Michael Ring
Ceist:306. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport can issue for a person (details supplied) on time for their travel plans. [55623/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassport Services
Ceisteanna (306)
Freagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the passport application has been cancelled by the applicant's guardian.
Question No. 307 answered with Question No. 304.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (308)
Michael Ring
Ceist:308. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will amend the process for applications submitted by Passport Express in order that the parents of minors are notified via telephone of a possible error rather than by letter in order that it can be immediately rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55627/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department fully recognises that Passport Express, and Northern Ireland Passport Express, continue to be an important channel for applicants who do not wish to use the online system or who have limited digital skills.
Passport applicants who choose to use An Post's paper-based, mail-in "Passport Express" service receive a letter from the Passport Service if additional documents are required in order to correctly complete their application. This provides both the applicant and the Passport Service with a clear, written record of the documents that are outstanding. Letters to applicants are dispatched for delivery by An Post and are generally received by applicants resident in Ireland within one working day.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is consistently up to four times faster than the processing time of a paper application. In addition, Passport Online allows for the Passport Service to email applicants with regard to any outstanding documents required.
Passport Online can be accessed by all first time applicants, irrespective of age both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
Election Monitoring Missions
Ceisteanna (309, 310)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:309. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason it was decided not to send any Irish long term observers to the OSCE election observation mission in Kyrgyzstan; the number of roster members by gender that applied to participate as short term observers for the election in Kyrgyzstan ; the number by gender that have been nominated for this mission; if nominated observers are not members of the current roster; if he will provide details of grants and other supports being provided to these observers; if his Department will pay for additional expenses of an observer that contracts Covid-19 while on the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55791/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:310. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget for the election observation programme in 2019, 2020 and 2021; the amount spent in each year; if he will provide details of the budget in 2022; the number of observers projected to be deployed; his plans to replace the current roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55792/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.
I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 22 September 2021, Parliamentary Questions No. 131, 135 and 158 of 24 June 2021, Parliamentary Questions No. 304, 305 and 311 of 26 May 2021, Parliamentary Questions No. 303 and 310 of 26 May 2021 and Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 24 March 2021 on international election observation.The current election observation roster was established in 2019 for a period of five years. It currently comprises 197 volunteers who were selected following an open and competitive application process to participate at short notice for election observation missions organised by the EU and the OSCE. Planning for the next mustering process will commence in 2022. Expenditure amounted to €194,325 in 2019, €12,495 in 2020 and €4,616 in 2021 to date. The budget allocation for 2022 will be decided shortly and is likely to be similar to the 2019 allocation. The relatively low expenditure in 2020 and 2021 is due to the temporary suspension of the scheme due to COVID-19. Nominations have now resumed, subject to adjudication of duty of care. This takes into account national and international travel advice and relevant legislation, which may be subject to ongoing review and change. The OSCE nomination deadline for long term observers for upcoming parliamentary elections in Kyrgyz Republic, scheduled for 28 November 2021, was prior to Ireland’s resumption of nomination of volunteer observers. However, a call for short term observers is currently being processed. My Department received 32 applications (16 male and 16 female) from members of the election observation roster, nine of which have been nominated (four male and five female). The final selection will be made by the OSCE. My Department has a travel insurance policy in place for members of the election observation roster which provides cover in the event that an observer becomes ill while travelling. Once they return home, they can avail of care provided under the Irish health care system. COVID tests for observers would be included in the once-off annual €600 flat rate already in place for inoculations. Any amounts incurred in excess of that flat rate arising from COVID testing would be allowable as a recoupable expense.
Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 309.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:311. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current wait times for first-time passport applications for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55980/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:312. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when in-person appointments for emergency passports will return to pre-Covid-19 levels and times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55981/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:313. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the facility to collect a passport will return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55982/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:314. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications that missed their deadline for issue for 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55983/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:315. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications that are still pending that have missed their issue by date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55984/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:316. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects the backlog of passport applications to be cleared by the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55985/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:317. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects the turnaround times for passport renewals to improve in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55986/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:318. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans for the allocation of additional resources to the Passport Office in anticipation of an increase in applications for travel around the festive season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55987/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 to 318, inclusive, together.
Passport Service operations were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as were many Government Services. Notwithstanding that disruption and the necessary restrictions put in place to protect public health, the Passport Service provided service to our citizens facing a medical emergency of death of a family member abroad at all times since the onset of the pandemic.
The Passport Service has issued over half a million passports to date in 2021 and 45% of simple adult renewals issue within one business day.
The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for first time passports. These first time applications are necessarily complex to process, since they are essentially applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. It is the responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the citizenship status of applicants. In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Due to the extra measures involved, processing time for first time online passport applications is 40 working days.
