Written Answers Nos. 199-218
199. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12986/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department uses a variety of telecommunications channels to deliver its services. Of the channels mentioned, it uses:
- 6 ISDN lines for public-facing telephone communications
- 1 'fractional' ISDN line and 28 PSTN lines for building utilities.
My Department no longer uses copper leased lines.
200. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports revoked by his Department in the past 20 years to date; and the reason for each time a passport has been revoked. [13064/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passports Act 2008 provides for a number of circumstances under which the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade may cancel an Irish passport, including:
• where the Minister becomes aware of a fact or a circumstances that would have required or permitted him to refuse to issue the passport to the person had the Minister been aware of the fact or circumstance before the passport was issued.
• where the citizenship of the person has been revoked or renounced.
• on grounds of national security, public order, or public safety.
• for the purpose of securing the welfare of a child in specific circumstances.
• where the passport is, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, in the possession or control of another person.
The Irish passport has a strong international reputation and currently ranks third in the Henley global passport index, as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries. As such, the Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously.
The Integrity Section of the Passport Service was established in 2015 to improve all aspects of fraud detection and prevention in order to protect the integrity of the passport. The large investment in technology and structures since the establishment of the Integrity Section has helped to improve the recording and detection of fraud.
Due to lack of records it is not possible to provide the figures requested prior to 2016. Since 2016, our records show the number of passports revoked each year as follows:
|
Year |
Number of passports |
|
2016 |
76 |
|
2017 |
82 |
|
2018 |
13 |
|
2019 |
77 |
|
2020 |
22 |
|
2021 |
31 |
|
2022 |
19 |
|
2023 |
20 |
|
2024 |
29 |
For operational and security reasons, it is not possible to disclose information concerning specific cases.
201. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking ahead of the late spring, summer and autumn seasons in order to mitigate delays and backlogs in the processing of passport applications and issuing of passports. [13065/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand for passports and has issued over 230,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times and over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days.
My Department undertakes extensive advance workforce planning based on forecasted demand for passports on an annual basis. The staff requirement to meet forecasted demand for the coming year is signed off annually by the Department's Management Board. As a result of this planning the Passport Service is well-resourced to meet forecasted demand for 2025.
From 2020 to 2025, the number of staff in the Passport Service has increased from 615 to 862, a significant increase in staffing. Ensuring that we have enough staff to respond to demand is a key priority for my Department and is kept under constant review.
The first half of the year is busiest time for the Passport Service and to meet the demand of this busy season, 129 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) have joined the Passport Service since 20 November 2024. These officers work on processing passports and assisting customers who contact the Customer Service Hub.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to apply for a passport. The Passport Online service allows citizens to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Passport Online is available to 99.9% of all applicants globally. As a matter of best practice, applicants should check the validity of their passport before booking travel.
202. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport cards issued on an annual basis since their introduction; and the amount in fees for same collected, broken down by category. [13066/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassport cards were introduced in October 2015 and the following number of passport cards have been issued annually since then:
|
Year |
Total Passport Cards Issued |
|
2015 |
12,559 |
|
2016 |
24,801 |
|
2017 |
37,674 |
|
2018 |
56,360 |
|
2019 |
87,123 |
|
2020 |
66,945 |
|
2021 |
120,540 |
|
2022 |
162,096 |
|
2023 |
150,004 |
|
2024 |
157,375 |
|
Total |
875,477 |
The fees charged for passports are dependent on the type of application made and are as follows:
|
Application type (Passport Online only) |
Fee |
|
Standard 10-year passport |
€75 |
|
Large 66-page, 10-year passport |
€105 |
|
Adult individual passport card |
€35 |
|
Adult passport plus card bundle |
€100 |
|
Large passport plus passport card bundle |
€130 |
|
Standard 5-year passport for those under 18 |
€20 |
|
Large 66-page, 5-year passport for those under 18 years |
€50 |
|
Standard 5-year passport plus Passport Card bundle for those under 18 years |
€45 |
|
Large 66-page, 5-year passport plus Passport Card bundle for those under 18 years |
€75 |
From 2015-2021, the system did not record whether a passport card was issued as part of a bundle of passport book and passport card, with a fee of €25, or as an individual passport card with a fee of €35 and the Passport Service is therefore not in a position to provide an estimate of fees charged during this period.
