Wednesday, 24 Sep 2014

Visa Agreements

Questions (94)

Niall Collins

Question:

94. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding visa requirements for citizens of the Russian Federation who are seeking to travel here; the number of Russian citizens currently resident here; if she has had any contact with her Russian counterpart since taking office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36003/14]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Visa applications from Russian nationals living in the Russian Federation are lodged at the Irish Embassy in Moscow and processed by the dedicated Irish Visa Office in Moscow, a sub-office of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department. This Office handles all aspects of the visa process for persons applying from that jurisdiction, including appeals.

It is open to a visa required national to make a visa application for any purpose, the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why the visa should be granted. All information that an applicant wishes to have taken into consideration should be included with their application.

Guidelines on the visa application process, including details of the required supporting documentation can be found on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. It should be borne in mind, however, that the information contained on the website is intended to act as guidance only; it does not limit the discretion of the Visa Officer in dealing with individual applications.

I am advised by INIS that the latest figures available indicate there were 1,478 citizens of the Russian Federation legally resident in the State in 2013.

I have not had the opportunity to meet with my Russian counterpart as yet.

Garda Station Closures

Questions (95)

Niall Collins

Question:

95. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the court houses and Garda stations which have been closed by county since 2011; if any further closures of either court houses or Garda stations are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36004/14]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald)

As the Deputy is aware, the Courts Service Act 1998 provides that management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of accommodation for court sittings.

However, in order to be of assistance I have had enquiries made and have been informed that the Courts Service has been reviewing all aspects of its organisational and operational structures throughout the country with the specific objective of ensuring that the Service can continue to maintain the delivery of front line court services and an appropriate level of service to court users. I understand that no court venue has been singled out for or indeed exempted from the review.

In this context the Courts Service has established a general framework within which such venues are being assessed taking into account a range of criteria such as caseload, proximity to an alternative venue, physical condition of the building, availability of cells etc. The likely impact on other Justice agencies, such as An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service, is also taken into account. The review identified a range of venues nationwide which, based on the criteria applied, could be considered for closure subject to a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case in respect of each identified venue. In this regard, the identification of venues as part of the review process does not necessarily mean that the identified venues will close. For example, the Deputy may wish to note the outcome of the recent extensive consultations process in the Dublin region which has resulted in the Courts Service deciding not to proceed with its proposals to close a number of suburban courthouses. The Courts Service has confirmed that no decision on an individual venue is taken without prior consultation with local stakeholders. It should, however, be noted that the final decision is a matter for the Courts Service Board. Under the statute I have no role or function in the matter. The following table provides details of the court venues which have closed since 1 January 2011.

County	Venue(s) Closed	Date of Closure
Cavan	Ballyconnell	01/09/13
Clare	Shannon Ennistymon	01/01/12 01/01/12
Cork	Schull Dunmanway Castletownbere Kinsale	01/01/11 01/01/11 01/01/12 01/01/14
Galway	Athenry An Spideal	01/01/12 01/09/13
Kerry	Castleisland	01/01/12
Kilkenny	Castlecomer	01/01/12
Laois	Portarlington	01/01/12
Limerick	Rathkeale Abbeyfeale	01/01/11 01/05/14
Mayo	Claremorris Kiltimagh Ballyhaunis Swinford	01/01/12 01/01/12 01/01/14 01/01/14
Meath	Dunshaughlin Kells	01/01/11 01/01/14
Monaghan	Clones	01/01/14
Offaly	Birr Edenderry	01/01/14 01/01/14
Roscommon	Boyle	01/01/12
Sligo	Ballymote	01/01/12
Tipperary	Borrisokane Roscrea Templemore	01/01/12 01/01/12 01/01/12
Wexford	Enniscorthy New Ross	01/05/11 01/01/12
Wicklow	Baltinglass	01/01/14

In regard to Garda stations, each year the Commissioner prepares a Policing Plan which outlines An Garda Síochána's proposals for providing a policing service to the country for the following year. Among other things, this plan must include any proposals the Commissioner has for the re-organisation of the Divisional or Regional network together with any plans for the closure of an existing Garda station or the opening of a new Garda station.

