Written Answers Nos. 65-84
65. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport (details supplied) will be issued before the travel date of 14 May 2024 given the issue with the application was caused by the Garda station not answering calls rather than with the applicant. [19559/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 25 April 2024. The Passport Service has reviewed the application, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
66. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied) given that the required documentation as requested by the Department has been submitted. [19590/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the application, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
67. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government provides official development assistance to any countries and governments of countries in which same-sex relations are criminalised; if so, if he will provide a list of those countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19669/24]
View answerIreland's international development programme is focused on support for countries and communities most acutely in need. Ireland's total Official Development Assistance for 2024 will amount to some €2 billion. €775.3 million has been provided for the international development assistance programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This support is delivered through our bilateral development country programmes (managed by our Embassies in sub-Saharan Africa, in the occupied Palestinian territory and Vietnam), through civil society and humanitarian organisations, and through multilateral organisations, including the United Nations.
The promotion and protection of LGBTI+ rights is a foreign policy priority for Ireland. LGBTI+ people continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systematic discrimination in many countries across the world.
Same-sex relations are criminalised in many of the countries where we operate bilateral development programmes, often under colonial-era laws which have not been repealed. Enforcement of such laws varies considerably.
In certain African countries, including Botswana and Angola, same-sex relations have recently been decriminalised. Against that, on 28 February, Ghana’s parliament passed a bill that increases criminal penalties for consensual same-sex conduct and criminalises individuals and organisations which advocate for the rights of LGBTI+ people.
On my visit to Ghana during the St Patrick’s Day period I directly raised Ireland’s deep concern and opposition to such legislation with Ghana’s Deputy Foreign Minister. Similarly, during my visit to Uganda last November, I was able to express Ireland’s deep concerns to my Ugandan counterpart at the adoption of an ‘Anti-Homosexuality Act’ in March 2023, criminalising consensual same-sex relations.
Ireland recognises and supports the vital role played by civil society and human rights defenders in building peaceful, inclusive and prosperous societies and the central importance of a human rights-based approach. We advocate for the rights of LGBTI+ people in partner countries as part of this approach.
Ireland is continuing to provide ongoing support to advocates for LGBTI+ rights across a range of countries, including in Malawi, Liberia and Nigeria, while also providing funding to international human rights organisations which advocate for and support LGBTI+ rights across the globe.
68. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 9 April 2024, the expenditure on staffing of the Passport Service in the years 2020 to date, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19719/24]
View answer84. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 9 April 2024, if he no longer intends to increase staffing in the Passport Service to 920, per the Minister's commitment to do so by January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19737/24]
View answer85. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 9 April 2024, the cost associated with increasing staffing levels in the Passport Service by 10, 50 and 100 WTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19738/24]
View answer86. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 9 April 2024, the WTE equivalent within the Passport Service, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19739/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 84, 85 and 86 together.
The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 400,000 passports this year to date.
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.
Demand for passports fluctuates year on year depending on a wide range of factors. In 2022, the Passport Service received an unprecedented number of passport applications following two years of pandemic-related travel restrictions. During that time, my Department put in place a staffing plan to meet the exceptional level of demand experienced. In 2022, for the first time in the history of the State, the Passport Service issued over 1 million passports and also succeeded in reducing the processing times for first time applicants by 50% from 40 to 20 working days.
My Department undertakes extensive advance workforce planning based on forecasted demand for passports on an annual basis. The staff requirement to meet forecasted demand for the coming year is signed off annually by the Department's Management Board. As a result of this planning the Passport Service is well-resourced to meet forecasted demand for 2024.
My Department is implementing this year's 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. Table 1 below outlines the annual number of staff by grade and location from 2019 to present. The 2024 figure is correct as of 31 March 2024. The Passport Service has also assigned an additional 40 Temporary Clerical Officers to its offices in Balbriggan and Dublin 2 in April 2024. Thus the current total number of staff with the Passport Service is 840, which means that staffing levels are at 98% of the staffing target for 2024.
The payroll costs incurred by the Department in relation to staffing in the Passport Service for the years 2020 to 31 March 2024 are outlined in Table 2 below.
With regard to the Deputy's question relating to the costs associated with increasing staffing levels by 10, 50 and 100 WTE, the costs are outlined in Table 3 below. These costs are based on the salary costs associated with a Clerical Officer on the mid-point of the scale and include the employer's PRSI contribution costs. Clerical Officers currently make up 55% of the Passport Service overall staff. These costs do not include additional costs that would be incurred by an increase in staff including accommodation, utilities and equipment costs.
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.
