Written Answers Nos. 478-497
478. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice her views on the recent recommendation that domestic violence specialist-based remote witness hearings be extended to other courts, and also to inter-partes hearings, in family law cases around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18765/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the evaluation report by Safe Ireland of a pilot trial in the Courts of Remote Witness Hearings for ex-parte orders under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, conducted in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, from May to December 2023. This pilot allowed users to submit ex-parte applications remotely from a secure and supportive environment provided by their local domestic violence service.
My Department has recently received a copy of the report, which my officials are reviewing. The report also has important relevance for the Family Justice Strategy, which contains an action to evaluate the impact of remote hearings to measure effectiveness, value, performance and user experience, and which falls to the Courts Service to lead on.
479. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice her views on the recent statistics showing that there has been an increase of domestic violence incidents in Clare, bringing it to 184 in quarter 1 of 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18776/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny increase in incidents of domestic violence is intolerable.
This government has made combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) a key priority and I am firmly committed to taking all possible action to ensure we have the most appropriate processes and procedures in place to do this.I am also very conscious of how harmful the consequences of this type of violence can be for victims and I am continuing to work to make sure that those who experience these terrible crimes have access to the full range of supports and services they need.As the Deputy will be aware, the reform of our criminal justice system was a key focus in the implementation of the recommendations of the O'Malley review as set out in ‘Supporting A Victims Journey’ and that our Zero Tolerance Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), builds on this reform. Under ‘Zero Tolerance’ we have enacted stronger legislation to combat DSGBV, including by introducing new standalone offences for stalking and for non-fatal strangulation and by doubling the maximum sentence for assault causing harm.I am also progressing legislative provisions which will:
- Extend victim anonymity to further categories of victims,
- Repeal provisions for sentences to be delivered in public, and
- Make provision for legal representation for victims in certain cases.
My Department has also run campaigns to raise awareness of what constitutes DSGBV, to assure victims of domestic abuse that help and support is always here, and to raise awareness more generally of the rights that victims of crime have and of the supports available.
Central to delivering on the ‘Zero Tolerance’ goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency which I was delighted to formally open in February of this year.
The Agency has a mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to Cuan for direct response.
480. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of Garda graduates assigned to positions outside of Dublin city over the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18791/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of resources, including all operational policing matters.
The table below outlines the number of Garda graduates over the last four years and to date in 2024 initially stationed outside of Dublin.
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Total |
|
Total number of Probationer Garda |
522 |
148 |
370 |
388 |
165 |
1593 |
|
Total sent to Stations outside Dublin |
364 |
115 |
185 |
108 |
65 |
837 |
|
% sent to Stations outside Dublin |
69.70% |
77.70% |
50% |
27.80% |
39.30% |
52.54% |
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.
481. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the total number of copper communication lines within her Department that are currently in active operation and for which her Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18841/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
482. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the status of an expired visa and request for a work permit in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18892/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise that the person referred to by the Deputy does not hold an immigration permission to remain or work in the State at present.
When a non-EEA national comes to Ireland to undertake a course of study, be that an English language course or a course at level 6 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), a Stamp 2 student immigration permission will be granted. The Stamp 2 immigration permission will typically expire shortly after the conclusion of their course. At this point the international student should either leave the State or seek an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Matters relating to employment permits do not fall within the remit of the Immigration Service and are a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Further information relating to employment permits can be found on that Department's website, www.enterprise.gov.ie.
Should the person concerned be successful in obtaining employment and securing the appropriate employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, they will then be able to register on a Stamp 1 immigration permission with their local registration office.
Any person who has left the State may continue to seek employment and return once an employment permit has been granted.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email 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 email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
483. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardai by rank attached to each divisional scenes of crime unit as of 22 April 2024; and if she will provide same figures as of 30 June 2022, in tabular form. [18909/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
484. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of custody cells and holding cells within Kildare division that are reserved for suspects aged under 18 years. [18910/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Garda authorities that there is one juvenile custody/holding cell for suspects aged under 18 in the Kildare Division, located in Leixlip.
485. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the capital budget allocation for the Irish Prison Service in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [18911/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I have secured additional capital funding of €49.5m for 2024, 2025 and 2026 to deliver significant capital commitments that will allow the Irish Prison Service to address the capacity issues within our prisons and ensure it is fit-for-purpose for a growing population in the years to come. This additional funding will help start 4 key projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, the Midlands and Mountjoy prisons which together will accommodate up to 670 prisoners, as part of an accelerated capital construction programme.
This funding will also be used to advance short-term projects currently being pursued by the Prison Service that are expected to deliver over 150 spaces this year.
The Total Capital Budget Allocation for the Irish Prison Service for each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Budget Allocation €000 |
|
2022 |
32,800 |
|
2023 |
29,500 |
|
2024 |
38,000 (includes additional capital funding noted above) |
486. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on purchasing new tasers for armed garda personnel in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [18912/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the procurement of tasers for armed Garda personnel. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
To provide An Garda Síochána with the equipment and resources they need I have allocated record amounts to the Garda Vote in recent years, with over €2.35 billion allocated for 2024.
For the Deputy's information the following table, as supplied to me by An Garda Síochána, sets out the total spending on tasers in An Garda Síochána from the end of 2022 up to 2024 to-date.
|
YEAR |
SPEND (inclusive of VAT) |
|
2022 |
Nil |
|
2023 |
€1,113,297 (Taser Upgrade) |
|
2024 |
€123,984 |
487. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she can secure data from the Courts Service on the average length of time for reserved judgments in family law cases to be delivered. [18919/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Figures of this nature are recorded by the Courts Service. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
488. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice what percentage of her Department's capital budget is used to cover the cost of unitary PPP payments each year since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18941/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra489. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice if the level of expenditure by her Department on unitary PPP payments are in line with the investment policy framework for PPPs, which restricted annual expenditure on PPP unitary payments to no more than 10% of aggregate capital expenditure, in any given year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18942/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 489 together.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department does not allocate any expenditure towards Public Private Partnerships (PPP's). As the Deputy will be aware all costs in relation to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are published annually in the Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service.
490. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the growing problem of crime and anti-social behaviour in Limerick city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18962/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and its causes. A number of priority actions are contained in the Programme for Government to reduce instances of such behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities.
The Deputy may be interested to know that a number of other measures are already being taken to tackle anti-social behaviour and wider crime.
They include:
• The deployment of a Proof of Concept for body-worn cameras for Gardaí in Dublin City Centre, Waterford, and Limerick in 2024. This will help to inform the nationwide rollout of these vital pieces of equipment to all Garda members.
• Introducing Facial Recognition Technology in a number of limited and defined circumstances as a tool to search evidence in the most serious of cases, with legislation published before the summer recess.
• Stronger Garda Powers resulting in the nationwide seizure of 44 quad bikes and 133 scramblers by An Garda Síochána from 1 January 2023 to 5 February 2024.
• Providing the funding necessary to strengthen the equipment available to An Garda Síochána for public order policing, including the deployment of tasers and stronger incapacitant spray.
• The introduction of Community Safety Partnerships around the country, to develop Community Safety Plans for every area.
• Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion members, including interventions for typically hard-to-reach young people and early interventions for 8-11 year olds who may be at risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.
• Working to commence the Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Act 2024 to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime.
• Proposing solutions to public order and anti-social “wicked problems” through the Local Leadership Programme which brings together local stakeholders in a structured manner
As you may know, the establishment of the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum, which is chaired by Minister of State James Browne was a key programme for government commitment. The ASB Forum is developing measures which will address the factors which give rise to such behaviour and its impact on community morale and quality of life. The forum has established four sub-groups to consider the specific issues of the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, knife crime, responses to ASB impacts on housing complexes managed by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and to review the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences.
