Written Answers Nos. 106-125
106. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the proposed Colbert Quarter development in Limerick by the Land Development Agency (LDA); and when he expects the LDA to begin delivering houses for Limerick. [35634/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is fully committed to delivering affordable housing at scale, and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable Housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners. Overall, nearly 13,000 affordable housing solutions have been delivered since the launch of Housing for All, including over 440 in Limerick.
As a key delivery partner, the Land Development Agency (LDA) deploys two main approaches to the delivery of affordable and social housing. Firstly, it secures housing delivery on lands sourced from State bodies, in partnership with local authorities or on lands purchased by the LDA. Secondly, it acts through the Project Tosaigh initiative, whereby new housing is unlocked by LDA partnerships with homebuilders.
To date in County Limerick the LDA has delivered 81 Cost Rental apartments under the Project Tosaigh initiative.
The LDA is currently at an advanced stage in planning for the development of 600 homes at the St. Joseph's Hospital site. This development is a key component of the broader regeneration project at Colbert Quarter which has the overall potential to deliver 2,800 homes for the city of Limerick.
The Agency is also at an advanced stage in planning the delivery of 285 homes at Dock Road, Limerick City.
Finally, the LDA has partnered with Limerick City and County Council to deliver 250 affordable and social homes at the Mungret site in Limerick city, for which planning approval is in place, prequalification of tenderers has been completed and arrangements are being made to issue tender documentation later this year.
107. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he will take to end child homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35890/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing homelessness is a priority for this Government. The Programme for Government includes a number of commitments to address homelessness, including ensuring that there is sufficient emergency accommodation for those who require it with special supports for children impacted by homelessness. Funding of €303 million is available for the delivery of homeless services in 2025. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
Key to addressing homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. Government is committed to increasing supply with a record level of €6.8 billion in capital funding being made available for the delivery of housing in 2025. A key focus of this capital investment is on the delivery of social homes, with almost €2.4 billion in Exchequer funding available to support social housing delivery in 2025, including 10,000 new build social homes. The capital provision is supplemented by a further €1.65 billion in current funding to address housing need. This will allow us to build on the more than 10,500 new social homes which were delivered in 2024, through build, acquisition and leasing, including 7,871 new-build homes. Including HAP and RAS, 20,292 social housing solutions were delivered throughout 2024. Government remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to deliver social, affordable and cost rental homes at scale and to continue accelerating housing supply across all tenures.
The budget for homeless services for 2025 supports the provision of emergency accommodation and wraparound supports. In addition, capital funding of €25m will support the delivery of high quality transitional and emergency accommodation for households experiencing homelessness. The budget also supports the ongoing operation of 36 family hubs across the country. While hubs are emergency accommodation, they provide a greater level of stability than is possible in emergency hotel accommodation, with the capacity to provide appropriate play-space, cooking and laundry facilities, and communal recreation space, while move-on options to homes are identified and secured. More intensive assistance in terms of welfare, health and housing services are also supplied through family hubs. Supports are also provided to families in Private Emergency Accommodation, with housing advice and social support being provided by local authorities and their NGO partners as well as in-reach support from HSE and Tusla. A key focus of local authorities and their service delivery partners is to support households experiencing homelessness to exit emergency accommodation to a tenancy.
The Programme for Government also commits to ensuring a holistic, cross departmental approach to homelessness prevention and focussing social housing allocations on getting families out of long-term homelessness. My Department is currently drafting a new Housing Plan which will include specific measures to address child and family homelessness.
109. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding he is providing for the first home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35876/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme designed to help bridge the gap between a purchaser’s deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home, for eligible first-time buyers, Fresh Start applicants and those who wish to build their first home.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company is responsible for the operation and management of the First Home Scheme on behalf of its shareholders - the State, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB.
The overall funding commitment for the First Home Scheme is €740 million. This committed funding comprises €370 million from my Department, and €370 million collectively from the 3 participating mortgage lenders, i.e. a 50:50 division of funding, which extends the scheme out to June 2027. This extension is line with the Programme for Government commitment to extend the First Home Scheme out to 2030.
110. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals there are to deal with issues that have arisen following the issuing of Circular 11/2025 in relation to the ability of AHBs, including St. John of God's, to provide for housing for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35629/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) funding provides up to 100% capital funding to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the construction and targeted acquisition of housing for priority needs categories to include persons with a disability.
While there have been no changes to the fundamental operation of CAS regarding the funding for priority needs categories, second-hand acquisitions funded under CAS do fall under the provisions of the Second-Hand Acquisitions circular, Circular 11/2025 Social Housing Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme 2025 which allocated €325million specifically for second-hand acquisitions nationally. The capital funding allocation available to each local authority for 2025 includes acquisitions completed by AHBs within that local authority's functional area. Local authorities are asked to work strategically with AHBs to ensure that acquisitions completed by them, under programmes such as Housing First and accommodation for care leavers and disabled persons, can be managed within the local authorities’ capital funding allocation.
The provision of a capital funding allocation for acquisitions will help promote best practice in obtaining value for money and provide local authorities with the flexibility to respond to needs and priorities locally to include persons with a disability which are a priority category. Applications to deliver social housing for priority category needs under the CAS scheme are made by AHBs to local authorities and it is a matter for the individual local authority to prioritise projects on the basis of how they meet the area's housing need.
The build programmes remain the primary approach to the delivery of new social homes nationally and I would encourage AHBs that traditionally relied heavily on second-hand acquisitions to meet their housing need to explore alternative funding arrangements under CAS such as CAS construction and CAS construction renewal. To further assist in the delivery of housing solutions for persons with a disability my Department continues to encourage the inclusion of a group/community home for people with disabilities in new large developments being brought forward by local authorities under the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP).
111. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports he is providing for affordable housing and cost rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35877/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely aware of the housing challenges faced by many sectors of society. Housing for All, Ireland's housing plan to 2030, is the most ambitious and comprehensive housing plan in the history of the State. The Plan contains a suite of actions that have and continue to increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens.
Under the Programme for Government published in January 2025, the Government committed to introduce a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All. This Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and the potential timeframe.
While work is being undertaken to progress a new housing plan which will build on progress to date, the measures detailed in Housing for All will continue to be progressed to accelerate and increase delivery of secure and affordable housing.
A list of affordable housing supports in place is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0d279-doors-open/, this includes information on the schemes below. A number of these schemes can be combined, thereby providing additional affordability support.
• Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme
• First Home Scheme
• Local Authority Home Loan
• Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan
• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
• Help to Buy
• Cost Rental Homes
112. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cathain a bheidh na treoirlínte títhíochta Gaeltachta, a bhí geallta in 2021, foilsithe; cen fáth go bhfuil moill orthu; agus an nglacann sé go bhfuil gá leo chun cuidiú le maolú a dhéanamh ar an ngéarchéim thithíochta i gceantair Ghaeltachta. [35133/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeagtar amach san Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000, arna leasú, cuspóirí éigeantacha d’údaráis áitiúla, nach mór aghaidh a thabhairt orthu nuair atá a bPlean Forbartha á dhréachtú, a rialaíonn beartais forbartha áitiúla. Nuair atá ceantar Gaeltachta laistigh de limistéar riaracháin an údaráis pleanála, ní mór forálacha agus cuspóirí a chur san áireamh sa phlean forbartha a dhéanfaidh “oidhreacht teanga agus chultúir na Gaeltachta a chosaint, lena n-áirítear an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar theanga an phobail”.
Tugtar treoir bhreise d’údaráis áitiúla sna Treoirlínte maidir le Pleananna Forbartha d’Údaráis Áitiúla a foilsíodh i mí Iúil 2022, lena n-áirítear léargas a thabhairt ar na Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta (Limistéar Pleanála Teanga - LPTanna mar a cheanglaítear faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012) chomh maith le beartais bhreise a chur san áireamh ar nós a chinntiú go mbeidh tionchar dearfach ag tograí forbartha i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar an oidhreacht teanga agus chultúir a mbeifear ábalta a mheas go tréan ag céim an iarratais pleanála.
