Written Answers Nos. 447-464
447. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of applications by persons (details supplied) to be appointed as Peace Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35654/18]
View answerPeace Commissioners are appointed under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. The Office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary appointment and Peace Commissioners receive no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services.
An application for appointment may be submitted by a person who is interested in obtaining an appointment or a third party may submit a nomination in respect of a person considered suitable for appointment. Nominations are generally received from public representatives. A local Garda Superintendent sometimes requests an appointment in a particular area in the public interest.
There is no qualifying examination involved but appointees are required to be of good character and they are usually well established in the local community. Persons convicted of serious offences are considered unsuitable for appointment. To this end, a background check on nominees is carried out by An Garda Síochána.
Persons who are members of professions or employed in occupations which engage in legal work or related activities and members of the clergy are, as a matter of practice, not appointed because of their occupation. Civil servants are usually only appointed where the performance of their official duties requires an appointment (i.e. ex-officio).
Officials in my Department have informed me that no application for appointment to the Office of Peace Commissioner has been received on behalf of the first person referred to by the Deputy.
Applications have been received on behalf of the other two persons in question.
I understand that officials in the Peace Commissioner Unit have made enquires with the office of the person who nominated the third person referred to by the Deputy, seeking basic contact details to enable them to process the application. To date, no response has been received. Processing of this application will continue when this information has been received. The other application is close to finality and a decision will issue shortly.
448. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a refugee programme for those fleeing the conflict in the Republic of Cameroon will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35663/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of international laws in relation to those in need of International Protection and Ireland complies fully with these laws as well as ensuring compliance with EU law in related areas such as Subsidiary Protection and the application of the Dublin Convention.
As part of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admissions Programme 2 (IHAP), officials in my Department are closely monitoring the UNHCR Annual Global Trends Report which lists the top ten major source countries of refugees. In the first call for proposals under the programme, the following countries were identified as having the largest forcibly displaced populations globally: Syrian Arab Republic, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Myanmar, Eritrea and Burundi.
Government policy relating to immigration and protection matters in the State is kept under constant review and the relevant authorities in Ireland are closely following and observing trends and developments in other EU Member States as well as internationally. At present, there are no plans to introduce an additional refugee programme for those fleeing conflict in the Republic of Cameroon.
449. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of join family visa applications in the embassy in India; if additional resources will be assigned to assist in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35665/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing times for Join Family applications received in the New Delhi Visa Office is currently around 12 months.
The Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification contains a stated business target that visa applications to join family members should be dealt with between 6 to 12 months of the application being made. This, however, is a business target and does not constitute a legal obligation. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. Processing times for long stay visas invariably take longer and are generally determined by the volume of applications received, the particular merits of individual applications, their complexity, whether the need to investigate or enquire further, and the resources available.
The Deputy can be assured that every effort is made to keep processing times to a minimum, and a number of measures have been put in place generally to deal with the current caseload. This includes the assignment of additional staff to help process applications, and more generally the streamlining of visa processing where possible. The position in this regard continues to be kept under review.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.
450. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the emergency reception and orientation centre, EROC, based in Monasterevin, County Kildare is no longer being used as an EROC; the reason it is no longer being used; and the locations to which persons living in the centre have moved. [35672/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was approved by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 in response to the migration crisis which has developed in Southern Europe, and as an act of solidarity with other Member States.
Under the Programme, a network of Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs) was established to provide initial accommodation to meet the needs of asylum seekers relocated from Greece as well as the needs of programme refugees from Lebanon. The role of an EROC is largely about reception and orientation for those who are to be subsequently resettled and the accommodation of persons in EROCs for a period of time is considered to be good practice by the UNHCR as it allows for a period of acclimatisation, de-stressing and on-site processing.
In the case of Monasterevin, County Kildare, the premises in question was contracted as an EROC until August 2018. The premises had also been offered to the Department as part of an 'Expressions of Interest for the Provision of Accommodation Services to Persons in the Protection Process' which was advertised in the National Press in January of this year. Given the continued high demand for accommodation services for persons seeking international protection, the Department has contracted the Hazel Hotel to provide accommodation and ancillary services to those persons for a 1 year period.
