Written Answers Nos. 1-19
1. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office owns properties or sites which are vacant or derelict; if so, the number and addresses of such properties; if they are recorded on the vacancy or dereliction registers; and the reason for which they are vacant or derelict, in tabular form. [43702/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office does not own any vacant or derelict property or site.
2. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Taoiseach the breakdown of the amounts paid by the DPP to prosecuting counsel in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and date in 2023, in tabular form. [43994/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe below table details the amounts paid by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecuting counsel from 2018 to end of September 2023.
|
YEAR |
Fees Paid to Counsel by DPP |
|
2018 |
€17,391,679 |
|
2019 |
€16,813,805 |
|
2020 |
€15,785,139 |
|
2021 |
€17,143,233 |
|
2022 |
€20,071,958 |
|
2023 (to end Sept) |
€17,514,594 |
3. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite a passport for a person (details supplied) given the circumstances of the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43469/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
4. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount that was spent on the recent refurbishment of the Irish Consulate General office in Chicago; if this refurbishment programme is completed or still ongoing; and the number of companies that applied for the contract to refurbish the Irish Consulate General office but were unsuccessful. [43641/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo refurbishment has been carried out on the Consulate General premises in Chicago.
The Consulate General will move to a new premises in 2024 as part of an Ireland House model. This is in line with the Government commitment in the Global Ireland strategy to develop and expand the Ireland House model, building on the Team Ireland concept of shared services and facilities, and collaborative working practices.
In line with public procurement requirements, a competitive tender process was carried out in March to engage a Project Manager and Cost Manager for the project. Future steps include a procurement process to engage a general contractor.
5. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region was discussed at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. [43642/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains a matter of grave concern to me and to my EU counterparts, particularly in light of the fallout from the military action initiated by Azerbaijan in the region on 19 September. Ireland’s focus remains on ensuring the welfare and protection of any civilians who remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, and of those who have fled to Armenia.
An informal EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting took place in Kyiv on 2 October with the participation of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister. Discussion at that meeting naturally focused on the EU’s response to Russia’s continued military aggression against Ukraine.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh was discussed at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council on 31 August in Toledo, on 26 June in Luxembourg and on 22 May in Brussels. The discussions at these meetings centred on concerns for the humanitarian welfare of civilians in the region in the context at that time of the obstruction of movement along the Lachin corridor. My EU partners and I had called on Azerbaijan to guarantee freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor, in line with the 22 February 2023 Order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The situation has escalated significantly since then following Azerbaijan’s military actions in the region on 19-20 September, which has resulted in over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians fleeing the region for Armenia. The fact that the overwhelming majority of Karabakh Armenians have now left Nagorno-Karabakh is alarming. Ireland was clear in our condemnation of the military escalation, calling for an immediate ceasefire and for a return to dialogue.
In light of these developments, the situation is set to be discussed at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 23 October. I intend to reiterate our concerns and call for a continued coordinated EU approach, with the needs of civilians at its core. The right of Karabakh Armenians to return to their homes and to live there without fear must be upheld by Azerbaijan.
In respect of humanitarian assistance, European Commission has announced an additional package of humanitarian aid of €10.45 million to support vulnerable people remaining in Nagorno-Karabakh, and those who have been displaced by the conflict. This is in addition to the €20.8 million of EU humanitarian assistance already allocated to the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis since 2020.
I will also continue to support the EU’s active role in efforts to resolve the longstanding conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, to ensure a sustainable and comprehensive peace in the region.
6. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to press for the renewal of the mandate of the UN assistance mission in Afghanistan when it expires in March 2024. [43711/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has consistently supported the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). We were a member of the UN Security Council when UNAMA was established in 2002 and voted in favour of renewal of its mandate in 2021 and 2022, during our most recent tenure on the Council.
The EU has underlined its full support to UNAMA, including its comprehensive mandate with a strong human rights component, as set out in Security Council Resolution 2678 (2023). I will continue to support the work of UNAMA, led by Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary General, in promoting an integrated approach to addressing Afghanistan’s challenges. In the first place, the role that UNAMA plays in the coordination of humanitarian aid is of critical importance. Its human rights monitoring role ensures that ongoing abuses are documented and brought to the attention of the international community.
I note in particular the latest reports of August 2023 and September 2023 which document human rights abuses against former government employees, as well as the shocking treatment of detainees in Afghanistan. UNAMA’s June 2023 update on the Human rights situation in Afghanistan laid bare the erosion of rights being faced by women and girls in Afghanistan including limitations on their freedom of movement, participation in employment and access to education.