Table 1 - Passport Service Staff by Grade and Location 2019-Present
|
Grade |
31 Dec 2019 |
|
|
31 Dec 2020 |
|
|
31 Dec 2021 |
|
|
31 Dec 2022 |
|
|
31 Dec 2023 |
|
|
31 March 2024 |
|
|
|
PPOM* |
PPOB* |
PPOC* |
PPOM |
PPOB |
PPOC |
PPOM |
PPOB |
PPOC |
PPOM |
PPOB |
PPOC |
PPOM |
PPOB |
PPOC |
PPOM |
PPOB |
PPOC |
|
|
PO & Equiv |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
AP & Equiv |
6 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
|
AO & Equiv |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
HEO |
12 |
7 |
3 |
13 |
7 |
3 |
11 |
7 |
3 |
18 |
8 |
2 |
22 |
10 |
2 |
21 |
10 |
2 |
|
EO |
34 |
28 |
18 |
28 |
31 |
17 |
32 |
30 |
18 |
33 |
27 |
17 |
39 |
50 |
19 |
37 |
50 |
18 |
|
CO |
121 |
173 |
86 |
109 |
164 |
85 |
120 |
152 |
79 |
114 |
161 |
79 |
126 |
237 |
81 |
127 |
255 |
84 |
|
SVO |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
TCO |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
89 |
19 |
81 |
170 |
15 |
65 |
104 |
21 |
61 |
93 |
26 |
|
Total |
176 |
213 |
108 |
158 |
204 |
106 |
215 |
281 |
121 |
258 |
369 |
115 |
262 |
405 |
125 |
256 |
412 |
132 |
* PPOM = Passport Office Mount St/PPOB = Passport Office Balbriggan/PPOC = Passport Office Cork
Table 2 – Payroll Costs for Passport Service
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2020 |
€19,882,953 |
|
2021 |
€18,508,734 |
|
2022 |
€28,726,609 |
|
2023 |
€30,869,253 |
|
2024 (to 31 March) |
€8,095,909 |
Table 3 – Estimated Salary & PRSI Costs of Additional Clerical Officers
|
Number of additional Clerical Officers |
Salary & PRSI Costs |
|
10 |
€412,969 |
|
50 |
€2,064,846 |
|
100 |
€4,129,692 |
69. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications received, by month in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19720/24]
View answerThe Passport Service has issued over 400,000 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.
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.
The number of passports applications received, by month from 2022 to date are outlined below in tabular form.
Passport Applications Received 2022
|
Month |
Applications Received |
|
Jan-22 |
135,777 |
|
Feb-22 |
154,741 |
|
Mar-22 |
124,090 |
|
Apr-22 |
128,144 |
|
May-22 |
144,810 |
|
Jun-22 |
100,624 |
|
Jul-22 |
75,343 |
|
Aug-22 |
71,741 |
|
Sep-22 |
62,949 |
|
Oct-22 |
57,783 |
|
Nov-22 |
57,296 |
|
Dec-22 |
44,692 |
|
Total |
1,157,990 |
Passport Applications Received 2023
|
Month |
Applications Received |
|
Jan-23 |
146,768 |
|
Feb-23 |
114,557 |
|
Mar-23 |
113,799 |
|
Apr-23 |
111,066 |
|
May-23 |
104,394 |
|
Jun-23 |
85,790 |
|
Jul-23 |
77,697 |
|
Aug-23 |
68,806 |
|
Sep-23 |
58,535 |
|
Oct-23 |
57,288 |
|
Nov-23 |
55,289 |
|
Dec-23 |
42,723 |
|
Total |
1,036,712 |
Passport Applications Received 2024
|
Month |
Applications Received |
|
Jan-24 |
132,160 |
|
Feb-24 |
117,914 |
|
Mar-24 |
108,584 |
|
01/04/2024 to 26/04/2024 |
95,017 |
|
Total |
453,675 |
70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding provided to multilateral international organisations in 2020 to date, by organisation and by year; if the funding was a recurring obligation or for a special purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19721/24]
View answer72. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding provided through his Department to multilateral international organisations, by organisation, in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19723/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 72 together.
Funding provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs to international organisations in the years 2019 to 2023 and in 2024 to date is set out in the table below. The table includes mandatory payments arising from Ireland's membership of organisations - often known as assessed contributions - as well as additional voluntary contributions linked to Ireland's support for particular organisations, legal instruments, programmes or projects. In the time available, it has not been possible to provide a break-down of mandatory and voluntary contributions. This information will be provided separately to the Deputy.
