, nuclear activities, supply of weapons to Russia, and destabilising activities in the region.