All persons in the IRPP cohort who had been living in the Centre at the time of closure have been relocated to another EROC.
451. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of emergency reception and orientation centres here. [35673/18]
View answerBefore arrival in Ireland, programme refugees and asylum seekers are interviewed abroad by Department officials to assess their needs and vulnerabilities and to initially orient them to Irish life and society. Following their arrival in Ireland, and during their initial period of reception, they are accommodated in an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC). As the name suggests, an EROC is largely about reception and orientation for those who are to be subsequently settled around the country. In the EROCs both cohorts receive broadly the same integration services with due account being taken of the fact that certain things may not be able to happen until individuals receive a decision on their application for a grant of international protection. IRPP staff hold regular clinics in the EROCs, often at weekly intervals, at which individuals and families may discuss their needs and requirements. The client group also receive an orientation and language training programme while in the EROC.
Following the conclusion of a recent public procurement competition, Mosney, Co. Meath and Clonea Strand, Co. Waterford will be awarded contracts for the provision of EROC services. These contracts will be for an initial 2 year period.
In addition, the Abbeyfield Hotel in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon is contracted to the Department to provide an EROC until December 2019.
452. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 12 July 2018, if his Department gave sanction for such a process of destruction of records in the prison at that time (details supplied). [35689/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that as previously stated in replies to Question No. 219 of 3 July 2018 and Question No. 229 of 12 July 2018, there is no record of files being destroyed in Portlaoise Prison in the manner referred to. As further stated in reply to Question No. 229 I would again ask that if the Deputy has any information to confirm that files were destroyed he should contact the Director General of the Irish Prison Service and consideration will be given to same.
453. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a scheme for the delivery of CCTV cameras at junctions of motorways will be established. [35703/18]
View answerThis Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources required to carry out the organisation’s duties and this is evidenced by the increased allocation of resources to An Garda Síochána in recent times. Some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and allocation of Garda resources.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to support investment in CCTV systems at key locations along the road network and in urban centres. This commitment is being progressed in a number of ways, including in particular through the community CCTV grant-aid scheme administered by my Department.
The intention is to support local communities who wish to install CCTV systems in their localities, including access roads to their areas where necessary and appropriate. Under the scheme, which is being administered by my Department, eligible community groups can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000. Full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie.
That scheme supplements the existing network of CCTV Systems in operation in the State including both existing Garda and Community based CCTV schemes. For example, there are some 35 Garda CCTV schemes in operation throughout the State comprising some 523 cameras. There are also some 45 Community-based CCTV schemes in operation encompassing some 367 cameras to which An Garda Síochána have access, established under the previous grant-aid scheme funded by my Department between 2005 and 2013.
I would point out that Joint Policing Committees play an important role in the establishment of Community CCTV schemes - indeed their approval is one of the statutory requirements for establishment of any community CCTV scheme. In this regard the Deputy may find it useful to engage with her local Joint Policing Committee.
In addition to the Community CCTV scheme and as the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Safety Camera Contract, GoSafe will provide an annual minimum of 90,000 hours of monitoring and surveying vehicle speed across 1,031 designated safety camera zones.
Further, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology is fitted in a number of official Garda vehicles which are allocated around the country and used on a daily basis to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, particularly on our roads network.
The Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 – 2021 ("MRP") has identified a number of areas for expansion of ANPR including:
- increasing the number of ANPR units deployed;
- the addition of more ‘watch-lists’ in order to remove a greater number of dangerous drivers and defective vehicles from the roads;
- examining the introduction of fixed ANPR sites at strategic locations across the roads network, in addition to using portable ANPR units while patrolling;
- working with the National Roads Authority, Port Authorities, Local Authorities and private car park operators in order to access data from their ANPR systems, as well as CCTV systems operating on the motorway network.
The MRP also sets out key strategic objectives for road policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána's road policing plans over the next 5 years. Under the Programme, the Commissioner will undertake a number of road safety traffic enforcement initiatives, including expanding the use of technology and increasing checkpoints.