|
Organisation / Fund |
2019(€) |
2020(€) |
2021(€) |
2022(€) |
2023*(€) |
2024*(€) |
|
African Development Bank (AfDB) |
2,150,002 |
2,000,000 |
||||
|
African Tax Administration Forum |
400,000 |
400,000 |
400,000 |
400,000 |
400,000 |
|
|
African Union (AU) |
300,000 |
300,000 |
300,000 |
300,000 |
||
|
Anna Lindh Foundation |
25,000 |
15,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
|
|
Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention (APLC) |
4,171 |
7,474 |
23,304 |
24,829 |
26,774 |
|
|
Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Secretariat |
5,639 |
3,847 |
4,514 |
26,157 |
24,992 |
|
|
Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) |
100,064 |
100,628 |
101,425 |
104,476 |
99,625 |
|
|
Asian Development Bank (ADB) |
3,600,000 |
4,200,000 |
3,000,000 |
300,000 |
||
|
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) |
4,488 |
20,204 |
5,000 |
10,064 |
22,570 |
|
|
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) |
50,000 |
|||||
|
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) |
441,967 |
427,661 |
991,186 |
555,103 |
||
|
Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) |
3,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
4,667,000 |
5,875,354 |
||
|
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) |
3,382 |
4,422 |
8,228 |
8,322 |
||
|
Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) |
3,390 |
3,652 |
27,823 |
34,034 |
29,122 |
|
|
Council of Europe (COE) |
3,541,970 |
4,090,954 |
4,411,719 |
6,700,050 |
5,507,294 |
5,373,706 |
|
EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operation |
386,430 |
511 |
||||
|
EU European Commission EDF |
41,362,640 |
41,377,535 |
33,399,620 |
23,234,900 |
16,657,580 |
6,786,950 |
|
EU European External Action Service (EEAS) |
189,006 |
102,520 |
125,000 |
|||
|
EU European Investment Bank |
2,730,000 |
2,730,000 |
2,799,138 |
2,820,180 |
2,820,180 |
940,060 |
|
EU Institute for Security Studies |
69,116 |
75,177 |
88,662 |
156,869 |
120,178 |
|
|
EU Other Trust Funds |
5,300,000 |
3,055,000 |
750,000 |
|||
|
EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) |
107,336 |
113,676 |
140,812 |
149,779 |
182,913 |
222,799 |
|
EU Turkey Refugee Facility |
4,927,857 |
4,530,972 |
2,689,710 |
2,648,792 |
2,084,448 |
|
|
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) |
4,000,000 |
|||||
|
European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
||
|
European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats |
60,000 |
50,000 |
||||
|
European Peace Facility |
4,212,033 |
17,861,858 |
28,113,345 |
|||
|
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
37,636 |
1,000,000 |
1,250,000 |
|||
|
Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) |
3,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
11,500,000 |
8,000,000 |
||
|
Global Environment Facility Trust Fund |
3,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
4,190,000 |
||
|
Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria |
12,500,000 |
15,000,000 |
15,000,000 |
17,500,000 |
21,750,000 |
21,500,000 |
|
Global Partnership for Education |
7,500,000 |
7,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
12,000,000 |
13,000,000 |
13,000,000 |
|
Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) |
31,807 |
31,634 |
32,312 |
33,047 |
36,489 |
|
|
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) |
300,000 |
300,000 |
300,000 |
|||
|
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) |
140,000 |
177,189 |
259,861 |
162,569 |
362,560 |
|
|
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) |
753,987 |
700,000 |
27,100,000 |
|||
|
International Criminal Court (ICC) |
1,191,784 |
1,196,522 |
1,283,348 |
4,272,180 |
1,426,750 |
1,543,228 |
|
International Development Association |
1,270,000 |
1,270,000 |
1,000,000 |
|||
|
International Finance Corporation |
600,000 |
639,000 |
38,000 |
743,613 |
||
|
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) |
2,500,000 |
2,500,000 |
4,500,000 |
5,167,000 |
4,167,000 |
4,166,000 |
|
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
37,000 |
37,000 |
|
|
International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Mission |
1,157 |
839 |
1,083 |
274 |
666 |
1,218 |
|
International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) |
22,770 |
22,770 |
22,770 |
22,770 |
22,770 |
24,138 |
|
International Labour Organization (ILO) |
2,038,850 |
2,000,000 |
1,250,000 |
1,500,000 |
1,500,000 |
|
|
International Monetary Fund |
2,000,000 |
|||||
|
International Organization for Migration (IOM) |
2,082,149 |
2,442,000 |
2,138,000 |
2,850,886 |
2,525,831 |
504,320 |
|
International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) |
283,251 |
261,751 |
246,956 |
270,524 |
264,511 |
203,474 |
|
International Seabed Authority (ISA) |
27,169 |
30,654 |
34,849 |
45,027 |
48,318 |
|
|
International Trade Centre (ITC) |
800,000 |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
|||
|
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) |
51,049 |
106,955 |
66,069 |
67,967 |
||
|
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) |
150,000 |
150,000 |
150,000 |
170,000 |
200,000 |
|
|
Joint SDG Fund |
2,000,000 |
|||||
|
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV And AIDS (UNAIDS) |
2,950,000 |
2,400,000 |
3,400,000 |
2,500,000 |
