Written Answers Nos. 389-407
389. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps and or sanctions that can be applied to a developer that commences a development without submitting notice of a commencement of works; and if a retrospective action can be taken if the developer has failed in that statutory obligation. [8382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Control Acts 1990 to 2020 set out the statutory framework for the regulation and oversight of building activity based on:
- clear legal requirements as set out in the Building Regulations;
- detailed Technical Guidance Documents to outline how these requirements can be achieved in practice;
- clear administrative procedures for demonstrating compliance in respect of an individual building or works as set out in Building Control Regulations
- the responsibility for compliance resting first and foremost with building owners, developers/builders and designers; and
- the responsibility for enforcing compliance with the building regulations resting with the 31 local building control authorities.
The Building Regulations 1997 to 2021 provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings and apply to the design and construction of a new building (including a dwelling) or an extension to an existing building. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations.
The Building Control Regulations 1997 to 2021 set out certain administrative and procedural requirements which must be fulfilled in order to demonstrate that individual buildings or works have complied with the minimum standards set out in the Building Regulations.
Under Part II of the Building Control Regulations, where required, a commencement notice signed by the owner along with supporting documentation must be submitted to the local building control authority not less than 14 days and not more than 28 days prior to commencement of works.
Failure to submit a commencement notice, where required, is an offence under the Building Control Acts. If successfully prosecuted in court, such offences may lead to a fine of up to €50,000 and/or a term of imprisonment of up to 2 years. In addition and where applicable, any person who is convicted of an offence under the Building Control Acts may, at the discretion of the court, be disqualified from signing and submitting certificates of compliance with building regulations.
Matters related to the failure to submit a commencement notice, should be brought to the attention of the relevant building control authority, who are independent in the exercise of their statutory duties.
The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2020 vest the powers of inspection, enforcement and prosecution in the 31 Local Authorities. Authorised officers of each local Building Control Authority have delegated powers to:
- scrutinise proposals and inspect works in progress
- serve enforcement notices on owners and builders for non-compliance, including where buildings or works commenced without notice to the building control authority in the form of a Commencement Notice
- institute proceedings for breaches of any requirements outlined in the Acts, or any regulations made thereunder
- seek High Court orders to mitigate danger to the public where serious non-compliance poses risks to public safety
Summary proceedings for an offence under the Building Control Acts may be instituted within twelve months after the date of the discovery of the offence but not later than five years after the date of the completion of any building or works in respect of which the offence is alleged to have been committed.
390. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the first home affordable purchase shared equity scheme; when the scheme will be available to access; and if it will be available countrywide. [8401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Housing Act 2021, which I commenced in August 2021, laid the provisions for the introduction of two new affordable purchase schemes: a public affordable purchase scheme delivered via Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency, and also the national First Home shared equity scheme supporting purchases in the private market.
Part 4 of the Act provides the basis for the establishment of First Home. The scheme will support first-time buyers on moderate incomes in purchasing new-build homes by means of an equity stake model, similar to that used in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme. First Home will be subject to regional price ceilings reflective of the median prices paid by first-time buyers for new-build homes, so it is an intervention to assist buyers in the lower area of the price distribution. The scheme will be targeted at those who have insufficient funds to purchase a home at its market price using the mortgage and deposit available to them by using the available equity support to ‘bridge the gap’.
Budget 2022 allocated €44 million to my Department for First Home. The banking sector has confirmed it is committed to working with the State to develop and deliver this scheme, and has agreed in principle to match this State funding in order to increase the pool of funding available to potential new homeowners. Subject to the necessary approvals by all parties, it is anticipated that the First Home scheme will operate for the period 2022 to 2026, utilising overall funding of c. €400m to provide support to c. 8,000 households to purchase new homes.
The scheme will be operated by a newly-established ‘First Home Scheme Ireland’ Designated Activity Company, which was incorporated in December 2021. Significant work is continuing on the detailed design and parameters of the scheme and full details, including scheme conditionality, will be confirmed upon completion of this work. It is anticipated that initial activity on key areas of work, including public communications, will be conducted early in Q2 this year, in advance of the first receipt of applications and deployment of equity support, scheduled for end Q2.
391. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) which was due at the end of 2021 will be processed urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7432/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport.
392. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant's parent as to the steps they must take to progress the passport application.
393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7501/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7502/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if documents have been received for a first-time baby passport application by a person (details supplied); the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra400. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if documents have been received for a first-time baby passport application by a person (details supplied); the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7737/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra406. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a baby (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8122/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 393 to 395, inclusive, 400 and 406 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport applications to the applicants.
396. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport reminder service for passport expiry dates on his Department’s website is still active; if so, if consideration is being given to highlight the facility; if his Department has engaged with airlines on highlighting the need to check passport expiry dates when purchasing flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7548/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service takes every opportunity to remind citizens to check their passport validity including through messaging on the Department's website, via social media and also as part of our extensive media campaigns. My Department recently ran a multimedia campaign reminding passport holders to renew their passports. This successful campaign included two weeks of advertisements on radio and in national newspapers and is continuing at present with targeted advertisements in the Aviva Stadium for the duration of the Rugby 6 Nations encouraging citizens to renew their passports online.