The Passport Offices in Mount St, Dublin 2 and in Cork are now offering an Urgent Appointment Service for the renewal of passports. The Urgent Appointment Service ensures that, for those who unexpectedly require a very urgent turnaround of a passport renewal, there is an option available that is transparent, predictable and clear. It means that an applicant can book and pay for their appointment, safe in the knowledge that they will have their passport within a day, or a few days. To avail of the Urgent Appointment Service for Passport Renewal, applicants must first book an appointment to attend the public office in Dublin or Cork. Applicants can book an appointment through the Department of Foreign Affairs website (www.dfa.ie/passports). Over 800 urgent appointments have been facilitated since the Passport Service launched this service on 27th September 2021. The Passport Service is following public health guidelines in relation to this service in order to protect the health and safety of customers and staff in our public offices and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.
The processing, printing and dispatch of passports operates on an automated system which handles thousands of passports per week. Passports are delivered very efficiently throughout Ireland by An Post and are generally received by the applicant within one working day. The collection of passports is currently available to people who book an Urgent Appointment at the Passport Offices in Mount St, Dublin 2 and Cork. The collection of passports by online and postal customers cannot currently be facilitated by the Passport Service as this significantly impacts the dispatch of passports for all other customers.
The current passport processing times are:
- 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals
- 15 working days for Complex renewals
- 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online
- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service
The passport processing times are based on current average application turnaround times and apply to passport applications that are fully complete, where all required supporting documentation has been correctly submitted to the Passport Service by the applicant. The projected passport issue date provided to applicants on the online Passport Tracker provides an indication only of the estimated issue date based on current averages and is not an intended guarantee of service. The projected passport issue date by the Passport Tracker provided does not include postage time.
Applications can take longer than the average turnaround time if applicants have not provided all of the required documentation to correctly complete their application. There are currently 10,000 postal applications and 98,000 online passport applications on hand at the Passport Service. Of the online applications, 34,000 or 35% of applications are incomplete and require the applicant to submit additional documents. The Passport Service engages with all applicants who have not submitted the required documentation to ensure that their application is completed correctly and can proceed through the processing system. Of the online applications that are currently with the Passport Service for processing, approximately 8% are past the estimated issue-by date. These applications are being prioritised by the Passport Service who are working very hard to eliminate these delays.
In 2020, 34,000 passports were issued beyond the initial estimated issue-by date. In 2021, that figure was 135,000. It is important to note that due to pandemic-related restrictions, between January and May of 2021, only emergency passports were issued by the Passport Service. This citizen-critical service required staff to be on site to process and issue emergency passports during Level 5 restrictions. As a result of well implemented safety protocols, 67,000 passports were issued between January and May of this year.
The Passport Service commenced the scaling-up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in "COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Plan Ahead". By the end of July 2021, substantial progress had been made in clearing the COVID-19 backlog. All backlog applications which had been completed correctly had been processed and passports issued to applicants. The Passport Service had also been in contact with applicants who needed to submit additional documents. Once those documents were received, the issuance of passports was expedited.
The Passport Service continually examines how to improve processing times and engagement with applicants, particularly in light of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Passport Service and the high demand for passports seen in recent months as international travel resumed.
Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand remains a priority for my Department and is an issue that is kept under constant review. My Department is actively working with the Public Appointments Service on an ongoing basis to recruit and assign additional staff to meet the current and forecasted high demand for passports. We are planning for the recruitment and assignment of an additional 384 permanent and temporary staff between now and the end of January 2022, bringing total staff numbers to 920 and effectively doubling the number of staff at the Passport Service since June of this year.
In addition, the Passport Service is working with relevant divisions within my Department to ensure the health and safety of all staff and is finalising plans in co-operation with the OPW to ensure that additional staff will be accommodated to meet the anticipated increased demand for passports expected in 2022.
In the context of the National Development Plan, my Department is making a major investment in the future of the Passport Service. Over the next couple of years, we will replace the core technology underpinning the service, which will deliver efficiencies and a more resilient passport system. Budget 2022 also included an investment of an additional €10m in passport services in response to the increasing demand for passports both at home and abroad.
I urge citizens to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to ensure that they apply in plenty of time. In the case of people planning to travel in 2022, whose passports are already out of date or who have children who are first-time applicants, I would encourage them to apply now online.
The Passport Online service continues to be the fastest and most efficient channel for passport applications and is available to first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
Question No. 312 answered with Question No. 311.
Question No. 313 answered with Question No. 311.
Question No. 314 answered with Question No. 311.
Question No. 315 answered with Question No. 311.
Question No. 316 answered with Question No. 311.
Question No. 317 answered with Question No. 311.
Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 311.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (319)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:319. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the supports or measures Ireland on its own or in conjunction with others is putting place to assist the populace of Afghanistan who are threatened with starvation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56013/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am gravely concerned by the situation in Afghanistan, which is now one of worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Over half of the population are facing acute food insecurity.
In response, the Government through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme, Irish Aid, has provided €3 million in humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan since mid-August, bringing Ireland's total funding so far this year to over €4 million. This funding has been allocated to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) and UNICEF, as well as Concern Worldwide and HALO Trust.
This funding is helping address the urgent needs of the population, including providing food aid and other essential services.
