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Tuesday, 28 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 562-585

Seniors Alert Scheme

Questions (562)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

562. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will double the funding available to allow persons to install monitoring alarms in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4309/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.

The allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme for 2014 is €2.35 million which is sufficient to meet current demand levels for this important scheme.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (563)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

563. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department, that were made as a result of applications made through the publicjobs.ie website in the past three years; the number of board posts that were advertised on publicjobs.ie; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were directly appointed; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4592/14]

View answer

Written answers

A notice was placed on my Department's website, rather than on the publicjobs.ie website on 19 July 2011, seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of State bodies under the aegis of my Department. Vacancies on the boards of other bodies under my Department's aegis will be notified on the website as they arise. However, expressions of interest can be made at any time and will be kept on file in my Department for consideration as vacancies occur.

In considering applications, due regard is had to the requirements of the position, the qualifications, experience and expertise of applicants. In considering applications, due regard is also had to Government policy regarding gender balance on State boards.

All appointments are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of another Minister.

The details of fees/remuneration for chairs and members of Boards reflect the level of fees attaching to the positions concerned and are set out in the table below. Where public servants are appointed to Boards, fees are generally not payable. Details in relation to the actual fees paid to individual Board members are available in the annual reports of the bodies concerned.

Agency

Post

Number

Fees / Remuneration

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Chairperson

1

€20,520

Member

7

€11,970

Housing Finance Agency

Chairperson

1

€11,970

Member

10

€7,695

Irish Water Safety

Chairperson

1

€8,978

Member

12

Nil

Housing & Sustainable Communities Agency

Chairperson

1

€11,970

Member

5

€7,695

Local Government Management Agency

Chairperson

1

Nil

Member

10

Nil

Private Residential Tenancies Board / Rent Tribunal

Chairperson

1

*

Member

9

*

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII)

Chairperson

1

€11,970

Member

10

€7,695

Western Development Commission

Chairperson

1

€8,978

Member

10

€ 5,985

An Bord Pleanála **

Chairperson

1

PPC Rate: €175,877

Non PCC Rate: €167,300

Deputy Chair

1

PPC Rate: €124,716

Non PCC Rate: €118,581

Member

8

PPC Rate: €109,580

Non PCC Rate: €104,317

Environmental Protection Agency**

Director General

1

PPC Rate: €153,162

Non PPC: €145,679

Deputy Director General

1

PPC Rate: €130,881

Non-PPC Rate: €125,011

Directors

3

PPC Rate: €119,381

Non-PPC Rate: €113,511

Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB)

Chairperson

1

€8,978

Member

24

Nil

National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

Chairperson

1

€8,978

Member

11

Nil

Pobal

Chair

1

Nil

Members

15

Pyrite Resolution Board

Chair

1

Nil

Members

4

***

* Those PRTB/Rent Tribunal members of the Board who are entitled to Board fees are paid such fees on an attendance basis only. Details regarding the scale of fees and the amounts paid are published in the annual reports of the PRTB.

** The Boards of An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency are executive in nature, and Board members are full-time, salaried positions.

*** Those Pyrite Resolution Board members of the Board who are entitled to Board fees are paid such fees on an attendance basis only.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (564)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

564. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of pro bono work provided by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months to his Department; which of those firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4606/14]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested is set out in the following table. The engagement of firms by bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the bodies concerned.

Firm

Description

Amount Spent

Date

Commissioned

Garrett Fennell

Pro Bono Work

Reviewing the arrangements in place for the registration of architects.

Nil

May 2013

Contracts Awarded

None

Indecon

Pro Bono Work

Assessment of potential merits of a local authority tenant purchase scheme (existing tenants)

Nil

July 2013

Contracts Awarded

Regulatory Impact Analysis of proposed regulations for household food waste.

Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. (€42,707 also paid by Private Residential Tenancies Board )

€24,725

€42,706

May 2011

May 2012

Userneeds

Pro Bono Work

Usage survey on the Met Éireann website

Nil

January 2013

Contracts Awarded

None

Deloitte

Pro Bono Work

Developing Shared Services model for local authorities.