2,500,000 |
2,500,000 |
|
Meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |
24,881 |
|||||
|
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Trust Funds (Jordan, UN Peacekeeping and Ukraine) |
150,000 |
50,000 |
||||
|
Office of the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security |
1,000 |
|||||
|
Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth |
140,000 |
200,000 |
||||
|
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) |
2,750,000 |
2,262,065 |
2,629,400 |
4,162,000 |
4,280,000 |
650,000 |
|
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation & Development (OECD) |
4,972,035 |
4,910,482 |
5,165,949 |
5,346,401 |
6,753,252 |
4,696,384 |
|
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) |
256,756 |
251,195 |
356,070 |
456,371 |
381,243 |
|
|
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) |
22,471 |
11,490 |
11,661 |
11,661 |
11,661 |
|
|
Organization for Security and Co-Operation In Europe (OSCE) |
1,761,952 |
1,856,961 |
1,903,458 |
1,829,316 |
1,667,797 |
1,072,292 |
|
Organization of American States - Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (OAS IACHR) |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
100,000 |
|
|
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) |
3,447 |
3,658 |
3,818 |
4,002 |
4,884 |
5,770 |
|
Regional Co-Operation Council (RCC) |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
8,341 |
|
|
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) |
50,174 |
50,109 |
54,342 |
61,195 |
82,034 |
73,037 |
|
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment |
900,000 |
|||||
|
Special Tribunal for Lebanon |
40,000 |
|||||
|
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons |
8,836 |
7,340 |
||||
|
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – First Meeting of States Parties |
24,881 |
|||||
|
UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) |
23,254,179 |
23,211,000 |
34,379,000 |
34,641,319 |
41,239,939 |
4,724,604 |
|
UN Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD) |
200,000 |
400,000 |
200,000 |
300,000 |
200,000 |
200,000 |
|
UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) |
24,765 |
27,000 |
27,000 |
27 |
32,971 |
32,971 |
|
UN Department of Economic & Social Affairs (UNDESA) |
141,000 |
500,000 |
475,000 |
|||
|
UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) |
370,000 |
350,000 |
350,000 |
353,500 |
353,500 |
|
|
UN Development Programme (UNDP) |
16,090,433 |
10,811,000 |
1,189,500 |
14,095,650 |
19,175,000 |
650,000 |
|
UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) |
1,000,000 |
500,000 |
1,050,000 |
2,000,000 |
500,000 |
|
|
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) |
300,000 |
100,000 |
250,000 |
1,308,347 |
||
|
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |
717,000 |
700,000 |
200,000 |
300,000 |
700,000 |
|
|
UN General Trust Fund |
4,445,936 |
5,656,625 |
5,604,762 |
6,005,623 |
1,700,227 |
1,500,000 |
|
UN Geneva General Fund |
1,375 |
2,899 |
1,752 |
7,332 |
||
|
UN Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Memorial Fellowship on the Law of the Sea |
4,911 |
4,625 |
6,329 |
7,515 |
6,989 |
|
|
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
15,700,000 |
19,500,000 |
19,000,000 |
25,000,000 |
32,767,354 |
4,000,000 |
|
UN Humanitarian Response Depot |
500,000 |
500,000 |
||||
|
UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) |
278,869 |
345,000 |
424,000 |
380,099 |
421,762 |
|
|
UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) |
210,000 |
350,000 |
200,000 |
200,000 |
249,600 |
|
|
UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) |
8,520 |
|||||
|
UN International Law Commission Yearbook |
4,911 |
4,625 |
6,329 |
5,010 |
5,591 |
|
|
UN International Law Fellowship |
4,911 |
4,625 |
6,329 |
5,010 |
5,591 |
|
|
UN International Law Seminar |
4,911 |
4,625 |
5,010 |
5,591 |
||
|
UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office |
800,000 |
1,104,000 |
17,100,000 |
29,350,550 |
1,390,321 |
5,235,000 |
|
UN Nutrition |
1,000,000 |
|||||
|
UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) |
120,000 |
50,000 |
100,000 |
|||
|
UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) |
1,277,484 |
1,870,000 |
1,813,000 |
750,000 |
1,178,704 |
|
|
UN Office for the Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), including CERF |
12,614,462 |
18,000,000 |
39,800,000 |
16,500,000 |
59,327,124 |
63,000,000 |
|
UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States |
150,000 |
100,000 |
||||
|
UN Office to the African Union |
149,992 |
|||||
|
UN Partnership for Rights of Persons with Disabilities |
200,000 |
|||||
|
UN Peacebuilding Fund |
2,000,000 |
1,750,000 |
2,000,000 |
2,800,000 |
6,000,000 |
3,000,000 |
|
UN Peacekeeping Missions |
28,723,803 |
20,558,249 |
13,541,786 |
33,113,341 |
24,749,668 |
3,121,676 |
|
UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
6,006,544 |
5,550,000 |
6,490,000 |
9,915,708 |
10,255,600 |
4,500,000 |
|
UN Regional Courses in International Law |
4,911 |
4,625 |
6,329 |
5,010 |
5,591 |
|
|
UN Regular Budget |
9,066,011 |
9,408,088 |
8,853,555 |
11,270,410 |
11,875,514 |
12,731,148 |
|
UN Relief and Works Agency For Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) |
7,500,000 |
8,000,000 |
9,000,000 |
8,000,000 |
