Written Answers Nos. 264-283
264. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the provision of biodiversity officers in each county council; if he will provide a list of the local authorities which have a biodiversity officer to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27971/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to ensure that each local authority has a sufficient number of biodiversity officers and heritage officers among their staff complement. The role of a biodiversity officer is prescribed at local level by the employing local authority. Biodiversity officers are the public face of biodiversity-related activities within the local authority, commissioning biodiversity surveys, implementing community related projects to improve the status of biodiversity in the local authority area, and organising relevant public events. Biodiversity officers advise local authorities in relation to their obligations with regard to national and local biodiversity policies, programmes and priorities.
There are currently five biodiversity officers employed in the following local authorities:
Fingal County Council;
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Dublin City Council
Galway City Council
Kerry County Council.
My Department is committed to supporting local authorities in the important role they play in the implementation of actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. My Department’s investment in the biodiversity officer programme, through support of local authorities, will enhance their efforts to deliver benefits for biodiversity. In that context, I have allocated €600k in 2022 towards the programme. The programme is currently under development and will be delivered by the Heritage Council and the County and City Management Association (CCMA), with the support of my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
265. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated revenue yield from an increase in the derelict site levy to 20 percent in a full year. [27984/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the current legislative provisions under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, the derelict site levy due nationally to local authorities in 2020 (the most recent year for which data is available) at a rate of 7% of the market valuation of the properties listed on local authority derelict site registers was €5,448,642. Applying a rate of 20% in that year would have increased the amount due under the measure to €15,567,548.
266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that a carer’s allowance payment is considered as assessable means on a local authority rent assessment while other social welfare payments are not assessable; his views on whether those providing full-time care are providing an extremely important service; and if he will agree to rectify this issue. [28036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe right of local authorities to set and collect rents on their dwellings is set out in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Subject to broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be income-based and reflect tenants’ ability to pay, the making or amending of such rent schemes is a local authority executive function. Accordingly, decisions regarding the amount of rent charged and the type of household income that is reckonable or disregarded for rent purposes under each rent scheme is a matter solely for the respective local authorities. This includes the treatment of different allowances, such as carer's allowance, which can vary from one local authority to another, and my Department has no role in this regard.
267. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE IP project can be extended to cover Kerry boglands. [28047/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LIFE programme is the EU's funding instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects. LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature is a large-scale project aimed at conservation and management of Ireland’s Natura 2000 network, with a special focus on blanket bog. This ambitious project, coordinated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, covers over 250,000ha of ecologically and socially important habitats, stretching along the west coast of Ireland from south Galway to north Donegal. The project works with farmers, local communities, state agencies and others across a broad range of actions spanning sectors including farming, forestry, tourism, community development and scientific.
A key focus in the early-stages of the project is the development and implementation of a locally adapted Results-Based agri-environment Payment Scheme (RBPS) for farmers and landowners operating in blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation nationally. The RBPS programme, developed in conjunction with project partners the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, directly links payments to farmers with environmental quality, with better environmental quality attracting higher payments. Farmers are also provided with support to improve the ecological condition of their lands, if they so wish.
These activities aim to inform broader policy and practice and the RBPS approach has been incorporated into Ireland's Common Agriculture Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027, where 20,000 farmers will be included in results-based programmes from 2023. This will include lands in Co. Kerry.
The EU LIFE funding programme operates on the basis of pre-agreed project areas, with a specific remit and budget. At this point in time, while there is not sufficient scope to enable the expansion of the LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature project outside of the west and northwest of Ireland, the learnings of the project will benefit peatlands throughout Ireland. Subject to the success of the pilot RBPS, I intend to further resource the LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature implementation approach to NPWS conservation measures on a wider geographical scale, including the Kerry boglands.
268. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the procedures that are in place to ensure that wastewater treatment plants do not operate over their relevant population equivalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28086/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels for public water services, including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure, encompassing the management of urban waste water collection and treatment infrastructure. Irish Water’s primary function is to provide clean safe drinking water to customers and to treat and return waste water safely to the environment.