The renewal of UNAMA's mandate, and the substance of that mandate, is a matter for members of the UN Security Council. However, it is critical that the broader international community continue to support its work. Most recently, Ireland supported the EU’s statement to the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council highlighting the importance of UNAMA in safeguarding human rights in Afghanistan. I will ensure that Ireland continues to work with EU and UN partners to advocate for renewal of UNAMA’s mandate and the continuation of its vital work on the ground.
7. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has considered bringing forward an action in the International Court of Justice against Afghanistan over the violation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. [43712/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have taken a clear and consistent stand in support of Afghan women and girls, including during Ireland's recent term on the United Nations Security Council.
Ireland has condemned in the strongest terms the more than 50 edicts from the Taliban that exclude Afghan women from public life and employment, prevent women from working for NGOs, and prohibit girls from second-level education and women from universities. Women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in public life is their right. It is also vital to ensure sustainable peace, stability and prosperity.
We have advocated strongly for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. During our 2021-2022 term on the UN Security Council, Ireland assumed a leading role on the rights of Afghan women and girls. We continue to highlight these issues at the UN and in other international fora.
Most recently, I was pleased to host an event during High Level Week of the UN General Assembly in September 2023, together with Canada and Indonesia. This was co-organised with the Women’s Forum on Afghanistan, a prominent advocacy and networking platform comprised of Afghan and global women leaders, which is funded through my Department. The event highlighted the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and provided a platform for voices from within the country to be heard.
While bringing an action in the International Court of Justice is not currently under consideration, Ireland continues to speak out publicly against the discrimination of women and girls in Afghanistan and regularly make interventions on these matters at both the United Nations’ Human Rights Council and Third Committee. At the Human Rights Council, Ireland has called out the systematic regression in women and girls' enjoyment of human rights at the hands of the Taliban and recognised the assessment of the Special Rapporteur, Richard Bennett that the cumulative impact of the Taliban’s discrimination against women may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity. In addition, we also co-sponsored an EU resolution on Afghanistan at the same session.
8. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date in achieving the target for overseas development assistance of 0.7% of gross national income by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43722/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the target agreed at the UN to provide 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA). This is reaffirmed in A Better World, Ireland's International Development Policy, and in the Programme for Government.
We have just published the 2022 ODA Annual Report, which contains detailed statistics on Ireland's development and humanitarian assistance worldwide. It shows that, in 2022, Ireland's total ODA reached an all-time high level of 0.63% of GNI, including eligible first-year costs for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. Excluding costs related to Ukrainian refugees, total ODA stood at 0.39% of GNI. It is important to note that in 2022, and again in 2023, none of the costs associated with the reception of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland has been sourced from the original ODA Budget allocation.
For 2023, the Government has provided over €1.233 billion for ODA, the ninth consecutive year in which the allocation has increased. The increase this year included €100 million for the Department of Foreign Affairs: €75 million to address the direct and indirect consequences of the war in Ukraine, and €25 million towards meeting our international climate finance commitments. The eventual outturn for ODA is likely to be higher, depending on development in relation to first-year refugee costs during the year.
Ireland's international development programme has a very strong global reputation for its effectiveness and its focus on extreme poverty and hunger. The 2020 OECD Peer Review of Ireland's development cooperation found Ireland to be a leading voice for sustainable development. The OECD mid-term review, published in the past week, states that Ireland has continued its leadership as an advocate for sustainable development, a staunch multilateralist, a good partner for civil society and promoter of development education.
9. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a detailed breakdown of the organisations in Canada that have made applications under the emigrant support programme since January 2021, including the names and funding amount approved to each respective applicant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43728/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to supporting Irish communities all over the world, including in Canada, and the amount allocated under the Government's Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) to organisations working with the Irish community in Canada has grown considerably in recent years.
Since 2021, a total of €1,280,111 has been paid to Canada-based organisations.
In the 2020-2021 funding round, thirty-nine organisations applied for funding, with twenty-nine receiving collective funding of €266,280.
In the 2021-22 funding round, thirty-six organisations applied for funding, with twenty-nine sharing a collective funding of €356,649.
In the 2022-2023 funding round, thirty-eight organisations made applications, with thirty-five sharing a collective funding of €657,182.
The 2023-2024 round is still in progress.
A full tabular breakdown for the relevant years is provided below.