Finally and more generally, the Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that Gardaí must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crimes, and to prevent loss and harm to citizens and their property on a 24/7 basis. Some €342 million, including €217 million under the Government's Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to utilise appropriate technologies in delivering professional policing and security services for the community.
454. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the new Garda station in Clonmel will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35724/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
The Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, which is an ambitious 5-year Programme based on agreed Garda priorities, continues to benefit over thirty locations around the country. The Programme includes over €60 million of Exchequer funding as well as a major Public Private Partnership (PPP) project to deliver stations at Macroom, Clonmel and Sligo. This is in addition to the provision of over €100 million for delivery of 3 new Divisional and Regional Headquarters in Wexford, Galway and Kevin Street, Dublin, each of which, I am pleased to confirm, have been completed and are now operational.
Regarding the PPP to deliver stations at Macroom, Clonmel and Sligo, I am informed by the OPW and the Garda authorities that the OPW has acquired sites for the development of the new stations in Macroom and Sligo. The site for the new Garda Station in Clonmel is already in State ownership and its transfer to the OPW from Tipperary County Council is currently being finalised.
The development of PPP projects is progressed under the auspices of the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). My Department has been in contact with the NDFA with a view to progressing the matter further. It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the completion of these projects at this point.
455. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the costs associated with operating the Garda safety camera contract; the receipts it has generated in each of the past six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35725/18]
View answerI am advised by An Garda Síochána that the amount paid to Road Safety Operations Ireland, trading as GoSafe, for the provision and operation of safety cameras was €14.6 million in 2017.
The duration of the current contract is 6 years with effect from the Services Commencement Date (1 May 2017), with the option to extend the contract for an additional 12 months. The estimated cost of the core safety camera service over 6 years is approximately €73 million excluding VAT (Total cost of the safety camera contract over 7 years is estimated at €100.4 million, including VAT). This represents a reduction of approximately 14% when compared with the cost which would have arisen over that time based on the charges under the previous contract.
Under the current contract, GoSafe will provide an annual minimum of 90,000 hours of monitoring and surveying vehicle speed across 1,031 designated safety camera zones. This equates to a minimum of 7,400 monitoring hours and 100 survey hours a month. This represents an annual increase of 300 hours on the previous contract. The current contract also contains provisions for up to 1,500 additional monitoring hours within any calendar month and the option to avail of fixed, temporary fixed and average speed safety camera systems.
The role of the Safety Camera Contract is critical in the context of road traffic enforcement, improving road safety by changing driver behaviour in order to reduce road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by reducing the incidence of drivers exceeding stipulated speed limits, in circumstances where speeding is known to be a significant factor behind serious collisions. As such, the deployment of safety cameras is determined by road safety considerations as opposed to revenue maximisation.
The overall impact of the safety cameras can be seen in the impact on the fatal collisions in the designated safety camera zones, referred to as speed enforcement zones. The designation of specific sections of road as speed enforcement zones is based on an analysis of collision data by An Garda Síochána. In the years 2004 to 2009 (the 6 years before the introduction of the safety camera network began), approximately 3 out of 10 (30%) fatal collisions occurred in these zones. In 2015, this figure had reduced to 16% (or 24 road deaths) in safety camera zones.
The safety camera network has made a critical contribution to road traffic enforcement and, by extension, road safety, since its inception, and will continue to provide valuable support to An Garda Síochána in the context of roads policing.
In relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy on receipts generated as a result of the safety camera contract for each of the past six years, the Deputy will recall that statistics for each year from 2010 to the end of May 2016 were provided in response to his Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 16 September 2016. To be of assistance, the statistics relating to the years referred to in the Deputy's current question are reproduced below.
|
2012 - € |
2013 - € |
2014 - € |
2015 - € |
2016 to end May - € |
|
4,613,360 |
4,383,880 |
6,584,880 |
7,521,400 |
2,144,720 |
I have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to receipts generated as a result of the safety camera contract for the years 2016 and 2017 and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.
456. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount due to An Garda Síochána for providing policing services during the Papal visit; the organisations that will pay for the services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35735/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources necessary to ensure the safety of visiting dignitaries, having regard to the security considerations involved. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the costs of security and public safety connected with the Papal visit are being met from public funds.
457. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a review of an application by a person (details supplied); the reason the application was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35745/18]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned applied on 23 May 2017 for a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008 and Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. They stated at that time that they were the spouse of a citizen of Slovakia.
The person concerned was advised on 10 March 2018 that their application had been refused. This was because they had been found to have engaged in a fraudulent act within the meaning of the Regulations and Directive, which provide that Member States may refuse, terminate or withdraw any rights conferred under the Directive in the case of abuse of rights or fraud. The application was refused in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 27(1) of the Regulations and Article 35 of the Directive.
Furthermore, the person concerned was advised their marriage to the EU citizen was considered to be one of convenience that was contracted for the sole purpose of obtaining a derived right of free movement and residence under EU law as a spouse who would not otherwise have such a right. Therefore, their application was also refused in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 28(1) of the Regulations.
The person concerned sought a review of that decision on 21 March 2018. However, they were informed on 09 July 2018 that the decision to refuse their application had been upheld. Having considered in detail the representations and documentation that had been submitted, the Review Officer was not satisfied that the applicant had allayed concerns that they had engaged in a marriage of convenience for the purpose of obtaining a derived right of free movement and residence under EU law as a spouse who would not otherwise have such a right.
The person concerned was informed on 09 July 2018 that their EU Treaty Rights application was closed. Furthermore, as they had no immigration permission to remain in the State, they were issued with a Notification under Section 3(4) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
The person concerned does not have any permission to reside in the State at the present time, and their case now falls to be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). Should they wish to provide further documentation or information in respect of their position in the State, they should make contact with the Repatriation Division, INIS, Chapter House, 26-30 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
458. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 520 of 12 June and 267 of 26 June 2018, if the information requested from the Garda Commissioner will be forwarded to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35802/18]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, An Garda Síochána publish statistics each year in their annual report on the number and types of firearms seized and examined by the Ballistics Section at the Garda National Technical Bureau.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the attached table shows the number and types of firearms seized in each year in 2013 to 2017. I am informed that details of firearms seized and examined for 2018 are not available at this time, however, I am assured that verified figures will be published in the 2018 annual report.
In relation to the number of stolen firearms used in crime incidents in each of the years 2013 to date, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the particular breakdown sought by the Deputy is unavailable.
|
Gun Type |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Pistols |
52 |
40 |
32 |
35 |
56 |
215 |
|
Revolvers |
27 |
14 |
29 |
24 |
31 |
125 |
|
Light Machine Gun |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
Small Machine Gun |
3 |
3 |
7 |
6 |
9 |
28 |
|
Assault Rifle |
1 |
2 |
10 |
6 |
3 |
22 |
|
Blank Fire Pistol |
12 |
24 |
21 |
7 |
14 |
78 |
|
Imitation Pistol |
16 |
10 |
15 |
7 |
7 |
55 |
|
Imitation Revolver |
9 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
11 |
35 |
|
Rifle |
50 |
41 |
39 |
23 |
18 |
171 |
|
Shotgun |
125 |
100 |
92 |
58 |
42 |
417 |
|
Air Rifle |
49 |
93 |
79 |
55 |
42 |
318 |
|
Air Pistol |
177 |
216 |
155 |
137 |
164 |
849 |
|
Muskets |
0 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
13 |
|
Stun Guns |
56 |
63 |
96 |
69 |
71 |
355 |
|
Crossbows |
7 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
19 |
49 |
|
CS Gas |
19 |
51 |
42 |
4 |
0 |
116 |
|
Silencers |
7 |
12 |
6 |
11 |
9 |
45 |
|
Sawn Off Shotguns |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
17 |
|
Totals |
612 |
689 |
638 |
456 |
517 |
2912 |
459. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a spousal visa application by a person (details supplied). [35819/18]
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 Dublin on 14 August 2018 and the applicant was advised of the reasons for the refusal.
The applicant was also advised that the decision could be appealed within two months of the date on the refusal letter. No appeal has yet been received in the Dublin Visa Office.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.
460. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Part IV section 27 of the Succession Act 1965 will be reviewed to determine whether it requires amendment; if he is satisfied with the operation of this Part of the Act; his views on whether the administration of estates should be carried out by an independent agency to give greater transparency and accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35824/18]
View answerThe position is that section 27 of the Succession Act 1965 deals with arrangements for the granting of letters of administration to an estate. I am not aware, nor have I been made aware, of any difficulties regarding the transparency and accountability of administrators under existing arrangements. Administrators of estates have the same role and responsibilities of executors of estates. In addition, an administrator must enter into an administration bond (under section 34(1) of the Act) as security for their work in the administration.
In light of the foregoing, I have no plans to devolve the administration of estates to an independent agency, the establishment and operation of which would be likely to incur significant expenditure by the State.
461. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of tattoo and body piercing businesses that have been reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in relation to injuries sustained by persons availing of services in these businesses. [35841/18]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.
462. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to increased concern about bicycle thefts in Dublin; the action he will take to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35854/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner and his management team who are responsible for putting in place targeted Garda operations to tackle bike thefts in Dublin and I have no direct role in this regard.
I can, however, inform the Deputy that 'Operation Chain' has been put in place in the Pearse Street Garda District, and is a targeted intelligence-led operation focusing on pedal cycle theft. This initiative includes Inter-Agency co-operation with Dublin City Council and interested third parties, such as the Dublin Cycling Campaign. A Garda Inspector is appointed to liaise with the Dublin City Council Cycling and Walking Sub-Committee on this matter.
I am further advised that An Garda Síochána has a number of ‘bait’ bikes which are deployed at hot-spot locations throughout the South Inner City by the Community Policing Unit. When deployed, these bicycles, the property of An Garda Síochána through Police Property Applications, are kept under surveillance by members of An Garda Síochána. The bicycles are locked in prominent positions and when an attempt is made to steal the bicycle the members intercept the offender, arrest and detain them and recover the bicycle. Follow up enquiries are conducted, which may include liaison with online retailers to ascertain if the individual has been involved in sale of bicycles on line, and follow up searches are conducted where warranted.
In addition to these targeted policing operations, on Thursday 6 September, An Garda Síochána launched the “Lock it or Lose It” campaign in response to a rise in bicycle thefts nationwide. Launching this campaign, Gardaí also provided comprehensive crime prevention advice in the hopes of substantially reducing the number of bike thefts nationwide, including advice to spend between 10% and 20% of the price of your bike on a good lock, noting the serial number on your bicycle, keeping your lock off the ground and locking your bike indoors or in a well-lit area. The full press release and further information about this campaign can be found on the Garda website at www.garda.ie.
Finally, I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to monitor all new and emerging crime trends in relation to this particular form of criminality and to deploy Garda resources, including personnel, to tackle the issue.
463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the decision in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35857/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, if an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications and the applicant or his legal representative should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate.
The IPO may be contacted either by email to info@ipo.gov.ie, by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008, or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either by email to info@protectionappeals.ie, by telephone at 01 474 8400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
464. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a family has recently been reunified to a homeless situation; his views on whether this practice is appropriate; and the steps that can be taken to ensure that this practice does not continue. [35895/18]
View answerFamily reunification with non-EEA/Swiss national family members is available for Irish nationals and various categories of migrants and beneficiaries of international protection, with different procedures governing each of these categories.
Sections 57 and 58 of the 2015 International Protection Act set out the provisions for family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection. Other humanitarian initiatives such as the Irish Humanitarian Protection Programme and its predecessor the Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme also provide for family reunification.
Family reunification for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals (excluding Irish nationals ) is enshrined in European Union Directive 2004/38/EC, given effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015. Details on family reunification for Irish nationals and non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can be found in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration (INIS) website.
It is not clear from the Deputy's question which of these categories of family reunification is being referred to and as the services and supports available vary between categories, it is not possible to provide a more detailed response to this question. However, it is the case that persons can fall into homelessness for a wide range of reasons regardless of their nationality.
