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Thursday, 5 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 116-129

Apprenticeship Data

Questions (116, 122)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

116. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of an apprentice per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29903/18]

View answer

Billy Kelleher

Question:

122. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he finalised the per capita costing for both craft-based and consortia-led apprenticeships as part of the 2019 Estimates process; the number if completed; and, if not, when this process will be completed. [29929/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 122 together.

It is estimated that the cost of training an apprentice in one of the existing craft apprenticeships is approximately €6,700 per annum and the cost of training an apprentice in one of the new consortia led apprenticeships is approximately €5,100 per annum. However, as part of the 2019 estimates process my Department is currently reviewing the per capita costing for both craft based and consortia led apprenticeships. This exercise involves collecting detailed data from both SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority and, when completed, will provide a more accurate base from which future funding requirements can be established to meet the targets set out in our Apprenticeship Action Plan. It is expected that this exercise will be completed shortly.

Apprenticeship Data

Questions (117, 118, 121)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

117. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the apprenticeship budget for 2016, 2017 and 2018; the estimated spend on apprenticeships in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29904/18]

View answer

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

118. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the apprentice population in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 by year, that is, by stage of the apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29905/18]

View answer

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

121. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent on developing and introducing new apprenticeship programmes in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of these programmes developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29908/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 118 and 121 together.

This Government is committed to expanding the apprenticeship model into new sectors of the economy. Arising from our first call for apprenticeship proposals in 2015 eleven new apprenticeships have been developed in a wide range of sectors, including financial services, engineering, ICT and accounting. Further new apprenticeships will get underway later in 2018.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the 2016, 2017 and 2018 budget and expenditure for apprenticeship training and the apprenticeship population is set out in the tabular statements. Future years' allocations will be determined through the normal budgetary process which takes account of competing demands and the overall availability of resources.

Active Apprentices by Phase up to year 2016

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5

Phase 6

Phase 7

Grand Total

Agricultural Mechanics

21

32

22

37

24

12

148

Aircraft Mechanics

35

29

36

43

143

Brick and Stonelaying

22

20

32

3

10

87

Cabinet Making

3

3

Carpentry and Joinery

242

138

166

48

154

31

110

889

Construction Plant Fitting

19

36

69

16

46

15

12

213

Electrical

1207

333

564

217

540

140

437

3438

Electrical Instrumentation

115

35

22

54

13

27

266

Electronic Security Systems

16

12

15

12

7

62

Farriery

6

2

6

1

15

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics

138

24

98

31

75

30

74

470

Industrial Electrical Engineering

12

12

Industrial Insulation

15

6

8

1

30

Instrumentation

9

9

2

9

29

Insurance Practice

67

67

M.A.M.F.

