Niamh Smyth
Ceist:205. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a passport application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48361/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassport Services
Ceisteanna (205)
Freagraí scríofa
The turnaround time for a first time passport application is 20 working days. Turnaround time applies to applications that are fully complete and correct, and begins from the date that supporting documents are received by the Passport Service. The turnaround time does not begin from the date the online application is made. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete will take longer to process.
Since 2022, the Passport Service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received by the Passport Service. These applications are then processed within 15 working days.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, additional supporting were requested by the Passport Service on 12/06/2026 and received by the Passport Service on 16/06/2026. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
EU Presidency
Ceisteanna (206, 207)
Mark Ward
Ceist:206. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated cost to her Department for the purchase of mini vans arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; the plans for these vans when the presidency is finished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48372/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMark Ward
Ceist:207. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated cost to her Department for the purchase of minibuses arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European council; the plans for these buses when the presidency is finished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48374/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
There are no plans for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to purchase minivans or minibuses for use during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Question No. 207 answered with Question No. 206.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (208)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:208. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review a passport application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48392/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (209)
Séamus McGrath
Ceist:209. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider reviewing the process widowed parents (details supplied) need to go through when renewing their child’s passport, where they are required to repeatedly submit death certificates and sworn affidavits every time their child’s passport is renewed; and if she will consider introducing a once off verification system where bereavement documents only need to be submitted once. [48399/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I fully recognise the difficulties the current process may present for bereaved families and the Passport Service seeks to be as sympathetic and supportive as possible in assisting bereaved parents throughout the application process. The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants and has met with Widows and Bereaved Parents Ireland to discuss their concerns.
In terms of the process in place, where a child's guardian is deceased, the Passport Service requests the original death certificate of the deceased guardian and a Sole Guardian Affidavit from the surviving guardian confirming that they are the only guardian of the child.
When one guardian is deceased, it may not always be the case that the surviving parent is the only guardian of the child. For example, a guardian can, in a will or deed, appoint someone else to be a testamentary guardian after he or she dies. In addition, step-parents or other family members may have acquired guardianship of a child following the death of a parent. In order to protect the rights of children and their guardians, the Passport Service needs to confirm each time that it has the consent of all relevant guardians before it can issue a passport.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (210)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:210. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review a passport application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48414/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (211)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:211. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding an individual (details supplied) who has not yet received a refund for an urgent passport appointment which had been cancelled. [48416/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the urgent appointment was cancelled at the request of the applicant on 8 May 2026. The Passport Service subsequently refunded the passport fee on 16 June 2024.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (212, 213, 214)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:212. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the new IT system currently used by the Passport Service was first rolled out across the service. [48599/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:213. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost incurred by the Passport Service in the development, procurement, implementation, and operation of the new IT system. [48600/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:214. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the new IT system used by the Passport Service has experienced any outages, shutdowns, or significant service disruptions; and if so, the number of such incidents to date and their duration. [48601/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 213 and 214 together.
The Passport Service replaced its legacy processing system in December 2025. The previous processing system, APS, was in place since 2004. Despite continuous upgrades and technical patches, this system was no longer fit for purpose. The new system, turas, has been built using modern technology and with the future in mind, anticipating increases in passport and foreign birth registration applications over its lifetime. It is significantly easier to upgrade and make changes to the new system, making it more agile as legislation and Department policy changes occur.
Since the deployment of the new service there have been a number of scheduled, out of hours system upgrades. These upgrades are schedule so as to cause minimum disruption to the normal operations of the Passport Service.
There have been no significant service disruptions during this time. The time taken for each upgrade is between two and four hours in duration. In addition, there have been two pre-planned service outages that occurred over weekends to implement the changes necessary for the introduction of our new passport book and card at the end of June.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 212.
Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 212.
Social Media
Ceisteanna (215)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:215. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of complaints made by her Department to social media or online marketing companies about specific online posts or accounts for each year from 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [48613/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade uses digital platforms to communicate public awareness campaigns, to promote essential services to citizens and to highlight Irish foreign policy positions and values internationally. Our accounts on digital platforms are also utilised, in conjunction with Team Ireland partners, to promote Ireland as a place to trade, invest, visit and study.
The Department has formally engaged with digital platforms on a number of occasions regarding content that the Department viewed as breaching the community guidelines of those platforms.