All discharges to the aquatic environment from sewerage systems owned, managed and operated by Irish Water require a waste water discharge licence or certificate of authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The authorisation process provides for the EPA to place stringent conditions on the operation of such discharges to ensure that potential effects on the receiving water bodies are strictly limited and controlled. This is in line with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive which sets out requirements for the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water with the objective of protecting the environment from the adverse effects of waste water discharges.
The EPA is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Irish Water and local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland, including compliance in relation to licensed urban waste water discharges.
As part of Budget 2022, I secured funding of over €1.57 billion to support water services. This includes €1.459 billion (Current €629m and Capital €830m) 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.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
269. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost to the Exchequer of a social home delivered through the buy-and-renew-scheme in the past 12 months. [28105/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the Buy and Renew Scheme was introduced, local authorities have purchased c750 homes for social housing use. Nationally, the average cost to deliver one of these homes under the Scheme is c.€196,000 including the cost for the necessary improvement works to the properties.
I have asked local authorities to increasingly target vacant and derelict properties that can be brought back to use as part of new public housing delivery, particularly where good value for money can be obtained and there is no impact on the local property market and I have assured them of my Department's support in this regard.
Going forward, local authorities will be tackling such vacancy and dereliction through a more construction-led approach to deliver new social homes on existing sites and to support town centre and urban improvements.
270. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost to the Exchequer of a social home delivered through the acquisitions programme in the past 12 months and in 2019 and 2020. [28106/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supports local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to acquire social housing homes through a number of funding programmes. The Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) allow local authorities and AHBs to recoup 100% of acquisition costs. The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements.
The table below sets out the average acquisition cost of social housing properties under the SHIP, CAS and CALF programmes in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
|
SHIP Acquisition |
CAS Acquisition |
CALF Acquisition |
|
|
Average Cost |
Average Cost |
(Average CALF Contribution) |
|
|
2019 |
€233,000 |
€198,656 |
€41,700.05 |
|
2020 |
€237,500 |
€210,991 |
€21,873.90 |
|
2021 |
€211,000 |
€170,278 |
41,397.98 |
Note: The information above is calculated using the financial information available to the Department. Due to the nature of the CALF, delivery of housing does not always arise in the same year as expenditure and programmes may cross a number of payment periods. Approved Housing Bodies can avail of CALF funding of up to 30% of the capital cost of the project. Cost information provided may be subject to change.
The €70 million revolving Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund (HAA Fund) was established with effect from the 1 January 2017 with the objective of acquiring vacant property portfolios from banks and financial institutions that could then be used for social housing. The fund is replenished by the Housing Agency through the sale of units, primarily to AHBs, and used for future acquisitions. AHBs can utilise the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to part fund these purchases. The cost to the Department varies depending on the funding mechanisms chosen by the AHB. The table below shows the average acquisition cost per unit delivered by the Housing Agency using the HAA Fund from 2019-2021.
|
Average Acquisition Cost Per Unit |
|
|
2019 |
€178,616 |
|
2020 |
€214,253 |
|
2021 |
€243,854 |
Note: The cost to the Department varies depending on the funding mechanism chosen by an AHB to purchase the properties acquired under the HAA Fund programme. AHBs primarily access a CALF loan of up to 30% of the capital acquisition costs to part fund the purchase of the properties. In specific cases, an AHB can also apply for CAS funding, which is up to 100% of the capital acquisitions costs.
A further 52 properties were delivered under the HAA Fund programme but bought directly by local authorities in 2019 and 2020 using capital funding through the Social Housing Capital Investment Programme. The table below shows the average acquisition cost per unit each year.
|
Average Acquisition Cost Per Unit |
|
|
2019 |
€150,868 |
|
2020 |
€130,714 |
271. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the return of local authority housing in which a tenant passes away and the directions or circulars are given to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28162/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe oversight and management of local authority housing stock and the allocation of social housing support to qualified households is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, 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 and to households approved for a transfer.
