Malcolm Byrne
Question:174. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach the total value and volume of flour imported into Ireland; the total value and volume produced within the State, for each of the years 2015 to 2024 [57307/25]
View answerTrade Data
Questions (174)
Written answers
The data requested on the total value and volume of flour imported into Ireland for years 2015 to 2024 is contained in the table below:
Imports of Flour
|
Year (Jan to Dec) |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
2015 |
70,628 |
172,926 |
|
2016 |
74,801 |
200,020 |
|
2017 |
77,190 |
210,002 |
|
2018 |
80,762 |
215,257 |
|
2019 |
89,371 |
227,661 |
|
2020 |
87,979 |
221,557 |
|
2021 |
104,209 |
219,060 |
|
2022 |
148,133 |
274,447 |
|
2023 |
147,011 |
256,069 |
|
2024 |
161,576 |
256,872 |
|
Total |
1,041,659 |
2,253,871 |
The data requested on the total value and volume of flour produced within the State for years 2015 to 2024 is not available.
EU Funding
Questions (175)
Pearse Doherty
Question:175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under his Department and at agencies under his aegis in the next six months and in the next 12 months. [56458/25]
View answerWritten answers
Neither the Department of the Taoiseach nor the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach - has EU funded schemes in place and there are no plans to put any such schemes in place in the next twelve months.
Departmental Data
Questions (176)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:176. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if the Central Statistics Office, under his Department’s aegis, holds or can provide data on the number and percentage of residents of non-Irish ethnic background in Ballyhaunis, Ballyvaughan, Clones, Lisdoonvarna, Longford, Gort, Granard, and Newport for the census years 2016, 2022, and 2024 or the most recent available figures, if this information can be disaggregated at town level [56414/25]
View answerWritten answers
A question on ethnicity was included in Census 2016 and Census 2022. The next census will take place in 2027. The wording of the question on ethnicity asked changed between Census 2016, from ‘What is your ethnic or cultural background?’ to ‘What is your ethnic group/background?’ in Census 2022.
The table below shows the population usually resident and present in the State by ethnic group/background at the time of the 2022 census.
|
Population Usually Resident and Present in the State by Ethnic group or background for selected towns, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
White Irish |
White Irish Traveller |
Other White |
Black or Black Irish |
Asian or Asian Irish |
Other |
Not stated |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|
|
Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo |
927 |
33.6 |
97 |
3.5 |
636 |
23.0 |
156 |
5.6 |
387 |
14.0 |
297 |
10.8 |
262 |
9.5 |
2,762 |
100 |
|
Ballyvaughan, Co Clare |
134 |
39.5 |
0 |
0.0 |
25 |
7.4 |
0 |
0.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
172 |
50.7 |
339 |
100 |
|
Clones, Co Monaghan |
1,228 |
65.7 |
17 |
0.9 |
367 |
19.6 |
23 |
1.2 |
90 |
4.8 |
97 |
5.2 |
46 |
2.5 |
1,868 |
100 |
|
Gort, Co Galway |
1,515 |
53.3 |
15 |
0.5 |
425 |
15.0 |
66 |
2.3 |
74 |
2.6 |
265 |
9.3 |
482 |
17.0 |
2,842 |
100 |
|
Granard, Co Longford |
547 |
51.9 |
16 |
1.5 |
221 |
21.0 |
15 |
1.4 |
16 |
1.5 |
41 |
3.9 |
198 |
18.8 |
1,054 |
100 |
|
Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare |
293 |
31.7 |
12 |
1.3 |
67 |
7.3 |
0 |
0.0 |
16 |
1.7 |
21 |
2.3 |
514 |
55.7 |
923 |
100 |
|
Longford, Co Longford |
5,224 |
48.3 |
657 |
6.1 |
2,132 |
19.7 |
609 |
5.6 |
442 |
4.1 |
653 |
6.0 |
1,105 |
10.2 |
10,822 |
100 |
|
Newport, Co Mayo |
642 |
80.8 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
91 |
11.4 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
6 |
0.8 |
12 |
1.5 |
39 |
4.9 |
795 |
100 |
|
Newport, Co Tipperary |
1,835 |
84.4 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
137 |
6.3 |
15 |
0.7 |
64 |
2.9 |
23 |
1.1 |
<100 |
<5.0 |
2,174 |
100 |
The table below shows the population usually resident and present in the State by ethnic or cultural background at the time of the 2016 census.
