Written Answers Nos. 123-137
123. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to advise on a case of a person who has learned that the named father on their birth certificate is not their biological father, and that their biological father is Irish (details supplied). [23366/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEntitlement 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.
If a person or their parent was born on the island of Ireland before 1 January 2005, they are an Irish citizen and they can apply for an Irish passport without making an application for citizenship.
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 or naturalisation.
Further information on citizenship is available at my Department's website: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/
In regards to the specific individual about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service cannot offer definitive advice in the absence of an application or any further information. However, the person is advised to make an application, submitting a letter outlining the details of their specific situation as well as any evidence they may have of their entitlement to Irish citizenship. The Passport Service will review the application and will follow up with the applicant directly as appropriate.
124. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider providing more accountability and transparency within the Passport Service, and provide a meaningful escalation path that facilitates citizens having their issues resolved. [23383/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over half a million passports to date in 2024. The Customer Service Hub has responded to over 200,000 queries this year and is now handling up to 16,000 queries per week.
The Passport Service is well staffed with a total of 850 staff currently, and is in an excellent position to deliver the level of demand forecasted for this year, even with the busy summer season underway.
Whilst virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within advertised turnaround times, there are some complex or edge cases where applicants may need assistance. In these situations, there are several escalation paths.
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.
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.
The Passport Service established a phone line to respond to Oireachtas Members' queries on urgent passport cases in 2021. It is important to note that this phone line does not function as a means of expediting passport applications.
In each case raised by an Oireachtas Member, the Passport Service reviews the application in question. Applications can only be expedited in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad.
The Passport Service plans to deliver a briefing to Oireachtas members in order to support Deputies to answer passport questions that may arise from their constituents. Planning for this briefing is currently underway.
The Passport Service 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/. These materials are regularly communicated to citizens via our social media channels.
Additionally, should assistance be required with an 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
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 on time and online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
125. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views with regard to the situation of the Baha’is community in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23393/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern. This includes freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of peaceful assembly, arbitrary arrest, and torture in detention, among others. There are concerns in particular about the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities, political activists, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, labour rights activists, artists and environmentalists. Human rights issues therefore continue to constitute an important part of our engagement and dialogue with Iran.
Discriminatory practices with respect to employment, education and access to other basic services, continue to affect Baha’i and other minority groups in Iran. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran has reported on the fact that members of minorities can be subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention for engaging in peaceful advocacy for their rights in Iran.
Ireland has consistently called for the end of the systemic discrimination of the Baha’i people in Iran. Ireland has regularly raised the issue in our interventions at the Human Rights Council and at the General Assembly. Ireland consistently calls on Iran to ensure full respect for its international human rights obligations and take all necessary steps to protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, making particular reference to the Baha’i community.
We also raise the human rights situation of the Baha’i community directly in our bilateral interactions with the Iranian authorities, including with the Iranian Embassy in Dublin. Ireland, along with the EU, will continue to raise issues in relation to religious minorities in Iran and to make clear our concerns to the Iranian authorities at every appropriate opportunity.
126. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23446/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs uses advertising and public awareness campaigns primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad such as passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of campaigns.
The Department engages the services of a third-party media agency (PHD Media), retained under a cross-Government procurement process, for the purposes of placing advertisements in online/digital media platforms.
