Written Answers Nos. 308-322
309. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to SI 309 of 2022 which provides for planning exemptions for temporary accommodation for displaced Ukrainians, if any proposals are being brought forward to streamline the required building regulations to ensure a timely turnaround on proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62135/22]
View answerThe purpose of Building Regulations is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings and the building control processes are a means of ensuring compliance with the Building Regulations and as such the Building Control legislation applies as normal when providing accommodation for Ukrainian Refugees.
For information, Building Regulations apply to the construction of new buildings (including dwellings) and existing buildings where works are being performed on a building as prescribed in the Building Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 497 of 1997) as amended. The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Building Control Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of Building Regulations.
Section 4 and 5 of the Building Control Acts make provision to dispense with or relax requirements of building regulations, subject to such conditions (e.g. time bound, exclusively for certain classes and set minimum standards), if it is deemed unreasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the case or the class of works under consideration.
312. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a person (details supplied) was only offered 60% of a local authority home loan, despite meeting all the criteria for a 90% loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62159/22]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Loan applications are assessed by the Housing Agency on behalf of the Local Authority in line with the Credit Policy. A recommendation to approve a loan, to approve a reduced amount or to decline is submitted to the Local Authority Credit Committee for final decision. The final decision on loan approvals is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authority.
A key element of the credit assessment is to ensure that the applicant has demonstrated sufficient repayment capacity. The amount they can borrow is based on this financial assessment.
Loan applicants who are dissatisfied with a loan application decision of a local authority Credit Committee may appeal that decision to the local authority. Each Local Authority will have an appeals procedure to allow dissatisfied applicant(s) to appeal a loan application decision of the credit committee. An Appeals Panel will consider appeals only where the applicant can prove their application adheres to the eligibility criteria. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
313. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has had the opportunity to meet with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the vacant apartments in New Ross, following his recent visit to the town; if he will set out the response that he has received from the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62170/22]
View answerI understand that representatives of Wexford County Council have previously met with the organisation involved with these particular apartments in New Ross. It is important that Councils actively monitor and assess vacancy locally, both within their own housing stock and that of Approved Housing Bodies.
My Department is focused on ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent and in that regard, officials from my Department have been in contact with the organisation involved and have requested that they re-engage with the Council to look at options to utilise the apartments.
The Council and the organisation will have my Department's support in this matter and I look forward to them pursuing this as a matter of urgency.
314. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the built heritage investment scheme allocation for Knocklofty House, Clonmel, has been returned to his Department. [62209/22]
View answerUnder the 2022 Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), all 31 local authorities were allocated grant funding and asked to nominate awards to a number of heritage projects, for approval by my Department. The project at Knocklofty House was one such project nominated by Tipperary County Council and approved by my Department. As you are aware, officials in my Department were recently informed that the Knocklofty House project will not proceed this year.
Local Authorities are responsible for payment of funds under the BHIS to successful applicants in advance of seeking recoupment from my Department. All works must be completed and certified by the local authority as being in accordance with the terms of the grant award before the applicant can seek the payment of funding.
As the project did not proceed, Tipperary County Council has not submitted a claim in respect of Knocklofty House to my Department.
315. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarification on the length of the tenancy for a cost-rental scheme (details supplied) under the Land Development Agency, LDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62212/22]
View answerUnder Sections 29 and 30 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, property owners can apply for designation of properties as Cost Rental dwellings. This is undertaken on an opt-in basis whereby any owner of a property (public or private) must apply to the Minister if they wish to formally designate their property as a ‘cost rental dwelling’ this being for a minimum designation period of at least 40 years.
Under the legislation, all tenancies within Cost Rental dwellings are deemed to be 'cost rental tenancies', which are modified forms of tenancies under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (RTA). All Cost Rental tenancies are therefore subject to the recent amendments made to this act by the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021, which provided for tenancies of unlimited duration. In line with this change, in circumstances where a person has been in a tenancy for a continuous period of 6 months, that tenancy shall continue for a period of unlimited duration. As the Land Development Agency’s (LDA) Cost Rental tenancies will commence following the enactment of this legislation, this clause will apply to all relevant tenancies, including those referred to in the Question.
