Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she is taking to ensure that children and young persons are safe when using the Internet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6753/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Law Reform Commission published its Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety in September 2016. While noting the positive benefits to society of the interconnected digital world in which we live, the report also noted the negative aspects and the emerging trend to engage in online communications that cause significant harm to others.
In December 2016, the Government gave its approval for the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill which would provide for new and amended criminal offences along the lines set out in that report. It is intended that this Bill will address the criminal law aspects of the Law Reform Commission’s report. The Commission has proposed extending some existing offences and creating some new criminal offences. The precise formulation of the offences will be subject to review and potential variation during the drafting of the General Scheme.
Child sexual exploitation often occurs following a gradual process of grooming the victim. This may arise through seemingly innocent contact made via information and communication technology such as social media, messaging apps or online forums. This type of technology can also be used to expose children to sexually explicit and inappropriate material. The Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill includes a number of measures to significantly strengthen existing criminal law in combating child exploitation and, in particular, address the use of modern communication technologies as a tool which may lead to child sexual exploitation. The Bill completed its passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas earlier this week.
Hotline.ie provides the public with the means to report illegal online content, such as child sexual abuse material and liaises with An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, to have illegal content is taken down.
An Garda Síochána has an arrangement in place with a large internet service provider to block access to child sexual abuse content in accordance with a list they provide. Among the aims of this initiative is to reduce inadvertent viewing by members of the public, including children, of this illegal material. An Garda Síochána also has a Schools Programme where personal safety issues, including online safety, are highlighted and discussed with children and young people in schools.
In order to assist the public to stay safe on the internet, the Office for Internet Safety in my Department has a series of booklets aimed at parents. The booklets provide information on various aspects of internet safety including filtering, using social networking sites and cyberbullying. These information resources are made available free of charge on the Office for Internet Safety website and also in hard copy on request. The website also contains a wide range of information and links to further resources on internet safety. Ireland also cooperates at an international level to keep children and young people safe online, with the Office for Internet Safety acting as coordinator for the Irish consortium under the EU Internet Safety Programme and channels EU funding to four partner organisations.
62. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received legal advice as to the obligations of Ireland and the United States of America to refugees under the Geneva Convention. [7130/17]
View answerPersons who claim protection in the State will have their application fully considered under the International Protection Act 2015 which gives effect to the State's obligations under the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Ireland, of course, has no role in the US policy or procedures for dealing with persons who seek asylum from the US authorities. This is solely a matter for the US authorities.
From time to time it may be necessary to obtain the advices of the Attorney General in relation to aspects of the application of the law as it applies to persons seeking refugee status in the State.
63. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria that must be met in order that a person (details supplied) can live here full time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7876/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the criteria to be met in order to be granted permission to retire in the State as a person of independent means is clearly set out on its website www.inis.gov.ie. USA nationals are not visa required. However, entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. As a visitor they may be granted up to a maximum of 90 days in the State. All non-EEA nationals require residence permission to remain in the State.
Permission to retire in the State may be granted to persons who can demonstrate sufficient funds to ensure that they will never become a burden on the State. The financial threshold at present is considered to be an income of €50,000 per person per annum, plus the person must have access to a lump sum of money to cover any unforeseen major expenses. This should be equivalent to, for example, the price of a dwelling in the State. Applicants are also required to demonstrate that they are in good health and they have a clean police record in their country of origin. Applications for this category are dealt with in the Residence Division in INIS.
I should add that a review of the policy is currently under way following a public consultation process which took place late last year.
Queries in relation to individual cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been 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 Parliamentary Question 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.
64. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the past two years guilty of causing death on the road while under the influence of alcohol who were also uninsured or unlicensed and-or had no NCT (details supplied). [8049/17]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the statistics requested by the Deputy and I will contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of the relevant information. I have also requested reports from Courts Service and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in relation to some of the statistics requested by the Deputy under 'Details supplied', and, again, I will contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of responses from these bodies.
65. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason she has not agreed to hold an inquiry under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding the death of a person (details supplied), in view of the fact that this is the only acceptable inquiry for the family; the reason she and her Department have failed to respond to the family's legal team and keep them updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7796/17]
View answerThe Deputy should be aware that, arising from a recommendation of the Independent Review Mechanism, the Tánaiste has decided to establish an inquiry under the terms of section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended.