The Deputy will, however, appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for operational policing matters and that as Minister I cannot, rightly, direct the Commissioner in these independent functions. I am assured however by the Garda authorities that a range of high-visibility and covert operations are carried out on an ongoing basis to support public safety in Limerick.
I am informed that Operation Croi has been in place in Limerick city centre for the past 15 months, targeting anti-social behaviour and associated offences, including drug-related and traffic-related offences. This Garda Operation assists in targeting recidivist crime and the sale and supply of drugs in Limerick City centre.
I am also advised that Operation Disruption was launched in January of this year and ran until 14 April to address concerning trends around vehicular crime in the area. Operation Disruption involved Garda members deployed fulltime in plain clothes and operating late tours gathering intelligence and targeting known suspects for the crime type identified. The operation allowed for an increase in proactive patrols and had a number of successful detections and seizures of stolen cars. The operation also actively supervised, examined and monitored bail conditions for those charged before the courts.
Operation Feabhsaigh was initiated in September 2023. Its two key priorities were enforcement and crime prevention at King's Islands Historic Quarter, which includes city centre locations, and the sale and supply of drugs, open drug use, chronic anti-social behaviour, aggressive begging and crime in St. Marys Park. It relaunched in April 2024 and involves overtime deployment through a regional budget.
Liaison Sergeants from Limerick City North Community Engagement and Limerick City South Community Engagement functional areas are also engaging with local businesses across Limerick City to help identify crime trends and prolific suspects. I am informed that monthly overtime deployment of pedal cycle patrols in the city centre parks and greenways of the Limerick City North Community Engagement Functional Area is ongoing and is coordinated by the newly appointed Community Policing Sergeants in the city.
My Department has also funded initiatives such as the Moyross Development CLG Community Safety Weapons Awareness Programme in Limerick. This programme seeks to address weapon-related violence by educating and raising awareness among youth, parents and professionals creating a co-designed, co-produced, replicable toolkit adaptable to any youth setting. The Programme received €150,000 from my Department's Community Safety Innovation Fund in 2023.
491. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18988/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra496. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider increasing both the income and disposable assets threshold limits for access to free legal aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19033/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 496 together.
In its over forty years of operation, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law.
However, since the Scheme was set up, Irish society has changed, and the demands on the service have grown. In June 2022, I established the Civil Legal Aid Review Group to review the current operation of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme and make recommendations for its future. The Review Group is chaired by former Chief Justice, Mr Frank Clarke. The membership of the group is drawn from legal practitioners, academics, Department officials, those who work with marginalised groups, and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the statutory scheme.
As part of the review, a comprehensive multi-phased process of consultation has been conducted to ensure that as wide a range of views as possible is captured. The Group is now considering the findings from this extensive consultation and the research processes it has undertaken, in the overall context of its terms of reference, the existing legal support landscape in Ireland and how best to meet the civil legal needs of individuals now and in the future.
The Group is expected to conclude in the near future, at which point I look forward to receiving its report and considering its recommendations.
492. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if any Israeli West Bank settler organisations are considered proscribed and subject to restrictive measures or sanctions by the State on the basis that the construction of settlements seriously destabilises the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structure of Palestine (details supplied); if any Israeli West Bank settler organisations are considered proscribed and subject to restrictive measures or sanctions by the State on the basis of their connection with reported violence against Palestinian civilians that seriously destabilises the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structure of Palestine; if the State is considering imposing any sanctions on such organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19020/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra493. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the measures the Government is taking to monitor financial support for Israeli West Bank settler organisations, considering that it is an offence under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (details supplied) to collect or receive funds intending or knowing that they be used for the benefit of a terrorist group or in order to carry out terrorist activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19021/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together.
The Deputy will be aware that restrictive measures, or sanctions as they are generally referred to, are a tool of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. They are predominantly discussed at the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, with decisions subsequently taken at the Council of the European Union.