This campaign appears to have contributed significantly to the large volume of passport applications received in recent weeks. In January 2022, the Passport Service received over 137,000 new passport applications. This is the highest volume of monthly applications ever received. The Passport Service estimates that up to 1.7 million passport applications will be received this year.
In addition, whenever the opportunity arises I regularly emphasise the need for citizens to check their passport validity before booking travel and to apply for their passport in plenty of time. The assistance of Deputies in communicating these messages to constituents is appreciated.
The Passport Service is currently considering further measures which might be introduced to encourage citizens to check the validity of their passports in plenty of time before travel. These might include an automatic reminder notification that could be sent to passport holders in advance of their renewal date. There are a number of important factors to be considered, however, in relation to such a passport renewal reminder service including; GDPR constraints, changes in contact details due to length of time between passport renewals, and the sensitive handling of cases where the passport holder may have passed away since their last passport renewal.
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. The Passport Issuance and Processing System (PIPS) contract was signed in September 2021 and my Department is actively working with the vendor to outline the high level design of the new system. The implementation of a passport renewal reminder service is also under consideration in the development of the new system.
With regard to the Deputy's question relating to engagement with airlines, the Passport Service is a member of the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee chaired by the Department of Transport and continues to examine effective ways of engaging with airlines on this matter. A senior official from the Passport Service recently attended a meeting between my Department and the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) and highlighted the importance of citizens checking the validity of their passport before booking travel.
I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time. The Passport Online Service is four times quicker than paper-based applications for adult and child renewal applications and is the fastest, easiest and safest way to apply for a passport. Over 90% of applicants now apply online compared to 47% of applications received online in 2019.
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.
397. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to allow first-time applicants access to passport online for persons living in South Africa, India and Japan. [7645/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassport Online has been the most significant innovation of the Passport Service in more than a decade. The Passport Online Service was first launched in 2017 to facilitate adults renewing their passport. This was expanded in 2018 to child renewals and again at the end of 2019 to first time applicants, irrespective of age both children and Adult in Ireland, UK, and all EU and EEA countries. The most recent expansion was in 2021 which facilitated first time applications from USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Further expansion will take place over the next 18 months to make the service available to all first time applicants. South Africa will be the first country to benefit from this further expansion by the end of March while India and Japan are scheduled towards the end of 2022.
Currently 98% of passport applicants globally have access to the Passport Online service and it is four times faster than paper-based applications for adult and child renewal applications. Passport Online is the fastest, easiest and safest way to apply for a passport. Over 90% of applicants now apply online compared to 47% of applications received online in 2019.
398. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times he has spoken with the Mexican ambassador to Ireland either in person or virtually in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2021 I participated in a virtual event on migration issues that was also attended by the Ambassador of Mexico to Ireland (see detail in table below).
In the course of 2021 and to date in 2022, my Department has maintained close working relations and extensive contacts at official level with Mexico, both through the Embassy of Mexico to Ireland, and through our Embassy of Ireland in Mexico.
Due to COVID restrictions throughout 2021 and in the early part of 2022, I have not had the opportunity to meet the Ambassador of Mexico to Ireland in person during this time.
I look forward to continuing to work closely with Mexico in the period ahead, on the many issues of shared importance to our two countries.
|
Event |
Date |
Details |
|
Virtual event - Launch of Global Migration Media Academy and signing of Memorandum of Understanding between NUI Galway and the International Organization for Migration |
26/04/2021 |
I spoke at this launch and referenced the presence of the Ambassador of Mexico to Ireland at the virtual event. The Ambassador of Mexico also delivered remarks. |
399. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of passports issued for each month from 1 January 2021 to 31 January 2022, by the number of passport renewals and the number of new passports for each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures requested by the Deputy are outlined in the table below.
In January 2022, the Passport Service received over 137,000 new passport applications. This is the highest volume of monthly applications ever received and is as a direct result of the pent-up demand for passports following the relaxation of necessary travel restrictions due to the Covid pandemic. The Passport Service estimates that up to 1.7 million passport applications will be received this year.
My Department has been pro-actively planning to ensure the necessary resources are in place to meet the current and expected level of demand in 2022 and is making an unprecedented investment in the Passport Service in terms of additional staff and improvements to the passport processing and customer service systems.
My Department is working with the Public Appointments Service on a major recruitment drive that has been underway for several months. Since June of 2021, over 300 members of staff at all grades have been assigned to the Passport Service. Additional staff are being assigned on a weekly basis with a goal of reaching staff numbers of 900 by the end of March. This represents a doubling of staff numbers over the course of 9 months.
The Passport Service is implementing a number of further measures that will positively impact the turnaround times for passports and improve customer service:
- Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff is underway to increase the resources that can process complex applications.
- The Passport Service is actively prioritising first time applications and directing increased resources to processing these complex applications with a view to reducing the current turnaround time.
