Written Answers Nos. 21-40
22. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the total number of valid Irish passports currently in circulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14253/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
The numbers of valid child and adult Irish passports currently in circulation are outlined below in tabular form.
|
Type |
Number of Valid Passports |
|
Adult |
4,565,911 |
|
Child |
1,239,296 |
|
5,805,207 |
23. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details of the total amount of Irish ODA budget in monetary terms received for each of the twelve listed countries (details supplied) in the decade 2013 and 2023, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14338/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's international development programme is focused on support for countries and communities most acutely in need. The Government's policy for international development, A Better World, provides the framework, with the objective of reaching the furthest behind first and addressing the needs of those living in some of the world’s poorest or most climate-exposed countries and those living in areas affected by conflict.
The Government delivers this support through our bilateral development programme, channelled through Irish Embassies in relevant countries, through civil society and humanitarian organisations, and through multilateral organisations, including the United Nations.
Each year the Department of Foreign Affairs reports to the OECD Development Assistance Committee on overall expenditure on Official Development Assistance (ODA) against a set of internationally agreed statistical standards.
This in turn feeds into the Irish Aid Annual Report, which details our activities in partner countries and highlights the impact of the international development programme. Statistical annexes to the Annual Report contain details of the top 30 recipient countries of bilateral ODA, including our partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Annual Reports are available publicly on the Irish Aid website.
The total amount of Irish ODA budget in monetary terms received for each of the twelve listed countries requested as reported in the Irish Aid Annual Reports has been provided below. The figure for 2023 will be available when that Annual Report is published later this year.
Ireland's total Official Development Assistance for 2024 will be just under €2 billion. €775.3 million has been provided for the international development assistance programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the highest ever allocation.
24. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can resolve an issue of mistaken identity at UK airports for an Irish citizen (details supplied). [14339/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is disappointing to hear that the citizen in question has experienced difficulties when traveling through UK airports. The citizen's passport is valid and well within date, therefore there is nothing precluding the holder from travelling on this passport.
My department does not have any role in UK border security and specifically does not have any input or access to security related watchlists that UK Border Force might maintain. Unfortunately we cannot assist with policing and immigration controls used abroad, as this is managed at the discretion of the country’s airport authority and/or government.
26. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to clarify the entitlement to an Irish passport for a sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14484/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passports are issued in accordance with the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Under the 2008 Act, a passport cannot be issued to a person unless the Minister is satisfied as to the identity of the person and that the person is an Irish citizen. The entitlement of a person to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended, (“the 1956 Act”), which is under the responsibility of the Minister for Justice.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have no role in relation to entitlement to Irish citizenship, which is a matter for the Minister for Justice.
A child born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005, whose parents have been given a refugee declaration by the Minister for Justice under the International Protection Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”) may be entitled to citizenship in accordance with section 6A(1) of the 1956 Act.
Section 6A(1) of the 1956 Act provides that a person born in the island of Ireland after 1 January 2005, may claim citizenship if a parent of that person has, during the period of four years immediately preceding the person's birth, been resident in the island of Ireland for a period of not less than three years.
Therefore, a child is entitled to Irish citizenship if the residency requirements of the parent (refugee or otherwise) as set out in section 6A (1) the 1956 Act are met, and in those circumstances, a passport will issue to that child (subject to the usual requirements set out in the Passports Act 2008 which govern the issuing of passports to children).
Further information on entitlement to Irish citizenship is available from the Minister for Justice.
28. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will expedite a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14588/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 26th March 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
30. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) can be escalated as the applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14699/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant through the urgent appointment service.
32. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to reinstate the secure email verification system trialled following a proposal in June 2022 in respect of that proposal for Passport Office officials to verify Garda log entries by a designated email process (details supplied) before rolling out the procedure nationwide. [14741/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.
The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 3rd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 192 countries.
Accordingly, there is a rigorous checking process in place for first time applications. The witnessing of passport forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person submitting the passport application form. In the case of children, it is essential that the Passport Service verifies the consent of the child’s guardians before a passport can issue. This ensures that the Passport Service protects the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and their guardians.
There are certain passport applications for first time applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. Forms required to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána include:
• Certificate of Identity on Post Passport (paper) applications (section 8 and 9 of the application form)
• Identity Verification Forms for First time adult online applications
• Child Identity and Consent Forms for First time child online applications
For each application that requires a Garda witness, the Passport Service calls the relevant Garda station to confirm that the details were recorded in the station logbook. Passport Service staff will attempt to call the relevant Garda station up to three times to verify the Garda's signature.
During the peak period for passport demand in 2022, an email verification system was established between the Passport Service and An Garda Síochána to verify applications in cases where the Garda signature could not be verified by calling the Garda station. This system was paused at the beginning of September 2022 and the Passport Service now contacts the relevant Superintendent’s Office to verify the details if the Garda Station cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts. This system is working well.
The Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and offers training and guidance to Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms. The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants, including the enhancements of digital services. My Department would welcome the digitisation of the records maintained by An Garda Síochána when witnessing applications.
33. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts his Department are making to ensure the ICJ meet to assess the accountability of Israel in relation to the preliminary ruling issued in the South African case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14800/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, following the lodging of a Declaration of Intervention by Ireland in the case of South Africa v Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, it is his intention that Ireland would submit written observations or seek an oral hearing from the court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15169/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 47 together.
I announced on 27 March that Ireland will intervene in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice. We intend to make our intervention under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court. This Article allows states that are parties to a convention (in this case, the Genocide Convention) to intervene in a case where the construction of that convention is in question in a case before the Court.
Ireland has not yet filed a Declaration of Intervention. We will do this after South Africa has filed its Memorial, setting out its written legal arguments, with the Court. This will take a number of months.
In the meantime, I continue to follow this case closely, including the most recent order for additional provisional measures delivered by the Court on 28 March. I welcome in particular the measure requiring Israel to ensure the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance. This is a recognition by the Court of the dire situation unfolding in Gaza. The Court has given Israel a month to report on its implementation of its order.
34. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department collects data on the number of permissions granted to US Air Force or US military aircraft to fly through Irish air space and land and refuel in Shannon Airport and other landing facilities; if so, the number of such permissions granted each year from 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14846/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
The Department of Foreign Affairs publishes statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the Department’s website. This information is updated regularly and includes details on the number of US military aircraft that have landed in Shannon Airport and other landing facilities from 2018 to date.
35. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of emergency appointments available with the passport service; by location, by month in the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14848/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of simple online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.
The Passport Service strongly encourages Irish citizens to use the Passport Online service as the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to apply for a passport. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service.
As of 19 March 2024, an additional 55 appointments per week have been made available to applicants seeking the same-day turnaround passport service in the public office in Dublin.
Renewal applicants who have already submitted a passport application either through Passport Online or Post Passport can book an urgent appointment and visit the Passport Office to apply for a passport. Once a passport has been issued, their original application will be cancelled and the fee will be refunded.
Further information on the Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants is available at www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/urgent-appointment/.
In the event of sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, the applicant should contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. Priority is given to these applications by the Passport Service. In the event that such an occurrence should happen out of office hours, the applicant should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01 408 2000 and request to speak to the Duty Officer. The Duty Officer will advise the applicant in full of the correct procedure. In cases of travel emergency, the Passport Service will require proof of the emergency. Please note that the Urgent Appointment service became available in 2021. The number of urgent appointments available with the Passport Service, by location and by months in 2021 to date are outlined below in tabular form.
|
2021 |
Dublin Same Day |
Dublin Four Day |
Cork Four Day |
|
September |
44 |
352 |
0 |
|
October |
231 |
462 |
96 |
|
November |
484 |
264 |
528 |
|
December |
242 |
484 |
468 |
|
Dublin |
Cork |
||
|
Year Total - Location |
2563 |
1092 |
|
|
2021 Grand Total |
3655 |
|
2022 |
Dublin Same Day |
Dublin Four Day |
Cork Four Day |
|
January |
220 |
440 |
456 |
|
February |
440 |
570 |
480 |
|
March |
462 |
735 |
504 |
|
April |
418 |
665 |
456 |
|
May |
462 |
735 |
504 |
|
June |
462 |
735 |
966 |
|
July |
462 |
735 |
966 |
|
August |
506 |
805 |
1012 |
|
September |
462 |
735 |
1012 |
|
October |
440 |
700 |
920 |
|
November |
506 |
805 |
1012 |
|
December |
462 |
735 |
920 |
|
Dublin |
Cork |
||
|
Year Total - Location |
13697 |
9208 |
|
|
2022 Grand Total |
22905 |
|
2023 |
Dublin Same Day |
Dublin Four Day |
Cork Four Day |
|
January |
693 |
1113 |
966 |
|
February |
627 |
1007 |
920 |
|
March |
726 |
1166 |
1012 |
|
April |
594 |
954 |
828 |
|
May |
462 |
735 |
1012 |
|
June |
462 |
735 |
966 |
|
July |
693 |
1113 |
966 |
|
August |
726 |
1166 |
1012 |
|
September |
693 |
1113 |
966 |
|
October |
693 |
1113 |
966 |
|
November |
506 |
805 |
1012 |
|
December |
462 |
735 |
874 |
|
Dublin |
Cork |
||
|
Year Total - Location |
19092 |
11500 |
|
|
2023 Grand Total |
30592 |
|
2024 |
Dublin Same Day |
Dublin Four Day |
Cork Four Day |
|
January |
726 |
1166 |
1012 |
|
February |
660 |
1060 |
920 |
|
March |
715 |
494 |
874 |
|
Dublin |
Cork |
||
|
Year Total - Location |
4821 |
2806 |
|
|
2024 Grand Total |
7627 |
36. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the points of law under which he intends to intervene in the case taken by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention; by when he intends to bring his draft Declaration of Intervention under Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14849/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra37. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of his commitment to intervene in the case taken by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention, the sanctions he proposes introducing against Israel arising from their commissioning and prosecution of genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.
