Written Answers Nos. 85-98
85. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if paper passport applications (details supplied) which are past their due date will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23661/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further documents for the application on 22 May 2024. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.
86. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to re-examine the position regarding recognition of the Armenian Genocide 1915-1917; and if he will report on any engagement with his counterparts in the European Union in respect of same since his taking office. [23667/24]
View answerThe Irish Government views the terrible events which resulted in the deaths of a large proportion of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire as a tragedy, and has expressed deepest sympathy for the enormous suffering of the Armenian people during this period.
The term ‘genocide’ has a particular meaning under international law. The Government has not taken a stance on whether those terrible events should be described as a genocide. To reach a conclusion that any event amounts to genocide involves the consideration and determination of a number of complex factual and legal issues, including an assessment of the actions and intentions of many parties.
Currently, there is no international consensus on whether these events amount to genocide. Neither the EU nor the UN has adopted a position on this question, and individual EU Member States have taken differing approaches on this.
No Irish or international court has issued a final judgment recognising these terrible events as an act of genocide.
Ireland’s position on the description of these events does not diminish in any way our recognition of the terrible and shocking nature of what occurred to the Armenian people between 1915 and 1917.
88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be issued in the case of a person (details supplied), given the passport was supposed to issue on 24 April 2024; if every effort can be made to ensure that this passport is expedited given its now one month since the processing target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23829/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the application, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
89. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to reach the 0.7% of gross national income for overseas development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), and has consistently increased the allocations to ODA over recent years.
Ireland's total Official Development Assistance for 2024 is expected to be some €2 billion, including eligible first-year costs for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland, the exact figure for which will not be known until the end of the year. This includes €775.3 million for the international development assistance programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This is the highest ever allocation by Government, in the 50th anniversary year of the establishment of the Irish Aid programme.
The latest international ODA figures published in April by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, show that Ireland's ODA for 2023 stood at €2.6 billion, including eligible costs for Ukrainian refugees. This represents 0.67% of Gross National Income. Excluding Ukrainian refugee costs, our ODA for 2023 was €1.47 million, or 0.38% of GNI. It is important to note that none of the funding for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland has been sourced from the original Budget allocations for ODA.
We will continue to work to increase Ireland's ODA in line with commitments, including the commitment to provide at least €225 million annually in international climate finance by 2025.
90. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on international engagements carried out by the Minister for International Development and the Diaspora carried out since the start of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23952/24]
View answerThe role of the Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora underlines Ireland's long-standing commitment to supporting development programmes that help to bring about positive change in the lives of people around the world, as well as ensuring our continued strong links with Irish communities worldwide.
Since the beginning of the 2024, Minister Fleming in his role as Minister for International Development and the Diaspora has represented Ireland at a series of international engagements. These engagements include:
The 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and the 24th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in Brussels in February.
An Informal Foreign Affairs Council on Development held in Brussels in February.
The United Nations series of events held in New York in observation of the 2nd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Representing Ireland at St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Nigeria and Ghana and meeting with key partners and officials in both countries.
The International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbours, held in Paris in April.
A Formal Foreign Affairs Council on Development held in Brussels in May.
Minister Fleming's participation at these events allowed Ireland's voice to be heard on matters of international importance. As an example, Minister Fleming's travel to New York in February was to participate in a series of engagements at the United Nations to mark the two year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Minister delivered Ireland’s national statement to the United Nations General Assembly and joined Ministers from across the EU in a joint statement delivered by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. Minister Fleming also met with key UN partners involved in the humanitarian response in Ukraine.
Additionally, while in New York Minister Fleming met with members of the local Irish community, including 60 J1 students and prospective employers at the launch of the Graduate Gateway programme. This new initiative is designed to connect Irish graduates with job opportunities in the New York tri-state area as spearheaded by recipients of funding from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme.
92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can confirm Ireland's signature of a letter reported in the Austrian press (details supplied); if he will publish the text of this letter; if the details reported reflect the official policy of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24028/24]
View answerIn the context of our partnership with NATO via Partnership for Peace, Ireland works closely with a number of other militarily neutral and non-aligned countries in Western Europe that are not members of the organisation. The countries involved are Switzerland, Ireland, Austria and Malta.
All four countries have concluded Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes (ITPP) with NATO, which set out the parameters, and areas of focus, which each country has identified with NATO as of mutual interest for their partnership.
As part of regular engagements and meetings between Ireland, Malta, Austria and Switzerland, and NATO, the four countries prepared a non-paper and accompanying letter last December to frame discussions. These set out the nature of the partnership between the four countries concerned, and noted that each country, while neutral, shares common interests in terms of European and international security.