18,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
|
UN Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council |
4,911 |
9,251 |
12,658 |
7,515 |
7,921 |
|
|
UN Resident Coordinator’s Office |
105,000 |
479,000 |
300,000 |
1,350,000 |
300,000 |
|
|
UN System Staff College |
200,000 |
|||||
|
UN University |
40,000 |
40,000 |
||||
|
UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture |
135,000 |
|||||
|
UN Volunteers |
900,000 |
1,100,000 |
1,231,000 |
1,306,110 |
1,100,000 |
|
|
UN WOMEN |
3,294,000 |
2,812,000 |
4,738,000 |
4,569,950 |
145,000 |
|
|
UNDP Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus |
25,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
|||
|
Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) |
25,000 |
20,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
||
|
UN-led Country-based Pooled Funds |
27,750,000 |
|||||
|
Wassenaar Arrangement |
9,538 |
10,925 |
11,117 |
10,795 |
13,149 |
|
|
Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund |
410,000 |
300,000 |
||||
|
World Bank (WB) |
75,000 |
1,525,000 |
10,150,000 |
18,936,000 |
100,000 |
|
|
World Food Programme (WFP) |
8,950,000 |
10,384,000 |
11,580,000 |
8,529,000 |
12,100,772 |
164,798 |
|
World Health Organization (WHO) |
3,084,000 |
9,350,000 |
5,798,795 |
7,558,001 |
10,720,000 |
4,000,000 |
|
World Trade Organization (WTO) |
390,000 |
350,000 |
400,000 |
400,000 |
400,000 |
|
|
World Trade Organization Advisory Law Centre |
350,000 |
350,000 |
350,000 |
350,000 |
* Figures for 2023 and 2024 are provisional
71. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding expended in relation to Ireland seeking election to positions within multilateral organisations, by electoral contest; if Ireland was successful, by year from 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19722/24]
View answerIreland's active participation in international bodies and organisations sees Ireland seeking election to various positions within their structures. Such appointments serve to enhance Ireland’s profile and standing on the global stage and offer internationally recognised platforms for us to express our views on significant issues.
From January 2016 to date, funding was expended on one election campaign which was led on by officials of my Department. The funding expended on that election campaign amounted to approximately €860,000.
Further details on the expenditure on the election campaign are as follows:
|
Year |
Organisation |
Position |
Election date |
Funding to date |
|
2020 |
UN Security Council |
Non-permanent member(successful) |
June 2020 |
€860,000approximately |
73. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the work of inter-departmental groups tasked by Government with taking forward policy and operational planning regarding Ireland's holding of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026; the policy areas he views as priorities.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19724/24]
View answerIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are progressing across both policy and operational strands of planning, led by my Department in close cooperation with the Department of the Taoiseach, and with input from all Departments across Government.
The Inter-Departmental Group on Presidency Policy Planning and the Inter-Departmental Group on Operational Presidency Planning have both been meeting on a regular basis to coordinate relevant aspects of our preparations. So far, these groups have met on a total of eleven occasions.
The Inter-Departmental Group on Presidency Policy Planning has been monitoring significant policy developments at EU level which will shape the context for Ireland’s Presidency, and has taken forward early planning work for the range of meetings and events to be hosted by the Irish Presidency in 2026, as well as our approach to the management of the numerous Council preparatory bodies, committees and working groups that the Irish Presidency will be required to lead in 2026.
The Inter-Departmental Group on Operational Presidency Planning has been considering the operational planning and resourcing implications of the Presidency for the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Public Works and other Government Departments. This work is being informed by ongoing consultations with other EU Member States and with the EU Institutions.
It is too early at this stage of the planning process, more than two years from the start of the Presidency, to define specific policy priorities. Ireland’s policy programme for the 2026 Presidency will be developed against the background of the new Strategic Agenda for the Union for 2024-29, which is expected to be adopted by the European Council in June, and of the work programme and legislative plans of the new European Commission which is expected to take office later this year. The development of our policy programme will also have regard to the priorities of the new European Parliament to be elected in June, given the role of the Parliament as co-legislator in most areas of EU policy. The evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through successive Presidencies over the next two years will also have a bearing on the definition of specific priorities to be taken forward by the Irish Presidency in 2026.
