Written Answers Nos. 343-369
343. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discussions he has had on, and the timeline he has put in place for, the promised review of the social housing income limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14593/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.
The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, was completed in Q4 2021. I am currently considering its findings and expect to decide on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.
344. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the programmes or funding in place for local authorities to acquire homes in order to prevent homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14594/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 47,600 new build social homes in the period 2022-2026. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Almost €4bn in funding is available in 2022 to deliver housing programmes. This funding will support social and affordable housing delivery, along with the implementation of a broad range of programmes providing targeted support to meet housing needs. The funding in place will allow local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to deliver 9,000 new build social homes, in addition to targeted acquisitions for social housing. With the increased focus on new build delivery, there will a reduced reliance on acquisitions to meet social housing needs. However, priority acquisitions will be supported, including acquisitions of properties that support households to exit homelessness.
345. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the impact that the lack of social housing is having on lone parents and their children (details supplied); when he expects that these parents who have been waiting for many years will be offered a social home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030, including 47,600 new build social homes in the period 2022-2026. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
This year, we will deliver 9,000 new build social homes. This increased stock will support increased allocations by local authorities to households on the social housing waiting lists. Pursuant to Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, it is a matter for each local authority to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support. Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
The Housing Assistance Payment is a form of social housing support available to households on the social housing waiting list. Households eligible for social housing also have the option to source their own accommodation in the private rental sector supported by HAP.
346. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if his Department will produce a roadmap for supporting all persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine, in conjunction with other Departments and State agencies. [14712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response, and has ramped-up the humanitarian response in order to provide accommodation and other essential supports rapidly and at scale.
This work is taking place with the support of the Irish Red Cross and many NGOs and charities across the country. While a response of this scale presents challenges, it is a very necessary response in the face of the appalling and immoral war being levied by Russia against the people in Ukraine.
Preparations are being ramped-up to provide accommodation in:
- Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;
- Accommodation pledged by the general public;
- State-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;
- Religious properties; and
- Local authority facilities.
All options are being looked at in the context of the evolving situation and the Government is continuing to develop its humanitarian response to address the accommodation and other issues arising in the short, medium and long-term.
A webpage on the whole-of-Government response to the situation in Ukraine is now available at www.gov.ie/ukraine, which includes information on supports and services available to people arriving from Ukraine. This webpage will be supplemented and updated on an ongoing basis with the support of the relevant Departments. The webpage is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
347. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is anything in the defective blocks scheme or in the proposed legislation to underpin same that will preclude homeowners from availing of the rent-a-room relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14719/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme.
Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn.
Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/.
I intend to bring the final details of the scheme and the required primary legislation to Cabinet in April.
Neither the scheme as it stands or the proposed changes include any reference to rent a room relief.
349. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects an increase in the amount of funding available to local authorities for grants for persons with disabilities and mobility issues. [14767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability facilitates older people and people with a disability to remain living independently in their own homes. Voted capital funding of €65 million is available in 2022, which is an increase of €5 million on the 2021 provision of €60 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
In advance of the 2022 funding allocations to local authorities, work in respect of these programmes can continue as local authorities may commit up to 65% of their 2021 allocation in approving applications for 2022. This ensures seamless continuation of these programmes from year to year. I expect the notification of the 2022 funding allocations to local authorities to issue shortly.
350. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to offer downsizing options to persons looking to move out of privately owned large homes; if so, the initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14783/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
The Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Work is underway through my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing this year.
351. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been an update from his Department to local authorities in relation to the connection to the local area and the need to live in the community aspect of planning policy, in view of the increase in remote working and the Government's stated aim to encourage remote working in rural communities. [14809/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been any update from his Department to local authorities in relation to the connection to the local area aspects of planning policy and the need to live in the community aspects, in view of the rising cost of housing and the chronic lack of supply, which are forcing persons away from areas they would otherwise stay if they were able to get planning permission or if there was not a chronic lack of housing in many areas. [14810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 352 together.
Since 2018, the National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national planning policy document providing overall strategic policy for the future development of Ireland through specific National Policy Objectives (NPOs) that support the overall rural and small town pattern of development in Ireland.
In policy terms, NPO 19 of the NPF aims to ensure that a distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, on the one hand, and other remoter and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining, on the other. NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
Under the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, which were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing. The Guidelines are available on the Government’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/23809-sustainable-rural-housing-development-guidelines/ .
Draft updated Rural Housing Planning Guidelines are currently being finalised that will continue to allow for the development of homes in rural areas while also highlighting the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns in order to avoid over-development of those areas. This will enable a more consistent approach to local need criteria and reference to remote working, appropriate to context. There is a need to screen the draft guidelines for environmental assessment purposes and also to allow for a period of consultation, which means that the timeline for publication of the draft guidelines for consultation will be dependent on whether “full” environmental assessment of the guidelines is required.
353. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 29 September 2021, his assessment and response to the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14939/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation. The Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Environmental Enforcement, exercises general supervision in relation to the performance of these functions by local authorities.
In terms of overall national policy, the River Basin Management Plan 2018 - 2021 outlines what Ireland is doing to protect and improve our waters. This is supported, amongst other measures, by a local authority shared service known as the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO); by Irish Water’s Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024; and by new capital investment for rural water services.
My Department is currently preparing the third River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, to cover the period 2022 – 2027. A key commitment in the Programme for Government, the publication of a new strengthened River Basin Management Plan will help deliver a robust and effective policy regarding water services and water quality, along with advancing Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
Building on the work of the second-cycle, this plan will again describe the main pressures and activities affecting water status. The plan will also set out the environmental objectives to be achieved up to 2027 and identify the measures needed to achieve these objectives. It is on this basis that I have instructed officials to examine the report referred to in detail and ensure that appropriate measures are included in the next plan to address all significant pressures impacting on our water bodies, including those found on the Blackwater and Boyne river system.
A draft of the River Basin Management Plan is currently undergoing a public consultation, which is due to close on 31 March 2022. Necessary revisions will then be made to take account of the public consultation process and engagement with appropriate stakeholders, before the publication of the final plan later this year.
This draft plan includes a number of proposed Areas for Action, including the Blackwater Lower in the Meath County Council area and the Blackwater Upper in the Cavan County Council area. These proposed areas were selected through a collaborative workshop process at each Regional Operational Committee, the membership of which includes key stakeholders such as local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
To address waste water issues, Irish Water will continue to deliver its capital investment programme. While progress is being made by Irish Water in reducing the number of waste water plants on the Environmental Protection Agency’s priority action list, continued and sustained attention is needed to reduce the impact from insufficiently treated waste water discharges and to meet our Water Framework Directive objectives. In this regard officials from my Department are continuing to engage with Irish Water as part of the River Basin Management Plan making process to ensure a shared understanding of national priorities.
As part of Budget 2022, I secured funding of over €1.57 billion to support water services. This includes €1.459 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. The overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and waste water services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area. It is key to addressing Ireland's shortcomings in water and waste water infrastructure including compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
A copy of the draft River Basin Management Plan, along with further supporting documentation including details on how to make a submission, is available from the consultation page on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/draftRBMP.
356. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the issue of tenants in apartment complexes being charged commercial rates for energy usage; if this is permitted by his Department; if there are plans to ban this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14970/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the independent economic regulation of the energy sector is assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which is under aegis of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
Questions or concerns regarding charging arrangements for customers are a matter in the first instance for energy providers. Any concerns which cannot be resolved by an energy provider to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
My Department has no role in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy.
357. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new affordable housing schemes will be rolled out in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities, including Galway City Council and Galway County Council, submitted their Plans to me in December 2021. Preparation of the Plans allowed each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. The Plans are being revised and updated by local authorities in the light of ongoing engagement and clarifications, and I expect that they will be ready for publication by local authorities before the Summer. They will provide a comprehensive overview of projected delivery of affordable housing in Galway.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority and Approved Housing Body delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), previously known as the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), and the Cost Rental Equity Loan. The SSF is supporting affordable housing development at Merlin Woods in Galway City, which, according to Galway City Council, will deliver approximately 85 affordable homes to purchase by 2024.
My Department officials recently met with Galway County Council's Director of Housing and Council colleagues to discuss and progress plans for a number of advance purchase and affordable purchase schemes in Galway County. It is the intention of Galway County Council to make applications to my Department for AHF funding in the coming months. These schemes are currently at various planning stages, and if funding is approved, delivery of affordable homes will be available for purchase from 2023.
The First Home Scheme will be delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders and I can confirm that all parties are working with a view to deploying the scheme by the end of Quarter 2 this year. It will improve access to newly-built homes, below the median price point, by using a shared equity model to bridge the gap between mortgage finance and the cost of new homes. This measure, targeted at First Time or fresh start buyers, will allow purchasers to exit the rental market, help to build developer confidence in realisable consumer demand, and contribute to the recovery of our construction sector following the Covid-19 emergency. It will be available nationwide.
Other measures to allow buyers to access newly-constructed housing affordably such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the Local Authority Home Loan (formerly the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan), are also available to eligible purchasers nationally to make home ownership more affordable. Information on these schemes is available at the following links:
www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx, and localauthorityhomeloan.ie/ .
359. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social housing units built or made available in south-west Cork since 1 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on social housing delivery for each local authority on a quarterly basis. The statistics are available to the end of Quarter 3 2021 and are published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. The data for Quarter 4 2021 is being compiled and will be published in due course.
360. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to review the house price limits for local authority mortgages in view of the rising cost of new homes. [15109/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
It is available for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants and can also be used for the purchase of homes through State schemes such as the Tenant Purchase Scheme and Affordable Housing Schemes, with the exception of the First Home Scheme.
The Scheme supports home ownership amongst lower to moderate income households by reducing the cost of mortgage finance and increasing the level of financing available, particularly for single applicants in urban areas.
The maximum market values of the property that can be purchased or self-built are:
- €320,000 in the counties of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, and
- €250,000 in the rest of the country.
This limits the amount that can be borrowed to no more than €288,000 in the counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and no more than €225,000 in the rest of the country.
While there are no plans at present to change the house price limits, this situation will be kept under review. It should also be noted that the Local Authority Home Loan is available for both new and secondhand homes.
Further information on the scheme is available on the dedicated websites:
localauthorityhomeloan.ie/ and www.gov.ie/en/service/00500-local-authority-home-loan-scheme/ .
361. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if steps are being taken to expel the Russian ambassador from Ireland. [13635/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra413. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the decision not to expel the Russian ambassador; and if he will outline his Department's deliberations on this matter. [14560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 413 together.
I understand the deep anger felt about Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine - and I understand the depth of feeling behind calls that Ireland should move to expel the Russian Ambassador.
The judgement that the government has made is that despite our vehement disagreement with the actions taken by Russia, it is better to keep diplomatic channels open, for a number of reasons. The first, fundamental, reason is that open lines of communication facilitate diplomacy - which is more important than ever in a conflict situation. They allow us to press Russia on the need for a ceasefire, and to allow for effective humanitarian intervention. Communication with the Ambassador also allows us to directly convey our strong disagreement with the Russian Government as it continues to fall short of its obligations.
Secondly, diplomatic engagement helps us to better protect Irish interests, and to protect our citizens - in Russia and the five central Asian republics for which Ireland is represented by our Embassy in Moscow.
Finally, we need to consider our actions within the context of the wider EU response. Like all of our other responses during this crisis, we are coordinating closely with EU Member States and like minded partners. When I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 25 February, I discussed the issue of Russian diplomatic presence with my EU counterparts. We agreed that this issue would be kept under close review.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); the progress to date in the processing of the application; if all efforts can be made to ensure the passport issues in time for travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13816/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service contacted the applicant's parent directly on 14 March 2022 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports and all associated documentation, including parents' passports, will issue in time for travel in the case of a passport application for a person (details supplied); if every effort can be made to ensure the passport is issued on time and passports for the applicant's parents are returned in a timely manner to enable travel; the progress to date in processing this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13818/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant and has returned all supporting documents.
364. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review a passport application in the case of a person (details supplied); the status of the application; if he will urgently expedite the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra366. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13835/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra367. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13838/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13844/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra372. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13850/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra380. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine the passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will examine and expedite this passport application. [14058/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14495/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra408. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14501/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra411. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application by a person (details supplied), which was submitted on 28 October 2021 and for which the expected issue date was 6 January 2022, will be expedited given there has been no update on the tracker or communication from the Passport Office. [14548/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra412. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue to two siblings (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that the estimated issue date was 27 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14549/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra420. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport with an estimated issue date of 3 March 2022 will actually be dispatched to the applicant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra422. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine the passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14718/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra425. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14808/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra427. 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. [14930/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra430. 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. [14955/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15021/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 364, 366, 367, 371, 372, 380, 402, 408, 411, 412, 420, 422, 425, 427, 430 and 439 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
365. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the estimated issue date for this passport was 7 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/22]
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. The original issue date was an estimate based on the average turnaround time for a complete application. If the application is incomplete, that is, if further supporting documents are required, the processing time can take longer.
368. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if applications by persons (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra373. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra379. 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. [14033/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra383. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport can issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in order that this person can travel with their family. [14093/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to children (details supplied) in County Mayo in order that they can travel with their family in view of the extenuating circumstances in this case. [14100/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a baby (details supplied) in County Down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14110/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra388. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra401. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14494/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra403. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14497/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra405. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14498/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra406. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports will issue in time for persons (details supplied) in County Donegal travelling to the USA; if the documents supplied are correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14499/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra407. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if the supporting documents are correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14500/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra409. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports will issue in time for travel for persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14502/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra414. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied). [14562/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14598/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra417. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details Supplied) will be dispatched in time for travel plans given the delay in getting the supporting documents scanned and attached to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14629/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra426. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14941/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will be processed for persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14954/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra432. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra433. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14969/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra435. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application by a person (details supplied) will be prioritised; the status of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14976/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 369, 373, 379, 383, 385, 386, 388, 401, 403 to 407, inclusive, 409, 414, 415, 417, 426, 428, 429, 432, 433 and 435 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.