The local authority then assesses housing applicants, taking into account factors such as the condition and affordability of existing accommodation, medical and compassionate grounds, etc. The authority then prioritises the needs of approved applicants in accordance with its allocation scheme.
While all local authorities accept applications from persons living with local authority tenants to inherit or succeed to the tenancy if that tenant dies, approaches and conditions can vary from one local authority to another, with the rules for succession to tenancy usually outlined in the respective authority's housing allocations schemes.
272. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way that house refurbishment for reallocation is funded between his Department and local authorities; the circulars or directions by his Department that have been issued in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28163/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Notwithstanding this, my Department provides annual funding support to local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-let under the Voids Programme. This funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
From 2014 to 2021, expenditure of some €261 million was recouped to local authorities under the Voids Programme which funded the return to productive use of 18,527 properties nationwide.
My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work remediating vacant social housing properties in 2022. As per Circular 18/2022, funding of €25 million to support the refurbishment of c. 2,273 vacant properties is being made available under this years programme.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years, particularly in 2020 and in 2021, local authorities should now be in a strong position to begin the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
As notified in Circular 18 2022, an additional €5 million in funding has been ring-fenced for Planned Maintenance under this years Planned Maintenance/Voids Programme to support an ICT asset management system for the LA sector and to provide a funding contribution for the commencement of stock condition surveys.
273. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine and expedite a passport application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27219/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27236/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be expedited. [27349/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to urgently provide the status of the passport renewals of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27484/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy John Brady 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. [27496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the passport applications of two siblings (details supplied) will be processed urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra320. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will process in time for intended travel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra328. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passport applications will be processed for siblings (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27711/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. 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. [27773/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27858/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra340. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed on time for their travel plans given that this application was received by the Passport Office on 8 April 2022. [27874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport for a person (details supplied) will issue. [28015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when supporting documents received by the Passport Office on 20 May 2022 will be attached to a passport application for a minor (details supplied) considering that this passport is required for travel on 20 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28115/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue in the case of a family (details supplied) who have had their holiday booked since January 2020 and who are due to travel on 24 June 2022; if their applications will be expedited to issue ahead of their travel date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28166/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant or their guardian.
274. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27223/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27224/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport of a child (details supplied) will issue given that it has been estimated for issue since 21 April 2022 and the family are travelling in the coming days. [27226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27234/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27235/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27237/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra282. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine and expedite the passport application of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo on time for their travel plans. [27270/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport applications of two children (details supplied) which were due to issue on 17 May 2022; if all the required documentation was received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27310/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite a passport renewal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27498/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27500/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and travel date of the family is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27501/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport of a child (details supplied) will issue. [27507/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport application by a person (details supplied) which is now over three weeks past its target issue date; the reason it is not processed and printed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27517/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport (details supplied) will issue. [27518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra315. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports will issue for a family (details supplied) in time for their travel date on 22 June 2022 and posted to their home address in County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27541/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a child passport application will issue in time for a person (details supplied) living in Strabane travelling on 31 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27543/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue on time for a person (details supplied) in County Tyrone who has rescheduled their travel date to 11 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27544/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a child (details supplied) will issue in time for travel date in June and posting to home address in County Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will issue in time for their intended travel date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra327. Deputy Michael McNamara 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. [27708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of the steps that a person (details supplied) can take in view that they cannot locate their passport application number and therefore are not able to check the status of the passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27859/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27889/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra342. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27890/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27892/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra345. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra346. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27894/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27895/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied). [27989/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the passport applications of three siblings (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28107/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra359. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a child (details supplied) in view of the fact that this application is with the Passport Office since the 29 January 2022 and it has passed the estimated issue date. [28108/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra361. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28123/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 274, 275, 277, 278, 279, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 288, 297, 304, 305, 306, 308, 309, 310, 315, 317, 318, 321, 323, 327, 338, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 352, 358, 359 and 361 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