The below figures represent the costs of the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms, conducted via the third-party media agency:
|
YEAR |
Payable |
Payable + VAT |
|
2019 |
€ 261,626 |
€ 321,800 |
|
|
€ 80,108 |
€ 98,533 |
|
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL |
€ 1,127 |
€ 1,386 |
|
JOURNAL MEDIA LIMITED |
€ 5,100 |
€ 6,273 |
|
|
€ 1,500 |
€ 1,845 |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
€ 8,000 |
€ 9,840 |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
€ 8,061 |
€ 9,915 |
|
RTE |
€ 7,650 |
€ 9,410 |
|
GOOGLE ADSERVING |
€ 193 |
€ 237 |
|
GOOGLE SEARCH |
€ 87,716 |
€ 107,891 |
|
|
€ 62,171 |
€ 76,470 |
|
2020 |
€ 116,674 |
€ 141,066 |
|
ALL4 |
€ 5,008 |
€ 5,008 |
|
COMSCORE BV |
€ 520 |
€ 520 |
|
|
€ 9,150 |
€ 11,072 |
|
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL |
€ 17,998 |
€ 22,138 |
|
JOURNAL MEDIA LIMITED |
€ 5,100 |
€ 6,273 |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
€ 29,721 |
€ 36,243 |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
€ 19,664 |
€ 23,957 |
|
RTE |
€ 4,250 |
€ 5,228 |
|
SKY MEDIA - IRELAND |
€ 11,900 |
€ 14,399 |
|
VMS - PLAYER |
€ 4,051 |
€ 4,902 |
|
GOOGLE ADSERVING |
€ 1,061 |
€ 1,289 |
|
|
€ 3,127 |
€ 3,835 |
|
YOUTUBE |
€ 5,124 |
€ 6,202 |
|
2021 |
€ 244,595 |
€ 297,821 |
|
ALL4 |
€ 8,869 |
€ 8,869 |
|
COMSCORE BV |
€ 119 |
€ 119 |
|
|
€ 85,689 |
€ 105,389 |
|
JOURNAL MEDIA LIMITED |
€ 5,100 |
€ 6,273 |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
€ 50,186 |
€ 61,402 |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
€ 9,736 |
€ 11,817 |
|
RTE - DISPLAY |
€ 2,916 |
€ 3,586 |
|
SKY MEDIA - IRELAND |
€ 11,475 |
€ 13,885 |
|
GOOGLE ADSERVING |
€ 1,130 |
€ 1,372 |
|
GOOGLE SEARCH |
€ 10,756 |
€ 13,230 |
|
INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE - AD VERIFICATION |
€ 479 |
€ 479 |
|
|
€ 39,515 |
€ 48,604 |
|
YOUTUBE |
€ 18,625 |
€ 22,796 |
|
2022 |
€ 226,586 |
€ 276,886 |
|
AUDIOXI |
€ 4,250 |
€ 5,228 |
|
|
€ 85,127 |
€ 104,706 |
|
|
€ 5,250 |
€ 6,458 |
|
LOVIN DUBAI |
€ 4,771 |
€ 4,771 |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
€ 1,281 |
€ 1,576 |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
€ 9,077 |
€ 11,165 |
|
SPOTIFY LTD |
€ 8,500 |
€ 10,455 |
|
TIKTOK |
€ 1,453 |
€ 1,453 |
|
TUAIRISC BHEO TEORANTA |
€ 1,169 |
€ 1,438 |
|
ACAST |
€ 4,250 |
€ 5,228 |
|
GOOGLE ADSERVING |
€ 607 |
€ 746 |
|
GOOGLE SEARCH |
€ 21,641 |
€ 26,618 |
|
INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE - AD VERIFICATION |
€ 1,668 |
€ 1,668 |
|
|
€ 46,015 |
€ 56,598 |
|
YOUTUBE |
€ 31,527 |
€ 38,778 |
|
2023 |
€ 285,036 |
€ 348,196 |
|
AGRILAND MEDIA LIMITED |
€ 4,548 |
€ 5,593 |
|
|
€ 102,458 |
€ 126,023 |
|
IRISH FARMERS JOURNAL |
€ 3,867 |
€ 4,757 |
|
|
€ 33,179 |
€ 40,810 |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
€ 5,286 |
€ 6,502 |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
€ 9,647 |
€ 11,866 |
|
SPOTIFY LTD |
€ 5,100 |
€ 6,273 |
|
TIKTOK |
€ 8,041 |
€ 8,041 |
|
TUAIRISC BHEO TEORANTA |
€ 7,080 |
€ 8,708 |
|
ACAST |
€ 3,740 |
€ 4,600 |
|
GOOGLE ADSERVING |
€ 443 |
€ 545 |
|
GOOGLE SEARCH |
€ 30,202 |
€ 37,149 |
|
INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE - AD VERIFICATION |
€ 2,385 |
€ 2,385 |
|
|
€ 6,371 |
€ 7,836 |
|
YOUTUBE |
€ 62,689 |
€ 77,108 |
|
2024 (to May 20 th ) |
€ 131,806 |
€ 160,086 |
|
AGRILAND MEDIA LIMITED |
€ 1,190 |
€ 1,464 |
|
|
€ 44,232 |
€ 54,406 |
|
IRISH FARMERS JOURNAL |
€ 1,190 |
€ 1,464 |
|
IRISHTIMES.COM |
€ 850 |
€ 1,046 |
|
|
€ 10,597 |
€ 13,034 |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
€ 8,434 |
€ 10,373 |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
€ 9,646 |
€ 11,865 |
|
TIKTOK |
€ 7,604 |
€ 7,604 |
|
TUAIRISC BHEO TEORANTA |
€ 5,100 |
€ 6,273 |
|
GOOGLE ADSERVING |
€ 327 |
€ 402 |
|
GOOGLE SEARCH |
€ 11,841 |
€ 14,564 |
|
INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE - AD VERIFICATION |
€ 1,245 |
€ 1,245 |
|
|
€ 9,691 |
€ 11,920 |
|
YOUTUBE |
€ 19,859 |
€ 24,426 |
|
Overall Total |
€ 1,266,323 |
€ 1,545,855 |
127. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to expedite a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23486/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 2nd May 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
128. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if concerns that deposit return scheme machines are too high for wheelchair users will be addressed; the action that will be taken to improve accessibility in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Regulations, retailers are required to ensure that the take-back facilities they provide on their premises are accessible to all individuals wishing to return empty containers.