|
Population Usually Resident and Present in the State by Ethnic or cultural background for selected towns, 2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
White Irish |
White Irish Traveller |
Other White |
Black or Black Irish |
Asian or Asian Irish |
Other |
Not stated |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
N |
% |
|
|
Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo |
901 |
38.5 |
153 |
6.5 |
643 |
27.5 |
108 |
4.6 |
315 |
13.5 |
154 |
6.6 |
64 |
2.7 |
2,338 |
100 |
|
Ballyvaughan, Co Clare |
163 |
86.7 |
0 |
0.0 |
17 |
9.0 |
0 |
0.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
188 |
100 |
|
Clones, Co Monaghan |
1,260 |
75.8 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
276 |
16.6 |
13 |
0.8 |
25 |
1.5 |
22 |
1.3 |
<65 |
<5.0 |
1,662 |
100 |
|
Gort, Co Galway |
1,820 |
62.0 |
63 |
2.1 |
482 |
16.4 |
112 |
3.8 |
59 |
2.0 |
267 |
9.1 |
134 |
4.6 |
2,937 |
100 |
|
Granard, Co Longford |
514 |
63.2 |
17 |
2.1 |
224 |
27.6 |
8 |
1.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
18 |
2.2 |
<30 |
<5.0 |
813 |
100 |
|
Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare |
360 |
59.4 |
0 |
0.0 |
85 |
14.0 |
0 |
0.0 |
16 |
2.6 |
19 |
3.1 |
126 |
20.8 |
606 |
100 |
|
Longford, Co Longford |
5,459 |
54.8 |
729 |
7.3 |
2,121 |
21.3 |
548 |
5.5 |
368 |
3.7 |
341 |
3.4 |
391 |
3.9 |
9,957 |
100 |
|
Newport, Co Mayo |
533 |
87.1 |
0 |
0.0 |
62 |
10.1 |
0 |
0.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
<6 |
<3.0 |
13 |
2.1 |
612 |
100 |
|
Newport, Co Tipperary |
1,794 |
90.2 |
0 |
0.0 |
97 |
4.9 |
6 |
0.3 |
33 |
1.7 |
25 |
1.3 |
34 |
1.7 |
1,989 |
100 |
For Cells <6 - We have suppressed and used values <6 in line with our Statistical Disclosure Control Policy. Secondary Cells have also been suppressed where necessary.
There was a change in the Town boundary between censuses. In Census 2016, the definition of census towns was revised using standard criteria, including a 100-metre proximity rule, which in some cases reduced town area and population figures. For Census 2022, the CSO, Tailte Éireann (formerly Ordnance Survey Ireland), and the Department of Housing collaborated to develop a new urban geography framework. This led to the introduction of Built Up Areas (BUAs), now used to define towns for census purposes.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (177)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:177. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Taoiseach the amount that has been spent by his Department to conduct tendering processes for public infrastructure projects in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. [56700/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of the Taoiseach incurred no expenditure on tendering processes for public infrastructure projects in the period 2020 to 2024 and had no capital allocation for the years in question.
Middle East
Questions (178)
Carol Nolan
Question:178. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if he or any of his officials received an invitation to attend the multinational Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, that took place on 13 October 2025. [56826/25]
View answerWritten answers
Neither I nor any of my officials received an invitation to attend the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on 13 October 2025.
I welcome the agreement reached to bring about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the release of hostages and prisoners back to their loved ones and the beginning of the delivery of much needed humanitarian aid into Gaza after two years of unimaginable suffering.
I commend the efforts of the US, as well as Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, to secure this agreement.
While work continues on the next phases of the peace plan, it is important to remain focused on preserving the ceasefire and ensuring that a surge of humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza. Ireland is playing its part and has pledged an additional €6 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza to fund urgent food, medical care and other vital services.
Vacant Properties
Questions (179)
Eoin Hayes
Question:179. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Taoiseach the details of the vacant buildings owned by his Department or by agencies under the remit of his Department in Dublin 2, 4, 6, and 6W, including, the address and size in square meters. [57119/25]
View answerWritten answers
Neither the Department of the Taoiseach nor the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - own any buildings. Accommodation used by the Department and NESDO is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (180)
Paul Lawless
Question:180. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will next meet. [57268/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments that are in relation to matters under these headings.