Tá Grúpa Idir-Rannach (ar a bhfuil an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta (RTRÁO), an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta (RFTPG) agus Údarás na Gaeltachta) fós ag leanúint lena chuid oibre chun treoir shonrach pleanála a fhorbairt do cheantair Ghaeltachta. Tá Grúpa Oibre ar leith ann freisin ar a bhfuil an dá Roinn agus Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na húdaráis áitiúla a bhaineann le ceantair Ghaeltachta. Tionóladh cruinnithe an Ghrúpa Idir-Rannach agus an Ghrúpa Oibre in 2023 agus lean rannpháirtíocht dhéthaobhach na Roinne ar aghaidh in 2024 agus tá sin fós ar siúl.
113. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s plans to tackle dereliction and vacancy in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26342/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, published in January 2023, built on Pathway 4 and set out the various actions that were being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. The Action Plan Progress Report was published in April 2024 and is available here on my Department's website: gov - Vacant Homes Action Plan 2023-2026 (www.gov.ie). (www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/).
One of the key initiatives in the Action Plan is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which is proving successful in tackling vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland. The grant provides up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for 2 years or more at the time of application.
Another key initiative is the Town Centre First Policy, which was jointly launched by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development in February 2022 and provides a co-ordinated, whole-of-government policy framework to proactively address the decline in the health of towns and support measures to regenerate and revitalise them. To drive the delivery of Town Centre First (TCF) at a town level, dedicated Town Regeneration Officers are now established within local authorities and town plans have been developed across the first phase of TCF towns. Tackling vacancy and dereliction is a key element of these plans.
My Department is also tackling vacancy and dereliction through the €150 million Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The Fund has been made available to local authorities to acquire, including through compulsory purchase, vacant and derelict properties for sale or reuse.
The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is a funding scheme which supports owners of vacant traditional houses with a grant for expert conservation advice. The grant is available to owners of vacant traditional houses availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant - including over the shop type spaces.
My Department also provides funding of €60,000 per annum to support each local authority's Vacant Homes Office, including a full-time Vacant Homes Officer (VHO). The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland and nationwide.
The new Programme for Government also includes a range of commitments to tackle vacancy and dereliction, including a commitment to create an ‘Above the Shop’ living refurbishment grant by topping up the vacant and derelict refurbishment grant. This will help make spaces above retail premises liveable. My Department is currently progressing this work.
I firmly believe that the commitment Government has made to addressing vacancy and dereliction and the actions taken will continue to play a vital role in delivering homes in rural Ireland and across the country.
114. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected timeline for establishing a new towns and cities infrastructure investment fund to replace the urban regeneration and development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35789/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan. To date, there have been three rounds ('calls') of funding provided under the URDF which has resulted in the allocation of €1.9bn of funding. Under Call 1 and Call 2, 132 proposals comprising of some 430 individual projects, have been approved for funding.
While Calls 1 and 2 were for specific regeneration or development proposals, in January 2023 a third round of funding to address long term vacancy and dereliction, and support the key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First, was announced. As a shift in focus from previous rounds of funding, Call 3 provided a €150 million revolving fund for local authorities to acquire long-term vacant or derelict properties in URDF-eligible towns and cities, with €142.5 million allocated to date.
In line with the agreed Programme for Government, it is my intention to establish a new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund to replace the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). With this new fund it is the aim of my Department to continue and expand URDF-type investment in projects. This will allow for investment in infrastructure, the acquisition of land, assembly of sites and the de-risking of sites in existing towns and cities to maximise their potential growth.
The detailed arrangements for the implementation of these funding streams, including criteria for eligibility, will be clarified further following completion of the National Development Plan Review, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, and which will enable the level of additional capital funding for infrastructure investment to be determined. It is planned that the Review will be completed in line with the Summer 2025 timeline set out in the Programme for Government.
In the meantime, the existing €2 billion URDF continues to drive delivery of the 132 successful applications for funding. It comprises 430 individual projects which are currently progressing through the various stages of the project lifecycle, along with a dedicated programme of acquisitions in each local authority to address long term vacancy and dereliction.
An interactive GIS Story Map site, containing details of all successful URDF projects under Call 1 and Call 2, is available to give elected representatives and members of the public access up-to-date information on all URDF supported projects at a Local Authority level. The site is available through the URDF site at: www.gov.ie/URDF.
115. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding provided by his Department to local authorities per site under the affordable serviced sites scheme; the average cost per site incurred by local authorities in developing such serviced sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35814/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ready to Build Scheme, funded by the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, to support addressing vacancy, was launched in September 2022. Under the Scheme, local authorities can make vacant serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build a home.
Local authorities identify suitable vacant sites in their ownership or purchase vacant sites in towns and villages and make them available for sale for the purpose of building a principal private residence. Once serviced, the local authority will make the site available for sale at a discount on the market value of the site. The level of discount to the individual will depend on the level of servicing cost incurred by the local authority before the sale of the site, but will not exceed €30,000.
The scheme is managed and administered by local authorities on behalf of my Department. To date 32 sites have been made available for sale by four local authorities.
A further 100 sites have been identified by various local authorities for possible inclusion in the scheme. The Vacant Homes Unit in my Department is engaging with local authorities in relation to these sites.
The conditions of the scheme require successful applicants to obtain final grant of planning permission prior to transfer of ownership of the site.
As no sites have fully completed the sale process to date, no claim for net recoupment has been submitted by any local authority to the Department and information on average cost for servicing sites is not yet available.
A review of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, including the Ready To Build Scheme, was undertaken in 2024. That review has been completed and is under consideration.
116. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach to list all the public services contracts worth €10 million or more, which have been granted by himself or the forerunner for his Department, or other State bodies in the past five years; the value of each contract; the length of term of each; the expiration date of each contract; and whether any contract was discontinued during its term and for what reason. [35492/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll procurement within the Department of the Taoiseach and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - is conducted in accordance with applicable EU and national regulations and Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidance.
The Department of the Taoiseach has completed two procurement processes for contracts with an estimated value of €10 million or more during the past five years.
In December 2021, an OGP framework contract was signed for the provision of Media Strategy, Planning & Buying Services across the public sector. The estimated value of this contract was €10 million (ex VAT). Expenditure incurred by the Department of the Taoiseach under this contract totalled €1.43 million. The contract expired in December 2024 and was not discontinued during its term.
In December 2024, a new OGP framework contract was signed for the provision of Media Strategy, Planning & Buying Services across the public sector. The estimated value of this contract is €10 million (ex VAT). To date, expenditure by the Department of the Taoiseach under this contract is €10,000. The contract is for an initial term of 12 months up to December 2025 with the possibility of an extension within the terms of the contract.
The Department of the Taoiseach puts this contractual arrangement in place with a view to streamlining media buying across the public sector. The Department itself does not routinely draw down from the contract (with the exception of the period when the Department had lead responsibility for public communications related to COVID-19).
117. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach to list the twenty countries which Ireland received the least imports from by value in 2024; the amounts imported in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35915/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows, of the countries importing over €1 million worth of goods into Ireland in 2024, the value of goods for the 20 countries which imported the lowest value of goods.
For confidentiality reasons, countries from which Ireland imported less than €1 million worth of goods have been aggregated into one group. There are 114 countries from which Ireland imported less than €1 million
worth of goods in 2024, accounting for 0.0124% (€16.64 m) of total import trade in 2024.
Table A: Countries importing over €1 million worth of goods in 2024.