In 2012 the Garda Commissioner, with the approval of the Minister, closed 39 Garda stations, some of which had not been opened for several years and most of which were closed for the most part of the day. In 2013, a further 100 Garda stations were closed. These closures resulted in 61,000 patrolling hours being made available to the Garda Commissioner for frontline operational policing. No stations were closed in 2014 and while the Policing Plan for 2015 has not yet been completed, I do not expect that it will contain any proposals for further closures. The Deputy should be aware that there are still 564 Garda stations in the State and that a major review of An Garda Síochána is being carried out under the Haddington Road Agreement. The outcome of that review will assist the Garda Commissioner in determining the best distribution model for An Garda Síochána to ensure that the best possible service continues to be provided across the country and that the links with local communities is maintained to the maximum extent possible. The following tables list all of the stations closed, both rural and urban, in 2012 and 2013.

Garda Station Closures in 2012

Division	District	Station
Clare	Kilrush	Carrigaholt
Galway	Galway	Corrandulla
Mayo	Bual an Mhuirthead	Bellacorick
Mayo	Castlebar	Glenisland
Mayo	Castlebar	Tourmakeady
Mayo	Westport	Mulranny
Ross/Long	Castlerea	Loughglynn
Ross/Long	Boyle	Tarmonbarry
Ross/Long	Boyle	Cootehall
Limerick	Askeaton	Shanagolden
Limerick	Bruff	Doon
Cork North	Cobh	Glenville
Cork West	Clonakilty	Castletownsend
Cork West	Clonakilty	Ballygurteen
Cork West	Kanturk	Knocknagree
Cork West	Bandon	Ballyfeard
Cork West	Bantry	Goleen
Cork West	Macroom	Inchigeela
Tipperary	Thurles	Ballinure
Tipperary	Nenagh	Ballinderry
Wexford	New Ross	Ballywilliam
Wexford	Wexford	Baldwinstown
Kerry	Listowel	Ballylongford
Kerry	Listowel	Moyvane
Kerry	Tralee	Clochan
Cavan/Monaghan	Monaghan	Clonibret
Cavan/Monaghan	Monaghan	Smithborough
Cavan/Monaghan	Baileboro	Tullyvin
Donegal	Glenties	An Duchoraidh (Doochary)
Donegal	Ballyshannon	Dunkineely
Donegal	Buncrana	Culdaff
Sligo/Leitrim	Ballymote	Bunnanadden
Sligo/Leitrim	Manorhamilton	Drumkeeran
Sligo/Leitrim	Manorhamilton	Kiltyclogher
Laois/Offaly	Tullamore	Geashill
Dublin Metropolitan Region South Central	Pearse St	Harcourt Terrace
Dublin Metropolitan Region North	Ballymun	Whitehall
Dublin Metropolitan Region North	Balbriggan	Rush
Dublin Metropolitan Region East	Dún Laoghaire	Dalkey

