DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 3 Meitheamh, 2020 Wednesday, 3rd June, 2020 CEISTEANNA QUESTIONS 17 DÁIL ÉIREANN 463 Dé Céadaoin, 3 Meitheamh, 2020 Wednesday, 3rd June, 2020 CEISTEANNA LE hAGHAIDH FREAGRAÍ SCRÍOFA QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach. *1. To ask the Taoiseach the amount that has been spent on advertising in 2020 by his Department and agency on social media platforms (details supplied) in tabular form; and the name of each campaign advertised. — Sean Sherlock. [9309/20] Chun an Taoiseach agus Aire Cosanta: To the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence. *2. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if future overseas missions for members of the Defence Forces delayed due to the UN suspension will serve their full period of duties once missions can be rotated; if they will receive their expected allowance payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [8298/20] *3. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason family-friendly tours are not guaranteed at present for Defence Forces personnel due to be stationed overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [8686/20] *4. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when a decision will be made regarding permitting the affiliating of the Defence Forces to a union (details supplied); the reason this decision has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [8740/20] *5. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the strength each branch should be at; the recruitment planned in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [8741/20] *6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding will be allocated for the upgrade and extending of the mission preparation centre at the cadet school at the Defence Forces training centre; when this capital works project will commence; the duration of such works; and the allocated budget for same. — Catherine Murphy. [8775/20] *7. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding will be allocated for a new control tower at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; when this capital works project will commence; the duration of such works; and the budget allocated for same. — Catherine Murphy. [8776/20] *8. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the facilities at Kilworth Camp are being used at present to accommodate personnel other than military personnel; and if so, the purpose of providing such accommodation. — Sean Sherlock. [9123/20] *9. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if an application has been received from a union (details supplied) for permission to affiliate to another organisation; if so, when the application P.T.O 464 was received; when a decision will be made on the application; the reason for the delay in making a decision on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [9169/20] *10. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of females that were recruited for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service in 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of females currently in training in each branch of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [9238/20] *11. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the age limit for the Defence Forces cadetship competition will be increased as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission and also discussed at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence on 28 November 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [9258/20] *12. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the recent re-enlistment campaign for the Defence Forces; if it remains open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Heydon. [9517/20] *13. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the provisions he will put in place to ensure the ongoing preservation of protected structures in Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath should that area be handed over to another Department. — Sorca Clarke. [9531/20] *14. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount that has been spent on advertising in 2020 by his Department and agency on social media platforms (details supplied) in tabular form; and the name of each campaign advertised. — Sean Sherlock. [9835/20] Chun an Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála: To the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. *15. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the welfare assistance available for Irish citizens living abroad both inside and outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [8300/20] *16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the passport office will reopen and services resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [8311/20] *17. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the case of a person (details supplied) whose case has been highlighted by an organisation. — Joe O’Brien. [8401/20] *18. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when passport services are expected to resume including the production and processing of passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [8528/20] *19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when services will resume at the passport office including the processing of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [8529/20] *20. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for the delay in providing personal security clearance and facility security clearance for companies here dealing 465 with projects for the European defence industrial development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [8534/20] *21. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the persons appointed to the 2018 Irish Aid election observation roster. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [8573/20] *22. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports of the apparent detention of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [8625/20] *23. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the passport office will reopen and begin processing passport applications again; when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Frankie Feighan. [8653/20] *24. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects the passport office will resume full services; if passport holders with expiring passports are advised to submit renewal applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jack Chambers. [8674/20] *25. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when first time passport applications may be lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [8742/20] *26. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all passports will be extended for the duration of 12 months due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Frankie Feighan. [8748/20] *27. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when passport applications will begin to be processed again; the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marian Harkin. [9005/20] *28. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the US Senate Majority Leader, Mr. Mitch McConnell to date in 2020. — Chris Andrews. [9011/20] *29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which a person can receive a passport renewal during the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [9014/20] *30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will assist an Irish couple seeking to return home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McGrath. [9082/20] *31. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when it is expected his Department will restart passport applications. — Sean Sherlock. [9128/20] *32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contacts he has made with the EU and or UK Government officials regarding the ongoing post-Brexit trade talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [9193/20] P.T.O 466 *33. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contacts he or his officials had with or in respect of a company (details supplied) prior to or since the announced closure of the business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [9194/20] *34. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the EU and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the establishment of an EU office in Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.