Overall, our policy priorities for the Irish Presidency will reflect the areas in which it is judged by the Government that Ireland can make the most significant and effective contribution to the advancement of a positive policy agenda for the Union and its citizens. This principle will also inform our work with partners to develop the overarching 18-month Trio Presidency programme covering the Presidencies of Ireland, Lithuania and Greece.
74. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the elections Ireland has participated as a candidate in the United Nations since 2002; the outcome of such elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19727/24]
View answerIreland is actively engaged in making a positive impact across the work of the entire United Nations. We can have particular influence when we serve on decision-making bodies such as the Security Council and the Human Rights Council. Ireland is seeking membership of the Human Rights Council for the period 2027 – 2029, where we will continue to use our voice to push for accountability, compliance with international law and the promotion of human rights.
Ireland actively participates in various United Nations bodies and organisations. Ireland's main candidatures for election to UN organisations and bodies since 2002 are set out below.
|
UN body or organisation |
Position |
Name |
Successful |
Year |
|
UN Administrative Tribunal |
Member |
Kevin Haugh |
Yes |
2002 |
|
Economic and Social Council – Commission on Human Rights |
Member |
Ireland |
Yes |
2002 |
|
Human Rights Committee |
Member |
Michael O’Flaherty |
Yes |
2004 |
|
Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf |
Member |
Peter Croker |
Yes |
2007 |
|
Human Rights Committee |
Member |
Michael O’Flaherty |
Yes |
2008 |
|
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) |
Committee Member |
Anastasia Crickley |
Yes |
2013 |
|
UN Human Rights Council |
Member State |
Ireland |
Yes |
2013-2015(elected in 2012) |
|
Commission on the Status of Women |
Member |
Ireland |
Yes |
2017-2019(elected in 2016) |
|
Peacebuilding Commission |
Member |
Ireland |
Yes |
2019-2020(elected in 2018) |
|
UN Security Council |
Non-permanent Member |
Ireland |
Yes |
2020 |
|
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
Co-Chair of Working Group I |
Peter Thorne |
No |
2023 |
|
World Meteorological Organisation |
Vice President |
Eoin Moran |
Yes |
2023 |
|
International Seabed Authority |
Council Member |
Ireland |
Will take place in July 2024 |
2024 |
|
UN Human Rights Council |
Member State |
Ireland |
Will take place in 2026 |
2027-2029(election in 2026) |
75. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the international organisations that Ireland is currently considering or in the process of joining on the basis of full membership or otherwise, for example, observer membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19728/24]
View answerIreland has a long history of membership of and active participation in various international bodies and organisations.
Our membership of such bodies allows us to fully engage in a manner that allows us to use our voice to push for accountability, compliance with international law, observance of the rules based system and to express our views on issues of global importance.
With regard to the international organisations of which Ireland is currently considering membership, we are looking at full membership of the UN Human Rights Council as well as considering Dialogue Partnership Status of the Pacific Islands Forum.
While we currently actively engage with the UN Human Rights Council as an observer, we have publicly announced that we will seek election to it as a full member for the period 2027 - 2029. Ireland's election, if successful, to the Human Rights Council as a full member would allow us particular influence on this decision-making body and enhance Ireland's standing on the global stage.
76. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals regarding reform of the United Nations institutions, in particular the UN Security Council and the use of a veto by the permanent five members; the engagements he has had in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19729/24]
View answerIreland has consistently opposed all use of the veto at the UN Security Council. During Ireland's term as an elected member of the UNSC (2021-2022) we saw first-hand how the veto can be used to prevent the Council from fulfilling its mandate.
Ireland has consistently called for the power of the veto held by the Permanent Five (P5) members of the Security Council to be abolished. The veto is an anachronism and has no place in the 21st century. Permanent membership should be about timeframes, institutional knowledge, representation and effectiveness, not access to unilateral power.
Ireland has been actively engaged in the Intergovernmental Negotiation process to reform the Council, ongoing since 2009, making the case for abolition of the veto.
Ireland was a member from the outset of the core group of states, led by Liechtenstein, who proposed the resolution on veto use that was adopted by the General Assembly on 26 April 2022. This initiative does not prevent the use of the veto. However, it does mean that now, whenever a veto is used, the Permanent Member responsible must explain their decision to the General Assembly. It gives the wider UN membership, at the General Assembly, a voice, when the Security Council has been prevented from acting by the use of a veto.
Ireland has joined more than 100 other UN Member States in signing up to the France-Mexico initiative, which calls for the suspension of veto powers in the case of atrocity crimes.
In February this year, I addressed the Munich Security conference in a spotlight event on UN Security Council Reform, as part of a panel discussion alongside leaders from Slovenia, Peru, Kenya, and Germany, in which I highlighted these initiatives. I also highlighted support for the UN Secretary General’s reform efforts, and his vision on the future of global cooperation: ‘Our Common Agenda.’ This significant process is ongoing and will culminate in the Summit of the Future which the UN General Assembly agreed to be held on 22-23 September 2024.