128

40

138

32

141

15

81

575

Metal Fabrication

113

97

127

44

133

29

83

626

Motor Mechanics

310

137

241

124

259

31

160

1262

Painting and Decorating

26

18

6

3

53

Pipefitting

35

26

61

Plastering

11

9

5

1

5

8

39

Plumbing

194

90

218

91

218

45

191

1047

Print Media

3

1

15

19

Refrigeration

39

40

65

16

24

15

42

241

Sheet Metalworking

27

12

31

18

8

96

Stonecutting and Stonemasonry

4

10

13

27

Toolmaking

34

40

45

16

57

16

36

244

Vehicle Body Repairs

32

14

63

19

27

155

Wood Manufacturing and Finishing

40

24

30

7

14

7

6

128

Grand Total

2879

1174

2052

702

1808

448

1382

10445

Active Apprentices by Phase up to year 2017

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5

Phase 6

Phase 7

Grand Total

Accounting Technician

71

71

Agricultural Mechanics

27

33

5

82

7

154

Aircraft Mechanics

1

49

28

28

52

158

Brick and Stonelaying

31

10

41

32

7

121

Cabinet Making

2

2

Carpentry and Joinery

277

130

356

206

167

1136

Commis Chef

25

25

Construction Plant Fitting

73

76

61

38

248

Electrical

1786

371

1042

711

574

4484

Electrical Instrumentation

127

48

65

24

42

21

327

Electronic Security Systems

59

12

13

33

3

120

Farriery

2

4

6

2

4

18

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics

126

44

125

1

118

79

493

Industrial Electrical Engineering

31

31

Industrial Insulation

10

10

14

3

1

38

Instrumentation

10

10

10

11

2

43

Insurance Practice

138

138

International Financial Services Associate

14

14

International Financial Services Specialist

14

14

M.A.M.F.

148

25

174

168

97

612

Manufacturing Engineering (Level 6)

39

39

Manufacturing Engineering (Level 7)

36

36

Metal Fabrication

142

66

234

124

115

681

Motor Mechanics

266

128

350

367

182

1293

Painting and Decorating

32

14

25

10

4

85

Pipefitting

27

41

13

81

Plastering

13

14

22

5

9

63

Plumbing

333

119

312

330

178

1272

Polymer Processing Technology

23

23

Print Media

12

1

13

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

68

28

81

82

36

295

Sheet Metalworking

28

11

39

30

10

118

Stonecutting and Stonemasonry

3

7

23

33

Toolmaking

26

26

100

42

48

242

Vehicle Body Repairs

21

11

61

52

22

167

Wood Manufacturing and Finishing

37

23

61

29

11

161

Grand Total

4064

1186

3288

25

2588

32

1666

12849

Active Apprentices by Phase YTD 2018

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5

Phase 6

Phase 7

Grand Total

Accounting Technician

66

66

Agricultural Mechanics

37

38

38

42

155

Aircraft Mechanics

49

28

55

132

Brick and Stonelaying

42

10

31

32

19

134

Cabinet Making

2

2

Carpentry and Joinery

297

146

318

319

188

1,268

Commis Chef

51

60

Construction Plant Fitting

79

49

64

51

243

Electrical

1,882

473

984

842

578

4,759

Electrical Instrumentation

98

60

104

43

26

331

Electronic Security Systems

53

26

13

29

16

137

Farriery

5

10

5

3

23

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics

102

59

96

145

112

514

ICT Software Development

1

1

Industrial Electrical Engineering

32

32

Industrial Insulation

19

2

10

14

45

Instrumentation

12

10

8

11

41

Insurance Practice

130

130

International Financial Services Associate

14

14

International Financial Services Specialist

14

14

Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting

145

26

143

191

104

609

Manufacturing Engineering (Level 6)

45

45

Manufacturing Engineering (Level 7)

39

39

Metal Fabrication

152

70

173

216

97

708

Motor Mechanics

244

128

280

406

244

1,302

Painting and Decorating

21

15

24

17

11

88

Pipefitting

36

25

14

14

13

102

Plastering

12

11

27

8

10

68

Plumbing

373

177

293

321

272

1,436

Polymer Processing Technology

23

23

Print Media

11

11

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

77

27

81

70

61

316

Sheet Metalworking

33

22

40

16

17

128

Stonecutting and Stonemasonry

4

6

11

12

33

Toolmaking

19

14

71

76

49

229

Vehicle Body Repairs

11

12

44

54

33

154

Wood Manufacturing and Finishing

50

15

65

44

23

197

Grand Total

4,227

1,293

2,984

14

3.022

12

2,037

13,589

Apprenticeship Training

Allocation (€m)

Expenditure (€m)*

2016

74.7

69.6

2017

98.7

88.7

2018

122

47.5**

* Expenditure on developing new apprenticeship programmes only is not currently available.

** YTD end of June 2018.

Apprenticeship Data

Questions (119)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

119. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of female apprentices in 2017 and to date 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29906/18]

View answer

Written answers

At the end of June, 2018 there was a total of 160 female apprentices registered across the 36 apprenticeship schemes currently on offer, which represents an increase of almost 170% on the 2016 figure of 60 and over 500% on the 2015 figure of 26.

