Mary Lou McDonald
Question:393. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in a tabular form a list of all non-commercial State-sponsored bodies under his remit. [30915/14]
View answerState Bodies Data
Questions (393)
Written answers
The following eight non-commercial bodies are under the aegis of my Department.
Bord Bia
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
Teagasc
The Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board
The Marine Institute
The National Milk Agency
Veterinary Council of Ireland
Parole Boards
Questions (394)
Clare Daly
Question:394. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if life-sentenced prisoners from a foreign country are entitled to an interpreter during a parole review interview in view of the fact that they may struggle to communicate effectively if they are not speaking in their native language. [29962/14]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that the Parole Board's function is to advise me in relation to the administration of long term prison sentences.
While it is a matter for the Parole Board I understand that if the need arose, the Parole Board would, where possible, facilitate an interpreter during a parole review interview.
Prison Committals
Questions (395)
Clare Daly
Question:395. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a breakdown of figures regarding the number of life-sentenced prisoners who have had to attend the Central Mental Hospital; and the difference in numbers between Irish life-sentenced prisoners and foreign life-sentenced prisoners. [29967/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am to inform the Deputy that a total of 15 Life Sentenced Prisoners attended the Central Mental Hospital in the last 5 years. Of these 11 were Irish and 4 were non national.
Visa Applications
Questions (396)
Robert Troy
Question:396. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will grant a de facto visa in respect of persons (details supplied). [29973/14]
View answerWritten answers
I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was refused permission to remain in the State on the basis of their De Facto relationship with an Irish national on 24 June 2014.
In accordance with the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification dated 31 December 2013, where an application is refused, the applicant may appeal to INIS.
The appeal must be in writing and must be received by INIS within two calendar months of the date of the issue of the decision by INIS. There will not be an application form for this purpose. The appeal may be submitted to INIS by the sponsor or by a legal representative of the sponsor. The appeal may be supported by documentary evidence, statements etc., additional to the documents submitted with the earlier application and it is the responsibility of the sponsor and/or the family members and/or the legal representative to identify and submit whatever documents they deem appropriate in support of that appeal.
No appeal has been received by INIS to date in respect of this case.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by email 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 email service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Garda Station Refurbishment
Questions (397)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:397. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the position regarding the proposed new Garda station for Glanmire, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29986/14]
View answerWritten answers
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda stations is based on accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the purchase of a premises for a new Garda station for Glanmire is currently the subject of legal proceedings. Accordingly, I am not in a position to provide any further information in relation to this matter.
Naturalisation Applications
Questions (398)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:398. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29998/14]
View answerWritten 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. The application is at an advanced stage of processing and the person concerned will be informed of my decision in due course.
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. 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.
Road Safety
Questions (399)
Stephen Donnelly
Question:399. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if GoSafe speed detection vans may operate in a location that is not listed as a safety zone; to identify the person who decides whether a vehicle is so situated; if there is a protocol for the person to gain clearance before deployment; if An Garda Síochána may use GoSafe vehicles instead of its own vehicles to carry out speed detection duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30030/14]
View answerWritten answers
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.
Firearms Licences
Questions (400)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:400. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that the processing of firearm licences for restricted and unrestricted firearms is being carried out in a uniform manner across the State; if she has engaged with, or has plans to engage with, those organisations which represent persons with licensed firearms in respect of concerns they have expressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30034/14]
View answerWritten answers
The licensing of individual firearms is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána who have informed me that each application for a firearm certificate is considered on its individual merits. An issuing person or deciding officer (at Superintendent or Chief Superintendent level in An Garda Síochána) shall not grant a firearm certificate unless satisfied that the applicant complies with a number of conditions as provided under Section 4(2) of the Firearms Act, 1925 as substituted by Section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. These conditions include a good reason to hold the licence, public safety, person is not disentitled to hold a licence and secure accommodation for the firearm. Additionally, an applicant shall supply information as requested in the application form FCA1, including proof of identity, proof of competence, consent to make medical enquiries and referees.