Contracts awarded.

Expert Assistance to the Local Government Shared Services Programme

Nil

€39,299

March 2013.

August 2013.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (565)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

565. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation-cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4619/14]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested is set out in the table below in respect of firms, including public bodies, which provided consultancy type services to my Department since February 2011:

Consultant/Public Body

Amount

Egan, Fitzpatrick, Malsch & Lawrence

€2,921,327

RPS Group

€1,821,360

Marine Institute

€1,475,006

Methanogen

€181,532

Tobin Consulting Engineers

€181,144

Price Waterhouse Coopers

€179,584

Certification Europe Ltd

€139,142

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & University College Cork (UCC)

€138,048

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

€116,007

Poyry Consulting

€85,003

Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency

€80,850

SQW Limited

€77,000

Mazars

€76,924

Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC

€68,880

Indecon

€67,432

AECOM

€56,227

Fehilly Timoney & Company

€55,289

SLR Environmental Consulting (Ireland) Ltd

€50,451

Munster Archaeology

€47,289

TRL Limited

€42,435

Alcohol Sales

Questions (566)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

566. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason an application for a licence to sell intoxicating beer and spirits must come before the Circuit Court when the said licence has lapsed for more than one year; if he will consider a change in the law to allow such applications to be heard at District Court level therefore avoiding costs around fire cert applications and barrister fees in some cases amounting to €20,000 plus. [4208/14]

View answer

Written answers

Section 24 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 provides that the Circuit Court shall have jurisdiction in all cases of applications for new on-licences. Where an existing on-licence has been allowed to lapse during the preceding five years, this provision also applies to the grant of a new licence. The forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill will update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol on licensed premises by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008, and replacing them with provisions more suited to modern conditions. My intention is that it will include a provision whereby all licensing matters shall be dealt with by the District Court.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (567)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

567. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; when a decision will issue on this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3475/14]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour 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. I am informed that this 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.

The Deputy may wish to note that 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 established specifically 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. T he 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.

Garda Divisional Headquarters

Questions (568)

Brian Walsh

Question:

568. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount allocated under the domestic infrastructure stimulus package in 2012 specifically for the purpose of developing a new Garda divisional headquarters at Murrough, Renmore, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3479/14]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, the provision of the new Galway Garda Divisional Headquarters was included in the special Government stimulus package announced in July 2012. It is intended that the projects in question will be delivered by means of a Public Private Partnership and work is being undertaken by the relevant agencies in the light of the Government announcement.

The amount of money that will be involved in the case of the Divisional Headquarters in Galway will be determined in the course of the Public Private Partnership process. As the arrangements to be put in place for these Partnerships are complex, it is not possible at this stage to indicate what the specific details in respect of Galway will be. However, I can assure the Deputy that the matter is being treated as a priority.

Garda Recruitment

Questions (569)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

569. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an exemption for members of the Garda Reserve with respect to the aptitude test as part of the recruitment process for the Garda Síochána in consideration of the fact that Garda Reserve members would have many years policing experience; if this experience will be taken into consideration as part of the recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/14]

View answer

Written answers

It is important that all persons wishing to join the full time force undergo the same competitive selection and recruitment process. In doing so the integrity of the process is maintained at all stages of the competition and for this reason there are no plans to exempt Garda Reserve members from any of the tests in that process. The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 continue in place the provision that, in a competition for full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, the Public Appointments Service shall take into account "any satisfactory service by the person as a reserve member of the Garda Síochána". This provision was introduced in order to acknowledge the beneficial experience and skills gained by a Reserve member and to allow them the opportunity to highlight that experience and skill at any stage of the selection process.

Garda Investigations

Questions (570)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

570. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update regarding banking investigations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3541/14]

View answer

Written answers

As I have stated previously in this House I share the widespread concern that the criminal investigations into the former Anglo-Irish Bank be resolved as soon as possible. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the investigations in question have been carried out in a thorough, methodical and comprehensive manner so that all relevant aspects are fully examined.

