Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:26. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the child poverty and well-being unit within his Department. [20134/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Functions
Ceisteanna (26)
Freagraí scríofa
Our vision is to make Ireland the best country in Europe to be a child. The role of the Department of the Taoiseach will be to co-ordinate and focus Government action.
Poverty restricts a child’s opportunity. I recently informed cabinet colleagues that the new Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office has been established. The areas it will focus on are as follows:
· Income Supports and Joblessness
· Early Learning and Childcare
· Reducing the Cost of Education
· Family Homelessness
· Consolidating and Integrating Family & Parental Support Health and Well-being
· Enhancing Participation in Culture Arts and Sport for Children and Young People Affected by Poverty.
The initial focus of the Office will be on drawing up a sequenced work programme for these areas. There has been broad engagement with civil society organisation, Government Departments and statutory agencies to identify the policy areas for the new Programme Office.
The Office will operate within the Social Policy and Public Service Reform Division of the Department of the Taoiseach, which has developed the work to date. Assignment to the new dedicated programme team is well underway.
Further work and engagement is ongoing to inform the scope and programme of work of the Programme Office. The aim is to ensure that the Programme Office brings added value, as well as strategic leadership and enhanced accountability, to the Child Poverty agenda and makes a tangible difference to the lives of children and families.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (27)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:27. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of contracts his Department currently has with a company (details supplied); and the estimated value of those contracts. [20195/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of the Taoiseach does not have any contacts with the company in question.
International Relations
Ceisteanna (28)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:28. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the presence of the NATO vessel (details supplied) in Bantry Bay from 11 to 13 April 2023; the details of any engagement he or his Department had with NATO representatives with regard to the presence of the ship in Bantry Bay, and any permissions granted by his Department in this regard; if the ship was carrying out military exercises in Bantry Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20586/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Permission was granted for a French naval vessel to berth in Bantry Bay due to poor weather conditions. The Department of Foreign Affairs was in contact with the French Embassy in relation to this vessel and relevant stakeholders were kept informed and updated.
Foreign naval vessels are only granted permission to visit Irish ports on condition that they meet the necessary policy stipulations. In particular, these require that naval vessels visiting Irish ports do not carry nuclear weapons and do not engage in military exercises.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (29, 43)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:29. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange for the evacuation of Irish citizens from Sudan with immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20228/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:43. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects all Irish citizens impacted by the conflict in Sudan to be exfiltrated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20759/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 43 together.
As of 2 May, 246 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to evacuate from Sudan since the current crisis began. This operation has been led by a consular crisis response team for Sudan in the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has been in place since the outbreak of conflict on 15 April. This has been a very complex and challenging undertaking, and I am particularly grateful for the efforts of all those who have been involved, and the assistance of our EU and international partners during this period.
Consular assistance and support to evacuate continues to be provided on an ongoing basis from our consular teams in Dublin, our Embassy in Kenya, and our mission network wherever those evacuated are transiting through. Consular teams continue to work with people as they are evacuated, helping to arrange accommodation when needed and supporting and assisting with onward arrangements.
The Emergency Civil Assistance Team (ECAT) mission, which involved Defence Forces personnel in support of officials from my Department, assisted with the process in Djibouti and Cyprus, before concluding their mission on 30 April.
My Department remains in ongoing contact with remaining Irish citizens in Sudan who wish to leave. Our experienced consular teams in Dublin and in the region will continue to actively respond to the needs of our citizens as the situation evolves.
At the same time, the Government will continue to support efforts to end the conflict and calls for conditions where people are able to stay secure and return to their homes and families.
Foreign Birth Registration
Ceisteanna (30)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:30. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application under the foreign birth registration for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20291/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has approved the application and issued an FBR certificate to the applicant.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (31)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:31. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure two passports will be processed on time for the date of travel for siblings (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these applications were received by the Passport Service on 31 March 2023. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. These applications are within the turnaround time and have not yet reached their issue by date.
Passport Online is the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective way to apply for a passport. I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents to apply online and in plenty of time, in advance of booking travel.