From 2022 to 2024 the breakdown of whether passport cards were issued as part of a bundle (i.e. with a passport book) or individually is as follows:
|
Year |
Bundle (Passport book & card) |
Individual PP Card |
Total |
|
2022 |
141,161 |
20,935 |
162,096 |
|
2023 |
127,419 |
22,585 |
150,004 |
|
2024 |
132,839 |
24,536 |
157,375 |
On the basis that the cost of passport card as part of a bundle is €25 and the cost of a passport card applied for individually is €35, the Passport Service estimates fees for passport cards from 2022-2024 as follows:
|
Year |
Bundle (Passport book & card) |
Individual PP Card |
Total |
|
2022 |
€3,529,025 |
€732,725 |
€4,261,750 |
|
2023 |
€3,185,475 |
€790,475 |
€3,975,950 |
|
2024 |
€3,320,975 |
€857,760 |
€4,178,735 |
203. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Irish embassies and consulate general offices that currently have a cultural officer post filled, in tabular form. [13125/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of full-time specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide has been identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. This programme has been rolled out since 2020 in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, with the posts currently located in the following Missions:
|
Locations currently filled |
Berlin, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City |
|
Locations currently vacant / pending recruitment |
Beijing, New Delhi, Singapore, Toronto |
Consideration is being given to further such appointments in priority locations and regions as part of the Global Ireland programme, subject to resources and to local conditions and requirements.
204. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding the passport application system, the reasoning behind the recent change in policy whereby the notarising of a passport applicant’s driver’s licence must now be undertaken by a solicitor or notary public rather than by a member of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13143/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service continues to accept copies of driving licences certified by a member of an Garda Síochána.
If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a specific application, please bring the details of the case to the attention of the Passport Service who will review the matter further.
205. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of any secondments from consulting firms to his Department since 2020; the consulting firm involved; the purpose of the secondment; the durations of the secondments; who paid the salary of the individual seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13183/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have not been any secondments from consulting firms to the Department of Foreign Affairs during the period 2020 to present.
Secondments within the civil service are subject to the principles outlined in the Civil Service Secondments Policy and Circular 27/2021: 'Secondment Policy for the Civil Service’.
206. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the processing of a passport for a person (details supplied) will be expedited by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13241/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this complex adult renewal application was received on 3 March 2025. Therefore, this application is within the standard turnaround time for this type of application and has not yet reached its issue by date.
207. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the Hungarian Government’s ban on a public pride march (details supplied); his engagement with the Hungarian Government in respect of this ban and their repression of the LGBTQIA+ community; the efforts he will take through the European Union in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13251/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary. Ireland has repeatedly and consistently raised our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We also regularly support and engage with Hungarian civil society organisations that work to protect the rule of law, civil society space and minority rights in Hungary.
Under Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, the EU is founded on shared values including human dignity, freedom, equality, respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Ireland has supported legal efforts taken by the European Commission to ensure that Hungary abides by its obligations as a member of the European Union. In 2023, Ireland intervened in support of the Commission in Case C-769/22 in relation to Hungary’s so-called “Child Protection Act” which represented a flagrant form of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. In February 2025, we also intervened in support of the Commission in Case C-829/24 in relation to Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Law, which seriously threatens civil society space and independent media in Hungary.
We are aware that an amendment to the Hungarian Fundamental Law has been passed by the Hungarian Parliament, which could be used to justify further restrictions on LGBTI+ rights.
Officials in my Department, including in the Embassy of Ireland in Budapest, will continue to monitor these worrying developments and to raise our concerns, including in direct engagements with our Hungarian counterparts. We will also continue to support Hungarian civil society organisations working to defend the Rule of Law and protect minority rights in Hungary.
208. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13278/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has reviewed its records and has not entered into any contract, any discussions, or received offers of use of the premises of the hotel referred to by the Deputy.
There are no Agencies under the aegis of my Department.
209. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the offshore sustainable energy wind farm project known as north Irish Sea array SID; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13077/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's first offshore wind auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1) was held in 2023. The North Irish Sea Array (NISA) project was one of four projects that were successful in the auction and were awarded a Contract for Difference (CFD) under the Scheme. I understand that the project holds a grid connection offer for its planned 500 megawatt (MW) capacity and also holds a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) for the project area. I further understand that NISA applied on 7 June 2024 to An Bord Pleanála for planning consent and awaits a determination from the Board. Subject to planning consent, NISA, along with the other successful Phase One projects, is due to be operational by 2030.
210. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12984/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is being researched and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days, in line with the Standing Orders.
211. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the direct contact he has had with broadband and phone providers recently with regard to the continued outage in certain parts of Connemara since Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13053/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the damage caused to the Telecoms networks by Storm Éowyn, my colleague Minister O’Donovan met with senior executives of both mobile and fixed telecoms providers to reflect on the lessons to be learned, and measures to be considered to build further resilience into telecommunications networks to avoid, where feasible and practicable, a reoccurrence of the same level of disruption to services.
I am advised that this was a constructive engagement, and it was agreed by all that it will require a strong collaboration between public and private entities to ensure that our communication networks are strengthened to withstand the kinds of weather impacts recently experienced.