|
- |
Country |
Value of Imports, €m |
Value of Imports as a % of total Imports |
|
Rank |
Countries with imports under €1m |
16.64 |
0.0124% |
|
1 |
Greenland |
1.13 |
0.0008% |
|
2 |
Nepal |
1.24 |
0.0009% |
|
3 |
Bolivia, Plurinational State of |
1.25 |
0.0009% |
|
4 |
Saint Barthélemy |
1.32 |
0.0010% |
|
5 |
Senegal |
1.42 |
0.0011% |
|
6 |
United States Minor Outlying Islands |
1.45 |
0.0011% |
|
7 |
Zimbabwe |
1.53 |
0.0011% |
|
8 |
Tanzania, United Republic of |
1.58 |
0.0012% |
|
9 |
Kazakhstan |
1.68 |
0.0012% |
|
10 |
Uganda |
1.87 |
0.0014% |
|
11 |
Moldova, Republic of |
2.44 |
0.0018% |
|
12 |
Bahrain |
2.54 |
0.0019% |
|
13 |
Nigeria |
2.85 |
0.0021% |
|
14 |
Qatar |
2.89 |
0.0022% |
|
15 |
Liechtenstein |
3.10 |
0.0023% |
|
16 |
Albania |
3.20 |
0.0024% |
|
17 |
Macao |
3.21 |
0.0024% |
|
18 |
Swaziland |
3.41 |
0.0025% |
|
19 |
North Macedonia |
3.50 |
0.0026% |
|
20 |
Paraguay |
3.56 |
0.0026% |
|
|
All Other Countries |
134,268.06 |
99.9540% |
|
|
Total |
134,329.86 |
|
118. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach the value of Irish goods exports in each year from 2020 to 2024 inclusive and the proportion of those exports accounted for by FDI companies and the proportion owing to indigenous enterprises, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36128/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested by the Deputy is contained in the tables below.
Table A: Goods exports by value 2020 - 2024.
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Value |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
Total Goods Exports |
162,131,082 |
165,715,115 |
208,762,641 |
196,029,749 |
224,339,813 |
Table B below is from the Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (TEC) release data which relies on matching trade data to the Business Register. Not all the received trade data can be matched to an enterprise on the
business register and consequently around 96% of the value of trade is covered by the Trade by Enterprise Characteristics data.
Trade in goods by type of ownership for year 2024 will not be available until the end of 2025.
Type of ownership indicates whether an enterprise is domestically or foreign controlled. A domestic enterprise is defined as either domestic indigenous or as domestic multinational (with foreign control of less than
50%). A foreign controlled multinational enterprise (MNE) is defined as having foreign control of more than 50%.
Table B: Trade in goods exports by type of ownership of enterprise.
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Trade in goods exports by type of ownership of enterprise |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
Domestically controlled |
31,427,334 |
22,675,520 |
25,854,420 |
26,447,766 |
|
Foreign controlled |
121,185,330 |
134,808,078 |
173,383,079 |
162,471,846 |
|
All Ownership |
152,612,664 |
157,483,599 |
199,237,499 |
188,919,612 |
119. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of US military flights that have landed in Shannon Airport in each of the past six weeks in tabular form; the number of US military flights that have passed through Irish air space in each of the past six weeks, in tabular form;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35476/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation. This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to the highest standards of transparency on this issue, and publishes monthly statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the gov.ie website.The statistics for the month of May have already been published and are available on the gov.ie website. These statistics include the number of US military aircraft that landed in Shannon Airport and the number of US military flights which have received diplomatic clearance to overfly the State for the month of May. The statistics for the month of June will be published on the gov.ie website in the coming days, following tabulation of all of the relevant details at the end of the month, as per the Department’s usual procedure.
120. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade how young adults who leave State care and have no access to their parents' citizenship documents due to no contact can access passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35796/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade how young adults who leave State care and have no access to their parents' citizenship documents due to no contact can access passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35790/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 131 together.
All passport applications are subject to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. To meet this requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement.
Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which is under the remit of the Department of Justice. Citizenship may be obtained in a number of ways, including by birth, descent, naturalisation and adoption.
All first time applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the Passport Service and complex applications require considerable engagement with the applicant to ensure that the Passport Service is fully satisfied that an applicant has demonstrated their entitlement to citizenship.
Information on what is required for all first time passport applications, including details on documentary requirements, guardianship and consent, are available at my Department’s recently updated website (www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/documentary-requirements).Our Customer Service Hub 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 Service would be happy to assist if there is a specific case that the Deputy would like to bring to their attention.
121. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a person (details supplied) who applied to the foreign birth register will have their application processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35327/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.FBR, by its nature, 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.FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of all required supporting documents. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the online application was made in March 2023. No supporting documents for the application has been received by the Passport Service. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted. Upon receipt of the correct supporting documents, the Passport Service can progress this application.