My Department wrote to the family of the person referred to by the Deputy on 23 November 2016 to inform them in general terms of the matters which the inquiry will examine. Subsequently, a letter issued to the solicitors appointed by the family, on 17 January 2017, advising them that I do not accept that their client's Article 2 rights have been infringed and the reasons for same.
The solicitors have also been advised of the steps that have been taken to date with regard to the advice that I have sought from the Attorney General and the consultation which has taken place, as is required by section 42 (3A) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, with the Policing Authority on the terms of reference.
When there is further information available, the family's solicitors will be advised accordingly.
66. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason she has refused to communicate with the legal team regarding the five inquiries which are due to take place shortly following the independent review mechanism findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7797/17]
View answerThe Deputy should be aware that my Department has written to the legal team referred to by the Deputy with regard to the five inquiries as recently as 23 January 2017 addressing general issues they had with regard to these inquiries.
The legal team, at about the same time, have also been advised independently with regard to their individual clients that my Department had already advised their clients of the matters that are to be covered in the inquiries relevant to their complaints which were placed before the Independent Review Mechanism.
The legal team has also been advised of the steps that have been taken to date with regard to the advice that I have sought from the Attorney General and the consultation which has taken place, as is required by section 42 (3A) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, with the Policing Authority on the terms of reference for the various Inquiries.
When there is further information available, the legal team will be advised accordingly.
67. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the level of her knowledge that five serious cases from the Tullamore-Clara area were sent in to the independent review mechanism and these five cases were under the same superintendent and gardaí from this area and 100 complaints were made to GSOC regarding these particular persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7798/17]
View answerThe Deputy refers to the Independent Review Mechanism established to review certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which were made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may have been required in each case.
A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the purpose. The counsel appointed to the panel were nominated by the Attorney General and were all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system.
The complaints were in the form of letters, some of which were sent by the individuals direct, while others had been submitted through intermediaries, such as TDs or representative organisations. In some, but not all cases, the complainants gave the name of the Member, or Members of the Garda Síochána that were the subject of their complaint.
Recommendations by counsel were based on a review of the papers in the complaint, and did not involve interviews or interaction with complainants or any other form of investigation, although counsel could where necessary recommend that I seek further information from persons or bodies, for example the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). Each case was considered on its own merits and recommendations were made in relation to each case.
The Panel was independent and therefore no restriction was placed on the nature of recommendations which they might make. I have repeatedly emphasised that the Independent Review Mechanism was not established to act as a Commission of Inquiry or Investigation. The purpose of the review was to triage the complaints to establish in each particular case whether there was any action which I could take to further resolution of that complaint. Counsel were therefore required to consider the matters raised by each complainant and any corroboration offered by them, to take into account the actions already taken in relation to the complaint, and the possible options open to me as Minister to pursue matters. Counsel were then required to use their knowledge and experience of the criminal law to recommend whether further action was either possible or appropriate and if so to recommend the relevant action that I could take.
Insofar as GSOC is concerned, GSOC is an independent statutory body and I have no role in relation to the conduct of its investigations.
68. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to any particular difficulties experienced by citizens of Libya in obtaining and renewing visas for this State; and the rationale for the current operation of visa issuing and possible restrictions imposed on such citizens by this State. [7809/17]
View answerI can confirm that certain restrictions on consideration of Irish visa applications from residents of Libya have been in place since August, 2014 due to the political and security situation in Libya. In doing so, all relevant considerations including the ongoing security situation in Libya and the potential economic impact of the restrictions were taken into account.
There is provision for a small number of exceptions relating to the beef industry where applications may be accepted from persons who are known to and sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and/or An Bord Bia and who have a good travel history to Ireland, the UK or the Schengen countries. Certain applications in relation to the oil industry and which are supported by the internationally recognised Government in Libya are also considered.
The position continues to be kept under review by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department.
69. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to expand Ireland's refugee programme, particularly in view of the recent study by the Economic and Social Research Institute which finds that Ireland has the capacity to accept more refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7830/17]
View answerThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the migration crisis that had developed on the southern shores of the European Union. Under this decision a programme office was established in my Department to oversee the operational aspects of the programme, which aims to bring in 4,000 vulnerable migrants to Ireland under two different mechanisms, refugee resettlement - operated by the Office for Promotion of Migrant Integration (OPMI) - and asylum seeker relocation from within the EU.