The 2014 Review of Apprenticeship in Ireland acknowledged that the number of women employed in craft apprenticeships is low as they operate in sectors that have traditionally low levels of female employment. SOLAS offers a bursary to employers to encourage them to employ female apprentices in these areas. Despite this the number of female apprentices in the craft apprenticeships remains low.

Currently the Apprenticeship Council is overseeing the expansion of the apprenticeship system in Ireland into a range of new sectors of the economy, following two calls for new apprenticeship proposals from employers and education and training providers. To date eleven apprenticeship programmes are operational and we are now seeing a strong increase in female participation in many of these new programmes, particularly in the financial and hospitality sectors. With further new apprenticeships to get underway this year, many of which that are in sectors where there is a different gender balance in the workplace, it is expected, as these new apprenticeships are rolled out, that this will lead to a continued increase in female participation. While this is welcome, it is also important to address issues influencing the low level of recruitment of women in the craft sectors.

As set out in our Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland, my Department, in conjunction with SOLAS, is currently reviewing the pathways to participation in apprenticeship in a range of diverse groups, including female participation. The review is due to be completed shortly.

Furthermore, a digital campaign to promote apprenticeship is now underway with a dedicated Twitter feed #Generation Apprenticeship, a new apprenticeship website www.apprenticeship.ie, an Apprenticeship Ireland Facebook page and a LinkedIn page. In all aspects of the digital campaign women feature prominently and there will be a specific focus on encouraging women and girls to consider apprenticeship as a means of launching or developing their careers.

Apprenticeship Data

Questions (120)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

120. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons with a disability engaged in an apprenticeship in 2017 and to date in 2018; the steps he is taking to increase this level of participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29907/18]

View answer

Written answers

As set out in our Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland, SOLAS, in conjunction with my Department, is currently reviewing pathways to participation in apprenticeship for a range of underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. The review, due to be published shortly, will identify any barriers that may exist to participation in an apprenticeship programme for these groups and make recommendations for the future. It will also examine the level of participation for those with disabilities. The purpose of the review is to ensure that our national apprenticeship system is more reflective of the range and diversity of our population and more inclusive of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 116.

National Training Fund

Questions (123)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

123. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual forecasts for the National Training Fund levy in each year over the next five years, in tabular form. [29930/18]

View answer

Written answers

The table sets out the annual forecasts for National Training Fund levy receipts for 2019 to 2021, based on different levy rates. As part of Budget 2018, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform announced a rise of the levy to 0.8% and indicated that the levy will rise to 0.9% in 2019 and to 1.0% in 2020 subject to the implementation of necessary reforms.

These forecasts were provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and are based on macroeconomic employment and wage projections, which are not currently available beyond 2021.

The expenditure ceiling for the National Training Fund is set as part of the Estimates process, having regard to the Government's overall budgetary and fiscal stance, and so the amount available for expenditure in any given year may vary from the forecast income.

2019

2020

2021

Income generated from 0.8% levy (current rate)

€589.2m

€620.1m

€650.3m

Income generated from increase to 0.9% levy from 2019

€662.1m

€703m

€737m

Income generated from increase to 0.9% levy from 2019 and

1% from 2020

€662.1m

€780.5m

€824.9m

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (124)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an institution (details supplied) is a recognised third level institution for the purpose of eligibility for the higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29989/18]

View answer

Written answers

Under my Department's Student Grant Scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.

The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2018.

The institution referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied, is not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. However, tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in private colleges. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.

Garda Stations

Questions (125)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

125. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Garda stations in Lauragh and Sneem, County Kerry, will reopen on a full-time basis. [29825/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including the opening times of Garda stations. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.

