Paul Lawless
Question:220. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach the estimated number of people who are working from home in the State. [35331/26]
View answerEmployment Data
Questions (220)
Written answers
Referred to CSO For answer
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of labour market estimates for the State. The official labour market classification of respondents to the LFS is based on International Labour Organisation – or ILO – concepts and definitions. The most recent LFS figures available are for Q4 2025.
The number of persons who reported working usually or sometimes from home in the State in Q4 2025 was 956,800, a decrease of 15,900 people from the 972,700 reported in Q4 2024.
The percentage of persons in employment who reported working from home in the State in Q4 2025 was 33.8%, a decrease of 1.2% percentage points from the rate 35% recorded a year earlier.
LFS estimates for Q1 2026 will be published on 21 May 2026.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (221)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:221. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Taoiseach if his Department or any bodies and agencies under his aegis use software and or products from a company (details supplied); and the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [33729/26]
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 - use software or products from the company specified.
Departmental Staff
Questions (222)
Micheál Carrigy
Question:222. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Taoiseach the number of civil and public servants employed by his Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [33959/26]
View answerWritten answers
The number of whole time equivalent (WTE) staff in the Department of the Taoiseach as at the end of each calendar year is published in the Department's Annual Report for the years 2016 - 2024 and is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/collections/corporate-reports/.
The number of WTE staff in the Department as 31 December 2025 was 265.2.
Civil Service
Questions (223)
Barry Ward
Question:223. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Taoiseach the position regarding any mechanism in place within his Department that allows for civil servants to transfer on secondment to an equivalent role within the European Union, without negatively impacting their pension and other employment rights; his views on the merits of such a scheme. [34431/26]
View answerWritten answers
Staff in the Department of the Taoiseach regularly avail of the opportunity to work in the European Commission under the National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) and the Seconded National Experts (SNE) programmes.
The NEPT programme is a bi-annual training scheme for a period of 3-5 months and the SNE vacancies are usually for a period of 1-2 years and are advertised on a monthly basis.
There is no negative impact on pension or other employment rights of staff members who participate in these programmes.
Public Expenditure Policy
Questions (224)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:224. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Taoiseach the basis on which the current levy arising from public expenditure overruns is being calculated and applied to his Department’s Vote; whether any categories of expenditure, including pay, pensions or staffing-related costs, are exempt from the levy within his Department; and if he will provide a breakdown of the areas against which the levy is being applied. [35089/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of the Taoiseach is engaging actively and constructively with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) on application of the levy to the Department’s Vote allocation.
As this process is currently ongoing, it is not possible, at this time, to provide details of how the levy will be applied.
Passport Services
Questions (225)
Niamh Smyth
Question:225. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33965/26]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the Foreign Birth Certificate to the applicant.
Passport Services
Questions (226)
Niamh Smyth
Question:226. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review application (details supplied); to investigate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34022/26]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Defence Forces
Questions (227)
Grace Boland
Question:227. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Departments which have been completed on time and within budget in Fingal in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34051/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any capital projects in Fingal over the past five years.
Defence Forces
Questions (228)
Micheál Carrigy
Question:228. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Longford in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34078/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any capital projects in Longford over the past five years.
Passport Services
Questions (229)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:229. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department records or monitors repeat requests for documentation from passport applicants; if so, to provide any available data on the frequency and reasons for such requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34199/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service is meeting the current level of demand for passports. The majority of passport applications such as adult renewal applications do not require any supporting documents from applicants and these can be processed within 1-2 working days from the date the applicants makes their online application.
First time applications and applications for children require the submission of supporting documents in order for the Passport Service to verify the identity and citizenship entitlement of the applicant, as well as the consent of all guardians to the issuance of a passport to a child.
First-time applications are the most complex to process as they are, in essence, a verification of Irish citizenship. As such, a rigorous process is in place to validate the identity of applicants and to confirm their citizenship status. Part of this process is the verification of original documentation.
Under Section 14(1) of the Passports Act, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport. In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and the rights of the child and their guardian(s), it is important that the Child Identity and Consent form is correctly completed, witnessed and validated by the Passport Service for both first time and renewal applications for children. Guardians must be present to the person acting as a witness.
If an application is incomplete and further documents are required to validate the applicant's citizenship, identity and/or consent of guardians, the Passport Service will contact the applicant directly to request submission of these documents. These applications cannot progress until the application is fully complete and correct.
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 fourth in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 185 countries.
The Passport Service continually works to enhance the service and support customers in submitting a correct application. A number of improvements have been made to the Passport Online platform over the past three years, including a bespoke list of the supporting documents required for passport applicants. When using Passport Online, the information provided by applicants is used to generate a custom coversheet that will provide the applicant with a bespoke list, in plain English, of the documents that they must submit as part of their application.