With the advice of the National Disability Authority, Re-turn, the DRS operator, is embarking on an engagement process that will examine accessibility issues for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in line with best practice.
Re-Turn will convene the first meeting of an advisory group in May and has sought nominations from a number of disability organisations who will provide membership for the group.
Re-turn is available to support individuals who have difficulties in returning bottles and cans to their local retailer.
129. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the SEAI's plans to expand their parameters to include and support stone wall external insulation, traditional/older buildings, dropped ceilings, dormer-style roofs, double glazed windows in need of replacement, amongst other features, as a good number of applicants are left with little to no works carried on their homes due to features being deemed 'ineligible' for work, it causes additional issues for those who need their heating system replaced as it cannot be done unless a "home's surface area is to be insulated by 25% or over"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23361/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty.
There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded.
Appendix 1 of the scheme application guidelines (www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/SCHEME-GUIDELINES.pdf) provides further details on the conditions for the various recommendations for energy efficiency upgrade measures.
As set out in the guidelines, heating systems upgrades are only recommended under the scheme in cases where insulation works being carried out under the scheme trigger statutory ‘Major Renovations’ obligations. This means that when more than 25% of the area of the walls is being externally and/or internally insulated, the existing heating system must be appraised for replacement. This is legally required under the Building Regulations, Part L 2019.
In relation to Traditional Buildings specifically, the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage's "Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings" publication describes how thermal efficiency of traditionally built buildings can be enhanced, whilst maintaining the conservation of architectural heritage. This guidance will be an important resource to SEAI as well as the retrofit and wider construction industry in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrading of older, traditionally-built buildings while ensuring compliance with the relevant building regulations.
In the meantime I have asked SEAI to examine how some support could be provided to households whose properties are currently unsuitable for the works provided under the scheme.
130. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the exemption to the waste recovery levy for C and D will be removed; if so, when this is proposed to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23363/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the exemption to the waste recovery levy for C and D is coming to an end, how much per tonne will be charged on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what is proposed for 2025/2026 for waste recovery levy for C and D; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23365/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, together.
Under the Waste Action Plan for A Circular Economy, I introduced a Waste Recovery Levy of €10/tonne on the 1st September 2023. The intention of the waste recovery levy is to encourage higher value waste management practices by moving material management up the waste hierarchy from waste recovery to more recycling and re-use and to encourage greater efforts to segregate waste at source.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) is the fastest growing waste stream, accounting for over half of the total waste currently being generated in Ireland with only 8% being recycled or reused, and most being backfilled. Given that substantial volumes of this weight are potentially preventable, re-usable or recyclable it presents a significant opportunity for Ireland’s transition to a more circular economy. My Department estimates through embedding greater circularity within the construction sector alone, Ireland’s circularity rate can be doubled.
