Written Answers Nos. 113-128
113. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the detail of the application process for a non-EU person applying for a de facto visa; the rules pertaining to the granting of a de facto visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11499/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the information required for seeking a 'De Facto Partnership' immigration permission includes:
- A history of the relationship including when the partners met and when they began the relationship;
- Legible copies of all pages of both partners’ passports;
- Dated documentary evidence of living together continuously over a period of two years (is being revised down to 1 year) in a common place of residence such as official letters or bills sent to the same address and/or joint tenancy agreement and dated documentary evidence of the relationship;
- Dated evidence of financial inter-dependence such as transfer receipts, joint accounts, joint purchases, joint assets or loans;
- Financial statements covering the previous 6 months for both partners showing living expenses i.e. where the finances are coming from and where they are going to;
- Evidence of contact between the Applicant and the Sponsor, such as letters, emails, phone contacts, screenshots of Facebook and Skype to cover the entire length of the relationship but at the very least covering two years;
- Evidence of time spent together such as dated photographs for the Applicant and the Sponsor together with family and friends and air tickets showing travel together;
- Police clearance from any country the Applicant has resided in over the last 5 years. The Police clearance should be no more than six months old at the date of application;
- If the Applicant and the Sponsor intend to marry in the State, they are required to provide evidence of when the marriage will take place e.g. documents from the Registrar’s Office;
- If the Applicant has dependant children who intend to live with the Applicant and the Sponsor in Ireland
- copies of birth certificates and copies of passport(s) of the child(ren)
- evidence that the Applicant is the child's legal guardian and
- evidence that the Applicant has sole custody and guardianship of the child(ren).
or
- evidence that the Applicant has the permission of any other guardian or custodian to have the child live with them in Ireland
Evidence that the Applicant and any dependant child(ren) are covered by private medical insurance.
All documentation should be submitted via registered post to INIS, PO Box 12695, Dublin 2. Each case is decided on the circumstances taking into account all of the above information.
I am further advised by INIS that the process is currently under review and revised criteria for the scheme, together with a new application form, is being finalised to bring further clarity to the process. These will be published shortly on the INIS website www.inis.gov.ie.
114. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if electronic tagging of prisoners on bail has been implemented; if there are plans to expand its usage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11509/17]
View answerSection 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 inserted a new section 6B (Electronic monitoring of certain persons admitted to bail) into the Bail Act 1997. This section made provision for the introduction of electronic monitoring as a condition of bail. However, due to operational issues regarding electronic monitoring in general, these provisions have not yet been brought into operation.
The proposed Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016, currently awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil, will make provision for electronic monitoring of persons on bail, based on the existing provisions in the Bail Act.
However, unlike the existing provisions, the Bail (Amendment) Bill will provide that electronic monitoring may be imposed as a bail condition only if the prosecution applies to the court for such a condition. This will ensure that the use of electronic monitoring can be targeted at those cases where it is most likely to be effective. In parallel with the progress of the Bill, a working group has been established within my Department to identify how best this provision might be operated, including the categories of offences or offenders most suitable for electronic monitoring and the making of contractual arrangements for the provision of the service.
115. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of repeat offenders under the Road Traffic Act 2012 that previously were fined for having more than 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood but less than 80 mg. [11514/17]
View answerThe Deputy is aware from my post reply correspondence of 1 March 2017 to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 16 February 2017 that section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, as amended, provides that, in certain specified circumstances, a person detected for a drink-driving offence may benefit from a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued, rather than criminal proceedings being commenced. Furthermore, a person who has been served with a fixed penalty notice and has paid the fixed charge is not eligible to be served with another fixed penalty notice within the period of three years from the appropriate date relating to the endorsement of penalty points on the entry relating to the person, or the date of commencement of disqualification, whichever is applicable.
The specific statistical information sought by the Deputy is not readily available but I understand that the Deputy has discussed the matter referred to in this Parliamentary Question with An Garda Síochána directly at a second meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport on 1 March 2017 to discuss road safety. I note that An Garda Síochána offered to provide further clarification on this matter to the Deputy if required.
116. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the regulations and guidelines in place for teenage international students arriving here that live with a host family and attend secondary schools for an academic term or complete school year, without the presence of their parents or legal guardians within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11515/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate any regulations or guidelines on access to secondary education of any child, regardless of their nationality, and for their care in the State is primarily the responsibility of my colleagues the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. However, I am aware that the Final Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Non-EEA Students (September 2010) recommended the following:
"no further placement of unaccompanied non-EEA children in Irish Schools will be permitted except where
(i) the programme is part of a Government approved exchange programme with another state or
(ii) the school operates entirely without state support or
(iii) the parent has paid an immigration levy set by the Government as a means of recovering some or all of the costs of the child's education and the Department of Education and Skills has approved the placement on an individual basis or via a general sanction for all placements"
Any such levy would come under the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
On a more general note, immigration officials at ports of entry maintain a vigilant watch in relation to unaccompanied minors entering the State so as to ensure that a guardian is available to take responsibility for the minor concerned. This process can include, as necessary, contact with the parents, the host family or the school concerned.
117. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by her Department in each of the past six years and to date in 2017 in respect of construction projects and other capital projects; the way in which she monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms she employs to establish this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11540/17]
View answerMy Department has not engaged in any construction projects over the past six years in which construction inflation has been a factor. However, it is anticipated this issue may become more problematic as the construction industry continues to recover. As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Public Works acts on behalf of my Department and many of the agencies under its aegis and may be best placed to provide the Deputy with any relevant information in this regard.
118. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the value of each payment awarded by the criminal injuries compensation scheme for each of the years 2012 to 2017; the budget allocated to the scheme in each of these years; the number and value of all offered awards which were rejected by victims in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the number of cases referred to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal due to the fact the award offered was rejected in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the average waiting time for such cases to be heard by the tribunal; the reason there have been such lengthy delays in cases being heard by the tribunal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11605/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal administers the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted (General Scheme). Under the terms of the Scheme, the Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual decisions on applications for compensation under the Scheme.
The following are the annual compensation budgets for each Scheme during the period 2012 - 2017.
|
Year |
General Scheme (€) |
|
2012 |
4m |
|
2013 |
11.3m* |
|
2014 |
4m |
|
2015 |
4m |
|
2016 |
4m |
|
2017 |
4m |
*A backlog of payments had built up that was cleared by the allocation of additional funding in 2013.
The details sought regarding individual awards under the scheme are not readily available. I am informed that the number of applications received, number of payments made, highest and lowest payments made during the period 2012 - 2017 are as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Applications Received |
Number of Cases in which Payments Made |
Total Compensation Paid (€) |
Highest Payment Made (€) |
Lowest Payment Made (€) |
|
2012 |
191 |
144 |
4.012m |
0.253m |
100 |
|
2013 |
228 |
105 |
11.294m |
2.5m |
200 |
|
2014 |
257 |
75 |
3.955m |
1.850m |
182 |
|
2015 |
217 |
159 |
4.016m |
0.747m |
170 |
|
2016 |
210 |
73 |
3.765m |
0.954m |
67 |
|
2017 to date |
26 |
6 |
0.768m |
0.618m |
1,020 |
A decision by the Tribunal on a claim, in the first instance, is normally taken by a single member. The Tribunal has discretion to hear any claim at a hearing before three members of the Tribunal and a person who is dissatisfied with a decision given by one member may also have his/her claim so heard. In the latter case the member who gave the initial decision will not be one of the three members of the Tribunal who hear the appeal. At appeal, an application is considered "de novo". Consequently, the Tribunal may uphold the decision at first instance, increase/decrease an award or make no award. The number of appeals received in each of the years in the period 2012 -2017 are as follows.
