Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is not mandatory to possess a PPS number in order to apply for a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14942/24]
View answerThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.
It is not mandatory to have a Personal Publi Service (PPS) Number in order to apply for a passport. Applicants can leave this section blank when applying through Passport Online or through Post Passport. However for applicants resident in Ireland the inclusion of their PPS number can assist in expediting the process.
In the case of a first time adult passport applicant resident in Ireland, government-issued photographic identification confirming the applicant's identity is required. The most efficient way for an applicant to verify their identity is by submitting a copy of their Public Services Card. A Public Services Card, issued by the Department of Social Protection, satisfies the requirement for government-issued photographic identification.
In 2023, the Passport Online service was upgraded to allow the Passport Service to access General Register Office (GRO) birth records using the applicant’s PPS Number. This integration benefits a significant cohort of first time child applicants who are born in Ireland. Once their PPS Number is submitted through the Passport Online service, these applicants are no longer required to submit a physical birth certificate as these are now received digitally from the GRO. Since last year, almost 70,000 birth certificates have been digitally received by the Passport Service from the GRO. This upgrade has helped reduce the administrative burden for the applicant. Further information on the documentation required for an Irish passport is available on my Department's website at www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/documentary-requirements/.
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. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world. I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
42. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on two foreign birth register applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/24]
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.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
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.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications about which the Deputy has enquired an Entitlement Officer has been in contact with the parent of the applicants, outlining the outstanding documentation required in order to progress the FBR applications.
The applications will be processed once the outstanding documentation has been received.
43. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to invite a person (details supplied) to Ireland in the first half of 2024. [15099/24]
View answerIreland's Consulate General in Los Angeles covers the region of Southern California, as well as the U.S. states of Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada. The Consulate General in Los Angeles routinely engages with key stakeholders across all states within its remit, including the local Irish community and state political representatives, and maintains contact with local authorities in order to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens as required. The Consulate General in Los Angeles is planning a visit to New Mexico later this year to meet with key stakeholders.
I am not aware of any planned visit to Ireland by the Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham. However, the Government welcomes all opportunities to engage with political leaders from across the United States, and my Department stands ready to assist in planning such visits.
45. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the reinstatement of Villa Spada as Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15139/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs places a lot of value and importance on our ownership of Villa Spada. I am proud that such an historic building is home to our Embassy to Italy and of course our Embassy to the Holy See before then. Villa Spada provides an excellent venue for the range of promotional events that the Ambassador of Ireland to Italy hosts to showcase the strong cultural and historical connections between Ireland and Italy. The Government is not considering repurposing the Villa Spada at the present time.
46. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the bombing by Israel of a World Central Kitchen team that were travelling in a deconflicted zone in two armoured cars branded with the WCK logo; if he will initiate any sanction against Israel for this attack which killed seven aid workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15159/24]
View answerIt is appalling that humanitarian workers have been killed in an Israeli strike while providing lifesaving aid to the people of Gaza. Full accountability and a thorough, independent investigation is needed.
According to the UN, over 200 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since 7 October. This is an outrage. Aid groups are working under intolerable conditions, and I am deeply concerned by reports that organisations such as World Central Kitchen have been forced to halt operations due a lack of safety which Israel is obliged to provide.
Israel must immediately facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip, in particular by road. This is clearly Israel’s responsibility under international humanitarian law. The blocking by Israel of aid into Gaza constitutes the intentional obstruction of life-saving assistance.
Ireland does not impose unilateral sanctions regimes, but implements UN and EU sanctions.
As the Deputy is aware, calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire have been and will continue to be a central priority for the Government. Civilians in Gaza urgently need the fighting to stop, and a significant increase in humanitarian access. It is clear that this is the desire of the overwhelming majority of the international community, along with the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, urgent and effective humanitarian access, and the protection of civilians and humanitarian staff.
48. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a document will issue to an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15182/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs issues a civil letter of freedom to Irish citizens getting married abroad. This is not an Irish requirement but a requirement of the country where an applicant may be getting married.
The applicant in question submitted documents which were received by my Department's Marriages Abroad Unit on March 25. Some documents have yet to be received and the Marriages Abroad Unit have since been in touch with the applicant to clarify what is needed and request that they be submitted. This includes a Foreign Birth Registration certificate (FBR). If the citizen cannot locate his FBR, then a replacement one can be requested from my Department. The applicant can either call the Customer Service Hub on +353 1 568 3331 or register for a replacement FBR cert online, by searching for 'FBR' at ireland.ie.
If the applicant has any further questions, he can contact marriagesabroad@dfa.ie.
49. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a citizenship/foreign births registration application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15211/24]
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.FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.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.The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application was registered on 19 November 2023. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
50. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are changes to the requirements for a person after turning 18 years of age applying for a foreign birth registration; and if there are there any conditions they need to take into account or penalties they need to be aware of if they are over 18 years of age. [15212/24]
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 through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
The fee for an adult is €278 and the fee for a child under 18 is €153. If a child turns 18 while their application is being processed, there is no increase in the fee, i.e. it remains €153.
Additional documents, including proofs of address for the child and their parent or guardian are required in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor. In certain cases, proof of guardianship may also be required.
Further information on the documentation required to make an application for Foreign Birth Registration is available on my Department's website: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
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. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of all required supporting documents, a decrease in turnaround time of 75% from over two and a half years in 2022. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
51. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on a foreign birth register application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15215/24]
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.FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process. 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. The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application was registered on 23 February 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
52. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to follow the steps taken by Spain and set about officially recognising the state of Palestine in the first half of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15239/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.
Following the most recent European Council meeting in March, Ireland joined with Spain, Malta and Slovenia to release a joint statement that outlined our readiness to recognise Palestinian statehood when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right. Discussions on this are ongoing with partners.
We are clear that the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through implementation of a two-state solution, with Israeli and Palestinian States living side-by-side, in peace and security.
53. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a response to communication from this Deputy can be expected in relation to a foreign birth registration application (details supplied) submitted in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15305/24]
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.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
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.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for the application were requested from the applicant on 19 February 2024. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
54. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times he has summoned the Israeli ambassador since 7 October 2023; the dates of each request and attendance at same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15360/24]
View answer55. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he summoned the Israeli ambassador in the matter of the IDF killing of international aid workers last week; if so, if she attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15361/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.
I met with the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland last month to raise my grave concerns about the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and a dramatic increase in humanitarian access. I emphasised that an Israeli military escalation in Rafah, where almost 1.5 million people are sheltering in desperate conditions, would be catastrophic.
The legal position is clear – under international humanitarian law Israel must protect civilians in Gaza and ensure that the essential needs of the population there are met. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is man-made and is completely unacceptable. I emphasised that UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response and must not be undermined in their operations.
Diplomacy is not always, or only, about friendly relations, and nor is it an endorsement of the policies of another country. It is at times of conflict and tension that diplomacy is most useful, and it is vital to maintain communication links.
Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs remain in ongoing contact with the Israeli Ambassador here in Dublin and our Ambassador in Tel Aviv is engaging constantly with all parts of the Israeli Government and administration on a range of issues while consistently relaying our concerns.
56. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application can be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal whose mother was sent abroad from a mother and baby home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15399/24]
View answerWhile this application has been cancelled, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly to offer assistance with this matter.
57. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide details of the number of SEAI Warmer Homes applications received in the past two years for County Kerry; the details of how many have been processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13582/24]
View answer59. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to confirm the current wait time for applications to the warmer homes scheme; and how much funding is allocated to the scheme. [13638/24]
View answer60. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many homes in Dublin city are currently on the waiting list for the warmer homes scheme; and what is the current wait time for the scheme in Dublin city. [13639/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 59 and 60 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.
Last year saw a record spend of €158 million under the scheme with an allocation of almost €210 million in place for 2024. This budget includes funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
In recent years, the Warmer Homes Scheme has delivered a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have seen an almost tenfold increase from €2,600 in 2015 to just under €25,000 in 2023. These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions. However, it is important to acknowledge that deeper retrofits take longer to complete.
This improvement in the upgrades provided under the scheme in tandem with increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit are driving significantly increased levels of demand. Approximately 24,000 applications from homeowners across the country were received in 2022 and 2023 combined. Over 10,300 upgrades were delivered in total in 2022 and 2023. Of this figure 295 upgrades were delivered to homes in Kerry and 3,517 upgrades delivered to homes in Dublin, in 2022 and 2023 combined. At the end of 2023 there were 417 homes on the work programme for Co Kerry and 5,971 homes on the work programme for Co Dublin.
For the homes completed in 2023, the average waiting time from application to completion was 20 months. This is a reduction from 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
The significant reductions in the average waiting time has been achieved through, inter alia, the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• Record funding has been allocated;
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• SEAI has worked to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions were taken to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures; and
• A new €700 million contractor panel has been put in place for the next 4 years, which has increased contractor capacity to 36.
58. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has approved the increase of 4% for the ESB pension scheme; and if not, the likely timeframe for a decision. [13601/24]
View answerBoth myself and the Minster for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform have approved the 4% increase to the members of the ESB Defined Benefit Pension Scheme requested on the 22 November 2023, and it is my understanding that the ESB has now applied the increase backdated to the 1st January 2024 to the members of the ESB Defined Benefit Scheme.