We will be 100% ahead of target numbers on the Resettlement Programme by next September. While there has been challenges at EU level to maximise the functioning of the Relocation aspect of the programme, following my recent visit to Greece, I am satisfied that the numbers coming in under relocation will ramp up to agreed levels in 2017. My emphasis currently is to increase the number of people arriving in Ireland under the mechanisms currently in place. I am satisfied that we are making that progress now to ensure many more people can come to Ireland under our resettlement and relocation programmes. We must focus all our attention to meeting these targets and their needs when they arrive here.
Significant resources are currently being invested in these humanitarian efforts through the various offices in my Department and in other Departments and agencies. As a result we have established functioning mechanisms and associated expertise to deal with resettlement and relocation. Our response to the migrant crisis in terms of accepting refugees is through the IRPP and all available resources are being directed to that Programme in order to meet the commitment entered into. It is essential that we continue our efforts to complete the IRPP successfully before we look to apply that learning and resources to any expansion of our current commitments.
70. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the study Transition: From Direct Provision to Life in the Community which was funded by the Irish Research Council; the measures her Department is undertaking to prepare those in direct provision for life after direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7831/17]
View answerThe numbers of persons with some form of status residing in State provided accommodation ranged from approximately 450 persons to approximately 600 persons during 2016. This number rises and falls as some residents are granted a form of status and others with status move into the community. Over 1,900 persons left the State provided accommodation system during 2016. However, it is important to note that not all those leaving State provided accommodation would have done so because they received a form of status. The State provided accommodation system is entirely voluntary and some of those leaving the system were exercising their right to live elsewhere.
The issues identified in the Irish Refugee Council's Report echo findings of the McMahon Working Group Report. Following on from the McMahon report, the Department of Justice and Equality developed a guide to independent living for persons with status to provide practical assistance for them. The guide is available in all centres and has been published on the RIA website (www.ria.gov.ie) in a number of different languages. This was published in parallel with information sessions coordinated by the Citizens Information Bureau in accommodation centres which gave an opportunity for such persons to seek assistance and clarification on the services provided. The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA), its centre managers, the Community Welfare Service (by way of provision of Rent Allowance), the Citizens Information Board and those City and County Councils operating the Housing Assistance Payments link with such persons in accessing the appropriate supports and services, including in respect of sourcing and securing private accommodation.
Following a recent call for proposals under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund, a number of charities and NGOs have been awarded funding for projects with the specific aim of providing assistance to those transiting from state provided accommodation to permanent homes in the community.
Once some form of status is granted, residents cease to be ordinarily entitled to the accommodation supports provided through RIA. Notwithstanding this fact, RIA has continued to provide such persons with accommodation until they secure their own private accommodation.
71. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the mental health services that are provided to persons in prison; the details of efforts to monitor the mental health of prisoners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7832/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that in-reach mental health services are available in the Dublin and Portlaoise prisons, and Castlerea prison, through collaboration with the Health Service Executive, and the National Forensic Mental Health Service to provide forensic mental health sessions weekly in these prisons.
The Irish Prison Service, in partnership and collaboration with the Health Service Executive, provides specialist In-reach, Psychiatric services to those in custody in Limerick and Cork prisons. The Irish Prison Service has access to a limited number of places in the Central Mental Hospital for prisoners who require residential mental health treatment. There is currently an average of 20 prisoners each week awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital.
The Irish Prison Service, in collaboration with the National Forensic Mental Health Service, has established two dedicated areas where high support is provided to vulnerable prisoners with mental illness: D2 wing in Cloverhill Prison (for remand prisoners), and the High Support Unit in Mountjoy (for sentenced prisoners). Both units provide a dedicated area within the prison where mentally ill and vulnerable prisoners, who present with a risk of harm to self or to others, can be separated from the general prison population and are closely monitored in a safer environment.
A Psychiatric In-reach and Court Liaison Service is delivered by the Health Service Executive/Central Mental Hospital at Cloverhill Prison. The diversion system ensures as far as possible that those people presenting before the courts, or indeed at an earlier stage of the criminal justice system, where the infraction is a reflection of an underlying mental illness, are referred and treated appropriately. This approach has reduced the number of mentally ill people committed to prison.