It was established in February 2025 following the appointment of the new Government in January.
The Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs had its first meeting on 10 April and met most recently on the 14 July. It will meet again in the coming weeks.
The Cabinet Committee covers a range of policy areas, including Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, policing and justice reform, migration and initiatives tackling local area disadvantage.
Amongst other items, it also oversees the development and delivery of the whole of Government response to migration and integration, including through a National Migration and Integration Strategy.
In addition to meetings of the Cabinet Committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss issues relating to their Departments.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (181)
Paul Lawless
Question:181. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Disability will next meet. [57269/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Disability last met on Thursday, 16th October 2025 and is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, 27th November.
Departmental Reports
Questions (182)
Carol Nolan
Question:182. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the details of all reports, including consultancy reports commissioned by his Department from 1 January 2024 to date in 2025, that could be categorised as not for external publication or marked for internal use only. [57299/25]
View answerWritten answers
In the period since 1 January 2024, the Department of the Taoiseach has not commissioned any reports that could be categorised as not for external publication, or marked for internal use only. Indeed, the Department has not incurred any expenditure on consultancy in the period in question.
Child Protection
Questions (183)
Barry Ward
Question:183. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the production of a film (details supplied), which pertains to the issue of forced child marriage; the actions he is taking to raise this issue at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56573/25]
View answerWritten answers
The troubling practice of child, early and forced marriages is one the Government is committed to ending both at home and abroad. Ireland works both within the EU and with partners in multilateral forums on this important question. Ireland continues to use every opportunity to call on States to eliminate harmful practices such as child, early or forced marriage.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is central to the protection and promotion of children’s rights on a global level. The Convention contains many clauses protecting children from child, early and forced marriages.
Within the EU, Ireland has a leadership role on negotiating UN Resolutions on the Rights of the Child in Geneva and New York. Ireland is also a traditional co-sponsor of the UN Resolution on the issue of child, early and forced marriage. This Resolution recognises that child marriage is a human rights violation that disproportionately affects girls and that it perpetuates other violations of human rights. It urges States to enact and enforce laws to ensure that marriage is entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses and to raise the minimum age for marriage.
Internationally, Ireland has supported a number of UN partners such as UNICEF, UNFPA and also the IPPF who engage on awareness raising and influencing on harmful practices, including child marriage. In 2025 Ireland provided a core contribution of €4.5 million to UNFPA and an uneamarked contribution of €1.3 million to IPPF.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade partners with Plan International Ireland’s “Safe, Quality, Resilient, and Inclusion-Based Education” programme, which focuses on empowering girls and adolescents with knowledge in order to reduce child, early, and forced marriage and unintended pregnancies.
I thank the Deputy for highlighting this film, the Department of Foreign Affairs was invited to join the premiere film screening of "Nawi: Dear future me" on the 9 October 2025, as part of Plan International Ireland’s event to mark International Day of the Girl which was attended by officials.
European Union
Questions (184)
Duncan Smith
Question:184. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to clarify the way in which Ireland is pressuring Hungary to drop its veto on Ukraine joining the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57173/25]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s EU perspective is steadfast and remains a key focus of my engagements with EU counterparts, both bilaterally and in Brussels. Ukraine was granted EU candidate country status in June 2022, with negotiations opening in December 2023.
Despite Ukraine meeting the necessary criteria, Hungary continues to block the opening of the first negotiating cluster with Ukraine (and Moldova), effectively vetoing their progress. Ireland supports a merit-based EU accession process and has raised at political level our serious concern and frustration at this blockage. Ireland has also conveyed this position in bilateral engagements with Hungary, including at Ministerial and senior official levels. We will continue to advocate for the progression of Ukraine’s EU candidacy with Hungarian counterparts.
Furthermore, in discussions at Foreign Affairs Council, General Affairs Council and European Council, Ireland’s message is clear that we want to see concrete progress on Ukraine’s EU accession. At the European Council in June, leaders from 26 EU Member States, including Ireland, reiterated clear support for Ukraine’s path towards EU membership, and invited the Council to take the next steps in the accession process in line with the merit-based approach.