Should assistance be required with an application, Customer Service agents are available by phone and webchat services from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. The Customer Service Hub can be contacted at +353 1 671 1633, or via the WebChat service: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/contact-us/.
The Passport Service also has public education materials, including video tutorials and detailed instructions on the application process, available online: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/.
In cases where further supporting documents are required from the applicant, every effort is made to let the applicant know as soon as possible. These requests for additional supporting documents are recorded on the applicant’s passport application. 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.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply or their passports through Passport Online. In particular, those who are travelling this year, especially families with young children who require their first passport, should apply online and in plenty of time. The Passport Service advises citizens to ensure their passports are valid before booking holidays and travel.
Departmental Policies
Questions (230, 231, 234)
Michael Cahill
Question:230. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a detailed update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34245/26]
View answerMichael Cahill
Question:231. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to urgently intervene in a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34261/26]
View answerMichael Cahill
Question:234. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures being taken to assist Irish Citizens (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34659/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 234 together.
I am aware of an operation that took place on Wednesday 29 April in waters close to Greece. This resulted in the interception of several ships participating in the Gaza Sumud Flotilla, and the detention of seven Irish citizens.
As I am sure you are aware, I condemned the interception of vessels in international waters, and called on the Israeli authorities to release all Irish citizens detained, and to uphold their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and welfare of all those on board the Flotilla.
I can confirm that all seven Irish citizens were released in Greece and, after a short bus journey, were received by officials from our Embassy to Greece, as well as our Honorary Consul, who provided consular assistance. This included the offer of food, water, support arranging accommodation, and access to the means to contact their loved ones at home, who had been concerned for their wellbeing.
Throughout this period, my Department, including our Embassies in Athens and Tel Aviv, liaised with the relevant authorities. Consular officers in Dublin were also assigned to maintain direct and continuous contact with the families of those detained, in order to provide them with regular updates as the situation evolved.
I am aware that there are a number of Irish citizens still aboard the Gaza Sumud Flotilla. While my Department continues to advise against all travel to both Israel and Palestine, their safety and wellbeing is my primary concern.
I have instructed officials from across my Department, including those at relevant Embassies in the region, to continue closely monitoring the situation.
Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 230.
Departmental Policies
Questions (232)
Paul Murphy
Question:232. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she is aware of a case (details supplied); if she will advocate for the persons release; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34381/26]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy and I am concerned about it. The current crisis in the Persian Gulf has highlighted several differences in approach by a number countries to the sharing of information on social media compared to Ireland. This is a matter of some concern and is an issue my officials are monitoring.
It is my understanding that the person concerned has been acquitted of some charges and has been released from custody. However, he has also been stripped of his Kuwaiti citizenship. My officials will continue to monitor this particular case.
The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy. We consistently discuss human rights with Kuwait and other partners through the most appropriate and effective channels, including at a bilateral and European Union level, and through the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism.
In bilateral engagements with Kuwait, we regularly discuss human rights, including our long-standing opposition to the death penalty, and issues surrounding the freedom of expression and association. Issues raised by Ireland at Kuwait’s most recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May 2025 included the death penalty, women's rights and citizenship rights for stateless persons.
At European Union level, EU-Kuwait cooperation, engagement, and understanding is also strengthened through the EU-Kuwait Human Rights Dialogue. The most recent dialogue took place on 30 January 2026, during which the freedom of expression and association was discussed.
Ireland remains committed to advancing human rights, including the freedom of expression and association.
Civil Service
Questions (233)
Barry Ward
Question:233. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any mechanism in place within her Department that allows for civil servants to transfer on secondment to an equivalent role within the European Union, without negatively impacting their pension and other employment rights; her views on the merits of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34423/26]
View answerWritten answers
Secondment arrangements for civil servants are subject to the principles outlined in the Civil Service Secondments Policy and ‘Circular 27/2021: Secondment Policy for the Civil Service’. Moreover, in 2022, the Department of Foreign Affairs adopted a ‘Secondments Policy’ which maintains the Department’s commitment to supporting strategically targeted secondments and other temporary reassignment opportunities outside the Department. The Policy recognises the value these opportunities offer to build the Department’s capacity to deliver its objectives.
These secondments include secondment arrangements to EU institutions as Seconded National Experts (SNEs). Seconded National Experts (SNEs) provide EU institutions with specialised expertise from Member States' administrations, while fostering knowledge exchange with national authorities. SNEs must come from Government Departments or public sector bodies. These Secondments are typically two years in duration, but may be extended for up to four years.
Officers availing of these secondments continue to be treated as a staff member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the purposes of internal competitions, pay and progression (including progression to higher scales), incremental credit (subject to satisfactory performance), reckonable service, and will also continue to be a member of the relevant pension scheme and pay all contributions on the basis of this membership at their substantive grade.