The Deputy will be aware that a number of Garda investigation files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, as have several files from the parallel investigation taking place under the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. The Deputy will also appreciate that I have no function in relation to the preferment of charges which is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The investigations to date have led to a range of charges being brought against several individuals and the first trials are due to commence within the coming weeks. It is important that nothing be said which would in any way risk interfering with these trials.

Investigations in relation to these matters are ongoing and a number of files remain with the DPP awaiting her independent directions. There continues to be close liaison between An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the DPP in relation to all matters arising from these cases.

Family Reunification Policy

Questions (571)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

571. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the new policy guidelines on family reunification will be brought into law; if it is possible to apply for family reunification before the new law is put in place; if persons who have ongoing applications for subsidiary protection are also permitted to apply for family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3576/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, which was published at the end of 2013 is not a legal document but rather a comprehensive statement of immigration policy. It applies to matters of family reunification in areas where Ministerial discretion is retained and sets out the policy choices applicable to such cases. Legislation is not required in order to implement this policy.

The policy document contains a combination of guidelines to be applied to individual cases and also a series of intended administrative measures (for example the creation of a central case processing unit to deal with all family reunification cases, the introduction of fees and application forms etc.). The guidelines applicable to individual cases can be applied immediately and will inform decision making, whereas the administrative changes will take time to implement and the application process is unchanged for the present. An application for family reunification involving the parents of an Irish citizen would be considered in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the policy document (for instance as regards the financial resources of the sponsoring Irish national and the need for private health insurance). The parties should consult the guidelines to see if they would appear to qualify.

With regard to the entitlement of persons with pending applications for Subsidiary Protection to apply for family reunification under the new guidelines, there is nothing to prevent such an application.

Asylum Applications

Questions (572)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to make an application for asylum in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3582/14]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice and Equality on whether such status should be granted.

All applications for asylum in Ireland are examined in accordance with the provisions of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended). An applicant for refugee status must satisfy the definition of a refugee as provided for in the Act. A refugee is a person who, owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

A comprehensive Information Leaflet for applicants for refugee status in Ireland is available on the ORAC website at www.orac.ie.

National Internship Scheme Data

Questions (573)

Gerry Adams

Question:

573. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth in his Department from September 2013 until January 2014. [3610/14]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised that no JobBridge Interns were taken on by my Department in County Louth in the period specified. The Deputy may wish to note that, with the exception of Probation and Welfare offices in Drogheda and Dundalk, my Department has no offices in County Louth.

Road Traffic Offences

Questions (574)

Finian McGrath

Question:

574. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a parking fine in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3633/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct role in the administration of the fixed charge notice system which is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the payment of a fixed charge in respect of a road traffic offence is a discretionary option for the recipient of a fixed charge notice following their detection for the offence in question. Only if no payment is made within the periods provided in law is the recipient liable for prosecution for the offence alleged. Once this occurs the matter then proceeds to be dealt with by the courts.

I understand the person concerned has been in direct contact with the Garda authorities in relation to the issue. In the circumstances, the Deputy will also appreciate this is not a matter in which I can intervene.

Road Safety

Questions (575)

Finian McGrath

Question:

575. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding dangerous cyclists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3634/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware from my response on 1 October, 2013, as set out below, that I brought his concerns surrounding this location to the attention of the Garda authorities.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to by the Deputy is in the Ballymun District. The Deputy will appreciate that roads policing is principally an operational matter for the Garda authorities. As set out in my earlier response below, I am assured that members of An Garda Síochána enforce the law on pedal cycling as part of their normal duties at that location on an ongoing basis, including targeted intelligence led operations which take into account the interaction of cyclists, pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

I am further informed that a cycle safety initiative was held on 10 December, 2013 and that operation was highlighted through social media. In addition to the regular Garda patrols conducted in the area referred to by the Deputy a number of cycle safety initiatives have been conducted with the Road Safety Authority and the Divisional traffic Unit. I am assured that the Community Garda allocated to the primary school at this specific location delivered cycle/road safety modules to students in June and October 2013 with the overall objective of increasing awareness and and compliance.