The paper focused in particular on areas where all four countries are making significant contributions to international peace and security, notably as contributing partners to peacekeeping missions, including NATO’s largest ongoing mission in Kosovo (KFOR), in dialogue and consultation, and to the innovation and emerging disruptive technologies agenda.
From Ireland’s perspective, this work is consistent with the Government’s desire to strengthen our cooperation with international partners, including NATO, in addressing the security challenges facing Europe at the present time. As the Government has made clear on many occasions, Ireland has no plans to join NATO.
93. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 1 May 2024, the amount allocated to multilateral international organisations in 2024, by organisation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24088/24]
View answerEach year, as part of the budgetary cycle, the Department estimates and makes provision for payments to multilateral organisations. Such payments may be mandatory, arising from Ireland's membership of organisations - often known as assessed contributions - or voluntary contributions linked to Ireland's support for particular organisations, legal instruments, programmes or projects.
It should be noted, however, that the Department does not agree a formal allocation of budget to each individual multilateral organisation at the beginning of each year. Instead, overall provision is made in the relevant subheads, based on the Department’s best estimate of what will be required.
This estimate has two broad components:
• First, the estimate is based on the Department’s expectations regarding mandatory contributions that arise from Ireland’s membership of multilateral organisations. Ireland’s mandatory contributions are generally “assessed” on the basis of distribution keys, which vary from organisation to organisation, but are typically based on GNI, population size or other such factors. The key used by any given organisation will also change periodically; for example, the UN key, known as the Scale of Assessments, changes every three years. Once an organisation’s annual budget is approved - and the timelines vary from organisation to organisation and can often be subject to delays due to differences of opinion between member states - the relevant distribution key is applied to calculate each member state’s precise contribution and the organisation issues a call for payment. Once the call for payment is received, the final amount to be paid will depend on the currency of payment and the exchange rate at the time of payment.
• Second, as regards voluntary contributions to multilateral organisations, while the Department works within the overall budgets allocated to the relevant grant subheads, individual contributions to multilateral organisations are decided on an ongoing basis throughout the year. The Department maintains a diverse funding portfolio, comprising grants to partner governments, national and international NGOs, as well as UN agencies and other multilateral organisations. All grants are subject to approval on a case-by-case basis, and in accordance with relevant circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Decisions on grants provided each year to individual organisations will be influenced by a variety of factors, including policy priorities at a given time, humanitarian needs, and an assessment of an organisation’s planned programme and governance arrangements.
As a result of the above factors, the Department is not in a position to assign separate annual allocations to each multilateral organisation across Votes 27 and 28.
The most up-to-date figures for grants to multilateral organisations are already provided in our response to your Question No. 70 of 1 May 2024.
94. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of embassies operated by his Department in 2023; the total operating cost for each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24089/24]
View answer95. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of consulates operated by his Department in 2023; the total operating cost for each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24090/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs currently maintains a total of 99 overseas missions, including 71 embassies, 20 consulates general and 8 other missions.
Under the Global Ireland Strategy, and as approved by Government in September 2022, three additional new missions will be established this year: an embassy in Islamabad and consulates general in Milan and Munich. Planning is also underway for five further new missions, as approved by Government in March 2024: embassies in Belgrade, Chisinau and Sarajevo and consulates general in Málaga and Melbourne. This brings to 27 the number of new missions opened or announced under the Global Ireland Strategy.
A complete list of all current missions is provided below, together with the total operating cost in 2023. The operating cost include the salaries of Irish civil servants posted to these missions, which are incurred and paid in Ireland, but are included in these mission operating costs in accordance with accounting convention.