Garda Station Closures in 2013

Division	District	Station
Dublin Metropolitan Region East	Dun Laoghaire	Kill O'the Grange
Dublin Metropolitan RegionEast	Blackrock	Stepaside
Cork City	Anglesea Street	Barrack Street
Limerick	Henry Street	Mary Street
Cavan I Monaghan	Cavan	Redhills
Galway	Galway	Kiltullagh
Galway	Loughrea	Tynagh
Galway	Loughrea	New Inn
Galway	Gort	Shanaglish
Galway	Gort	Kilchreest
Galway	Gort	Kilcolgan
Galway	Clifden	Leeane
Galway	Ballinasloe	Menlough
Galway	Tuam	Kilconly
Galway	Tuam	Ballymoe
Clare	Ennis	Quin
Clare	Ennistymon	Lahinch
Clare	Killaloe	Mountshannon
Clare	Killaloe	Broadford
Clare	Kilrush	Doonbeg
Clare	Kilrush	Kilmihil
Clare	Kilrush	Labasheeda
Mayo	Castlebar	Ballyvary
Mayo	Castlebar	Ballyglass
Mayo	Ballina	Ballycastle
Mayo	Ballina	Lahardane
Mayo	Belmullet	Blacksod
Mayo	Claremorris	Hollymount
Roscommon/Longford	Roscommon	Ballyforan
Roscommon/Longford	Roscommon	Knockcroghery
Roscommon/Longford	Castlerea	Ballintubber
Roscommon/Longford	Longford	Newtowncashel
Roscommon/Longford	Granard	Ballinalee
Roscommon/Longford	Granard	Ardagh
Cork City	Anglesea Street	Barrack Street
Cork City	Mayfield	McCurtain Street
Cork City	Mayfield	Mallow Road
Cork City	Gurranabraher	Rathdruff
Cork West	Bandon	Ballinspittal
Cork West	Bantry	Adrigole
Cork West	Kanturk	Meelin
Kerry	Tralee	Camp
Kerry	Tralee	Fenit
Kerry	Tralee	Abbeydorney
Kerry	Killarney	Beaufort
Kerry	Killarney	Lauragh
Kerry	Killarney	Kilgarvan
Kerry	Listowel	Brosna
Kerry	Cahersiveen	Valentia Island
Kerry	Cahersiveen	Ballinskelligs
Limerick	Bruff	Galbally
Limerick	Bruff	Kilfinane
Limerick	Newcastle West	Castletownconyers
Limerick	Newcastle West	Kilmeedy
Limerick	Newcastle West	Tournafolla
Limerick	Henry Street	Mary Street
Cavan/Monaghan	Monaghan	Newbliss
Cavan/Monaghan	Cavan	Stradone
Cavan/Monaghan	Ballyconnell	Bawnboy
Cavan/Monaghan	Carrickmacross	Corrinshigagh
Cavan/Monaghan	Cavan	Redhills
Cavan/Monaghan	Carrickmacross	Shantonagh
Donegal	Buncrana	Malin
Donegal	Letterkenny	Na Brocacha
Donegal	Milford	Min An Labain
Donegal	Glenties	Gleann Cholm Cille
Donegal	Glenties	Annagaire
Sligo/Leitrim	Ballymote	Aclare
Sligo/Leitrim	Ballymote	Easkey
Sligo/Leitrim	Ballymote	Ballyfarnon
Sligo/Leitrim	Sligo	Cliffoney
Sligo/Leitrim	Carrick on Shannon	Cloone
Sligo/Leitrim	Carrick on Shannon	Keshcarrigan
Sligo/Leitrim	Carrick on Shannon	Dromod
Sligo/Leitrim	Manorhamilton	Dromahair
Sligo/Leitrim	Manorhamilton	Glenfarne
Tipperary	Nenagh	Terryglass
Tipperary	Nenagh	Rearcross
Tipperary	Cahir	New Inn
Tipperary	Clonmel	Grangemockler
Tipperary	Tipperary Town	Dundrum
Waterford	Tramore	Stradbally
Waterford	Dungarvan	Ballyduff
Wexford	Enniscorthy	Kiltealy
Kilkenny/Carlow	Thomastown	Inistioge
Kilkenny/Carlow	Kilkenny	Ballyragget
Kilkenny/Carlow	Kilkenny	Johnstown
Kilkenny/Carlow	Carlow	Leighlinbridge
Wicklow	Baltinglass	Hollywood
Wicklow	Baltinglass	Donard
Westmeath	Athlone	Ballinahowan
Westmeath	Mullingar	Castletown Geoghegan
Westmeath	Mullingar	Finea
Meath	Kells	Crossakiel
Meath	Trim	Kilmessan
Laois/Offaly	Portlaoise	Ballacolla
Laois/Offaly	Birr	Shannonbridge
Laois/Offaly	Portlaoise	Ballinakill
Kildare	Kildare	Ballytore
Kildare	Naas	Kill
Kildare	Naas	Ballymore Eustace

Prisoner Data

Questions (96)

Niall Collins

Question:

96. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the number and percentage of prisoners by nationality in each prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36005/14]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I can advise the Deputy that on the 31 August 2014 there were 3,792 prisoners in custody across the prison system. Of this 3,286 or almost 87% were Irish. The second largest nationality group was Polish which accounted for 81 or 2.14% of the number in custody.

