Written Answers Nos. 646-55
646. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the organisations to which the Government provided funding in Syria, with particular reference to the oversight and scrutiny which took place regarding the destination of these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20158/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2012, Ireland has provided more than €76 million in assistance for the humanitarian crisis as a result of the devastating conflict in Syria. At the Supporting Syria and the Region high-level conference in Brussels last month, I pledged that Ireland would provide at least a further €25 million in 2017.
Ireland’s funding is channelled through a range of partners who are best placed to respond to people’s urgent needs on the ground, both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries hosting large numbers of refugees. These partners include both the UN and International Red Cross and Red Crescent agencies and NGO partners, who provide humanitarian supplies and urgently-needed health, education, water and sanitation services, as well as protection for children and vulnerable families.
We decide on the allocation of funds on the basis of categorisation of needs and assessment of which partners are best placed with capacity to respond and access to those in need. Any partner Irish Aid works with in a high risk environment such as Syria is subject to careful systems assessment and review. All grants are subject to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform provisions on the Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. All recipients of public funds are required to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and effective and efficient use of funds.
A rigorous monitoring approach is applied with all grants, including reviews of annual performance reports and audited accounts, annual bilateral meetings with partners, and field-level monitoring visits, where possible. In addition, Ireland regularly participates in international donor coordination mechanisms that monitor and oversee the work of our UN and Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
I recently visited Jordan and Lebanon to see at first-hand how Ireland’s assistance is helping refugees affected by the crisis to meet their daily needs. Officials from my Department have also recently travelled to the region to monitor funding provided to NGO and Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
647. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to accommodate the increase in passport applications; the waiting times for applications and renewals to the normal waiting period; if he will consider increasing staffing levels at the Balbriggan passport office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, there has been a surge in passport applications in recent months. Between 1 January and mid-April, over 290,000 applications were received, representing an increase of 19% over the same period last year. The average processing time for renewal applications submitted through the An Post Passport Express service is 16 working days, one day over the target 15 working day turnaround and this has been notified to An Post.
First-time applications and those for renewal of lost or stolen passports are subject to longer turnaround times due to the extra verification steps involved (current turnaround time is 24 working days). My Department keeps An Post apprised of changes to the advised turnaround times for each category of applicant and these are updated weekly on the Passport Service website. In all cases, applicants are strongly encouraged to allow at least six weeks for the processing of a passport and to submit their application through Passport Express only if they have no immediate travel plans i.e. if they are travelling in three weeks or more.
This exceptional level of demand is likely be sustained into the summer months and we have worked hard to put a number of measures in place, including additional staffing resources and the use of overtime in order to minimise the impact on turnaround times. Over 50% of the 230 Temporary Clerical Officers recruited to respond to the seasonal demand have been assigned to the Passport Office in Balbriggan, the reminder are divided between the Passport Office in Cork and in Mount Street, Dublin. The Passport Service has also been assigned a number of permanent Clerical Officers over the past number of months and we will continue to keep staffing levels under careful review to ensure that the impact of any further increase in demand on turnaround times and on service is minimised.
The Deputy will be aware that a new online passport application service was launched on 30 March. I am confident this new service will result in considerable efficiencies and will alleviate pressure on passport processing. This service offers a target turnaround of ten working days (two weeks), plus postage. It is convenient and secure and I would urge the Deputy to encourage eligible applicants to use this channel via the Department’s website at https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/.
648. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current residency for those applying for Irish passports both within and outside the State in tabular form for the period 20 April 2016 up to and including 20 April 2017. [20263/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service does not compile data based on country of residence but rather on application channel. Details in this regard are as follows for the period 20 April 2016 to 20 April 2017.
|
Application Channel |
Number of Applications |
|
Counter Applications (Dublin & Cork) |
33,131 |
|
An Post Passport Express |
528,320 |
|
Northern Ireland Passport Express |
80,083 |
|
Great Britain Applications |
73,388 |
|
Online Applications (Global)* |
9,683 |
|
Mission Applications |
57,051 |
|
Total |
781,656 |
*this figure does not include applications for passport cards.
A breakdown of Mission applications based on the Embassy/Consulate through which the application was submitted is as follows:
|
Mission Location |
Total Applications |
|
ABU DHABI |
1,751 |
|
ABUJA |
310 |
|
ADDIS ABABA |
18 |
|
ANKARA |
148 |
|
ATHENS |
173 |
|
AUCKLAND |
2,340 |
|
BANGKOK |
434 |
|
BEIJING |
227 |
|
BERLIN |
2,069 |
|
BERNE |
1,007 |
|
BOSTON |
2,087 |
|
BRASILIA |
160 |
|
BRATISLAVA |
35 |
|
BRUSSELS |
843 |
|
BUCHAREST |
95 |
|
BUDAPEST |
67 |
|
BUENOS AIRES |
211 |
|
CAIRO |
135 |
|
CANBERRA |
6,979 |
|
CHICAGO |
1,165 |
|
COPENHAGEN |
257 |
|
DAR-ES-SALAAM |
51 |
|
HANOI |
145 |
|
HELSINKI |
103 |
|
HONG KONG |
594 |
|
JAKARTA |
82 |
|
KAMPALA |
37 |
|
KUALA LUMPUR |
180 |
|
LILONGWE |
25 |
|
LISBON |
190 |
|
LJUBLJANA |
61 |
|
LUSAKA |
124 |
|
LUXEMBOURG |
350 |
|
MADRID |
1,878 |
|
MAPUTO |
47 |
|
MEXICO |
213 |
|
MOSCOW |
101 |
|
NEW DELHI |
164 |
|
NEW YORK |
7,696 |
|
NICOSIA |
155 |
|
OSLO |
172 |
|
OTTAWA |
3,647 |
|
PARIS |
2,440 |
|
PRAGUE |
137 |
|
PRETORIA |
3,487 |
|
RIGA |
17 |
|
RIYADH |
469 |
|
ROME |
509 |
|
SAN FRANCISCO |
4,840 |
|
SYDNEY |
4,128 |
|
SEOUL |
110 |
|
SHANGHAI |
118 |
|
SINGAPORE |
579 |
|
SOFIA |
36 |
|
STOCKHOLM |
325 |
|
TALLINN |
15 |
|
TEL AVIV |
232 |
|
THE HAGUE |
957 |
|
TOKYO |
188 |
|
VALETTA |
143 |
|
VIENNA |
308 |
|
VILNIUS |
36 |
|
WARSAW |
129 |
|
WASHINGTON |
1,322 |
649. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider the establishment of a passport office in the north west, in view of the distance of this region from Dublin and Cork and in view of rural post office closures; if he has discussed the establishment of a passport service in the north west with his departmental officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20628/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large majority of passport applications are currently submitted through the post office networks on this island. This includes more than seventy post offices in Northern Ireland and more than one thousand post offices in this state. With the availability of both the online passport renewal service for adults and the An Post Passport Express service, very few applicants in Ireland are required to travel a significant distance in order to apply for their passport. In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork offer an appointment service. These appointments must be made online.