|
Location |
Type of Mission |
Operating Cost in 2023 (€) |
|
Abu Dhabi |
Embassy |
1,438,241 |
|
Abuja |
Embassy |
?1,172,987 |
|
Addis Ababa |
Embassy |
?1,954,035 |
|
Amman |
Embassy |
?1,187,677 |
|
Ankara |
Embassy |
824,579 |
|
Athens |
Embassy |
796,168 |
|
Atlanta |
Consulate General |
725,688 |
|
Austin |
Consulate General |
646,390 |
|
Bangkok |
Embassy |
791,344 |
|
Beijing |
Embassy |
3,066,138 |
|
Berlin |
Embassy |
2,345,711 |
|
Berne |
Embassy |
971,843 |
|
Bogotá |
Embassy |
1,131,205 |
|
Boston |
Consulate General |
1,021,959 |
|
Brasilia |
Embassy |
734,947 |
|
Bratislava |
Embassy |
592,184 |
|
Brussels |
Embassy |
887,250 |
|
Brussels |
Partnership for Peace Delegation |
463,803 |
|
Brussels |
Permanent Representation to the European Union |
12,678,980 |
|
Bucharest |
Embassy |
590,043 |
|
Budapest |
Embassy |
689,507 |
|
Buenos Aires |
Embassy |
883,528 |
|
Cairo |
Embassy |
981,213 |
|
Canberra |
Embassy |
1,092,874 |
|
Cardiff |
Consulate General |
441,323 |
|
Chicago |
Consulate General |
837,732 |
|
Copenhagen |
Embassy |
716,619 |
|
Dakar |
Embassy |
758,105 |
|
Dar es Salaam |
Embassy |
1,603,702 |
|
Edinburgh |
Consulate General |
706,222 |
|
Frankfurt |
Consulate General |
789,992 |
|
Freetown |
Embassy |
900,422 |
|
Geneva |
Permanent Mission to the United Nations |
2,271,403 |
|
Hanoi |
Embassy |
1,528,074 |
|
Helsinki |
Embassy |
924,050 |
|
Holy See |
Embassy |
459,231 |
|
Hong Kong |
Consulate General |
1,205,789 |
|
Jakarta |
Embassy |
626,456 |
|
Kampala |
Embassy |
1,580,573 |
|
Kuala Lumpur |
Embassy |
494,047 |
|
Kyiv |
Embassy |
1,821,307 |
|
Lilongwe |
Embassy |
1,177,045 |
|
Lisbon |
Embassy |
827,355 |
|
Ljubljana |
Embassy |
551,695 |
|
London |
Embassy |
8,335,732 |
|
Los Angeles |
Consulate General |
861,948 |
|
Lusaka |
Embassy |
1,053,960 |
|
Luxembourg |
Embassy |
635,071 |
|
Lyon |
Consulate General |
455,283 |
|
Madrid |
Embassy |
1,618,699 |
|
Manchester |
Consulate General |
423,160 |
|
Manila |
Embassy |
741,590 |
|
Maputo |
Embassy |
1,774,199 |
|
Mexico |
Embassy |
1,459,095 |
|
Miami |
Consulate General |
648,762 |
|
Monrovia |
Embassy |
998,874 |
|
Moscow |
Embassy |
721,209 |
|
Mumbai |
Consulate General |
710,209 |
|
Nairobi |
Embassy |
1,068,860 |
|
New Delhi |
Embassy |
1,185,594 |
|
New York |
Consulate General |
3,426,439 |
|
New York |
Permanent Mission to the United Nations |
6,374,464 |
|
Nicosia |
Embassy |
501,737 |
|
Oslo |
Embassy |
908,033 |
|
Ottawa |
Embassy |
1,261,282 |
|
Paris |
Embassy |
3,921,264 |
|
Paris |
Permanent Representation to the OECD and UNESCO |
483,849 |
|
Prague |
Embassy |
778,116 |
|
Pretoria |
Embassy |
1,545,270 |
|
Rabat |
Embassy |
674,064 |
|
Ramallah |
Representative Office |
1,228,045 |
|
Riga |
Embassy |
462,969 |
|
Riyadh |
Embassy |
1,070,957 |
|
Rome |
Embassy |
1,765,147 |
|
San Francisco |
Consulate General |
1,523,335 |
|
Santiago |
Embassy |
734,602 |
|
São Paulo |
Consulate General |
582,432 |
|
Seoul |
Embassy |
865,215 |
|
Shanghai |
Consulate General |
1,537,859 |
|
Singapore |
Embassy |
1,182,072 |
|
Sofia |
Embassy |
589,300 |
|
Stockholm |
Embassy |
1,122,212 |
|
Strasbourg |
Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe |
700,021 |
|
Sydney |
Embassy |
831,185 |
|
Tallinn |
Embassy |
452,429 |
|
Tehran |
Embassy |
453,212 |
|
Tel Aviv |
Embassy |
1,355,247 |
|
The Hague |
Embassy |
1,557,035 |
|
Tokyo |
Embassy |
2,526,359 |
|
Toronto |
Consulate General |
687,843 |
|
Valetta |
Embassy |
540,864 |
|
Vancouver |
Consulate General |
667,156 |
|
Vienna |
Embassy & Permanent Mission to the International Organisations in Vienna |
1,284,111 |
|
Vienna |
Permanent Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) |
839,116 |
|
Vilnius |
Embassy |
474,698 |
|
Warsaw |
Embassy |
1,350,691 |
|
Washington DC |
Embassy |
3,477,784 |
|
Wellington |
Embassy |
846,954 |
|
Zagreb |
Embassy |
508,515 |
96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the allocation to the emigrant support programme in the years 2019 to 2024, by year, in tabular form; the projects supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24091/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his interest in Government support for Irish communities abroad.
