Written Answers Nos. 280-288
280. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice what current plans exist to address complaints about GSOC, in view of the recently passed Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7191/24]
View answerI am confident that the recently enacted Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 will result in significant reform and improvement to the system for the handling and investigation of garda complaints. This will include changes to the structure, remit and procedures the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), which will now be reconstituted as Fiosrú - Oifig an Ombudsman Póilíneachta.
The current three Commissioner model will be replaced by a single head of the organisation, the Police Ombudsman, supported by a Deputy Police Ombudsman and a Chief Executive Officer. The establishment of Fiosrú will build on the vital work carried out by GSOC since its establishment in 2007. The development of the new Act has been informed by the Commission on the Future of Policing’s recommendations on how an enhanced service can be provided.
Under the Act, the independence, organisation, and governance of GSOC is addressed, with the new body (Fiosrú) expanding its remit and overhauling its processes and procedures. The changes will ensure that all complaints, other than an agreed list of service level complaints, will be investigated by Fiosrú. This will result in more independent assessment of allegations of Garda wrong-doing, including those that are identified other than by way of complaints from members of the public.
The current dual investigation process under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 will be replaced with a new single investigation process. Unlike the current process, this new approach allows the Police Ombudsman to launch an investigation without having to decide at the outset whether or not that investigation is to be criminal or non-criminal in nature. The new process also dispenses with the existing statutory approach which requires criminal and non-criminal matters to be investigated sequentially.
To further enhance trust and confidence, the Act extends provision for judicial enquiry into the conduct the Police Ombudsman, the Deputy Ombudsman, CEO of the Police Ombudsman, and/or an officer of the Ombudsman, including a designated officer, should the need arise.
Overall, the changes will greatly strengthen the existing mechanisms for Garda accountability, enhance transparency and improve efficiency of the complaints process. As was the case with GSOC, the Police Ombudsman, subject to the provisions of the Act, will be independent in the performance of his or her functions.
281. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on the application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) who applied to her Department for citizenship on 19 February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7194/24]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments.
My Department has recently moved from paper to online based citizenship applications. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process, customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of the online application. The forms provide a seamless application process and help guide applicants through what is required for an application.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department continues to communicate regularly with all applicants to keep them informed as to updates on processing times and arrangements.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
282. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated number of asylum applicants who produce documentation confirming their identity at any point during the asylum process for the years 2018 to 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7200/24]
View answerMy Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.
The establishment of an applicant’s identity and nationality is an important feature of every immigration process and this is especially so in the context of persons who enter the Irish State for the purposes of making a claim for international protection.
When a person makes an application for international protection, they are photographed and have their fingerprints taken. These fingerprints are then checked against the EURODAC database, an EU-wide immigration database which stores the fingerprints of asylum applicants and those who have crossed borders illegally.
Any person being considered for a grant of status (refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain) will have a character and conduct check carried out in respect of them before any such status is conferred on them.
In addition to checks specifically on those applying for international protection, every person arriving at a port of entry in the State is subject to a Schengen Information System (SIS) check. In that regard, Ireland sends and receives SIS II information (termed ‘Alerts’) on persons and objects; for example persons wanted by Member States for criminal purposes, missing persons and objects which have been stolen or are wanted as evidence for a judicial purpose.
Information provided by applicants in support of their application, including documents concerning their identity, are recorded as part of the applicants file, but are not stored in a manner which allows detailed data to be extracted in the manner sought by the Deputy.
283. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons landing at airports or arriving through ferry ports without travel documentation; and the number of these persons who then applied for asylum for the years 2018 to 2023, in tabular form. [7201/24]
View answerThe Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for front-line ##Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and data as requested is not collated in this manner for other ports of entry.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
The BMU and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the appropriate travel documentation when boarding. Immigration officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries in relation to immigration matters.
In addition to providing advice to airlines on specific queries, training is provided to airline ground staff on current travel documentation requirements to help them reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without correct documentation. The Department has recorded a 34% reduction in 2023 in the number of persons arriving in the State without the correct documentation.
Section 2(1) of the Immigration Act 2003 places obligations on carriers to ensure that passengers travelling to the State are in possession of a valid travel document that establishes the person’s identity and nationality, and that they have the appropriate visa if required.