Furthermore, given the long-term nature of Cost Rental, all Cost Rental tenancies are subject to additional protections for tenants beyond those in the RTA. These protections limit the means by which a landlord can end a tenancy, provided there are no issues with breach of tenancy conditions or rent arrears. The LDA has applied for designation of the properties referred to in the Question, meaning that these conditions will apply to these properties.
316. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out a list of all Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bills introduced and passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas since 2016; and if he will provide a short summary of each Act in tabular form. [62257/22]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the table below.
The Law Reform Commission, in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975, has published a revised version of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, which is an administrative consolidation of that Act.
This can be found at revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2004/act/27/revised/en/html
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Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016(No. 17 of 2016) |
An Act to facilitate the implementation of the document entitled “Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness” that was published by the Government on 19 July 2016, and for that and other purposes to amend the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2015 and to provide for connected matters including: rent predictability measures to limit rent increases within designated Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs); measures to prevent large numbers of residents in a single development from being simultaneously served with termination notices; enhancements to the Residential Tenancies Board’s (RTB's) enforcement and dispute resolution powers; abolition of a landlord's right, during the first 6 months of a further Part 4 tenancy, to terminate that tenancy for no stated ground and the duration of 'Part 4 tenancies' was increased from 4 to 6 years. |
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Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 (No. 14 of 2019) |
An Act to amend the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2016; to provide for powers to carry out investigations of improper conduct by landlords and impose administrative sanctions; to provide for offences in relation to non-compliance with rent increase restrictions in rent pressure zones; to increase the notice periods to be provided in the case of termination of a tenancy by a landlord; to provide for annual registration by landlords of tenancies and to amend the registration process; to provide for the mandatory publication of sanctions imposed by the Residential Tenancies Board; to apply relevant obligations and rights under the Acts to both tenancy and licence agreements in student-specific accommodation; and to provide for related matters. |
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Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 (No. 24 of 2019) |
The Act provides for technical amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 in relation to the once-off exemption from the rent increase restriction in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) post substantial refurbishment/renovation works and the application of the Residential Tenancies Acts to student licences in student-specific accommodation. |
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Part 2 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 (No. 2 of 2020) |
Part 2 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provided for a temporary moratorium on tenancy terminations, other than in exceptional and limited cases, and on all increases in rent during the emergency period from 27 March to 1 August 2020. |
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Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 (No. 7 of 2020) |
The Act amends the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 to increase notice periods in relation to notices of termination served on tenants during the period from 1 August 2020 to 10 January 2021 for failure to pay rent due and to prohibit increases in rents on tenancies of dwellings during that period; to make permanent provision in relation to the giving of notifications, and notices of termination, by landlords to tenants and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) in relation to arrears of rent and requiring the provision of information by the RTB to the tenant to enable him or her to get advice from the Money and Budgeting Advice Service (MABS); and to provide for matters connected therewith. |
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Residential Tenancies Act 2020 (No. 17 of 2020) |
The Act modifies the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 to prevent any notices of termination served by landlords, in all but limited cases such as anti-social behaviour, from taking effect in geographical locations and during periods specified by the Minister for Health in Regulations made by him under section 31A of the Health Act 1947 in respect of which a restriction applies on the movement of people outside a 5 km radius of their place of residence. These tenancy protections also apply during the 10 days directly following the period specified by the Minister for Health in the aforementioned Regulations; and to provide for related matters. |
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Part 3 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 (No. 27 of 2020) |
Part 3 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 (the PDRTA) provides for temporary modifications to the operation of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. Subject to certain conditions, where a tenant was in rent arrears due to Covid-19 and at risk of losing their tenancy during the period from 11 January to 12 April 2021, a 90-day (rather than the usual 28 days) termination notice period applied where the tenancy could not be sustained. The earliest termination date allowed in such circumstances was 13 April 2021. In addition, for relevant tenancies, rent increases were prohibited until 13 April 2021, with no back-dating allowed. |