Election Monitoring Missions
Ceisteanna (32)
Niall Collins
Ceist:32. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeframe for the establishment of a new election observation roster; the body that will be responsible for conducting the competition; where it will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20347/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions, organised by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union (EU). The current Election Observation Roster was established for a period of five years. It took effect on 1 January 2019 and is scheduled to run until 31 December 2023. The Department is currently accepting expressions of interest for the next election observation roster. This new Roster will run for five years from the date of its establishment. Further information is available on the Department’s website at: Election observation - Department of Foreign Affairs (irishaid.ie).
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (33)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:33. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a person (details supplied) will have their documents returned to them from the relevant office. [20368/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service will follow up directly with the applicant in relation to their documentation.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (34)
James Lawless
Ceist:34. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passport applications for children (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20398/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
Consular Services
Ceisteanna (35)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the rights outlined in Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 apply to naturalised Irish citizens travelling on an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20406/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that all Irish citizens, including those who are naturalised Irish citizens, can as a matter of policy avail of consular assistance and services from Irish embassies and consulates abroad.
Irish citizens may also request consular support from any other EU member state in a country where there is no Irish representation, as per the EU Consular Protection Directive.
Diplomatic Representation
Ceisteanna (36)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:36. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to detail the refurbishment works carried out at Irish Embassies based in Washington DC and London in 2022 and to date in 2023; the further refurbishment works scheduled to commence at either embassy later in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20458/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently undertaking a major review of its property footprint in Washington and London. The review is anchored in the Government’s Global Ireland initiative which commits to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. The projects have been recognised as Strategic Investment Priorities under the National Development Plan 2021-2030
The aim of the review is to identify suitable premises for these key bilateral missions that will provide safe, secure and sustainable working spaces; and serve as representational assets that project a positive image of Ireland and enhance delivery of our foreign policy objectives.
As part of this exercise, assessments of existing premises - including building code compliance assessments – have been undertaken in parallel with a review of the respective commercial property markets.
This assessment identified the need for upgrade works to mechanical and electrical systems to enhance fire, health and safety compliance as well as minor repairs to the building exterior of our Embassy in Washington. These remedial works were carried out during 2022. No further major refurbishment works are currently scheduled.
No refurbishment works were carried out on the Embassy of Ireland in London during 2022 or to date in 2023. There are no refurbishment works currently scheduled to commence.
Foreign Birth Registration
Ceisteanna (37)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:37. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of WTE staff by grade within his Department dealing with foreign birth registrations as of 25 April 2023; and the number of foreign birth registrations currently within his Department. [20502/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
As a result of the significant extra resources deployed by the Passport Service to FBR processing over the past 8 months, the processing time has now been reduced to the normal requirement of between 6 and 9 months. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
There are currently 24,966 FBR applications for which supporting documents have been received and which are being processed by the Passport Service. There are a further 11,689 FBR applications for which the Passport Service are awaiting the submission of supporting documentation from the applicant.
The number of full-time equivalent staff working in Foreign Birth Registration in the Passport Service is set out below by grade, in tabular form.
|
Grade |
Number working in FBR |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
7 |
|
Clerical Officer |
59.9 |
|
Total |
70.9 |
Consular Services
Ceisteanna (38)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:38. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance being provided to the family of a person (details supplied) who was murdered in India on March 14, 2017; if he is aware of the acute distress and trauma for the family as a result of the prolonged murder trial in India; and if he will meet with the family to directly discuss their concerns. [20521/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department, through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, Consulate General in Mumbai and Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, has been providing assistance to the citizen’s family - notwithstanding the Indian authorities’ position that this is a UK consular case.
Consular officers in my Department are in regular contact with the family, and I am fully aware of the acute distress arising from the ongoing delays in the case.
I can assure you that, together with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, we are continuing to engage with the relevant authorities. On 6 April of this year, Irish and British diplomats once again travelled to Goa to meet with officials on the matter.