Notwithstanding this blockage, Ireland is continuing to provide financial and capacity building support for Ukraine’s EU candidacy. In September, as part of a package of €35.4 million in humanitarian assistance and stabilisation supports to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, I announced €1.5 million in funding for the Ukraine2EU initiative. This initiative supports Ukraine in coordinating and monitoring its accession process and ensuring the harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with EU Law. My department is also supporting the provision of capacity building supports for candidate countries, including for Ukraine, to align with EU acquis.
The European Commission’s 2025 Special Eurobarometer Survey on Enlargement and Perception surveys in candidate and potential candidate countries confirmed that over 70% of Ukrainian’s support EU membership. Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union and Ireland will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts towards EU membership.
Trade Relations
Questions (185)
Barry Ward
Question:185. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a change in policy in China in relation to the licensing requirements for companies that are involved in the export of technologies used in rare earth mining and processing (details supplied); if he proposes to raise this at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56512/25]
View answerWritten answers
On 9 October 2025, China expanded its restricted list of rare-earth minerals for export, broadened controls on extraction and processing technologies for rare-earth minerals, and expanded the scope of licensing requirements. China has indicated that such controls are being imposed on the basis of national security concerns.
These new requirements follow the imposition of export restrictions on rare earth minerals by China in April 2025, partly in response to US tariff escalations. These restrictions have had a considerable impact on EU supply chains, including for medical technology. Since 2023, China has progressively expanded the number of its export-controlled items with a focus on critical raw materials and technologies for raw material extraction and processing.
My officials and I are closely following developments and maintaining contact with counterparts in the European Commission and in other EU Member States on this issue. Indeed this matter was discussed at the meeting of EU Trade Ministers in Denmark which took place just days after the latest announcement by China. Ireland is a strong proponent of fair and open trade, and shares the Commission’s view that any export controls should be proportionate and in line with World Trade Organization rules.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (186)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:186. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount that has been spent by his Department to conduct tendering processes for public infrastructure projects in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56693/25]
View answerWritten answers
The department consists of two votes, Vote 27 International Co-operation and Vote 28 Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Department does not undertake public infrastructure projects.
EU Regulations
Questions (187)
Sinéad Gibney
Question:187. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he supports the view, as recently expressed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (details supplied), that simplification at EU level should equate to deregulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56773/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government strongly supports the EU’s competitiveness agenda. Simplification is a key enabler of this. Both the Letta and Draghi reports underlined the need to reduce the regulatory and administrative burden on EU companies, particularly SMEs.
The Government’s position has been consistent. Simplification has to be about better regulation, not deregulation, and should deliver outcomes that serve both business and consumers effectively. We need to focus on reducing the regulatory burden, while maintaining high ambition in terms of environmental protection, human health, and other standards.
At the EU level, we need to prioritise smarter, simpler and more streamlined regulations, in line with core better regulation principles and the inter-institutional agreement on better law-making, but with a sharper focus on outcomes.
Ireland continues to engage proactively in discussions on the EU’s simplification agenda. We welcome the six Omnibus packages proposed by the European Commission to date and the progress made. We look forward to future Omnibus packages, including the digital simplification package, which we expect to be published in November.
Official Engagements
Questions (188)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:188. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for details of his engagements with his UK counterparts regarding the detention of Irish citizens in the UK for attending Palestine solidarity protests or breaking the controversial ban on the Palestine Action organisation. [56776/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government maintains close and regular contact with our UK counterparts across a wide range of issues, and this engagement has increased since the reset in political relations in July 2024. I and my officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, like all Government Ministers and Departments, have frequent interaction with our UK counterparts through a variety of channels on many different topics including the situation in Gaza.
The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad, including in cases of detention, is a cornerstone of the work of officials in my Department. My officials and I place a strong emphasis on ensuring that Irish citizens receive timely and empathetic consular assistance in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter.
Consular assistance is provided in a strictly confidential manner and, as with all cases, my Department does not comment on the details of individual cases.
Emigrant Support Services
Questions (189)
Cormac Devlin
Question:189. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the work being done by his Department, and agencies under its remit, to facilitate, in line with the commitment under the Programme for Government, the easier return to Ireland for emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56788/25]
View answerWritten answers
Further to my response to PQ 57053/25 I can confirm that in line with the commitments in the Programme for Government, I am committed to facilitating the easier return to Ireland for our diaspora.