The Department and its staff currently use a significant number of social media accounts across different platforms and countries in which we have Embassies or Consulates. While the Department does not maintain a register of complaints around specific online posts, HQ engagement with social media companies in recent years has included reporting specific instances of abusive material targeting DFAT officials serving overseas and requesting removal of accounts falsely purporting to be affiliated with the Department.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (216, 217)
Pa Daly
Ceist:216. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of climate action officers in each local authority, by local authority; the estimated cost to hire one additional FTE climate action officer in each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48731/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:217. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated cost to double the funding for climate action officers, by cap ex and op ex, in tabular form. [48732/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
Under the Climate (Amendment) Act 2021, each local authority was required to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan for its respective administrative area. In 2022, my Department approved a business case submitted by the County and City Management Association (CCMA) for additional resources for local authorities to develop and implement their Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs). This included a request for funding for one Climate Action Coordinator role and one Climate Action Officer role.
The business case set out an annual cost per Climate Action Officer role in each local authority of €88,644, resulting in a combined annual figure of €2,747,964 for all 31 local authorities. My Department signed a five-year Service Level Agreement with all local authorities for Phase 3 of the LA CAPs (November 2023 - December 2028) which provides for funding of €2,747,964 for one Climate Action Officer in each local authority, from a total annual budget of €5,815,000.
On that basis doubling the allocation for Climate Action Officers would result in a cost of €177,288 per local authority, and a combined total of €5,495,928 for all 31 local authorities.
As of May 2026, the status of the Climate Action Officers, as reported to my Department by the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), is:
• 30 Climate Action Officers - "Hired and In Post".
• 1 Climate Action Officer - “Currently Recruiting".
The attached table provides a breakdown of the status of the Climate Action Officer in each local authority, the annual allocation per Climate Action Officer in each local authority, and the cost to double the annual allocation for the Climate Action Officer in each local authority.
I announced significant new funding of almost €35m this year to further support local authorities as they continue to drive forward climate action in our communities. This funding underpins the continued commitment of Government to local climate action and recognises the key role of local authorities in supporting communities as we transition to a climate neutral economy.
In June 2026, my Department received a business case from the County and City Management Association (CCMA) requesting that provision be made for the existing 110 climate posts in local authorities to become permanent posts, including the Climate Action Officer role. I support this in principle and officials in my Department are currently reviewing the business case with a view to presenting a submission to me.
Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 216.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (218)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:218. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding which will be provided to appointing additional staff to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) department in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, to deal with the increase in applications and existing backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48475/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The staff allocation of the SEAI has increased substantially in recent years from 95 in 2020 to 265 in 2026.
The hiring and management of staff, as well as the deployment of staff to particular locations, is an operational matter for the SEAI.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
Social Media
Ceisteanna (219)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:219. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of complaints made by his Department to social media or online marketing companies about specific online posts or accounts for each year from 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [48607/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has made no complaints to social media platforms or online marketing companies regarding specific online posts or accounts for the period from 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026.
Energy Production
Ceisteanna (220)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:220. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline Government policy toward plug-in solar panels; the supports available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48622/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Plug-in solar systems are very small PV energy systems, usually two or three modules and less than 1 kW in total per installation, which are connected to a micro-inverter and plugged directly into a normal household socket. This then feeds the house’s internal electricity system. These low-cost panels can be put on balconies or outdoor spaces. The use of plug-in mini solar technology has grown in some EU countries in recent years as consumers search for ways to save on high energy bills.
As Minister, I am supportive of any technology which can reduce costs for households and consumers and increase the share of renewables on our system, provided that it can be integrated safely. For that reason, last month I wrote to ESB Networks (ESBN) requesting that, in its capacity as the body responsible for safety regulations and technical standards for the distribution grid, it works with the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Safe Electric and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to prioritise and accelerate the development of standards that will permit the use of "plug-in" solar systems in Ireland.
The Managing Director of ESBN has since written to me confirming ESBN's support for the safe, proportionate use of small, plug-in solar or battery devices up to a total of 800W (AC) provided that the following conditions are met:
• customer and public safety are prioritised and assured;
• network integrity and power quality are maintained in all operating conditions;
• the DSO has appropriate visibility of connected generation through a simple registration process; and
• devices meet the relevant technical and product standards.
ESBN has commenced work in this regard and has written to other key stakeholders with a view to coordinating the respective positions and set out a shared pathway to accelerate the deployment of plug-in solar and storage. Engagement with Eirgrid to ensure that it is adequately prepared for the impact of plug-in generation on the transmission network will also take place.
