Written Answers Nos. 78-82
78. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a determination will be made on an application for a visa by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36758/15]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Irish Embassy in Cairo on 22 July, 2015 and subsequently referred to the Irish Visa Office in Abu Dhabi for processing.
Unfortunately, the expected time frame for processing of long stay visa applications such as the application lodged by the person in question has extended due to a large increase in the number of applications received in the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi. This is in part due to the difficulty in having supporting documents adequately verified by the issuing state. The person concerned has been informed of the situation by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi.
While this application is pending, the person concerned made a visa application on 14 October, 2015 for a short-term visa to attend an Irish Medical Council exam. An exam visa was approved on 19 October, 2015 and is now ready for collection from the Irish Embassy in Cairo. The person concerned has been informed.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters 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.
79. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that a Garda Síochána information services centre (details supplied) in County Mayo is understaffed, making it difficult to cover evenings, nights and weekend shifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36705/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including civilians in An Garda Síochána.
I have, however, requested the specific information regarding the staffing issues mentioned by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and will, on receipt of same, write directly to the Deputy.
80. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that Garda Síochána information services centre staff members who have been placed on day shift only, due to medical reasons, have lost their shift allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36706/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including civilians, in An Garda Síochána.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) provides a round- the- clock service. In order to provide this service staff are required to work various shifts and are paid a shift premium.
I am further informed that on resumption of work from sick leave and where the business needs of GISC permit, staff may be facilitated working standard hours (9am to 5.45pm) when the Chief Medical Officer advises that a member of staff would benefit from day time only attendance as a means of facilitating their recuperation. In such circumstances they are not entitled to be paid a shift premium. Of course when the staff member is deemed to be fully recovered by the Chief Medical Officer, they may return to working a full shift roster with the appropriate premium payment.
81. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to hold an internal executive officer competition in the Garda Síochána information services centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36707/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including civilians, in An Garda Síochána.
I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that there are plans in place to run an internal competition for promotion to Executive Officer (EO) in An Garda Síochána as sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
82. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she is bringing the bail Bill before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36715/15]
View answerIn July, the Government approved the drafting of a Bail Bill which will strengthen the operation of the bail system and make the law as effective as possible in protecting the public against crimes committed by persons on bail.
I am aware of the concerns that are arising in relation to the operation of our current bail laws and it is intended to have the new Bail Bill drafted on a priority basis, with a view to its publication in the current parliamentary session.
Accordingly, I look forward to introducing the Bail Bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas at an early stage.