In line with the commitment in Housing for All, an exemption for C&D waste from the Waste Recovery Levy was initially provided for in the supporting regulations. However, the regulatory landscape for the exemption has now evolved significantly, following the introduction national by-product (prevention and reuse) and end of waste (recycling) decisions for construction materials by the Environment Protection Agency. These decisions allow for usable C&D material to be treated as a resource rather than a waste thereby delivering considerable savings for the construction sector.
As the continued application of the levy exemption for C&D waste is neither tenable nor sustainable, my Department is amending the Waste Recovery Regulations to remove the levy exemptions for C&D waste with effect from 1st September 2024. Therefore, C&D waste that is sent for recovery e.g. incineration or backfilling after the 1st September 2024 will be subject to the waste recovery levy of €10/tonne. The purpose of removing this exemption for C&D waste is to incentivise the construction industry to reduce the amount of C&D waste it currently sends to waste recovery and instead increase the re-use and re-cycling of these materials.
Key stakeholders including the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) have already been notified in relation to the removal of the C&D waste levy exemptions and the local authority system is currently making arrangements for the collection of the waste recovery levy for C&D waste, with effect from 1st September 2024.
133. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the work being conducted by his Department to ensure that there will be no undue planning delays for foreshore licences, given the transfer of authority from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and to provide a status update and timeline for completion of an application (details supplied). [23376/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Foreshore Unit continues to operate its foreshore licensing function as usual in accordance with the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, for development and activities from the high watermark of ordinary tides to the outer edge of the territorial sea (approx. 12 nautical miles) for applications submitted in advance of the establishment of MARA on the 17 July 2023. There has been no change or interruption to this arising from the recent transfer of functions.
The application referred to in the Question is currently commencing the statutory assessment process. The timeframe for processing any foreshore application can vary considerably and is influenced by the type, complexity and quality of the application. All applicants may engage directly with Foreshore Unit in relation to the particulars of their individual application.
134. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department uses advertising to promote a range of services, supports and initiatives for people and communities across Ireland.
As the media landscape has evolved over the past number of years, advertising expenditure has grown to address the diverse needs of different audiences, including costs associated with achieving national reach for important public messages. For example, my Department has run a significant national campaign on reducing energy use in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This “reduce your use” campaign was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs. In recent months, advertising expenditure has also grown to ensure that we are meeting our Irish language advertising requirements under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.
My Department utilises digital and online platforms, recognising they are a crucial tool for us to connect with communities and regional audiences across Ireland. Advertising on online platforms includes a variety of approaches and formats, including social, search, display, VOD, digital partnerships and digital audio.
The majority of my Department’s online advertising is procured via a media buying agency, and the weighting assigned to each platform is determined by target audience, best practice, and securing value for money.
The table below sets out overall digital and online advertising expenditure in my Department from 2019.
|
2019 |
|
Online/Digital Media Platforms |
|
Meta |
|
|
|
X (formerly Twitter) |
|
2019 Total Costs: €4,284.87 |
|
2020 |
|
Online/Digital Media Platforms |
|
|
|
X (formerly Twitter) |
|
2020 Total Costs: €3,751.43 |
|
2021 |
|
Online/Digital Media Platforms |
|
Meta |
|
|
|
X (formerly Twitter) |
|
DV360 DISPLAY |
|
JOURNAL |
|
2021 Total Costs: €54,696.84 |
|
2022 |
|
Online/Digital Media Platforms |
|
Meta |
|
|
|
|
|
X (formerly Twitter) |
|
YouTube |
|
ALL4 |
|
AUDIOXI |
|
JOURNAL MEDIA LIMITED |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
|
RTE |