As the Government Minister with responsibility for diaspora issues, I am committed to implementing the Government's Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025. In that context, the Government's Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) continues to be the main driver of our engagement with Irish communities abroad. Since its inception in 2004, the programme has assisted more than 850 organisations, in 51 countries, with total grants of more than €237 million. This money has been used to support the most vulnerable and marginalised in Irish communities all over the world, as well as supporting cultural, heritage, sporting, academic and other aspects of Irish community life abroad.
The ESP budget figures requested by the Deputy for the years 2019-2024, including both the opening allocation and any adjustments during the year, are as follows:
|
Year |
Opening budget |
Year-end budget |
|
2019 |
€12,595,010 |
€12,575,800 |
|
2020 |
€12,595,000 |
€12,595,000 |
|
2021 |
€12,593,800 |
€13,093,800 |
|
2022 |
€12,593,000 |
€14,093,000 |
|
2023 |
€13,893,000 |
€17,093,000 |
|
2024 |
€15,493,000 |
|
This year's opening budget of €15.493 million is an increase of €1.6 million on the 2023 figure and is the highest opening budget to date for the programme.
As regards the projects supported by the programme, the Deputy will find the most up to date information here Previous Funding | Emigrant Support Programme | Ireland - this is Ireland. The 2023 figures are currently being finalised.
97. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to ensure homeowners eligible for the defective concrete blocks scheme can apply for SEAI grants including if they have already previously availed of them; when this problem will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24058/24]
View answer121. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when homeowners eligible for the defective concrete blocks scheme can apply for SEAI grants including if they have already previously availed of them; the number of current applicants that are affected; the number of cases SEAI has resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24059/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 121 together.
Homeowners eligible for works under the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) scheme may apply for energy upgrade grants administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Homeowners’ whose applications comply with the existing SEAI Scheme criteria and guidelines can access SEAI grants in line with the usual application processes that apply. Further information in that regard is available at Home Energy Upgrades | Home Energy | SEAI.
My Department and SEAI are aware however of the particular issues arising for DCB homeowners that do not currently comply with the SEAI scheme terms and conditions. Examples of such situations include homeowners that previously received SEAI grant support to upgrade a home which now needs to be demolished due to defective concrete block and wish to avail of further SEAI grant supports for their rebuilt home.
My Department has worked with SEAI and other stakeholders in relation to the issues arising and detailed proposals are at an advanced stage of development and are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, SEAI continues to engage directly with impacted homeowners on a case by case basis to discuss their particular circumstances. A specific page on the SEAI website provides further information for DCB affected homeowners
(Defective Concrete Blocks Affected Homeowners | Individual Energy Upgrades | SEAI). Homeowners can also contact the SEAI at a dedicated DCB phone number 01-8082004 or by email at dcb@seai.ie.
98. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that solar panels being installed on domestic roofs must be installed 500mm from the edge, whereas in the UK and other European countries they can be installed up to 200mm from the edge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23564/24]
View answerSetback distances for solar panels are specified under planning regulations. S.I No 493 of 2022, Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No.3) Regulations 2022: notes that “solar photo-voltaic or thermal collector panels shall be a minimum of 50cm from the edge of a roof on which it is mounted”
These setback distances exist for several reasons including wind loading and structural integrity, separation for adjoining properties, as well as to ensure safe access to the roof and gutters of a property for ongoing and safe maintenance.
There are now over 90,200 registered microgenerators across Ireland with domestic solar pv grants provided through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), supporting over 32,000 of these installations during 2022 and 2023 alone. An additional 30,000 households are also expected to receive supports in 2024. Grants are provided based on the installation works being carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice for Installers, which also specifies a minimum 50cm setback distance. The Code of Practice ensures that systems must be designed, installed, tested and commissioned in accordance with the highest standards, including any other relevant codes, standards and building regulations.
It is clear that homes and businesses across the country are recognising the enormous benefits of Solar PV solutions, which can not only reduce energy bills but also contribute towards renewable energy targets, as well as supporting the local electricity grid. It is crucial to ensure that as Ireland’s Solar Rooftop revolution continues at pace, that our technical standards and codes of practice for the installation and maintenance of such systems, are fully aligned with best practice and never compromised for perceived short-term gains.