A full breakdown of the nationalities, taken from the most recent snapshot of the prison population conducted on 31st August 2014, is set out in the following table.

Of the 13,055 persons committed to custody in 2013, 10,719 were Irish Nationals (82.1%), which was a decrease of 616 or 5.4% on the corresponding figure for 2012 of 11,335. Other EU nationals (excluding Irish) accounted for 1,577 (12.1%) of persons committed. Other European nationals accounted for 131 (1%), African nationals for 293 (2.2%), Asian nationals for 224 (1.7%) and Central/South American nationals for 61 (0.5%).

Nationality	Total	% of Overall Population on 31st August 2014
Irish	3,286	86.66%
Polish	81	2.14%
British	77	2.03%
Lithuanian	65	1.71%
Chinese	43	1.13%
Vietnamese	31	0.82%
Romanian	26	0.69%
Nigerian	20	0.53%
Latvian	12	0.32%
Czech	9	0.24%
Scottish	9	0.24%
Brazilian	8	0.21%
Dutch	8	0.21%
Pakistani	7	0.18%
Algerian	6	0.16%
American	6	0.16%
South African	6	0.16%
Spanish	6	0.16%
Welsh	6	0.16%
Malaysian	5	0.13%
Mauritius	5	0.13%
Northern Ireland	5	0.13%
Albanian	4	0.11%
Colombian	3	0.08%
Congolese	3	0.08%
Egyptian	3	0.08%
Hungarian	3	0.08%
Mauritanian	3	0.08%
Zimbabwean	3	0.08%
Canadian	2	0.05%
German	2	0.05%
Moldovan	2	0.05%
Moroccan	2	0.05%
Russian	2	0.05%
Slovak	2	0.05%
Somalian	2	0.05%
Swedish	2	0.05%
Angolan	1	0.03%
Armenian	1	0.03%
Austrian	1	0.03%
Belgian	1	0.03%
Belorussian	1	0.03%
Bolivian	1	0.03%
Bosnian	1	0.03%
Bulgarian	1	0.03%
Costa Rican	1	0.03%
Croatian	1	0.03%
Finn	1	0.03%
French	1	0.03%
Georgian	1	0.03%
Guyanan	1	0.03%
Indian	1	0.03%
Kenyan	1	0.03%
Kosovon	1	0.03%
Libyan	1	0.03%
Liechtenstein	1	0.03%
Macao	1	0.03%
Niger	1	0.03%
Filippino	1	0.03%
Portuguese	1	0.03%
Sri Lankan	1	0.03%
Tunisian	1	0.03%
Turkish	1	0.03%
Ukrainian	1	0.03%
Total	3,792	100.00%

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (97)

Niall Collins

Question:

97. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the capital projects her Department will be progressing this year; the cost and location of these projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36006/14]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I wish to inform the Deputy that major capital projects being progressed under the auspices of my Department include:

