Written Answers Nos. 173 - 183
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in determination of eligibility for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if an update of stamp 4 is required; if the person will be facilitated in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19717/13]
View answerI am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in June, 2012. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. Further information was requested from the person concerned in a letter issued on 23 April 2013. Once the requested information has been received and assessed the case will be finalised and submitted to me for decision. The person has currently permission to remain until 28 May 2013. He should ensure that his registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau is kept up to date at all times during his residency in the State.
As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in determination of eligibility for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19718/13]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in January, 2013. The application is being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-examine the deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if the deportation order can be revoked pending a full investigation notwithstanding the previous assessment of the case and keeping in mind the considerable change in circumstances that has taken place since 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19720/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the Reply given to his Parliamentary Question Number 18674/13 of the 23 April, 2013. The status of the person concerned is as set out in that reply.
However, if new information or circumstances have come to light, which have a direct bearing on his case and which has arisen since the original Deportation Order was made, there remains the option of applying to me for revocation of the Deportation Order pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended. However I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful nor would it be considered until such time as the person concerned complies with the terms of the Deportation Order.
The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 11th March 2005 following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and of his application to remain in the State. He has been evading his deportation since 19 May 2005 and should he come to the notice of the Gardaí, he would be liable to arrest and detention. He should, therefore, present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau without any further delay.
As a matter of policy, I do not intend to reward persons who have failed a very fair, thorough and comprehensive asylum process, and who have then proceeded to evade their deportation for several years.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 28 March 2013, if he will take into account in the determination of a case in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20, if, given that change of circumstances since the making of the deportation order, this may be cited as sufficient change of circumstances to merit the withdrawal of the order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19721/13]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that representations were recently received from the person's legal representative asking that this Deportation Order be revoked, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, (as amended). When a decision has been made on that application, the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 20 April 2010, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and his application for subsidiary protection, and a detailed examination of the representations he submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the state and remain thereafter outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the entitlement in respect of residency/naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19722/13]
View answerThe person concerned applied for asylum in the State on 2 December, 2009 which refused by the Office of Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The case of the person concerned was then considered in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and a Deportation Order was made in respect of them on 27 July, 2010. Judicial Review proceedings were instituted on 11 August, 2011. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
178. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the number people who are on the payroll in his Department and in the Irish Defence Forces; the number of physical payslips that his Department and the Irish Defence Force process each month; the percentage of these sent to payees in the post; if he will provide the breakdown in the overall cost of physical payslips and postage per year for the years 2008 to 2012; if payees have the option of switching to online payslips; if he and his Department will implement online payslips in the near future; if he has considered the savings this would make; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19511/13]
View answerThe numbers of people who are on the payroll of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are set out in the table.
|
Civil Servants |
Civilian Employees |
Defence Forces* |
Defence Forces Pensioners |
|
371 |
582 |
11,669 |
11,950 |
*Defence Forces include Enlisted Personnel; Officers and Reservists
The total number of payslips processed each month is 48,621 of which approximately 98% (47,725) are paper payslips which are issued through the post.
The table gives the overall cost of physical payslips and postage per annum for the years 2008 to 2012.
|
Year |
Postage |
Stationery and Production Costs |
Overall Cost per annum |
|
2008 |
€113,355.77 |
€41,543.25 |
€154,899.02 |
|
2009 |
€113,280.93 |
€36,978.00 |
€150,258.93 |
|
2010 |
€120,260.91 |
€29,148.71 |
€149,409.62 |
|
2011 |
€122,502.61 |
€29,492.00 |
€151,994.61 |
|
2012 |
€119,171.82 |
€32,416.43 |
€151,588.25 |
The Department currently has an online payslip facility which is currently limited to Departmental civil servants. The Department has considered the potential savings, the associated costs and security concerns associated with the extension of this facility to all employees and the matter is under active consideration.
179. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the 2011 agri-environment options scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19492/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a discrepancy was identified regarding information submitted on the AEOS application form and the farm maps which accompanied the AEOS application. My Department has contacted the Agricultural Advisor of the person named regarding this matter. Upon receipt of a satisfactory response to this matter, the file will be further processed with the intention of issuing payment at the earliest opportunity. Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investments through checks on receipts. These checks have now been completed and following the payment for 2011, the payment in respect of 2012 will be finalised.
180. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment for the suckler cow welfare scheme will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19516/13]
View answerThe person named registered 77 animals in the Suckler Welfare Scheme in 2011 and payment amounting to €2,050 issued in respect of 50 of these animals on 15 December 2011. Eligibility of a further 18 animals has since been established and payment will issue as soon as possible. My Department is in the course of contacting the applicant to outline the position in relation to the remaining animals. 67 animals were registered in the Scheme in 2012. 47 animals have been approved for payment which will issue shortly, including 1 animal of a set of twins. A letter has issued to the applicant on 23 April 2013 in relation to an error identified with 1 of the remaining animals. Details to be supplied by the applicant of the measures required under the Scheme in respect of the remaining 18 animals, including another set of twins, remain outstanding.
181. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal for agri-environment options scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19538/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and full payment totalling €312.58 issued in respect of 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investments through checks on receipts. During these checks issues were identified in relation to the documentation submitted which resulted in the termination of the AEOS contract of the person named. A letter issued to the person named setting out this decision and providing the option to submit an appeal. Two appeals were received in AEOS Section of my Department, however the original decision was upheld on both occasions. The person named was informed of his right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
182. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on BVD payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19552/13]
View answerThe cost of BVD to the farming industry is in excess of €100 million per annum. The provision of funding for compensation in the context of the compulsory phase of the BVD programme must be placed in the context of the economic benefits accruing to farmers arising from the eradication of this disease and, particularly, the short payback time involved for individual farmers as well as the scarce budgetary resources available to my Department. It has been estimated that the overall benefit for the eradication of this disease is beneficial to farmers. I should also emphasise that the strategy of my Department is to concentrate its scarce resources in continuing to support Animal Health Ireland in its ongoing work in establishing control.
183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will grant all outstanding 2012 direct payments to farmers as a matter of urgency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19568/13]
View answerUnder the EU Regulations governing all area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
Successive EU audits have made it absolutely clear that compliance with the Regulations must be strictly adhered to and that all administrative checks must be passed and eligibility conditions met before payment issues. As a result, my Department is obliged to ensure that individual payments will not issue until all aspects of a farmer’s application are in order, all outstanding documentation provided and all queries resolved. In most instances where payments are outstanding there remains an outstanding query on the application. These queries are being resolved on an ongoing basis and officials in my Department will have contacted the applicants concerned with the intention of issuing payment as soon as possible. I am of course conscious of the difficulties facing the farming community at present and this is why I am prioritising outstanding payments, including AEOS and DAS, and ensuring that they issue as soon as possible.
I am conscious that farmers are experiencing difficulties given the current fodder shortage. Payments are being processed as promptly as possible. €2.5 million will be paid out in payments over the coming weeks.