- A new document management process is being put in place that allows for a much quicker turnaround time when an applicant is asked to submit additional documents. Once these documents are received, they will be prioritised and complete applications will be processed in 3 weeks. This will greatly reduce the waiting time for applicants who are missing documents in their initial application.
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.
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.
I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time.
Passport Books issued by the Passport Service January 2021 - January 2022
|
Total Passport Book Renewals Issued |
Total First Time Passport Books Issued |
|
|
Jan-21 |
6,620 |
107 |
|
Feb-21 |
6,070 |
79 |
|
Mar-21 |
13,878 |
527 |
|
Apr-21 |
24,249 |
1,761 |
|
May-21 |
64,798 |
1,765 |
|
Jun-21 |
53,669 |
8,805 |
|
Jul-21 |
54,663 |
7,449 |
|
Aug-21 |
53,192 |
9,549 |
|
Sep-21 |
52,135 |
10,671 |
|
Oct-21 |
48,672 |
9,890 |
|
Nov-21 |
50,760 |
10,850 |
|
Dec-21 |
39,803 |
8,862 |
|
Jan-22 |
77,333 |
9,303 |
401. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether that as long as Israel continues to illegally seize Palestinian land to build settlements, evict Palestinian families from their homes and intentionally, institutionally and systematically discriminate against Palestinians as has been detailed in numerous recent independent reports, there will be justified criticism of Israel and that such condemnation only seeks to defend and advance the cause of justice for Palestinians; his further views on whether this criticism cannot be described or defined as anti-Semitic in nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra402. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a recent international report by an organisation (details supplied); his views on the conclusions in the report that Israeli officials commit the crime of apartheid against Palestinians, including ethnic cleansing; if he plans to bring any of the recommendations of this report to Government for approval in the near future; if there are recommendations in the report that he clearly rejects; if he plans to raise the contents of the report at European Union level with a view to tackling Israel's system of oppression and domination in Palestine; his further views on whether the International Criminal Court should consider the crime of apartheid in its current investigation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7749/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.
Amnesty International is a respected NGO, and I value the role it and other civil society organisations play on these issues. I note the publication of the detailed and comprehensive report issued on 1 February. I have asked my officials to review the detail of the report.
Ireland’s position on these matters is – and will continue to be – based on international law including international human rights law, Israel’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention as the occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territory, and on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Ireland has been consistently forthright in expressing concern regarding the unequal treatment of Palestinians and the application of different standards in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. We have been clear in the language we have used to describe the situation and are conscious of how the language we use can be interpreted. As the Taoiseach has stated clearly in Dáil Éireann, the Government does not use the term ‘apartheid’ as we do not think it is helpful.
Ireland will continue to raise our concerns regarding discriminatory practices towards the Palestinian people on a regular basis directly with the Israeli authorities, including during visits to the region, as well as at EU and UN level. In particular, Ireland has been proactive in consistently highlighting these issues, including demolitions and settlement expansion, at the UN Security Council during our current term.
As a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Ireland is strongly committed to the fight against racism and religious intolerance. Ireland was supportive of the adoption by IHRA of the non-legally binding Working Definition of Antisemitism, which clearly states that, “criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic”. It is important to distinguish between criticism of Israeli government policy, which is not criticism of the Israeli people. I would underline that Ireland’s position in relation to Israel or any other situation is based on international law including international human rights law.
Ireland and the EU will continue to monitor actively developments on the ground and to convey our concerns frankly to the Israeli Government. We remain committed to a two-State solution, and will continue to work with partners to revive a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and is acceptable to both parties.
403. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if will provide an update on the progress made to date in respect of a case to the persons that are directly involved (details supplied). [8015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and I can assure the Deputy that we continue to actively engage with the individual concerned and their family in Ireland.
We will maintain this contact as we work through the complex details of the case.
As with all consular cases, I cannot comment on the specific details.
404. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 380 of 8 February 2022, if he will provide further clarification on the passport application of a person (details supplied). [8073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has confirmed that a member of staff contacted the applicant's parent on 5th February to inform them that the application would be cancelled.
The Passport Service regrets that, due to an oversight, the application was not cancelled at that time. The application has now been cancelled and the applicant's parent was contacted on 11th February to confirm this.
405. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can assist a person (details supplied) to obtain a social security number from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8105/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs cannot intervene in the provision of state services of another jurisdiction. In this instance, we would advise the citizen to make direct contact with the relevant US authorities in order to obtain their social security number.
407. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will publish the correspondence from the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs seeking that the State restates its commitment to not strengthen security at the expense of the security of other states (details supplied); if he will publish the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8297/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn late January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov wrote to OSCE counterparts regarding the principles underpinning European security, as outlined in various previous OSCE agreements and acts. I received this correspondence on 31 January.
On 10 February, the EU High Representative/Vice-President Borrell issued a response on behalf of all EU Member States. This reply addressed the issues raised by Minister Lavrov and reiterated the EU’s offer to continue dialogue with the Russian Federation on ways in which to strengthen the security of all.
The Government does not intend to publish correspondence in this regard.
Together with our EU partners, Ireland stands ready to support all efforts aimed at defusing the current tensions and at finding a diplomatic pathway forward.