Every application for a firearm certificate is a separate application which includes assessing the character of the applicant, his/her good reason for acquiring the particular firearm and ensuring that the applicant complies with the conditions as outlined. An applicant may have good reason to hold a certificate for a particular type of firearm but may not have good reason to hold a certificate for other types of firearms. As each application for a firearm certificate is considered on its own merits this will result in variations in decision making from District to District. It is worth noting that the deciding officer is, in law, the persona designata as a deciding officer for firearms licensing and I as Minister cannot interfere in the licensing of individual firearms.
A review of firearms licensing is currently being finalised by my Department and An Garda Síochána. I expect to receive and consider a report in relation to these matters in the near future. When I have considered that report I will consider what further action is necessary in relation to the firearms licensing system, including the proposal from interest groups for an examination of relevant administrative issues by the Garda Inspectorate. Officials of my Department met key interest groups in late 2013 and early 2014 who set out their concerns in relation to a range of issues regarding firearms licensing at that time. These interest groups have also communicated their views directly to me, as well as to all Oireachtas members. Further consultation with relevant stakeholders will take place when I have considered the report and before any decisions are finalised in relation to proposals for change to the firearms licensing system. I will decide on the nature of the consultation and what meetings are appropriate at the time I am considering the report.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (401)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:401. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide the annual saving to the Exchequer from a 20% reduction in all professional fees for her Department, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, information technology-related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; and the company name and amount invoiced between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014. [30070/14]
View answerWritten answers
A total of circa €65.5m inclusive of VAT in professional fees was paid over this period. The annual saving to the Exchequer of a 20% reduction in professional fees at this rate, would be in the region of €13.1m, inclusive of VAT. With respect to the listing sought by the Deputy, I refer to the previous answers to PQs numbers 36656/12, 45335/12, 34581/13, 34549/13 and 2732/14 which addressed the same question and stated that the sheer volume and scale of information sought would make the provision of such information unsuitable for transmission via the PQ System.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (402)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:402. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form a list of all professional fees for her Department, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, information-technology related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; and the company name and amount invoiced between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014. [30085/14]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to refer the Deputy to previous replies under PQs numbers 36656/12, 45335/12, 34581/13, 34549/13, 2732/14 which addressed the same question.
As previously stated in the replies to these questions the sheer volume and scale of the information sought by the Deputy makes the provision of such information unsuitable for transmission via the PQ System.
Departmental Staff Training
Questions (403)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:403. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form a breakdown of all third level courses, training programmes and courses provided for employees of her Department, and the accompanying cost, for the 2013-14 academic year, from 1 September 2013 to the end of June 2014. [30100/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is committed to promoting a culture of continuous learning and development and offers financial assistance where appropriate to staff pursuing a variety of courses under its refund of educational fees scheme. The vast majority of courses undertaken would fall into the categories of either public administration or legal studies. Such courses would have relevance across the Department.
Applications for funding are considered against a number of set criteria, including relevance to the individuals role and the work of the Department, cost and previous investment. In all cases funding is subject to the individual successfully completing their course of study. The Deputy will appreciate that, constraints on expenditure have however, had an impact on my Department's budget for training and development, therefore, in many cases funding is approved for a percentage only of the total fee and in arrears.