Ensuring a quick conclusion to the court case remains a significant priority for the Irish and British Governments as well as, of course, for the citizen’s family.
Overseas Development Aid
Ceisteanna (39)
John Brady
Ceist:39. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of any aid the Government gives to organisations in Uganda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20556/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland’s engagement in Uganda, including through our international development programme, is based on our international development policy, A Better World, and guided by the Government’s Strategy for Africa to 2025.
In line with these strategies, Ireland’s development and cooperation work in Uganda focuses on helping the furthest behind first. We have had a strong emphasis on promoting peace and security and respect for human rights and the rule of law. There is an increasing focus on supporting inclusive growth and equality in education in Karamoja, which is one of the poorest regions in Uganda. We are also taking initiatives to increase resilience and reduce humanitarian need, on climate-related vulnerability, gender equality, the provision of quality sexual and reproductive health services, and support for civil society, including LGBTI+ persons.
Through the Embassy in Kampala, we are supporting local civil society organisations, human rights defenders and NGOs. We also contribute to international development initiatives through the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organisation. This has included supporting projects to assist refugees from neighbouring countries, and responses to acute crises, including the outbreak of Ebola in Uganda in late 2022. In addition, support has been provided to missionary organisations through Misean Cara, which is involved in a wide range of social and infrastructural projects in areas such as water and sanitation, agricultural education and training, food crop production, basic nutrition, basic healthcare.
In 2021, the Government provided a total of €24.4 million in assistance to Uganda, through the bilateral programme, NGOs and other channels. Details of funding provided through Ireland’s official development assistance programme to partner organisations are published each year in the Irish Aid annual report.
Foreign Birth Registration
Ceisteanna (40, 41)
Michael Ring
Ceist:40. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20583/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:41. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth certificate will issue to a person (details supplied) who applied in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20592/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has approved these applications and has issued FBR certificates to the applicants.
Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 40.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (42)
James Lawless
Ceist:42. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and 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. [20652/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
Question No. 43 answered with Question No. 29.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (44)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:44. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with Irish Aid agencies whose staff are still in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20761/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is very concerned at the situation in Sudan. Heavy fighting has been taking place across Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan since 15 April. Hospitals and critical infrastructure have been attacked. At least 500 people have been killed, including 18 humanitarian and health workers, and over 5,000 injured. Civilians are the main victims of the conflict, with many trapped in their homes, unable to access essential supplies.
Even before the current outbreak of violence, almost 16 million people in Sudan - one third of the population - were in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian operations are now almost impossible, with many organisations suspending, or partially suspending, their work.
Ireland has been a longstanding partner with the people of Sudan, providing over €35 million in aid since 2018, including via Irish non-governmental partners such as Concern, Goal, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland. Ireland supports humanitarian work as well as development, peace and human rights programmes. Earlier this year, we provided an additional €3 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund. In response to the current crisis, Ireland is making funds immediately available to existing humanitarian response partners for use in the most affected areas in the country when operations can resume.
Our Embassy in Nairobi, which is accredited to Sudan, and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin remain in close contact with Irish NGOs normally based in Sudan. We are exchanging information on the latest developments and reviewing options for assistance.
Inland Fisheries
Ceisteanna (45, 52, 53)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:45. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the validation protocols his Department has in place to ensure the validity of figures produced by fish counters under the control of Inland Fisheries Ireland, as reported in its annual consolidated fish counter summary report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20241/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:52. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the fish counts for 2022, in tabular form; and the number of counters that did not provide continuous reports, their geographical location and the duration. [20594/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on Inland Fisheries Ireland's national fish counter programme and the methods used for data collection; how the data is being collected; if it is available publicly; how different species are distinguished from one another; and the methods for verification. [20595/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 52 and 53 together.
Fish counters are one of a range of indices used by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to contribute to the scientific and management assessments of salmon stocks carried out each year.
Details of data from counters, the verification of that data and where counters are located, based on maximising the use of technology and optimising geographic distribution in the management of salmon stocks, are operational matters for IFI in which neither I nor my department have any role.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.