Canada Emigrant Support Programme 2020-2021:
|
Anna Liva Productions (Bloomsday Toronto) |
€4,511 |
|
Capital Area Chapter, Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick |
€2,571 |
|
Celtic Cultural Society of Nova Scotia |
€4,500 |
|
CelticFest Vancouver Society |
€9,569 |
|
Ciné Gael Montréal |
€1,929 |
|
Emerald Isle Seniors Society |
€26,914 |
|
Festival Bloomsday Montréal |
€2,571 |
|
Halifax St. Patrick's Day Parade Society |
€3,214 |
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Toronto |
€6,911 |
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Ottawa |
€9,000 |
|
Ireland Canada Center for Commerce, Calgary |
€4,238 |
|
Ireland- Canada Chamber of Commerce, Montreal Chapter |
€4,243 |
|
Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver |
€3,857 |
|
Irish Association of Manitoba Inc. |
€6,445 |
|
Irish Canadian Immigration Centre |
€113,995 |
|
Irish Cultural Society of Calgary |
€3,825 |
|
Irish Cultural Society of Central Alberta |
€3,889 |
|
Irish Families in Vancouver |
€1,948 |
|
Irish Seniors Social Group Ottawa (ISSGO) |
€5,800 |
|
Irish Society - National Capital Region |
€2,571 |
|
Irish Sports & Social Society |
€5,786 |
|
Irish Women's Network of BC |
€5,709 |
|
Okanagan Irish Society |
€3,968 |
|
Solace House Canada |
€9,643 |
|
The Irish Benevolent Society of BC |
€3,190 |
|
The Irish Club of White Rock |
€1,978 |
|
The New Trad Society |
€3,857 |
|
Toronto Irish Film Festival |
€3,222 |
|
Toronto Irish Players Community Theatre |
€6,428 |
|
Total ESP paid out Canada |
€266,280 |
|
Applicants not in Receipt of Funding |
|
|
Atlantic Canadian Dance Championships Society |
|
|
Irish Film Festival Ottawa |
|
|
Benevolent Irish Society of PEI |
|
|
Ireland Park Foundation |
|
|
Irish Benevolent Society of London and Area |
|
|
Irish Association of Manitoba |
|
|
Irish Film TV.com |
|
|
London Irish Canadian Cultural Society |
|
|
Montreal Irish RFC |
|
|
One Little Goat Theatre Company |
Canada Emigrant Support Programme 2021-2022:
|
Anna Livia Productions |
€5,214 |
|
Capital Area Chapter, Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick |
€2,781 |
|
CelticFest Vancouver Society |
€13,559 |
|
Emerald Isle Senior's Society |
€26,775 |
|
Festival Bloomsday Montreal |
€4,867 |
|
Halifax Celtic Festival (CCS of NS) |
€4,867 |
|
Halifax St Patrick's Day Parade Society |
€2,171 |
|
Ireland Canada Center for Commerce Calgary |
€3,247 |
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Montreal |
€3,323 |
|
Ireland Park Foundation |
€12,003 |
|
Irish Association of Manitoba |
€19,467 |
|
Irish Benevolent Society of British Columbia |
€5,085 |
|
Irish Benevolent Society of London & Area |
€5,572 |
|
Irish Benevolent Society of Prince Edward Island |
€7,525 |
|
Irish Canada Chamber of Commerce Ottawa |
€3,207 |
|
Irish Canada Chamber of Commerce Toronto |
€4,699 |
|
Irish Canadian Immigration Centre |
€151,445 |
|
Irish Club of Mississauga |
€19,179 |
|
Irish Cultural Society of Calgary |
€3,024 |
|
Irish Families in Vancouver |
€822 |
|
Irish Film Festival Ottawa |
€4,699 |
|
Irish Women's Network British Columbia |
€9,602 |
|
London Irish Canadian Cultural Society |
€19,334 |
|
Montreal Irish RFC |
€4,477 |
|
Okanagan Irish Society |
€2,915 |
|
One Little Goat Theatre Company |
€2,086 |
|
Re-Jigged Festival |
€6,713 |
|
Toronto Irish Film Festival |
€3,444 |
|
Toronto Irish Players Community Theatre |
€4,545 |
|
Total ESP paid out |
€356,649 |
|
Applicants Not in Receipt of Funding |
|
|
AncestralHomes Network |
|
|
IrishFilmTV.com |
|
|
Solace House Canada |
|
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver |
|
|
Irish Club of White Rock |
|
|
Irish Society - National Capital Region |
|
|
The Ireland Canada Monument |
Canada Emigrant Support Programme 2022-2023:
|
Anna Livia Productions |
€5,527 |
|
Canada Association |
€6,102 |
|
Canada Ireland Foundation |
€236,644 |
|
Canadian Irish Migration Preservation Network |
€2,059 |
|
Capital Area Chapter, Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick |
€2,985 |
|
CelticFest Vancouver Society |
€18,323 |
|
Cine Gael Montreal |
€2,239 |
|
Emerald Isle Seniors Society |
€31,110 |
|
Festival Bloomsday Montreal |
€6,765 |
|
Halifax Celtic Festival |
€5,223 |
|
Halifax St Patricks Day Parade Society |
€2,409 |
|
Ireland Alberta Trade Association |
€3,923 |
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Montreal |
€5,415 |
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Ottawa |
€1,037 |
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Toronto |
€5,353 |
|
Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver |
€8,116 |
|
Irish Association of Manitoba |
€7,010 |
|
Irish Benevolent Society of London & District |
€3,171 |
|
Irish Canadian Immigration Center (I/CAN) |
€198,711 |
|
Irish Club of Mississauga |
€5,443 |
|
Irish Film Festival Ottawa |