It was also acknowledged that the recovery process needs to be improved. There is a need for clearer protocols and lines of communication and preparedness between the various stakeholders involved in reporting and repairing damage, clearing debris and ensuring that emergency solutions are promptly put in place.
To that end, the telecoms providers have been asked to begin to identify specific areas in which both the State and private industry can work together in the short-term to improve both the resilience and recovery plans for these kinds of damaging events.
I also note that, as per my previous reply to Question No. 89 on 11 February, officials in my Department are developing a longer term climate resilience plan for communication networks which will look at how all sectors of the electronic communications networks market can be better prepared for the effects of climate change.
That notwithstanding, it is recognised that many areas in Co. Galway were affected by outages which caused extensive damage to infrastructure in rural areas. Restoration of full services continued to be hampered by the complexity of the repairs required to restore damaged infrastructure. Telecommunications operators mobilised all available resources to ensure swift restoration of services. Repair work was prioritised and crews were redeployed to affected counties from other areas of the country.
Information available to the Department advise that all mobile services in the Deputy’s county of Galway have been restored.
Repair and restoration work has returned normal services to most broadband customers in Co. Galway.
212. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE legal advisors employed by his Department in each of the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [13136/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the number of WTE legal advisors employed by my Department in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 is as set out in the tables below.
2023
|
Grade |
WTE |
|
Principal Solicitor |
1.00 |
|
Advisory Counsel |
4.00 |
|
Total |
5.00 |
2024
|
Grade |
WTE |
|
Principal Solicitor |
1.00 |
|
Advisory Counsel |
5.00 |
|
Total |
6.00 |
2025
|
Grade |
WTE |
|
Principal Solicitor |
1.00 |
|
Advisory Counsel |
4.00 |
|
Total |
5.00 |
213. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 6 March 2025, the total amount of funding awarded under the community energy grant to the retrofitting of MUDs; the amount of funding that was provided to energy poor homes; the way in which ‘energy poor homes’ are defined; the total amount of funding provided to approved housing bodies, by approved housing body; the funding that was provided to private landlords; the average amount of funding that was provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13145/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Energy Grant Scheme supports cross-sectoral, partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building type including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits, encompassing energy-poor, private, rental, and approved housing body homes. Last year, 683 home energy upgrades were supported under the scheme, with 63 of these being energy-poor homes and 220 approved housing body homes.
The Community Energy Grant Scheme offers enhanced fuel poor grant levels for energy poor homes. These grants are aligned to the rates applying to Approved Housing Bodies with further enhanced rates also available for external and internal wall insulation.
Eligibility for the energy poor home grant rates is the same as the Warmer Homes Scheme criteria which in turn is linked to a number of Department of Social Protection payments. Homeowners can check their eligibility for the scheme through an online application feature on the website of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, or can apply in writing to the SEAI.
A number of changes to the scheme guidelines were introduced in 2024, including: support for projects focused solely on residential upgrades; improved supports to address the particular challenge of retrofitting multi-unit developments (e.g. flat complexes), such as scaffolding and communal areas; and a pilot focused on area-based home retrofit projects which will encourage Community Energy Grant project co-ordinators, local authorities and local energy agencies to collaborate together, with an objective of leaving no home behind.
The collation of the specific data sought in the Question is an operational matter for the SEAI and I have asked them to provide this material, in so far as it is available, directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
214. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review an application for SEAI insulation in respect of an applicant (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13150/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for the SEAI and, as Minister, I have no role in such matters. The SEAI has established a dedicated email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie. Applicants can also contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by telephone to 01 808 2005.
The SEAI operate under a Customer Charter, with a complaints and appeals procedure. If, after following this procedure, the homeowner is not satisfied with the outcome they can ask the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/
215. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of any secondments from consulting firms to his Department since 2020; the consulting firm involved; the purpose of the secondment; the durations of the secondments; who paid the salary of the individual seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13181/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that there were no secondments from consulting firms to my Department since 2020.
Secondees to my Department since 2020 were drawn from the civil service, the public sector and semi-state companies.
216. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13276/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not entered into any contract, held discussions on or received any offers in respect of the use of the hotel referred to in the question.
My Department does not own or lease any property. All premises occupied by my officials are either State owned or leased by the OPW on behalf of the Department.
217. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12981/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. The data and telephony, which is Voice Over IP (VOIP), communication lines for the Department of Defence are fibre optic communication lines.
My Department also has a number of copper communication lines that are currently in active operation, this includes lines which are required to meet building safety requirements such as lifts and fire safety equipment.
218. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount that the Defence Forces spent on purchasing military equipment from Japanese companies in each of the years 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [13137/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Defence Forces that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Japan in the period referred to by the Deputy.