ESBN is also engaging with the UK-based Electricity Networks Association to align approaches with the evolving UK position on plug-in generation and storage to ensure a consistent approach across Northern Ireland and Ireland, reflecting the cross-border market for devices, installers and network participation. My officials are also in contact with officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in the UK. EU Guidance on the matter is also being considered.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (221, 225)
Pa Daly
Ceist:221. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 18 September 2024, to provide a breakdown of the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48722/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:225. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated cost to hire 10% additional staff in the MARA with environmental, marine and/or ecological expertise; and the estimated cost to hire 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% additional staff in the MARA. [48728/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 225 together.
Under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, recruitment of staff by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is subject to sanction from me, as Minister, as well as the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
In respect of 2026, the MARA has a budget of €5.93m toward payroll related costs and an approved headcount of 69 staff.
The allocation of approved staff is a matter for the MARA. In that context, both of these Questions are appropriate for the Authority.
Arrangements have been put in place by the MARA to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. In this regard, MARA may be contacted at a dedicated email address: oireachtas@mara.gov.ie.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (222)
Pa Daly
Ceist:222. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 18 September 2024, to provide a breakdown of the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48723/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.
The information sought in the Question is an operational matter for CRU and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. The CRU has a contact email address for Deputies, oireachtas@cru.ie , should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that in the question.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (223)
Pa Daly
Ceist:223. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 18 September 2024, to provide a breakdown of the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48724/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act1992, recruitment of staff by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is subject to sanction from me as Minister as well as the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
In respect of 2026, the EPA has a budget of €33.99m toward Pay and Pension related costs and have a current allocated staffing level of 550 FTE.
The allocation of approved staff is a matter for the EPA. In that context, this Question is appropriate for the Agency.
Arrangements have been put in place by the EPA to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. In this regard, the EPA can be contacted at the dedicated email address: oireachtasqueries@epa.ie.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (224)
Pa Daly
Ceist:224. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in workforce planning in the SEAI, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48725/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002, the staffing level of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is subject to sanction from me as Minister as well as the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
In respect of 2026, the SEAI has a budget of €22.05m toward Pay and Pension related costs and an agreed staffing level of 265 FTE. The recruitment and allocation of staff is a matter for the SEAI.
Arrangements have been put in place by the SEAI to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. In this regard, they can be contacted directly through the dedicated email address: oireachtas@seai.ie.
Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 221.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (226)
Pa Daly
Ceist:226. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the cap ex and op ex funding provided to the solar PV scheme in each of the years 2020 to date, by programme; and the breakdown of the number of solar PV installations this supported in each of the years 2020 to date, by programme, in tabular form. [48736/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested is set out in the attached file.
|
Year |
Programme |
Capital Grants paid €m |
Administrative Non-Grant Costs (Capital and Current) €m |
Number of solar PV installations |
|
2020 |
Domestic Solar PV |
7,8 |
- |
2,916 |
|
2021 |
Domestic Solar PV |
9,8 |
- |
4,077 |
|
2022 |
Domestic Solar PV |
24,453 |
1,191 |
10,017 |
|
2022 |
Solar PV Medically Vulnerable |
- |
- |
- |
|
2022 |
Non-Domestic Microgeneration |
- |
133 |
- |
|
2023 |
Domestic Solar PV |
52,113 |
2,087 |
22,214 |
|
2023 |
Solar PV Medically Vulnerable |
- |
- |
- |
|
2023 |
Non-Domestic Microgeneration |
199 |
220 |
73 |
|
2024 |
Domestic Solar PV |
62,234 |
3,080 |
28,423 |
|
2024 |
Solar PV Medically Vulnerable |
754 |
- |
137 |
|
2024 |
Non-Domestic Microgeneration |
8,874 |
553 |
931 |
|
2025 |
Domestic Solar PV |
63,085 |
3,248 |
33,048 |
|
2025 |
Solar PV Medically Vulnerable |
2,826 |
- |
475 |
|
2025 |
Non-Domestic Microgeneration |
13,540 |
566 |
1,193 |
|
YTD 2026 |
Domestic Solar PV |
22,699 |
713 |
12,695 |
|
YTD 2026 |
Solar PV MV Solar PV Medically Vulnerable |
1,737 |
- |
257 |
|
YTD 2026 |
Non-Domestic Microgeneration |
7,288 |
137 |
588 |