The Health Service Executive has confirmed that approval has been granted for the appointment of a consultant led team to both Limerick and Cork prisons. The Health Service Executive has also advised that arrangements are being finalised for the assignment of a consultant led mental health in-reach team to Castlerea Prison. The National Forensic Mental Health Service also provides an assessment and liaison service for all other prisons where a prisoner requires a forensic assessment, or access to an admission bed in the Central Mental Hospital. Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists are leading these services and can be supported by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors, Community Psychiatric Nurses, and Social Workers.
72. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees who have been relocated here from Greece since September 2015; the number of refugees the Government plans to relocate here from Greece in total; and when she plans to reach this target. [7833/17]
View answer73. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of interviews of refugees undertaken by Irish officials to identify refugees to relocate to Ireland that have taken place in Greece; and the number of Irish staff working on the issue in Greece. [7834/17]
View answer74. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees who have been relocated here from Italy since September 2015; the number of refugees the Government plans to relocate here from Italy in total; and when she plans to reach this target. [7835/17]
View answer75. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of interviews of refugees undertaken by Irish officials to identify refugees to relocate here that have taken place in Italy; and the number of Irish staff working on the issue in Italy. [7836/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 to 75, inclusive, together.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the migration crisis that had emerged on the shores of Southern Europe in previous months. The Programme, which seeks to bring in 4,000 migrants to the State, comprises two main strands - asylum seeker relocation and refugee resettlement. The Deputy's questions refer specifically to the relocation mechanism, which is underpinned by two EU Council Decisions, EU/2015/1523 and EU/2015/1601 established to assist Italy and Greece who have struggled to cope with the numbers arriving on their shores due to the migration crisis. Ireland voluntarily opted into both Council Decisions and agreed under the provisions of same to take a total of 2,622 persons - 623 from Italy, 1,089 from Greece, and 910 from a Member State yet to be determined by the Council (either Italy or Greece).
The remainder of the 4,000 are being taken into the State through a combination of refugee resettlements from Lebanon and, for example, the acceptance into the State of unaccompanied minors formerly resident at the migrant camp at Calais, France (approved by Government Decision last November).
The relocation programme is on schedule in terms of the numbers currently assigned to Ireland from Greece, with all 1,089 expected to either have already arrived, or have been assessed and accepted for arrival by the end of September 2017. There has been a total of 10 missions to Greece to carry out needs assessments, security assessments and provide orientation to those selected for relocation to Ireland. From these 10 missions a total of 320 people have arrived from Greece under relocation so far, another 78 people have been formally accepted and are awaiting transport arrangements, and a further 155 have been assessed and are awaiting clearance. A monthly schedule has been agreed with the Greek authorities which will sustain the pace of intakes throughout 2017 at the levels required to allow Ireland to meets its commitments to Greece within the time frame envisaged by the Programme.
The number of officials travelling on each mission depends to a large extent on the numbers to be assessed, however current missions assess an average of 80 persons at a time and this number typically requires three IRPP officials, three members of the Garda Síochána and, where unaccompanied minors are to be interviewed, two officials from Tusla - the Child and Family Agency.
As regards Italy, the relocation mechanism from Italy has yet to commence for many countries, including Ireland, due to issues with the Italian authorities surrounding the security assessment of migrants assigned to other Member States. Intensive efforts are ongoing to resolve this, both bilaterally with Italian counterparts at official, diplomatic and Ministerial level, and at EU level, including through the European Commission.
I wish to confirm to the Deputy the deep commitment of the Government to delivering on its decision to accept 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers, notwithstanding the difficulties that have been encountered so far which have been outside of Ireland's control.
76. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees who have been resettled here from refugee camps in Lebanon since September 2015; the number of refugees the Government plans to resettle here from Lebanon in total; and when she plans to reach this target. [7837/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, in response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa, the Government established the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), and pledged to accept 4,000 persons into the State under resettlement and relocation programmes. At least 1040 of the 4000 will be admitted as programme refugees under the refugee resettlement programme.