In addition, Ireland contributes to global funds and core funding to key agencies that allocate funding to Afghanistan, including the EU, WHO, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland is the 9th largest donor to the CERF in 2021, providing €10 million. In September, the CERF allocated €38.25 million to Afghanistan.
Ireland will continue to engage, including at the UN Security Council, to support an inclusive peace in Afghanistan – the only sustainable path to alleviating the suffering of the Afghan people. Ireland has also called for full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to allow life-saving support to reach all Afghans, including to respond to the urgent needs of families forced to flee their homes.
Irish Communities Abroad
Ceisteanna (320)
John Brady
Ceist:320. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made by his Department to offer advice and caution to Irish citizens working and traveling to Iraq in regard to the risks in operating there, particularly in view of the arbitrary detention of a person (details supplied) who was sentenced to fifteen years following a contracting dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56042/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Regarding travel advice to Iraq, the Department constantly reviews and updates international travel advice for Irish citizens travelling abroad, working closely with our missions abroad and international partners. The Department of Foreign Affairs have for several years advised against all travel to Iraq, due to the volatile security situation, with a high risk of terrorism and kidnapping. The Department’s security status for Iraq is set at “Do Not Travel”, which is our highest level of warning. As you can appreciate, I am not in a position to comment on individual cases.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (321)
John Brady
Ceist:321. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures the Government has taken or is prepared to take in order to raise the issue of the plight of refugees who are stranded on the border between Poland and Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56044/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland stands with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia in resisting the attempts by Belarus to provoke a violent confrontation on the external border of the European Union. Our view is that this is a humanitarian crisis above all, and that the welfare and safety of the affected migrants must be our priority.
Ireland has repeatedly raised the plight of refugees stranded on the border between Poland and Belarus at meetings at the UN, OSCE and other international fora. Just last week, our Permanent Representation in New York supported an informal meeting at the UN Security Council to raise the matter.
At a European level, Ireland is co-sponsoring a fifth package of sanctions against individuals and entities complicit in the Lukashenko regime's exploitation of migrants. In a positive development, and in response to outreach from the European External Action Service, certain airlines have taken measures to ensure that their aircraft cannot be used for the trafficking of migrants.
In addition, we are engaging bilaterally with Member States bordering Belarus to ensure that international aid workers and experts can be allowed to assist migrants trapped on the border. Ireland provided €100,000 to the Lithuanian Red Cross to help ensure migrants in Lithuania are supplied with food, shelter and other essentials.
Belarus must allow people to return to Minsk and subsequently travel back to countries of origin.
We need to see a peaceful resolution to the current crisis, and we call on the Belarussian regime to stop playing with the lives of vulnerable migrants.
Visa Agreements
Ceisteanna (322)
John Brady
Ceist:322. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland does not have a reciprocal agreement with the United States of America in respect of F1 student visas which results in significant costs to Irish students travelling under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56058/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2018, the United States introduced a new law obliging the US State Department to apply reciprocal treatment between US and foreign citizens when it comes to costs of visas and permissions. The State Department subsequently conducted a review for Ireland, initially identifying seven visa categories for which they proposed an increase to bring them in line with their interpretation of equivalent Irish visas/permissions. As a result of significant cross Departmental engagement with the US, they agreed to drop six of the seven categories of visas that were initially identified for a fee increase.
The remaining proposal was to significantly raise the F1 student visa fee as the reciprocal calculation was based on the fact that US students in Ireland are required to pay a €300 registration fee every year, in addition to the initial visa fee. In regard to the F1 student visa, after extensive discussions, a more limited increase to F1 student fees came into effect, based on a tiered system, with charges of €148 for a one year visa, €997 for a four year visa, and €1,280 for a five year student visa.
Decisions in regard to charges for US visa and permission fees are a matter for the US authorities and, while these increases are regrettable, they are significantly lower in most instances than what was originally proposed, as a result of negotiations between the US and Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to work in close cooperation with the United States, and their Embassy, to support and promote educational exchange across the Atlantic.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (323)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:323. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport can be provided for a young baby (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56108/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant's parent and has provided an update on the status of the application and the steps they must take to correctly complete the passport application. The Passport Service cannot process the application until the required supporting documents have been received.
Consular Services
Ceisteanna (324)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:324. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person (details supplied) will be home before Christmas. [56122/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is a complex case involving an Irish citizen who has been prevented from leaving China since March 2019. My Department has been providing ongoing consular assistance to the citizen since that time through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai, while he and his legal teams work on the legal, commercial and financial issues through the appropriate channels. Our Consul General has met and engaged very regularly with the citizen, and continues to provide all possible consular advice and support.
There has also been extensive and regular engagement at the most senior political and diplomatic level with the Chinese authorities in Beijing and Shanghai, and with the Embassy of China in Dublin, in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible. During my visit to China earlier this year I discussed the case with a view to achieving a resolution of the matter.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen until he is permitted to return to Ireland.