|
Year |
General Scheme - Appeals |
|
2012 |
22 |
|
2013 |
28 |
|
2014 |
16 |
|
2015 |
32 |
|
2016 |
17 |
|
2017 |
2 |
The Deputy should note that Tribunal members, who are practising barristers and practising solicitors in the Courts system, provide their services on a part-time basis. Under the terms of paragraph 6 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Tribunal is obliged to determine applications and may award ex-gratia compensation "on the basis of damages awarded under the Civil Liability Act ”. Each case is addressed on the basis of its individual circumstances. While applications are processed with the minimum of formality compared to court proceedings where compensation is being claimed under the Civil Liability Acts, in making their decisions Tribunal Members must be satisfied that all supporting documentation submitted is in order. In some cases there can be delays pending the availability of all required documentation and some cases are complex in terms of medical conditions. As a result, waiting times can vary significantly and no data is currently available on what constitutes an average waiting time.
119. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current strength of the Garda Reserve; and the estimated full year cost of increasing it to 2,500. [11626/17]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 January 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Garda Reserve is 690 members. The Government is committed to increasing the strength to 2,000 by 2021 and Budget 2017 provides funding for the recruitment of 300 Reserves this year.
Uniform costs for the recruitment of an additional 1,800 Reserves to bring the overall strength to 2,500 would amount to an estimated €2.3 million. Costs would also arise in relation to the provision of training. However, as the cost of training both Garda recruits and members of the Reserve is subsumed into the overall training costs of the Garda College the costs associated with the Reserve are not easily identifiable.
Further costs would arise on an ongoing basis from the payment of an annual allowance of €1,000 as a contribution to the expenses of those Reserves who perform 208 hours service and from reimbursing Reserves for expenses incurred while attending court in respect of their service as a Reserve.
120. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full year cost of increasing enlisted membership of An Garda Síochána to 15,000. [11627/17]
View answerI have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and I will write directly to the Deputy when it is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I have subsequently been informed by the Garda authorities that the year one cost of increasing Garda numbers to 15,000 members is €41.2 million, assuming a commencement date of 1st January. The annual payroll costs for these extra members would increase to €62.9 million in year two as all members would be fully attested at that stage and paid at the appropriate Garda salary rate.
Year one costs for new Garda recruits include a basic weekly allowance of €184 plus a living allowance of €77.92. After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €28,405, rising to a maximum of €50,448 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other allowances depending on their assignments. For the purposes of this calculation, the costs are based on basic salary plus employer PRSI but do not include any allowances that the members may be entitled to after being attested.
I have also been informed that the cost of training recruits is subsumed into the overall training costs of the Garda College and is not easily identifiable.
121. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full year cost of providing an extra 2,000 civilian staff in An Garda Síochána. [11628/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of approximately 300 Garda Reserves.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are currently in the region of 2,000 civilians undertaking administrative and technical duties within An Garda Síochána. Increasing the number of civilians in An Garda Síochána by 2,000 to 4,000 civilians will effectively double this figure and represents a medium term target of 20% civilians by 2021. This will bring An Garda Síochána, currently with 14% civilians, more into line with international norms and ensure that trained Gardaí are not engaging in administrative and technical duties which could be done by suitably qualified civilian staff. I have requested the Garda Commissioner, in conjunction with the Policing Authority, to prepare a 5 year plan to achieve this 20% target by way of a twin-track approach (i) a civilian by default policy and (ii) the redeployment of Gardaí to operational policing posts and backfilling by suitably qualified civilians where necessary. The "civilian by default" policy refers to a policy where all new posts, other than operational policing posts, and non-operational policing posts that become vacant, are to be filled by suitably qualified civilian staff.
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that the estimated cost of an additional 2,000 civilians is €86 million including 20% administration costs and employer’s PRSI on a full year basis. This estimated cost is contingent on the make up of the civilian staff profile in the 5 year plan currently in development and in particular on the qualifications and skills required on the part of civilians to backfill posts occupied by redeployed Gardaí.
122. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied). [11803/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was refused by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 6 October 2015. An appeal was subsequently made and refused on 29 January 2016. This decision was communicated to the applicant.
No further applications have been made. If one is made, the applicant should bear in mind the original refusal reasons communicated to him and be in a position to address them.
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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to extending the basic 26 week maternity leave for families with multiple births; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11811/17]
View answerThere is no provision under current legislation for additional Maternity Leave in cases of multiple births, nor is such a provision being actively considered. As the Deputy will be aware, since 30 September 2016, new fathers can avail of two weeks' Paternity Leave and Benefit. This legislation, in addition to the existing payment of maternity benefit, means that the State now offers a total of 28 weeks of paid support to parents upon the birth of their child or children. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware of the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment to significantly increase parental leave in the first year of a child’s life over the next five years. It is my intention that this Government will be in a position to extend the provision of paid leave further in the years ahead subject to the resources becoming available and I intend to publish my proposals in that regard this year for inclusion in the Family Leave Bill. The Bill will also review all existing family leave legislation such as parental leave, carer's leave, maternity leave, and adoptive leave and consolidate this legislation into one Act.
124. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to delays in the processing of probate claims; and her plans to alleviate these delays. [11850/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in a number of provincial court offices.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the current waiting times in the Probate Office in Dublin for Grants of Representation are 20 weeks for applications lodged by a solicitor and 28 weeks for personal applications.
Where a person elects to apply for a Grant without the assistance of a solicitor the process requires significant support from the Probate Office and is more resource intensive. The Probate Office is actively involved in preparing the necessary paperwork and in servicing queries from the applicants by way of telephone, e-mail or post. Each personal applicant is required to attend at the Probate Office in person by prior appointment to complete the application process.
All applications for Grants of Representation in deceased persons' estates are made on foot of a number of mandatory legal documents which must be furnished by the applicants and these require detailed checking by the Probate Office to ensure that the estate of the deceased person is administered correctly and in accordance with the law. All applications are assessed on the basis of the date on which they are lodged, an approach which provides fairness and equity to all applicants. Priority is given to probate applications which display a particular urgency or where it is considered that extenuating circumstances so warrant. In such circumstances it is open to applicants to bring the matter to the attention of the Probate Office.
The Courts Service also informed me that there have been a number of staff changes in the Probate Office during the last year due to retirement and promotion and this has impacted on the waiting times. The examination of probate applications requires a thorough legal examination of documents and it takes a new staff member a period of at least six months to acquire a satisfactory knowledge in this area. As new staff members become more proficient, the waiting times will reduce.
Additional staff resources are now being provided in Dublin to address the current situation and I am optimistic, subject to full staff capacity being in place, that there will be a reduction in waiting times this year. Efforts continue to be made to give priority to urgent applications. The backlogs in the probate system are a cause for concern and review of the probate system is being carried out at present. It is anticipated that a report with recommendations for the modernisation of the process will be presented by mid 2017 to the Senior Management Team of the Courts Service and to the Courts Service Board for their consideration.
125. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017, which aims to reverse the mandatory closure of pubs and all licensed hospitality businesses on Good Friday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11878/17]
View answerThe position is that the text of the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 is being examined by my Department at present. As I have stated in response to previous Parliamentary Questions on the subject, statutory restrictions relating to the sale of alcohol on Good Friday have historical origins. The forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill will update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises by repealing statutory provisions set out in the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011, and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008, and replacing them with streamlined and updated provisions more suited to modern conditions. Drafting of that complex Bill has, however, been delayed due to other legislative priorities and I am not in a position at present to say when it will be published.
126. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Reserve members in counties Cavan and Monaghan in tabular form; the way they are being utilised, in view of the shortages of gardaí in divisions across the country due to the number of retirements and lack of recruitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11912/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of 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.