519 programme refugees have been admitted to date from Lebanon since 4 August 2015. A further 521 persons are due to be admitted from Lebanon under the resettlement programme before the end of 2017. Six of these refugees arrived on 13 February 2017. A further 254 refugees are due to arrive from Lebanon before the end of March 2017, with the balance due to arrive in Autumn 2017.
77. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of the unaccompanied child refugees who had been previously living in the French Calais camp who have arrived here to date in view of the motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 10 November 2016 to relocate 200 unaccompanied child refugees; and when the target of relocating 200 unaccompanied child refugees from the Calais camp will be met. [7838/17]
View answerThe Government has been proactively engaged with the French authorities in identifying young people previously living in the camp in Calais who may wish to come to Ireland. Following the approval by Government of the appropriate legal mechanism and the identification of considerable resources needed, officials from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and my Department positively engaged with the French authorities in Paris in early January with a view to identifying these unaccompanied minors. There has also been ongoing contact with the NGO sector.
Subsequent to the officials meeting, the first mission to meet unaccompanied minors took place last month and included representatives of Tusla, which has statutory responsibility for the care and accommodation of unaccompanied minors in the State. The Tusla officials were accompanied by a member of staff from the Irish Refugee Protection Programme Office of my Department and members of An Garda Síochána who carried out security assessments. Tusla has indicated that the final logistical stages of the relocation process for the first group of young people is in hand. A second mission took place early this month and I understand that three further missions are scheduled over the next few weeks. Although decisions regarding numbers and dates for future missions are matters for Tusla to determine in cooperation with the French authorities, I understand that initially approximately 40 young people could be identified by both the authorities and the NGO's and processed over the course of the coming months and we have committed to accept all of these on a phased basis and subject to the aforementioned security process. The best interests of the child is central to this partnership process with the French authorities.
78. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rules that apply to the granting of a visitor's permit for a person in Russia wishing to visit here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7877/17]
View answerRussian nationals are required to hold an Irish visa to travel to Ireland. As with all other visa required nationals, visa applications are considered on their own merits and in accordance with the requirements for the particular visa type applied for. I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that comprehensive guidelines and information on the documentation needed for each type of application can be found at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Visa%20Information.
To make an application, an on-line application form must be completed which can be accessed via the INIS website at https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie. This is then signed and submitted together with all required supporting documentation to the Visa Office in Moscow. Contact details are given on the summary sheet.
As regards the requirements considered by the Visa Officer, applicants must show that they have sufficiently strong family, social, and economic ties to a place of residence in a country other than Ireland to assure the Visa Officer that the projected stay in Ireland will be in accordance with the duration and conditions of the permission granted by the immigration authorities on arrival in Ireland. Visa applicants are required to furnish details about their finances to show that they have access to sufficient funds to cover the costs of the visit.
As with all visa services in all countries worldwide, the central concern is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of those who intend travelling for legitimate purposes and who are likely to abide by the terms of their visa.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries 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 Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the hours Glanmire Garda station is meant to be open; if this station has regularly opened these hours; the number of gardaí attached to that station; the number of gardaí from that station on maternity leave and the number of those who have been replaced; the number of days that the station has opened to date in 2017; and her plans to ensure Glanmire is provided with a police service based out of the station. [7880/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for Garda station opening hours and the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters.
Glanmire Garda station is part of the Cork City Division and I am informed by the Commissioner that on 31 December 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, Cork City Division had a total strength of 644 members of which 19 were deployed to the station. There are also 48 Garda Reserves and 58 civilians attached to the Cork City Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. I am further advised that the information requested in respect of members on maternity leave is operationally sensitive and cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
The station is, I understand, open to members of the public between 12pm and 6pm from Monday to Saturday and between 1pm and 2pm on Sundays and bank holidays. I am informed that the specific information in relation to the dates which the station was open to the public in 2017 are not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to collate. In circumstances when the station is not open to members of the public, I am informed that callers are advised to contact the District Headquarters at Mayfield Garda station, which is located approximately 4 km from Glanmire station and is open on a 24 hour basis. Telephone calls to the station are also automatically diverted to Mayfield in these circumstances.
Garda management keeps the distribution of Garda resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to communities. In this context, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division.
80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will examine the case of persons (details supplied) and clarify the position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7885/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the applicant's appeal is currently being considered and a final decision will issue on the case within the next 7 days.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
