Bernard Durkan
Question:58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if and when a family reunification visa will issue in the case of a person (details supplied). [21866/16]
View answerFamily Reunification Applications
Questions (58)
Written answers
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that 'join family' type visa applications from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office in Dublin on 12 May, 2016. While each case is examined on its individual merits and some cases take longer than others depending on its complexities, applications of this type are typically processed by the Dublin Visa Office within twelve months of receipt. The applicant can expect a decision before the end of May, 2017.
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 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.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the INIS Visa Office (visamail@justice.ie).
Family Reunification Applications
Questions (59)
Bernard Durkan
Question:59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if and when a joint family visa will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21867/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a 'join family' type visa application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office in Dublin on 30 June, 2016. Applications of this type are typically processed by the Dublin Visa Office within twelve months of receipt. While each case is examined on its individual merits and some cases take longer than others depending on its complexities, the applicant can expect a decision by end of June, 2017.
The Deputy may wish to note that 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.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the INIS Visa Office (visamail@justice.ie).
Garda Retirements
Questions (60)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:60. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 30 of June 2016, the projected number of retirements from An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2017 to 2021. [21883/16]
View answerWritten answers
Projected retirements from An Garda Síochána are kept under continuing review and the level of recruitment adjusted as necessary in order to achieve the desired strength of An Garda Síochána.
Retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by statutory provisions which set the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the organisation prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served for at least 30 years and they have reached 50 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the organisation on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served at least 30 years and have reached 55 years of age. Accordingly a member has the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60 years of age.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the following table sets out the mandatory retirements (those who reach 60 years of age) for the years 2017-2021. I am further advised, based on a thorough analysis of historical data, that the Garda authorities project retirements overall this year, that is mandatory retirements and voluntary retirements, to be around the 300 mark with similar projections for the coming years.
Mandatory Retirements 2017 - 2021
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
89 |
111 |
125 |
192 |
178 |
Garda Station Closures
Questions (61)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:61. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the requests to have the Garda station at Fitzgibbon Street, Dublin 1, re-opened given recent crime-related events and the concerns of local residents that the station be re-opened; the status of the closure of the Garda station at Harcourt Street, Dublin 2; if the Garda station at Fitzgibbon Street will be a viable option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21906/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 15 June 2016 wherein I indicated that, following the advice of the Office of Public Works regarding the condition of the station, it was deemed necessary to vacate Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station on a temporary basis to facilitate refurbishment works. This matter will be progressed by An Garda Síochána, in collaboration with the Office of Public Works, in the context of the national accommodation priorities of An Garda Síochána and the level of capital funding available.
The Office of Public Works has refurbished the former Prison Officers Quarters at Mountjoy Prison and the adjacent Mountjoy Garda Station so that Gardaí attached to both Mountjoy and Fitzgibbon Street can operate efficiently and effectively on a temporary basis from this location.
In addition, a building adjacent to Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station was identified as suitable for a Garda Office and, following some refurbishment, now operates as a public office on a 24-hour basis to provide for an ongoing Garda presence in Fitzgibbon Street. The Burglary Response Unit for DMR North Central Division also operates from this site. I understand that there are 2 Sergeants and 20 Gardaí allocated to Community Policing duties specifically in the Fitzgibbon Street area who are supported by uniform and plain clothes personnel on mobile, mountain bike and foot patrols.
Local Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. This situation is kept under continuous review.
In relation to the former Garda station at Harcourt Terrace, which was closed on foot of the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme 2012-2013, I understand that the site is earmarked for the construction of a new primary school.
Mortgage Arrears Proposals
Questions (62)
Pearse Doherty
Question:62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the timeframe and the means by which he will implement the programme for Government commitment to establish a new national service to standardise the supports available to borrowers in mortgage arrears, with powers and resources needed to advise, assess, negotiate and recommend solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21659/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will know, the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government (PfPG) are under active consideration by the Government as part of the Government's housing strategy and work is well advanced on the development of a Housing Action Plan which will be published by my colleague, the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government, shortly.
The PfPG commitment in respect of the introduction of a new national service to standardise supports available to borrowers in mortgage arrears is made in the context of building on recent reforms to insolvency and bankruptcy and the supports provided by the Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS). As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for insolvency and bankruptcy legislation lies with my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality and MABS comes under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection. I understand that details about the new national service will be advanced in the near future.