€2,484 |
|
Irish in BC Network Society |
€9,508 |
|
Irish Seniors Social Group Ottawa |
€5,282 |
|
Irish Women's Network of BC |
€5,612 |
|
James Joyce Association Ottawa |
€8,030 |
|
Montreal Irish Rugby Football Club |
€6,102 |
|
Okanagan Irish Society |
€1,208 |
|
SS Atlantic Heritage Park Society |
€8,619 |
|
St. Martin's Parish |
€3,566 |
|
St. Patrick's Parade Society of Toronto |
€20,593 |
|
The Irish Benevolent Society of British Columbia |
€5,534 |
|
The Trad Society |
€7,106 |
|
Toronto Irish Film Festival |
€3,814 |
|
Toronto Irish Players Community Theatre |
€7,627 |
|
Vancouver Queer Irish Society |
€4,530 |
|
Total ESP paid out |
€657,182 |
|
Applicants not in Receipt of Funding |
|
|
Canadian Association for Irish Studies |
|
|
Cu Faoil ag Rith |
|
|
London Irish Canadian Cultural Society |
10. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an overview of the status of an application made under the emigrant support programme by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43729/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Abroad Unit in my Department, which administers the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), has not received an application for ESP funding from the named organisation and so there is no application status to provide at this time. Applications for the next grant round will open in early 2024.
11. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he had requested to visit any part of Palestine or Israel during his recent visit to the Middle East for which permission was not granted; if so, the authority that refused the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43803/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra12. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a report in the media (details supplied) that he had requested to visit Palestinian towns in Area C of the West Bank and that he was denied access. [43804/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to his recent visit to Israel/Palestine, if he can confirm several reports that the Israeli Government refused his request to visit Palestinian towns in Area C of the West Bank; if he was given a reason for this refusal, and if he accepts the explanation given; if he agrees that the areas in question are not part of Israel but illegally occupied; if this rejection by Israel significantly reduced his capacity to see and experience the effects of the illegal occupation in areas where schools have recently been destroyed and residents have been forced to flee because of settler attacks; if he regards this denial of access as a further rebuff to the international community by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44083/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to his recent visit to Israel/Palestine, if he planned or attempted to visit Ein Samiya in Area C of the West Bank, where, according to reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, schools were destroyed in August and Palestinian residents were forced to flee following attacks from illegal settlers; if he had any engagement with Israeli authorities with regard to a visit to this area, and what the result of these discussions was; if he feels that the policy of the Israeli authorities with regard to the role of the international community has changed since the new Israeli Government was formed; what his plans are now to address the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44084/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 15 together.
I am horrified by the scenes that we have witnessed in Israel and Gaza over the past few days. I have unreservedly condemned the attack by Hamas on Israel. The deliberate and systematic targeting of civilians can never be justified. The taking of hostages, including young children and the elderly is unconscionable. They must be released immediately.
I have written to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to express our deep condolences. I visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan just one month ago. It is scarcely imaginable how the lives of so many people that I met during that visit will be irrevocably scarred by this violence.
During my recent visit to Israel, I clearly underlined, during my engagements with my counterparts, my concern at the accelerating rate of settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, which, alongside demolitions, is leading to the displacement of Palestinian communities from their homes. In view of the priority afforded by Ireland to this issue, the proposed programme for my visit included a visit to Ein Samiya, the site of a recent school demolition in Area C of the occupied Palestinian territory.
Israel has full civil and security control in Area C, and did not facilitate the proposed visit.