Ireland has strongly supported the adoption of sanctions in relation to Israeli settlers involved in violence and serious human rights violations or abuses in the West Bank under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. This was adopted on 19 April and the listed individuals will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban. Implementation by Ireland of sanctions measures is the responsibility of several Government departments and agencies. My Department is following up in relation to the travel ban.
As my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has indicated, Ireland will continue to work with EU partners to ensure that appropriate action is taken and will consider any proposals made to further address human rights abuses arising from the ongoing conflict.
While West Bank settler organisations are subject to restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanction Regime, I am informed that no such organisation has been designated by the EU as a terrorist organisation at this time.
On the question of proscription under Ireland's terrorism legislation, I can inform the Deputy that the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, which was enacted with particular application to international terrorism, provides that any organisation engaged in terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity is an unlawful organisation within the meaning and for the purposes of the 1939 Act. This is the case whether the organisation is inside or outside the State, or whether the terrorist activity occurs in or outside the State.
As the Deputy will be aware, the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Office of the DPP.
494. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the amount of funding allocated to projects in the Dublin 9 and 11 areas out of the community safety initiative/community safety innovation fund; the details of the initiatives funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19028/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra495. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice whether community safety initiative/community safety innovation fund monies can be used to support public realm space/park improvements in areas which have suffered from criminality; if so, if she will point to successful examples of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19029/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 495 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department established the Community Safety Innovation Fund in 2021. The fund uses the money seized by An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau as the proceeds of crime to fund new, innovative community safety projects. The fund increased from €2 million in 2022 to €3 million last year and I was delighted to see it increase again to €3.75 million in Budget 2024. 22 successful projects received funding in 2022 and a further 30 projects received funding in 2023.
Under the CSIF 2023, applications were invited from existing community safety initiatives as well as groups co-funded with local authorities, NGOs and community organisations working on issues relevant to community safety and youth justice. Applications could also be submitted by individual organisations, or by a consortium involving two or more organisations where the lead partner is a community organisation, not-for-profit, social enterprise or similar with a remit relevant to community safety and/or youth justice.
There have been two successful projects funded in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 to date. In 2022, the Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force received €120,000 for the ‘Base Bus’ project. It aims to redefine places of anti-social behaviour into more positive social environments by providing early intervention and preventative action in open drug use, street drinking, intimidation and encouraging positive interaction between older community members, young people and families. It involves the purchase and outfitting of a bus for a mobile access project which will enable enhanced outreach, presence and coverage at evenings and weekends as well as increased capability to engage with individuals and trust building activities.
Under CSIF 2022, Dublin City University (DCU)’s ‘Moving Well-Being Well’ (MWBW) project received €103,546. This programme aims to get children moving and involved in physical activity. MWBW focuses on increasing physical literacy in young children in order to give them the tools required to be active for life. The project runs interventions in schools and communities within the Local Community Safety Partnership Pilot areas of Dublin’s North Inner City, Longford and Waterford. The project is a collaboration between DCU’s School of Health and Human Performance, the GAA and the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics.
In relation to public realm improvements, under CSIF 2022, the Dungarvan Community Project by Waterford LCSP was granted €41,403 for the redevelopment of a derelict community garden through a community horticulture project, alongside the reopening of a vacant community house. The project aims to divert young people who are engaging in low level anti-social behaviour in the area into a community activity promoting personal ownership.
In 2023, the Enniscorthy Community Alliance received €150,000 for a project that focuses on public realm improvements. Enniscorthy Community Plants and Places aims to provide opportunities for youth within the town to get involved in community gardening, public realm improvements, sustainability initiatives and place-making to support their learning and development, mental health and develop positive community engagement opportunities.
497. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice to provide, in tabular form, by month and nationality, the number of people who have been refused permission to land in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19048/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the attached document.
The Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the attached figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
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.
The Deputy should note that where the number is low (less than 10), a breakdown is not provided. This is for reasons of confidentiality. Where the total for the 12 months equals less than 10, they are grouped as 'Others'.