The Garda Reserve was established in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to enhance the links between An Garda Síochána and local communities and consists of voluntary unpaid members, drawn from the community, to support the work of An Garda Síochána. The Reserve perform policing duties as determined by the Garda Commissioner, while accompanied by full time Gardaí. Their role is to provide local patrols and participate in crime prevention initiatives targeted at specific local problem areas. Reserve members are also involved in policing major incidents and events, and in providing other operational support to full time Gardaí. In recent years the Garda Commissioner has conferred further powers on reserve members under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and the Road Traffic Act 1961 and has also decided that they should carry out more duties including the serving of summonses, and the issuing of Fixed Charge Penalty Notices where offences are detected.
The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be an effective full-time member of An Garda Síochána and it is important that we build on the very real contribution that they are making to the policing of communities right across the country.
As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014 and the current Government is committed to steadily increasing Garda numbers. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves. I am advised by the Commissioner that planning is well advanced for a fresh recruitment campaign for Reserves.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the following table, as provided by the Commissioner, the strength of the Reserve in the Cavan/Monaghan Division as of 31 January 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available.
|
Cavan / Monaghan Garda Reserve Strength 31-01-2017 |
|
|
Cavan |
5 |
|
Carrickmacross |
2 |
|
Baileboro |
1 |
|
Clones |
0 |
|
Castleblaney |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
|
Total: |
14 |
127. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a secure measure for advanced payments in relation to the operation of English language schools and the difficulties associated with these in the past; the number of schools operating at present; the accreditation system in place to ensure financial protection for students and to ensure quality standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11926/17]
View answerIt is important at the outset to explain the roles and responsibilities of my Department with regards to the English Language Training (ELT) sector. The sector, which predominantly operates in the commercial sphere, recruits students from a wide range of international markets with a particular focus on students from within the European Union. Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) are under no obligation to register for an immigration permission while in the State and will have no interaction with the immigration authorities. Similarly, participants in programmes of short duration who are from outside the EEA will not require to register for an immigration permission for their stay in Ireland.
Accordingly, the main group of English language students who will have any significant interaction with the immigration authorities will be adult non-EEA nationals participating in examination focused programmes of twenty five weeks or longer duration. ELT providers seeking to recruit from this particular student group are required to satisfy a number of minimum standards in order to be listed by my Department on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Several of the standards imposed by my Department are intended to ensure that measures are put in place by the providers for the financial protection to students under the ILEP. These standards are set out in the Criteria for English Language Programmes publically available and published on the website (www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/ELT%20criteria%20for%20ILEP%20Updated%2009%20November%202016%20.pdf/Files/ELT%20criteria%20for%20ILEP%20Updated%2009%20November%202016%20.pdf) of the Irish Immigration and Naturalisation Service.
Specifically, they include important measures to protect students who make payments of fees up front for their courses and also to protect students in the event of an ELT provider goes out of business.
With regards to quality standards, my Department works closely with their colleagues in the Department of Education and skills, who have responsibility for the quality of education delivered. This cooperation includes a joint inspection regime including unannounced visits to the schools. As outlined above my role is limited to those schools on the ILEP and in that regard, I am informed by the Irish Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INIS) of my Department that the programmes of one hundred and twenty five (125) ELT providers are listed on the ILEP at this time.
128. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of English language schools which were inspected under the interim list of eligible programs in each of the past three years; the number of these inspections which found irregularities; the action taken if irregularities were found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11927/17]
View answerThe Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) was introduced on a phased basis from June 2015 with the first phase confined to higher education programmes which had previously been listed on the Internationalisation Register. The next phase took place in January 2016 with english language programmes being listed for the first time. Unannounced inspections of educational providers by the immigration authorities began in November 2015. There have been twenty five (25) such inspections in total to date.
The purpose of these inspections is to satisfy the immigration authorities that providers are operating their services in compliance with the Guidelines for English Language Programmes on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes. For the most part services have been found to be compliant or have been reminded of their obligations under the Guidelines in relation to minor infractions. In the case of more serious infractions a provider would have been denied a full listing until such time as they could satisfy the immigration authorities they were compliant with the relevant criteria.