Agency	Description	Status
Irish Prison Service	Cork Prison	Work Ongoing
Irish Prison Service	Wheatfield Prison Work Training	Work Ongoing
Irish Prison Service	Mountjoy D Wing refurbishment	Work Ongoing
Irish Prison Service	Mountjoy D Wing Workshops	Tender Evaluation
Irish Prison Service	Limerick Redevelopment	Business case Consideration
Irish Prison Service	Limerick Various Projects	Work Ongoing
Irish Prison Service	St Patrick's Heating Upgrade	Work Ongoing
Irish Prison Service	Wheatfield Steam Boiler Replacement	Work Ongoing
Irish Prison Service	Mountjoy Steam/Heating installation	Work Ongoing
An Garda Síochána	Galway Divisional HQ	Procurement Stage
An Garda Síochána	Wexford Divisional HQ	Procurement Stage
An Garda Síochána	Kevin Street Divisional HQ	Procurement Stage
Courts Service PPP	Wexford New Courthouse	Procurement Stage
Courts Service PPP	Mullingar Refurbish and extend existing courthouse	Procurement Stage
Courts Service PPP	Limerick New criminal courthouse	Procurement Stage
Courts Service PPP	Cork Refurbish and extend courthouse in Anglesea St.	Procurement Stage
Courts Service PPP	Letterkenny New Courthouse	Procurement Stage
Courts Service PPP	Drogheda New Courthouse	Procurement Stage
Courts Service PPP	Waterford Refurbish and extend existing courthouse	Procurement Stage

As many of these projects are progressing through the procurement process, I am unable, due to commercial sensitivity, to divulge estimated costs at this point.

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

Questions (98)

Niall Collins

Question:

98. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation to and staff numbers in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36007/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The budget allocation, including supplementary estimate adjustments as appropriate, for the operation of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) including wages and salaries and running costs was €52.5m, €43.5m, €49.5m and €47.5m respectively for the years 2011 to 2014. The staffing levels of INIS which forms part of the Department of Justice and Equality ranged from 615 in 2011 to its current level of 519 (full time equivalents). The equivalent budget allocations for the Direct Provision system ranged from €67.5m in 2011 to €47.5m this year. This latter budget is administered by the Reception of Integration Agency of my Department.

The variations in the overall budget estimates over the years in question relate in the main to the reduction in the cost of the Direct Provision system linked to reduced numbers in accommodation, reductions in salary costs and savings achieved under the Croke Park/Haddington Road agreement. These reductions are offset to some degree by increased investment in information technology particularly in 2013 and this year.

Direct Provision Expenditure

Questions (99)

Niall Collins

Question:

99. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of providing direct provision services in the years 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and allocated for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36012/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Direct provision provides for full board accommodation supports while a final decision is awaited by a person on their protection or any related leave to remain application.

Currently, there are over 4,300 persons availing of direct provision accommodation and supports in 34 accommodation centres across 16 counties. The expenditure outturn for the accommodation costs incurred by RIA in the last three years is as follows:

Year	Outturn
2013	€55.2m
2012	€62.3m
2011	€69.5m

The 2014 Estimate Provision for RIA is €51.9 million. More detailed information on the breakdown of costs associated with the Direct Provision system can be found on the Annual Reports for the years in question on RIA's website - www.ria.gov.ie.

It should be noted that the direct provision system is only one element of the State’s response to its international obligations on the asylum issue. As well as educational, health and welfare costs, there is the asylum determination system itself, as well as the downstream judicial and policing costs. All countries which take their responsibilities in this area seriously are faced with similar calls on their financial resources. For example, it was estimated that in the period 2005 to 2009 inclusive, the total amount spent across the whole of Government on asylum seekers was €1,275.31 million, of which €424.43 million was spent on the direct provision system.

Departmental Legal Costs

Questions (100)

Niall Collins

Question:

100. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the legal costs to the Department in 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014 for asylum applications and appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36013/14]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Asylum related legal costs incurred by my Department arise from the provision of legal services by the Refugee Legal Service to asylum seekers and judicial review proceedings taken against the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) which are determined by the courts in favour of applicants or settled by the State.

Costs in these respects over the last number of years are set out as follows.

Refugee Legal Service

2011 €6.6m

2012 €5.8m

2013 €4.8m

2014 Figure not currently available

Judicial Review Costs - ORAC and RAT

2011 €3.5m

2012 €1.8m

2013 €1.7m

2014* €2.2m

*As of 31 August 2014.

The Deputy may wish to note that asylum related legal costs are also incurred by the Chief State Solicitor's Office.