I announced on 27 March that Ireland will intervene in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice. We intend to make our intervention under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court. This Article allows states that are parties to a convention (in this case, the Genocide Convention) to intervene in a case where the construction of that convention is in question in a case before the Court.
Government has agreed that Ireland will file a Declaration of Intervention once South Africa has filed its Memorial setting out its legal arguments with the Court. This will take a number of months.
In the meantime, I continue to follow this case closely, including the most recent order for additional provisional measures delivered by the Court on 28 March. I welcome in particular the measure requiring Israel to ensure the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance. This is a recognition by the Court of the dire situation unfolding in Gaza. The Court has given Israel a month to report on its implementation of its order.
Ireland does not impose unilateral sanctions regimes, but implements UN and EU sanctions. Ireland is currently pushing for agreement at EU level on sanctions against violent settlers in the West Bank in addition to further sanctions on Hamas, and we hope to see these adopted as soon as possible.
38. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications on hand; the number of which have been on hand for longer than 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14851/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra44. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications being processed within the Passport Office as of 2 April 2024. [15100/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 44 together.
The Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.There are currently over 160,000 passport applications in the system. 91,000, or 57% of these applications, are with the Passport Service for processing. The remaining 68,000 are awaiting further action by the applicant before they can be progressed. This means that the Passport Service is waiting for the applicant to submit supporting documents in order to move the application forward. It is the experience of the Passport Service that it can take weeks or months for Passport Online applicants to submit the documents required in order to progress their application. Once the applicant has submitted an application through Passport Online, the Passport Service emails them regularly to remind them to submit the required supporting documentation.
The numbers of passport applications currently in the system are outlined below in tabular form. The numbers below are broken down between applications that are with the Passport Service for action and those that require further action by the applicant. Applications that are with the applicant cannot be progressed by the Passport Service until the applicant takes the required action.
|
With PPS |
With Applicant |
||
|
MONTHS since most recent correspondence from applicant |
# Applications |
MONTHS |
# Applications |
|
Less than 1 month |
84,449 |
Less than 1 month |
34,950 |
|
1 – 2 |
6,858 |
1 – 2 |
13,531 |
|
3 – 5 |
113 |
3 – 5 |
5,391 |
|
6 – 11 |
107 |
6 – 11 |
6,005 |
|
12 + |
142 |
12 + |
8,963 |
|
Total with PPS |
91,669 |
Total with Applicant |
68,840 |
The number of passport applications that are with the Passport Service for processing six months or more represents 0.001% of the total number of applications in the system. These are very complex or sensitive cases that may involve citizenship, guardianship or legal issues. These require very thorough examination by experienced staff and can take longer to process. There are often multiple interactions between the Passport Service and the applicant or their guardians during this time, as well as with other government departments and agencies if required.
39. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff in the passport service; by role, by year, for the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14852/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports this year to date. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online.
The Passport Service is well-resourced to meet forecasted demand for 2024. My Department has implemented a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand and is continuing to work to increase resources within the service.
2024 is expected to be another busy year for the Passport Service and the Passport Service is in an excellent position to meet the demand forecasted for this year.
The number of staff in the Passport Service; by role, by year, for the years 2019 to date are outlined below in tabular form.
|
PPS Staffing Numbers |
PO & Equivalent |
AP & Equivalent |
AO & Equivalent |
HEO |
EO |
CO |
SVO |
TCO |
Grand Total |
|
As of 31 Dec. 2019 |
1 |
9 |
2 |
22 |
80 |
380 |
3 |
- |
497 |
|
As of 31 Dec. 2020 |
- |
8 |
2 |
23 |
76 |
358 |
1 |
- |
468 |
|
As of 31 Dec. 2021 |
2 |
11 |
3 |
21 |
80 |
351 |
1 |
148 |
617 |
|
As of 31 Dec. 2022 |
2 |
11 |
3 |
28 |
77 |
354 |
1 |
266 |
742 |
|
As of 31 Dec. 2023 |
2 |
12 |
1 |
34 |
108 |
444 |
1 |
190 |
792 |
|
As of 25 March 2024 |
2 |
12 |
2 |
33 |
107 |
462 |
1 |
186 |
805 |
40. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when person (details supplied) will be issued with their passport document. [14917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over 300,000 passports to date this year. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days and over 90% of applicants now apply online. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world. I would ask the Deputy to encourage her constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 11th March 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
