Written Answers Nos. 216-229
216. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the appointed Senior Counsel is expected to report back to him regarding allegations of failing to declare conflicting interests in An Bord Pleanála. [22305/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the allegations which have been made and understand that those allegations are denied by the Board member concerned.
A Senior Counsel has been appointed to provide a report to inform my consideration of the matter. Terms of reference and timelines for this report are currently being finalised.
I also understand that the Office of the Planning Regulator has independently written to the Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála requesting him to outline the systems and procedures that An Bord Pleanála has in place to ensure effective compliance with the statutory duties provided for in Section 147 and 148 of the Act, and any other information he considers relevant.
An Bord Pleanála is independent in the performance of its functions under the Planning and Development Act.
Pending the outcome of these considerations, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of fines and totality of the amount paid in respect of fines issued by the EU on his Department for failing to transpose EU directives; if he will include the directive that was not transposed on time; and if he will indicate the directives that are still not fully transposed for the past 25 years to date in 2022. [22329/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department is not paying any fine for failing to transpose EU directives at the moment, I can provide details of fines paid for the Derrybrien case (C-261/18). It is important to note that these fines were not paid for ‘non-transposition’ of an EU Directive, as the Derrybrien judgment related to the specific non-compliance of the Derrybrien wind farm with the EIA Directive, as opposed to the non-transposition of the EIA Directive into Irish law.
The State has paid €13,220,000 in fines to the European Commission in relation to the case C-261/18 to date. Approximately €5.34m remains outstanding in daily fines accrued since 12 May 2021 to date. All payments to the Commission have been made by my Department.
Regarding the outstanding transposition of EU Directives by my Department, the transposition of the following two EU Directives are being progressed:
- Directive 2014/52 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment;
- Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Quality of Water intended for Human Consumption (recast) – Due by 12 January 2023.
I would also like to note that none of the above overdue transposition requirements have resulted in judgments or fines imposed against the State to date.
218. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet with a group (details supplied) concerning the conservation of Lough Hyne, County Cork.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22361/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis designated Special Area of Conservation at Lough Hyne is selected for three habitats listed in the Habitats Directive
- Large shallow inlets and bays
- Reefs
- Submerged or partially submerged sea caves.
Detailed conservation objectives have been published for these habitats and are available to view on our National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website. The targets outlined help to guide appropriate management of the site.
My Department has also been funding research to determine the cause of the decline of sponge communities in Lough Hyne since 2018. The precise cause has not yet been determined, though there are already some signs of recovery. Further research is being funded until 2027 and management measures will be put in place, as and when the research indicates the appropriate steps to be taken. My Department would be happy to meet the group mentioned and would ask that they contact natureconservation@housing.gov.ie to arrange that.
As part of my Department’s continuing commitment to protecting our heritage amenities, I continue to explore ways to optimise the sustainable potential of heritage sites in my care in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives. In 2017, a Strategic Partnership was established between my Department and Fáilte Ireland. One major output from this partnership was a Masterplan providing a high-level blueprint for the NPWS to invest in and better manage our parks and reserves network for conservation, biodiversity and visitor experience alike.
219. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 2 March 2022, the status of the review by his Department and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the local authority Housing Action Plans; the number of plans yet to be published; for a timeline for the publication of the plan in respect of Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22365/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key action of Housing for All is that local authorities will develop and submit Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. All local authorities submitted their Housing Delivery Action Plans to me in December 2021.
Following receipt of the Plans, my Department undertook a review of the Plans, which included further engagement with local authorities to ensure that the plans are aligned with the targets and policy objectives in Housing for All. In March 2022, individual affordable housing delivery targets were allocated to local authorities where prices are highest and it has been identified that the need for affordable housing is a sufficiently significant proportion of overall housing need.
Following the issue of affordable targets and the aforementioned review of the plans submitted in December, local authorities have been asked to revise their plans accordingly. The completed plans will be published by all local authorities before the end of June 2022.
220. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to commence the reporting of the deaths of homeless persons on a per county basis; the reason this information is not currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22366/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at the local level.
My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data
While the Dublin Region Homeless Executive records death notifications from all its funded residential and outreach services, in line with procedure agreed with the HSE, my Department does not collate information relating to deaths of homeless individuals.
A pilot study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board (HRB) on behalf of the Department of Health. It is hoped that the HRB will be in a position to publish the study shortly. The research is applying the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The data collection for 2019 deaths, including deaths among people who were homeless, involves the review of approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts. My Department will engage with the Department of Health on completion of this study.
It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to support all individuals experiencing homelessness. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities in doing this.
221. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person who was born and raised in Canada but adopted by an Irish born father must register their adoption to claim their right to Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22029/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific case about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service will contact the person directly in order to advise them on their query.
222. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign births registration application made by a person (details supplied) in October 2020; if this application can be linked to a subsequent application made for a sibling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21677/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
The first application referenced was registered on 1 December 2020, and is being stored in a secure environment. No documents have been submitted in respect of the second application and therefore it has not yet been registered. While applications can be linked when submitted simultaneously, it is not possible to do so for applications that have been submitted separately. The applicants would be advised to submit the documentation for the second application after the first application has been processed, or if they wish, to submit a second set of supporting documents for the second application.
FBR staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly. For other applications, the FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt.
My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.
223. 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. [21685/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in the determination of applications for passports in the case of siblings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21716/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. 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. [21734/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. 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. [21735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra228. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be dispatched for a minor (details supplied); and when the passport of their parent will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra229. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the passports of persons (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21772/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport applications for persons (details supplied) will be expedited. [21796/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra231. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra233. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be dispatched in time for their travel plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra236. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this application was received in the passport office on 11 February 2022. [21948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport that is waiting to be printed will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21997/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [22074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra245. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange the processing of a passport for a person (details supplied); and if same will be expedited. [22128/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 233, 236, 241, 244 and 245 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in the determination of an application for a passport in the case of a person (details supplied); and when the passport is likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21721/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application is currently being reviewed by the Passport Service. The Passport Service is in direct contact with the applicant in relation to the application.