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Residential Tenancies Act 2021 (No. 5 of 2021) |
The Residential Tenancies Act 2021 provides technical amendments to the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 (the PDRTA) to extend the application of its enhanced tenancy protections for a further 3 months from 13 April 2021 to 12 July 2021. The Act also provides for technical amendments to enhance the interoperability of the PDRTA with the Residential Tenancies Act 2020; and to provide for matters connected therewith. |
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Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 (No. 17 of 2021) |
The Act amended the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 (PDRTA). The Act provided for an extension of the enhanced protections under the PDRTA until 12 January 2022.The Act also introduced measures in July 2021 to better protect tenants with affordability challenges by extending the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024 and prohibiting any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The Act also restricts payments required to be made by tenants in respect of advance rent payments and deposit to secure a tenancy; and to provide for matters connected therewith. |
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Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 (No. 39 of 2021) |
The Act amended the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to provide that from 11 December 2021, when setting the rent at the start of a tenancy in an RPZ or when carrying out a rent review in an RPZ, rent increases are capped at 2% per year on a pro rata basis, where HICP inflation is higher. The Act also provides that all new tenancies created on or after 11 June 2022 will become tenancies of unlimited duration once the tenancy has lasted more than six months and no notice of termination has been validly served on the tenant. Transitional measures are provided in relation to the conversion of existing tenancies to tenancies of unlimited duration; and to provide for matters connected therewith. |
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Part 11 of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (No. 15 of 2022) |
Part 11 amends the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 by providing for an increase to the notice periods for the termination of certain tenancies, a requirement for landlords to serve a copy of any notice of termination on the RTB, and to remove the requirement on a tenant to provide their contact details to their landlord as a condition for a re-letting offer to be made, where certain circumstances arise. |
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Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022 (No. 34 of 2022) |
An Act to make emergency provision to defer the termination dates of certain tenancies that fall, or would fall, during the period from 30 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 in order to mitigate the risk that persons whose tenancies would otherwise be terminated during that period would be unable to obtain alternative accommodation. Provision is made for the deferral of the giving of effect to certain notices of termination where they have been served by a landlord on or before 29 October 2022 and specify a termination date that falls during the 'winter emergency period'. Provision is made for such terminations to take effect after the winter, in accordance with the Act, over the period from 1 April to 18 June 2023; to assist in managing demands on housing services as a result of such deferred termination. The Act also provides for related matters. |
317. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the regional homeless forum covering counties Cork and Kerry last met. [62278/22]
View answerMy 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.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. The management and administration of homeless services is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum.
The Department does not track the dates of the Homelessness Fora, but has received the following information from Cork and Kerry Regional leads.
The Homeless Forum for Kerry met last week, on 6 December 2022. This forum consists of Kerry County Council, Novas, HSE Addiction Services, Peter McVerry Trust, Threshold, Cork Simon, DePaul, Sophia, Focus and Good Shepherd Services.
Due to Covid and staff changes there have been delays in holding the Cork City and County Forum. The Forum for Cork City and County last met on 17 December 2021 and is scheduled to meet next week, on 20 December 2022. The membership of the forum chaired by Cork City Council includes, Cork Simon, Depaul, Sofia Housing, Good Shepherd Services, Focus Ireland, Peter McVerry Trust, O’Connell Court, Wellsprings, Tusla Aftercare Service, Probation Services, Department of Social Protection, HSE Mental Health Services, HSE Social Inclusion and the Gardaí. The schedule for meeting during 2023 will be agreed at the meeting next week.
It should be noted that the Statutory Management Meetings, whose members include Kerry County Council, Cork County Council, City Council and the HSE, are held every two months and Homeless Action Team meetings are held in each Local Authority in the region every fortnight.
318. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department intends to review and change current regulations to include a specific percentage of wheelchair liveable housing. [62291/22]
View answerThe Building Regulations set out the minimum legal performance requirements for the design and construction of new buildings (including dwellings) and certain works to existing buildings.The Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, which came into effect on 1 January 2012, sets out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access and use. The requirements of Part M aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:
- new buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable;
- extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are, where practicable, accessible and useable;
- material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable;
- certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings where practicable; and
- new dwellings are visitable.