I am currently hosting a series of consultations with Irish communities around the world to inform our new diaspora strategy. As part of these discussions, I always ensure that that time is provided for those considering retuning home, so I can hear their experiences first hand. These in-person engagements have been supplemented by an online consultation, the Global Irish Survey, which also asked participants for any views they have on returning to Ireland. These are important discussion and the views will feed into our new strategy.
Even ahead of our new strategy, we are focused on supporting those who wish to come home.
Through the Emigrant Support Programme, we fund the Citizens’ Information Board's "Returning to Ireland" portal, which contains a wide range of very practical information and advice for returning emigrants. Furthermore, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works closely with partners such as Crosscare and Safe Home, who provide information and support to returning Irish emigrants.
We also fund Back for Business, an initiative we established to support and guide Irish entrepreneurs who have returned, or plan to return, to Ireland.
Through the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which I chair, we also work closely with other departments on specific issues such as access to PPS numbers and the criteria around habitual residence in areas such as social protection and housing.
Driving Licence exchange is another issue that comes up regularly. Ireland currently allows licence exchanges with 21 jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and seven Canadian provinces. As such agreements with the US have to bee concluded on a State by State basis, our focus initially is on those states with a significant Irish population. Engagement is currently underway with New York State.
I am also pleased to see that some private insurance companies are now offering specialised motor insurance cover policies for returning emigrants, which is an issue that has been raised with me in the past.
Middle East
Questions (190)
Carol Nolan
Question:190. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or any of his officials received an invitation to attend the multinational Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, that took place on 13 October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56825/25]
View answerWritten answers
Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major priority for this Government.
While Ireland was not invited to the meeting referenced by the Deputy, this Government is committed to working with a wide range of regional and other partners. Ireland is using its voice at the EU, at the UN and at other international bodies to pursue a sustainable, long-lasting peace for Israel and Palestine. President of the European Council, António Costa, attended the Summit on behalf of the European Union.
Ireland has been playing our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the implementation of the two-State solution, where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions. In this regard, I welcomes the agreement on a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. It is important now to continue to ensure that the first phase of the plan is implemented, while continuing work on the next phases.
At the EU level, the situation in Gaza and in the West Bank was at the centre of discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg yesterday. My counterparts and I welcomed the agreement of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. We must now focus on preserving the ceasefire, and flooding Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian aid. The people of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. The scale of destruction and need is starkly evident. While in Luxembourg, I emphasised the importance of the EU as a vocal supporter of the two-State solution that unifies the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, as negotiations continue on further peace efforts.
Ireland was active in preparing the UN High-Level Conference on the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, which met in New York in July and again during UN High Level week in September. As co-chair of a working group of the conference, alongside Türkiye, Ireland was part of a core group of countries that negotiated the outcome document of the Conference, known as the New York Declaration. That document was endorsed by 142 UN Member States. Ireland is now part of a strong coalition of international partners ready to press ahead with securing and implementing the two-state solution.
Also during UN High Level Week, I attended a meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of Two-State Solution, where I met with like-minded and regional partners. I announced at that meeting that Ireland will host a meeting of the Global Alliance in Dublin early in 2026, where we will share lessons from our own peace process in Northern Ireland.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (191)
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
Question:191. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the percentage of staff that are based at the Irish Embassy in Bangkok that are fluent in speaking and writing in Thai. [56886/25]
View answerWritten answers
A wide range of skills are required to carry out the functions of an Embassy and, to that end, the staffing profile of our Embassies include both posted staff and locally-hired staff.
A total of 13 staff are currently employed by Ireland’s Embassy to Thailand.
10 members of the staff (77%) at the Embassy are fluent in both spoken and written Thai and all posted staff members have undertaken Thai language training with 2 currently undertaking further Thai language training.
Developing and maintaining foreign language skills in our Embassies is important in building key relationships, and enabling officers to integrate more deeply in their host country.
Birth Certificates
Questions (192)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:192. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a birth and baptismal certificate for a person born in Ireland in March 1923 is acceptable evidence for their grandchild, when applying for Irish citizenship and an Irish passport. [57033/25]
View answerWritten answers
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008 ("the Act"), as amended. The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person.
Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation.
