Written Answers Nos. 82-101
82. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a turf cutters cessation scheme application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
Annual payments under the scheme for qualifying applicants are generally made from the second quarter of each year. My Department has already started to issue annual payments for 2022 under the scheme to qualifying applicants. It is expected that payment will be issued to the applicant within the next few weeks.
83. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a turf cutters cessation scheme application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25252/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
Annual payments under the scheme for qualifying applicants are generally made from the second quarter of each year. My Department has already started to issue annual payments for 2022 under the scheme to qualifying applicants. It is expected that payment will be issued to the applicant within the next few weeks.
84. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with local authorities with a view to reducing and capping the amount of commercial rates payable by not-for-profit and voluntary organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25260/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020.
The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for valuation matters, including determination of relevant property under the Valuation Acts for the purposes of rates. The Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions under the Valuation Acts. The Valuation Acts provide that certain categories of properties are not rateable. Details of these properties are set out in Schedule 4 of the Acts. Such exempt buildings would principally include domestic premises, agricultural land, buildings used for public worship, education, health care provided and charitable purposes, on a not-for-profit basis.
The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 includes a provision to enable local authorities to introduce rates alleviation measures to support local and national policy objectives. The specific nature of any such schemes at local level will be a reserved function and a matter for the local authority concerned. Plans to commence the legislation were delayed by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic but it is intended to advance this work this year.
85. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to significant delays being reported by students who have applied for a J1 student visa through a private company (details supplied); if there is any role his Department can take to assist students in resolving the situation [25405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe J1 visa programme is a valuable part of facilitating mutually beneficial and enriching exchange between the US and Ireland, and we are keen to see participation in this programme return to pre-pandemic levels. Through the J1, thousands of young people are afforded the chance to work and travel in the US every year, forging connections and establishing valuable links between the two countries. Ease of travel is essential to protect our strong transatlantic connections, be that in business, academia, tourism or maintaining family connections.
US immigration regulation and visa operations are a matter solely for the US authorities, and my Department has no remit over the operations of the US Embassy Visa Service. Officials from my Department are in regular communication with the US Embassy, who are working to reduce waiting times. In recent days, officials from my Department have discussed the matter with the US Embassy and it is my understanding that extra resources have recently been dedicated to the processing of J1 visa applications. This development is expected to result in a significant increase in the number being processed in the coming days and weeks.
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24937/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be expedited. [24982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine and expedite the passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra93. 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. [25008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a child (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the extenuating circumstances in this case.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25043/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra96. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25049/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra99. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a child (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that they are due to travel with their family. [25107/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a child (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that they have imminent travel plans. [25108/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25223/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details enclosed) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25295/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25313/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be cancelled and a refund issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25400/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a child passport (details supplied) will issue in time for the travel date of 13 June 2022 travelling to a wedding and who is part of a bridal party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if supporting documents were received in the passport office for a child's (details supplied) passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25404/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 88, 92, 93, 94, 96, 99, 100, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109 and 111 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 application to the applicant.
87. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if an emergency appointment will be arranged in order to get documents authenticated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24980/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe individual concerned was in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs Authentications Section on 12 May. The documents were processed on 13 May and returned via registered post.
Information relating to the issuing of Authentications and Apostilles, including a contact form, can be found at www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents/.
89. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide the Eircode associated with the Passport Office building in Balbriggan, County Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons cannot avail of the same day delivery service provided by An Post in order to supply the Passport Office with requested documentation. [24983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is currently receiving an average of 3,000 pieces of post per day. Due to the volume of post received and the personal data that may be enclosed, the Passport Service employs a tracking system to ensure that each piece of post is accounted for once it is received.
For applicants who apply through An Post's mail-in Passport Express channel and whose applications are incomplete and require further documentation, the Passport Service writes to the applicant. The Passport Services advises them of the action required and provides a pre-paid return-addressed envelope that will be delivered to the Passport Service on the day after the applicant posts it.
For applicants who apply online and whose applications are incomplete, the Passport Service emails the applicant to advise of them of the action that is required and includes a pre-paid address label with a barcode that can be affixed to the envelope and will be delivered to the Passport Service on the day after the applicant posts it.
The methods outlined above ensure that all post received by the Passport Service can be tracked internally once it is delivered, which is vitally important for the smooth running of the system and to protect applicants' personal data. This service is not currently available through An Post's same day delivery service, which operates within a limited area in Dublin only.
The Passport Service has public offices in Dublin and Cork. These offices offer an Urgent Appointment service for applicants who wish to renew their passports within one or four days in Dublin or within four days in Cork. This is an appointment-only service and appointments can be booked at www.dfa.ie/passports/urgentappointments/. Due to the importance of tracking post, these public offices cannot accept documentation from applicants for an application that is already in the system.
The addresses of these offices are as follows:
Passport Office - Dublin, Knockmaun House, 42-27 Mount St Lwr, Dublin 2, D02 TN83
Passport Office - Cork, 1 South Mall, Centre, Cork, T12 CCN3
The Passport Office in Balbriggan is not a public office and the Passport Service does not advise that applicants visit the office or submit requested documentation through any other method than those outlined above.
The Passport Service will continue to work with An Post to consider ways in which to enhance customer experience and service.
90. 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. [24998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be issued to a person (details supplied) on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport of a child (details supplied) will issue in time for travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25046/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a child’s passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25101/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a child passport application (details supplied) will issue on-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25215/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25224/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a child passport application (details supplied) will issue in time for the travel date of 24 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if two children's passports (details supplied) will issue on time for the travel date of 10 July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25403/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91, 95, 98, 101, 103, 108 and 110 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
97. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of the backlog in foreign birth registrations; the steps that are being taken to address the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25081/22]
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) resumed in November 2021 and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources.
A major recruitment drive has been underway over the past several months, which has seen the number of Passport Service staff increase by over 300 since June 2021. The Passport Service is currently running its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers. This recruitment effort will bring staffing numbers to over 900, which represents a doubling of staff compared to June 2021.
There are currently 37,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications on hand with the Passport Service. To date this year, the Passport Service has processed almost 5,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications.
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.
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.