Insurance Industry Regulation
Questions (63, 64, 65, 66)
Pearse Doherty
Question:63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the membership of his Department's task force reviewing the insurance environment; the number of times it has met; and the attendance at each meeting. [21660/16]
View answerPearse Doherty
Question:64. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he received a first report from his Department's task force reviewing the insurance environment focusing on the compensation issue; and when he will publish the report. [21661/16]
View answerPearse Doherty
Question:65. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number and nature of his modules his Department's task force reviewing the insurance environment intends to cover; the timeframe in which each one is scheduled to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21662/16]
View answer
Róisín Shortall
Question:66. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to his speech to Dáil Éireann on 20 April 2016, the progress of the review of policy in the insurance sector that is ongoing in his Department; if there is any existing regulation that can protect consumers from unjustifiable car insurance premium increases; his plans to introduce a regulatory framework beyond the Financial Services Ombudsman to protect consumers in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 to 66, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products. The EU framework for insurance expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.
The Central Bank of Ireland has a statutory responsibility to ensure firms assess risks appropriately and offer insurance at a price that adequately takes into account the conditions prevailing in the market such as increasing claims costs. This ensures firms have the ability to pay all policyholders' claims without recourse to public or consumer funds. The Central Bank does not have a statutory role in relation to setting premium prices.
The Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code was introduced in 2006 and revised in 2012. This Code applies to the regulated activities of regulated entities operating in the State. It requires firms to act honestly fairly and professionally in the best interest of consumers, act with due care and diligence, and it prohibits firms from misleading customers.
As previously advised, a task force has been established within my Department to undertake a Review of various aspects of Policy in the Insurance Sector. To date, the task force has been working on three specific insurance policy reviews, as follows:
1. A review of the framework for motor insurance compensation. This is a Joint Working Group involving the Department of Finance working closely with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
2. A review of flood insurance options has been carried out by the Department of Finance and is now feeding into the final report of the Inter-Departmental Flood Policy Group, chaired by Seán Canney TD.
3. A review of the cost of insurance. To date the Department of Finance has engaged in bilateral consultations with the main stakeholders. This initial work will now be built upon through a Working Group chaired by the Minister of State, Eoghan Murphy TD. Progress on these reviews is outlined below:
Review of the framework for motor insurance compensation
A Joint Working Group between my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has carried out a review of the framework for motor insurance compensation in Ireland, in the event of a failure of an insurance company. The objective of the review is to identify the features of a motor insurance compensation framework that is comprehensive, effective, affordable and consumer-focused.
The Joint Working Group met on nine occasions in the period January to June 2016. In addition to these meetings, the Joint Working Group also met and engaged with relevant stakeholders involved in the governance and administration of the motor insurance compensation system, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the Accountant of the Courts of Justice, the State Claims Agency and representatives of the insurance industry in Ireland. The review also considered models in place in other jurisdictions.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and I are currently considering the Joint Working Group's report with a view to publication in the coming weeks. The report includes recommendations aimed at providing certainty regarding the compensation framework in Ireland.
Review of flood insurance
The Department of Finance has carried out a review of options for flood insurance with particular focus on the strategies that other jurisdictions have implemented to increase the availability of flood insurance cover. This work examined a number of policy options and the completed report has been sent to the Office of Public Works to feed into the final report of the Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by Seán Canney TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief.
Review of the cost of insurance
An important element of the review of policy in the insurance sector is an assessment of the factors contributing to the increasing cost of insurance. My officials have met bilaterally over recent months with the Central Bank, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, with representatives of the insurance industry in Ireland and with other interested Government Departments and Offices.
Following the Dáil Private Members' Motion on this matter on 8 and 9 June, the scope of the review has been broadened to include other matters raised in that debate. Progress will be overseen by a Working Group with representatives from all relevant Departments and Agencies and chaired by Minister of State Eoghan Murphy. The Working Group will examine issues that can be addressed on a more immediate basis and also those that require more long-term policy solutions. The first meeting of the Working Group will take place on 20 July with further meetings scheduled for early September and in the coming months.