Garda Management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the area concerned including regular Garda patrols augmented by the Divisional Traffic Unit as required. I am assured the situation will be kept under review.

PQ 4122/13 response of 1 October, 2013

The Deputy will be aware that members of An Garda Síochána enforce the law on pedal cycling as part of their normal duties. In addition to day to day enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, breaches of the legislation are regularly targeted by way of specific Garda operations which take into account the interaction of cyclists, pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Where breaches of legislation are detected, members of An Garda Síochána, depending on the circumstances, may deal with the incident by way of advice or caution or by initiating criminal proceedings. I have brought the Deputy's concerns surrounding the specific location in question to the attention of the Garda authorities for any appropriate action.

Stardust Fire

Questions (576, 580)

Finian McGrath

Question:

576. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-examine the Stardust fire tragedy based on the enclosed new evidence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3635/14]

View answer

Terence Flanagan

Question:

580. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider re-opening a new inquiry into the Stardust tragedy in view of new evidence presented at the Stardust committee's press conference of 20 January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3759/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 580 together.

As I have previously indicated, nothing I have seen in the extensive correspondence from the Stardust Victims Committee to date would be grounds for my taking a different view to the conclusions set out in the Independent Examination by Mr. Paul Coffey, and endorsed in both Houses. That is, in the absence of any identified evidence, the most another inquiry could achieve would be another set of hypothetical findings, which would not be in the public interest.

I am aware from recent reported statements that the Committee intends to present a submission concerning the cause of the fire on the occasion of the forthcoming anniversary. Whether at that time, or at any other point, I will of course arrange for the examination as appropriate of any such submission, and for a response to issue to the Committee in due course. In saying this I should caution against raising unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved or appearing to suggest that the outcome of the Coffey examination can be set aside simply on the basis that his conclusions are not accepted by some.

Housing Management Companies

Questions (577)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

577. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the attention of his Department has been drawn to any anomalies in the Multi-Unit Development Acts 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3636/14]

View answer

Written answers

Prisoner Data

Questions (578)

Clare Daly

Question:

578. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the age profile of female prisoners currently incarcerated in the State. [3667/14]

View answer

Written answers

Information as requested by the Deputy is illustrated in the table below. These figures reflect the age profile of female prisoners as at 27 January, 2014.

-

18 to < 21

21 to < 25

25 to < 30

30 to < 40

40 to < 50

50+

Total

Mountjoy Prison (Female)

3

13

33

51

22

11

133

Limerick Prison (Female)

1

6

8

8

8

2

33

Total

4

19

41

59

30

13

166

Garda Transport Provision

Questions (579)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

579. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an additional Garda squad car will be allocated to a Garda station (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3668/14]

View answer

Written answers

Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. At Divisional level it is a matter for the Divisional Officer to determine how best to allocate vehicles so as to ensure the continued delivery of an effective policing service. In that context, I understand that a Garda vehicle is currently assigned to the station referred to by the Deputy.

I am, of course, conscious of the importance of the Garda fleet and, in that regard, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €9m for investment in the fleet. This investment resulted in the purchase of 305 new Garda vehicles towards the end of 2013, at a cost of €5 million. These were in addition to the 133 new Garda vehicles which had already been procured during the year. The remaining €4 million has been made available for the purchase and fit out of Garda vehicles in 2014.

I understand that the specific details in relation to the deployment of the new vehicles have yet to be finalised but the Deputy can be assured that they will be allocated as effectively as possible in line with operational circumstances, including the requirements of the area referred to by the Deputy.

Question No. 580 answered with Question No. 576.

Drugs Crime

Questions (581)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

581. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts he is making to stigmatise the supporting of the illegal drugs market via the purchase of illegal drugs by casual drug users; his views on whether enough is being done to highlight to people the contribution they make to organised crime, including murder, when they buy drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3771/14]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy's question quite rightly highlights, in order for illicit drug markets to exist, there must be demand.

In addressing drug demand, the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, which seeks to address all of the harm caused to individuals and society by drug misuse, provides a framework for tackling the problem in a partnership approach in relation to drugs supply reduction, education and prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.