While systems do not allow for the extraction of the precise data requested, it is the case that the majority of those who present without appropriate documentation and refused leave to land seek to enter the international protection process. It is also the case that some people with valid travel documents seek to enter the international protection process, hence the number of applicants for asylum below included persons who presented with valid documents.
Immigration Control at Dublin Airport
|
Year |
Total Refusals |
Undocumented Arrivals |
Requested Asylum |
|
2018 |
3999 |
895 |
N/A |
|
2019 |
6151 |
1579 |
N/A |
|
2020 |
2077 |
712 |
N/A |
|
2021 |
3210 |
2082 |
N/A |
|
2022 |
7,662 |
4,968 |
6,765 |
|
2023 |
5,826 |
3,287 |
4,712 |
*May be subject to slight variance following data cleansing.
**The BMU introduced the statistical system to capture Asylum in October 2021, therefore, data is only available from that time.
284. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number of GNIB cards issued by her Department in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [7214/24]
View answerMy Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for first time registrations and the renewal of immigration permissions for customers residing in Dublin only. Registrations and renewals for persons resident outside of Dublin are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
The following table details the residence permissions issued for the years requested.
|
Year |
1st-time registration |
Renewal |
Total |
|
2023 |
103,772 |
197,003 |
300,775 |
|
2022 |
88,878 |
141,073 |
229,951 |
|
2021* |
-- |
-- |
133,058 |
* 2021 reporting data was not captured on cards printed or split across 1st-time/renewal.
This figure represents unique individuals and does not account for more than one card issuance to an individual (status change, etc.).
An Irish Residence Permit card (IRP card) is normally issued following the successful registration or renewal of an applicant's immigration permission. However, it should be noted that not all registrations result in the issuing of an IRP card, and some cards are issued more than once for various reasons, such as lost or stolen cards and an additional small number will issue for testing/sampling purposes.
285. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on her plans to roll out additional refuge spaces for domestic violence survivors in an area (details supplied). [7258/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As part of its remit, the agency has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces.
As such, I have referred the questions posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.
286. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice the number of new gardaí allocated to counties Roscommon and Galway in 2023, in tabular form. [7259/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 – this is a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of December 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 618 Garda members and 111 Garda staff assigned to Galway Division. This represents increases of over 10% and 141%, respectively, since the end of December 2015.
As the Deputy will also aware Roscommon/Longford Division was amalgamated with Mayo Division under the new Operating Model. I am advised that at the end of December 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 602 Garda members and 106 Garda staff assigned to Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division.
I am advised that since the reopening of the Garda college in September 2014 a total of 4,394 Probationer Garda have attested and been allocated to Garda stations nationwide. This includes the 388 Probationer Gardaí who attested in 2023.
I am informed that 3 Probationer Gardaí were allocated to Galway Garda station, in Galway Division and 3 Probationer Gardaí were also allocated to Longford Garda station, in Roscommon/Longford Division in 2023. I am further informed that no Probationer Gardaí were allocated to Garda stations in Co. Roscommon in 2023.
Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
All information is operational and may be subject to change.
287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons refused entry to the state every year for the past four years; the reasons for refusal; the point of entry where entry was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7309/24]
View answerThe Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for front-line Immigration ##at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
I have sought the information requested regarding other ports of entry from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
Under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004, an Immigration Officer must determine whether a non-EEA national should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry.
Section 4(3) of that Act sets out the full range of grounds on which a passenger may be refused. People can be refused for more than one reason. These include, but are not limited to, persons arriving without correct documentation. The data is not maintained in a way that allows my Department to quickly disaggregate refusals under separate provisions.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation.
My Department’s Border Management Unit and the GNIB are working with airlines and international colleagues to take measures both at domestic airports and points of embarkation to address this issue. In addition to providing advice to airlines on specific queries, training is provided.
If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land.
Dublin Airport
|
Year |
Total Arriving Passengers |
Total Refusals |
|
2020 |
3,636,256 |
2,077 |
|
2021 |
4,118,027 |
3,210 |
|
2022 |
13,930,041 |
7,662 |
|
2023 |
16,628,545 |
5,826 |
288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been refused asylum in Ireland every year for the past four years; the number of deportations that have been carried out each year for the past four years; the number of people given self-deportation orders; the number of those that have been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7310/24]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