A person may be entitled to Irish citizenship through descent. Eligibility for citizenship through descent (i.e. Foreign Birth Registration) can be ascertained on www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship. If eligible, a person may apply online for entry on the Foreign Birth Registry.
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.
My Department can only assess a person's citizenship once an application, with all supporting documents, has been received. The list of supporting documents required for a FBR application are on my Department's website: https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/
Civil birth certificates are required for births occurring after 1864. If a civil record cannot be located or does not exist with the General Register’s Office, the Passport Service understands that a church issued birth and baptismal cert can be submitted to the General Register's Office to formally register the birth. Once a civil birth certificate is issued it can then be submitted in support of the FBR application.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
By its nature, FBR 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.
Should assistance be required with a FBR application, our Customer Service agents are available through phone and webchat services, from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. They can be contacted at +353 1 671 1633, or via the webchat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice
Once my Department has issued a person with a FBR Certificate, the person has been deemed an Irish citizen and therefore may proceed to make an online application for an Irish Passport.
Passport Services
Questions (193)
Ryan O'Meara
Question:193. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average processing time for passport applications whereby reckonable residency must be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57066/25]
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All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008 ("the 2008 Act"), as amended. The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person.
Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 ("the 1956 Act"), as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation. The 1956 Act is under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
When processing a first time application, the Passport Service must validate the identity of the applicant and confirm their entitlement to Irish citizenship.
The vast majority of applications are processed within the advertised turnaround times. Turnaround time applies to fully complete and correct applications, and begins from the date that supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, not the date the online application is made. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete will take longer to process.
With regard to the Deputy's query, it is not possible for the Passport Service to compile the requested figures for this Parliamentary Question response, as the data is not available. Passport applications that involve the calculation of a parent's reckonable residence can be complex. The Passport Service has a dedicated team of highly skilled and experienced entitlement officers who review these applications and engage directly with the applicant to ensure that all required supporting documentation is submitted.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage applicants with specific queries to contact the Passport Service for guidance and support. Applicants with any queries can contact the Customer Service Hub for assistance at +353 1 671 1633, or via the webchat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice/
Agents are available from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Passport Services
Questions (194)
Ryan O'Meara
Question:194. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to consider implementing changes to the online passport tracker to better reflect processing times in the instance of a ‘non-standard’ or ‘complex’ application, as these applications currently present with an estimated issue date based on ‘standard’ application processing times and said estimated issue date does not update once it has passed, therefore leaving said applicants with no indication on turnaround times, as is afforded to applicants with ‘standard’ applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57067/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service is successfully responding to demand, and has issued over 805,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times.
The turnaround times for passport applications are:
• 10 working days for simple online adult renewals
• 15 working days for complex or child online renewals
• 20 working days for first time online applications
• 8 weeks for post passport or paper applications
Passport applicants can track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on my Department's website - [][https://]ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/tracking/
The tracker provides an indication of how an application is progressing through the system and gives an estimated issue date based on the current average application processing time. As the website notes, the issue date of your passport is a Target Issue Date and not a guaranteed date. Information is updated intermittently on the tracker daily and reflects the current target turnaround times. The tracker updates applications throughout the day where these applications have progressed.
Turnaround time applies to fully complete and correct applications, and begins from the date that supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, not the date the online application is made. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete will take longer to process.
If an applicant has submitted an online application that requires documentation in support of same, the Target Issue Date will not display until all required supporting documentation has been received by the Passport Service.
It is important to note that complex applications may, by their nature, involve considerable engagement between the applicant and the Passport Service to ensure all necessary documentation is provided. Since 2022, the Passport Service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received by the Passport Service. These applications are then processed within 15 working days.
The Passport Service continually works to enhance the service and provide efficiencies for customers. A number of improvements were made to the passport online platform over the past two years. These include a bespoke list of the supporting documents required for first-time applicants and a new integration feature with the General Register Office (GRO). These upgrades help to reduce the administrative burden for applicants.
The Passport Service's programme of reform will continue throughout this year and next year, with the delivery of a number of highly complex and transformational projects that are necessary to future-proof service delivery, enhance the customer experience, ensure business continuity, and safeguard the integrity of the Irish passport. Successful delivery of these projects will ensure that Ireland remains at the forefront of passport processing worldwide. The Reform Programme includes improvements to the passport tracker that would provide more accuracy on individual applications and their statuses.