The structures charged with implementing the Strategy include statutory, community and voluntary groups at national, regional and local levels. This approach also incorporates the work of Local and Regional Drug Task Forces.

In terms of educating the consumers of illicit drugs with regard to the involvement of organised crime I think it is worth recalling that illicit drugs can only be obtained through illicit markets.

I do not think there can be any doubt in the minds of drug consumers that they are engaging in an activity which supports organised crime. Neither do I think that we can say there is a dearth of public information concerning the involvement of organised crime in the illicit drug trade.

Having said that I would point out that there are a number of relevant initiatives under the National Drugs Strategy.

For example, the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing initiative campaign which has been in place since 2008, is a safe and anonymous way for concerned citizens to pass on information on drug dealing by calling the confidential Crimestoppers phone line 1800 25 00 25.

Apart from providing a mechanism for increased reporting of drug dealing, a feature of the promotion of this campaign, which has to date involved the support of the local and regional drugs task forces, other stakeholders and local and national media, has been the highlighting of links between drug consumption and organised criminality and a key message of the campaign remains that drug use is harmful to our communities.

Sexual Offences Data

Questions (582)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

582. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects to be able to electronically tag sex offenders post release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3772/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Government approved the drafting of a wide-ranging Sexual Offences Bill last December. The General Scheme of the Bill includes provisions for the electronic monitoring of sex offenders in specific circumstances. It is not possible to indicate at this stage when the Bill will be published and the legislation enacted.

Personal Injury Claims

Questions (583)

Pat Deering

Question:

583. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a tribunal will be set up to examine and adjudicate a criminal injuries board incident in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [3809/14]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications for compensation under the Scheme. However, in order to be of assistance in the matter I have had enquiries made with the Tribunal on his behalf.

I understand that the application in question has recently been submitted, along with other applications, for consideration by a Tribunal member. I am informed that as soon as the member's decision comes to hand a copy will be forwarded to the person concerned.

Immigration Controls

Questions (584)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

584. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality with regard to the 1,890 persons refused entry into the State in 2013, the number and the categories for refusal at each port of entry; the nationality of persons refused leave to land; the number and nationality of persons who subsequently applied under the Refugee Act 1996 and were permitted to remain in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3819/14]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the principal reasons persons are refused permission to land are as follows:

- that there is reason to believe that the person intends to enter the State for purposes other than those expressed by the non-national concerned;

- the person is not in possession of a valid Irish visa and is not exempt from this requirement;

- the person concerned is not in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document; or

- the person concerned intends to travel (whether immediately or not) to the UK and would not qualify for admission had they come directly to the UK.

The principal nationalities of persons refused permission to land in the State and subsequently removed were Brazil, South Africa, China, Nigeria and Albania.

The figure quoted by the Deputy is provisional and subject to change. For example, persons may be refused permission to land in the State and subsequently permitted to enter the State having made an application pursuant to the Immigration Acts or the Refugee Act,1996. In that regard the latest available statistics indicate that 1,877 persons were refused permission to land in the State last year taking into account those who were subsequently permitted to enter. An additional 210 persons made application pursuant to the Refugee Act 1996 at port of entry.

A more detailed breakdown of the categories concerned is not readily available.

I might add that in all cases, removals from the State, whether in respect of those who are removed on arrival at ports of entry or those already in the State, are conducted in accordance with the law with removals at the Port of Entry being, essentially, an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

The removal of illegal immigrants from the State is a necessary feature of the enforcement of immigration legislation with the purpose of upholding the integrity of the immigration system. In enforcing the law in this respect, Ireland is no different from other countries who also remove individuals who have no lawful right to remain within their territory.

Garda Transport Provision

Questions (585)

Seán Kenny

Question:

585. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide unmarked motorcycles in the Garda traffic corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3901/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources.

The Garda authorities have indicated that the motorcycles attached to the Garda Traffic Corps play an important role in An Garda Síochána's strategy of providing high visibility traffic policing. Accordingly, they have no plans to introduce unmarked motorcycles to the Traffic Corps Fleet.

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