Part M aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. The accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010) (TGD M), provides guidance on how the requirements of Part M can be achieved in practice. TGD M is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/78e67-technical-guidance-document-m-access-and-use/#current-editionWhile the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate. Building Regulations and the associated TGDs are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. Recently, Part M of the Building Regulations was amended to provide for Changing Places Toilets in certain buildings and a number of reviews are ongoing at present including Part B Fire Safety.In respect of wheelchair liveable housing, I launched a new joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 on 14 January 2022, together with my colleagues Minister Darragh O’Brien and Ms. Anne Rabbitte, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability (available at gov.ie - National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022 – 2027 (www.gov.ie) ) This Strategy sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years. This Strategy will operate within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland.
Housing for All is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing. This mix will include universally designed units so as to be available to everyone in Irish society including those with disabilities. Preparation of an Implementation Plan for the Strategy is underway.
319. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will consider the amendments made to the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2016 in Seanad Éireann; when he will complete his consideration of the Bill; when he will propose to Government that permission be sought to have this Bill restored to the order paper for Dáil Éireann’s final consideration; the reason for the four year delay in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62330/22]
View answerThe Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 gives legal effect to the proposed reconfiguration of the raised bog Natural Heritage Area network arising from the 2014 review of the raised bog Natural Heritage Area network.
The Bill had completed all stages in the Dáil and the Seanad, and had been returned to the Dáil for consideration of the various amendments made by the Seanad when the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil on 14 January 2020.
The amendments made in the Seanad have been re-examined in consultation with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) from a legal and drafting perspective, and it is intended to bring a Memorandum to Government seeking approval to have the Bill restored to the order paper very shortly.
320. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 23 November 2022, the local authorities that have online choice-based lettings in place in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62347/22]
View answerMore than half of local authorities currently operate a Choice Based Letting system. While several offer paper-based systems, others offer both paper-based and online services.
Currently, 14 local authorities use an online system, see table below:
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Clare |
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Cork City |
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Cork County |
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Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
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Fingal |
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South Dublin |
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Galway City |
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Galway County |
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Kildare |
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Leitirm |
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Louth |
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Meath |
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Tipperary |
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Waterford |
321. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61650/22]
View answerOver the past two and a half years, my Department has achieved much progress in a number of policy areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Departmental Statement of Strategy.
Throughout 2020 and for much of 2021, the COVID pandemic was the foremost global challenge, and my Department handled the most extensive repatriation operation in the history of the State, helping well over 8,000 citizens to return from 129 countries across five continents. In addition my Department continued to make an important contribution to the Government response to the pandemic, particularly in strengthening information flows across Government on global developments and trends, which informed critical decision making.
Ireland is a committed Member State of the European Union, and for the period in question, my Department played a central role in managing the outworking of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the agreement and implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. I remain fully engaged with Vice President Sefcovic and our EU partners as we look to find joint solutions to the challenges around the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. We remain committed to securing Ireland’s vital interests, including the hard-won peace and stability on our island, against the backdrop of significant political challenges while also protecting the integrity of the EU Single Market.
As preparations for Brexit advanced, my Department coordinated work across Government to protect the continued operation of the vital Common Travel Area arrangement. I was also pleased to publish joint frameworks for strategic cooperation with Scotland and Wales in areas of devolved competence. My Department led the whole of Government response to mitigate the permanent change arising at the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. Working closely with stakeholders across all sectors, I published the Government’s final Brexit Readiness Action Plan in September 2020 and oversaw the passage of the Brexit Omnibus Act 2020 through the Oireachtas.
Following our election in June 2020, Ireland’s two-year term on the UN Security Council began in January 2021. We have been active across the whole Council agenda, including on issues of great significance to Ireland’s foreign policy priorities, such as the JCPoA, the Middle East Peace Process, Libya, Myanmar, and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. During our tenure, we have twice led, with Norway, negotiations to extend the mandate of the crucial UN cross border humanitarian operation in Syria; have led negotiations to successfully renew Operation Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina in October 2022; championed human rights in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, and being to the fore of efforts to hold the Taliban to account; and led efforts to bring the dire humanitarian situation in Ethiopia to the attention of the Council. Ireland also successfully negotiated a landmark Resolution on peacekeeping transitions, which was adopted unanimously last September; and played a leading role on the Conflict, Hunger, and Women, Peace and Security files.