|
Course |
College |
Number of Staff availing of funding |
Cost to my Department for the 2013/14 academic year € |
|
BA (Ord) in Law |
Dublin Institute of Technology |
7 |
9,736 |
|
Advanced Diploma in Legislative Drafting |
The Honourable Society of King's Inns |
5 |
20,000 |
|
LLB Bachelor of Law |
Dublin Institute of Technology |
4 |
6,424 |
|
Diploma in Law |
Institute of Public Administration |
1 |
2,200 |
|
Bachelor of Law (Hons) |
Dublin Business School |
1 |
3,920 |
|
LLB (Hons) in Irish Law |
Griffith College |
1 |
3,905 |
|
Diploma in Legal Studies |
The Honourable Society of King's Inns |
1 |
3,980 |
|
LLB (Hons) in Irish Law |
Independent College |
1 |
4,360 |
|
LLM in International Human Rights Law |
NUI, Galway |
1 |
1,532 |
|
Diploma in Official Statistics for Policy Evaluation |
Institute of Public Administration |
6 |
8,700 |
|
BA in Public Management |
Institute of Public Administration |
23 |
55,970 |
|
ACCA Professional Accountancy |
Dublin Business School |
1 |
2,660 |
|
Advanced Diploma in Juvenile Justice |
The Honourable Society of King's Inns |
2 |
3,300 |
|
Certificate in Applied Intelligence |
Mercyhurst University |
1 |
4,960 |
|
Advanced Diploma in Employment Law |
The Honourable Society of King's Inns |
4 |
9,120 |
|
Advanced Diploma in Corporate White Collar Crime |
The Honourable Society of King's Inns |
3 |
5,400 |
|
Professional Certificate in Governance |
Institute of Public Administration |
1 |
1,900 |
|
Professional Certificate in Residential Mortgage Arrears |
The Institute of Bankers in Ireland / UCD |
2 |
950 |
|
Certified Public Accountant |
Griffith College |
1 |
505 |
|
Certified Payroll Technician |
Tralee Institute of Technology / IPASS |
2 |
2,230 |
|
Certificate in Mediation |
Institute of Public Administration |
1 |
1560 |
|
Diploma as Ghaeilge |
University of Limerick |
1 |
630 |
|
Certificate in Data Protection Practice |
The Law Society |
1 |
1,300 |
|
Diploma in Java Programming |
The Fitzwilliam Institute |
2 |
2,990 |
|
BA (Hons) in International Studies |
Open University |
1 |
2,395 |
|
BSc (Hons) in Computing |
National College of Ireland |
1 |
3,204 |
|
BA in Community Studies |
NUI, Maynooth |
1 |
1,146 |
|
MSc in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation |
UCD |
1 |
4,000 |
|
Doctorate in Governance |
Institute of Public Administration / Queen's University / UCD |
2 |
6,542 |
|
BBS (Hons) Accounting |
Institute of Public Administration |
1 |
2,980 |
|
Accounting Technician |
Killarney Community College / Accounting Technicians Ireland |
1 |
1,775 |
|
MSc in Business and Management |
Institute of Public Administration |
1 |
2,500 |
|
MA in Human Resource Management |
Institute of Public Administration |
1 |
5,000 |
|
Certificate in Public Procurement |
Institute of Public Administration |
1 |
4,500 |
|
Associateship of Irish Taxation Institute |
Irish Taxation Institute |
1 |
2,780 |
Departmental Staff Training
Questions (404)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:404. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the annual saving to the Exchequer from a reduction of 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20%, respectively, in the staff training and development provision at her Department. [30115/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 2014 funding allocation for staff training and development for my Department is €375,000. The savings that would be accrued from percentage reductions on the funding allocation of 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% respectively are set out in the following table.
|
Percentage Reduction |
Saving € |
|
5 |
18,750 |
|
7 |
26,250 |
|
10 |
37,500 |
|
12 |
45,000 |
|
15 |
56,250 |
|
17 |
63,750 |
|
20 |
75,000 |
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (405)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:405. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the annual saving to the Exchequer from a reduction of 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20%, respectively, in the cost of travel and expenses in her Department. [30130/14]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the effect of applying notional percentage reductions based on the Department's travel and expenses budget for 2014 would be as set out in the following table. However, the nature of this expense is that it is driven by the varied work undertaken by my Department and consequently it is not possible to accurately predict the outturn. Any forecast savings are at best a paper exercise.
|
Reduction |
1% |
5% |
7% |
10% |
12% |
15% |
17% |
20% |
|
Annual savings |
€4,850 |
€24,250 |
€33,950 |
€48,500 |
€58,200 |
€72,750 |
€84,250 |
€97,000 |
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (406)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:406. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in a tabular form the expected carryover of current expenditure savings from 2014 into the next year. [30164/14]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that it is too early to predict with any certainty the final end of year outturn.