Results 5,041-5,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 280 together. My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing time for FBR applications stood at 18 months due to an unprecedented surge in applications as a result of Brexit, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, provides support for civil society organisations working to promote reconciliation and create better understanding between communities in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. The Fund has supported over 3,000 projects with more than €60 million in grant funding since its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The XVIII Summit de la Francophonie was due to be held in Djerba, Tunisia this month. It has now been postponed until November 2022. Ireland has held Observer Membership Status at L'Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) since 2018. Members are required to pay statutory contributions on an annual basis. The annual contribution is fixed for all Observer Members. Ireland has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I welcome that Project Ireland 2040 funding will support key cross-border infrastructure projects noted in the National Development Plan, including the A5 Transport Corridor to the North West, the Ulster Canal renovation, cross-border greenways, including the Sligo Enniskillen greenway, all-island research centres, and the upgrade of the Dublin-Belfast rail connection to an hourly service,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently provides funding for cross-border initiatives in the context of its financial contribution to the North West Development Fund and through its operation of the Reconciliation Fund over many years. I am happy to confirm that the Department recently arranged payment of a supplementary allocation of €1 million by the Government towards the North West Development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. People may apply for Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration if one of their grandparents was born in Ireland or if one of their parents was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, even if their parent was not born...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The former barracks in Nenagh is no longer required for military purposes. In accordance with Government policy and Department of Defence's practice to dispose of such surplus properties, matters relating to the disposal of Nenagh Barracks are currently being progressed. Following application, the Tipperary County Registrar’s Office issued a Deed of Assurance conveying the freehold...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cross-Border Co-operation (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: As part of Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Plan (NDP) sets out the Government’s overarching investment strategy and capital budget for the period 2021-2030. The multi annual capital allocations provided for Defence under the Plan will allow the Defence Organisation to continue a programme of capital investment, as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cross-Border Co-operation (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The high level goal of Defence is to ‘provide for the military defence of the State, contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by Government’. The Defence budget allocation provides mainly for pay and allowances, operational costs and capital investment across the Defence Forces and pensions costs for ex-members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Applicants to the Defence Forces are required to successfully pass all stages of the induction process. While the period of time between these stages has been impacted by required Covid 19 public health guidelines, the induction process remains prioritised and applicants are kept updated on the status of their application. I am advised by the military authorities that the individual...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Patent Applications (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The current processing time for first time passport applications is 40 working days for Passport Online and 8 weeks for applications submitted through An Post's "Passport Express" service. The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for first time passports. There are currently 67,000 first time applications on hand with the Passport Service. Almost half of online first...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Deaths of Irish Citizens Abroad (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that we continue to provide all possible support to the family referred to. I personally met with the family previously, and was struck by the traumatic sequence of events that transpired in this case. I can wholly appreciate the toll this situation has taken on the family and support the need for answers to the questions still outstanding in relation to their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Individuals may apply for Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration if one of their grandparents was born in Ireland or if one of their parents was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, even if the parent was not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department views the right to disconnect as essential in supporting the wellbeing and work-life balance of our colleagues. The Department is fully compliant with the obligations under the Organisation of Working Time Act and has taken careful note of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect. The Civil Service Human Resources Policy Division are currently developing the new...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Military Authorities have informed me that an AF 97C Application for Discharge, dated 30 August 2021 and relating to the person detailed, was received by post in the Defence Forces HR office on 1 November 2021. I am further informed that Air Corps HQ have previously been liaising with the Defence Forces Training and Administration Offices in order to ascertain the requirements of a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (3 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is committed to providing a positive working environment and to the wellbeing of its employees, as well as complying with the provisions of employment law. Throughout the current pandemic, information to promote wellbeing at work has been provided to employees, including in relation to how to manage their work, particularly when working remotely. A central policy framework...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service issued over 455,000 passports books and cards between 1 April and 15 October 2021. During that period, almost 430,000 passport applications related to the Passport Online system, while over 25,000 were postal applications. Approximately 75% were renewals and 25% were first time applications. Almost 45% of passports for simple online adult renewals issue within one...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant and is assisting them with submitting a new passport application. The Passport Service regrets the inconvenience caused to the applicant and will ensure the new application is expedited as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 418, 428 and 437 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has already issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Malicious cyber activities are increasing exponentially with attacks on critical infrastructure, such as the HSE ransomware attack, causing widespread disruption and endangering the lives of our citizens. We must anticipate and prepare effectively for future cybersecurity incidents. This is best achieved through a strengthening of ICT systems, deterring threats and working with other states...