I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 125 for answer on 5 July 2018 relating to Sneem and former Lauragh Garda Stations in County Kerry.
As the Deputy will recall, the information he requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact him again when the details were to hand. I am now in receipt of the requested information from the Garda authorities.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is primarily responsible for operational decisions in respect of the effective and efficient use of resources available to An Garda Síochána including the opening hours of Garda stations and I, as Minister, have no role in relation to the matter.
I am however informed by the Garda authorities that Sneem Garda Station, opens to the public from 10 – 12 Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday. I am further informed that there are no plans to re-open the station on a full time basis at this time.
I am further informed that Sneem Garda Station forms part of the Killarney Garda District in the Kerry Garda Division. I am advised by the Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Kerry Division on the 31 July 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 328, of whom 111 members are assigned to the Killarney District and 1 member is assigned to Sneem Garda Station. There are also 19 Garda Reserves and 36 Garda civilian staff attached to the 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 understand from the Garda authorities that Lauragh Garda Station was closed in January 2013 as part the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme. 139 Garda stations were closed under that programme. I am informed by the Garda authorities that these closures have allowed front line Garda to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility and in a more focused fashion particularly with regard to various targeted police operations.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that they have been advised by the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the repair, refurbishment, maintenance and sale of State properties, that the former Garda station in Lauragh has been sold.
I trust that this information is of assistance.

Recidivism Rate

Questions (126)

James Lawless

Question:

126. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts he is undertaking to reduce the high rates of recidivism here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29727/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department recognises that, in order to protect the public and reduce reoffending behaviour, a joined up approach to the management of offenders is essential. There are a number of ongoing joint initiatives and policies which my Department leads across the criminal justice agencies aimed at preventing crime, increasing detection of crime, rehabilitation and supporting desistance from crime by persistent offenders. The first Joint Strategy on the Management of Offenders was developed in 2016 between my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service and is being implemented on an ongoing basis.

Initiatives such as the successful Joint Agency Response to Crime (J-ARC) which involves these four bodies are a strategic response to the management of prioritised prolific offenders. The evidence-based, intelligence-led objectives of J-ARC target the 25% of recidivists responsible for 75% of crime; manage identified prolific offenders in order to reduce crime, and enhance public safety by strengthening the co-ordination and integration of policy, practice and research. In 2017, the Irish Prison Service in conjunction with the Probation Service and An Garda Síochána extended J-ARC to three new locations in Dundalk, Waterford City and Limerick City.

A further development in this area is the Youth Joint Agency Response to Crime Initiative (YJ-ARC) launched in 2017. This targets young people aged 16 to 21 years who are the most prolific in their offending and provides a structured co-ordination between the Probation Service, An Garda Síochána, Irish Prison Service, Irish Youth Justice Service (Oberstown campus), Tusla and the Department of Education and Skills.

This Government is fully committed to tackling all forms of criminality and this is evidenced by the increased allocations of resources provided by the Government in recent times. This includes a budget of €1.6 billion in 2018 to support ongoing Garda operations, such as Operation Thor which involves special targeted patrols carried out with the assistance of Garda National Support Services against criminal groups who are committing crime inter-regionally.

This Government will continue to support a high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. Indeed, I recently announced the launch of the 2018 recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána.

In relation to legislation, in 2015 the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act was enacted which specifically targeted repeat offenders with provisions concerning bail and consecutive sentences. While sentencing within those limits is a matter for the judiciary, the Deputy may be aware of recent judgments of the Court of Appeal which set out principles to guide trial courts in imposing sentences for the offence of burglary.

It is also the case that the Irish Prison Service has, in recent years, placed a much greater emphasis on rehabilitative and support services to prevent reoffending and support desistance from crime. The Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. Access to these services is a critical feature for offenders in addressing their offending behaviour. Greater emphasis is now placed on pre-release planning, putting supports in place and making links to services in the community for offenders leaving custody.