We have used our voice at the UN Security Council and all relevant multilateral fora to condemn Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, and to work for accountability. I visited Kyiv and Bucha in April 2022 and briefed the Security Council in person shortly afterwards. I travelled to Ukraine again in September, visiting Odesa and reiterating Ireland’s continued support for Ukraine and staunch opposition to Russia’s invasion. Following this visit, I spoke at the UN Security Council on this issue in September, updating on the operations of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Additionally, at the beginning of the invasion we assisted a number of Irish citizens in leaving Ukraine. We have provided substantial aid to Ukraine, as well as supported neighbouring countries and worked to address the global impact of the Russian invasion, and have consistently supported the strongest sanctions in response to Russia’s aggression.
Elsewhere throughout this period, my Department has led on the formation of a number of international negotiations. At COP27, our delegation played an instrumental role within the EU and together with other Parties to make progress on loss and damage, culminating in an agreement to establish new funding arrangements, as well as a dedicated fund, to assist developing countries in responding to loss and damage. In November this year, I hosted a high-level international conference for the “Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA)”. This Irish-led Declaration has been endorsed by 83 states to date and will enhance the protection of civilians from explosive weapons in urban warfare. Also in November, the Minister for Overseas Development and Diaspora chaired the European Congress on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Dublin Castle, pledging €60 million to the Global Partnership for Education for 2021-2025.
A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, provides the framework for a whole of government development cooperation programme. Rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals, it aims to focus our efforts on four policy priorities: (i) gender equality; (ii) reducing humanitarian need; (iii) climate action; and (iv) strengthening governance. It contains a clear commitment, in all our work, to reach the furthest behind first. For 2023, the Government is providing a total of over €1.23 billion for Official Development Assistance. This is the largest ever allocation, and an increase of 17% on the 2022 allocation. The overall increase of €188 million includes €111.5 million for the international development programme operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. €75 million of this will focus on the direct and indirect impact of the war in Ukraine, and €25 million is towards meeting our international climate finance commitments.
Throughout the period under review, we continued efforts to support investment in public health, by way of response to the pandemic. We also continued to provide support for those countries that are poorest and most vulnerable to climate shocks and ensure that climate change is included as a core theme in strategy development where Ireland has a significant development cooperation programme including Small Island Developing States. We have maintained our solidarity with the people of Ethiopia and in 2021 provided €40.6 million in development and humanitarian assistance. At the 2021 International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants we pledged assistance of €2 million. Ireland also committed another €2 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross, a key partner in responding to the humanitarian needs provoked by armed conflict worldwide.
Under the Global Ireland initiative, key strategies were launched throughout the period, framing our aspirations for engagement with the Asia-Pacific, Nordic-Baltic and Latin American Caribbean regions, as well as our Diaspora. Our mission network expanded to 97, with seven new offices opening in Kyiv, Manchester, Manila, Rabat, Lyon, Miami, and Toronto. We had over 350,000 visitors to our pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which was launched in October 2021.
Following disruptions to the service throughout the first year of the pandemic, the Passport Service began scaling up towards normal operations in May 2021. With unprecedented demand seen in 2022, the Passport Service issued its one millionth passport of the year in early November, for the first time in the history of the State.
322. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the existence of so-called police stations operated by Chinese authorities; if such police stations exist within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61708/22]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs raised the presence of a so-called 'Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station' with the Embassy of China in Ireland in October. My officials also consulted with other relevant stakeholders in Government on this matter.
Neither the Chinese authorities nor Fuzhou/Fujian Province made a request in advance to the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish the office referred to. In communications with the Embassy, the Department noted that actions of all foreign states on Irish territory must be in compliance with international law and domestic law requirements. On this basis, the Department informed the Embassy that the office on Capel Street should close and cease operations. The Chinese Embassy has now stated that the activities of the office have ceased.
The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to liaise with the Embassy to facilitate the provision of all relevant consular and citizen services to Chinese citizens in Ireland.