In addition to secondment arrangements, officers in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have also availed of special leave to work at EU institutions. These officers avail of special leave under the terms and conditions outlined in ‘Circular 33/1991: Special leave without pay to take up an appointment with institution of the European Communities or other international organisation of which Ireland is a member’.
Question No. 234 answered with Question No. 230.
Defence Forces
Questions (235)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:235. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Cork North-West in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34721/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any capital projects in the Cork North-West region over the past five years.
United Nations
Questions (236)
John Lahart
Question:236. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the UN and member states ensure ethical sourcing and improved working conditions regarding cobalt mining in the DRC. [34788/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in particular the eastern region, has experienced instability and conflict for a number of decades. The Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam is accredited to the DRC, and actively monitors developments there.
EU programmes support sustainable development in the DRC, with some €424 million provided for partnerships between 2021 and 2024. In 2023, the EU and the DRC signed a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains. One of the strands of this partnership focuses on sustainable and responsible sourcing and production of raw materials, including through strengthening governance, due diligence and traceability as well as aligning with international environmental, social and governance standards. The EU also funds the Cobalt 4 Development project which supports improvements in artisanal mining and small-scale cobalt mining in the DRC.
UN agencies, such as the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF, are also working to support the DRC Government to implement measures to improve working conditions in the artisanal mining industry. For example, the ILO launched the GALAB project in 2024, to combat the use of child labour in mining.
More broadly, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide guidance on how to protect human rights in the context of business operations. Ireland's second National Plan on Business and Human Rights is being developed and will take account of key international developments on business and human rights, including new EU Directives such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Ireland will continue to support efforts to insist on greater transparency in supply chains, and adherence to fundamental human rights norms.
Ireland has been providing humanitarian and development support to the people of the DRC for many years through civil society and multilateral partners. Humanitarian programmes are responding to the needs arising from the ongoing conflict, particularly in the North and South Kivu Provinces and to the impact of natural disasters on local communities. Between 2020 and 2025, Ireland contributed over €30 million in humanitarian assistance for communities in the DRC.
Passport Services
Questions (237)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:237. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedures in place within the passport service regarding verification of entries into the log book in a Garda Station; the reason follow up calls cannot be made to clarify (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34789/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service is successfully responding to demand, and has issued over 360,000 passports to date this year.
A limited type of passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland are required to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána.
In December 2025, the Passport Service launched a new Passport Assist Service to support citizens who do not wish to use Passport Online channel and assist them to make a paper passport application. When developing Passport Assist, the Passport Service engaged with An Garda Síochána and provided training on how to ensure forms are witnessed correctly. Since its launch, the proportion of applications requiring Garda witnessing has decreased from 17% to 13%.
The applications which still require Garda witnessing are:
- First Time Adult and Child Passport Assist;
- First Time Adult and Child Online;
The witnessing of these application forms is an important element of the identity verification process, as it provides initial assurance to the Passport Service that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the form.
In these cases, the Passport Service calls the relevant station to confirm that the Garda recorded the form in the station’s logbook. The Passport Service is not required to directly speak to the witnessing Garda. Passport Service staff call the Garda station up to three times to verify the witness' signature. Passport applications are checked by experienced entitlement officers who endeavour to maintain up-to-date records of the opening hours of Garda stations.
Where the Passport Service cannot reach the Garda station after three attempts, the relevant Superintendent’s Office can be contacted to verify the details. If the Passport Service is unable to verify the witness after these steps have been taken, a new witnessed form will be requested from the applicant.
The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants, including the enhancement of digital services, and would therefore welcome the digitisation of the records maintained by An Garda Síochána when witnessing applications.
The Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and offers guidance to the Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms. The Passport Service will continue our engagement with An Garda Síochána, to discuss how we can work together to improve the service for citizens.
As we approach the busy summer holiday season, I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply online for their passports in plenty of time.
Defence Forces
Questions (238)
Joe Neville
Question:238. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Departments which have been completed on time and within budget in Kildare in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35011/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any capital projects in Kildare over the past five years.
Public Expenditure Policy
Questions (239)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:239. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the basis on which the current levy arising from public expenditure overruns is being calculated and applied to her Department’s Vote; whether any categories of expenditure, including pay, pensions or staffing-related costs, are exempt from the levy within her Department; and if she will provide a breakdown of the areas against which the levy is being applied [35081/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade understands that the levy in question is to be applied to the gross current budget for the two Votes managed by this Departments (Votes 27 and 28) based on 2026 allocations. It will be applied to the 2027 budget allocation.
With the exception of the Department's capital budgets, the Department is not aware of any other exclusion.
The basis for the calculation is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation.
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation has requested that my Department revert to them with proposals as to where this levy will be allocated by 17 July 2026. My Department is currently reviewing this matter.