The year 2017 saw the continued successful implementation of the Joint Irish Prison Service & Probation Service Community Return Programme and the Community Support Scheme. These are structured temporary release schemes which provide for supervised community service and assist with reducing recidivism rates by providing additional supports for carefully selected prisoners.

Overall I can reassure the Deputy that it is a priority of the Government and the Department of Justice & Equality to reduce crime, and specifically reoffending by those previously convicted.

Garda Resources

Questions (127)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

127. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the new Garda allocation of resources tool COHORT; the timeline for its roll-out and use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29749/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who 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.

I am informed that the Cohort model of resource allocation has been in use by Garda management since 2015 and is currently the model utilised for the allocation of personnel within An Garda Síochána, including newly attested probationer Gardaí from the Garda College. The model is a dynamic distribution model and aims to impose a numerical/mathematical measure on the policing needs of each Division nationwide. The allocation and transfer of Garda Personnel, is determined by a number of factors, including crime and non-crime workload, population, area, policing arrangements, operational strategies and transfers applications, including welfare issues. When allocation of resources is under review, comprehensive consultation is carried out with local Garda management during which all relevant factors are taken into consideration. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.

In relation to the allocation of newly attested Gardaí, it has to be factored in that they have a further 16 months of practical and class-room based training to complete in order to receive their BA in Applied Policing. To ensure that they are properly supported and supervised and have opportunities to gain the breadth of policing experience required, the Commissioner's policy is to allocate them to specially designated training stations which have the required training and development structures and resources in place, including trained Garda tutors and access to a permanently appointed supervisory Sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme. While not all Garda Stations are training stations it is important to note that the allocation of probationer Gardaí to a Divisional training station facilitates the reassignment of Gardaí to other stations within the Division, if required, by the Divisional Officer.

Garda Transport Data

Questions (128)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

128. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of marked and unmarked Garda cars and vans allocated to the County Kildare Garda division as of 31 December 2016, 2017 and 8 June 2018, respectively. [29750/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.

There has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. Indeed in the period 2013 to the end of 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

I understand that Garda management keeps the 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.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of marked and unmarked Garda cars and vans allocated to the Kildare Garda Division for the dates requested by the Deputy.

Year

Cars

Vans

Marked

Unmarked

Total

Marked

Unmarked

Total

2016

23

17

40

8

3

11

2017

23

19

42

9

3

12

2018 (as at 3 July)

21

18

39

10

3

13

Visa Applications

Questions (129)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

129. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting times for visa applications with the Irish naturalisation and immigration service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29754/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that decisions regarding the grant or refusal of visas are made in a number of INIS Visa Offices overseas, the INIS Visa Office in Dublin, and at Embassies of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which process certain visa applications under delegated sanction from my Department.

The processing times for visa decisions are published on the Visa pages of each Visa Office and Embassy website. The table underneath sets out the current processing dates (as of 2 July, 2018) up to which applications received in the Dublin Visa Office have been processed.

Purpose of Visa Applications

Current Processing Date in the Dublin Visa Office

Visit

21 May

Business

11 June

Conference/Event

11 June

Join Family (under national legislation)

07 February

Join Family (EU Free Movement)

See note below

Study

15 May

Employment

11 June

Other*

11 June

*Includes training; exam; conference/event; performance/tournament; and sundry applications.

It should be noted that target times for visa processing are established as a business target reflecting the detailed and often complex assessment required to be carried out in relation to applications, and do not constitute a legal obligation.

The processing time in each location is determined by a number of factors such as the volumes and complexity of applications, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.

In relation to applications under the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC), there had been an exponential increase from the second quarter of 2015 in the number of such applications. That gave rise to a caseload of around 10,500 applications which had to be assessed very carefully to ensure that any fraudulent applications or potential abuses of the Directive are detected and dealt with appropriately. Considerable progress is being made in processing these applications. However, as legal proceedings in relation to a number of similar such applications are currently before the courts, the Deputy will appreciate that I am limited in what I can say on the matter.

The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications 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 facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.

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