The introduction of the online passport application service which I launched on 30 March will greatly assist in managing current and future passport demand. The service is for adults who are renewing their existing passport, whether they live in Ireland or overseas and it is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The target turnaround time for applications submitted through the online service is ten working days plus postage. Since the launch over twelve thousand online applications for passport books and/or passport cards have been received.
The introduction of the service will result in reduced turnaround times and fewer demands over time on the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. The service will be extended to all applicants, including first-time applicants and children, by 2019. People who cannot or do not wish to apply online will continue to be able to apply through a service provider with an extensive network of contact points throughout the country.
The rationale for the opening of additional Passport Offices, particularly given the range of service options available to applicants, is not clear. Any office would in any case need to have the capacity to provide a rapid renewal service to applicants with urgent travel such as that available through the Passport Office in Dublin. This would require an on-site passport production machine in a specially controlled and secure environment. The purchase cost of a new passport printing machine alone would be approximately €1.7 million. This is without security, technical, fit-out, staffing and rental costs. An outreach office without production facilities could not offer a significantly faster service than the online option and it would duplicate the Passport Express service offered through local Post Offices.
I am satisfied overall that the range of service options meets the current needs of passport applicants and that the service improvements, both those recently introduced as well as those planned, will allow the Passport Service provide citizen focused services in an efficient and effective manner.
651. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 26 January 2017, the steps that have been taken to prepare a new call for roster members; if he will publish criteria in advance for membership and arrange for competitive interviewing and testing to ensure only roster members who are able, competent, committed and willing to undertake missions are appointed; when he expects to publish the new call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20848/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra652. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance and support his Department provides to independent observers not on the current roster who volunteer their expertise to observe elections overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra653. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if election observers are obliged to furnish tax clearance certificates prior to undertaking missions supported by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20850/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra654. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department conducts Garda vetting on persons supported by his Department going overseas on election observation missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20851/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra655. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has a process by which election observer roster members can be removed; if so, the number who have been removed from the current roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20852/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 651 to 655, inclusive, together.
International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of individuals who are available to participate in election observation missions organised in the main by the OSCE and the EU.
The election observation roster was established for a five year period following a public call for applications in May 2013. It is expected that it will operate until May 2018. Officials will work on the details relating to the criteria and methodology in respect of the call for applications for the new roster. It is anticipated that these will be finalised before the end of the year and a public call for new applicants will issue shortly thereafter. Details will be published on the Irish Aid website (www.irishaid.ie) and existing roster members and those who have expressed an interest in receiving details about the next roster will also be advised.
In 2013, following an independent appraisal process, the 200 successful candidates and the 10 members of the reserve panel were advised that membership of the roster was subject to Garda vetting and acceptance of the Irish Aid Code of Conduct. On foot of the subsequent Garda vetting process of these applicants, all but two individuals on the list were confirmed.
Officials of the Department are in regular contact with the OSCE and EU election Focal Points and also participate in the European Observation network which brings together election observation Focal Points from all EU Member States together with Norway, Switzerland and Canada. The network facilities the exchange of information on all aspects of election rosters and missions.
If specific complaints or issues relating to observers are brought to the attention of officials, these would be fully investigated and if found to be proven and significant or in breach of the Code of Conduct signed by roster members, the individual roster member would be removed from the election roster. Since the formation of the roster, no such complaints have been received.
Members of the roster who are nominated by the Department to undertake election observation missions do not receive remuneration. They are paid a daily allowance to cover the cost of food, accommodation and all other out-of-pocket expenses, together with the pre-departure grant of €600 to cover associated expenses. The Department does not seek tax clearance certification from observers prior to participation in a mission.
The Department deploys members of the roster and, from time to time, officials who work on the relevant geographic desks, on election observation missions, organised under the auspices of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The election observation roster is the only means through which we provide a structure to support Irish election observers. A number of independent NGOs also deploy monitors to observe elections throughout the world and the Department is aware of a number of Irish nationals who have deployed on such missions. These individuals can avail of consular advice and assistance, but would not be eligible for the supports, including payment of travel and subsistence costs, which are only paid to members of the roster who have succeeded in being selected for the election roster.