Notwithstanding the lack of access to Area C, I nevertheless had an opportunity in Ramallah to meet members of a Bedouin Palestinian community living in Area C, and who are at risk of displacement.
A visit to Gaza was not facilitated by Israel. This was a matter that was raised at a senior level with the Israeli Foreign Ministry at the time and addressed during my meeting with Foreign Minister Cohen.
Further to my visit, I will continue to work with partners in the EU and internationally, most immediately with a focus on addressing the current escalation.
13. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on the application for foreign birth registration by a person (details supplied) who applied in February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43894/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application has been approved. The certificate will issue to the applicant shortly.
16. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing this passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44112/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the required supporting documents were received from the applicant on 4 October 2023. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
17. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing this passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44113/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the supporting documents were received from the applicant on 27 September 2023. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
18. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason applications for passports where additional documentation is requested and fully supplied cannot be finalised within a week of the supply of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44114/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe peak busy season for passports in 2023, has now passed and demand forecasts indicate that the Passport Service will issue around 1 million passports this year.
The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 815,000 passports to date in 2023. Between 2,000 and 3,500 passports are being issued every day. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. The Passport Service Customer Service Hub is responding to an average of 10,000 queries per week on phones and webchat.
All passport applications require supporting documentation to some degree, whether it is a photo uploaded online for an adult's renewal application, or documents necessary to validate the identity and entitlement to Irish citizenship of a first time applicant. In the cases of children's applications, witnessed identity and consent forms are required to ensure that guardians have consented to the issuance of a passport for the child.
In cases where insufficient or incorrect documents are received by the Passport Service, every effort is made to let the applicant know as soon as possible. It is currently not possible for the Passport Service to address issues with applications earlier in the process due to the volume of applications that are being received. Applications enter a queue and are checked in order of date received.
The turnaround times outlined on my Department's website apply to fully complete and correct applications, and that they are estimates based on current average processing times. Applications that are incomplete or incorrect will take longer.
The current passport processing times are: :
• Online simple adult renewal - 10 working days
• Online child/complex adult renewal - 15 working days
• Online first time application, adult or child - 20 working days
• Post Passport via An Post, adult or child - 8 weeks
The Passport Service has a system in place to ensure that when an application is incomplete and further supporting documents are required and requested, these applications are prioritised once the supporting documents have been received from the applicant. The Passport Service aims to process these applications within 15 working days of receiving the correct supporting documents.
In cases of genuine emergency, applicants can contact the dedicated Travel emergency team that work to expedite passport applications in cases such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad. Travel Emergency can be contacted through the Customer Service Hub.
For applicants resident in Ireland, the Passport Service offers an Urgent Appointment Service whereby applicants who need to renew their passport urgently can book an appointment at either the Dublin or Cork passport offices. The Dublin passport office can issue a passport within 1 or 4 days, while the Cork passport office can issue a passport in 4 days. Applicants who have already submitted an application but find that they need to travel urgently while it is being processed can make an appointment through the Urgent Appointment Service and their original application will be cancelled once their passport is issued.
Over the past 18 months, the Passport Service has been actively working to reduce the number of original documents required for a passport application, and very positive changes have been introduced in this regard.
• Parents are no longer required to submit their original Irish passport for a child's application, as photocopies are accepted.
• Certified copies are now accepted for Naturalisation certificates and Foreign Birth Registration certificates, meaning these original documents also no longer need to be submitted.
• Applicants applying on the basis of Naturalisation or Foreign Birth Registration are no longer required to submit their original passport from their country of origin, provided they can submit another form of government issued photographic identification, such as a certified copy of their driver's licence or a copy of their Public Services Card.
• Since April this year, thanks to an integration with the General Register Office (GRO), a significant cohort of first time applicants born in Ireland no longer need to submit their original birth certificate once they apply online for their passport. Since then over 35,000 birth records have been retrieved digitally.
Passport Online is now by far the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to apply for a passport. It is a multi-award-winning online platform, which places the Irish Passport Service amongst the most innovative in the world.
In recent weeks, the Passport Service rolled out Passport Online for first time applicants to an additional 35 countries, including Turkey, Argentina and Iraq. This means that Passport Online can now be used by 99.9% of all passport applicants worldwide.
The Passport Service continues to be in an excellent position to meet the demand forecast for the remainder of this year. I would ask the Deputy to encourage your constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
19. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the full complement of buildings and lands owned by his Department, or by agencies under the aegis of his Department, in County Clare; if they are currently in use, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44158/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not own any lands or buildings in County Clare.