|
SKY MEDIA - IRELAND |
|
VMS - PLAYER |
|
ACAST |
|
INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE - AD VERIFICATION |
|
JOE MEDIA GROUP |
|
DIGITIZE SPOTIFY |
|
DV360 DISPLAY |
|
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL |
|
IRISH TIMES DIRECT |
|
SING- AUDIO |
|
UTV URBAN ACCESS |
|
2022 Total Costs: €505,656.02 |
|
2023 |
|
Online/Digital Media Platforms |
|
Meta |
|
|
|
|
|
X (formerly Twitter) |
|
YouTube |
|
ALL4 |
|
AUDIOXI |
|
DAFT MEDIA LTD |
|
DAILY MAIL |
|
JOURNAL MEDIA LIMITED |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
|
RTE |
|
RTE - DISPLAY |
|
SKY MEDIA - IRELAND |
|
TUAIRISC BHEO TEORANTA |
|
VMS - PLAYER |
|
ACAST |
|
AUDIOONE |
|
INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE - AD VERIFICATION |
|
LOVIN DUBLIN |
|
2023 Total Costs: €818,236.00 |
|
2024 (to date) |
|
Online/Digital Media Platforms |
|
Meta |
|
|
|
|
|
X (formerly Twitter) |
|
YouTube |
|
AUDIOXI |
|
DAFT MEDIA LTD |
|
DAILY MAIL |
|
OMG MARKETPLACE |
|
PHD PROGRAMMATIC |
|
RTE - DISPLAY |
|
TUAIRISC BHEO TEORANTA |
|
ACAST |
|
AUDIOONE |
|
INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE - AD VERIFICATION |
|
2024 Total Costs (to date): €212,452.00 |
135. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital investment made over the past ten years in the Naval Service facilities at Haulbowline, County Cork; the specific projects completed at the naval base; the further works he intends to sanction at the base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23333/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, as well as the maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne operational requirements.
In regards to the Naval Base at Haulbowline, Co Cork, the following major capital works with a value of €20.85m are completed or ongoing:
Completed (€12.50m)
• Refurbishment of FORST Building; (Completed €0.6M)
• Upgrade of Block 8 Accommodation; (Completed €4.2M)
• Remediation of Spencer Jetty; (Completed €2.9M)
• Upgrade of the Oil Wharf and installation of Fire Detection and Firefighting System; (Completed 2020 €3.1M)
• Photo-voltaic solar installation (Completed €0.175M)
• Remedial works to Alexandra Breakwater (Completed €0.560M)
• Dockyard Car Park (Completed €0.441M)
• Extension of Gas Pipeline from Northern Bridge to Haulbowline Island (Completed €0.021M)
• Personnel Support Services/Military Police building (Completed €0.2M)
• Barracks Services Store refurbishment (Completed €0.2M)
On-going (€8.35m)
• Upgrade of Block 4 Accommodation. (Contract signed 2023 – under construction €7,799,658.65)
• Barracks Foreman Works Building Refurbishment, (Contract signed 2024 – under construction €555,777.10)
The Deputy may also wish to note that the following additional capital works with a combined estimated value of €119m are included in the IDP for the Naval Base and are at various stages of the design and procurement process:
• Block 9 Office Conversion,
• Old Comms Building Fire Repair & Upgrade – Cadet Accommodation,
• Cadets Mess – internal alterations and refurbishment,
• New Gym,
• Additional berthage – West Wall graving dock & New Jetty,
• Remediation of ISPAT site,
• Block 10 refurbishment,
• Dredging,
• Main workshops dockyard.
In addition my Department also allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This devolved budget, stands at €11m this year, is a regular feature of the Delegated functions assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
136. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if it is intended to base the two new inshore patrol vessels acquired for the Naval Service at an east coast port; if so, if a particular port has been selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23334/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that it is intended that the new acquisitions will initially be berthed and operate from the Naval Service facilities at Haulbowline. As part of the wider Naval Service Regeneration Plan, the question of developing Forward Operating Bases in other locations around the Country is under active consideration. I can advise that the Naval Service have examined potential locations and my Department is engaging with the Defence Forces on same. The Deputy will appreciate given the operational sensitivities surrounding such matters it would be not appropriate to comment further at this juncture.
137. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23441/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the amounts spent by my Department relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms.
The total amount spent by the Office of Emergency Planning from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms is €41,611.14 broken down as follows:
|
Company |
Expenditure |
|
|
€26,285.34 |
|
You Tube |
€10,405.80 |
|
Irish Independent Digital Platform |
€4,920.00 |