In addition, Ireland is a strong supporter of the reforms to the UN Development System (UNDS), considering them as essential for our global capacity to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and build back better after COVID-19. UN Development System reforms of recent years are having an impact with stronger, more independent Resident Coordinators leading UN Country Teams, supported by coordinated analysis and planning. Ireland is a longstanding committed donor to the UN Development System, prioritising core funding.
77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of appointments available for urgent passport renewal in Cork, Dublin and London, by month, in each of the years 2019, 2023 and 2024, by month; the number of which were availed of, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19730/24]
View answerThe Passport Service has issued over 400,000 passports to date this year. The majority of simple online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.
The Passport Service strongly encourages Irish citizens to use the Passport Online service as the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to apply for a passport. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service. The London office offers a five-day Urgent Appointment service.
As of 19 March 2024, an additional 55 appointments per week have been made available to applicants seeking the same-day turnaround passport service in the public office in Dublin.
Renewal applicants who have already submitted a passport application either through Passport Online or Post Passport can book an urgent appointment and visit the Passport Office to apply for a passport. Once a passport has been issued, their original application will be cancelled and the fee will be refunded.
Further information on the Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants is available at www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/urgent-appointment/ .
In the event of sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, the applicant should contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. Priority is given to these applications by the Passport Service. In the event that such an occurrence should happen out of office hours, the applicant should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01 408 2000 and request to speak to the Duty Officer. The Duty Officer will advise the applicant in full of the correct procedure. In cases of travel emergency, the Passport Service will require proof of the emergency.
Please note that the Urgent Appointment service became available in 2021. The number of urgent appointments available with the Passport Service, by location, by month and the number of appointments availed of, in 2023 and 2024 to date are outlined below in tabular form.
|
2023 |
Dublin Same-Day |
Booked |
Dublin Four-Day |
Booked |
Cork Four-Day |
Booked |
London Five-Day |
Booked |
|
January |
639 |
426 |
1113 |
383 |
966 |
189 |
280 |
193 |
|
February |
627 |
400 |
1007 |
365 |
920 |
138 |
280 |
138 |
|
March |
726 |
655 |
1166 |
559 |
1012 |
282 |
280 |
200 |
|
April |
594 |
564 |
954 |
607 |
828 |
286 |
280 |
115 |
|
May |
726 |
696 |
1166 |
865 |
1012 |
409 |
280 |
163 |
|
June |
693 |
658 |
1113 |
899 |
966 |
653 |
280 |
142 |
|
July |
693 |
666 |
1113 |
914 |
966 |
402 |
280 |
151 |
|
August |
726 |
679 |
1166 |
596 |
1012 |
234 |
280 |
121 |
|
September |
693 |
638 |
1113 |
291 |
966 |
167 |
280 |
91 |
|
October |
693 |
651 |
1113 |
314 |
966 |
170 |
280 |
112 |
|
November |
726 |
549 |
1166* |
240 |
1012 |
134 |
280 |
92 |
|
December |
627 |
522 |
1007* |
324 |
874 |
169 |
280 |
104 |
|
Total |
8,163 |
7104 |
13197 |
6357 |
11500 |
3233 |
3360 |
1622 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
Dublin Same-Day |
Booked |
Dublin Four-Day |
Booked |
Cork Four-Day |
Booked |
London Five-Day |
Booked |
|
January |
726 |
677 |
1166 |
434 |
1012 |
205 |
280 |
116 |
|
February |
660 |
627 |
1060 |
466 |
920 |
172 |
280 |
124 |
|
March |
715 |
715 |
1000 |
651 |
874 |
327 |
280 |
141 |
|
April |
924 |
856 |
1050 |
682 |
874 |
259 |
280 |
120 |
|
Total |
3025 |
2875 |
4276 |
2233 |
3680 |
963 |
1120 |
501 |
* Please note that there was a slight error in the number of four day appointments available in Dublin in November and December 2023 provided to the Deputy in the reply to PQ 14848/24 on 9 April 2024. This discrepancy has been corrected in the table above.
78. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and roles of local staff employed in Irish missions abroad, by mission; the associated cost, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19731/24]
View answerThere are currently 911 people employed as local staff across Ireland's network of diplomatic missions overseas.
In 2023, the payroll costs of these locally recruited staff was €32 million.
The locally recruited colleagues serving across Ireland's Mission network play an invaluable role in supporting the delivery of the Department's goals and objectives and work principally on issues such as consular and visa services, administration responsibilities, supporting trade, cultural and public diplomacy targets and events and working on Ireland's development assistance programme.
Local staff are recruited subject to local labour law and the salary for each role is set on a Mission by Mission basis using job descriptions and based on the prevailing conditions for salaries in each location.
79. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and cost of staff within his Department not currently posted abroad, by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19732/24]
View answerThe number of civil servants in my department not currently posted abroad is provided below broken down by grade as at 31 March 2024.
All departmental staff are paid in accordance with civil service salary scales and relevant public service pay agreements.
|
Grade |
Staff not posted abroad |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary General |
2 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
10 |
|
Principal Officer and Equivalent |
64 |
|
Assistant Principal and Equivalent |
223 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
133 |
|
Administrative Officer and Equivalent |
111 |
|
Executive officer and Equivalent |
276 |
|
Clerical officer |
663 |
|
Services Officer |
46 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer |
208 |
|
Total |
1,737 (1,665 Full Time Equivalent) |
80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number and cost of staff posted abroad, by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19733/24]
View answerIreland’s diplomatic missions are staffed by posted Irish civil servants and locally recruited staff. The number of civil servants from my Department posted abroad to diplomatic missions at 31 March 2024 is detailed in the table below by grade.
Salary costs of all Departmental staff are paid in accordance with civil service salary scales and relevant public service pay agreements. In 2023, the payroll costs of civil servants posted abroad was €50.4 million.
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Assistant Secretary and equivalent |
19 |
|
Principal Officer and equivalent |
75 |
|
Assistant Principal and equivalent |
151 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
13 |
|
Administrative Officer and equivalent |
113 |
|
Executive Officer and equivalent |
23 |
|
Clerical Officer and equivalent |
37 |
81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the average number of staff in Irish diplomatic missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19734/24]
View answerIreland's diplomatic missions are staffed by posted Irish civil servants and locally recruited staff. The number of staff working in diplomatic missions abroad as at 31 March 2024 is detailed in the table below.
Just over half of Ireland's missions abroad are staffed by two posted officers, with only ten missions having six or more posted staff.
|
Civil servants assigned to missions abroad |
525 |
|
Locally recruited staff |
911 |
82. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of attaché's posted in overseas missions, by policy area and by mission, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19735/24]
View answerBy attaché, I understand the term to refer to civil servants seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs by other government departments to work on issues relating to the mandate of the government department in question in one of Ireland’s diplomatic missions overseas.
The information requested is set out in the table that follows.
|
DFA Mission |
Parent Department |
# of civil servants seconded to DFA and posted to DFA Mission |
|
|
||
|
Abu Dhabi |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Abu Dhabi |
Justice |
4 |
|
Abuja |
Justice |
4 |
|
Ankara |
Justice |
5 |
|
Beijing |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Beijing |
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
1 |
|
Beijing |
Justice |
5 |
|
Berlin |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Berlin |
Finance |
1 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Office of the Attorney General |
1 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Revenue – Irish Taxes and Customs |
3 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Defence |
6 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
4 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
2 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
6 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Environment, Climate & Communication |
5 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Finance |
5 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Further & Higher Education, Resource, Innovation & Science |
2 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Health |
3 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
1 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Justice |
7 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Public Expenditure, NP Delivery & Reform |
1 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Social Protection |
1 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media |
2 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, Brussels |
Transport |
3 |
|
Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, Geneva |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, Geneva |
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
3 |
|
Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, Geneva |
Health |
1 |
|
London |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
2 |
|
London |
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
3 |
|
London |
Justice |
6 |
|
London |
Revenue – Irish Taxes and Customs |
1 |
|
London |
Social Protection |
1 |
|
Mexico |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Moscow |
Justice |
1 |
|
New Delhi |
Justice |
6 |
|
Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, New York |
Defence |
1 |
|
Paris |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the OECD and UNESCO, Paris |
Finance |
1 |
|
Permanent Representation of Ireland to the OECD and UNESCO, Paris |
Public Expenditure, NP Delivery & Reform |
1 |
|
Rome |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Seoul |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Strasbourg |
Justice |
1 |
|
Tokyo |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
|
Washington |
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
1 |
|
Washington |
Justice |
1 |
|
Washington |
Agriculture, Food & Marine |
1 |
83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the additional funding provided to facilitate the opening of new diplomatic missions in 2023 and 2024, by capital/current and by mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19736/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to opening new overseas missions under the Global Ireland Strategy, further strengthening Ireland’s global presence and influence. To date, under the Strategy, 19 new Missions have opened, while additional Missions in Islamabad, Milan and Munich are scheduled to open this year. On 5 March 2024, the Government announced that additional new Embassies will be opened in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and Serbia, and that new Consulates General will be opened in Málaga and Melbourne.
In Budget 2023, funding of €4.5 million was provided in connection with the opening of new missions in Manila, Frankfurt, Rabat, Manchester, Dakar, Lyon, Toronto, Miami, Tehran, Islamabad, Milan and Munich.
In Budget 2024, further funding of €2.7 million was provided in connection with the opening of the missions.