The Passport Service has contacted the applicant, and has spoken to the Deputy's Office about this application.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
122. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the reported major build up and expansion of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, on Ireland's position regarding a potential threat to Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35357/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has been clear that any attempt to change the status quo on Taiwan by force would not be acceptable, and we continue to encourage restraint in this regard
Officials in my Department follow developments in the Taiwan Strait closely. Together with our EU partners, Ireland adheres to a One China Policy. This means we recognise the People’s Republic of China as the legal representative of China, and we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, this does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections with Taiwan, nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral fora.
In contacts with China, Ireland regularly underlines the importance of the maintenance of stability in the Strait and strong channels of communications to this end. Most recently, I emphasised these points when I discussed Taiwan with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dublin in February.
The EU's position on this issue has been made absolutely clear at the highest level. The European Council publicly underlined the EU's opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in June 2023. Our Chinese counterparts are very well aware of this position.
123. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the position regarding the permitted use of Shannon Airport by the US Military is under review, in light of increasing military tensions involving the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35419/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.The policy of diplomatic clearance is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is done in full compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.Successive governments have made landing facilities available at a number of Irish airports to the United States and other foreign militaries for well over 50 years. Arrangements for foreign military aircraft to land in Irish airports are governed by strict conditions, as I have outlined. These conditions are applicable to foreign military aircraft from all other countries seeking to land in Ireland or overfly Irish airspace. My Department ensures detailed procedures are in place to ensure all relevant parties are fully aware of the requirements relating to applications for permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the State.
124. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide greater detail regarding the evacuation of 15 Irish citizens from Israel, specifically the role of Austria in the evacuation, and the reasoning behind the Defence Forces not performing the evacuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35442/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of its Consular Assistance Charter.
Throughout this crisis, my Department and our Embassies in Tehran and in Tel Aviv have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in the region as well as with our EU, UK, and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation.
In assessing opportunities to support the departure of Irish citizens, we evaluate the most effective, timely and pragmatic options available. In this instance, it was judged most appropriate to avail of the operations organised under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), as activated by EU partners.
I would like to put on record my thanks to the Governments of Austria and The Netherlands for their close cooperation and support in recent days. Both Governments undertook complex operations which involved transport across land borders and subsequent air travel to their respective countries. In the case of Austria, family members and citizens from 16 partner countries were supported, including Irish citizens and dependants.
This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation. Owing to this close cooperation, my Department has successfully supported 24 Irish citizens and their dependants to depart the region in the last ten days .
My Department also continues to work closely with the relevant authorities in Ireland, including with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, with whom my Department has an important structured relationship.
My Department is continuing to monitor the situation and will remain in contact with citizens still in Iran and Israel over the period ahead.
125. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list all the public services contracts worth €10 million or more, which have been granted by himself or the forerunner for his Department, or other State bodies in the past five years; the value of each contract; the length of term of each; the expiration date of each contract; and whether any contract was discontinued during its term and for what reason. [35485/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). There are no agencies under the aegis the Department.
The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU supported by the Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). These set out a range of procedures governing the procurement process through tendering to the award of contracts.
The Department also participates fully in on-going initiatives of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) focusing especially at achieving procurement savings, including the use of shared framework agreements for the provision of different categories of supplies and services.
Please find the information requested on services contracts in the table below:
|
Contract |
Value |
Length |
Commencement Date |
Expiration Date |
Present Status of Contract |
|
Supply and Maintenance of Passport Production Equipment, Supply of Passports & Travel Documents |
€109,035,216 |
8 years with provision for two possible 24 month extensions |
June-2025 |
June-2033 |
Live |
As to contracts that were discontinued, a decision was made in 2023 that a contract for a new Passport Integrated and Processing System should be concluded due to the contract terms not being met.
The sum of €218,230 was paid to the contractor on 9 December 2021 on successful completion of the first milestone in accordance with the terms of the contract. As milestone payments to the contractor were conditional upon achievement of milestones, no further milestone payments were made. In line with advice from CSSO, the contract was terminated in September 2023, and for accounting purposes, as previously published and as reflected in the 2023 vote 28 appropriation account, the sum of €218,230 was written off in accordance with accounting principles. No termination payments were made by the Department to the contractor on foot of the mutually agreed early termination of the contract.
